The cool night air did little to slake the effects of the dream. The slight breeze served as a reminder of his soft caresses, and no matter how many laps I circled around the spacious gardens, the images wouldn’t release their grip from my mind.
My body, my spirit, my heart yearned for the stranger.
I pushed myself faster, giving over to the rhythmic and steady beat of my feet hitting the gravel. I let go until I came to an abrupt stop, gasping for air. Finding myself close to the path leading into the surrounding woods, what I desperately wanted to do was to shift. I cussed under my breath. The one thing I knew that could still the uproar inside me had been banished from me. No wolf equaled no change.
Dropping to the grass, I lay on my back and stared up at the stars. They were slowly fading away as the sky lightened and I let out a tired sigh. The new day marked the arrival of another test, one I wasn’t in any frame of mind to complete, but would do it anyway. The sooner I was done, the sooner I could go home and the mystery of why I was here would be revealed.
“This must be some secret,” I spoke into the dawn. “Something important.”
I rested my arm over my eyes and simply breathed. Right now it was the only thing I could control. Noises from the tree line tugged on my awareness, creatures moving about and birds twittering low. I wanted the simplicity of my life back.
“It is of vital importance, Darcy.”
I was slowly getting used to the sudden appearances of the Moirai, this time it was Klothos who spoke. Fabric rustled before I heard her sit down beside me. I waited for her to elaborate further, but she seemed lost in her own thoughts as much as I was.
“Does it bother you not to fully understand? To be without certain memories?” She finally asked.
Sitting up, I crossed my legs and faced her. “Of course it does. No one likes facing uncertainty without all the details. I trust Devlin when he tells me I chose this course, but it doesn’t stop moments where I doubt. I am human, after all.”
“Part human,” she inserted.
“Human for all intents and purposes. I think if there’s anything I don’t like about this whole situation, its being divided from my wolf. We’ve been together since I was born. It feels unnatural not to have that constant connection.”
“I apologize. It was a needed condition. One to ensure a true evaluation.” There was a touch of sadness to her voice.
“I can accept that. I keep reminding myself that it’s only for a brief period and at the end everything will be returned. Hopefully it’ll make sense then and will have been worth it.”
“Do you doubt that? That your decision to complete the trials was a mistake?”
“I don’t think so. I mean, I’m pretty confident I knew exactly what I was signing up for and believed it wholeheartedly. Devlin would never have let me do something foolish, so obviously the reason was a powerful one. I just don’t know what.” I stared into the woods, the air changing as the sun begun rising. “I hope I’m strong enough to face whatever else you have planned for me. I want to prove my worth.”
Klothos didn’t respond. Casting a sidelong glance at the young woman, I could see she was deep in thought. Her brow crumpled slightly, as if she was battling with herself, and before I could question her, she grabbed hold of my hand.
“What if I said you are here because of me?”
“You?” Her comment was surprising.
“Yes.”
I measured my response. “Did you have a good reason to bring me here?”
“Of course.” There was no mistaking the strength of her conviction. It was simple.
“Then I hope it works out the way you want,” I answered quietly. I could tell she was taken aback. “What, you expected me to rant and rail?”
“A little. It wouldn’t have surprised me if you had.”
I shrugged my shoulders and stared back at the house. “Something tells me it wouldn’t have made any difference. Besides, my chance to refuse has passed.” A cool breeze brushed over my skin, causing goose bumps to flare. “I’d better get inside. The day’s already begun and I should prepare for whatever you and your sisters have planned.”
“The third test.”
I hmmm’d my agreement as I stood, dusting off my behind. I turned to leave and was stopped by her hand on my arm.
“Darcy, it is already begun.”
For a moment I thought my eyes were closed. I stood in the center of a large field, darkness enveloping every inch and making it impossible to get a clear view of my surroundings.
“Klothos?” I called out. I’d been escorted to the previous trials and assumed this would be the same. I was alone. There was an overwhelming sense of emptiness, an echo that made my awareness shriek with caution. I didn’t believe I was in danger yet, but I couldn’t rule it out.
I waited for something to happen. Slowly my eyes adjusted to the dimness and I rotated around hoping the purpose of the test would reveal itself.
Nothing.
Apprehensively I took a few exploratory steps. Everything was eerily still and quiet.
I tried walking in the opposite direction.
Nothing. All the while, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was supposed to be happening.
“Hello?” I called out again into the darkness.
A loud thud behind me echoed and caused me to jump in surprise. Whirling around, I faintly saw something long on the ground. I hurried over to it and was amazed to find a weapon lying there.
Picking it up, the sword’s weight was hefty and it took a few seconds to accommodate. It was beautifully crafted, with a golden hilt and a large gem embedded into the handle. I gingerly tested the blade with my finger and flinched at the sharpness.
Sudden dread stirred in the pit of my stomach. Whatever this test comprised of, I would need this sword and it was battle readied. I’d never used anything like this before. I’d never had to because at the hint of any danger, I would shift. That, and I had always been surrounded by pack members.
The weapon hung loosely in my hand as I gazed about. Something moved in my peripheral vision, and a cold shiver blasted through me. I was being watched. My skin prickled and the hair stood up on the back of my neck. I whirled around to face whatever it was and found nothing. Again, a sound startled me and I whipped around but the space was empty.
I lifted the sword now and held it ready. Tightening my grip around the handle, I scanned the area and sank into the fighting stance Devlin had taught me. I also made a mental note to have him also start weapons training with me.
There was a whooshing sound before a dark shadow charged forward, followed closely by a second. They were similar to those I saw in the maze, harmless. I had expected them to fade into nothing when they reached me, but this time pain struck me hard as large slash lines appeared on my right arm.
“Ahhhh,” I exclaimed, dropping the sword to hold my arm. Blood trickled from the deep cut and stung when I cleaned it away. I waited for the gash to start healing; one of the blessing from being supernatural, but it remained the same. Seemed without my wolf, I truly was human. This changed everything. I couldn’t be so reckless.
The specters had disappeared. I’d never known shadows to hold this kind of power. I’d heard stories from others about feeling drops in temperature and weird sensations, but never where they could cause physical harm.
I needed to figure out what this test was about. The quicker I did, the sooner I could complete it. Lifting the sword again, I retook my vigilant stance and waited to see what would happen next.
There was another rushing noise and then pain erupted in my ribs. It felt like something had punched me solidly and the impact stole my breath. I staggered backward only to be propelled forward by a jarring kick in the back. I dropped my weapon again and went sprawling across the floor. Not once did I see my assailants, only felt their crushing blows.
I inwardly begged for the return of my wolf. Being completely human left me vulnerable and I didn’t like it. I dragged myself up and whipped around trying to catch the next attack. The shadows had gathered around me in a circle. There was no substance to them but that didn’t matter, they were dangerous.
Panic bubbled inside me, threatening to overtake the focus I was clinging to. Now wasn’t the time for fear. Assessing the situation, I didn’t know if I could hurt the darkness, but I couldn’t let them hurt me further. If given a chance, the group would swarm me and it would be all over. Failure wasn’t an option.
Be in the moment, Devlin’s voice filled my mind. Nothing else is as important as right now. I let his words wash over me, infusing me with a strange calmness. I picked up my weapon, tightened my grip on the sword and centered myself. When the next shadow approached, I was ready.
I swung hard, the blade cutting through the form. I waited for the sting, the brutal crunch of impact. There was no pain and that told me what I needed to know. I could stop them.
Two more came forward, hot on the heels of the one I destroyed. Blocking the heavy strike from a phantom blade, I wasn’t quick enough for the second one and an additional cut appeared on my arm. I ignored the wincing flare and the surge of blood. I didn’t have time; more shadows were filling the vacated spots in the circle.
A hard hit to the head dazed me. Agony exploded and I involuntarily dropped to my knees. There was the hint of a breeze as my cheek was nicked, no warning sound before I received a matching cut on the other.
I scrambled back to my feet and began swinging the sword. I was a sitting duck just waiting for them to take turns attacking. One thing I’d learned watching pack members talk strategies was the element of surprise. The best defense was going on the offense.
I had nothing else to lose. I was getting hurt regardless of what I did, whether standing, swinging, being vigilant. There were too many of them and only one of me. It was time for action.
For every blow I delivered, I received three in return. My body screamed for me to stop, but I couldn’t. Shadows scattered in front of me. My muscles were on fire from the sword’s weight and the death grip I held on it. Tears streaked my cheeks as I fought for my life.
Suddenly I was alone again and I staggered forward. I was no longer surrounded. Wiping the sweat from my eyes, my hands trembled as I turned around. It had to be a trick. There was no way I could be under that type of constant pressure and then have it stop for no reason.
None of the Moirai appeared, telling me the test was either over or still underway. This was a new tactic in breaking me, watching to see how I would handle the situation. I wanted to drop my weapon and nurse my wounds, but I didn’t dare. The moment I lowered my guard they would pounce again.
The silence messed with my mind. My eyes played tricks, but I forced myself to keep readied. The sword now felt like it weighed a ton and my knees threatened to buckle. It would be almost too easy to simply surrender.
Nothing charged at me. No shadow swung a death blow. No shadows encroached on the vigilant guard I held. No sounds broke the eerie silence and it was unnerving.
“Where are you?” I whispered, wiping the back of my hand over my brow. It came back a mixture of sweat and blood. I was exhausted.
I had no warning, simply an excruciating pain burning between my shoulder blades and I dropped to the ground. It felt as though my back had been ripped open and there was no mistaking the wetness of my shirt. I’d been struck from behind, badly.
“You will not win!” I screamed, pushing past all pain. I struggled to my feet. I took courage in knowing the Fates wouldn’t let me die, at least not yet. Beaten to a blood pulp possibly, but there was a reason to this madness.
Shadows swarmed around me, overwhelming in their numbers. Blow after blow, strike after strike, I dished back as good as I received. Adrenaline surging through my veins, I raised the sword above my head, slicing down with everything I had.
The blade whizzed through the air and struck the ground, embedding in the rocky soil. I tugged on it hard, needing it, but it refused to budge. A kick connected with my side, propelling me away from the sword and I cried out with frustration when I saw it disappear. I was now weaponless.
“This means nothing!” I raised my fists, sinking into a defensive stance. “You won’t win without a fight. I won’t let you.”
As a whole, the shadows seemed to pulse with energy and together they surged toward me. The scene was terrifying, but I refused to run and cower. If this was it, then I’d go down swinging.
Cold air blasted through me and lifted me off my feet. I was airborne for a few moments before landing with a crunch yards away. The impact jarred my bones and battered my already enflamed muscles. All the fight inside me drained away. The pain finally overruled everything.
Get up, I screamed inside my mind. Get up!
Raising my head, I looked up. The shadows were gone and in their place the three Moirai stood. I willed my body to work, to stand and complete the task. My movements were jerky at best, but after a few halting moments, I was finally standing, swaying back and forth, but on my feet.
“You showed incredible courage, Darcy. Beyond what we expected.”
“Facing an unknown enemy, fighting far past your endurance, and a willingness to sacrifice everything, including your life.”
“You have completed the third test and proven your worth.”
Their words barely registered. My head pounded and as I crumpled to the ground, the last thing I saw was the small knowing smile and a nod from Klothos.
