Page 58 of Marked By Shadows

Dom turns to me. "Alana, I need you to focus," he says. "You need to channel your energy and help me banish this demon from Trine's body."

“Channel my energy? What are you talking about? I have no idea how to do that.”

Dom's eyes meet mine, his expression serious. "You have to try, Alana. We don't have much time. If we don't banish this demon now, it could take over Trine's body completely."

“Should’ve brought the priest,” Trine mutters under her breath–but again, this might not be Trine. She laughs at her own joke as Misha pales next to her.

“Ignore her. You can’t listen to anything she says right now.”

I swallow. “Right. What do I need to do?”

Dom's gaze meets mine, his expression serious. "You have to try, Alana. We don't have much time. If we don't banish this demon now, it could take over Trine's body completely."

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. "Okay," I say, closing my eyes. "What do I do?"

"Focus on the energy around you," Dom says. "The energy of the universe, of the earth, of everything that surrounds us. Feel it flowing through you and into Trine. Use that energy to push the demon out."

I nod, trying to visualize what Dom is saying. I feel a warmth spreading through my body, and I can sense a pulsing energy emanating from Trine's body. I focus on that energy, doing what he says, letting it flow through me, and I feel a surge of power in my chest.

I open my eyes and see Trine's body convulsing even harder, her eyes rolling back even further. I know I have to act fast. I reach out my hand and place it on Trine's forehead, trying to direct the energy into her body.

As I do, I feel a sudden jolt, and Trine's body goes rigid. Her eyes snap open, and I can see the fiery red of the demon's eyes reflected in her gaze.

But I don't let my fear take over. I channel all the energy I have, pushing it outwards, trying to force the demon out of Trine's body.

And then, all at once, something gives. Trine's body goes limp, and the fiery red of the demon's eyes fades away. I take my hand away from her forehead, and she slumps against Misha, a thin line of drool trailing down her chin.

I feel a sense of relief wash over me, but it's short-lived. Dom looks at me with a serious expression. "Now you,” he says. “We need to protect you.”

My heart races as I realize that it's now my turn. I watch as Dom reaches into his backpack and pulls out a small pouch. I know we don’t have much time. Misha holds onto Trine, saying reassuring things in her ear as she slumps against him.

She’s not passed out, she looks like she’s falling asleep.

I don’t have time to look at her, because Dom is standing in front of me again, fishing a pouch out of his hand.

He opens it and I see a shimmering black crystal inside.

“What is that?” I ask.

“Obsidian,” Dom replies, his voice low, his eyes darkened. If I wasn’t so scared, I might think he looks sexy. It’s great to see him work. But I’m fucking terrified, so the thought is fleeting until I meet his gaze again. "It's a powerful protective crystal. We're going to use it to create a barrier around you."

I nod, feeling a little reassured by his words.

Dom starts to chant again, and I watch as he takes the obsidian crystal and places it on my forehead. I feel a sudden rush of energy, and I realize that the crystal is absorbing the negative energy that surrounds me.

“Thank you,” I mouth at him.

He nods. “I’m not done,” he says.

And right as he says that, someone knocks on the door.

Javi

I’vebeenworriedsickabout Alana since Trine attacked her on stage. Normally I stay after a show to socialize with fans and to talk to the press, but after she sent me a text, I told Londyn I wasn’t feeling well and sneaked out so I could go check on her.

I put my hood up and try to be as inconspicuous as possible. I don’t want anyone to recognize me. The only way to get past the receptionist was to flash her a winning smile, though, and after I asked about the members of the band, she was happy to tell me which rooms they were in as long as I gave her an autograph.

I finally make it to Alana’s room, and I can hear chanting coming from inside. I knock on the door, and Dom answers, looking surprised to see me there. He’s sweaty, his dark hair sticking to his face, and he looks right through me for a second before he focuses.

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