Chapter 20 -Good and Evil   I shot up from the bed as a sharp pain consumed me. My brain wasn't able to function. All I could think about was the throbbing in my chest. I struggled to breathe. My throat felt like it was being constricted. An icy feeling shot up my back. It felt as though the glass was piercing out my back. I forced my head to turn, trying to grab hold of Erik. That's when I realized he was no longer in bed beside me. I was alone in agony and couldn't will my body to move. I tried to speak to Phoenix, but my head was empty. Without her, I couldn't link anyone.   I gritted my teeth as I forced my body to move. I pushed off the bed, crumbling to the floor. I dragged my body to the bathroom and pulled myself up by the tub. After flicking the switch, I looked at myself. Beads of sweat dripped down my forehead.

Chapter 22 - Magic   My eyes fluttered open as I felt a warm hand grip my shoulder, giving me a gentle shake. My cheek was wet with drool as I slowly sat up and let my eyes adjust to the lighting change. My face turned red as I wiped my face, and I looked at Eriks' shirt to see it wet where I had slept.   "We're here. We better get going if we want to make it to Viridis valley before sunrise." Erik said, standing up, ignoring my embarrassment. My body ached as I moved to stand up too. Not only were planes terrifying, but they were also extremely uncomfortable.   "Someone slept well." Drake laughed as he looked at Erik's shirt and then back at me.   "At least she didn't have to hear you and

Chapter 24 - Deal   "How do I know you will follow through on your end," I asked, my voice strong and steady—the exact opposite of how I was feeling. The dark energy they gave off made my skin feel sticky. The smell of the air was enough to make anyone toss.   "Such a naive girl, isn't she." One hissed. I swore I could feel spit drip onto my skin.   "We never fail to deliver." Another laughed. The laughter was full of darkness. It caused my skin to crawl and my heart to sink. It sounded as if the soul had gone completely mad. Whether I wanted to accept the deal or not, it wasn't about me anymore. It was about protecting everyone who trusted me, protecting the future of those to come.   "I

Chapter 26 - Guilt   "Yes, she was my closest friend. Even though I am Dacian, she never treated me any different. She treated me as if I was her equal and not a being to be considered a goddess. I tried my best to protect her, but when she gave herself up to protect you and leave the human realm, I lost all ability to contact her." Melody explained she held such love when she spoke of my mother. A smile graced her plush lips as she described their relationship. Only to have sadness spread across her face as she spoke of her loss. "Her sister is a cruel woman, and since she has dark magic, she managed to block out anyone's ability to see into the Fae realm. There was no way of knowing whether she was alive or..." she paused "it's been a long time since I heard her voice."   "Wait, the dark Queen is my mother's sister?" I a

Chapter 28 - Unexpected Allies   Athena's POV   My body felt like it was coated in lead. The weight of exhaustion plagued my body. I could feel my energy constantly leaving my body in waves as I struggled to open my eyes. My mind, body and soul felt empty. I felt utterly alone in the darkness—no familiar scents to bring me comfort. I could hear the faint conversation as I tried to wake up.   "I think we've drained enough of her powers for one day. If we continue, we might kill her." A woman's voice whispered.   "If she isn't weak enough, she will be able to break free. I don't want to risk her escaping." Another hissed back.