Page 79 of Midnight Reign
I turn to face her, my heart pounding. “Unless what?”
Her smile is predatory. “Unless you embrace our true nature. Accept the power that is rightfully ours. Together, we could rule not just this world, but all worlds.”
The images around us change again. Now I see myself - or rather, a version of myself merged with Crimson. We stand at the top of a great obsidian tower, overlooking a vast, shadowy empire. Power crackles around us, and creatures of all realms bow at our feet.
“This is what we’re meant for, Adelaide,” Crimson whispers in my ear. “This is our destiny.”
For a moment, I feel a pull towards that power. It’s tempting, the idea of being able to shape reality itself. But then I think of my men, of the world I’ve come to love.
“No,” I say firmly, stepping away from Crimson. “This isn’t what I want. This isn’t who I am.”
Crimson’s eyes flash with anger. “You fool. You would throw away ultimate power for what?”
“For love. You obviously don’t know what that is, do you?”
The darkness around us begins to swirl violently. Crimson’s form flickers, her expression full of rage and frustration.
“You can’t stop what’s coming, Adelaide,” she hisses. “The merging has already begun, and when it’s complete, you’ll see. You’ll understand the true scope of our power.”
I feel myself being pulled away, the dream beginning to fade. “I’ll stop you,” I shout as Crimson’s form grows distant. “Whatever it takes, I’ll find a way!”
Her laughter echoes around me as I’m jolted awake, sitting bolt upright in bed, gasping for air.
“Addy?”Corvus is by my side in an instant, his cool hand on my forehead. “What did you see?”
I nod, trying to catch my breath. The others are gathered around the bed.
“It was Crimson,” I manage to say. “She showed me her plan. It’s worse than we thought.”
I relay the details of my dream to them, watching their expressions closely.
“Fucking cunt,” Zephyr mutters when I finish. “So, she never intended to go back to the NetherRealm?”
I shake my head. “No, she did. But when she took over my body earlier, she saw a different way. She wants to use the merging to create a new world - one she can rule over. With me as her vessel.”
“Not gonna happen,” Ignatius says firmly.
“We won’t let it,” Corvus agrees, pulling me close.
I lean into him, grateful for his solid presence. “But how do we stop her? We don’t even know how to separate us anymore, let alone prevent the merging of realms.”
Zaiah’s white eyes glow faintly in the dim light of the tower room. “We need help,” he says quietly. “As much as I hate to admit it… again… we can’t do this alone.”
I nod reluctantly. “You’re right. We need to find your fathers,” I say, looking at Zephyr and Corvus. “They might be our only chance.”
“I’ll go look for my father,” Corvus says, standing up. “He’s got to be around here somewhere.”
“And I’ll try to track down mine,” Zephyr adds, his shadows swirling restlessly around him.
“What about us?” Ignatius asks, gesturing to himself and Zaiah.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “I need you two to stay with me. If Crimson tries anything... I might need help keeping her in check.”
They nod solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation.
As Corvus and Zephyr prepare to leave, I catch their hands. “Be careful,” I say, looking into their eyes. “We don’t know what other changes the merging might have caused. Hurry back.”
They both lean in, pressing quick kisses to my lips before disappearing out the door.
