Chapter 43 Breaking Point
Amara’s POV
I had no intention of listening in. I sneaked out of my room and strolled down the hall because I just needed some air. I then heard their voices, which were crisp, strained, and low. Kian and Rowan.
I paused next to the battle room door.
"The key is her," Rowan declared. “Lilith desires her. If we hang her properly—”
"No," Kian yelled. "She isn't bait."
Rowan contended, "She doesn't have to be in danger." All she needs to do is look weak. Permit Lilith to believe she is winning.”
"You wish to entice her with her." “That is equivalent.”
My chest pounded with my heart. They were discussing me. Once more. Like I was a piece on a board. As though I had no voice.
"I won't jeopardize her," Kian snarled.
"But we lose everything if we don't take the risk," Rowan stated.
Something crashed, possibly a chair. Then there was quiet.
I choked down the scream that was growing in my throat and turned to leave. My claws dug into my palms as my fists tensed. I had to get out. Away from both of them, out of the fortress, out of the stone hallways.
They promised to protect me.
They never inquired about my desires.
The forest was quiet, except for the wind whistling through the trees and the crunch of my boots on the leaves. Long silver shadows were cast by the moon peeking through the clouds.
I didn’t know where I was headed. All I wanted to do was breathe.
"They believe I'm weak," I said. "They haven't seen me yet."
The ghosts shifted.
Their murmurs slithered through the trees: danger, treachery, and betrayal.
I stopped and looked behind me. Nobody trailed behind. Not quite yet.
"Who?” I said. "Who is going to turn on me?"
The response was, "Blood will spill... truth will burn."
“Speak clearly!” I yelled. “What are you trying to tell me? "
But the wind only laughed.
I kicked a stone and kept walking, deeper into the trees.
“You’d think after everything,” I said, “they’d trust me to handle myself.”
A twig snapped to my left. I went cold.
“Rowan? ” I called. “Kian? "
No response.
Closer, another snap.
I got goosebumps all over my arms.
Slowly, I turned.
From the darkness, a set of red eyes blinked back at me.
I gasped.
The enormous, hunched creature with night-black fur and huge claws sliding over the earth came into view. The ground rumbled with its growl.
A beast of the shadows.
My ribs were struck by my heart.
"No," I said. "Not here."
The animal flashed its teeth.
Then it lunged.
I was only able to scream.
The cool wind brushed my face like ice fingers as I continued to trek further into the woodland. It was too quiet a night. Not a single cricket. No owls. Just the thump of my enraged heart and the crunch of leaves under my boots.
"How were they able to?” I said to myself in a whisper. "After everything... after everything we've experienced..."
With their branches extending like contorted hands, the trees surrounding me appeared to close in. I didn't give a damn. I wanted to leave them all—Kian, Ryan, everyone. I needed room to move.
Suddenly, I felt a shiver of coldness. I froze in place and halted.
There was a problem.
A murmur drifted through the atmosphere.
"Amara, you are the key."
I whirled around. "Who's there? "
However, nobody responded. The forest didn't move. I made fists out of my trembling hands.
"They'll turn on you."
Like the wind itself, the voice was gentle. But it was obvious.
"Stop it!” I yelled. “Don't tamper with my mind! "
"They tell you lies. They are afraid of you.”
"No!” I retreated and ran into a tree. My breath came quickly. Beneath my flesh, my mark was shining dimly, burning once more. "They are concerned about me! All they're feeling is fear! "
"And you ought to be as well."
All of a sudden, the darkness surrounding me grew deeper and the air became thicker. I could hardly make out a few steps in front of me.
Then I heard it. A low growl. Close.
Slowly, I turned.
From the shadows, I saw a set of crimson eyes that were blazing.
I held my breath. I was not blinking.
The animal moved forward. Tall. Dark. It possessed fangs and claws, but its shape changed like smoke. A nightmare-made beast.
My legs were immobile.