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.

his hand on my arm. For

I wasn't going to hide away, scared

I don't like this. The king will not be pleased." George said as

back, all three acting like a protective barricade. But it was pointless as I knew the biggest threat was in front of me, right behind the

ordered, and I felt all three men tense at my command." We both have our parts to play in

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

whispered in horror, just barely audible over the storm surrounding us. He shook, and I could see the debate on his

arm away when he went to touch me. He dropped his hand to 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 he didn't like it. We were

realm with me. I didn't want to go at all. But I did need

listening!” I called out again as the faint whisper reached my ears. My guards stiffened, and I knew this time they heard it

"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

"Darkness runs free.”

around, spinning to see Thomas's back to me as he stood protectively behind me, but there was nothing else here with us.

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

"It's too late."

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. "No, it's not too late. I am here! I

as a dark shadow figure appeared before us, letting out a piercing screech that made my hands fly up to cover my ears as

I could hear a stampede of people running toward us, but

too late?" I demanded, stepping toward the figure and pulling my arm

"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.