Hisvoice.
“Briar.”
A tall figure emerges from the darkness before me, like a hurricane of madness. I blink through the constant stinging that pains my dry eyes and try to focus. The ash filling the gloomy sky makes it nearly impossible to see far in the distance. I wipe my eyes and cover my ears, trying to ignore the call I’m hearing. It’s not real, anyway. Kalix has done this countless times—projecting things that aren’t real.
The voice continues, and each scream sounds more desperate than the last.
The wind continues to swirl, causing the ash to blind me again. The figure grows closer, and instead of fear, a calmness floods my system that I can’t explain.
Maybe this is my body finally accepting defeat.
“Briar.”
The desperate sound hits my ears once more, and I lift my head higher in an attempt to see what’s coming. My mouth parts, and through the ash and pain, I see a strong male body rushing toward me, like a storm moving across the black sea. The rough ground doesn’t slow him, and he charges toward me with a warrior’s grace.
Oh Gods.
Silas’s strong body moves toward me, unlike how I left him—broken and mangled. He rushes forward—unharmed and determined—as if he’s been searching for me. A black fire smolders behind his piercing green eyes, capable of turning a city to ruin.
“Briar!” he screams, trying to gain my attention again through the darkness.
I wipe at my eyes, unable to believe what I’m seeing, and tears pour from my eyes like falling rain.
It’s a trick.
It’s Kalix messing with me once more. I attempt to stand to run in the opposite direction, and my legs give out under me. The ground rips at my knees—like claws tearing at my flesh—and fear encases me like a panicked fog.
Another shout fills the air with desperation, and I listen to the voice.
I feel his presence pull at me like a flare in the blackened night, and my soul blazes with a desperate yearning to reach his. I push with everything that I have left and stand on shaky legs, feeling the blood trickle down my legs. I grasp the tree behind me, the rough bark scratching my palms, and prop my shoulder against it, grateful for its sturdiness.
“I’m… here.” My voice is hoarse and barely audible through the ripping winds.
“I’m here.”
The shouts from Silas attract unwanted attention, and I notice black roots—similar to those that adorn my hands—begin to stir beneath the brush. Kalix edges closer with every second I linger, and fear bubbles in my body like boiling water.
Silas pauses, his piercing green eyes scanning the grey surroundings as I lift my arm. My muscles scream against the motion, but I bite my lip—almost immediately tasting blood from my cracked lips.
Black and crimson clouds begin to roll over the sky, and a hurricane of crows swoop down looking for me. Their black wings slap against the air, deafening all other sound around me for a moment. A shadowy haze fills the sky, dimming all light around me and letting darkness threaten to take over.
I lift my arm higher, attempting to take a step away from the tree shielding me from plain sight.
My leg trembles under my weight, but I grind my teeth and take another step.
There is only one person I need—only one person I have to find.
Another sob leaves my lips as I watch Silas look for me. A panic I’ve never seen takes over his expression, and a tear rolls down my cheek.
“I’m here.”
He pauses briefly, closing his eyes as if focusing all his energy on me. A powerful breeze swirls around him, and I watch, still unsure if this is real. His chest heaves quickly, and I see his hands trembling as they try to relax at his sides. He lowers his chin, then suddenly opens his eyes, revealing the brightest green I’ve ever seen. I almost gasp, but step closer. His intense stare slowly sweeps across the wasteland, leaving my jaw slack.
Silas’s eyes meet mine.
A flood of emotion sweeps across his handsome face. He dips his head and charges toward me, continuing to shout my name—as if awakening every dark creature in this realm is of no concern to him. With the fury I feel radiating from his body, I understand that I shouldn’t be worried, either. But in this nightmare of a world, I am.
Veryworried.
