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.

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 here and pulling

I wasn't going to hide away, scared of the boogie monster.

The king will not be pleased." George said as he stepped closer

could feel Thomas standing closely at my back, all three acting like a protective barricade. But it

felt all three men tense at my command." We both have our parts to play in this war.

any more than they already believed. The air wrapped around

horror, just barely audible over the storm surrounding us. He shook, and I could see the debate on his face as he tried to decide whether to shift. We

his side, and I could see Tobias 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... even if

them into that realm with me. I didn't want to

I called out again as the faint whisper reached my ears. My guards stiffened,

"Darkness runs free."

my breath, waiting for him to speak again. Even during my short nap on Killian's lap, I heard the phrase repeatedly. Bound in the blood, darkness runs free.

"Darkness runs free.”

me, but there was nothing else here with us. The shadow men were absent, and the hallway stayed

mean?" I turned once more, prepared to push open the door to Lillian's room and face my fears. But the man's voice stopped me

"It's too late."

happened. I could still feel the temperature dropping around us, and goosebumps covered my arms. They had come with me, and now we were all going to face my demons together. Somehow that made it easier than when I had been alone the day before.

appeared before us, letting out a piercing screech

people running toward us, but my

not scared of you. Speak! Why is it too late?" I demanded, stepping toward the figure and pulling my arm

"Darkness runs free!"

seem to come from the creature. It echoed around us from all angles, and I gritted my teeth