The Silvia Saga: Boxset

Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Dara

Silvia is in ruin. The large trees that were once covered in blue and pink flowers are gone, burned …

All that remains is ash. It’s everywhere I look. Our village is the only part that’s survived.

I fall to my knees, and a scream is ripped from my throat. “Why? Why, why, why?”

Behind me, I feel my warriors’ presence but I don't dare move. This isn't happening. This can’t be real. This has to be a dream.

Wake up, Dara, I tell myself, closing my eyes. My whole body trembles as my eyes open, seeing the exact same scene.

I jump when James’s voice booms in my head. “See what you’ve done, Dara? This is all your fault. All you had to do was give me my stones,” he growls.

My body shudders as his words ring true,then …

I’m falling.

I jolt awake, my body drenched in sweat, my clothes clinging to my skin. I look around to find everyone in my room, staring at me. Harlan’s leaning against the wall next to the door, Declan’s at the foot of the bed, and Jolie and Oliver are leaning over the bed next to me. Blair wraps an arm around my waist pulling me against his body.

“What happened, Dara?” Blair asks, his voice breaking.

“Just a bad dream,” I mumble, running a hand through my hair and trying to believe my own words. It couldn’t be real. But then again, I’ve had prophetic visions before—maybe it is real?

Declan clears his throat and when I glance at him, his brows are drawn.“You were out for a day, Dara. I think it was more than a dream; you’re trembling. Tell us what happened,” he demands, pushing between Oliver and Jolie to grab my hand.

Out for a day? It hadn't felt like that long. It had felt like the dream had lasted for only minutes, not twenty-four hours. Was I dreaming that whole time? Did the weed have something to do with that? Anxiously, I start to chew on a nail.

“In my dream, Silvia had been destroyed—raised to the ground—and James said it was my fault.”

Jolie gasps, bringing her hand to her mouth, her eyes wet with unshed tears. “It can't be real. It can't,” she says, taking the words out of my mouth.

Harlan falls back until his back hits the wall and he drops to the floor, burying his head in his hands. With a loud curse, Declan releases my hand. Blair and Oliverbothseem frozen to the spot, their faces pale, ghost white. It’s true, it has to be now.

The house starts to shake. The ground rumbles, and something falls and shatters on the ground. I jump down from the bed andcrawl over toBlair, who pulls me against him in a protective embrace.

Oliver, Declan, Harlan, and Jolie move closer, surrounding us. Everyone's faces are ghost white. What the hell is going on? There’s a loud crack and I cover my ears with my hands, trying to block out the piercing noise. I scream and Blair pulls me farther into his already tight embrace.The shaking and cracks of lightningcontinuefor another few minutes before they stop.

Everyone is dead silent. Trying to figure out what the hell just happened, afraid tomove, I look towardsHarlan. What happened?

“I have no idea what the hell that just was,” he says quietly, terror overtaking his features. “But something tells me it’s got something to do with James and Dara'sdream.”

“There’s only one way to find out,” Jolie mumbles under her breath, wiping away a lonetear.

I know she’s right. As much as I want to stay here and hide, we have to go outside to find out what in Silvia is going on.

“Jolie’s right; let’s check it out,” Harlan says.

Declan reaches down, grabbing hold of Harlan’s hand and pulling him up off the ground. I follow theguysand Jolie down the stairs.

Stoppingin front of the front door, Harlandraws in a deep breath, then opens it. He walks out andeveryone follows. I stay behind, taking in several laboured breaths, trying to calm my racing heart before stepping out into the unknown.

The instant my feet touch the earth, I know my dream wasn’t just a dream. It was prophetic.

Silvia is in ruin. The large trees that were once covered in blue and pink flowers are gone.

Burned …

All that remains is ash. It’s everywhere I look.

I run for a few steps before falling to my knees, and a scream is ripped from my throat. “Why? Why, why, why?”

Behind me, I feel my warriors, but I don't dare move.

I jump when James’s voice booms in my head. “See what you’ve done, Dara? This is all your fault. All you had to do was give me my stones,” he growls.

My body shudders as his words ring true. I have no idea how far the damage goes—if all of Silvia is burnt. As far as I can see, it’s all ruined. I knew gaining these stones would come at a cost, but this is just devastating.

And it’s all my fault.

A firm hand settles on my shoulder. “Don't you fucking dare blame yourself for this,” Oliver seethes. “It's your destiny to save Silvia and that's all you’ve done so far.” Oliver stops to catch his breath. “You don't have control over what James does in retaliation.”

I try to believe his words, but my heart aches at the sight in front of me. I see movement, people coming out of their homes. Screams and voices fill my ears, and I try to block out the noise. I just want to give up. It’s all hopeless. James has taken the one thing thathas kept me going: Silvia. The beautifulgreens, blues, and purples that make up this wonderful world have beenreplaced by black ash. It’s all my fault; I’m the reason Silvia is in ruins. James wouldn’t have retaliated and caused this damage if I hadn’t gained another stone.

Turning, I lean into Declan's shoulder. He rubs my back, comforting me, and I feel all of my warriors’ hearts are just as broken as my own.

Declan passes me over to Blair. Hesqueezes my shoulders, leans in, and kisses me on the forehead. “Don't worry, Princess. James will pay forwhat he’s done. This only proves he’s scared of our success with topaz,” he whispers into my ear.

He’s right. I just wish I had the energy to make James pay rightnow. The only way to get back at him would be to find and take the final stone—to end it all. My father’s prophesy explained that having the three stones will give us the power we need to bring back Silvia to its former glory. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen.

Blair takes my hand, dragging me into thesafety of our house. The door shuts behind us and it’s as if something clicks within me, reminding me of Kayla and Alaric. How couldI have forgotten about them? Are they okay? Did they get out in time?

A million thoughts run through my head at once, a million unanswered questions. My vision clouds as tears spill down my face. Ican't control my emotions so I let themfall, all while trying to figure out if my best friend is okay.My breathing picks up. My heart pounds uncontrollably against my chest. I can’t breathe. I can’t … I can’t …

Jolie appears in front of me clicking her fingers. “Dara, look at me.” She pauses. I look into her steady green eyes. “Breath. In and out. That’s it.” I follow her instructions until my breathing evens out.

“Allwe can do is hope they made it out okay, Dara.” She stops,sucking in a deep breath. “Declan will try to getin contact with Alaric again. We just have to have faith, okay?” she asks, rubbing away my tears with her thumb.

I nod, gratefulfor her positive attitude. She’s right;we have to have faith. After all, what else can we do?