Chapter 67

My heart beats a little faster as I look around. The unfamiliar, yet so familiar room, sends me into a minor panic. I jump out of bed and become tangled in the quilt, which sends me crashing to the floor. The door springs open and Chris rushes to my side, helping me up. A headache takes root at the base of my skull.
My mind flashes back to the confrontation with Justin. Cole brought me here. I look down at myself and the heat of embarrassment rises in my cheeks.
I’m wearing a long t-shirt that reaches just above my knees. My cheeks flush even brighter when the smell of the shirt tells me who it belongs too. My instinct tells me to run, to hide under a rock from sheer embarrassment.
The last thing I remember was climbing into the bathtub. I stand still, avoiding his gaze. He lifts my chin gently until my eyes meet his. Instantly I am consumed by the intensity of his eyes.
I lick my lips as a well of desire builds up. My skin feels alive. The static energy runs over my nerves.
“Misty used magic to dress you.” His husky voice makes my legs feel weak.
He leans towards me as though he is going to kiss me, just as the door flies open and Misty barrels in. Her face is flushed and panic dances in her eyes.
“Lucifer has taken over the Fae Realm!” she blurts out in a high pitch tone. Chris closes his eyes for a second and then reopens them.
“How many Fae escaped?” Chris asks and dread spreads over my body and tears well in my eyes. The guilt is overpowering and threatens to send me into a sea of despair. I take small even breaths to try and calm myself.
“I am not sure,but many have escaped and are hiding in the different realms. It won’t be long before he has taken overall the other realms though.” My skin becomes hot as I wrack my brain to find a solution for this mess of my creation.
I know there’s one option. But it’s something I’ve being trying to ignore. I fear it’s the only option left. The realms are being destroyed. The humans are being hunted. The worlds are being taken over by the King of Darkness.
“How, many people have we got left to fight with?” I ask, praying we have some sort of an army.
“Just under a thousand,” Chris says. “The other realms are willing to help us though. At the moment, they are all in hiding, but they will join us when we are ready.”
Misty nods, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other. Chris realizes she has more to say.
“What is it, Misty?” She looks at the floor and twiddles with her hands.
“Belinda has been captured.” Her words are rushed. Chris punches the wall, which makes me flinch. The king has my grandmother. Okay, we don’t get along, and all she’s ever done is lie to me, yet I feel pained knowing he has her in his possession.
Things are getting worse. I can see it in everyone’s eyes. We’re all scared, and none of us know what the outcome will be. No one knows if we can survive this or not. Lucifer’s powerful and strong and his army makes him even more so. I fear we won’t have the power to stop him.
“James is taking care of the plans and gathering people to help us fight.” Chris rubs my shoulders. I shrug him off.
“Do you think we have a chance?” I ask, looking him straight in the eyes. His face darkens a little. He runs his hand through his hair. I patiently wait for his answer, biting my lower lip as I do. If he says no, then I know I must go through with my plan.
“We have several warriors and many powerful beings. If we work together and get a plan in place that can work, then yes, we can defeat him.” He sounds confident, but I’m still unsure; so much damage has already been caused.
Cole enters the room and has heard what Chris said. “You think that would be enough?” Cole stare sat us all with a haunting look. “You have no idea how much power my father has gained. He is stronger now than he was when Meredith trapped him in the underworld. Over the years, he has been taking the power of the witches. Every one of his slaves is a witch. Many do not even know that witches blood runs through their veins.” These words plant the seed of doubt that Chris’s plan is doomed to failure more firmly in my mind.
“Does your father have any weak spots?” Misty asks. He raises his eyebrows then laughs.
“He cares for no one and nothing.”
“What about his powers? Do you know what power he uses the most?” Misty again asks.
“He likes to give people huge headaches,” I answer. “Where your head feels like it is about to explode.”
“Ah yes, Kayla, but that is just a little show of his powers. My father has many more, I don’t think even I know them all.” The growing feeling that we’re doomed sinks in the pit of my stomach. There must be another way.
“Cole, work with James and give him as much information as you can about your father,” Chris demands. Cole walks out of the room without saying another word.
“Do you think that’s wise, Chris? Lucifer is still his father,” Misty says.
“He is either on our side, or he is not, Misty. He fights with us or against us. We must take the chance it is our side he favors. We have no other choice.” With that, he disappears in the usual display of blue lights.
Misty is unfazed by his sudden departure. “Kayla, do you wanna help me make a bunch of potions?”
“Sure, why not. I need to learn that stuff anyway.” I follow her out of the room and to the kitchen.
“Do you know how Clara’s doing?” I ask as we reach the kitchen. Misty gives me a sad look and pats my arm.
“She is still the same. My mom is taking care of her in the angel realm.” My heart sinks as sadness floods in. I miss Clara more than anything. I wish David was still here. He would know exactly what to do.
How will Clara cope with the path I must take? The question brings tears to my eyes. Misty pulls me into her arms, and my tears run free. She rubs my back but doesn’t say a word. She lets me cry all the pain and guilt I have been feeling out.