A Dark and Starless Night

Chapter Thirty-Four

Eve

The feel of water lapping at her sides was the first thing that Eve became aware of. It was gentle and kind, like a caress. It made her feel safe and soothed, but even when she opened her eyes it was dark. So dark she couldn't see her hand in front of her face. But it was warm and quiet, so she didn't mind not knowing.

Not knowing. For once, that felt good. It felt calming. Not knowing had caused her such stress over the last few weeks. Not knowing who was murdering. Not knowing if Don would be sentenced for a crime he hadn't committed. Not knowing if Don had committed the crime. That thought startled her. She had no doubts Don was innocent. None. So, why had that thought entered her mind. It made her feel unsettled, uneasy, even as the water tried to calm her.

And the other unknown that wriggled its way into her mind was that she didn't know how her mother felt about her anymore. Did she still love her? Why was she so willing to force her into a marriage? She squirmed, feeling something in her stomach wriggle, but then it was soothed by something else. Something warm and familiar.

Her power.

She felt herself relax before a sound pierced the silence. It took a few moments for the noise to make sense to her; footsteps on water. Slow, measured steps that were getting louder. As the disembodied footsteps drew closer, Eve was startled to feel the warmth of her power disappear moments before a voice spoke.

"Here you are," the voice said, sounding pleased.

Dread pooled in the pit of her stomach, making her limbs heavy. She couldn't say why the emotion had suddenly overtaken her. There was nothing familiar about the voice. But fear spiked through her body making cramps rip through her stomach. She didn't know how, but she knew that the owner of the voice was reaching for her, and, that if they got her, they were going to hurt her. Immeasurably.

She could feel the heat of their hand before a flash of blinding light pierced her eyelids.