Chapter 12: Despair’s Flames
Melissa’s POV
The heat was too much to endure. All around, flames roared with a ferocity that appeared to mirror Damon’s unrelenting quest. As we staggered out of the smoke-filled hallway, Kane’s powerful hand held onto mine.
“Get moving, Melissa! His voice was firm but strained as he yelled.
Even though my legs felt like Jello, I pushed myself forward while gasping for air. Behind us, the warriors yelled warnings, their voices drowned away by the commotion.
As we arrived at the boundary of the sanctuary grounds, Kane declared, “Everyone is out.” “However, the supplies”
I turned and watched helplessly as everything we had worked so hard to defend was destroyed by the explosion. Food, medicine, and weapon crates were all gone.
“Kane! Through the smoke, a warrior coughed and yelled. “The wing on the east is crumbling!”
Kane’s jaw tensed as he muttered a swear. “We are unable to return. It’s too risky.
I started to say, “But” but Kane interrupted.
“No, Melissa. He looked at me and said, “We’ve done everything we can. We can’t lose you, too.” His voice grew softer.
I was more affected by his comments than by the explosion. This was now about all of us, not just about me. Kane’s life is on the line. The pack is depending on us for support.
I swallowed my sorrow and nodded. “We’ll rebuild after that. We must.
As they continued to burn, the fires licked at the forest’s boundaries around the sanctuary. As I observed the devastation, my heart tightened.
I stepped forward and said, “I can stop this.”
Kane grabbed my arm. “Don’t, Melissa. You aren’t prepared to
“I have no other option! I yanked away and snapped.
I closed my eyes and reached into my inner reservoir of strength. Wild and untamed, like a beast yearning to escape, it sprang to the surface.
“Pay attention, Melissa,” I muttered to myself. “This is something you can do.”
As I raised my hands, hoping the flames would go out, the surrounding air shimmered. It appeared to work at first. Under the strain of my strength, the flames dwindled and flickered. Then, however, something changed.
Hotter than the flames, the force within me twisted. I shouted and fell to my knees as pain erupted throughout my body.
“Hey, Melissa! In a moment, Kane was by my side, supporting me with his arms.
With tears running down my cheeks, I gasped, “I can’t control it.”
Kane spoke in a cool but forceful tone. “Give it up. Before it consumes you, stop.
“I must give it a shot! Desperate to get ahead, I shoved him aside. However, the power escaped my hold and exploded in a wave that sent us both reeling backwards.
The flames had spread significantly more when I opened my eyes. Guilt tightened in my chest. “I exacerbated it.”
Kane pulled me to my feet and yelled, “No.” “You made an effort. Most people wouldn’t do that much. But you can’t handle this by yourself.
I knew he was right, even though his comments hurt.
The pack was bruised but still alive as we reunited in the clearing. We were all devastated by the destruction of the sanctuary, but I was most concerned about Kane’s silence.
With his back to me, he stood away from the rest and gazed at the luminous horizon. Unsure of what to say, I carefully walked up to him.
“Kane?”
He didn’t look back. “Madela, we’re losing.”
My spine tingled at what he said. “No, we’re not. We can fight as long as we are alive and we are still standing.
He gave a headshake. It’s insufficient. Damon’s army is getting more powerful. We can’t even keep our house safe, so how can we safeguard you and the baby?”
I tried to calm the storm that was building inside of him by placing a hand on his shoulder. “Are you sure you’re not giving up?”
He eventually looked me in the eye and responded, “Of course not.” However, I can’t deny the truth of our circumstances. We will lose everything if we are unable to find a solution to change this.
I wasn’t prepared for the depth of the scepticism in his eyes. “I have faith in you, Kane. Within ourselves. We’ll figure something out. We must.
Although he remained silent, the impact of his quiet was greater than the words he might have spoken.
I was standing in a dark, cold emptiness that night as fatigue dragged me into a restless sleep. In the distance, a dim glimmer began to shine and grew brighter until Lyra’s face popped out of the darkness.
She spoke the words, “Well, well,” with a tone full of hate. “The damned Luna.” How does it feel to know that failure is inevitable?”
Angry, I balled my fists and said, “Lyra, get out of my head.”
“Oh, but I’m not just in your head, my dear,” she said, laughing, the sound reverberating about me. Your soul contains me. No more than you can avoid your fate, you cannot avoid me.
Images of my child in shackles, their cries hushed by the weight of Lyra’s spell, flashed before my eyes.
“Cease! Tears were flowing down my face as I yelled.
Then again, why would I? Lyra added, “This is just a taste of what’s to come,” as she moved in closer. “Melissa, your child will be mine. Furthermore, there is nothing you can do to prevent it.
“I won’t let that happen,” she said, and I collapsed to my knees under the weight of her words. I’ll give it my all in this battle.
Lyra hissed, “Then you’ll die trying,” and vanished into the night.
My body was shaking and my heart was thumping in my chest as I woke up. At my side, Kane’s face was twisted in worry.
“An additional vision? He inquired.
My voice was no more than a whisper as I nodded. “She is coming to get Kane, our child. And she won’t give up until she achieves her goals.
His resolve returned, and he tightened his hold on my hand. “Then we’ll ensure she never has the opportunity.”
The silence was broken by a howl in the distance as we gazed into the night’s darkness. We didn’t have it. We didn’t realize how near Damon’s forces were, and time was running short.