Tears fell in crystalline tracks down Enora’s pale skin. "This is not the male I fell in love with. What happened to you? I would never be unfaithful. You have my heart." Though the shadows heldher, Enora seemed unfearful. She stepped closer, and the shadows curled around her arms. Slowly, she placed her hand on Caliban’s chest—right over his heart. "And I have yours."
Caliban’s jaw ticked, and he squeezed his eyes shut. When they reopened, the shadows were less vibrant, replaced by a beautiful,familiargreen. "I’m sorry, Enora. I c-can’t control it." His voice had turned soft.
They were both crying now.
"You can… I know you can. Whatever has possessed you, we can figure it out. We can stop it. We’ll find the Prima. She’ll know what to do. How to fix this."
Luella’s brow furrowed. Enora had referred to the Prima as ashe?
Caliban bowed his head; strands of his black hair fell into his eyes.
And when he lifted his head, the shadows were back.
Slowly, he smiled. It was a wicked thing. "I do not need to be fixed."
Caliban lifted both his hands. The shadows shoved Enora back. She stumbled, her heels digging into the ground. Another step. Enora sobbed; her nose was red and brows winged in sorrow.
"P-please.Please." She held her hands before her to placate him, but the shadows forced them back to her sides.
Enora’s sobs made Luella want to cover her ears.
Water lapped against Enora’s legs as she was pushed back into the water. Further, and further still. Until only her head was visible.
Shock lined the human girl’s beautiful features, unable to comprehend what was happening. As if she did not truly believe her lover was about to drown her.
Enora gave one last, pleading whisper: "Caliban."
Caliban watched her, hands clenched in tension. The gentle breeze stirred the strands of his black hair. All Luella saw were deep green shadows in his eyes, no remorse.
"I am the Tenebrae, and you will learn to fear me." Caliban threw down his raised hands?—
The water swallowed her completely.
Enora’s screams were quickly silenced by the water. The clearsurface of the lake rippled, bubbles rising to the top as she struggled beneath.
But then that, too, ceased.
The air was still once more, but no longer peaceful.
And a lifeless body rose to the surface of the lake. Enora’s drenched form floated, her dark hair nearly black as it swirled around her, held by the water.
Caliban did not flinch as he said into the quiet air: "They all will fear me."
Luella awoke to only one name on her lips:
"The Tenebrae."
With a start, she sat up, feeling pillows around her and the threads taut with distance. She was alone.
Her mind spun as she clutched the amulet with a weak hand.
She rememberedeverything.
"Oh my…" she breathed in the quiet of the room.
No answer. She had been left alone—she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Her mind whirled with everything she had seen in her dream—memory? Green eyes burned behind her lids. Familiar. But not.
She knew where she had seen such a shade before.