Chapter 44

Ariana's eyes fluttered open, the dim light of the room illuminating her tired face. She groaned, rubbing her temples as she tried to shake off the lingering exhaustion. The recent events had left her drained, both physically and emotionally. She couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, as if the world was teetering on the edge of a precipice, waiting to plunge into chaos.
She stared at the small vial, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions. The physician had assured her that it was a simple remedy for her fever and nausea, but she had a nagging doubt in her mind. She knew it was unhealthy for her pregnancy but she couldn't bring herself to reveal it to Gabriel.
She closed her eyes and tried to calm her racing heart. She remembered the night of the ritual, memories of the disrupted Sanguis ritual still fresh in her mind. She replayed the events of that fateful night, the strange sensations she had experienced during the ritual, and the mysterious force that had invaded her body.