Chapter 23 - Troy
I was trying to break myself free from this darkness, but I couldn’t. No matter how hard I screamed at myself, I never got free. My body was fighting against me, and I was growing exhausted trying to fight it.
The voices in my head never stopped. They were constant, like a hammer slamming into a wall over and over. I knew that cracks were starting to form. It was only a matter of time before my body would have no strength to fight.
I stared at the wall across from me, finding it was the easiest thing to do. If I didn’t move, I didn’t have to fight as hard. I had been moved into the infirmary, but they made sure I wasn’t within reach of anything that I could use.
The room was quiet for the most part, except for what was going on outside. I could hear whispers. I wasn’t sure if they were in my head or outside. I tried not to focus too hard on them.
He’s locked up.
He’s dangerous.
They will need to look for a new Alpha soon.
I could hear the door open, and I could smell Elize as she walked in. I wanted to move toward her and pull her into my arms. But another part of me wanted to hurt her. I wouldn’t risk it. I forced myself to stay still.
I heard her soft footsteps as she stayed by the door. I listened to her voice, trying to let it ground me. I kept thinking of the time we shared together. Her soft smile and how she would blush. I thought of how warm she felt in my arms and how she smelled. God, I missed her scent.
You know that you two are never going to last. She’s a witch, and you’re a shifter. You can never trust her.
I listened to her voice crack, and I knew she’d been crying. I could hear the raspiness in her voice. The type of raspy that comes from sobbing for hours.
You should use her to get free. You know she would help you.
“Troy,” she whispered my name. “I lov…”
But she didn’t finish. I could hear the scream from outside, deep into my room, that silenced her. I pulled my gaze up from the ground to the wall.
I needed to hear her finish her sentence. I needed to hear those words. My body was moving all at once. I turned and took her in. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked pale. I could see the glaze in her eyes when someone was losing hope. I forced my body to stare at her rather than moving.
We locked eyes, and I prayed she knew I was still here. I was trying. I just had to get myself free. I just didn’t know how to.
But her eyes looked hurt as she grabbed the door and hurried out. The door shut behind her, and I was left alone.
She doesn’t love you, Troy. She would have stayed if she did. She left you just like she had before. Nothing has changed.
No, that wasn’t true. This wasn’t the same as the past. I knew that. I knew that deep into my bones.
Then why are you still here? If your love for each other was really meant to be, why did you still not have control?
I sat numb, not even sure how much time had gone by. My head was a blur between sleeping and listening to the dark thoughts repeat over and over in my head. I didn’t have energy anymore.
I tugged at the chains, hearing them click against each other. I stared at the door, aching for her to come back. I just wanted to see her and listen to her voice.
Even sleep wasn’t helping. I had nightmares about hurting Elize. I watched myself kill her over and over with my own hands. It came in different scenarios. I would chase after her in the woods in my wolf form and slaughter her. I’d find her in our bed and shove a pillow over her head.
I rolled over and stared at the ceiling.
I went back to counting the ceiling tiles.
Then I felt something wash over me like a cold bath.
Shiver rolled down my entire spine, and that grasp of the darkness seemed to simmer.
I could breathe suddenly, and I wondered why. Was I fighting against it better?
But I knew something wasn’t right. I felt that connection with Elize wavering, and that scared me more than anything. If it wasn’t using its dark magic on me, did that mean it was using someone else?
I pulled tighter on the chains, pain ripping over my wrist. But I didn’t stop. I yanked with all my energy and heard the snap of the chains give way.
I fumbled a few steps forward, catching myself against the wall. My head spun as I focused on the door. I could feel something stabbing me in the heart, and I knew something was happening to Elize. I had to go to her no matter what. I stumbled forward, grabbing at the door and pulling it open.
I stepped into the hallway, and the bright lights burned. I pulled a hand up to block the light. As my eyes adjusted, I was being stared at by a handful of nurses. They all looked shocked and horrified to see me. I scanned the room and spotted the front door.
You’re free. You should murder them all. They all have to pay.
“Troy,” a voice spoke up, and Ivan was standing across the hallway. His eyes were wide as he cautiously took a step toward me. “Troy, get back in your room. We’re doing this for your own good.”
If I went back, I’d never know what happened to Elize. It could be too late.
I looked at the front door, and he took a couple more steps toward me. His hands went up. “Troy, don’t make me use force. Come on, I know you’re still in there somewhere. Think about this. Do this for Elize.”
I was doing this for Elize. I knew I wouldn’t make it on foot. Troy would catch me within a few feet. I’d have to shift. It was the only way I’d make it to her. I allowed myself to shift, and Troy started yelling as he charged down the hallway toward me.
I turned, bursting through the door and out onto the street. Screams erupted around me as people jumped out of my way, but I ignored them, following the pull.
I ran like my life depended on it. I was going to go home, but that wasn’t where I felt she would be.
I headed for the woods, and the pull was guiding me to Riley’s pack.
My wolf growled, violently wanting the shade of blood.
I could hear others hot on my tail, and I knew I didn’t have time for a screw-up.
I couldn’t stop for even a moment, or I’d be too late.
I made it to Riley’s pack, and my entire body was shaking. I headed straight for city hall and found a crowd gathered at the front steps. I could see Riley and Janella. I could see people surrounding them, but I had no idea who they were surrounding.
I moved closer and spotted Elize. But she didn’t look like herself. Her eyes had darkened, and her face had contorted into someone I didn’t know. She stood at the steps of city hall, and I could see the magic twirling in her hands. A few people already lay around her, bleeding out.
“Elize, stop,” Janella yelled at her, trying to reason with her. “This isn’t you. You have to fight it. You know this is wrong.”
But Elize wasn’t there. I could see she was just like me. A shell of a person, and I couldn’t let the darkness take over. I couldn’t stomach the thought of her changing into someone everyone thought she was.
I moved closer when Riley spotted me. “Troy!”
I kept going, moving closer to Elize. Riley stepped in my way, and I grabbed at him. Janella screamed as she ran toward us, but I threw Riley aside. I moved past him, rushing toward Elize.
Her eyes had snapped to me now, and Janella yelled. “Troy, don’t! Don’t hurt her! Please!”
Elize looked at me with a snarl and pulled her hands up, aiming her magic at me. I grabbed her and pulled her into my arms. Elize pushed against me, and I tightened my hold on her. I looked into her eyes, knowing she had to be in there.
I could hear them running toward us, but the world seemed to stop as I reached up, placing a hand on her face. If I were to lose control now, I wanted to at least tell her how I felt. She deserved to know.
“I love you,” I said softly.
Elize’s eyes wavered, and I felt something deep inside me shift. Suddenly, all the anger, all that rage was gone. It was like someone had taken a flip and turned it on. Elize’s eyes widened, and her arms seemed to freeze, unsure of what to do.
I pulled her tighter against me and cupped her face. “Come back to me. I know you’re in there. I know you can fight this. Please, come back to me.”
Elize’s face relaxed, and I could smell her magic.
She started to grow bright, and her skin seemed to shimmer.
She leaned against me, her fingers curling tightly around my shirt.
“Troy?” Her voice came out gentle, like she was scared.
Her eyes softened as she looked at me like she was afraid I’d disappear.
“Is this you? Really, you?”
I softly nodded. “It’s really me.”
I watched tears burst free as she clung to me. I cupped her face and kissed her. I felt the glow growing brighter. It was a warmth that spread over us, and I looked deep into her eyes.
“I mean it. I love you.”
She smiled at the moon. “I love you too. I was going to say it before.”
“I know.” I pressed my forehead against hers. “I know you were.”