Fade Into Black - Shadows of the Night 5

Chapter 59

Hi,

There are so many things in this chapter, I don't even know where to start. Okay, let's start with this: You'll get to know a little more about Alexander and his past. That's all I'm saying for now! Let me know if you liked the chapter! Enjoy the read and please listen to the epic music!! (In case any of you want to add this to your playlist, it's Fate/Zero: "Back to Zero"!)

:-)

Lara

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Chapter 59

ANNA

I was on my knees, staring at Victor Crawford's mansion. The taste of smoke and blood was still on my tongue, as if the memory had been real – not some dark secret my mind belched out. My eyes were itching, hurting, moist.

Yes, I was crying.

I pressed my eyes shut.

My parents. Maria. Blaze. All of them dead.

I'd never see Blaze again. He'd never flash me one of those rare smiles again. All because he tried to save me, and he died because of me. Just like my parents.

The great three witches help me.

A sob tore out of my mouth, then another one. Another one. It was as if I couldn't stop. I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to reign the sobs in. As if I could. As if I had a chance to erase what happened because I was too damned weak to stop it from happening.

The feeling approached like a soft, silent yawn that stretched through the street, accompanied by a cold gust of wind. Icy air swept against my skin, caressing my face like a set of sharp needles. Goose bumps marched up and down my arms and neck.

Something was approaching.

I got up on my feet, scanning the street. The feeling remained – anticipatory, like the slow beginnings of a nightmare. It was coming. No. Not it. It was –

I turned around.

Vladislav was standing in the middle of the street like a shadow come to life. Black combat boots, black loose pants. Long black hair trailing down a wine-red military coat. Void black eyes that opened up to a lifeless void swallowing anything and everything in its wake. I shunned his eyes, let mine drift away from his face.

My magic burst forth, walls of air manifesting around me in a heartbeat. This time, it didn't come to me as effortlessly and natural as it usually did. Conjuring up the wall was like trying to push against a set of cars pressing in.

The power of the grave marched through the street, an intangible, invisible army of soldiers with the might of one, invincible conqueror. It seemed to swallow up air and space, making it bow to Vladislav's will. Making anything bow to him, if he so wanted.

He hadn't come alone. Helèna Bathoryn walked down the street and came to a halt right behind Vladislav, a moving shadow glued to her masters back. Her long black hair was arranged in thick braids circling her head. The black dress and pants she was wearing struck me as a modern-day version of an Asian warrior costume.

Goose bumps marched up my spine, skin crawling in a slow, torturous dance. Whatever I'd felt when we met at Red Night's Eve in Italy, it was nothing against the painful bursts of power her aura emitted now. Helèna Bathoryn was more powerful than she'd let on when we fought. Just as I, she'd held back.