Page 72 of The Witch's Heart
Behind me, Dean groans as he comes to.
“Celeste?”
“Dean.” I don’t dare look at him or take my eyes off Declan for a single second.
When the chain breaks, the snap echoes in the small space. My breath hitches and I watch as Declan is jerked sideways with the sudden freedom. Then he straightens and his glare switches from me to Dean.
“Brother,” Dean rasps, voice hoarse. He blinks as if to clear his head. “Brother, stop this. Fight it. I know you can.”
But Declan’s lip pulls back in a low snarl as he stalks towards his prey. I move towards Dean and drop to my knees beside him.
“Celeste, move away,” Dean says, struggling against his chains. But it’s no use. They don’t budge.
“I’m not leaving you,” I tell him, but fear laces my voice with the thought of how this will end.
“This is what those wankers want,” he says, the words clipped as Declan stalks closer.
“Is it a test?”
“It’s a game,” he spits out. “A stupid, twisted game.”
“I don’t understand.” What does this serve? Even if they aren’t trying to help my sister—whodoesthis help? It’s cruelty for cruelty’s sake.
Dean tears his gaze from his brother’s and looks at me. “Declan is going to hurt me. I need you to look away, and don’t try to intervene.”
“Dean, I—”
“I can’t watch you be hurt,” he says, yanking at the chains for good measure. “Please. He won’t kill me. He—he’s done it before.”
I blink, struck silent as I realize this is part of their torture. To be forced into a beast that’s willing to hurt the other.
“Celeste, back up,” Dean says again, his voice harder now.
“I can—”
Declan closes the distance, his teeth latching onto Dean’s calf and sinking in. Dean yells in pain and Declan only squeezes harder.
I scream and grab for them both, my magic surging until the silvery glow becomes a flashing light. Sparks hit the ceiling and walls, falling down on us like electric raindrops.
Declan releases Dean’s leg and backs away, whimpering.
Dean groans, his head tilted back, his skin singed where the droplets touched him.
The lights flicker, surging then winking out.
I peer into the sudden darkness, searching for Declan.
“Declan,” I call uncertainly. “Are you...you?”
But there’s no answer.
I whip towards the sound of a door opening, but the blackness surrounding me remains unchanged. I hear grunts and a clinking of chains. Dean’s voice is harsh and angry, but it’s too far away to make out the words. There’s a final growl, and then a slammed door, and nothing.
I am alone in the silent darkness.
I try to conjure more silvery light, if only to illuminate the space around me, but it doesn’t come.
Maybe it never will.
