Queen of Darkness

Chapter Four

"Ettore!" I screeched, my voice cracking on my way to the icy waters below. I reached into the air for anything to clutch onto, yet all I managed to do was flail as my body sliced through the deafening air passing by. As I crashed into the water, the freezing temperatures stung every inch of my body as if a thousand bees swarmed me. Sinking further into the river, I struggled with every ounce of strength I could muster, but it was useless. The deathly waters were suffocating me and closing in around my body, crushing my bones little by little--surely I was dying. I questioned why Ettore would attempt to assassinate me, he had been nothing but protective and caring towards me for as long as I could remember.

After having such a powerful and positive connection to the water, I couldn't wrap my head around why I was now being murdered by it. My muscles began to slow themselves--almost as if I were human. Not knowing which way was up, I thrashed around the depths of the murky water.

There were four ways a Vampire could die; being staked, their head being ripped off, being set on fire, or by drowning. So many emotions swirled around inside of me. I was filled with raging anger towards Ettore, I was heartbroken for myself, but most of all, I was completely and utterly petrified. No one wants to die alone, and I was no exception.

My lungs burned for air, collapsing in on themselves along with the rest of my body. I attempted to look around me, but the farther I sank, the darker the water became. I sealed my lips together as tightly as I could, but muddy water began slowly seeping between the cracks and filling my lungs. I gagged on the water trying to fill my lungs, only for more water to invade my throat and mouth.

For a moment, I stopped my struggle against the current and allowed the water to use me as its puppet. Either I trusted my own power, or I knew there was no chance I was going to survive. I went with the flow, and the water seemed to calm itself yet again. Underneath me, I felt this intense pressure building up just like when someone pushes you from behind. It continued to build as I became calmer and calmer--I wasn't accepting my death, rather I was trusting the only two things I knew I could; myself and the water.

As the pressure built, I realized the water was beginning to push me towards the surface--towards the narrow rays of sun dancing along the waves, brightening my path to freedom. For a moment, I wondered if it was actually sunlight or if it was the light at the end of the tunnel. The pressure felt like it was about to explode, so I braced myself for the worst. But in a moment, I was shot through the water and into the air. As my lips reached the surface, I caught my first breath of air. It was like my hunger for air had been satisfied, the ache disappearing within seconds. My body regenerated itself easily, almost as if the colossal amount of pain dripped away like water being wrung out from a sponge or washcloth.

The water--almost like a jacuzzi--bubbled around my body as I resurfaced. Power flowed from the water into my body like I was a siphon. As I sluggishly recollected myself, I saw Ettore standing at the top of the cliff, worry written all over his face.

"Elisabeta! Oh dear! I was so worried I advanced the training too far too soon!" he shouted down to me. Confusion sunk into my mind--he was worried, yet he was the one who pushed me and stood by as I struggled. The next thing I knew he jumped from the cliff into the shallow rocks, ushering me to swim forward with his hands. Although I was confused, I started swimming towards him.

"No, Elisabeta," he shook his head slightly, "Don't swim to me. Use your power." Mid-stroke, I stopped and cocked my head at him, not understanding what he meant. After such a traumatic experience, I was, understandably, a little slow.

Regardless of anything I felt or couldn't think at the moment, I concentrated on the power flowing into my veins from the water. With every passing second I felt stronger, my mind cleared, and the water began pushing me towards the shore.