* * *
Briar
My mind is so much clearer and my body does not drag like it has been the last few days. I'm angry at the fact that he is trying to drug me, to make me a pawn in his game, but I won't let Kane win. Whoever it is inside of him has no idea what's coming for him. I turn the corner and stop, narrowing my eyes. Climbing out of the stone staircase, shaking his head is Kane. I look around, realizing that in my inner thoughts, I hadn't noticed where I was walking. Funny though, he hasn't noticed that I'm standing here either.
I sit back and watch him, crossing my arms over my chest. He's laughing to himself. It's so irritating I can't help but speak out at him. "What in the world do you find so funny standing in a hallway?"
My voice rings out, and I can see his face, surprised at my appearance. But as I watch him further, he begins to twitch, his head shifting right and left faster than I can keep track of. Slowly I lower my arms and step forward toward him, unsure of what I'm watching.
His head snaps to the left and then to the right, stopping. His eyes shoot open, and for a moment, his face softens in the same way that Kane's always has when he looks at me with comfort and love. His body races toward me and he grabs me by the shoulders. "Don't give up. I'm still in here. Don't give up."
His face contorts and I can tell he is fighting whoever's inside of him. He rolls his neck around dropping his hands from my shoulders. I back away, turning and running down the hall. I know it's best I'm not there when the other version takes back over. I don't stop running, I keep running until I'm out of the castle and down the steps, making my way across the lawn.
My Kane, the real Kane is still there, he has shown himself to me. There is no way that I can kill him now. I drop to my knees in the tall grasses, and wrap my arms around my stomach, feeling the rush of relieving emotion. It may not mean anything, it may not change the course of what will happen, but at least I know I'm not alone.
"You shouldn't be out here by yourself," a voice says deeply behind me.
I turn around and look, finding one of the Guardsmen, Willems men, Riordan, standing tall and strong, his wings tucked behind him, staring down at me with black eyes. I'm not sure whether to run or to tell him everything.
Chapter 17
Kane
I did it. I finally did it. Briar was so close and was able to surprise Drogaem to the point to where I could take over. I'm not strong enough to hold onto that yet, but I was able to tell her, to let her know I am still here, that I'm holding on, and for her to not let go. Unfortunately, the whole ordeal cost me every bit of energy that I have. As soon as Drogaem took back over his body, I fell to the ground, back in the blackness of the void. I don't even have enough energy to manifest a body. Drogaem, angry as hell, appears before me. He roars, throwing his arms to the side. My soul crashes around the void, like a ragdoll.
"How dare you!" Drogaem roars. "Your little mortal is so important to you that you just sentenced her to death!"
He tosses my soul again, but this time as I hit the wall, my body reappears. I fall to the darkened floor on my hands and knees and use everything I have left in me to stand. Drogaem huffs and puffs, his hands pulled into fists. "When my body is back, I will make Briar mine and you will watch every second of it. You will watch it while I torture you. You will watch her become nothing but my slave. For the rest of your existence you will feel the pain that you should have felt long before now."
He roars loudly and throws his arms to both sides, ripping the manifestation of my body completely off my soul. The pain, one thing he doesn't think about, immediately releases.
Drogaem disappears, taking my body back over. I fear what will happen to Briar, but there is nothing I can do at this point. I only hope that she is strong enough and smart enough to overcome this. Hopefully Willem is there too, though I still don't know if I can trust Willem.
Just a moment with Briar was worth it all. Our lives have been doomed since our fated meeting. From the moment our souls were bonded we were destined for a future of hardship. But I know, no matter what happens from this point on, neither of us will perish without the knowledge that we care deeply for each other. In just those moments I could feel her anxiety, her fear, and her heartbreak. I could feel the love she has for me and I sent it right back to her.
I know it's possible to take my body back, but I need the strength to do it. And when I do, Drogaem will pay. Maybe not right away, but one day I will end his life forever.
* * *
Briar
To say that I'm angry is an understatement. In reality, if he weren't way stronger than me, or if I was in control of my powers, I would rip Willem in half. I stomp across the yard, heading straight for him. His eyes fall on me, and he looks confused shifting from me back behind me to Riordan who is following quickly behind me. Without
