Chapter 89: The Fall of the Forsaken
Melissa’s POV
Kane lay on the cold stone floor, his chest rising and falling in short breaths. Blood saturated his torn shirt, the deep gash across his side oozing scarlet onto the ground. Zephyr was no more-Kane had fought with everything he had, but the battle had left him barely standing.
I lurched toward him, my body shivering, my thoughts muddled with Darius’s whispers. My vision blurred between reality and the shadowed world he was taking me into. My muscles were slow, my pulse was racing in bewilderment, and every step felt like I was moving through dense fog.
Kane’s voice was rough and urgent as he rasped, “Melissa.” “You remain who you are. Fight it.
With a dry throat, I swallowed. Darius’s presence enveloped me in a consoling hug. His silky, sensual voice reverberated in my head. He is frail. He can’t keep you safe. Release him.
I held my chest, a fury blazing inside me, my fingers curving into fists. Was this my destiny? To turn into the dark? To give in to it? My eyesight wavered as I walked closer to Kane, seeing him as the man I loved and then as a shadowy foe. My heartbeat accelerated.
“Return to me,” Kane muttered. “Please.”
His love and his suffering served as my moorings. I shook my head and gritted my teeth. “I’m not sure if I can,”
A chilly wind blew through the room as Darius appeared in front of me. His eyes glowed in the darkness like coals, and his black robes billowed. His weighty, oppressive authority permeated across the atmosphere. His lips curled into a knowing smile as he held out his hand to me.
He said, “You were never intended to be a simple Alpha’s mate.” Melissa, you are more. Do you not sense it?
Yes, I did. Beneath my flesh, the power buzzed, calling, waiting. I was captivated by him because he offered me power and the assurance that I would be untouchable and unstoppable. Before I could think, my feet were on the ground, bringing us closer.
“No, Melissa!” Behind me, Kane’s voice could be heard, but his strength was ebbing. Pain was visible on his face as he fought to get to his feet.
With a glimmer of amusement in his gaze, Darius cocked his head. “He’s dying.” He can be saved by you. Everything you want will be yours if you just hold my hand.
I paused, looking at Kane. His body was trembling and covered with blood. I could heal Darius if I had his power. I could put an end to this conflict.
But at what price?
Love and power, light and evil, fought a war inside of me. I extended my hand and lightly touched Darius’s palm. His energy rushed through me, thrilling and addictive.
My daze was broken by Kane’s voice. “Don’t let him take you away from me, Melissa.”
Something broke inside of me.
I pulled my hand away. I breathed shakily, my heart thumping. “No,” I muttered. “I refuse to.”
Darius’s patience waned as his face darkened. “What a dumb girl. Do you believe you can withstand me?
My chest ached as I turned to face Kane. This was something I had to do. I had to stop it. I put my hands on the floor and felt the ancient, wild force rise from inside. The excitement surged through my veins like wildfire as it grew inside of me.
“What are you doing, Melissa?” With a feeble voice, Kane inquired.
With tears running down my cheeks, I looked him in the eye. “I must stop him.”
The room reverberated with Darius’s laughter. “You believe you can ruin me? Now, you are a part of me.
I clenched my jaw and allowed the energy to burst out of me. The ground underneath us shattered and the walls shook. As the golden light enveloped him and wrapped itself about his body like fire chains, Darius’s sneer wavered.
“No!” he yelled, battling my strength. “It’s not over yet!”
The exertion caused my body to shiver, and I felt overwhelmed by my strength. Something inside of me was shattering, something I would never be able to recover. But I was powerless.
“Melissa!” I heard Kane’s voice, which was a mixture of fear and wonder.
I closed my eyes tightly. “Darius, goodbye.”
I gave it one last shove and let my strength run wild. With a scream, Darius’s body dissolved into darkness. Shouting and twisting, the darkness vanished into emptiness.
There was silence.
With a gasp, I fell to my hands and knees. I felt as though something had been torn out of my entire body. With trembling hands, Kane moved over to me and grabbed for me.
He pressed his forehead against mine and exhaled, “It’s over.”
I wanted to think he was real. Yes was what I wanted to say.
Then, however, a chilly murmur touched my ear.
All you’ve done is postpone the inevitable.
My eyes got big. My breath caught in my throat as I turned my head. In the shadows stood a man whose presence was even more sinister than Darius’s. The air became oppressively heavy.
Kane tensed. “What is it?”
I was unable to talk. The creature walked forward, displaying bright red eyes and an aura that made my whole body shiver, leaving me with nothing to do but gaze in dread.
Then came a voice as icy as death itself:
“The equilibrium has been lost. Your real struggle now starts.