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.

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

queen. I wasn't going to hide away, scared

not be pleased." George said as he stepped closer

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

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

kept the last thought to myself, not needing to encourage them that this was a bad idea any more than they already believed. The air wrapped around us violently, and I felt the darkness

the storm surrounding us. He shook, and I could see the debate on his face as he tried to decide whether to shift. We could see no enemies,

I knew without him speaking that he was telling me that

pull them into that realm with me. I didn't want to go at all. But

reached my ears. My

"Darkness runs free."

heard the phrase repeatedly. Bound in the blood, darkness runs free. He was saying nothing new, but I

"Darkness runs free.”

me as he stood protectively behind me, but there was nothing else here with us.

prepared to push open the door to Lillian's room and face my fears. But the man's voice stopped

"It's too late."

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

as a dark shadow figure appeared before us, letting out a piercing screech

could hear a stampede of people running toward us, but

scared of you. Speak! Why is it too late?" I demanded, stepping toward the figure and pulling my

"Darkness runs free!"

from the creature. It echoed around us from all angles, and I gritted my teeth as I pushed down my