Meet Daniella Ellis, a 19-year-old, who reluctantly works in the City Hall library of Darres: The Dark City of Magic and Vampires because that's what's keeping food on the table. She chills aimlessly while remembering the agonizing dream she had the...
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Lady Agatha had a serious expression as Elijah and I entered the study. Her brow was furrowed, and the lines on her face seemed more pronounced than usual, conveying the gravity of the situation we were about to face. "Time is running out," she stated bluntly, her voice tinged with a sense of urgency that sent a shiver down my spine.
I had been contemplating this very issue for the past day, the weight of the responsibility we now bore pressing heavily upon my mind. Sensing my apprehension, I turned to Lady Agatha and inquired, "What do you suggest?" My voice was steady, but I could feel the uncertainty underlying my words.
She met my gaze with a calm, resolute expression. "I believe I know how to test you," she replied, gesturing towards a couch. "Please, both of you, have a seat." Her tone was firm, yet there was a hint of reassurance that helped to ease the tension in the room.
Darryn joined us, and we sat down as instructed. I felt a growing sense of nervousness, my heart pounding in my chest, but Darryn, ever the steadfast companion, whispered, "Everything will be alright." His words were like a soothing balm, and I found myself taking a deep breath, hoping that his confidence would prove to be well-founded.
Lady Agatha began to explain, her voice measured and deliberate. "To bind the gargoyles for centuries, you must perform a spell that interconnects your dark magic with Darryn's light magic, and then channel the combined forces to all the gargoyles, ensuring they remain dormant." She paused briefly, allowing her words to sink in, before continuing, "I'm going to try something." Grasping our hands, she brought them together, instructing us to hold hands. I could feel the powerful energy emanating from Darryn, a warmth that seemed to flow through our connected palms and into my very being.
"Close your eyes and focus on something that brings you joy. Do not open your eyes until I tell you to," Lady Agatha commanded, her voice carrying an air of authority that left no room for doubt. I complied, shutting my eyes and allowing my mind to drift to a moment of pure happiness, a memory that I could cling to as we faced the challenges that lay ahead.
This time, an image of Elijah came to mind instead of Neo when I needed to focus on a happy thought - the first time Charlotte had seen him. The memory was a vivid one, etched into my mind like a work of art. I could recall the way her eyes had lit up with pure joy, the genuine smile that had graced her features, and the overwhelming sense of love and contentment that had radiated from them in that fleeting moment. It was a rare and precious glimpse into the depth of their affection, a moment that served as a stark contrast to the tragedies that would later unfold.
Lady Agatha then instructed me to think of the saddest thing. Immediately, an overwhelming sense of grief and despair washed over me, and I could feel a chill entering through Darryn, who had begun to tremble. Wanting to warm him, to provide him with the comfort he so desperately needed, I focused on my inner fire, channelling its warmth and energy into our connected hands. Soon, the cold dissipated, and I could sense the tension in his body easing.
