Silvia is in ruin. The large trees that were once covered in blue and pink flowers are gone, burned…

All that remains is ash. It’s everywhere I look. Our village is the only part that’s survived.

I fall to my knees and a scream is ripped from my throat. “Why? Why, why, why?”

Behind me, I feel my warriors but I don't dare move. This isn't happening. This can’t be real. This has to be a dream.

Wake up, Dara, I tell myself, closing my eyes. My whole body trembles as my eyes open, seeing the exact same scene.

I jump when James' voice booms in my head. "See what you’ve done, Dara? This is all your fault. All you had to do was give me my stones,” he growls in frustration.

My body shudders as his words ring true, then…

I’m falling.

I jolt awake, my body drenched in sweat, my clothes clinging to my skin. I look around to find everyone in my room, staring at me.

"What happened, Dara?" Blair asks, his voice breaking.

"Just a bad dream," I mumble, running a hand through my hair and trying to believe my own words. It couldn't be real.

Declan clears his throat and when I glance at him, his brows are drawn. "You were out for a day, Dara. I think it was more than a dream; you’re trembling. Tell us what happened." he demands, grabbing my hand.

Out for a day? It didn't feel like that long. It felt like the dream lasted for only minutes, not twenty-four hours. Did the weed have something to do with that? Anxiously, I start to chew on a nail.

“In my dream, Silvia had been destroyed - raised to the ground - and James said it was my fault.”

Jolie gasps, bringing her hand to her mouth, her eyes wet. "It can't be real. It can't," she says, taking my words out of my mouth.

Harlan steps back until his back hits the wall and he drops to the floor, burying his head in his hands. With a loud curse, Declan drops my hand. Blair and Oliver are both frozen to the spot, faces pale, ghost white.

At that moment, the house starts to shake, the ground rumbles and something falls and shatters on the ground. I jump down from the bed, crawling over to Blair who pulls me against him in a protective embrace.

Oliver, Declan, Harlan and Jolie move closer, surrounding us. Looking around, everyone's faces are ghost white. What the hell is going on? There’s a loud crack and I cover my ears with my hands, trying to block out the piercing noise. The shaking and cracks of lightning continue for another few minutes before it all stops.

Everyone is dead silent, trying to work out what the hell just happened. Afraid to move, I look towards Harlan, asking for answers. "I have no idea what the hell that just was,” he says quietly, terror overtaking his features. “But something tells me it’s got something to do with James and Dara's dream."  "There’s only one way to find out," Jolie mumbles under her breath, wiping away a lone tear. I know she’s right. As much as I want to stay here and hide, we have to go outside to check “Jolie’s right; Let’s check it out," Harlan says. Declan reaches down, grabbing a hold of Harlan’s hand pulling him up off the ground. I follow the guys and Jolie down the stairs.

Stopping in front of the front door, Harlan draws in a deep breath before opening it. He walks out and everyone follows. I stay behind, taking in several laboured breaths, trying to calm down my racing heart before stepping out into the unknown.  The instant I my feet touch the earth, I know my dream wasn’t just a dream. It was prophetic.

Silvia is in ruin. The large trees that were once covered in blue and pink flowers are gone.

Burned…

All that remains is ash. It’s everywhere I look.

I fall to my knees and a scream is ripped from my throat. “Why? Why, why, why?”

Behind me, I feel my warriors but I don't dare move. I jump when James' voice booms in my head. "See what you’ve done, Dara? This is all your fault. All you had to do was give me my stones,” he growls in frustration.

My body shudders as his words ring true I have no idea how far the damage goes, if all of Silvia is burnt. As far as I can see, it’s all ruined. I knew gaining these stones would come at a cost, but this is just devastating.

And it’s all my fault.

I feel a firm hand on my shoulder.

"Don't you fucking dare blame yourself for this,” Oliver seethes.

“It's your destiny to save Silvia and that's all you’ve done so far." Oliver stops to catch his breath. "You don't have control over what James will do in retaliation." I try to believe his words, but my heart aches at the sight in front of me. I see movement, people coming out of their homes. Screams and voices fill my ears, and I try to block out the noise. I just want to give up. It’s all hopeless. James has taken the one thing that keeps me going; Silvia. The beautiful greens, blues and purples that make up this wonderful world have been replaced by black ash. It’s all my fault, I’m the reason Silvia is in ruins. James wouldn’t have retaliated and caused this damage if I hadn’t gained another stone. Turning, I lean into Declan's shoulder. He rubs my back, comforting me and I feel all of my warriors’ hearts are just as broken as mine.

Declan passes me over to Blair. He squeezes my shoulders, leaning in to kiss me on the forehead. "Don't worry, Princess. James will pay for what he’s done. This only proves he’s scared of our success with Topaz," he whispers into my ear. He’s right, I just wish I had the energy to make him pay right now. The only way to get back at him would be to find and take the final stone - to end it all. Blair takes my hand, dragging me back into the safety of our house. The door shuts behind us and it’s as if something clicks within me, reminding me of Kayla and Alaric. How could I have forgotten about them? Are they ok? Did they get out in time? A million thoughts run through my head at once, a million unanswered questions. My vision clouds as tears spill down my face. I can't control my emotions right now, so I let them fall, all while trying to figure out if my best friend is okay. 

Jolie appears in front of me. "All we can do is hope they made it out okay, Dara." She stops, sucking in a deep breath. "Declan will try to get in contact with Alaric again. We just have to have faith, okay?" She asks rubbing away my tears with her thumb. I nod, grateful for her positive attitude. She’s right; we have to have faith. After all, what else can we do?