Page 93 of Visions & Shadows

“Stop!” I scream, my voice hoarse. “Please.”

I’m weeping from the unbearable pain, but there are no tears left to cool my face.

Ares just stares at me, his eyes dead and merciless, as always.

Raighne’s warmth stirs in me, and it feels as if he’s trying to pass some of his strength into my body.

I want to push him away because I don’t want him feeling any of this pain.

Unable to stop Raighne, he flows through my mind, and as he floods my entire being, his soothing warmth battles the fire, easing some of the blistering pain.

“Raighne,”I groan internally.“I don’t want you here. Leave.”

“Never.”His voice is crystal clear in my mind and filled with so much confidence it makes hope trickle into my chest.“I’ll find you. Don’t give up.”

My whole body slumps, and totally exhausted, I just soak in Raighne’s comforting presence.

Then Ares’ voice enters my mind, sounding threatening as hell,“Tell her, or I will be forced to kill you slowly and hand your soul to her.”

I shake my head as more sobs spill over my lips.

Adeth steps closer to me, finding delight in my pain and despair. “Ares, you may stop for now. Let’s see whether our little bird is ready tosing.”

The excruciating pain eases the instant he removes his hand.

“Tell me who the chosen ones are,” she demands once again.

I keep quiet because there’s no use trying to talk to her.

Adeth reaches out to me and when her hand settles over my stomach, there’s a weird tugging sensation.

Before I can take another breath, it turns into gut-wrenching agony, tearing a scream from me. It feels as if she’s twisting my insides, trying to rip them through my skin.

I start to gag, making it so much worse as my body convulses.

The pain becomes all-consuming until it’s all I can think of, while sweat beads on my skin as every muscle in my body strains.

Suddenly, she stops and grabs hold of my face. Her nails dig into my cheek until they tear through my skin, and I’m too weak to try to yank away.

“I’ll return, and youwilltell me everything. This, I promise you, Alchera.”

She disappears, and I feel relief wash over me, but it’s only for a split second.

I can still feel her nails cutting into my cheek as Ares begins to advance on me. He draws his arm back, and I close my eyes.

I can’t deal with this anymore.

All the pain is getting the better of me, and I’m sure I’m dying.

Raighne was wrong. There are more ways to kill an immortalis.

Ares’ fist slams hard into my gut until it hurts too much to breathe. My body swings from the impact, but it doesn’t stop him. He grabs my hair, and I have no time to recover before the next blow comes.

Excruciating pain becomes the sum of my being, and it feels as if every agonizing breath might be my last.

But, the relief of death doesn’t come, only a new level of pain when the whip cracks over my already raw and bloody flesh.

When Raighne whispers inside me, I sob out loud. I want to thank Awo that it will be Raighne’s voice I hear one last time before I die.

---