Chapter 91: The Darkness’ Echo
Melissa’s POV
The voice had returned.
I initially believed it to be my imagination. The grief and the tiredness must have been playing tricks on my mind. I wasn’t so sure now, though.
Was it your intention to get rid of me?
It was a taunting, smooth voice that was his. Darius.
My breathing was shallow as I held onto the edge of the wooden table in my room. I squeezed my eyes shut, my heart thumping. It isn’t authentic. It’s only in my imagination.
Kane’s voice cut through my thoughts, “You’re shaking.” He was standing close to the door, his brows knitted in worry, when I opened my eyes. Once more, he had been observing me.
I forced a smile and hurriedly said, “I’m fine.” “I’m just… exhausted.”
Kane didn’t look convinced. He went closer, reaching out to grab my arm, but I drew away before he could.
“You’ve been different since we got back,” he added gently. “You barely eat, you barely sleep… and when you do, you wake up screaming.”
I took a deep breath. “I just need time.”
Kane regarded me for a long moment. “Melissa, you can tell me what’s wrong. You know that, right?”
I wanted to. I tried to tell him about the whispers, the way Darius’s voice haunted me, the way I felt like something inside me had shifted the moment he died. But how could I? Kane had fought so hard to protect me. He assumed we had won. If I told him the truth… he would never rest.
I chose to nod instead. “I understand.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Kane let out a sigh. “I’ll be with the warriors. We’re addressing the damage on the eastern border. If you need me…”
“I’ll be fine,” I answered, attempting another smile.
He paused before finally departing. As soon as the door closed behind him, I let out a trembling breath. My reflection in the mirror attracted my eye. My face seemed pallid, my eyes darker than before.
And then-just for a second I saw something different.
A shadow behind me. I’m smiling.
As I moved through the camp, I could smell the scent of burning wood and fresh earth. To restore what we had lost, warriors put in endless effort. The pack was attempting to recover from the severe wounds caused by the war.
All I wanted was to be able to say the same for myself.
“Alpha!” A warrior, panting heavily, ran up to Kane. “You are required at the western border.”
Kane scowled. “What took place?”
The warrior paused. “There was nobody there, but we heard whispering. Afterward-” He swallowed. “The shadows shifted.”
My stomach turned over. No. Never again.
Kane’s mouth clenched. “Show me.”
Before Kane could protest, I declared, “I’m coming too.”
When we got to the western border, it was eerily quiet. The air felt a little off, and the wind had subsided.
“Look, Alpha.” A warrior gestured toward the ground. Steps. However, these weren’t typical. The depth of them seemed as if someone or something had been pulled through the earth.
I felt a chill go through me. “This isn’t typical.”
I could sense the uncertainty in Kane’s voice as he stated, “It’s just leftover energy from the war.” Like the others, he was trying to comfort himself.
However, I was aware.
Because the shadows behind the trees changed once again as we were standing there. For a split second, I thought I saw crimson eyes staring back at me.
“Melissa!”
When Lydia spoke, I turned abruptly. Her face was grim as she ran toward me.
With relief, I said, “You’re back.” “What’s the matter?”
She paused just long enough to take a breath. “The balance is changing.”
My blood froze. “What do you mean?”
With a sigh, Lydia brushed back her silver hair. “Something is upsetting the supernatural world’s natural order. It was supposed to stop with the war. However, something has woken up instead.
Kane folded his arms. “Aroused?”
Lydia gave me a look. “You.”
I could feel the weight of her stare and the ensuing hush. My heartbeat accelerated. “What are you discussing?”
Lydia’s voice was soft but forceful. “I think a part of Darius still lingers.”
Kane tensed. “That isn’t feasible. He’s dead.”
Lydia’s gaze never left mine. “Then why does his energy feel stronger than ever?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came. I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want it to be true. But deep down, I knew Lydia wasn’t incorrect.
Darius wasn’t gone.
And if his strength was still here… what did it entail for me?
That night, the dreams returned.
I awoke with a start, my body soaked in perspiration, and my breath breathless. My heart was racing, and I briefly believed I was still dreaming.
However, it dawned on me that I was not in bed.
I was outside.
As I peered about, the cool night air pricked my skin. Behind me, the packhouse was still and black. The grass was covered in weird shadows from the moon.
Then I noticed my hands.
Blood was all over them.
I stumbled back, breathing erratically. My thoughts were racing. What took place?
Have I caused harm to anyone?
Then… I heard it once more. That voice. That terrible, mocking voice.
“Melissa, you cannot escape from me.”
Cold and familiar, the whisper slithered through my head. As a horrifying conclusion descended upon me, my vision became blurry.
Darius wasn’t gone from me.
I had never been.