Page 7 of Poison Sun

I square my shoulders and meet his gaze, opening my end of the duskberry bond to share my emotions with him like he just did for me.

Are you really going to stop me from helping defend the Fairmont in front of the warriors of your kingdom? Are you going to show them that you’ll keep me in here, even if it’s detrimental to their well-being?

Are you going to do what Lucas accused, and make me your weakness instead of a source of your strength?

While he can’t hear my challenging thoughts, I know he can feel them.

His expression remains blank as he considers his options.

“Cassandra will continue your training for a few more days,” he decides. “However, she’s right. We need to know more about the effects of the potion. So, after you’ve had enough time to recover and build back your strength, we’ll do a test to see what happens when we put you out in the field.”

He doesn’t sound happy about it.

But I don’t care.

I won.

Then, my stomach drops, the reality of my decision setting in.

In a few days, I’ll be outside the Fairmont at night. I’ll be a beacon for every shadow soul to locate, hunt down, and devour my soul.

The thought is more terrifying than going head-to-head with the Minotaur.

At the same time, I believe in my decision. Because what else am I going to do? Stay locked in this building until we defeat the shadow souls?

Who knows how long that will take.

As Damien turns to leave, he closes the bond, severing the flood of feelings between us and leaving coldness in its wake.

Cassandra circles me, her eyes on me feeling different now. Appraising. As if seeing me for the first time.

“We’ll make the most of these next few days,” she says, her voice devoid of its earlier mockery. “Be ready to train harder than ever, and to push far beyond your limits.”

“I’m ready.” I straighten, keeping all traces of doubt from my tone.

I can’t have the vampires doubt me. Not when they already have so many reasons to hate me.

“Then let’s resume,” she says, motioning for me to follow her to the center of the gym.

The crowd parts for us, their murmurs fading into the background as we prepare to spar again. And, as I fall into the comforting rhythm of punches, kicks, and the occasional flare of my sun magic, there’s a part of me that knows this is exactly where I need to be.

Facing my decisions. Accepting them. Preparing for the consequences.

Not running away from them.

And with each drop of sweat, every new bruise, and the encouraging sparks of magic, I feel more and more ready to step into my role of light in this war against the darkness.

Morgan

The cobblestone streets of Zermatt, Switzerland glisten under the soft glow of the street lamps as I make my way through the quaint, charming town nestled in the Alps.

As I walk, my thoughts drift to the secret I kept from Amber.

I told her the potion will make her a beacon for shadow souls. But that isn’t the whole truth.

Because the potion will gradually erode her sun magic.

And if a star touched is lost, the upcoming war against Ambrogio, the shadow souls, and the Blood Coven will be lost, too.

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