Cassandra stood up with Phillip’s help. His touch disturbed her, but to stay alive, she could only go along with it.
Cassandra was confused as to why Phillip’s hand felt so warm. Was it because she had been stuck in the cold room and continuously dipped in cold water that he felt like this?
"Don’t be afraid," Phillip said, knowing that she was.
Phillip knew Cassandra would still be wary of him until she heard just how much he had pushed the war further. Once she obtained some of the power bestowed upon him, Cassandra would change for the better.
"The big attack is coming soon. The king continues to take us as a joke, but we shall prove him wrong. When they gather to pick a new king, we shall strike. I will take them down all at once and claim the throne as my own," Phillip said, sharing his plans.
"Do you know if Gabriel has told the king about me? Is he still alive?" Cassandra asked.
"That man wouldn’t go to the king to let the town know he was harbouring an enemy. He would have surprised me if he had gone to the king. He must be searching for you," said Phillip.
Phillip said this only to please Cassandra since he knew Gabriel had to be dead by now. A mixed-blood would never be able to survive a wound created by a holy weapon for so long.
Cassandra needed to think Gabriel was still alive, waiting to be killed by her, so she would remain determined to go after purebloods.
"I have already divided the groups which would go to each pureblood’s home. If you behave well, I can send you to the Blackthorns. Selene’s blood would be on your hands, and then you can go after the mixed-blood," Phillip offered.
This offer would have been wonderful for Cassandra if she still cared for Gabriel. She no longer cared that Gabriel always talked about Selene, or that Selene managed to place herself with a wealthy man.
Cassandra’s focus now was on Phillip. She needed to free everyone from Phillip before it was too late.
Cassandra’s plans changed now that she learned Phillip would soon be attacking the purebloods. She still needed all vampires to die so humans would be safe.
Before she told everyone about Phillip, Cassandra needed Phillip to kill all purebloods. He was the only one who could do it. The downside of this plan was that everyone would be too happy to see vampires gone to believe Phillip had turned evil.
"There are purebloods who live far out of town. Have you sent others to kill them yet?" Cassandra asked.
"Everyone is where they need to be. They did not disobey my orders like you and Bryce. I am disappointed in both of you," said Phillip.
Cassandra winced, her skin burning up from the warmth which came from Phillip’s body. It felt like he was heating up despite the cold air.
Cassandra worried for her safety as Phillip led her away from the safety of their camp to a secluded area. There were lanterns hung up to light up the path and reveal strange markings Cassandra had never seen before.
There was an eerie feeling where they walked. A tiny voice in Cassandra’s head was yelling for her to turn back, but with Phillips’s hold on her hand and the danger of Phillip killing her if she ran, Cassandra kept on going.
At the end of the path was a bonfire, which was surrounded by the other priests whom Phillip kept close. These were the same people Cassandra wanted to run to for help to get rid of Phillip in the future, yet here they stood, well aware of his plans.
Phillip kept his hold on Cassandra so she wouldn’t run. He had not brought her all the way here just so she could run away.
"Bring it to me," Phillip ordered Andre. "The others have accepted what they must do, Cassandra. It is only you who tries to fight it."
"Years ago, when I thought all hope was lost and we would need to give up on our plans, I heard a voice that has been helping me along the way. He has given me the power to continue this fight," Phillip said, dipping his hand in red paint.
Phillip turned Cassandra’s hand so he could see the palm of her hand. He started to draw a mark that he placed on the others’ hands. "This God is willing to lend power to you as well. Embrace it, Cassandra. Stand alongside me to end this war."
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