Inner Darkness (Book 2 of Dragonfire series)

Chapter 20

I woke up at seven to go speak with Kokel. I had to slowly sneak out of the room because I hadn't exactly told Cullen I was doing it. I didn't want to keep anything from him, but I didn't want to burden him with my Damien issues. The potions he got from Professor Aneirin obviously didn't work, so at this point I was willing to do anything. I quietly rapped my fist against Kokel's door. He opened it and gestures for me to enter. I stood in front of his desk, too nervous to sit.

"I've come to ask for help with my....situation. I can't keep having these—won't keep having these visions. They are driving me insane! I didn't tell Cullen I was coming to see you today and I would prefer if he didn't know. I know he wants to help, but I have a feeling I'm going to need something other than a potion." Kokel nodded and picked up his phone to make a call.

"Yes, good morning. I need your assistance with a very important task, please join me in me office." He hung up and looked at me surprisingly calm. "I had a feeling you would come to me, so I did some research ahead of time. There are a few recorded cases in history that are similar to yours. After studying them myself, I believe I know how to cure you of these...hallucinations, so to speak."

I shook my head eagerly, "Yes, anything! What do I have to do?"

His face turned stern as he looked me directly in the eyes. "This isn't going to be an easy process Alena, you will endure physical, as well as mental pain. You might want to stop, but the only way to end it is to endure it." His words spun around in my mind, causing some mild panic. I released a breath I didn't know I was holding and slowly started to formulate words.

A sudden knock on the door cut me off as Kokel gave permission for the mystery person to enter. Mr. Galtero walked in and stood a safe distance away from me on the other side of Kokel's desk.

"Mr. Galtero will be assisting me in your—let's call it a journey." Journey?! He has to be kidding, now is the worst time for me to go anywhere! "I can tell by the look on my face you think I'm crazy, but allow me to explain. The journey you must take is mental rather than physical. The problem isn't with you, but with your subconscious. In order to end these visions, you must journey inside yourself and fight off whatever you're so afraid of." I scoffed and glanced back and forth between the two men.

"Me, afraid? I hate to break it to you both, but I'm not afraid of anything; I have no reason. I can beat anything." I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth, realizing how cocky I sounded. It's true though, cocky or not.

"You might not consciously be afraid of anything, but internally you must be holding onto something. Otherwise, there would be no reason for this conversation right now."

Mr. Galtero cleared his throat and crossed his arms. "If you have any other ideas we would love to hear them." He's right, I had no other option.

"Alright, let's try it."

"Great, go get something to eat, and then come see me. We will meet in my office at nine-thirty." I nodded and thanked the two men as I slowly closed the door. The sound of someone clearing their throat made me suddenly stand up straight. Shit, I'm busted. I slowly turned around to see none other than Cullen.

"Alena, good morning. How are you?" He said in a sarcastic tone.

"Look–I'm sorry I snuck off but it was nothing, really." He crossed his arms and shook his head knowingly.

"You know what Alena, I'm many things, but an idiot isn't one of them. We're bonded, remember? You can't keep any of your feelings from me anymore. I woke up to a sudden stab of fear in my stomach. Something tells me it's not because Kokel yelled at you." I bit my lip uncomfortably, knowing I had to be honest.