SPELLBOUND

Outside the tent, the atmosphere between this small group of a mother and her two sons were almost eerily silent. It had already been quite a while, but Gideon still refused to say anything and relent to speak to his younger brother. The atmosphere between them were so stifled that Beatrice was about to break the silence again but it was then that she spied Evie and Vera appearing. They were finally stepping out from the tent.

"Seems that their private talk is over." Beatrice said as she smiled towards her two beautiful daughters-in-law. Although they were her daughters-in-law, she viewed them as her own daughters.

Just as Evie and Vera joined the group, the king arrived as well. Evie had immediately noticed that something was going on between Gav and Gideon. Something must have happened between them while she and Vera were talking in the tent. But her attention quickly shifted to the king as they all felt that something must have happened just by the feel of the king's fluctuating aura.

"Something happened?" Queen Beatrice asked as she walked towards him and held her husband's arms.

The king nodded then he looked around at the rest of them.

"The Abyss has been acting strange lately. I don't think it's safe for anyone to approach it right now. I am also sounding the alarm for high alert after making the announcements soon. So all of you must go back to the castle for now." the king said with haste before his gaze fell onto Evie. "I'm afraid we can only go see the Abyss next time, Queen Evielyn."

Evie pressed her lips tightly together. She wanted to protest but she held back. She told herself not to be too rushed and be patient as well especially now since she knew that her father-in-law was just so concerned about all their safety. That was something she must understand and not push everyone and everything too much just because of her own worries and plans for the future.

And besides, maybe this was a good decision for now. Because somehow, her gut did not seem to be protesting against King Belial's call to retreat for now.

"You both must leave as well." King Belial told his two sons in an absolute voice and a firm look within his eyes that did not brook any protest. Then he kissed Beatrice's forehead, whispered something into her ears, then left quickly.

Queen Beatrice watched her husband leave and as soon as he was gone from her sight, she took a deep breath and turned towards them.

"Alright, let us go." The queen said. She looked as though she was there to make sure that the four of them listened to her husband and heed his order. And it made Evie smile at how Queen Beatrice was so supportive of her husband.

"Are we going back as well, Your Majesty?" Zanya asked Evie. Samuel was also looking at her and waiting for her orders and Evie could tell that the big guy wanted to stay back as well.

Evie fell silent for a moment. She thought that maybe she must allow half of the vampires and half of the light faes to stay back. She wanted to train her men and people too and the best way to do that was to make them mingle around with the dark faes and fight with them. Though Evie did not think that a big fight was about to break out, Evie still wanted her men and people to keep familiarizing themselves with the matters of this Abyss of Darkness.

She would do anything to make them grow stronger. Because she would never forget that only just a few of these amazing men and women had survived in that future that she saw.

"Samuel, Leon, Zolan…" Evie called.

"Your Majesty. What are your orders?" They quickly responded.

"I want the three of you to stay back." She told them then moved closer to Zolan. "I need you to observe the Abyss carefully Zolan. Then I want you to report every detail that you observe to me tonight."

"Yes, my queen." Zolan said and she spoke to Zanya next. Evie had wanted Zirrus to stay back but she had caught Zanya giving her an almost pleading look to stay so Evie could only relent and give in. Evie also somehow felt that it was better for Zanya to be there. Zirrus was a reliable leader no doubt about it, but Zanya was the best support. She has what it takes to adapt and change according to the situation as it evolves. Evie wanted someone like her to watch over the vampire's backs just in case something unexpected happens.

"I want everyone to be careful and watch over each other's backs." Evie said and after that Evie approached the three vampires and placed her palms over their chests, quickly casting a protection spell over them. She did that to protect them.

"I know that the three of you are still stronger than most others, but I want you to never forget that you don't wield magic. If a fight breaks out, don't rush out there mindlessly. If any of you get hurt, I will not let you stay in the frontlines again." Evie warned them sternly with a threatening look and the three men rubbed the back of their necks. Their queen really knows them well, as they usually end up doing that.

Zolan laughed quietly. "Your threats will definitely make these two be extra careful before taking any actions in future." He mumbled.

"And how about you?" Evie raised her brow at Zolan.

"Well, aren't I always careful, Your Majesty?" he grinned playfully.

"I still need you to be extra careful, understood?"

"Understood, my queen!"

And thus, everyone finally turned to leave.

Evie held onto Gav's hand as they were going to travel by air this time to familiarize themselves with the locations.

As they flew, Evie looked back towards the Abyss of Darkness, and she wondered if the Abyss had acted up strangely because Gideon was close.