And Then There Were Four novel Chapter 203

Chapter 203: Reality of Night Terrors

The all consuming darkness wasn't something new to me, and no matter what I tried to do with my life, I was plagued by visions that filtered through my mind, reminding me of everything I didn't want to be. I wasn't supposed to be a queen, princess, or even an ascending heir. I was simply supposed to be me, and as the shadows of danger filtered through my mind, I stepped forward seeking a way towards the light.

I wasn't a monster like everyone suggested, and every step I took forward through the darkness I kept telling myself that. The words whispered of my lips over and over were a reminder of the truth. That I was not the person they sought to fear.

“What are you doing, child?" the dark sultry voice of feminine beauty swirled around me in the darkness, causing me to stand still in fear, unsure of whether or not I had finally lost my mind.

"Who's there?"

My voice sounded off, and though I knew the words had left my lips, I couldn't help notice how they didn't sound like me.

The chuckling laughter of a woman swirled around me and as it did, the apparition of a woman I had seen so many times before appeared in front of me as if she was just as alive as I was. "Anna? This isn't real…"

Her kind eyes stared back at me as her hair swirled around her as if blown by its own breeze. A breeze that didn't quite touch my own skin but made me wonder if she had power as I did. "Don't seem so surprised, child. This visit is long overdue."

Panic filled me as I tried to rationalize what was going on. It wasn't possible for her to be here so the only way was if… if I was dreaming. That was it… I was dreaming. I instantly felt stupid as I glanced at her once more and sighed.

"I really am losing it. I'm so stressed and off beat, I'm dreaming about you, Anna. My brain is trying to help me process."

Anna stared at me with an odd expression as if not understanding why I was acting the way I was. The lavender dress she wore flowed around her as her hair slowly calmed to lay upon one side. "You are not just dreaming, child. This is real, we are speaking."

"If that's the case then why are you here?" I asked with amusement, deciding to humor her in this conversation.

"To warn you, Cassie."

Warn me. Warn me about what? The statement made my mouth open and close with hesitation as she stared at me with an indifferent expression. "What do you mean?"

The moment the question left my throat, the swirling breeze that surrounded her picked up becoming a little more forceful. My heart raced at the idea that something was about to happen and with it came fear. A fear that penetrated my mind and body and no matter what I did I couldn't control it.

“Let me show you," she whispered as a scene unfolded before me, and I was tossed onto a battlefield of chaos and fire. The screams of the innocent filled my heart, and I doubled over, covering my ears to try to muffle them out.

“What are you doing?!" I shouted at her, searching the area around me for her figure, but my eyes were unable to find her shadows. Instead, her voice filled my head and with it, the sense of impending doom.

“This is the future your brother is projected if the darkness isn't cast from his pack. His mind is clouded, and nothing his mate does will protect him."

My brother?! This was about Pollux?

I was confused even more upon hearing her, and as I tried to find a way from where I was, I quickly found myself cemented to the spot. Unable to move as a scream ripped from my throat at the panic that filled my mind. “Let me go from here!"

“No!" she yelled as her face appeared inches from my own in almost a ghostly state. “You're not a child anymore, Cassie. This is a gift I bestowed upon you. Your future was set in stone long ago, and fate helped me to make you see what needed to be seen to save the future of our worlds."

“What are you talking about?!"

Grasping my face, she jerked it back towards the field of blood and fire. “Look, Cassie. For once, open your mind and look. You're a goddess with more power than Odin, but you will never be able to reach your potential unless you stop your childish behavior and accept who you are so the people you love can be safe."

The war before me shimmered slowly as the fires of hell seemed to dim down. I wasn't sure if I was seeing like Anna wanted me to, but as I continued to look, I realized the scene around me was changing. Instead, darkness filled my vision once more but above me were stars. Millions of stars that twinkled like diamonds.

“It's changed…" I muttered as Anna slowly let go of my chin.

“Yes, because you're finally looking. Tell me, Cassie, what can you see?"

As I gazed around, a warm feeling rushed over me. A sense of ease and calmness as I watched the trees appear before my eyes. Leaves blowing gently through the evening breeze and the familiar feeling that I knew exactly where I was. “This is near the secret lake Pollux and I used to go to as kids."

I didn't wait to hear what she had to say as I found myself once again able to move. My feet were not hitting the floor as I realized that instead of walking, I sort of glided. It wasn't until I was about to break through the brush towards the water that a noise filled my ears, and I halted to see my brother break through the clearing to face a woman I was all too familiar with—Ashley.

“What the hell—" Anna's finger pressed against my lips, shushing me as she stared at me with a stern expression and then pointed slowly to my brother and Ashley, who stood in soft whispers.

“Do it again–" he asked her. A smug expression on her face let me know that she was up to no good. Which didn't surprise me because she had always been a snake in the grass.

“I don't know, Pollux." She sighed in a very dramatic way. “Giving you power like this… I feel like you're using me."

He quickly grabbed her wrist as he shook his head. “I'm not, Ashley. I never used you… please, I feel it draining, and I can't. I have to be the best, and because of that, I need your help."

Ashley hesitated for a moment before nodding and as she did, he kneeled before her, placing his forehead against her stomach. She placed her hands on either side of his head. I had no clue what the hell was happening but the moment she started chanting, I saw red.

“She's f*****g using magic on my brother?!" I roared as my eyes darted towards Anna with anger. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and the way the magic felt—it was wrong.