Deadly Night Shade

Chapter 25

A loud roar broke into my unconsciousness and I jolted up, opening my eyes widely in surprise. Secret in her cat form stared at me angrily, her golden eyes staring coldly at me. I leant over to her and placed my hand against her soft fur, stroking her so that she calmed down. “Where is Shadow?” she asked looking at me sadly.

I pursed my lips together and felt the already opened wound throb painfully, “He…” I choked out before regaining my composure. I took a breath to suppress my internal hurting, “He is dead.” I said quickly, trying to get it over with sooner. A flash of hurt crossed her eyes and she looked up sadly, walking over to me and settling into my lap.

“How did this happen?” she asked as I ran my hand over her silky fur. “He was the Guardian of Light…” I mumbled and felt Secrets body tense against me. “Jess killed him on sight,” I continued, feeling my eyes begin to sprout fresh tears which I attempted to hold back.

Secret leaped off my lap and turned back to face me, “He may not have been as close to me as he was to you but he was still my friend…” she trailed off, “I must speak with Aether, to find out how Shadow escaped our notice for so long.” I nodded and she gave me a sympathetic look, “Things will get better mistress,” she said comfortingly, “Go and find a way to let out some steam, you will need it.” and with that Secret leaped off the bed and ran out the door.

I closed my eyes. Secret was right, I did need to let out all of my feelings, but I couldn’t do it by wallowing in self-pity because that would solve nothing. I had succeeded so far in bottling up most of the pain but I knew that this couldn’t last long.

I breathed a deep sigh and decided to go back to sleep. I was still exhausted from yesterday and Secret waking me up from my sleep didn’t help me at all. I curled up into a ball and let myself become unconscious.

***

My bare feet crunched softly in the snow as I walked into my clearing. The brittle ice-crusted branches of the trees twisted into the sky and the pure white snow covered the ground like a blanket. I looked down at myself and to my surprise, I was dressed in normal clothes but my skin was darker than usual. I took a lock of my hair and examined it fascinatedly as the golden strands flowed under my fingers.

“How strange…” I mumbled before a figure shimmered into existence in front of me. I froze as Jason walked towards me, a genuine smile on his face. “Claire,” he said softly, his dazzling green eyes staring into mine. His hand rested on my cheek and, no matter how much I strained to move away, I was gently moved into a sweet kiss. I tried with all my might to pull away but then I realised, this was a memory, and I physically couldn’t change it if I tried. 

It surprised me how natural Jason’s lips felt against my own. How they were soft against my lips, cheek and neck. His hands moved to my waist pulled me closer to him and I found my arms wrapping around his neck without my permission.

“Claire?” He asked, his smooth voice resonating through my head, “what?” I asked in a reply. He pulled away from me and looked a little nervous. “What?’ I asked again, looking at him confusedly, removing my hands from around him and placing them on my hips.

Jason gave a sigh and looked me dead in the eye, his liquid emerald eyes burning into mine with an unspoken question. “My parents want to meet you,” he said cautiously, knowing that parents were a touchy subject with me. My stomach knotted and I closed my eyes. I knew there was something that I needed to remember, something about this that was essential to remember.

My memory took over my body again and I smiled, “I’d love to meet them,” I said happily, feeling the excitement showing on my face. Relief swept across Jason and he pulled me into a warm embrace. I mentally tried to push away the feeling of security I felt in his arms but the memory forced me to respond by wrapping my arms around his waist and nuzzling into his chest. “Monday,” he murmured into my hair, squeezing me tighter. “Sounds perfect,” I replied.