Chapter 605
“Sage, I’m truly full. I can’t manage another bite,” Katelyn said, gently pushing the plate away and offering him a weary but appreciative look.
“Alright, I won’t force you,” Sage agreed, his voice soft with understanding. He set the bowl aside and reached for the crystal carafe, pouring a fresh glass of water. From a small vial, he tapped out the final pills of her medicinal course into her palm.
Katelyn swallowed the medication and finished the water in a few long sips. Setting the empty glass on the mahogany table, she reached for a linen napkin and dabbed her lips.
“Thank you, Sage. For everything. For just being here with me through all of this,” she said, a small, genuine smile gracing her features.
“You never have to thank me for that,” Sage whispered, leaning in closer. “I am only doing what a mate is meant to do.” He reached out, his fingers intertwining with hers as he helped her rise from her chair. Nearby, the maidservants moved in like shadows, efficiently clearing the remains of the meal from the table.
As they began to walk. Katelyn asked, “Sage, are you ready for tonight?” her voice dropping to a cautious tone.
“I am,” Sage replied, his expression turning serious. “Carlos has assured us that the palace is bound with protective magic. There is a high chance Ophelia won’t even attempt to breach these walls; she knows the cost would be too high. Whatever happens will likely be handled on the location selected by Gabriel. I wanted to be out there with them, but Gabriel was adamant, he wants me here, guarding the heart of the family p>
“I understand why my brother asked that,” Katelyn murmured as they reached the door to her bedroom. “But we can’t afford to be complacent. Ophelia is as cunning as she is cruel. She thrives on the unexpected, so we must be prepared for every possible scenario, even the ones we think are impossible p>
“Hmm. You’re right,” Sage said, lowering her into the bed. “I will guard the place well along with the commanders until Gabriel and the other two princes be away p>
As the afternoon sun dipped lower, Gabriel arrived at the high-security control center, flanked by his brothers and his most trusted Beta. This was the nerve center of their operation, the place from which they had been dissecting every second of Ophelia’s life.
“Your Highness, Ophelia’s behavior has shifted today. She’s been unusually active,” Jaxon reported, stepping forward and gesturing toward a screen displaying a map of the city’s lower districts.
“She was spotted in the central market, specifically the fish market. Our undercover spy trailed her and confirmed that she accessed a hidden storefront tucked behind the stalls. It’s a black-market hub for rare, illicit items specifically used in high-level witchcraft p>
“How many times did she leave her place?” Casaio asked, his eyes narrowing as he studied the surveillance logs.
“Thrice,” Jaxon replied promptly. “The first two were for the components at the fish market. The third time, she was seen moving through the district of medicinal plants, though she was careful to stay under the radar p>
“Tonight is the moon event. It is as critical for her as it is for us. She won’t risk leaving anything to chance. Those potions are meant to help her harness and stabilize the immense power she plans to siphon tonight,” Gabriel explained.
Dominick turned to his brothers. “She’s arming herself. We need to ensure that the bait we’ve set is more tempting than any ritual she has planned p>
“Of course she will be tempted,” Gabriel began. He stared at the monitor. “I am her greatest enemy, the man who ended her daughter’s life. She believes tonight is her chance to settle the score. Her mind is so consumed by vengeance that she won’t even realize she’s stepping out of her safe place and straight into our trap p>
Karmen stepped forward. “I sent a few of our specialists in earlier this morning,” he began. “Because she intentionally chose a high-traffic residential area to blend in, it was easy for them to approach her door under the guise of ordinary neighbors p>
He paused, a flicker of unease crossing his face. “But there was a change in her demeanor. According to the scouts, she appeared exceptionally calm today. On previous days, our reports indicated she was visibly on edge, erratic, and paranoid. Today, she acted as if she had already won p>
Gabriel’s jaw tightened. “Confidence is a witch’s greatest weapon, or her fatal flaw. If she’s calm, it means she’s finished her preparations. She isn’t worried about the hunt anymore because she thinks she’s the one doing the hunting p>
He turned back to the tactical map, his eyes tracing the route from her hideout to the ritual site. “Let her feel powerful till the moon ascends high tonight p>
“Gabriel, just keep in mind not to do anything that put your life in danger.” Casaio said, his elderly brother worry coming out.
Gabriel hummed, assuring him everything would be fine.
Ophelia stood before the flickering candlelight of her altar, her eyes fixed on the portrait of her late daughter.
“My dear, the day has finally arrived,” Ophelia whispered. “The day I finish what was started. For you, I would tear this world apart. I have perfected every detail. I came so close to taking Katelyn, I wanted Gabriel to feel the soul-crushing weight of losing a sibling, but the girl was more resilient than I anticipated. But fret not.” A sinister smirk curled her lips. “Tonight, I reclaim the power that is rightfully mine. And once I have it, I will resurrect you p>
She turned away from the portrait as she moved toward the wooden desk. In the center sat a cauldron where a thick, iridescent potion simmered. It had been brewing for exactly three hours, and only needed the first light of tonight’s moon.
“Gabriel will be the vessel of their destruction,” Ophelia hissed. “Once he drinks this, he will become my puppet. He will do exactly what I want from him: he will slaughter Amelie first, his dear mate, then his own son, and then every last soul that carries the Sinclair name. It will be a glorious bloodbath. By sunrise, the alphas of the Sinclair family will be nothing but a memory p>
However, the magic ball lying on the other side of the table was showing something else of which Ophelia was completion oblivious, the same future where Gabriel was standing with a sword in his hand with blood dripping from its sharp edge.