Page 90 of Visions & Shadows

She grabs hold of my chin again, and there’s a sharp prick before a burning pain spreads beneath my skin.

My breaths speed up as she slices my cheek open with her sharp nail. The first drop of blood forms, and I feel it follow an uncertain trail to my chin. My body trembles uncontrollably as fear for this woman engulfs me.

I swallow hard and force myself to keep looking at her. No matter how scared I am, I won’t give in.

“Ahh, Alchera, I have you at last. It’s been too long.” She gives me the impression that she’s talking to herself. “Mmm, it’s really unfortunate you should find yourself in this little predicament.”

Inspecting my face, she admires her handiwork. Her black eyes are shining with the delight of having me in her grasp, and I swear I can see shadows moving in her irises.

I scowl, totally disgusted by her.

“How rude of me. I haven’t introduced myself.” There’s a deceivingly friendly smile on her face that gives me the creeps. “I’m Adeth.”

I press my lips together and continue to scowl at her.

She lets out a sigh and shakes her head. “You should know I don’t tolerate lies.”

Anger bubbles in my chest, and I hiss, “I don’t give a shit.”

She ignores what I say and continues, “My name carries the meaning of death, so how can I not live by it? Even though Awo insists I’m damning myself by doing so.” She stares blindly at me, her eyes glazing over.

Oh boy, she’s definitely missing a few vital ingredients to make up a healthy brain cell.

“Those who lie to me will meet an untimely and unfortunate end.” She moves closer to me and takes a deep breath as if she’s trying to inhale me. “Tell me, Alchera, do you know why I’ve brought you here?” She dips her head slightly and glares at me from beneath long, full lashes.

“No.”I lie.

“It’s actually quite simple. I ask you a question, and you give me the answer I want. I feel it’s quite unnecessary to make things...” she looks at my tied wrists, and a small smile plays around her lips, “…overly dramatic.”

Turning, she glides around the room, trailing her fingers along the wall. My eyes widen when healthy green vines sprout from the rotten wood. Out of the vines blossom the most beautiful velvet-kissed Hibiscus flowers, only they’re black. The vines themselves change from healthy green to red, like veins pulsing with blood.

Jesus.

Ares appears out of thin air, and when he comes to stand beside me, I cringe.

“Don’t you think they’re beautiful?” Adeth asks, pleased with what she’s created.

“Sure,” I mutter. “In a creepy as fuck way.”

I’m still trying to process everything because it’s not an everyday occurrence to see flowers and people intent on killing me appear out of thin air.

“I have a few questions to ask,” she continues. “Should your answers be satisfactory, you’ll be free to go. However, there will be consequences to face for every unacceptable answer you give.” The corner of her mouth lifts in a smile. “I think I’ve made myself very clear, and we can start.”

Adeth has to be anyone’s worst nightmare, and here I’m lucky enough to get her full and undivided attention.

God help me.

A chill ripples down my spine as I remember the question she kept asking in my vision.

She glides back to me, and instantly, the air tenses. I suck in a desperate breath of air, my stomach coiling and my nerves frail.

My eyes dart from Ares to Adeth, and fear makes me tremble as I wait for the questions to start.

“I heard you talking to Raighne,” Adeth says. “Have your premonitions begun?”

“What premonitions?” I ask, pretending not to understand.

I feel a wave of dizziness wash over me and try to remember the last time I ate or drank something.

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