Chapter 22 Blood Dreams
Amara’s POV
I was motionless.
My legs were cold, heavy, and felt like they were trapped in muck. I thought my heart would burst from the loud beating it was making in my chest.
Everything was red around me.
A nightmare. I was aware that it was a nightmare.
However, everything seemed so genuine.
I was standing in a black stone grotto. There were bones everywhere. Skulls from mounds along the walls smiled, their eyes empty. In the darkness, chains clattered.
The heat and smoke filled the air. Pits on the floor were blazing. The green and purple flames, which hissed like enraged snakes, weren't your typical flames.
Chanting was audible.
I couldn't grasp the dark language used by the whispering voices.
With luminous eyes, shadow monsters slithered about the chamber. Black goo poured from their jaws onto the floor.
Lilith stood in the middle of it all.
My heart stopped beating.
Rowan's partner of choice.
My adversary.
Glowing with blood, she had symbols cut into her arms and wore a black cloak.
Her eyes were angry and ferocious.
Over a stone altar, she stood.
A mirror was on it, its surface rippled like water.
She covered the glass with blood.
It bubbled and steamed.
Lilith raised a blade. She sliced her hand, causing more blood to gush.
It was the awful words she used.
With a shiver, the mirror displayed a picture.
My face.
I let out a gasp.
In the mirror, I saw myself lying next to Kian in bed. My complexion was pale, my hair was tangled, and the symbol on my wrist was shining.
Lilith extended her arm toward the mirror.
She growled, "You cannot run away from me, Priestess."
She touched the glass with her bleeding palm.
I sensed it.
My mark was licked by fire.
I let out a yell.
The dream changed.
Invisible hands pulled me forward. Broken bones scratched against my knees.
Lilith smiled, glee dividing her features.
"You're doomed," she said quietly. "Your soul is demanded by my mistress."
The shadows moved behind her.
The Hollow Witch emerged from the shadows.
I was out of breath.
Like death itself, she was tall and slender. She had split, grey skin with black cracks. Green fire pitted in her eyes.
She beckoned me with a skeletal hand.
She said, "Come to me, Priestess."
"Come and perish."
I attempted to run.
But as it sucked at my feet, the ground turned to sticky blood.
I went down.
Bone-clad hands seized my arms.
I let out another scream.
Lilith chuckled.
The Hollow Witch made contact with me.
"I'll wait for you."
My face was caressed by her fingers.
I screamed as I woke up.
I was so panting that my chest ached when I sat straight upright. Sweat soaked into my skin.
My mark was scorched.
My eyes welled up with tears.
I was having trouble breathing.
I had the feeling that I would get sick.
"Amara!"
The voice of Kian.
I turned and started crying.
In a flash, he was there, snatching me and bringing me into his embrace.
"Be quiet. I've got you.” He rocked me and said, "I've got you."
My teeth chattered from the intense shaking.
Kian was present. “I felt her touch. The Witch, Lilith, is aware of my location!”
"Hey. Observe me.”
He put his warm hands on my face.
"Look at me, Amara. You're secure. I'm present. You are not being taken by anyone.”
I cried even more as I placed my forehead against his.
"It was authentic."
"I understand," he answered softly. "I understand. It's the connection. The magic you share with her. She's attempting to shatter you. She won't, though.”
I cried. "I'm so sick of being afraid."
He drew me closer.
He sighed, "You don't have to be." "Not with me."
My chest ached.
I said, "I'm so weak."
Kian gave a violent shake of his head.
"No. Don't say that. The strongest person I've ever met is you.”
He wiped a tear from my face with his thumb.
"You are standing up for everybody. Even in the face of fear.”
I closed my eyes for a moment.
He kissed me on the forehead.
Safe and warm.
His voice was hoarse as he vowed, "I won't let her take you." "Not while I'm still here."
Leaning completely into his chest, I let him support me.
There was silence in the room.
Only our breath.
Heavy and slow.
He gave my hair a gentle pat.
My heart began to slow down.
My mark, however, continued to burn.
"She is scheming on me," I said in a raspy voice.
"I understand."
"How can we prevent it?"
He took a long time to respond.
He sighed at last.
"We'll figure something out," he said. "I swear to you, Amara."
I snorted and pressed myself closer to him.
His heart pounded steadily beneath my ear.
Once more, I felt secure.
For a moment only.
The door opened with a squeak.
The wood brushed the floor.
With my heart beating, I leapt.
Kian stiffened, placing a protective hand around my waist.
Both of us looked around.
Rowan was standing there.
In the gloom, his silver eyes glowed.
He clenched his jaw. He tightened his hands at his sides.
He remained silent.
Just have a peek at us.
Kian wrapped his arms around me.
I placed my tear-streaked face against Kian's chest.
His nose wrinkled.
I observed suffering.
I witnessed anger.
He parted his lips, then shut them aga
in.
His look met mine.
They are so full of feelings.
I was hurt.
I'm sorry.
Jealousy.
Love.
However, he did not proceed.
Didn't reach me.
Didn't speak.
He simply stood at the doorway, panting heavily.
Observing.
In my chest, my heart wrenched.
I was at a loss for words.
I was unsure about who I desired.
However, I was certain of one thing.
All of us were inconsolable.
In the shadows, the Hollow Witch was grinning.