Page 104 of Dark Souls

I climbed back onto the foot of the bed and grabbed a blanket, curling up in a ball as his hand patted my head like a pet dog.

“Quit it, you soppy shit and go to sleep.”

“Love you, sis.”

“Love you too, knobhead.”

The girl gasped as I wrapped my hand around her wrist and pulled her into the stable. The horse beside us neighed at our intrusion, and the scent of leather and hay was potent. She spun around, grabbing my cotton shirt in her hands as she stared up at me through big, shimmering eyes. Her black ringlets, nestled on top of her head, cascaded over one shoulder.

“We should not. We will be caught!” She giggled, leaning into my broad chest as my hand swept some of her hair over her shoulder tenderly.

“Then we must be quiet.” My voice was not my own. It was male. And with a European accent.

“I fear that will be impossible.” She smiled seductively as she untied my breeches. “When will you introduce me to your family as your betrothed? Why must we still sneak behind the haystacks?”

“I need time, Donna. It is complicated. There are things about me that I fear you will judge me for. My family means everything to me, but they do not trust outsiders easily. But soon. I promise.”

She pressed her lips to mine with a lingering kiss before staring up into my eyes. “Do you trust me?”

“With my life.”

“Then there can be no secrets between us. I love you, Lukas. Nothing you can ever reveal to me will change that.”

The memory switched quickly.

My heart thumped wildly as my feet pounded against the forest floor, my surroundings blurring with my speed. I could see my breath, puffs gathering before my face with every exhale. All I felt was panic. In the distance, I saw the specks of orange flames lighting their torches. The air around me thickened with magic as they grew closer. All I knew was that I had to lead them away.

I slammed myself against a tree before my nails extended, and I climbed into the overgrown canopy to hide.

“What is it, Father Alatar?”

“I feel him near. We are on the right trail.”

“Then we must not lose him. Are there others with him?”

“If he is moving this fast, he must be alone.”

“Then send the others towards the village. The girl must not be far. He would not leave her unprotected for long.”

Rage raced through my veins, and on impulse, I leapt from the trees, landing on the back of a man as I drove my claw through his flesh and pulled out his heart. Agony tore through me as a magical force twisted and shattered every bone in my body. A dark figure approached, looming over me on the ground.

“We meet again, Lukas.”

Everything turned black.

Gasping for a breath, I woke with a start, placing my hand on my chest while my heart hammered against it. Once again, it took me a few moments to gather my bearings and remember I was in Leif’s room. The sun had risen and was streaming through the open curtains and onto his face as he slept deeply, the stench of alcohol consuming the room.

I rubbed my eyes and tried to recall that dream again, allowing it to repeat over and over to ensure I didn’t forget a single detail. What the hell was happening? There was no way in hell that could have been a dream. It felt too real. Just like the dream of that young boy and woman. I was there. In those moments, I felt everything. They were memories. And they belonged to Luka.

Suddenly, bile rose in my throat and I darted out of bed and towards the bathroom. I dry-heaved into the sink, retching but unable to bring anything up. Hanging my head between my shoulders, I closed my eyes to fight the dizziness and tried to make sense of what I had seen. That sickening, vicious twist in my gut tightened when that girl’s face flashed in my mind. Belladonna Knowlton. She and Luka were in love? How they dressed and the scenery told me it must have been centuries ago. And then that horrible feeling of fear and panic. The Knowltons. They were after Luka. But why? Because of Belladonna? Had they found out about their secret relationship?

My phone vibrated from somewhere in the bedroom and I returned to search for it. Picking it up off the floor, I saw several texts, all from one number. My old phone. I’d texted Luka last night to explain why I had to leave, but I hadn’t seen any of these messages as Leif and I had passed out.

I HOPE YOUR BROTHER IS OKAY.

I NEED TO SEE YOU.

TEXT ME BACK.

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