Within their dreams (Reverse Harem)

Chapter 19

Ivy's POV

We didn't run into Leo or Owen as we made our way out of the palace thankfully. A few guards looked at us as we left but I just ducked my head down and hid between the girls in the hopes they wouldn't notice me. With how controlling he can be, I have no doubt Leo has made sure there's someone watching me at all times and I don't want anything getting back to him.

There is a small set of tunnels to the side of the main palace grounds and we make our way through there, Willow casting a light for us to see. Isabella led the way, seeming to be familiar with these tunnels. As we come out the other side, squinting as our eyes get used to the light again, I can see and worn down building, boards up at the windows and paint peeling from the brick.

"It hasn't been used in years," says Isabella, walking round to the side and slamming her shoulder against a door with a rusted padlock wrapped around it.

"After Leo and Owen's parents died, the two of them decided to renovate a lot of the palace rooms and brought the training facility to the main building, leaving this to rot." Isabella gives it another shove, the padlock groaning and falling away, darkness seeping from the open door.

"They didn't want to turn it into something else?" I ask. Scarlette and Isabella share a look.

"This place doesn't have the best memories attached to it so they didn't want the bad energy tied to it."

It smelt musty inside, slivers of light trickling in from the gaps in the boards nailed to every window. Fallen leaves blown in from the wind crunched under our feet and the floor was covered in dust and dirt from years of neglect. The place was empty but huge, I can see traces of what must have once been a sparring ring, with scratches on the floor left from heavy equipment that once sat there. But there was an eeriness to the place, and an ice-cold shiver ran down my spine.

"Lets get this over with, the place is giving me the creeps." Scarlette says, jumping when a bird squawks outside. Isabella laughs softly and Scarlette shoves her, stomping ahead.

"Okay," Willow nods to Isabella and Scarlette. "If you both attempt to attack her, I'll try to draw on her power as it emerges and channel it. Hopefully it'll give me enough hold to try and remove whatever barrier there is."

They both nod, looking over at me. I gulp, anxiety clawing at me.

"Remember, there's no guarantee she'll be able to protect herself, especially after earlier. If she seems too weak to withstand it, we stop."

Everyone nods.

"I have an idea." Scarlette says, ripping the bottom of her maxi skirt. She holds out the ripped piece to me. "So you can't see us coming. It'll make your senses more alert and might help draw on your power if you don't know what to expect."

I eye the fabric warily, hesitant to take it. It makes sense, being scared seems to be the only thing that triggers my powers, but not being able to see is an extra layer of vulnerability that I'm not sure I'm ready for.

After a few beats, I reluctantly take the fabric and tie it over my eyes, shrouding myself in darkness. I take a deep breath, straining my ears to hear what's going on, only to be met with silence. A gust of wind hits my face and I'm thrown across the room with a screech.

My back hits the cold cement floor hard and I heave as I try to catch my breath. I roll to my side, only to be lifted and slammed into the wall by my throat.

"Be careful!"

I claw at whoever's hands grip me, trying to take in any air possible. Fangs glide against my neck, teasing my skin. I whimper, feeling them puncture the skin. A dribble of my blood glides down to my collarbone, leaving a trail of heat. I hear a small moan and a tongue darts out to catch the drop.