Page 43 of Where Darkness Falls

They broke her…

My beautiful sister, with a sunshine laugh…

How could they do this?

“Cara,” I sob, “I’m… I-I’m…”

She coughs, blood dribbling from her mouth.

“Shhhh,” she whispers. “I… am… sorry… Maeva.”

I shake my head. “This is all my fault. If I’d never come here?—”

She shutters in my arms, more blood spouting from her mouth. I use the hem of my dress to wipe it away.

“Don’t… say… that. You… are… a… Cale… forever,” she replies.

My guilt overwhelms me. I don’t deserve to be a Cale. “But it’s because of me that they did this to you—to all of you,” I cry.

Cara’s right hand shakily wipes a tear away from my cheek.

“No. We… chose… you. I… love… you… sister,” she whispers.

Her breathing is slowing every second. I hold her tighter, refusing to let her leave me too.

“Cara, please… You can’t die. I need you,” I plead.

Soft tears well in her eyes.

“My… spirit… will… never… leave…yo-”

Another coughing fit overwhelms her, momentarily interrupting her words.

“May… Siorai’s… light… guide… you,” she continues, her hand slowly slipping from my face. “Until… Eternity, sister.”

The last shreds of light fade from the green eyes that I once envied. She’s still in my arms. Too still.

Pain ravages my chest. “No! No! No! Wake up… please… wake up,” I beg.

My sister is no longer here. All I hold now is her corpse. Her vibrancy and zeal for life have been stolen from this realm. I’ll never hear her laugh again or joke with her about the villagers. I’ll never see her smile. My best friend is gone, and this time it is my fault.

I lay her body down on the ground as I stand, looking around at the devastation the captain and his men brought to my family. When Malvoria was cast into darkness, they were the only light I found in a time whenI was alone. They were my home, and now they too have been snatched away from me. I’m a curse because my ignorance did this to them.

You did not cause this, my dear. I tried to warn you,the voice says.

What are you talking about?I hiss.I’m in no mood for riddles.

I told you that dark days were ahead. It’s foretold, my dear. It could only happen this way. ‘When this land is drenched with blood, nothing will stop the darkness from descending,’the voice quotes.

Is the strange woman real?I ask.

Yes. She’s an oracle—the wisest in her kingdom. She tried to warn you of the prophecy,the voice replies.

Anger swells in my chest.What does it have to do with me?I ask.

All in due time, my dear,the voice says.

No! You will tell me what you know,I yell.

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