Page 130 of A Bond with the Dark

“Well. Do what you need to do.” Ollie stands to leave. “But there may come a time when he can’t help what he does. When that happens, run.”

He’s gone, and I’m alone with Dom, the man who’s now cursed to kill me.

Here I am, thousands of miles away from home, in a strange place with a house full of monsters. The only one that I have who’s protecting me is my boyfriend, and now he’s under some spell that’s making him try to kill me.

I want my mom.

What am I going to do?

Ollie told me to run.

Retrieving my phone from my back pocket, I look at the time. It’s almost six in the morning. I think about calling Claire and Anna; I miss them and want someone to talk to.

Unbidden tears infiltrate my eyes as I walk out to the balcony.

Time may have stood still. I stare at the water, wishing I had someone I could call. Someone that would help me understand this mess that I got myself into. But what would I say to Claire? She has no idea what has happened since I learned of Dom’s dark secret.

There’s a hammock swing off to the right of the porch, and I go to it; pulling my knees up to my chest, I cry. I cry for all the things I’ve been through.

Wondering why the world is always out to get me.

There never seems to be any good in my life. It always leads to evil.

Sitting here for a long time, I watch the sun come up over the water, watch the light kiss the lake, and give the world the first fiery breath of morning.

I know that I should go in and see if Adaline and Scarlet need my help, but there probably isn’t much for me to do.

I’m not a strong witch yet. I can’t accomplish much. I don’t know why I’m here.

There’s a hand on my shoulder, and I half-expect to see Bash here again because why not? It’s the last thing I need, so it’s the first thought in my head.

But it isn’t Bash, it’s Dom.

“Hey.” I sniffle and look up at him for a second, trying to decide if he’s himself or under that spell.

“Hey. It’s okay. I’m me.” The opacity of his skin is unsettling.

Pulling him down, I wrap myself in his arms and let him hold me for a few seconds.

“Do you remember anything about what happened to you?”

I can feel his heart racing. “I am starting to. But when I was sleeping, she came to me again.”

“The warlock?”

His chest rises as he nods. “She’s awful, Sayah. She terrifies me.”

“What did she say? What does she want?”

“She’s this awful-looking person with white hair and black eyes. Her lips and nails are black, and her face is so pale white that she looks like a ghost. She’s pure evil. And she told me her name is Matrasia. She said that the first person she wants me to kill is you because you are the Phoenix.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“She didn’t tell me. All she said was that I must kill you. And there’s a desire in my head I’m fighting right now that wants to hurt you. I’m so lost by this, Sayah. I don’t know what to do.”

“Why does she want me dead? What have I ever done?”

“I don’t know. I just know that you’re the one I have to kill. If I kill you, my mark will be complete, and I will be hers forever.”

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