"Where are you taking me?" I asked trying to match his pace.

It was late at night and we were outside our place at the cabin. We were running through the tall grass in the backyard. He was going way too fast. All of a sudden, he scooped me from the ground and into his arms.

"You're so slow" he said.

"Well, not all of us can have vampire speed" I respond.

Once we reached the small lake, he puts me down and I watched as he unbuttoned his shirt.

"Come on, take it off" He urged.

"Absolutely not, are you crazy!?"I gasp.

"Yes"

I held onto my clothes tightly thinking of ways to escape.

"Come on baby, don't be shy. It's nothing I haven't seen before" he said with a big smirk on his face.

I rolled my eyes and slowly removed my dress. It was a little chilly out but the weather is still hot. He took my hand into his picking me up again and entering the lake slowly. The water was warm but I still screamed once it touched my body. My arms went around his neck and my legs tightly wrapped around his waist.

"No black person ever goes into a lake in the middle of the night! There could be some creatures in here" I proclaim.

"For such a powerful witch, you sure are a scaredy cat" He teased.

"Don't let me go"

"I won't" He assured and held me tighter. His thumb stroked my lips gently and he replaced his thumb with his lips.

"You promise?"

"Yes"

I woke up with tears dripping down my cheeks after I realized my reality. It wasn't a dream but a memory. I could feel my heart ripping into pieces. If there was a way to go back in time and relive those moments with him again because I don't think it could happen again.

It's been 7 days since everything and today was my coronation. All coronations are done during the full moon and that's today. I also know he'll be doing his coronation as well but his will be televised for the country to see because Dmitri is a modern king. I didn't feel like getting out of bed but I must or this coven will be ruined. For the last seven days, I did my daily duties and went straight to my room afterwards. I didn't socialize with anyone, and they knew well enough to leave me alone.

I couldn't sleep for the rest of the night, and as soon as sleep came, my door opened for my 7am wake up call. Four women entered. Amongst them were, Chioma and Imani, my personal advisor-in-training. Her father was my grandma's advisor and they trained her to be mine once I took over as high priestess. The rest of the females were nosy elder ladies who pretend to be here to help with my coronation but in reality they are here for information so they can gossip later on. 

"High Priestess" they all bowed watching me sit at the edge of my seat. 

"Good morning" I tell them. 

"We have your dresses for the fitting. Would you like to try them on?" Imani asked. 

They placed the dresses next to me on the bed. One was black and the other, a sequined white. They were unique in their own way with different styles but they brought me pain once I remembered what it's for. 

"I'll wear the black one" I tell her after looking at the clothes with no interest. 

I looked down at my iPad reading emails that was sent to me about the ongoing investigation while the maids helped me with my dress. The waist section of the black dress was a little loose so they were sowing it to make it tighter. It was taking way too long and I was getting hungry and losing patience. 

One of the protectors of the temple, Maria barged into my room as I was doing my fitting. She was very upset when the Moon chose me as the next successor. She wanted it to be her daughter, Kya badly. She scanned me up and down. 

"Is this what you are wearing?" she asked in a harsh tone. 

Bitch! I have no patience for this today. Not even a good morning and she's critiquing me. 

"Yes, it's beautiful" Chioma says touching the silver sequins on the black dress. 

"Yes, you are gorgeous" Imani agreed. 

"Is this the hairstyle you are going with for the coronation?" Maria questioned again. 

"Yes and what's wrong with it?" I asked showing annoyance in my voice. 

"Morowa, this is highly inappropriate. It should be in your natural hair. That is our traditions" She argues. 

"It's High Priestess to you and I will wear my hair however I see fit. My hair choice should not be used to judge my ability to lead" I bark. 

"Yes Madam" She murmur and stomps angrily out of my chambers.

 "This Coven is falling apart" I heard her mutter.

I turn to my advisor who looked frightened with how loud I was with Maria. Chioma just smiled at me widely. 

"No one is allowed in this section of the temple without my authorization" I tell Imani. 

"I'll make sure your message is understood" She responds and scurried out of my room. 

Everyone finally left and it was just Chioma and I. We sat watching the news on the 65 inch tv plastered on the wall. 

"We never got a chance to talk about what happened last week. Why didn't you tell me about your mate?" 

"I don't want to talk about it" I reply looking away from her in sadness. 

"This is huge! You mate is a vampire! That is so rare" She gasps. 

I stood up overwhelmed with feelings and walked towards my balcony. All this talk of my mate made me think of Dmitri even more and it caused sudden pain in my heart. 

Nighttime came and it was time for my coronation. I sat at the throne room of the temple in front of many witches and warlocks. The elders were chanting some words and I sat with a straight face waiting for the ritual to be over. 

"Now for the ritual to find your mate, whoever they are" one of the elders told me. 

"No, that won't be necessary" I intervened. 

"But high priestess, this would help you find your mate quickly" Maria objects. 

"Like I said, that won't be necessary" I repeat. 

The elders agreed to skip the mate seeking process and I could breathe again for now. I was finally declared High Priestess of the coven and there was blue light in the air radiating from the magic of the celebration. It confirmed me being the chosen one. I hope to make my grandmother proud and for now, I find out who murdered her and avenge her. 

After having small conversation with hundreds of people who attended my coronation, I was able to retreat back to my bedroom. I put a black cloak on and used my blue sapphire necklace to teleport away from the temple. I needed to be far away as possible. 

I stood in front of our cabin afraid to enter it. Tears run down my cheek as I thought of what occurred last week. He promised not to leave me then he left me. With the amount of people around me everyday, I still felt lonely. 

"High Priestess! Where are you? There has been a huge security breech and we need to know that you are okay" the head of security, Khalil spoke in my head. 

"I'm okay, I'm just taking a walk. I'll come back now" I assured. 

I touched the blue necklace around my neck and it took me to the main hall of the temple. The elders were gathered around behind the guards watching something. 

"What's going on?" I asked passing through the nosy people. 

There, on the ground was a discolored creature. His skin was pale black and his eyes were black like death. He was barking and snarling like an animal. He had silver restrains around his neck, hands and legs. 

"Who are you and what do you want?" I growled. 

He just stared at me and laughed. 

"The Shadow is always watching. The Shadow is here. The Shadow will rise again" his voice came out coarse and like a screech. He really needs a cough drop. 

He recited some unknown words and his mouth started to foam up. He shook like he was having a seizure and then his body went still. 

"He's dead" one of the guards confirmed. 

I walked with Khalil, the head of security, to the corner of the hall so I could speak to him privately.

"How did he get in here?" I asked. 

"Someone must have invited him in. No one can break the magic of this temple" Khalil replied. 

"So you are saying there is a mole in the temple?" I whispered. 

"Yes. Would you like me to investigate?" he asked. 

"Yes but don't make it obvious and don't tell anyone. Something tells me that if we find this mole, we find my grandmother's killer" I clarify. 

"There is also something you should know. This creature was found heading to your room. You are not safe, High Priestess" he informed. 

My eyes widen at his words. 

I hope you guys aren't confused. If you are just comment your questions and I'll answer it. Thank you all for reading it.