World of Dreamers (TOG/ACOTAR crossover)

Chapter 12

Author's note:

I know.

I know. It's been a whole entire month and you all are probably mad at me for not posting and I'm sorry. I've been out of town a lot this past month and everything. So yaaaaa

ALSO CAN I JUST SAY THAT IM EXTREMELY HAPPY. GUYS THERE'S OVER 3 THOUSAND READS ON THIS. THREE. THOUSAND. PEOPLE. THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE!!!

I appreciate all of your comments and I would just personally like to thank Tidela741. Whoever you are, know that your commentary of the last chapter pretty much made my day.

Thank you SOO much for continuing to read despite the non-constant author. I've probably already said this but y'all are troopers for dealing with me.

Enjoy!!!

Wildfire raged across the courtyard, engulfing everything in its path, including the witches. The Crochans did their best to hold the Valg-Aelin off but nothing they did made a difference to the burning inferno. Dorian was a hundred yards away and even he could feel the heat of the flames, feel the temperature continue to rise. Using this much magic wasn't good for Aelin. She would burn up too fast if she kept his up much longer, especially since it was the Valg using the magic. The Valg who didn't really care if Aelin lived or not. The Valg burned its way across the courtyard, killing witches as it went.

A witch fell at Manon's feet, severe burns covering her arms and face. Blue blood soaked the ground where she lay. In the dark of night with only the moon and stars for light, she looked dead. Manon cried out and knelt down next to her, frantically trying to stop the bleeding.

"Dorian!" She called to him. He barely heard her, his gaze focused on the collar around Aelin's neck. It was a thing from his nightmares, glinting in the faint moonlight. Dorian's breathing stopped and he closed his eyes, trying to forget, trying to forget about his own collar. It didn't work. His mind flashed back to the moment the collar clicked shut around his neck, trapping him inside his own mind. To the minute Sorcha died just feet away from him.

Aelin freed you, he reminded himself. The collar is gone. He may have been free of the collar but not the memories. Not the guilt of things he had done while wearing the collar. Not the fear of another collar.

Snap out of it. He had to pull himself together, he wouldn't be any help if he froze right now. But he didn't move, eyes glued to the black stone.

"Dorian!" Manon called again. He slowly met her eyes, looking at the dying witch in her arms. Mentally cursing himself, Dorian ran over to the two of them, shaking off the numbness.

He knelt next to the witch, focusing on healing her. Her breathing was shallow and her skin was paper white. Dorian got to work, sending his magic to heal the burns and bruises and cuts. As his magic worked, her skin began returning to its usual color, the burns fading quickly. She regained consciousness and sat up, coughing. She glanced around, meeting Dorian's eyes.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it," Dorian responded, grabbing Manon's arm for support as exhaustion washed over him. His eyes darted to Aelin. A Crochan tried to stop her but Aelin reacted first, throwing a knife into the witch's neck. The witch fell, burning to ashes a second later as Aelin walked over her dead body, her boots silent on the cobblestone streets.

Dorian felt sick. One look at Manon and he knew she felt the same way. "You need to get the Crochans out of here." He told her. "Go back to the cave and wait."

Manon swallowed. "And you? What will you be doing?"

"I'm going to stop Aelin," Dorian muttered, standing up. He swayed on his feet—the effect of using his magic on such short notice—and Manon reached for him.