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.

my hair flew up as Tobias placed his hand on my arm. For only a moment, I allowed the

strong mate, and the people needed a strong queen. I wasn't going to hide away, scared of the boogie monster. I

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

at my back, all three acting like a protective barricade. But it was pointless as I knew the biggest threat was in

felt all three men tense at my command." We both have our parts to play in this war. This is mine, and I

bad idea any more than they already

on his face as he tried to decide whether to shift. We could see

pulling my 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

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

again as the faint whisper reached my ears. My guards stiffened, and I knew

"Darkness runs free."

Killian's lap, I heard the phrase repeatedly. Bound in the blood, darkness runs free. He was saying

"Darkness runs free.”

was nothing else here with us. The shadow men were absent, and the

once more, prepared to push open the door to Lillian's

"It's too late."

grabbed my arm, but nothing 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

shadow figure appeared before us,

could hear a stampede of people running toward us, but my glare stayed on

demanded, stepping toward the figure and pulling my arm free

"Darkness runs free!"

angles, and I gritted my teeth as I pushed down my terror. "You've already said that! What does