Chapter 45 The Spirit World
Amara’s POV
It was all dark. Still. Quiet.
I drifted through emptiness, neither breathing nor walking. No discomfort. No weight. No ideas. Just silent.
Then I heard a sound.
A faint murmur.
My name is being called.
"Amara..."
I looked in the direction of the sound, but it was gone. Just dense fog encircling me. It had an ash and moonlight scent. Even though I didn't feel my legs move, I took a step forward.
There were shapes in the fog. Shadows are like memories that are just waiting to be recalled.
In front of me was a woman. She had a straight back. Her beautiful silver hair cascaded down her back like water. Stars glittered on her robe. She resembled me exactly. But more senior. More powerful. Smarter.
I let out a gasp. "Who... who are you?"
She pivoted. Her eyes shone brightly. My face, her face.
Calmly, "I am you," she said. "The you from before. When you were Moon Priestess."
Startled, I took a step back. "This... this is a dream."
Slowly, she shook her head. "No, child. This is the realm between life and death. You’ve walked into your truth."
More of the mist cleared. I saw her kneeling with warriors all around her. One of them was holding a dagger.
I yelled, "Wait!" "What’s happening?"
Her eyes were sorrowful as she looked at me. "Watch."
The warrior took a step. "Forgive me, Priestess."
I whispered, "No..."
She was stabbed by him. My body contorted as though I could feel the blade pierce my flesh as well. I cried out and fell to my knees.
She dropped to the floor. She had a scarlet stain on her silver gown. Her luminous mark died and flickered.
I shook as I stared. "Why would he kill you? You were their leader!"
The Priestess whispered behind me, "He loved me, but he was afraid of what I would become."
My heart was racing. "He was your mate?"
She didn't respond.
The scene dimmed. One was replaced by another.
A different me—in front of a temple in the mountains, encircled by wolves. Beside her were two men. One with eyes full of fire. The other is as serene as the moon. They quarrelled.
I recognised their faces.
Rowan. Kian.
But that was a very long time ago.
Behind me, the spirit replied, "You have to make a decision."
I gave a headshake. "I am unable to. I adore both.
"You will lose everything if you don't," she said.
The fog darkened abruptly. The wind blew past me. Beneath my feet, the earth split up. Dark spirits, speaking truths and lies, scuttled out of it.
The voice then returned. Not from the spirit, though.
This one was chilly. Far away. Known.
The Hollow Witch's voice growled, "Priestess, you've already messed up once." "Are you going to repeat it?"
I grabbed my skull. "Get out of my mind!"
She stayed, nevertheless. Instead, she laughed. "Pay close attention, Amara. Your future lies in this.
A fresh vision emerged.
Over Kian's shattered body, Rowan stood.
Blood gathered under him.
"No!” I let out a yell.
Holding a red-soaked blade, Rowan was panting heavily. He had wild eyes. Like a storm, his chest rose and fell.
Kian remained motionless.
"Why?” I let out a cry. "What made him do that?"
The spirit said quietly, "Because love without balance always leads to ruin."
My vision was blurred by tears. "This isn't true. It is untrue.”
"No, kid," the ghost said pitifully. "It serves as a warning."
I clutched my chest as I fell to my knees once more.
Like a scar, the vision charred me. Every breath was painful to me.
I desired to awaken.
I was itching to run.
But beneath me, the ground continued to move.
The ghost moved forward once more and made contact with my forehead.
“I give you one gift before you return,” she said.
“What?"
She smiled, but it was full of sorrow.
“Clarity.”
The visions stopped. The mist faded. The world twisted into light.
And then I heard my name—distant, desperate.
“Amara!"
It was Rowan’s voice.
Then Kian’s. “Please wake up! Amara!"
I let out a gasp.
My eyes popped open.
The real world came rushing back in—a tent, firelight, pain. My mark burned like it was made of flames.
I turned my head slowly.
Rowan sat at my side, tears in his eyes.
Kian stood just behind him, eyes wide.
I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn’t come.
Because even though I was awake... I could still see it.
The image of Kian lying dead in Rowan’s arms burned behind my eyes.
And the spirit’s words echoed in my skull.
“History will repeat... unless you choose.”