Page 20 of Darkness Consuming
Chapter Ten
Words of Encouragement
Linkin
There’s a bitterness within me from knowing he can have her and I can’t. He can hold her and keep her safe while I sit here and just pray to every god I can that she’s all right. While I sit and do absolutely nothing.
That’s going to change. I have to do something.
Anything.
The last fucking thing I said to her terrified her. I scared the shit out of her just by saying ‘I love you’ …
We were friends, we were always friends, and I screwed that up.
“How can we find where she’s being held?” I keep my anxious words steady, trying to contain my anger and fear beneath a smooth and calming tone.
The Witch who helped us last time is still disconnected from her sisters. She sits on the ground weaving new bundles of dried herbs. Big white eyes look up to meet my gaze and a chill runs through me at the sight of her empty gaze.
“Reach back into the depths of your thoughts.” The melody of her tone is almost in sync with the humming tune of her sisters who sway together beneath the full shine of the moon. “Find where you found her last, and who you seek will come to you first.”
Her attention lingers on Nollix before she carefully ties another bundle. My eyes close slowly, hating how bizarre her words are. It’s like these women have been alive for so long they’re starting to forget how basic communication works.
Then it clicks in my mind. Maybe they haven’t forgotten at all.
It makes perfect sense.
“Where we found her last, where she was last, was in the bell tower. They’re saying she’s where we saw her last. Where I saw her last was in the bell tower. And remember the weird shit Vi said about how much her father loved that place. His place of peace.”
My words stumble as I look to Nollix only to find him planted in the open spot among the chanting sisters. The thick smoke wafts around their bodies, curling around my friend like it’s trying to pull him in. The bright eyes of the Reveries are held on him and I see it as he starts to drift under.
“You should check again.” The other sister is closer to me, her voice is quiet but assured. Her straightforward comment pulls my gaze back to her and she doesn’t look at me as she ties the small bundle together in a tight bow. “And take this with you.” Her slender hand extends to me, presenting me another offering that doesn’t do me one damn bit of good. It could help Nollix though.
I take it from her at once. Her glossy eyes absorb the pale moonlight making them a shining color of emptiness.
“Where you wander is not where your journey will lead.” My stomach turns with every eerie word she speaks. What she says next makes my heartbeat falter and nearly halt with a heavy silence. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions while other hopeful travels are made of aspiring dreams, love, and ambitions. Sometimes both roads lead to the same despair.”
Is it too much to ask for some words of encouragement around here?
