Halls of Splintered Souls (Wandering Souls #1)

Chapter Twenty-Two

It all became obvious the moment Ayn laid her eyes on the shadow. The look in her eyes showed that she recognized him. No, not just recognized. She knew him.

Somehow, this beast was well-acquainted with my sister. It occurred to me once or twice that Ayn might know more than she let on. What infuriated me was that she didn't tell me. Unless... she didn't want me to know.

"Ayn, you found me after all," the Dark One said as Suzie pushed Ayn and Adrien to the ground.

"You're not as handsome as you look in my dreams," Ayn said.

Their exchange furthered my fear of Ayn betraying me. It pained me to think that she of all people would do something like that. What else was she keeping from me?

Professor Cain squinted her eyes at Ayn, then shifted her attention to Adrien. "Grandnephew, I sure am glad you were able to join us."

Adrien was murmuring something that sounded like a spell. I realized that he was unbinding me as I felt the constraints on my body loosen. I pretended nothing was happening so that Professor Cain wouldn't notice that I could finally move again. If only I had enough power, I could help us escape at least far enough to call for help. But then again, who would be able to help us fight off one of the beasts?

Professor Cain countered with a spell of her own. "Silencio a voix. Dormien en reves."

With that, Adrien's voice disappeared. Then, his body slumped to the ground as he loses his consciousness. I test the bound on my body to check if Adrien's half-done spell worked to find that the binding spell wasn't as strong as it was before. If I could break the spell, I could move and maybe do something so we could get away.

Professor Cain kneeled next to Adrien's unconscious form and drew the beast's sigil on his palms. Suzie was now holding Ayn back. The more Ayn struggled to break free, the louder Suzie giggled.

"Is this the vessel?" Baekhyun asked as he approached both Professor Cain and Adrien.

Professor Cain nodded, eyeing Adrien as she stared at Baekhyun with contempt. "He shares blood ties with me. He should be strong enough to become a vessel."

It was Ayn who voiced my question. She looked questioningly at the Dark One, but from the way her eyes widen in fear, I could tell she already knew the answer. "Vessel for what?"

"For what? My, Ayn, such disrespect. For who is what you're asking," said the Dark One.

His reply confirmed that Adrien was brought here to become a vessel for the Dark One. What would happen to Adrien if the Dark One were to enter his body? The idea of him dying made my throat tighten. Adrien is my friend. I didn't even know what was happening to Padma's soul. To imagine losing another friend to this nightmare was infuriating.

"You can't do that!" Ayn protested, struggling against Suzie to stop Adrien being dragged by Baekhyun.

Baekhyun didn't even look at me as he laid Adrien on the table. He was within my reach, now. I could very well fight him if only my power returned. I tested simple magic with my hand, but only a spark was produced. Thankfully, it was enough for the binding spell to break.

As the sigil burned on Adrien's palm, the Dark One's shadow was slowly absorbed by Adrien's body. Meanwhile, I looked to Ayn. She was looking at me, too. Then, noticing all of their attentions were on the Dark One, I took a chance and sprinted towards Ayn. Baekhyun turned towards me and reached out to grab my clothing in an effort to stop me.

"Let her go," a voice said the moment I reached Ayn. It was Adrien's voice. But it wasn't really Adrien, was it? "She won't go anywhere without her sister. And Ayn won't go anywhere before she saves this boy."