The Tiger Prince's Witch
Chapter 62 - Santi's Guilt

"How did you get in here?" Randal asked while looking between the young maid and Anna.

"That's not your concern." The maid said in that sickly-sounding voice. Anna crossed her arms as she walked over to the woman. She held her hands out and closed her eyes when she was only about a foot from her. Everyone watched in fascination as the young woman started shaking before she threw her head back and screamed. A dark fog came out of her mouth, making everyone gasp. Anna began to chant, and the fog quickly separated into many pieces before disappearing altogether. The maid had passed out when it was gone. Anna started speaking in her calm, soft tone to the others.

"She was on vacation when we spoke to the staff looking for spies. Astaroth was able to get to her and inserted the cloud of darkness in her. It's basically a spy within a person, and that person doesn't even know it's there. When she wakes up, she most likely won't remember anything." Anna said as she watched the young woman's eyes begin to open. Kamryn and Micah were still holding on to her.

"You have a protection spell over the palace. How could she get through it?" Lynn asked nervously.

"The cloud of darkness can mask itself until needed. When she came to the palace, it was showing no darkness. I will add an extra layer to the spell to prevent this from happening again. I didn't think the demon would get so desperate. It worries me now that Astaroth may know that Santi's here. There may not have been enough time for him to replace out before I destroyed it, but we can't be sure. Even with what she said about Santi being a traitor, Astaroth may not know. We need to be on alert for any other surprises." The maid's eyes opened fully, focusing on Santi.

"Anna, I know what you said about the cloud, but I saw her in the mansion when I was there. I think it's best to lock her up for now. I've seen what he's been able to do to people, taking their souls for himself. It may be too late for her." Santi saw the woman's eyes still had some darkness there.

"Lock her in the cells within the palace. I don't trust the dungeons." Anna saw the same darkness in her eyes Santi had, and he knew he was probably right. It may be too late for the maid to be saved. Two guards came and took the woman from Kamryn and Micah. Anna closed her eyes, chanting for a few minutes to increase the spell over the palace.

"Should we worry about any others that are here?" Randal asked.

"I don't think so. She was the only one out when we spoke to everyone. Keep an eye out for anyone you don't recognize or, in your case Santi for anyone you do recognize." Santi nodded, still staring at Anna with his mouth open. To see her in action made everything else seem insignificant. He noticed the others around him were chuckling.

"She's impressive, right?" Kamryn asked as he wrapped his arms around her. Their contrast in size was almost comical, but when they were together, it was a perfect match.

"I've seen Astaroth, Alice, and Marcus do some amazing things but noth..." He stopped mid-sentence when he glanced down at Anna's belly and noticed the telltale bump. They followed his gaze, and for a minute, everyone looked worried. "You're pregnant?" He asked, looking between the couple. Anna tilted her head to one side and studied him before nodding slightly.

"Yes, we both are." She nodded toward Jaz, who was standing next to Micah. Santi noticed she had a bump as well.

"Wow, congratulations. Doesn't that make it risky for the battle?" He questioned. Anna and Jaz exchanged a look before answering.

"Actually, we need the cubs for the battle," Anna explained to Santi the power of six and their abilities while everyone else watched with fear that she was saying too much. She saw their worry but continued talking. If she didn't think it was safe, she wouldn't have said anything, but the light in Santi was getting brighter.

Santi was stunned by what Anna said, and he had to admit he was slightly scared. These two young couples were the most powerful he'd ever encountered. Seeing his nephews fly was stunning enough, but to learn their other abilities was out of this world. He was glad he was now on this side of the fence. Otherwise, he knew he'd be dead.

"Astaroth talked bout the power of six, but he was sure you wouldn't have it since Randal had no other children. He didn't consider grandchildren. Anna, you terrify me, so please never let me get on your bad side again." The group started laughing, and Randal slapped Santi on the shoulder before he could stop himself. Both were stunned by his gesture, but then they smiled.

"I told her the same thing. If Kamryn ever makes her mad, we better clear out the palace." The king said as everyone looked at Anna, who was not happy with their remarks.

"Okay, you guys, I'm not that bad. Stop making me look like some beast ready to terrorize a whole town because I broke a nail." She glared at everyone still laughing, including her parents. Kamryn was the only one who tried to hide his smile so he wouldn't have to pay for it later.

"Leave my little mate alone. She wouldn't harm a fly as long as they're not evil. If they have a black heart watch out because she'll show you her wrath." Anna beamed up at him.

"I knew we were mates for a reason, Mr. Tiger. Thanks for setting all these jokers straight." Kamryn leaned down to kiss her forehead. He refused to tell her that he was more frightened of her than anyone because not only could she destroy him, but she was the only one that could break his heart.

"What do you need me to do to help prepare?" Santi asked, eager to show them he was all in when it came to protecting them.

"Let's go back into the office so we can talk," Randal said, leading the way to the conference room. Once everyone had taken a seat, they all looked at Anna. She wondered if there would ever be a time that someone else could lead their meetings.

"The four of us with our cubs will have the power of six. However, Gary, Shila, Jerick, and Marcella will also have special abilities that will assist in defeating those before Astaroth makes his appearance. We have to defeat as many fighters as possible without using all our energy. As a powerful tiger, you'll be able to help us with your brute strength. We have everyone training with witches to learn how to deflect the black magic coming our way. You can train with us in the indoor training room where the four of us practice." Anna smiled at Santi, who was staring at her again with wide eyes. She noticed that some of his features were softening. When he first got to the palace, he had seemed rough around the edges from the darkness inside, but now she could see some of his resemblance to Randal.

"I will do whatever you say. I'm sorry I keep staring at you like I'm starstruck. I've never met anyone like you, Anna. There seems to be a light around you that touches everyone in your presence." She giggled lightly at what he said, as did everyone else.

"Your tiger should be back by tomorrow. Your darkness is almost gone. Once he's there, we'll have you train with us so he can be ready too. Now I think this has been a long day, and I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm ready to get some rest." Anna winked at Kamryn, letting him know that her version of rest wasn't going to be sleeping.

Santi went to his room. The same one he had growing up, and he was surprised that it was exactly as he'd left it many years ago. When he looked around, so many memories came flooding back to him from his childhood. He sat on the bed and started crying as the guilt overcame him like a cloak of darkness.

He was responsible for his parent's death, the rejection of his mate, Melita's downfall, and the pain in Randal's eyes. Santi was shaking with sobs as he thought about all those he'd hurt. He may have been under the influence of Astaroth, but that didn't ease the guilt he felt. He vowed from this point forward that he would not let anyone feel any pain because of him.

Once he had pulled himself together, he got into a hot shower. Santi thought about all those he met tonight, but none of them were as impressive as Anna. The way she made him feel good inside was something he'd never experienced. After being around so much darkness, it was nice to be around someone with so much goodness and light. Kamryn was one lucky man to have a mate like her. Santi started wondering if he'd ever get a chance to replace another mate.