Page 11 of Claimed By Her Monsters

“We can’t!” Cornelius screamed back. “Nerissa and Atticus are hurt! Especially Nessa!”

I didn’t know if mentioning Nerissa being injured was a good idea, especially when the intense concern morphing on all their faces only made all of this more catastrophic, but my eyes locked with Erebus before I showed him an expression of determination.

“Whatever happens, we’ll protect her with our lives.”I meant every word as I pushed the promise to him, knowing he’d hear it within his subconscious. It wasn’t the best solution as more smoke in the form of steam began to creep upward and cover our sight, but I could still see those piercing orbs of gold with silver rings and feel the possessive power that couldn’t be tamed in an intense moment like this.

“Fail and I’ll make sure I destroy you, Atticus,”he replied, and if it was in any other circumstance, I would have laughed in mockery.

A nightmare wolf killing the Pale Rider. Priceless.

Before we knew it, we were covered in thick clouds of smoke while the fingers of the giant began to wrap around the protective bubble. The others’ voices were getting further and further away, until they completely cut off as the last finger closed the distance with the others, concealing us within the giant's hand, which left us in pitch darkness.

“Atticus?”

I didn’t realize I was growing sluggish until a set of hands caught my shoulders.

“Shit. Sawyer?” Cornelius urged.

“Arthur, can you increase the flow of healing magic long enough for me to work on Atticus?” Sawyer urged.

“No problem,” Arthur declared. “Cornelius, can you replace the barrier with one of your own?”

“Already on it,” he pressed. “Five more seconds.”

“Atticus.” Sawyer’s voice was close as it felt like I was being maneuvered to lie down.

“Hmm?” I tried to answer but it was the best I could do as my mind grew hazy along with the sensation of the world around me.

I was sure Sawyer was calling me. In fact, it sounded as though all three of them were reaching out to me, but I kept slipping away, sinking deeper into an oasis of darkness, until I stood within a cave.

My eyes immediately lowered to look at the water. The thick shade of dark red matched the sickening scent that tickled my nostrils, confirming that the lagoon was far from natural.

A collection of blood.

In this form, I couldn’t feel the venomous emotion of anger or the tender sympathy of sadness. I was a void, just like the darkness that embraced the ceilings and corners of this hidden cave, until the sight of a little girl sparked a hint of emotion.

She walked through the cave without a light in her grasp, as if her eyes were so adapted to the darkness that she could see everything within these hidden depths.

There were dark circles beneath her eyes that lacked innocence, and her emotions were so absent, it struck a chord of pain within me to see a child carry the burdens of the world when she should be enjoying her youth while she could.

She came to a stop at the edge of the lagoon, and I noticed that markings of white and black were drawn so harshly upon her flesh that it splintered, showing deep red beneath and along the significant markings.

She wore a simple black dress and the length of her hair reached her little shoulders. The tension in her body was another red flag, while the bruises all across her arms, legs, feet, hands, and back made my blood actually boil.

She blinked her eyes once, those haunting spheres of lavender slowly scanning her surroundings until they stopped in my direction. I remained in place, knowing she wouldn’t be able to see me in this form, and yet she continued to stare and stare until her little mouth opened.

“If it's my time to go, I’m ready.” Whether it was the acceptance in her childish voice or the exhaustion in her overall stature that made my heart sink, I couldn’t stay still any longer as I approached the little girl until I stood next to her before the lagoon of blood.

“It’s not your time, child,” I voiced first so she understood that it wasn’t my intention of being here. In fact, I couldn’t grasp why I was here, or whether this was the past, present, or future. Sometimes I was simply pulled to the call of another regardless if it was in a dream or when the individual is close to death.

“Why not?” she asked while her tired eyes remained forward. “I don’t belong here.”

I slowly lowered my gaze to look at her just as she lifted her head enough to meet my gaze.

“Your destiny is entwined in many vines,” I voiced. “But it doesn’t mean the path of life ends here, child.”

“That’s not what the worshippers say,” she voiced and allowed herself to look sad as her eyes immediately watered. “My demise is the goal. The ultimate punishment. They don’t hide their intentions. It's clear as day, but their gods don’t see it. A pity.”

“A pity, indeed,” I voiced as I continued to observe her. “Do you wish for these gods to see the truth?”

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