“Imogen, get yourself under control,” Tobias hisses, running over and ripping my son from me. I try to get a grip of my emotions but enraged isn’t even a word to describe the feeling running through me, as I think of all the people she hurt and will get away with. My mother, Claire, my father, me and my son suffered at her hands and they are just going to let her go around like she did nothing.
Electricity starts zapping loudly, the lights flicker, even the fire crackles in the fireplace turns into an inferno, raging up the chimney.
I close my eyes, trying to reign in what little control I have left when I suddenly feel cold hands grip my arms and the rush of air around me. Opening my eyes, I see we are outside in the rose garden. The next thing I see is Theo and I see nothing but red. Red raging fiery anger. This is his fault, she is going to get away with everything because he had some grudge against a council member’s son.
“You? You did this. This is your fault!” I scream, taking a step toward him.
His eyes blaze with anger at my words and he takes a step toward me, his hand outstretched, trying to grab me. But I quickly sidestep, I can feel his intention and it is to take the darkness that is spreading throughout me like wildfire.
“Imogen!” He growls when I sidestep again.
I can feel my anger building, igniting my magic, so thick and sweet, addictively cold. Wrapping its thick tendrils around me. I love the feeling of it bleeding into my soul, dangerous, cold and so strong. The day turns to night as the wind picks up, dark clouds filling the sky. Lightning lights up the sky, thunder so loud its crack can be felt as it vibrates through the ground.
Theo lunges at me, and I actually laugh. I predict the move a few seconds before he does it and by the time he reaches my position, I’m ready for him. My hand comes up to the center of his chest, energy bursting from my palm, throwing him backwards with so much force he skids across the grass.
He shakes himself off before standing, I flick my wrist and watch as he screams in agony. I like the sweet sound of his gasps of pain as he drops to the ground. Writhing in pain as I boil the blood in his veins. Standing over him, I look down at him, some small part is nagging at me in the back of my head not to hurt him.
But I want to, and that part is stronger. Kneeling beside him, I watch as his eyes snap to mine. Yet, he doesn’t look scared, and I can’t smell fear coming from him, but looking in his eyes I can see acceptance of what was about to happen.
And it makes me falter for a second, my mind going blank at the look he is giving me. His eyes glow brighter, burning into me as I feel fog cloud my brain. I try to get rid of the feeling that is trying to take over my senses, dulling the anger but I shake it off, knowing it is Theo’s doing.
I hear Tobias yell, making me look at him as he runs out of the house. I notice Caroline’s panicked face as she runs out behind him with my son in her arms. Josiah walks out a second after. They start running toward me and I look back down at Theo, turning my head to the side as I watch as he tries to ignore the burning inside of him. His eyes focus on me. I push my fingers into his chest, and can feel his blood coating my hand. I can not only see his pain but feel it searing through my chest as my hand moves inside his chest cavity. I hear Caroline scream loudly, making my attention go back to her.
Theo’s grip on my wrist makes me realize what I’m about to do, giving Tobias enough time to reach me. Tobias grips my wrist, along with Theo, but the darkness is stronger as it surges through me.
Sparks move up my arm from their touch, and I can feel Tobias and Theo lending me their strength through the bond as I fight against the darkness. Encouraging me to fight against it, to fight for them.
“You don’t want to do this, Imogen,” Tobias says, his grip tight on my arm.
I feel like I’m stuck, not able to move, frozen in time, when I feel the fog rush over me. Only this time I don’t shake it off, I let it move over me, letting it relax me and I throw all my focus on the feeling of the fog calming and muting my thoughts that are racing.
I relax and take a deep breath, concentrating on my breathing and I feel my hand release Theo, falling backwards on the grass. Theo pants as he catches his breath, Tobias lays flat on his back, and I know he can feel the pain Theo is in.
Yet, I can still feel the darkness, trying to force its way back, force its control over me as the storm above us rags to magnitude levels. Theo, regaining his strength, sits up and brushes his hand over mine, but I pull mine away. I fear what I could have done to him. I do this, and I finally understand what Theo meant. I’m addicted to the power, addicted to the feeling it gives me. And when I’m like this, I forget who I am, forget what they mean to me.
“I’m okay, Imogen,” he says, trying to reassure me.
I shake my head. Guilt eats away at me, I could have killed him, and destroyed Tobias because I let my emotions get the better of me, let the magic have the control it wants. But most of all, I’m losing who I am to something that is going to destroy me and those I love.
I feel Tobias brush his hand down my back as Theo crouches in front of me. I’m torn between what I know I need to do and what I crave. I crave the power that is within me, like a drug. A drug I don’t want to admit is a problem.
Yet, my love for them outweighs it. I know if I let the magic have control, if I give in to it, I’m not only going to lose myself. I know I’ll lose them too. That isn’t a sacrifice I’m willing to make.
Everyone has a breaking point, and I know I reached mine already, and I know they aren’t far off from theirs. I know the decision they will make, and it would be the same for me if our roles were reversed. I would turn my back on them for the sake of our son. Thinking of Thaddeus, I feel tears run down my face. I’m angry with myself and what I allow myself to become.