Chapter 40: The Comeback
Melissa’s POV
Damon’s cry as the Shadow Realm started to crumble was the last thing I heard. Darkness engulfed everything; there was nothing to walk on, no breath in my lungs, only a never-ending emptiness. Then I was drawn back into awareness by a dim light that pierced the void.
I opened my eyes, and I took a sharp inhale. As far as I could see, the Earth was in ruins, the twisted remains of the Shadow Realm. The magic’s once-bright hues had turned dark and faded, and the air was oppressively thick.
I winced as I tried to move. My head thumped and every muscle in my body hurt. But as I scanned my surroundings, one idea broke through the fog. I’m still here.
Where were the others, though?
“Kane?” My voice was no more than a whisper as I croaked. “Who’s there?”
The ensuing hush was deafening. A knot formed in my throat as my heart fell. Clinging to the hope that Kane and the pack had managed to get out via the portal before it closed, I reasoned that they must have made it out.
With my hands gripping the soil beneath me, I muttered, “Please, let them be safe.”
I froze when I caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of my eye. With all of my nerves tense, I gently sat up. “Who is present?” I yelled, raising my voice with force.
No response.
My legs were shaking under me as I forced myself to stand up. Around me, the ruins appeared to be alive, with shadows moving strangely. My gut told me that I wasn’t alone myself.
“Exhibit yourself!” My voice reverberated across the emptiness as I demanded.
A silhouette stepped out of the darkness. My breath caught when I saw the familiar shape, his once-dominant presence was now lessened but still distinct.
“Damon,” I murmured, my tone tinged with incredulity and rage.
His face was pale, his clothes were ragged, and his movements were slow. He looked awful. The authority he had so proudly possessed now appeared to be a thing of the past.
He said in a raspy voice, “I see you survived,” yet his sneer remained.
Every muscle in my body tensed as I narrowed my eyes. “What are you looking for? I won’t hold back this time if you’ve come for another battle.
Damon shook his head and lifted a feeble hand. “Melissa, I didn’t come to argue. No more.
I stared at him for a time as his comments surprised me. “You think I’ll believe that after all of your actions?”
“I don’t expect you to believe anything,” he said, supporting himself with a jagged rock. But look around you. There is no more Shadow Realm. I have no power. Nevertheless, here we are, confined together in the remnants of this location.
I looked around as the truth of our situation set in. There was no indication of a doorway or way out, and the ruins went on forever.
“What do you want to say?” With a stern tone, I questioned.
Damon let out a tired sigh. I’m trying to say that we don’t need to continue fighting. Nothing remains for which to fight.
I gave a sour laugh. “You think I’ll trust you? after you’ve ruined so many lives? After you almost destroyed my family?
His eyes become stony. “Your trust is not necessary for me. But we’ll need to cooperate if we want to leave this place.
My stomach turned at the thought. It felt like a betrayal of all I stood for to consider working with Damon and depending on the man who had brought me so much suffering.
I spat, “I’d rather rot here than work with you.”
Damon gave a dry laugh. “Your wish may come true. This location isn’t welcoming. But Melissa, give it some thought. We both perish if we remain here. Then, what becomes of your pack? To your kid?
His remarks were like a kick to the stomach. I had a mental picture of Kane, broken yet resolute. I felt both optimism and sadness as my child waited for me to come back.
Torn between my duty to the people I loved and my anger for Damon, I balled my fists.
I shook my voice and continued, “You’re asking me to make an impossible choice.”
Damon took a step forward, his face unnaturally grave. “I’m requesting that you live. Because we both know that the pack needs you, despite your hatred for me.
Between us, there was silence as his comments weighed heavily on me. He was right, and I detested it.
At last, I responded in a chilly tone, “All right.” However, this does not imply that I have forgiven you.
With an obscure expression, Damon nodded. “Anything less would be unacceptable to me.”
The shaking of the earth under us served as a reminder that the Shadow Realm’s ruins were still shaky. I scanned the area for any indication of an escape route.
I crossed my arms and stated, “We need a plan if we’re going to do this.”
Damon gave a small smile. “So, it’s fortunate that I am more familiar with this location than you are.”
A wave of dark energy erupted from underneath, and before I could react, the ground cracked beneath my boots. Damon took hold of my arm and steadied me as I staggered backwards, my heart racing.
His voice was anxious as he stated, “We don’t have much time.” “This place is disintegrating more quickly than I anticipated.”
Damon’s eyes met mine as the darkness whirled around us. “Are you prepared to go to any lengths to leave this place?”
I paused, my thoughts whirling. The decision weighed heavily on me, but there was no going back now.
Despite the horror in my heart, I said, “I don’t have a choice,” in a firm voice.
Damon nodded, but his face was unreadable. “All right let’s get started.”
As we moved forward, unsure of what was ahead, the ruins shook and the darkness drew closer.