Ring of Cren [18+] ✾ D.A.R.K Knights Book 1

Chapter 12

Anastasia's POV

After a brief breakfast with my Crows and Damion Jnr., I speak to the court or what little is left of it. Truly – hardly a soul appears, and I wonder if anyone is left at all!

From my throne, I quietly ask Damion, Axe and Krystoph to help survey the city and do the rounds – they seemed eager to check, to see how many had truly Vanished. It was suggested most of my citizens were cowering in their homes, too afraid to come out lest they also disappear if another cursed blizzard was to suddenly blast through.

I made sure Damion Jnr. went with my Crows – but even as I retreated to the Ice, I wasn't to be left alone. Rurx volunteered with one look, and I accepted by giving him my hand.

He led me from the Court, and we walked together back to the Ice.

"Rurx, I am confused. Armies, dead, Mal princes, absconding from their own kingdom to our Court. A magical blizzard, causing half my population to disappear. It's like humans are on the brink of extinction and there's nothing I can do," I murmur my concerns to Rurx as we walk side by side, my hand tucked in his elbow, "I wonder how many fighters are truly left? And what evils will still return, through the Eye... when you eventually open it, and I don't know why you would, but I know you will..." I confess my racing thoughts, and Rurx listens intently, "Your thoughts on this, Crow?"

"No thoughts, princess, none of the kind you would appreciate," Rurx murmurs quietly, always prompt and short, this time with his gaze running over me.

"We are in peril, and you're focused on thoughts of me?" I ask, furrowing my brows.

"The only threat you have to worry about, Ice Seer – is what you see in the Ice," Rurx replies too formally now, looking ahead, no longer perving.

"Mm, I'm afraid you're right," I murmur back as I take my hand from his elbow and I walk ahead, taking the lead to the Ice. We're already here.

Rurx stands back, giving me space, while I look into the polished glacier, looking for the threat... and the answer.

I'm sick of seeing my own reflection.

Surely now, I would see someone or something else.

An image starts to form.

At first I'm disappointed by what I see... and then seconds later I'm terrified.

In my shock, I have stopped breathing. Then I feel heat at my back. It should be comforting, but I almost jump right out of my skin.

"What did you see... Ana?" Rurx asks over my head, and I spin quickly, into his front. I shove my shoulder into Rurx, moving him aside as I pace away from the Ice. I aim for the library – my safe haven.

I've forgotten to answer him, too shocked and needing to move.

I keep walking faster, my throat dry, my skin... cold... my heart racing.

I – I saw...

Me.

But...

I push the image away, Rurx trailing behind but giving me just enough space to make it feel like I'm the one in control here.

I pace into and through the grand library, pausing to see that the heavy mist has found a way in here too. I wonder if lighting candles would somehow help. I'll do that later because the fog is only growing and it's ominous, almost looking like the remnants of lost souls. I glance up at the Eye on the ceiling, then I glance around to the aisles of books. I power walk my way around and through them, trying to dispel the adrenaline still flowing through me, making me flighty as I wring my hands together in front of me.