Addie

It’s been nearly a week since the ceremony that bound me to Dante. A week since Xander burst back into my life. Just a week since everything I thought I’d built, blew to dust. I’ve spent the time trying to comfort Sophie, hunting my mother, being seen by the people so they do not fear anything is amiss. Father and I decided it is best to let the world think that, for now, Dante and I are still to be the next in line to ascend, and that the Queen is merely attending to foreign relations. That everything is right with the world.

And I hate it.

While I agree with it, I hate that I’m lying to my people; those who need to trust me without question. I know they are a still a little afraid of me. I’m still an unknown, but they have accepted me as their Princess.

They’ve had no real chance to get to know me. I locked myself away in my mourning. On my outings, I’m always surrounded by my guard. Off limits. I don’t like it, but it is what it is until this next mess has been cleaned up. I vow to myself here and now, I will not be a ruler who does not know her people.

I want them to know me, and I want to know them. But first, I must learn who I am, which is why I find myself in the forest with Xander, while others search for my mother, while Kellan and Dante speak to the council to try to get them to see reason; to explain to them about my mother’s betrayal. My reports from Dante haven’t been great, but I can’t say I expected them to be. I am asking for worlds to shift and for them to change the ways of their world. Their traditions. It is no small thing, and while both Dante and I are requesting it, I fear that it will make no difference to them.

I take another drink of the blood in my flask, and feel it thrum through me, feeding the power within me. It took a few days of his presence here before the burn of Xanders betrayal subsided slightly. I can’t stay angry forever, and besides, there are other areas that need my energy at the minute.  There is sense in taking advantage of the fact that he is here. Even if not to reconnect, Xander was once a great General of war. He is probably one of the best people to help me understand who I am, and whilst I know it rubs him the wrong way that Dante and I are together almost all of the time, I know he will not complain about the situation he has put us in. It’s time for me to take control, and this is as good a starting place as any. Having access to my power could be of use in the coming weeks.

“Are you ready to go again?” Xander asks from across the clearing.

We’ve been testing my flying abilities all morning, and now, he wants me to try and create elements. The fire that I used against Cole is meant to be but a small part of my arsenal. According to the old scripture, the Reborn can control the elements, conjure storms, and raise the dead amongst others. I’m not so sure about that last one, but Xander thinks it could be part of what brought him back to this world.

I nod to let him know I’m ready, and walk back towards him. He holds out his hand, motioning for me to stop.

“I’m not sure exactly what you can do, so we need to try and control the energy that feeds your power. I need you to close your eyes, and reach down into yourself. Travel to the centre, where your power lies,” he tells me.

I follow his instruction. I know exactly where my darkness lives, the demon in its cage, desperate to claw free.

“Now, slowly, pull on it gently, like the flow of a river. Imagine it flowing through your veins, to the tips of your fingers,” he says.

I feel the wind rise.

“Focus, Addie. Gently.” I push the power back down, fighting against it. The demon wants to break through, and I struggle to contain it as I try to pull on my power. Sinking to me knees, my hair whips against my face. Xanders voice so quiet against the air rushing past my ears.

“Addie! Control it! Do not let it control you!” I hear him, but I also feel the darkness rising up, the heat zipping through me like a thousand sparks, and my skin dances as if on fire. I open my eyes and see the horror surrounding me. The wall of wind surrounds me like a hurricane and the rain beats down from the clouds, which now block out the sun. Energy cracks across the sky in lines of light. It’s beautiful but I watch on in horror as trees start to lift from the ground. Their roots are not strong enough to hold them in the earth. Panic grips me as I lose control over the demon and it breaks out of the cage, ripping through me.

The darkness is an old friend. Like thick, heavy oil smeared over my skin, it protects me from the destruction around me. I watch as if from a distance. My feet lifting me from the ground, I rise higher into the air, watching the Fallen soldiers, who I didn’t realise were stationed in the forest, try to reach me.

There is a sting on my neck before anything else, then the demon roars inside of me before I start to fall. The wind and rain cease as my demon’s powers are diminished. As I crash to the ground, I see Xander and Michael’s faces above me. Xander is holding a gun. I feel the dart in my neck and the world grows black.