Curse of The Shadows

Chapter 33

The air is much colder here. Ice covers my bare feet, trailing up my ankles to my calves. I try pry myself out but each time I move the strange ice grows, thickening and crawling higher. I stop moving. I need to get out of here. The putrid scent of rot and death is strong, permeating the icy air, settling onto my skin and hair. The forest around me no longer resembles the one I've grown to know and love. The trees stand bare, their trunks and branches twisted in unnatural angles. The once lush grasses and water plants are grey and black mush, black flies and worms munch on the decayed plant matter.

The water is still, an inky black depth that sucks in whatever light dares to touch it aside from the glowing red moon, ominously watching from above the twisted treetops.

The cascade from the small waterfall is frozen in time, the vibrating droplets suspended over the black void, some of which are reversing as though terrified of the unknown depths. A perverse feat of unnatural magic.

The footsteps move with more purpose this time. The pounding march of his feet through the decayed brush edges closer with each panicked breath. The darkness separates across the small lake; the man with no face doesn't dare stop this time, pushing through the dried grasses onto the black void, the ripples scattering in an attempt to escape him. His mouth which had appeared the last time I was in this place is curved down in a menacing grimace, the sharp nose which was not present last time casts a dark shadow on his lip.

His eyes. He has eyes. The dark orbs, staring straight at me. The sharp angles pinched at the end in a scowl.

"You're coming with me." He growls, reaching his hand adorning the wolfs head tattoo, his claws gleaming against the red light of the moon. He's almost across the lake, his scent of wood smoke and leather overpowers the putrid air.

I try wiggle free but the ice trails quicker up my body, burning my hips, my waist, my breasts until the ice is stroking my chin. I try breathing deep but I can't seem to expand my chest enough. Each time I exhale the ice replaces the space.

He's close, much closer than the other times. I close my eyes and focus on the silvery violet light. I find the box in my mind and open the lid.

The itch begins in my palms that intensifies to a burn. I grit my teeth against the pain. He's at the edge of the lake, his smoky scent burning my eyes. Focus... Focus... Focus. The light extends past my palms, up my arms across my torso and legs. The silvery violet glow transforms to the black flames, breaking the ice apart in razor sharp shards that explode in all directions. The male shouts out in surprise, shielding his eyes from the assault. I notice that some of the shard scrapes across his face, thin slices that trail blood down his cheeks.

He turns back to me and snarls. He breaks into a sprint, his arm outstretched towards me again. This time I know what to do. "No I'm not." I growl. I focus that silvery violet light around my body again and release it, the black flames extending out in an explosion of energy in all directions.

I wake up. My body is soaking wet from sweat, my hair is sticking to my cheeks and forehead. My breathing is heavy and fast. I sit forward, placing my face in my hands, trying to make sense of what had just happened. I haven't dreamt of the male in weeks. And he had never had a face before. He was terrifying. His rugged forehead, thick dark brown eyebrows, his sharp eyes which are black as night, his sharp nose and mouth, jutting jawline. I have never seen this male in person, and I wished with everything I have that I never will.

I crawl out of bed on shaky legs and walk to my personal bathroom. Without turning on the light I run cold water in the sink, cupping it in my hands and splashing it across my face and chest. I pat the water across the back of my neck.