Light appears from behind my closed eyes, but when I try to open them, they won't budge. I can't move. I’m struggling to breathe. My whole-body aches from my head, all the way to my toes. I’m glad I can't see right now. I don't want to see the damage that James has caused. My body is limp, slumped against the concrete wall of my cell, the place of my nightmares.

I have no idea how much time has passed. All I know is I just want to give up and give in to the pain to make it stop. That would be the easiest way out. I can't take another day of this torture.

My cell door opens with a creak, causing a shiver to roll through my fragile body. I tense, bracing myself for the pain to come. If the bruises I’d received before are anything like the pain, it wouldn't be good at all.

James' power is like nothing I’ve experienced before. For starters, I didn't even know magic existed before I came here. But now... after what I’ve experienced, I believe. Does everyone use their magic like he does?

I feel him before he speaks - my saviour, the only person who’s kept me going. Relief floods me.

"Hang in there, sweetie. Do you trust me?"

I try to open my mouth to respond, but it’s swollen shut, with dried blood. Nodding, my saviour places his hand under my legs the other behind my back as gently as he can. I feel myself being lifted and I grit my teeth together, holding in the groan. Everything he touches burns to the point where I think I might pass out. I try to stay awake, but I can feel myself dropping into unconsciousness.

Alaric's voice wakes me. "Stay with me, Kayla."

His strong masculine voice keeps me awake... for just a second. My ears start pounding and everything around me fades away - blocking out his voice, blocking out the one thing that’s keeping me together. I try to hold on but the darkness takes me once again.

Fresh air hits my face, bringing me back. Bright white light invades my vision, but my body is numb. I can no longer feel the pain. Everything has vanished and I feel like I’m floating above my body.

I am free.

Am I dead?

I sure hope so.

Then I hear his booming voice above me.

“Kayla? Kayla? Please, come..."

It fades away and I give in, releasing myself into the light.

Alaric

"No! Come back to me, Kayla!” I scream. “Please."

I don't care if James and the slayers hear me; I just want her to be okay. We’re in the forest, lucky to have even gotten out alive. She couldn't give up on me now, not when we’re so close to safety.

I snuck us out easily through the secret passage; James was too preoccupied with the news of Dara getting the Topaz stone to notice I’d disappeared with Kayla. I couldn't afford to stay there any longer, especially with the state Kayla was in. She’s been completely broken.

Honestly, I’m shocked she held on for so long. I just hope I’m not too late, that she’d be okay once we reached the guys’ house.

I shift Kayla in my arms easily and look up to the dark sky. There’s a loud bang and lightning arches behind the clouds. I shiver; something isn’t right. I need to take cover.

A loud piercing cracks right behind us, followed by the resounding boom of thunder, it gets me moving, the urgency amped up.

Think, Alaric. Think.

Running with Kayla in my hands, visibility is low with the darkness. I dodge trees and shrubs, only stopping to look around for something that will provide us with enough coverage.

I move towards a large oak tree, placing Kayla on the ground in front of it. There has to be one around here, I think, pacing around the tree. Kneeling down, I move my hands over the forest floor, trying to find an animal burrow. I make it halfway around the tree, finding nothing but solid ground.

"Fuck," I curse out loud.

Making my way back around to Kayla, I lean down to pick her up again and that’s when I notice the uneven ground. Taking a few steps backwards, I put her back down. I get to work, feeling around the edge and discovering it’s large enough for us to fit. A drop of water runs down my face followed by a few more. I’m running out of time, but I want to test out the hole before bringing Kayla down with me.

Holding on to the edge, I place my legs into the hole. I don't feel the bottom, which is a good sign. It means it goes down further. The rain picks up and I carefully lower my body down into the hole.

With my arms stretched out, I still don't reach the bottom. That's all I need to know. Lifting myself back up and out, I step over to Kayla, she is still in the same spot laid out on the forest floor. I reach over her body taking her hand in mine. Placing two fingers on her wrist I try to find a pulse.

Panicked I don't feel anything. Moving them down a touch I feel beating against my fingers. I relax slightly, knowing that she is still with me, just not responding physically. I had to hold on to that one positive not the negative. I had to be strong for the both of us. Otherwise I don't see us getting back alive.

The rain is hammering down, the wind picking up. This storm is getting crazier by the second. Lifting Kayla up, I cradle her to my chest, like a baby. I trip on something, stumbling I feel myself start to fall towards the ground but at the last second I pull us both up.

Phew. Thank god for that. I didn't like the idea of face planting in the dark, while carrying Kayla. I would break her already broken body. Which wouldn't be the best right now.

Reaching the hole, I pull Kayla's limp body flush against me, wrapping her hands around my neck. Even though she can't hold on, it’ll help keep her against me. I have her head in one hand, the other placed on her lower back. Sitting down on the edge with my legs dangling over. Lightning flashes, followed by a loud crack right near us. I don't think. I just lift my arse off the edge, throwing us both down the rabbit hole. We fall for all of two seconds before I feel the earth beneath my feet. I try to brace myself, but the impact still jars my knees. I shield Kayla's body the best I can although I know she’ll have some extra bruises on top of those she already has. I shudder at the thought of causing her more pain.

Stretching out my hand, I try to find the walls. I work out it’s wide enough to fit us both comfortably. Kneeling down, I place Kayla against one of the walls. Getting back up I lift my arms, stretching out. Rain hits my face dripping down from above. Shit, I didn't think about a cover to block out the rain. Turning around I lean down checking on Kayla, she is still in the same condition. Lifting myself I stretch up trying to grab a hold of the edge, without any luck. Kneeling I spring up jumping, arms up trying to reach. I feel the edge but don't get a good grip, and I’m falling back down. Shaking myself off I try again. I feel the edge and grab on with all the strength I have left. Once I know I have a good grip, holding tight I pull myself up, with half my body out and legs still dangling down. Running my hands around in front of me I try to find something that will help provide cover. My hand goes over something that feels like a strong tree root. That will have to do. Pulling it back towards me, I lower myself down. Placing it over the gap. I still feel some water dripping down on the side, but it still does a pretty good job.

I sit next to Kayla, supporting her with my shoulder. The storm continues on outside, loud bangs and cracks filling the otherwise quiet night. Taking in a calming breath I try to get in contact with Declan. I hear nothing but static. Banging my fist to the forest floor in frustration. Our connection is still blocked. We have nothing else to do but wait it out.

I’m grateful that we got out when we did. In my head, I replay what happened when James found out Dara had gained the Topaz stone.

I had just finished my shift of watching Kayla, when I walked past James' office. The door wide open and I find him pacing back and forth, deep in thought.

James curses suddenly. "Something’s happening. I can feel it," he grumbles under his breath.

I knock on the door. "What's going on, sir?" I ask, stopping just inside the room, keeping my exit in sight.

He stops to face me, his face full of rage. "Dara is up to something. We need to stop her before it’s too late," he orders.

The hairs on the back of my neck rise, but I try to keep myself calm and not to show James any concern. Dara and her warriors must have found the Topaz stone and were close to claiming it.

"I’ll gather everyone up, sir. I’ll meet you in the war room in twenty minutes?"

His dark twisted eyes meet mine from across the room. "No! You and I need to pay that girl a visit first."

I gulp, knowing exactly which girl he’s referring to - the one who’s taken a tiny part of my heart. James would make her pay for what Dara is doing right now. My heart ached at the thought, but I couldn't let my guard down.

I follow James out, my heart hammering against my ribs as we walk down the stairs to the entrance to the chambers. The slayer on duty stands up straight at the sight of James. He hurries to unlock the door, hands shaking violently in the progress.

The door creaks open and we step inside. We stop in front of her cell and no matter how many times I come here, my heart breaks into even tinier pieces. I don't look at her, I can't bear to see her in pain. Instead, I look ahead at the blank wall.

James doesn't say a word—he just unleashes his magic on her. Her grunts and piercing screams fill the space, piercing my ears. I block out the noise like I do every time. When the muffled sounds stop, James retreats. I follow him, but take a gamble and glance back at her.

My heart stops.

Her broken, bloodied body is limp against the back wall. Her eyes are swollen shut, purple and blue bruises cover her face all the way down to her feet.

I force my eyes away and wipe my face of any mercy. Walking past the slayer, he locks the chamber back up. I follow James up the stairs he stops.

With a blank face, James says, "Gather everyone as planned." He looks smug about what he just did, which makes my blood boil. How could someone be capable of such evil? Shaking myself off, I watch James walk away, waiting until he’s out of sight before putting my plan into action. I have exactly ten minutes to get both Kayla and myself the hell out of here - it’s now or never. Once he finds out I betrayed him, all hell would break loose.

Turning, I hurry back down to the chambers. The slayer on guard looks at me, confused. "Gather the other slayers and meet James in the war room. You have ten minutes," I tell him. He nods then runs off, knowing better than to question me Opening up the chamber door, I shut it behind me and look for something that will keep the door blocked from the outside. I curse when I can’t find anything. I look down at the keys in my hand. Yes, perfect.

Taking off the keys, I put them into my pockets then place the large metal ring around the lock, squeezing it until its firmly against the lock. It won't take much to break, but at least it will buy us time if we needed it.

Turning back around, I run over to Kayla's cell, quickly unlocking her door. It groans in protest. These cells sure did need a good oil. Why the fuck am I thinking about that right now. I had more important things to worry about.

I walk over to the back wall, searching for the hidden entrance. It’s just lucky Kayla was put into this cell.

I hear movement, boots pounding down the stairs.

“Fuck,” I curse. Time’s running out. With everything I have in me, I push open the concealed door and leaning down, I pick up her limp body as she groans. "Hang in there, sweetie. I need you to trust me." I start carrying her towards the door. Once we’re both through the hidden door, I place Kayla onto the dirt ground.

Behind me, someone starts banging on the entry to the chamber. I quietly shut the secret passage just as I hear yelling. Spinning around, I get to work on getting through the second door. Once it’s open, I pick up Kayla and I run.

Sweat runs down my back as I replay what happened and where we are now. We aren't safe yet, though. We still have to get through this storm and make our way back to the guys. The moment it settles, I want to get moving; I can't afford to let James catch up to us.

I hope Dara did get Topaz, then she’d be one step closer to bringing James down for good. Wrapping my arm around Kayla's shoulders, I bring her closer against my body.

"Everything is going to be okay, sweetie. Trust me," I whisper before sleep catches up with me.

We stay hunkered down in the hole for the next few days. I’ve been sleeping on and off the whole time. Kayla is still unconscious, but her pulse is strong. She’s holding on. Suddenly light filters through the hole above our heads. I blink a few times, trying to adjust to the brightness. Lifting my arm off Kayla, I lean her against the wall and stand up, stretching out my stiff body. I pull myself up to the top of the hole, moving the shrubs away that are covering the entrance. I listen for any sounds, but only hear the wind and birds. I lift myself out then take cover behind the nearby tree. I scan the area, looking for any movement. Once I’m satisfied nobody is watching, I jump back down into the hole and bundle Kayla up in my arms.

Grabbing onto the ledge I pull myself and Kayla up. My muscles ache in protest, but I push past the pain. I won't let Kayla down. When the cool air hits my face, I wrap my hand around Kayla's belly and hoist her up, placing her limp body over the edge. Once I’ve pulled myself up, I gather up Kayla and gently throw her over my shoulder.

Looking left to right, I run, following the sun towards home - my real home, the one I haven't been back to in a long time.

I keep running until my legs start to burn and I’m forced to stop.

Dropping down to my hands and knees I try to stop myself from squishing Kayla with my body but I fail. Landing on her. I curse myself and my stupid legs for failing on me. Leaning back on my heels I look down. Scanning Kayla's body, every inch. Her cheeks have some colour to them. Just showing beneath the heavy bruising. Checking her pulse for the third time, I puff out a breath of relief.

We must keep going. We are nearly there. Placing my hands under her head and back I go to lift her up. The ground starts to shake then, gently at first before becoming more violent. Branches snap off the trees above us, falling on us.

What the hell is going on?

Gone are the singing birds. In their place are loud cracks and bangs. It feels like an earthquake, but is that possible in Silvia? Pulling Kayla with me, I lean us against the safety of the tree. The shaking lasts for minutes, the ground breaking up all around me.

I hold Kayla's body tightly, closing my eyes and bracing myself for what’s to come. The ground stops shaking as suddenly as it started. Peeling open my eyes, I push off the tree with Kayla still in my arms, but I’m forcefully knocked back into the tree. My breathing stops from the impact, my body feeling numb. A flash of colour invades my vision flying past. I open my eyes, blinking at the sight in front of me.

With a strangled moan, I look around to see that Silvia is in ruin. The once luscious greens are now replaced with black ash as far as my eye can see.

I don't think. I throw Kayla over my back and run.