Chapter 21

"Tell me what you see..." A deep, gruff voice whispered in my ears, and my eyes shot open in panic.

I found myself in a strange place, a big forest full of wild creatures. Bats hovered overhead, and venomous snakes slithered across the ground..

Thick fog blurred my vision, and deep in every corner, I could hear the hollow cries of agony—like the tortured wail of people burning in unquenchable fire.

My heart felt heavy, eyes narrowed in as I tried to grasp the horrifying scene before me, but it was overwhelming, so difficult to understand.

Do you hear the cries? The cries of lost souls... begging for your help, praying you'll come out of your shell and fight their enemies."

The voice returned, whispering again. I turned to find its source, but all I saw was a wisp of smoke.

"Who are you? Where am I? Who are those people screaming in pain?"

My voice was shaky, my breath labored. Tears welled in my eyes as I blinked, trying to make sense of it all.

"Come. Let me show you."

His words were followed by a whirlwind that gently lifted me off the ground, guiding me deeper into the fog-drenched forest.

My mouth clamped, and my eyes fluttered at every corner with confusion and fear.

"I can hear your heartbeat." The voice said again, this time with a hint of surprise. "Every evil creature here fears the mere trace of your presence because of the great power you hold. They're only comforted by the fact that you haven't unlocked it yet."

"How do I unlock it?" My voice cracked as I swallowed hard. "I have to stop them from tormenting these people."

"I don't know." He sighed. "I am just your servant in the spirit world."

Before I could respond, the whirlwind carefully dropped me in the middle of a town and I found myself faced with a bone-chilling scene that left me frozen in place.

A legion of ancient demons—once defeated and imprisoned—now stood tall, eyes blood-red, as they burned down the entire city.

Werewolves and vampires alike fled in terror. Some were burned alive. Others were captured and torn limb from limb.

It was a massacre.

The whole earth was crimson with their own blood spilling.

The demon king’s roar echoed, striking my heart like a blade.

"I won't allow you!" I shouted back in defiance, but my voice was muffled, weak, and powerless. It sounded like a whisper only me could hear.

"This is the future," the voice explained. "You’re still stuck in the present, so you can’t interfere. The demons are coming. They lurk in the shadows, plotting with wicked cunning devilish craft and plans to rule again."

I could hear his heavy sigh before he continued.

"You are the only hope, but you are far behind in your training, and the demons are aware of that, so they are acting fast to attack before you reach the level of mastery required." He breathed, his voice soaked in sadness.

"I don't even have my inner wolf anymore. How would I train enough to stand a chance against these demons?" I asked, as a wave of despair hit me.

"You don't need your wolf." He said. "The beast within you is invincible. But your body is still too weak to be its vessel, so if it emerge now, it will destroy you." He sighed and hissed.

He seemed to sense my confusion and frustration as I was struggling to understand him, yet he couldn't figure out a better way to explain it clearer to me.

"Diane, all you need to do is start training. Fate will take its course. You are chosen— specially created— to destroy the demons, so you have to act fast." He said, urgency in his voice.

"Are you aware I am a slave in the vampire kingdom and was just beaten unconscious? When I wake, my miserable life will continue."

"Leo is in your life for a reason." He said softly. "He loves you more than you can imagine. I see he is even ready to break rules and cross forbidden boundaries for you. He will help you train. He—"

His voice broke off and I couldn't hear him again.

"Hey!" I called out. "Where did you go to? You aren't not finished. Come back! Where..."

But my own voice too began to fade.

Then I saw him—the demon king—rising from a high throne. His staff lifted into the stormy sky as thunder tore through the clouds.

"Thank you for betraying them for me, my son," he bellowed to someone in front of him." Now sit beside me while I rule because you deserve it. The world needs people who crave power. Men who are obsessed with authority and supremacy!"

My heart clenched as I watched him place a black small crown on the man's head.

There was something familiar about the traitor but I couldn't really pinpoint who he was.

He had a werewolf scent, the exact kind for our pack members.

His hair?

Midnight black with a mix of red, flowing down smoothly to his back. I had seen that before but I couldn't remember.

Who is this betrayer?

I tried to move closer, but my legs won't obey, and I was feeling an irresistible force pulling me back to reality.

"Who are...you, betrayer! How could you do this to your own people! How evil is your heart!" I screamed out, but he couldn't hear me, and the world around me gradually vanished.

My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself lying on the bed, sweating profusely as my whole body trembled.

"Who are you talking about?" Leo placed my head in his arms, using his napkin to wipe my clammy face as he looked down at me tenderly, those hazel eyes filled with love.

I shut my eyes and felt a chill run down my core as everything I saw in that nightmare replayed in a flash.

The demons are returning with vengeance, and they will succeed.

How should I be the savior when I am weak?

"Diane, please open your eyes and talk to me," Leo whispered, brushing my hair back, his fingers softly caressing my cheek.

"What happened? Was it a nightmare? Will you tell me about it?"

I managed a small smile as I looked up at his handsome face.

I really thought I had hated him for abandoning me for almost a week, but here I was, falling for him again just like the first time I met him in the club.