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.

on my arm. For only a moment, I allowed the physical contact

queen. I wasn't going to hide away, scared of the boogie monster. I was going to tame that

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

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

him," I ordered, and I felt all 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

them that this was a bad idea any more than they already believed. The air wrapped around us violently, and I felt the darkness

eyes..." George 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.

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

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

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

"Darkness runs free."

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

Bound in the blood, darkness runs free. What does that mean?" I turned once more, prepared to push open the door to Lillian's room and face my fears. But the man's voice stopped

"It's too late."

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.

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

is it too late?" I demanded, stepping toward the

"Darkness runs free!"

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