Hiraeth: Blackout (I)

Chapter Twenty Three

Long, anxious, lonely moments passed.

I dreaded Bexley's return, but at the same time was grateful that I was alone - that no one else would see the wrath she surely had planned for me.

Jade was safe in his house. July was getting my friends, who were far from the mountain. While Bexley took care of me, they could get a head start for her eventual defeat.

I sat on the edge, examining my wings. One had a small tear and the other was bruised, sore. I knew if I tried to fly away, not only would it worsen the damage, but it would also drain my energy quickly.

So I stayed. The Sun rose higher into the sky, and soon I heard someone land behind me.

"Too scared to run, I see?" Bexley taunted.

I got to my feet and faced her.

She had wings now. Huge, raven-like wings that sprouted from the small of her back. Their oily black feathers ruffled in the wind; strong feathers with silvery quills.

"Wise decision. You can't run from me."

"I know," I breathed.

Bexley cackled. "So are you ready to give in?"

I shook my head.

"Whether or not you give your will to me, I'm going to win." She circled me, letting her feathers brush against my shoulders and neck. "All I need is your power, I don't necessarily need you."

I remembered that she could steal abilities. Then I remembered when our feelings connected for a brief moment, before Jade found me. Her energy was so drained.

"You're not strong enough," I tried.

"That hasn't stopped me before. I'll sacrifice anything to fix this world."

"Even your life?" I searched her eyes desperately, trying to find some fragment of humanity in them. "Your Love?"

"I Love no one."

"You weren't always like this."

She turned away. "Well I'm like this now."

"Why? Why do you resort to violence and anger and deceit?!"

"Because it's the only way to fix everything!" She whirled back around, holding out a contorted hand. "Now give. In."

Her eyes sparked with lavender flame, trying to lock onto mine.

This time I didn't cower or look away. This time I glared back at her, smiling. "No."

Bexley's eyes dimmed, blinking as I pushed any remnant of her from my mind.

She screamed in frustration, grabbing me by the neck. "Then I'll break you until you're too weak to stop me!"

I struggled in her grasp. She threw me to the ground.

"JAKE?!" she called.

The rock monster had just finished climbing the mountain, completely unscathed. He stomped to her side eagerly. "Attack?!"

"Attack," she commanded, though I sensed conflict in her voice.

She looked away from me, holding her head in pain.

I struggled to my feet and was met with a rocky blow to the gut. I fell right back to my knees and received a kick in the same spot.

Jake lifted me into the air and punched my face, barely missing my eye. I felt blood trickle down my upper lip.

Just before he went to punch me again, I released a heavy wave of darkness. He let go of me in surprise and it swept him away a few feet.

I ran then. Towards the edge.