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.

flew up as Tobias placed his hand on my arm. For only a moment, I allowed the physical contact to calm me

hide away, scared of the boogie monster. I was going to

The king will not be pleased." George said as

it

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 matter how

last thought to myself, not needing to encourage them that this was a bad idea any more than they already

storm surrounding us. He shook, and I could see the debate on his face as he tried

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.

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

am listening!” I called out again as the faint whisper reached my ears. My

"Darkness runs free."

repeatedly. Bound in the blood, darkness

"Darkness runs free.”

to see Thomas's back to me as he stood protectively behind me, but there was nothing else here with us. The shadow men were absent,

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

"It's too late."

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. "No, it's not too late.

too late!" The voice said again, and Tobias growled loudly as a dark shadow figure appeared before us, letting out a piercing

of people running toward

scared of you. Speak! Why is it too late?" I demanded,

"Darkness runs free!"

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