I hurry back through the tomb and up the steps, turning from where I assume Drogaem is, and head toward the large balcony on the east side of the castle. There are no doors, and no guards watching over. It is simple for me to slip right out into the darkness and down the steps. For once, I'm thankful that the underworld never gets as dark as the nights I remember in the earthly realm. The reddish hue to the sky allows me enough light to hurry through the gardens, across the horse pasture, and over to the training area.
The once barren ground is now peppered with weeds and growth. No one has trained there since Willem left. On the edge of the training area is a section of densely populated trees, all with black baren bark branches. At the far corner, there is a stump from a fallen tree. In that stump, one of the rebels had carved Kane's mark in the decaying wood. I stop and look left and right, making sure that I'm alone. I take the letter from my breast and stick it inside the long crack down the center of the stump.
My eyes glance up at the darkness of the forest, and I turn quickly, hurrying back across the lawn and up the steps. I look back over my shoulder at where I was, but it's too dark to see at this point. With my dagger strapped and the letter delivered, I hurry back to the room where Kane and I have been sleeping side by side. Gently, I open the door, slip inside, and slowly shut it behind me. Creeping across the room, I sit on the bed and stare down at my beloved. He doesn't know my plan, how I'm searching for help wherever I can find it, but I don't wake him. He needs his sleep.
As much as I want to lay down next to him, my mind is whirling and adrenaline pumps through my veins. I lean very slowly over and press my lips to Kane's cheek, hoping that he can feel my caring and warmth for him. My attention draws to the dagger strapped to my thigh. It's almost as if up until this moment, something was missing. But with the dagger and Kane in the bed, I'm starting to feel a bit braver. I'm not strong enough to wield my dagger yet. I may be motivated, but I'm not stupid.
One thing I do know without pause is that I want to be stronger. I want to train until my body, and my powers allow me the strength to use the dagger. And when I am… I will break Drogaem. I will break him in ways he doesn't even know exist.
Chapter 4
Kane
The vast expanse that I see before me is dark, not as dark as the void I had been trapped in, but dark nonetheless. My eyes shift down to my wrists, but there are no marks from the chains that bound me earlier that day. Rolling my shoulders, I can feel my wings intact and folded to my back. There's no pain, but the angst inside of me still remains.
I don't know where I am, but I can feel the surging darkness of Drogaem behind me. I spin my body around, finding Briar standing before me in a flowing, formfitting, glittering dress. It's reminiscent of something that I remember Lilith wearing decades before. Immediately I want to run to her, but as I move to pick up my feet, it's as if a hand reaches down and straps me in place.
I struggle, growling as I attempt to move forward, but the force is too great. A menacing laugh echoes around me in the hollow space, and instantly I recognize it as Drogaem's. "Let me go!"
"You will forever be my puppet."
Anger floods me, and I attempt to fight him again, but as I do, my arms raise without my authority. My feet begin to move faster and faster until my body jogs toward Briar. The feeling of cold steel appears within my grasp, and I look over to find a dagger in my hand. My eyes go wide as they shift from the blade to Briar and back again, realizing Drogaem once again has control over my movements.
I shake my head. "Briar! Run!"
She doesn't respond to me as if she's caught in her own nightmare. She puts up her arms and shakes her head as I approach. I fight the control of Drogaem, but I lose. My arm slashes down, and the blade runs across Briar's skin, spilling her blood. The sounds of her cries ache within my chest.
"Why? Why are you hurting me, Kane?"
"No!" I scream out in agony, but my voice only echoes around me.
My arm comes back up, and I manage to get control of the other, stopping the blade midair. I plead with Briar to leave, but she doesn't move. My entire body shakes from the strength it takes to keep my hand from slicing downward, but I am only so strong. My muscles give in, and I shut my eyes tightly, feeling the blade sink into her body. Finally, my hand releases, and I hear the steel hit the ground.
"Open your eyes."
I refuse. Drogaem will not get the best of me. I know what I will see when I open my eyes, and I don't think I can take the site of Briar bleeding on the ground. Not from the force of my own hand. I grit my teeth and fight against him, screaming out in anger and agony. Briar's whimpers begin to fade, and there is a burning
