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.

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

people needed a strong queen. I wasn't going to hide away, scared of the boogie monster. I was going to tame that bitch

be pleased." George said as he stepped closer to my other

barricade. But it was

my command." We both have our parts to play in this war. This is mine, and I will not let my people down." No

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 threatening

whispered in 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 could see no enemies, but that

him speaking that he was telling me that no matter what happened, he would

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

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

"Darkness runs free."

on Killian's lap, I heard the phrase repeatedly. Bound in the blood, darkness runs

"Darkness runs free.”

me, but there was nothing else here

in the blood, darkness runs free. What does that mean?" I turned once more, prepared to push open the door to Lillian's room

"It's too late."

us, and goosebumps covered my arms. They had come with me, and now we were all going to

said again, and Tobias growled loudly as a dark shadow figure appeared before us, letting out a piercing screech that made my hands fly up to cover my ears as

of people running toward us, but my glare stayed

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

"Darkness runs free!"

from the creature. It echoed around us from all angles, and I gritted