Page 23

Ignatia

As Amias shuts the door, I clutch my fists and pace around the room. Hot tears start wetting my cheeks just thinking about what he said.

Bullshit. Utter bullshit.

The fact that I'm not allowed to lose my composure at him enrages me. In the moment, I wanted to yell, maybe even kick him in the groin for what he said.

How dare he say that about my people when they've suffered so much? How dare he say that about those forced into violence when Vasilisa would kill them otherwise? How much money do these propagandists get to brainwash the whole kingdom?

Father was right! I shouldn't have trusted him! Why would I expect more from the grandson of Amara?

I kick the night stand. The lamp falls over with a hard thud.

I shrug as if it were sentient. I need to escape and quit fucking around.

A list starts to form in my brain as I survey the room.

I can take the bright colored grocery bag next to the fridge and put some food in there.

There's different fruits and nuts in the fridge and cabinets.

I can grab a medical kit from downstairs and a bottle of water.

One change of clothes that Amias bought for me could be of use, and a jacket.

I have all the supplies to set off. What am I stalling for?It's only a matter of time before that brat of a prince finds out I'm a dreamscreecher and has me executed!

I storm towards the fridge to gather up items when a blood curdling scream holds my attention. Snapping my head to my left, there's a mass of people gathering around a moss covered car.

A car?

In my room?

I glance around and realize I'm not in my room anymore. I'm on a street, lined with brick buildings with neon lights. Amare flowers border the sidewalks, the sweet smell of them is nearly overwhelming.

I quirk a brow. I didn't just suddenly teleport here.

What is this?

I approach the crowd of people, all of them in dresses or suits. They cry and pull out their phones. They're all gawking towards the bottom of the car.

I note the red streaks on the front, a coppery scent accompanying it.

It's definitely blood. Fresh blood.

I attempt to look over the crowd to see what they're scrambling for, pushing them out of the way of the scene. When that doesn't work, I try stretching out my neck which doesn’t help either.

Suddenly a person moves out of the way and I gasp at the lifeless face staring at me.

Amias…

His blue eyes stare blankly towards the sky. They've lost their twinkle, no hint of life within them. His lips are left slightly gaped, turning into a twinge of purple.

My breath catches. A shudder runs through me. What the fuck!

I blink and I’m suddenly back standing in front of the door.

I release a relieved breath, before furrowing my brows in confusion. How the fuck… I certainly wasn't in a dream. What else could possibly…

Wait. Did…did Godusa send me a prophecy?

Not even the prophets of Somnia, who've dedicated those lives to receiving her dreams and prophecies, have gotten a one in decades. Vasilisa has been the only person to claim she has, but even she's not a reliable source.

But why would Godusa be warning me ? She wants me dead, doesn't she? And why would she warn me about his death out of all things? He just told me he wanted to kill all of her people!

What could I even do about it? It's not like I can crush the car before it hits him!

My eyes start to tense and fur prickles out of my hands. My nails turn black and sharpen.

My heart pounds. Why am I turning? I didn't even try to!

Seconds later, the fur recedes and my nails revert to their normal color. My eyes relax. I inspect my hand, expecting another sign of change, but nothing happens.

I look over my shoulder, and then up to the ceiling. Is Godusa watching me?

Why does she want me to shift? Isn't that going to get me killed? I could get hit and die! Or they’ll see me and hunt me down!

Considering Vasilisa's visions, that's probably exactly what she wants! What does she have against me?

I bite on my tongue. Not heeding Godusa's warnings has been considered dangerous. Not because Godusa is known to hurt you for your disobedience, but because of the consequences of ignoring her. She will only warn you when she deems it necessary and no one wants to wait to find out why.

But what if this is a ploy to kill me?

I twist my lips and look at the door. Do I want to save Amias? He said he wanted all of my kingdom dead. Why should I save him?

But… in a kingdom full of brainwashing, he did hear me out. He didn't send me to his Grandmother or the police. He wasn't even upset when I debated his ideas.

If he wasn't in such an indoctrinated society, he would be a kind soul.

He doesn't deserve to die.

I don't want him to die.

It's an odd sentiment, because technically, he wants me to die.

I glance up at the ceiling before reaching for the door handle. Fuck it then. Godusa needs me to save him and I'm not willing to let him die over being brainwashed.

I guess I have to save this motherfucker again.

◆◆◆

My breath slowly steadies once I realize there is no one coming.

The smell of Amarians doesn't get stronger and neither do their footsteps.

I let my back slump against the rough brick wall before looking back around the corner towards the road, catching a glimpse of what's happening.

There's barely a scratch on Amias. He’s searching around, his eyes wide and alert as crowds form on either side of the alleyway.

I quickly turn away from the corner and I breathe.

I'm fine. I'm okay. I saved Amias and I'm okay.

It makes sense why Godusa needed me to save his ass. No one would have been fast enough to push him. Even for me, the only way I could have saved him was going into dreamscreecher form. I wouldn't have reached him otherwise.

It still begs the question of why did she even want to save him? Why didn't she lead me right into my death? Did I outsmart her? Did she want me to survive?

Does…she have remorse or something?

Even though everyone's on alert, I don't believe they will suspect me in human form. Amias is safe. That's what matters.

I bring myself up to my feet and start walking down between the buildings. I need some rest after that intensity. My head aches for it.

As for this incident, maybe this will trigger something for Amias. Maybe he can recognize that dreamscreechers aren't evil like he's been taught.