Chapter 41 #3
My entire body trembles. Too frightened to turn around, I keep my gaze on the forest. The forest that is so dear to my heart. So many fond memories of my friends and family before me.
Barlowe. Maines.
Rohhit.
“It’s quiet, isn’t it?” the voice continues.
I slowly turn, prepared to gaze upon a horrifying creature, but before me stands a woman cloaked in a black dress.
Her raven hair falls long beside her hips, mixing with the dark fabric.
Her skin is porcelain against the darkness of her hair, and her eyes are such a pale green that they closely resemble clear crystal.
She speaks again. "We haven’t had the proper chance to meet yet, although I feel as if we know each other very well." She smiles.
My mouth slightly parts, and I step a few paces back. Something powerful oozes from her—a power that would make any man desperate to rule, drunk on her very presence.
"Kalix," I whisper.
She nods, slightly bowing. "Yes. And it is very nice to meet you, Briar Blackbyrne."
Kalix stands a bit taller with my recognition. The Great Wiitch before me, somehow in the flesh. I slowly lower my chin, my gaze peeking through my eyelids. Maybe if I can kill her, all of this will end. The teasing, the torment I feel daily—it can all be over.
Her voice is smooth and calm. "You are unique, Briar. You are the strongest vessel I’ve had in centuries."
I begin to circle her. "What makes me so special?"
"You are smart, stubborn, and resilient. You can handle my power better than anyone I’ve ever seen, which makes you valuable." Kalix moves with me, never letting her back face me as she continues, "Plus, you have a lot to lose, and that makes you desperate."
I freeze.
"You see, the thing is, you have someone in your life that you’d be willing to die for, and he is the same. You don’t even realize what he is." She paces. "He’s a threat to me, which poses a problem."
Silas.
"What does Silas Nastronde have to do with any of this?" I shout.
"You two are capable of many things together. One day, you might discover what he means to you and what you mean to him. But then again, you might not—I just hope he survives long enough for that day." She laughs wildly into the thick air.
Without thinking, I lunge forward, ready to fight or die trying. My speed increases as I near her unmoving body.
She’s not moving. Why isn’t she moving?
I reach her and dive forward, preparing to take her down. Her body remains standing as I crash to the ground. She doesn’t move with me; instead, I move through her.
"What the fuck?" I rasp.
She turns to me, her motion almost as if she is floating. "Briar, you may be able to see me—the body I once inhabited—but I am not here. Not physically. But then again, neither are you."
I lay on the ground, watching her. I don’t understand why she isn’t attacking me or trying to kill me when it hits me. She needs me. I am her vessel, and she wouldn’t harm me because, without me, she’s nothing.
"Where are we?" I ask.
She looks around, studying the ruin, the crumbling kingdom around us. "We are in Daramveer. Well, what was once Daramveer. But you didn’t have to ask to know that, Briar."
She steps closer to me when I notice I’m still on the ashy ground.
I backpedal, avoiding her coming any closer as she continues, "This is what will come of your realm should Carobon destroy all Shadow Wielders.
Ash, ruin, and destruction will rain upon all kingdoms once ruled by those who travel in the darkness. "
She shifts her gaze around us. The breeze picks up, pushing her long hair before her face. I rise from the ground, keeping a safe distance as she seems momentarily lost in her surroundings.
"Briar, we can stop this. And you made a promise to me in the water. Do you remember?" Kalix purrs.
Silas.
The ship.
I have to get back. I need to wake up.
Kalix is lying and twisting my thoughts to make me believe her. She wants me to fight. She wants the opposite of Carobon—to get rid of all Lumor Wielders. Any outcome dealing with the Great Wiitches once more will result in death and destruction.
"You are a snake. You are a liar, Kalix," I hiss in her direction.
Kalix’s beautiful features fade at my words. Her gentle expressions are quickly replaced with a hateful, evil glare. "Briar. We must work together. You promised me something, and I don’t forget promises."
Her lips curl back, exposing rows of sharp teeth beneath the beautiful facade.
"I know what I promised you, and I will honor it. But until then, I will not work with you or listen to your lies, Kalix. And as soon as I get the opportunity to rid this world of both Great Wiitches, I will do so with a smile."
Kalix growls.
“You will die, Kalix, and I don’t care if I die with you.”
“More careless words, Briar. I’d be careful speaking like that if I were you,” she hums.
I must find the others. If this is a nightmare, I can escape. I just have to find the figure, Silas, that calls to me and wakes me from my darkest nights. I take off in a sprint. As I move toward the fallen kingdom, the ash kicks up around my feet.
"Silas!" I scream, racing through the destruction.
He has to be here. He is always here.
I scream again, "Help me. Wake me up."
I continue to sprint through the ruin. Kalix’s snarls are close behind me when it hits me. Silas isn’t here. He’s on the ship. He is fighting for his life, and Maines is healing him. And I’m trapped in a nightmare I can’t wake up from without him.
I fall to my knees, the rough ground slicing into my skin, and scream.
"Silas!"