Chapter 22: Shadows Of Doubt
Melissa’s POV
The sound of whispering, gentle, mocking, and unrelenting, woke me up. The moist, cold air bit my skin, and my head ached. The whispers increased in volume as I squinted into the oppressive blackness, encircling me like a predator encroaching on its victim.
“Failure,” a figure growled.
“Unworthy,” hissed another.
I said, “No,” shaking my head to block them out. I could hardly hear myself, and my voice was hoarse. “That is untrue. I’m not.
However, the icy, merciless chains that encircled my wrists didn’t agree. They firmly pressed me up against the stone wall. I was stranded and helpless in Damon’s lair. The notion of my son being away from me and in danger made my heart tighten.
An angry voice, raised over the others, muttered, “You’ll never save him.”
“Stop it! I yelled, but it sounded more like a last-ditch appeal. Feeling the sting of metal against my flesh, I yanked against the chains. A quick reminder of the strength hidden deep within me was provided by the sparks of my wolf goddess might. But like a damp blanket put over a fire, the energy here suffocated it, heavy and unpleasant.
The murmurs tightened their grip on me, consuming my hopelessness.
“You’ve lost already.”
“No, I haven’t! With tears hurting my eyes, I screamed. “I’ll engage in combat. I’ll fight for my son!”
The murmurs receded significantly, replaced by a faint, ghostly brightness ahead. My stomach turned when a stranger appeared out of the darkness. Tall and commanding, Damon’s lieutenant advanced, his ruthless eyes gleaming in the low light. Infuriatingly smug, he smirked as though he had already won.
He drawled, his voice calm but brimming with resentment, “Awake at last, Melissa.” “Damon has been looking forward to this day.”
I sat up taller despite the chains and gave him a look. I said in a steady, low voice, “Let me go.” “You don’t know what I’m capable of.”
He laughed and stepped forward. “Oh, we are fully aware of your abilities. You’re here for that reason. However, you’re wasting your energy. Do you believe you can prevail in this battle? In opposition to Damon?”
He seemed amused by my silence, but I declined to respond.
He went on, circling me like a predator playing with its prey, “You’re strong, Melissa.” However, even the most resilient can crack. And when you do, you’ll see that fighting is pointless.”
“I’ll never break,” I replied through tight teeth, though the trembling in my voice betrayed me.
His smirk widened. “You say that now. But every time you resist, every time you fail, your child pays the price.”
The words hit me like a dagger to the heart. I was unable to speak for a moment as my breath caught.
I eventually managed to say, “You’re lying,” but he laughed at my hesitancy.
“Am I? You’re only making matters worse, even though you believe you’re protecting him. Damon is planning something for your son. Plans that, like it or not, will come to pass.
Anger boiled beneath the surface of my terror, and my chest constricted. “If you think I’ll let that happen, you’re more delusional than I thought.”
The lieutenant leaned down, his face inches from mine. “You don’t have a choice.”
Before I could answer, he stepped back and retreated into the shadows, leaving me alone with the oppressive darkness and the weight of his words.
Far away, I sensed Kane’s presence like a faraway buzz. He was fighting his way toward me; I could feel it. Our relationship was faint, stretched thin by distance and the terrible energy of this place, yet it was there.
“Kane,” I muttered, clinging to the relationship like a lifeline.
In the chamber time became meaningless. The murmurs came back, their insults becoming more and more vile by the second. My mind felt like it was tearing at the borders, and my body hurt.
However, a flicker of light appeared in the oppressive blackness as something deep inside me stirred. My wolf awoke, ferocious and restless, and would not be placated.
I steadied my voice and muttered to myself, “You’re stronger than this.”
I closed my eyes and reached inside, past my uncertainty and anxiety, to the strength that was hidden deep inside of me. There was more to it than just my wolf. Something old and stubborn. My wrists’ chains started to glow dimly, and the metal started to fracture.
I grew louder as I replied, “You won’t hold me.”
With a loud snap, the chains broke, and I dropped to the hard, cold floor. Even though my knees struck the stone, I continued. With my senses more acute than ever, I pushed myself up and scanned the room.
Though they were still present, the voices had lost their ability to control me. The suffocating energy pressed like a wall against me as I concentrated on the door.
I stepped forward and muttered, “You can try, but you won’t stop me.”
Outside, the hallway was a maze of twisted shadows and eerie quiet. It felt like the air itself was attempting to drive me back with each stride. I didn’t stop, though. I was needed by my son. I was needed by Kane.
Then I noticed Damon. His big frame created a long shadow as he stood at the end of the hallway. His smothering, terrible presence enveloped the room.
“Are you going somewhere? His voice was calm but full of hate as he questioned.
I looked him in the eyes and squared my shoulders. “Damon, you can’t stop me. I will fight you until the day I die.
His chuckle echoed around the walls in a low, ominous tone. Melissa, you’re not understanding. You don’t need my help. I want the truth to be revealed to you.
“What’s the truth?” I demanded, my fists clenching at my sides.
Damon took a step forward, his eyes shining with sly pleasure. “Melissa, your child is more than just the key to your power. The secret to everything is him. To me. To you. To the covenant that unites us all.
My heart decreased but I was not going to be weak. “You’re telling lies. You do not know my child.
Damon grinned broadly. Yes, but I do. Since the day you became a mother, I have known. You’ll see it in due time.
Damon lifted his hand before I could reply, and the surrounding shadows rushed forward, engulfing the hallway in blackness.
I felt myself being drawn back into the emptiness as the whispering became louder and more persistent.
Damon’s laughter reverberated in the darkness as I screamed and reached for the light. I kept thinking about what he said: “Your child is the key.”