Page 184 of Serpent In White

I nod and take his hand, our fingers weaving together. The comfort I feel in simply holding his hand is unlike anything I could describe. Rhiannon and I are already holding hands, and she takes Drake’s other hand in her right. He makes no move whatsoever to react.

Her thoughts echo her concern, but Darian assures her he’s fine.

My eyes close while I remember to breathe, since it’s becoming difficult. My chest is heavy, as if something is weighing on it.

Let the truth in, my prince, I hear Darian.It will hurt, but it’s necessary.

Mourn, but don’t fear this.

The fright, though, is gripping me; that familiar thickness in the air flooding me with trembles. In my mind, behind my eyes, I can see the black rock. I know it’s there, and I know it has more to tell me.

I knew finding Rhiannon last time I was up here wasn’t the sole purpose of my journey. I’ve still craved learning the truth of my parents’ deaths…

But even though I want it, I’m terrified of knowing.

My memories float back to the vision I had the last time Rhiannon and I came here. Of Drake, on the day my parents were found. Him cutting his wrists, bleeding into the earth.

A flash comes into my mind… A memory that isn’t my own.

It’s Rhiannon’s. She’s remembering a vision of Drake, when we were here. Right before she came to, trying to pull us both over the edge of the cliff.

She saw Drake, crying tears of blood.

My heart rate speeds up, pulse ringing in my ears as wind whooshes through the trees. My body goes numb, everything around me falling away as I’m lifted and delivered into the eye of the storm; a vision in my subconscious I don’t know how I’ve accessed.

I see Drake, visibly younger. Not by much, but it’s clear this is from the past. He’s wandering through the woods. He doesn’t look happy, and I can hear his thoughts.

He’s upset with himself. He regrets pushing Darian away…

Pushing him into the arms of my father.

He comes up to the clearing and stops in the middle, rubbing his eyes with his hand. The trees move with his unrest, the winds brush, birds’ chirps go silent.

It’s palpable, the change in atmosphere.

His eyes spring open at a noise. Footsteps.He’s not alone.

Stepping in the direction of the sounds, he peers through the trees and his eyes widen to find my parents. They’re by the overlook.

They’re holding hands. And they’re stepping up to the edge.

Drake blinks in disbelief, and then looks to his right. The rock is there.

“No…” he whispers, his thoughts clicking into place as his head turns back to my parents. “No no no. Stop!”

He calls out, rushing toward them.

But it’s too late.

Everything happens in a matter of seconds. My mother goes over. My father’s head turns at the sound of Drake’s voice.

His eyes widen as he awakens from the trance. Fear graces his features.

But it’s stilltoolate.

“No!” Drake screams, diving toward the cliff. He reaches out.

But… it’s… too… late.