Chapter 9 - The Shadow That Bites

“Kylon, are you alright?” Morgan asked, breaking him free of the torment of his mind. He jolted, his breaths were heavy, fast. She could tell whatever he had been thinking of upset him.

“Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I didn't realise you were awake,” He swallowed, giving her an apologetic smile.

“It's fine, I need to ask you something anyway,” Even in her half conscious state, the conversation with that man came first in her mind. Kylon's eyebrow shot up in surprise. He stood, stretching before making his way across the room to her.

“Yes?” He knelt beside her, gently stroking her hair. Any last trace of his fear had vanished, leaving nothing but concern. For her. All his attention was on her, and her alone. She looked up at him for a few long moments as she collected her thoughts. How she could ask him after everything that had happened, she wasn't sure.

“I want to go out in the world, and I want you to come with me,” She rasped, her voice was nearly gone, but she needed to tell him, while they were still alone. Then maybe she could rest easily. Answers were what she needed. Dallek was as good as gone, and there would be nothing they could do. She was just a scared little girl, and what can one girl do against an army?

“You... want me to come with you?” He was stunned, it was written all over his face. She forced a nod between ragged breaths.

“Yes, I wouldn't ask if I didn't mean it,” A pitiful chuckle managed to escape her as she tried to smile. There was something so endearing about the excitement in his face.

“Well, I...I guess. I mean, I would be honored, Your Highness,” He stood up and gave her a low bow, provoking a painful laugh from her. He really was a strange boy. Most of the time, he acted like he was a grown man, but moments like this reminded her he was still seventeen, only a few months older than her. It always made her wonder how he found himself there, in the Brotherhood, but she couldn’t ever bring herself to ask. What would she learn about him? What had happened to his eye?

“No need to be so formal, but I would like some rest now,” She let her eyes close and evened out her breaths the best she could to ease the pain. The aching in her chest had only grown after laughing, leaving a painful knot in its wake.

“Of course,” He bowed again, placed a gentle kiss to her forehead, and left her to rest.

As Kylon left, Mara returned with more ointment and bandages. She took great care in being gentle as she treated the burns, wrapping the worst of them to keep them clean.

When her work was done, Morgan drifted off to sleep with Mara's melodic voice in her ears as she hummed a lullaby.

Blinking sleep from her eyes, Morgan saw Kylon sitting at her desk, half asleep. Luciack sat propped against the wall with his arms crossed, a sour expression on his face.

Men. She rolled her eyes, sleepily staring up at the ceiling. Sleep was exactly what she needed. She felt much better, her throat was still sore, but she could live with that. Mara's ointments had done wonders for the burns on her skin as well. The ache in her chest hadn't dulled, however, not knowing if Edward made it out safely ate at her. Trying to find him would be too risky with the soldiers still looking for them, a fact she was all too aware of. Not wanting to wake the others, she laid quietly, closing her eyes once more.

The Deus rise again.

Darkness will fall across the land.

Eyes flying open, Morgan's heart thundered in her chest as an ethereal voice echoed all around her.

Flee while you can,

Save those you love,

Fear those once lost.

The words drew icy claws down her spine, paralyzing her. Shadows played along the ceiling as lay frozen.

His name shall haunt you,

Curse you and harm you,

Jalladias comes.

The shadows pulled themselves into a face with eyes like blue flame. She wanted to scream, but the shadows silenced her like a candle's flame.

The mountains are your rest,

Though moor be your quest.

The sea will bring death, the river life.

A crushing weight settled on her chest, the shadowy face splitting into a horrific smile, pointed teeth glaring at her. Drawing closer. Closer.

Phantom hands closed around her throat, claws crawling along her flesh.

The fire in her lungs spread as she tried to break free. Shadows caressed her body as it succumbed to the screaming in her chest.