Page 56 of The Dark War

Did it really matter who this was now that everything was gone? Feeling Giana scratching on the other side of the wall, told me yes, that I needed to know. Turning slowly, my face keeping steady with the chair rail around the room, the fire illuminated the far wall. A cloaked figure stood. It was clear of any debris, the matte attire wrapping around him like a second skin. A chest plate of silver body armor glimmered.

The dark cloak that gathered on the floor. His attire wasn’t what really caught my attention, but something else entirely one would usually miss. The bright flames gave light to the front of his body and gave shadows behind him. Three distinct personages stood behind the cloaked figure with various-sized horns, moving about unlike how a normal shadow should be. I was not standing in the presence of one, but four.

Three shadows and a sorcerer.

“There are three names you need to remember.” The voice was slick, smoother than silk. One would almost find it calming, but if one could listen very closely, you could hear not the one voice but the underlying tone of three more. I shivered.

Before my heart could beat again, a warm hand grabbed my throat. It squeezed as I put my hands up around his wrist. I felt drained, Giana no longer moving inside my mind, and my body fell limp. The hood of his cloak fell back, and the sorcerer’s face slit from one side of his mouth to the other. Glowing blue and purple eyes stared back at me. All of his teeth were razor-sharp, pieces of meat still stuck inside his mouth.

I gagged, trying to look away, but the grip grew stronger. Leaning in closer, his lips grazed my cheek. “All hail, Jarrochek, Azrad and Jolgath.”

His grip loosened. I dropped to the floor, only the floor was no longer there. A large pit of darkness swallowed me as I screamed.

Continuing my scream, I fell onto something soft. My arms thrashed about, not knowing what could be lurking inside the softness. My cries had alerted someone because now I had my hands pinned above my head and a large body sitting on my hips.

“No!” I screamed again, pushing whatever was on top of me to the side, but they quickly retaliated.

“Open your eyes!” The familiar voice had me shaking my head. I couldn’t; it was a trick. I had no one left. Bergarian was lost, and I slept through the entire thing. “Clara, baby, open your eyes!” Taking deep breaths, I finally saw the other half of my soul.

“Kane?” I sobbed, reaching for him to hold me. “Oh my gods, you are alive!” Evelyn screamed in the basinet, her arms reaching toward me. “Evie!” My tears didn’t stop flowing. I was so happy to have my little family back. I couldn’t let them out of my sight. I could never let anything happen to them.

Kane’s arm didn’t let go of me, still snug around my waist. Banging on the door caused it to come unhitched, Marcus in his boxers, Cyrene and our visiting alpha and luna, Wesley and Charlotte, ran in.

“I’m so sorry,” I cried out again, kissing Evie’s cheek. Kane didn’t let go, watching everyone. My sobs became hysterical. Something was wrong with me.

Cyrene stepped forward, but Kane gave a warning growl. I couldn’t take care of my mate. I could barely take care of myself. “It’s all right.” Cyrene’s hand reached forward, palm outwards. A light glowed from it, giving me some sort of Xanax. I sniffed, Kane reaching me over and placing me in his lap.

“You had a terrible cry,” Cyrene observed. “A nightmare?” I nodded. I had never had one this bad before. It felt so real. The lamp on the bedside table was on, setting shadows up on the wall from the growing crowd in our room. “Gods.” I closed my eyes. The shadows, those shadows were going to haunt me.

“Can you tell me what happened?” Cyrene stayed away to keep Kane calm. He continued to growl, sometimes purring to help me.

“Can I take Evie for you?” Charlotte stepped in. She had arrived at the same time as Cyrene, and I had been a terrible luna not welcoming them like I should.

My voice grew silent. If I opened my mouth, I was sure I’d start crying again. “Yes,” Kane grumbled, surprising me. He took hold of Evie, handing her to Charlotte. Evie looked at Charlotte and at me, questioning the exchange.

“It’s all right, little one.” Cyrene waved her hand in front of Evie, and she fell asleep on Charlotte’s shoulder. Small hiccups came from my body. Gods, this was embarrassing.

“Can you tell me what happened?” Cyrene sat on the end of the bed. Kane gripping me tighter still. I shook my head. I couldn’t tell her what I saw.

I saw death, the end of Bergarian, in front of my eyes. What the hell was I going to do? Did the dream mean I would fail? Was it from The Fates? These shadows? Some evil? A spell? My pants grew quicker, my breath shaking.

“Love, it’s all right,” Kane’s voice whispered in my ear. “Everything is okay,” he murmured again. “I will protect you with my life.” I cried out again, burring my face in his chest.Dear gods, no, he can’t do that. Don’t give your life for me.

“May I see your dream?” Cyrene asked quietly. “All I need is your hand, and then you can go back to sleep.”

“I can’t go back to sleep now,” I whispered. “I need to get up, go plan. We need to get the children through the portal, now.” Getting up, Kane pulled me back.

“Let her see your dream,” Kane cooed. “We will work on this together, all right?” Biting my lip, I reluctantly let her take my hand. Marcus stood with his arms crossed, his body rigid as he watched Cyrene read my mind.

Her eyes widened; lips parted while she stroked my hand with hers. The room sat still until she removed my hand. “Yes, we should have the children leave tomorrow,” she muttered. “And unfortunately, I will have to take my leave as soon as they cross over.”

“But why?” Charlotte whispered. “I thought you were to remain here for a while? Or at least until we had a better idea who it is.”

“I have an idea,” Cyrene said. “But if we want to win this war, I am going to have to train someone very special that will tip the scales.”

“Who?”

“A new dragon who has no idea what power she holds.”

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