The Beast And The Blessed

Eighty-Four: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

It was time.

The war was here... or rather, we were going to it.

There were a lot of people depending on me not to fail. I couldn't stay in that room. If I did, I would want to touch Killian, to know that I was safe and hadn't been transported back to the darkness.

I needed to fight through it, to stand on my own as a powerful descendant and not as someone who couldn't go more than a few minutes without touching someone to ground me to their realm. It was humiliating that our people had to see me that way, and I refused to let them witness me acting so weak.

If Killian's father was trying to send me a message, then maybe instead of resisting, I needed to listen.

Killian wanted to ignore what happened and tackle one issue at a time, but I knew in my heart that they were connected.

My pace increased as I stormed down the hall, and Tobias shot me a worried look when he realized exactly where I was heading.

The infirmary doors were still open at the end of the hallway, but there was no movement inside.

I paused just outside Lillian's room.

I didn't know what I was looking for, but my eyes scanned the hallway anyway.

"You have a message for me. I'm listening." I said as firmly as I could. But I still swallowed hard as I waited for a response, terrified that I was making the wrong decision.

and my hair flew up as Tobias placed his hand on my arm. For only a moment, I allowed the physical contact to calm me before reminding myself what was at stake

going to hide away, scared of the boogie monster. I was going to tame that bitch and keep it as a pet.

be pleased." George said as he

like a protective barricade. But it was pointless as

not tell him," I ordered, and I felt all three men tense at my command." We both have our parts to play in this war. This is mine, and I will not let my people down." No

them that this was a bad idea any more than they already believed. The air wrapped around us violently, and I felt the darkness threatening to take

He shook, and I could see the debate on his face as he tried to decide whether to shift. We could

resisting the same urge. He nodded his head once, and I knew without him speaking that he was telling me that no matter what happened, he would stick by my side. He understood that I needed to do this...

I didn't want to go at all. But I

my ears. My guards stiffened, and I

"Darkness runs free."

speak again. Even during my short nap on Killian's lap, I heard the phrase repeatedly. Bound in the blood, darkness runs free. He was saying nothing new, but I didn't know what he meant by that. I

"Darkness runs free.”

was nothing else here with us. The

understand. Bound in the blood, darkness runs free. What does that mean?" I turned once more, prepared to push open the door to Lillian's room

"It's too late."

now we were all going to face my

shadow figure appeared before us, letting out a piercing screech that made my hands fly

a stampede of people running toward us, but my

Why is it too late?" I demanded, stepping toward the figure and pulling my arm free

"Darkness runs free!"

didn't seem to come from the creature. It echoed around us from all angles, and I gritted my teeth as I pushed down my terror.