Aria's POV
By the third day, I was beginning to wonder if my body would ever feel like mine again. The ritual room was silent except for the crackling of the candles.
I stood inside the circle, breathing heavily as the last traces of magic faded from my skin. Sweat dampened my hair, and my muscles trembled from exhaustion, but something felt different. I felt lighter. I didn't feel that foreign darkness moving beneath my skin anymore.
The witch slowly lowered her hands. "It's done."
I stared at her. "Done?"
She nodded. "The stripping has gone very well. The vampire bloodline within you has been thoroughly cleared."
My heart skipped. I almost didn't believe her. "It's gone forever?"
"Yes."
I closed my eyes.
Lydia stirred inside me. It's quiet.
I focused inward. She was right. The
