CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
–FOSCA –
My heart is beating erratically, and my chest burns with each breath I take.Frantically, I whip my head around and come to a stop as I try to figure out where I am.The sand beneath my feet and the waves crashing close give me the knowledge I’m at the beach.
I have no clue how I got here or what part of the beach...but I do know one thing...I shouldn’t be here by myself.I wrap my arms around myself, close my eyes and whisper Sevrin’s name.It was one of the first things he mentioned about our powers, the way fated mates could mentally reach out to one another.
Nothing happens and I feel as if I can’t get a grip on myself.Screw it.I shove my hand in my pocket to reach for my phone but come up empty.Patting down all my pockets, I find out there’s nothing there.No keys, no lip balm, no phone, no money, no nothing.
Everything keeps getting weirder by the damn second and it’s why I quickly kick off my shoes and run into the sea.The water wets my pants up to my knees, but I couldn’t care less.Instant calm surrounds me and I lean forward to shove my hand into the sea.
“Sevrin,” I whisper.“I need you.”
A stingray swims nearby and I reach out to let my fingertips slide over it.More fish surround me and I finally feel a little less lost as I was a moment ago.Raising to my full height, I watch my hands while the water is still running over my skin like little streams.I might feel calmer, but the chilly feeling in my gut doesn’t fade.
“Come out of the water, Cassia,” a harsh voice states.
I jerk around and see my brother hovering above the sand.A jolt of fear hits me, and I curl my fingers into fists.He’s the reason why I’m standing here.I know it deep down, but what I can’t remember is how and why.
“What did you do?”I grit and stay knee-deep in the salt water where I feel stronger.
There must be a reason why he’s hovering above the sand and wants me out of the water, right?When he killed our siblings, and our parents, he lost the magic he once had.The only magic and strength he has now are stolen, drained from other supernatural beings.He’s somewhat of a black hole that sucks in the magic.
It’s why Sevrin kept repeating, practically drilling in the awareness how Cassius shouldn’t touch me, or vice versa, for that matter.It’s why I’m staying rooted to the spot.Not only because I feel stronger in the water, but to keep distance between us.
“There is no way out, Cassia.Accept your fate.Come to me and we’ll finish it.”My brother’s voice carries a dark undertone.
I have no clue why I refer to this entity as my brother.Clearly, my brother died right along with the rest of my family.
“Why did you kill them?”I fire back.
Stalling is the best option in this situation.At least, that’s what’s going through my mind.Going deeper into the ocean is another option.Though, it’s still a scary thought as to how I got here.
One moment I was in a standoff with my brother while holding Sevrin’s hand...the next I was here.Everything in between is a gap, and it’s a frightening thought that Cassius did something to me to make it possible.
“Sacrifices are inevitable,” he replies.
“Bullshit.At least have the decency to explain why you ruined lives just so you could become...”I stare down at him in disgust.“This...this dark, powerless entity.”
“I’m not powerless, Cassia.If anything, I’m on the verge of becoming the most powerful being: a God.”
The need to put my hand protectively over my stomach is overwhelming, yet I resist, not wanting to draw attention to what he desires.Because that’s what Triton mentioned.The legend.Cassius wants to absorb my unborn children to gain their powers.I don’t know about the whole God complex, but what I read about the legend does indicate my unborn children hold great power.
