45

She noticed Katherine's arms, which were crimson where the sun had burned them and bleeding where he had broken free of the ropes that were shackling him.
She saw his face, saw the fear and anguish that was written all over it.
Then her vision became distorted, and she could no longer see anything.


Merit and Robert froze in bewilderment as they swung their weapons at the blood-soaked muzzles that were pushing through the breach in the door.
The teeth were no longer ripping and cracking at each other.
The move caused one of the muzzles to twitch and slide out of the way.
Merit had to tilt her head to the side to look at the other dog, and she saw that its eyes were milky and glazed out.
They were completely still.
She turned her gaze to Robert, who was standing there gasping.


The rumbling coming from the basement stopped completely.
There was complete and utter silence.
However, they did not even have the courage to hope.

The deranged screeching that Vickie was making came to an abrupt halt, as if it had been cut off with a knife.
After sinking its fangs into Matt's leg, the dog tightened its body and let out a convulsive shiver before releasing its grip on Matt's thighs.
Denis gasped for air as he twisted his body to peer past the smoldering flames.
There was just a sliver of light left, but it was enough to make see the remains of other dogs who had been killed outdoors.


She and Matt supported each other while gazing about in a perplexed manner while leaning on each other.
The snowfall had at long last come to an end.

Elizabeth gradually opened both of her eyes.
Everything was really straightforward and serene.

She was relieved that the screeching had finally stopped.
That had been a poor choice; it had been painful.
There is no longer any danger.
She had the sensation that light was filling her body once again, but this time there was no discomfort in the sensation.
It appeared as though she were gliding through the air, quite effortlessly and at a great height.
She had the strangest sensation that her body just wasn't there.


She flashed a grin.


Turning her head did not hurt, but it did heighten the sense of looseness and floating that she had.
She saw, in the elongated region of dim light that was on the ground, the charred remnants of a glimmering garment.
The deception that Katherine had perpetrated 500 years ago had turned out to be correct.


That settled the matter, then.
Elizabeth diverted her gaze.
She had no ill will toward anybody at this moment, but she also did not want to spend any more time on Katherine.
There were so many other things that were more significant.


"Katherine," she said before heaving a sigh and cracking a grin.
Oh, this was quite enjoyable.
This must have been the experience of a bird.


She spoke those words with a tone of mild regret, "I didn't intend for things to turn out this way."
His green


eyes were damp.
They were once more crowded, yet he smiled in response to hers.



He responded with "I know."
"Yes, Elizabeth," I said.
He responded with "I know."
"Yes, Elizabeth," I said.

It seemed to her that a significant amount of time had passed since the last time she had properly looked at him.

because she had made the effort to recognize how handsome he was, with his black hair and eyes as green as oak leaves, she did so now that she was able to do so.
However, she understood it now, and she could see his soul illuminating through those eyes.
She believed that it had been worthwhile.
I didn't want to die; I don't want to now.
But if I had to do it one again, I wouldn't change a thing.


She spoke the words "I love you" in a low voice.


While he was putting his hands together with hers, he said, "I love you."


She felt safe and secure inside the weird and languid lightness that enveloped her.
Katherine's grip on her was so light that she could hardly feel it.


She would have guessed that she would be afraid by the situation.
But she wasn't, not while Katherine was around. Not while she was there.


She then said, "The folks who are at the dance—they'll be all right now, won't they?"
Katherine said, "They'll be all right now" as she looked about.
"You were able to rescue them."

"I was unable to say goodbye to Denis and Merit before they left.
Or, your Aunt Judith.
You are obligated to tell them that I adore them.


Katherine responded by saying, "I'll tell them."


Another voice, sounded raspy and unaccustomed to its role, croaked, "You may tell them yourself."
Dominic had maneuvered himself behind Katherine by pulling himself across the floor.
Even though his face was mutilated and covered in blood, his black eyes flashed with rage at her.
"Elizabeth, make use of your free will.
Don't let go.
You possess the ability to-"


She gave him a grin that seemed unsure of itself.
She was aware of the facts.
What was taking place was only the completion of something that had been begun two weeks before.
She'd been given a total of thirteen days to clear her head, to make things right with Matt, and to say her goodbyes to Margaret.
to let Katherine know that he was adored by her.
However, the grace period had come to an end.


Despite this, there was absolutely no need to be cruel to Dominic.
She had feelings for Dominic as well.
She made a commitment by saying, "I'll try."


He promised that they would drive you back home.


She replied to him in a soft voice, "But not yet."
Let's hold off for for a little bit, shall we?


Something transpired inside those pitch-black eyes, and the flaming spark was extinguished as a result.
Then she realized that Dominic was also aware of it.



"I have no fear," was what she said.
"Well, not very much at all."
She had began to feel sleepy, and while she was extremely comfortable, she got the impression that she was about to fall asleep.
Things were getting farther and further away from her.


She felt a dull aching rising in her chest.
She did not feel a great deal of fear, but she felt regretful.
She was going to miss a lot of things, and there were a lot of things she wished she had done instead.



Oh, she said in a hushed tone.
"How hilarious."
Oh, she said in a hushed tone.
basement chamber with a smile on his face.
On the other hand, this was a gateway into a new kind of light.
"How breathtaking," she said to herself.
"Katherine?
It's been a long day.

He hushed me and said, "You may relax now."
"Are you really not going to let go of me?"

"No."


"If that is the case, I will not be scared."


Dominic's face was illuminated by an unknown source of light.
She moved her hand closer to it, touched it, and then pulled her fingers away from it in amazement.


She comforted him by saying, "Don't be sad," as she felt the chilly moisture on her fingers.
However, a twinge of concern was enough to shake her.
Who could possibly have understood Dominic at this moment?
Who would be there to challenge him and attempt to get a glimpse of what was really going on within him?
After coming to the conclusion, she said, "You have to look out for each other."
She felt a glimmer of hope return to her, like the flame of a candle flickering in the breeze.
"Katherine, are you willing to swear?
Guarantee that you will look out for each other.


other?"


"I promise," he said.
"Oh, Elizabeth..."

She was being overtaken by wave after wave of weariness.
"That's excellent," she responded after hearing it.
"I applaud you, Katherine," someone said.

The entranceway was now more accessible; in fact, she was so near that she could touch it.
She couldn't help but wonder whether her parents were involved in some way.

She said, "It's about time you went home."


After then, the darkness and the shadows vanished, and all that was left was light.


While her eyes were shut, Katherine cradled her in her arms.
After then, he did nothing but hold her as the tears that he had been fighting back began to pour freely.
It hurt in a different way than it had before when he'd


she was rescued by being hauled out of the water.
Love, rather than rage or hatred, appeared to be present here; it was the kind of love that seemed to have no end in sight.


It ached considerably worse than before.


He turned his head to take a look at the square of sunshine that was just a few of paces away from him.
After leaving the darkness, Elizabeth had entered the light.
He was left alone at this location by her.

He didn't believe it would be for very long.


His ring had fallen to the ground.
As he stood, he didn't even bother to peek in that direction; instead, he focused his attention on the ray of sunshine that was falling.

A hand reached out and grasped his arm, pulling him backward.
Katherine gazed deeply into the face of his brother.

Dominic had eyes as black as midnight, and he was in possession of Katherine's engagement ring.
Given that Katherine



Whilst she watched, helpless and unable to move, he placed the ring on Katherine's finger and then let go of her.
Whilst she watched, helpless and unable to move, he placed the ring on Katherine's finger and then let go of her.
yours as well.
Take it.
Take it with you and go."
He averted his gaze away from her.