Dark shadows and a blinding light fill the room in a chaotic dance of power. A strong wind whips my hair in all directions around me and Yara. Thunderous booms echo around me, but my hearing is muffled. The shouts are muted.
My world feels dull, my senses numb, and something within me fractures.
Blood once again drenches me, and my body turns a terrible shade of red—this is real. The gore I’m seeing is real.
Before I know it, her body stops twitching in my hold. I hesitantly look down, knowing I will regret what I’ll see.
Her face is frozen in time, never to age again, and her eyes are forever closed. I know there’s no use in asking her to open them; I know they won’t.
But I still catch myself whispering,“Open your eyes.”
Even covered in blood, she looks peaceful. Released from Malachi’s hold, and on her way to the darkest realm, where she can dance unbothered for all eternity.
I feel the change take place. I close my swollen eyes and let the darkness bubble up into my chest, throat, and mind. I don’t force the power down, I welcome it, and I swear I hear a sinister laugh in the breeze.
“That’s it,” the Great Wiitch whispers.
When I open my eyes, I feel the shift, as I realize my autumn gaze is now as lifeless as Yara, who lies beneath me.
I grasp the dagger from her cold, limp hand and hurl it as hard as I can.
Directly toward Malachi’s head.
Chapter 27
Ilift my gaze, my eyes now completely shrouded in darkness, as the blade spins through the air.
Silas moves around the room like a deadly warrior, unleashing bursts of black shadows toward the two horrifying creatures that have revealed their presence. The now-visible creatures look exactly like the one in the forest, their tall bodies towering over Silas and Larkin. Their skin shattered, gray, and dead. However, these creatures seem more desperate than the one in the clearing, their eyes brighter and wilder. Larkin assists in tandem, releasing bright shocks of light from his palms. His eyes are steady but reflect a hatred I’ve never witnessed.
Malachi remains rooted in the same place, with his back against the fireplace, watching the scene before him. His face shows no repentance, and a sense of pride hangs off his body.
The knife strikes just inches from his face, embedding itself deep into the wooden mantle. His gaze slowly shifts to me on the ground, and a broad smirk spreads across his aging face when he notices my state.
I slowly rise, Yara’s blood dripping off my body, and narrow my eyes. Anger fuels me like a deadly serum, and I allow the darkness to envelop me in a warm, neglected hug. I widen mystance, dig my nails into my palms, and feel my skin pop under the pressure, sending a pinch of pain through my hands. My heart races, but my chest rises and falls steadily. I clench my jaw and calculate Malachi’s next move.
“There she is,” Malachi exclaims and smiles. “I’ve been so looking forward to meeting the real Briar Blackbyrne. You are quite stunning when you are mad.”
Larkin pauses for a moment and looks at me.
“Fucking Gods," slips from his lips, as he strikes at the creatures surrounding him once more.
Between blows, Silas’s deep voice echoes in my mind.“Don’t let the darkness overcome you too much. Stay in control and use it to guide you. I’m right here, my love.”
I glance in his direction as he moves gracefully, striking the creature with one dark blast after another, as if he said nothing to me. His power doesn’t waver, nor does his endurance. The Prince of Darkness stands by my side, fighting like our lives depend on it.
I step forward and open my palms at my sides.
Shadows begin to swirl around my right hand as I sink down, concentrating all the power in my body to surge ahead. Looking down, the shadows are as black as night, creeping up my arm like a disease. I glance at my left hand, and through the fury, disbelief strikes me—a crackling, bright light shimmers in my left palm. The delicious tingle of lightning dances up my arm, and I smile at the new sensation. The powerful dance between shadows and light sends a wave of pleasure through me, and I snarl in Malachi’s direction.
I fear no one at this moment, but everyone around should fucking fear me.
Malachi steps back, shocked by the surprising turn of events unfolding before him.
“You are full of surprises, aren’t you?” he mutters to himself. “Just like your mother.”
Larkin and Silas pause momentarily at Malachi’s reaction.
Larkin’s mouth hangs open in shock, and Silas glances at me, standing before his father amid my own beautiful destruction. A wide, menacing smile spreads across Silas’s face.
