Whispers of Tomorrow (The Alina Chronicles Book 2)
Page 13
I can’t move or speak as I watch from only a few feet away as Vemnos lifts the whip high above his head and swiftly brings it down in a snap and crack hitting Killian’s back, before he repeats the motion and brings it down against Alina’s back. The horrendous sound of their skin being shredded mixed with their grunts and cries threatens to shatter my heart even more.
Why can’t I move? Why can’t I speak? What has he done to me? I can’t shift, I can’t do anything. I’m completely powerless.
I am forced to stand still and watch as the whip slashes against their skin over and over again until their pained grunts and cries turn to nothing but pitiful sobs. They must be gradually weakening and all I want to do is run forward and take them as far away from here as possible. Alina and Killian’s heads are hanging low, completely exhausted by the multiple blows.
“Funny isn’t it?” My eyes snap to Vemnos who is looking at me with a cruel smirk. “Ha, I forgot you can’t answer that can you?” He moves away from Alina and Killian to stand before me, assessing with his cruel red eyes. “As I was saying. Isn’t it funny that you came here to rescue your lovers, well your fantasy lovers at least and you’re powerless to do anything? Where’s your sweet horn now jackass?” I can tell from the way he’s talking I am a horse and not my unicorn. I try focusing hard enough to shift, when nothing happens, I realize I am trapped in this form. Just fucking great. This better be a fucking nightmare, because if this is real, I’m going to lose my shit.
Vemnos is still grinning at me. Oh, what I would give to wipe that fucking smirk off his face. The chicken shit is so scared of my unicorn now he’s preventing me from shifting. What is up with all these asshole gods controlling me? It isn’t fair.
“Well, as fun as it has been chatting with you. NOT. I need to carry on my slice and slash party. Did you know this is like foreplay to me? Maybe once I’ve finished peeling their skin off one layer at a time, I’ll make sure to sample their goodies. After all, I don’t give a flying rat’s ass if they’re breathing or not when I use them, in fact I think it would be even more fun.”
His dark laugh sets me off and I begin focusing hard enough to try to break through the paralysis he has me under. My hooves begin twitching a little against the ground. The twitches start moving up my body until they become more like spasms. Vemnos eyes are wide as I start attacking against the mental block holding me still.
With another deep chuckle he turns away from me and heads over to Alina and Killian. I try shouting out, yet only a faint mumble leaves my mouth. My heart pounds in my chest as he grabs a fistful of Alina’s beautiful fiery hair and snarls down at her unconscious form. I want nothing more than to charge forward and wipe that fucking smirk off his face with my fist, maybe cut into him a little and see how he likes it.
All rational and irrational thoughts leave my head when he runs his tongue against her cheek. She’s completely out of it to the point she doesn’t even flinch, although bile threatens to spill from my mouth, which I nearly choke on. I try screaming out again to not hurt her. His crimson eyes focus on me with his upper lip curled in such a way I know he’s probably going to kill me. That’s it! Maybe if I keep the assholes attention on me, he won’t hurt either of them.
This time when I try to break through the control on my movements, I manage to step forward once, before halting where I stand when Vemnos brings out a blade. My mind dances back to when Alina was telling me about her past, to Branor’s death. She described a wavy edged dagger, his favorite tool. I unfortunately remember all the stories about what he has done with that blade and what he is capable of.
I watch helplessly as he runs the bloodied dagger down her cheek, leaving a large gash in its wake. He carries on smiling as he does the other cheek too. Once he is satisfied by the horror that he has left on Alina’s face, he moves over to Killian to do the same.
I attempt to cry out once more, but I’m starting to feel dizzy. I’m not sure what’s going on, but wave upon wave of nausea hits me. The feeling would be enough to buckle my knees if I could move. Another sinister cackle fills the air and I open my eyes to see Vemnos standing in front of me. “Aww is the poor little pony feeling sick? It’s probably because you are trying to fight back against my control. You should realize it’s almost impossible to break free from a possession curse. Why do you think Little Bird’s lover boy has never stopped me? I make it so the more he struggles the sicker he feels and you’re getting a lovely little taste of that now. Funny I’ve never controlled a horse before. I wonder how you would feel if I controlled your body for real and used your horn to stab into Little Bird?”
He wouldn’t fucking dare, Neris would gladly finish him off.
“Oh, wouldn’t I? Do you think Neris cares about you? You are just a pet, nothing more.”
How could he hear me? My mind scrambles trying to think of a reason when Vemnos smirks at me.
“Another great trick about possession charms is when I control your body, I can hear your mind too. And seeing as this is my domain, I have control over everything.”
“You’re lying about Neris. I am more than a pet. She does care for me.” Well if the fucker can hear my thoughts I may as well tell him what I think.
A belt of laughter leaves his mouth, and he raises both eyebrows up in disbelief. “Ha, you really are that thick. Neris doesn’t care about you. How could she? You are nothing more than a pet. It’s how everyone sees you. It’s how these two see you.” He gestures over to Killian and Alina. “Neither of them gives a shit about you. How could anyone? You are nothing and you will always be nothing.”
No. That’s not true. They do care for me, I know it, I feel it. Don’t they?
“Aww, are you having trouble working out if I’m telling the truth? Newsflash, yes, I am. No one would want someone like you. Why do you think every person you have ever had in your bed was so desperate to leave once you were finished, hmm?”
It doesn’t matter if this is a nightmare or not, he’s right. Why would they want me? My own insecurities start to creep up on me again. I’ve been alone for so long, why would this be any different? How could either someone like Alina and Killian want a creature like me?
“Is it starting to settle into that thick skull of yours now? You are worthless. Nothing. No one could ever love you.” Vemnos’ eyes are so full of hate and anger. I’m once again powerless when he walks over to Alina and Killian and yanks Killian’s head back, squidging his cheeks together. “You think this boy wants you?” He drops Killian’s head and pulls Alina’s head up. “Or her? They would be better off without you. Deep down you know that.”
Self loathing gathers in my mind. Emotions I have tried to keep hidden for centuries. Depression, anxiety. They are all things I feel when I think of how long I’ve lived. I have had no one there for me. Neris doesn’t count. How could she? I don’t love her. I’ve never loved anyone. I’m not even sure what love is. But seeing my friends before me bound and bleeding breaks my heart. If anyone could ever make me feel something, it would be them.
I need to get free of this nightmare. I need to get back to them. If this is the same curse that attacked them, then the only way I can get out is if someone outside of my nightmare wakes me.
Forgetting the terrifying images in front of me, I concentrate my mind on trying to reach out to Alina or Killian. It hurts as though thousands of knives are carving into my brain and tearing it to shreds.
“Alina? Killian? Please one of you hear me. I need you. Help me wake up, I’m trapped.” I repeat the words over and over in my head, shouting them as loud as I can within my mind.
“What the fuck do you think you are doing? You really think you can escape me? Those two idiots were lucky. I’m not sure why my nightmare curse didn’t work on you straight away, but it is now. And now, I will never let you escape. Besides, why would either of them get you out of this nightmare when they have each other? They have no need for you. They will probably think it’s better without you anyway.”
Please Alina? Killian?
Please hear me.
I need you.
16
Alina
I need you.
The powerful words ring in my ears loud and clear, startling me awake.
Galen!
I throw back the covers and jump out of bed. Without stopping to worry about anything else, I charge out of my room, through the house and down the porch steps. The gravel beneath me bites into my feet, digging and cutting into my bare soles, yet I don’t stop until I reach the barn.
Grabbing the handle, I throw open the door to see Galen lying down on the floor with his head twitching from side to side. I catch a quick glimpse of Killian who is resting against Galen’s side as I fall to my knees in front of Galen’s head. I carefully lift him onto my lap, smoothing his muzzle. I can make out the rapid movements of his eyes under his lids. What? The nightmare curse! It must be affecting him now. I need to get him out of there and fast. “Galen. Wake up. You can’t stay in your head. You will be trapped.” I give his head a little shake. “Come on Miggles. You can’t leave us alone. You have to stay with us.”
Killian stirs beside Galen. He opens his eyes, giving them a rub and sees me. “Alina? What are you doing here Love?” He notices Galen’s twitching head on my lap. “Shit. Is he trapped in that thing we were?” I quickly nod and continue trying to rouse Galen.
Killian crawls over to me on his knees and briskly rubs his hand up and down Galen’s neck. “Come on mate, you need to wake up.”
We both keep shaking and rubbing him when I remember what Galen had said about waking up from this type of curse. Pain. I don’t want to cause him pain, maybe I can wake him up the same way I woke Killian. Leaning down I brush my lips against his ear and softly whisper, “Come on Miggles. Wake up for me, please. We need you. I need you.” The last words leave my mouth on a small exhale.
I look to Killian, worry fills his eyes too. He leans down to whisper, “Alina is right, we both need you. But if you don’t wake up, you will be lost to us. Please don’t let us lose you.” He moves his mouth away from Galen’s ear to place a kiss against the side of his head and to my astonishment Galen eyes begin flickering open.
“You did it Killian.” I smile at him with relieved happiness as tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
“We did it Love. Together.” He reaches his hand across to hold mine and I lace my fingers with his. With my other hand I continue rubbing Galen’s muzzle as his piercing blue eyes blink open to look at me.
“Alina? You heard me? You managed to wake me?” His voice sounds so relieved yet also surprised.
“Of course, I heard you silly. Although it wasn’t me who did it. It was Killian.” I gesture my head over to Killian who is sitting there with a faint blush staining his cheeks.
“I. Uh. Um.” Galen’s chuckle fills my mind as Killian stutters. My hand drops from Galen’s head as he lifts it to nuzzle against Killian’s face. He releases my hand to place both of his on Galen’s face. “I honestly thought I was going to lose you there for a moment.” His muffled voice is barely loud enough for me to hear. “What? Don’t be stupid. Of course, we need you.” With confusion I look at Killian who shrugs. “This silly fool has got it into his head we don’t need or want him around.”
“Really? How could you think that?”
“It was my nightmare. My hell. Made to believe that neither of you need me and that I am just a pet, a burden.” I have never heard Galen’s deep voice sound this sad before.
“Now, let’s get one thing straight. You are not a pet. Or a burden for that matter.” Realization dawns on me as I furrow my brow. “Wait a minute. Is that your greatest fear? That we don’t need you?”
He removes his head from Killian’s hand and carefully stands. Walking away from us, he stands over by the entrance to the barn. He looks out the door I forgot to close before gazing down at his feet. “What can I say? Isn’t that everyone’s greatest fear? To not be wanted. Not be needed. Even someone who is surrounded by a crowd can feel lonely. So, yes, my greatest fear is rejection. It’s my burden to bear. I knew from a young age never to expect to be included or wanted in any way, shape or form. It’s just how it is.” He shrugs his muscled shoulders as if he’s giving up.
“How could you think like that? Have we ever given you a reason to think we don’t want you around? That we don’t care about you?” Killian’s slightly angered tone startles me as he stands walking over to Galen. I follow and stand next to him..
“Killian’s right. What you saw in your nightmare, it wasn’t real. We are real. And I promise you, no matter what you think, we will always need and want you.” The words leave my lips as a promise. Deep down I know I mean them. If it wasn’t for Galen, neither of us would be standing here together. He saved both of us without even realizing it.
“Thanks for saying that, Sparky. But you and I both know you don’t need me. After all, you have each other. I think you forget I hear your thoughts,” he replies, turning away from us.
Moving to stand in front of him again I hold his head steady looking into his eyes. “I know you can read my thoughts. So read this one. I need you. When I was at my lowest you appeared and brought laughter back into my life, I never thought I would feel again. You have listened to me, given me advice. You saved Killian. You rescued both of us from the nightmare curse. You pushed me to finally go after something I wanted. And yet you think we don’t need you? You couldn’t be more wrong. You belong with us. This is your home, with us.” I see a flash of emotion fill Galen’s eyes with every word I say.
“Do you really mean that?” His gruff response sounds so unsure, so unlike him. Out the corner of my eye I see Killian moving closer too, smoothing Galen’s mane. Running my fingers along his muzzle, I smile warmly at him as I drop my voice to a whisper.
“Every. Single. Word.” I bend my neck to leave a lingering kiss on Galen’s muzzle.
“Well, isn’t this a cute moment. Aww Birdy, I remember when you used to kiss me like that. Now it appears you’ll even kiss a horse.” The voice that penetrates my nightmares startles us all as we turn to see none other than Vemnos standing there.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Killian spits out as I move to stand in front of him. I can hear Galen in my head warning me to be careful. As if I need reminding. Anger surges through me and I feel my fire beginning to flare against my fingertips. I won’t let him get close this time.
Out the corner of my eye there’s a flash of white light as Galen shifts into his unicorn form, positioning himself ready to attack if needed.
Vemnos holds his hands up in what appears to be surrender, confusing me. “Now. Now I didn’t come here to fight. I just want to talk.”
“Bullshit! You have never wanted to talk. Why the sudden change?” I watch as Vemnos bends at the waist in what appears to be pain. Good. I hope the fucker is suffering after everything he has put me through. When he stands upright, I suck in a pained breath when I notice his eyes. They seem to be flickering from Vemnos’ normal crimson eyes to that of the brilliant jade green of Branor’s. What?
“Whatever is going on Alina stay back. I don’t trust him.” Galen’s warning enters my mind and I know I should heed it, but when I look at Vemnos again, I can’t be so sure I will.
“What’s going on?” Killian asks from behind me. I hold my hand out to stop him from passing. I’m not having him running out and getting himself killed again.
“Alina. Is that really you?”
I’m confused, the usual distorted version of Branor’s voice Vemnos has always used sounds less garbled and more like the man I once loved.
“Br…Branor?” His name struggles to leave my lips as I stare at the monster before me, yet the longer I stare, the less he seems like a
monster. Vemnos’ usual confident posture is slouched, and he’s staring at me with concern. Could Branor still be alive? I suck in a sharp breath. Could he really be in there, trapped, after all this time? I’m about to move forward, closer to him, when I feel both Killian grabbing my hand and Galen tugging my t-shirt pulling me back.
“Don’t do it. You can’t be sure it’s him. It could be a trap.” Another warning from Galen has me pause and look at the man before me.
“What’s wrong, Birdy? Don’t you want to come any closer? Don’t you want to hug me?” He cocks his head from side to side, staring at me intensely. Something about him both intrigues and scares me. What if Branor is in there? No. I refuse to believe that. He can’t be. I take a hesitant step back, pushing Killian and Galen further behind me.
“I’ll take that as a no then, shall I? Funny because for centuries you asked Vemnos over and over again why he kept capturing and killing you. But did you ever stop to think that maybe it wasn’t Vemnos doing that, and it was actually me?”
Shock and numbness consume me as the words leave his mouth. “What? No? I never thought that for one second. Branor never would have hurt me. He loved me.” I can sense tears pricking at my eyes as my chest tightens painfully.
“I don’t know what he’s trying to do love, just don’t listen to him. It must be some kind of mind fuck.” Killian’s concerned tone and the way he’s pulling at me to move back has me questioning myself again.
“Mind fuck? You want to know what a real mind fuck is? How about this? The woman you love turns out to be an immortal creature. Oh, and get this, she is being hunted by a fucking god. Do you hear me? A god. How the fuck am I meant to stand up against something like that? Uh, in short, I didn’t. I was killed. You get that. I was fucking murdered. As you could probably understand there are a few hatred issues here,” he snarls, glaring at me.