Defying Destiny (Afterword Academy #3) - Katie May Page 0,36

pressing in on me from all sides. But when I blink rapidly, attempting futilely to orient myself, I realize that they’re wide open.

We’re literally in a sea of nothingness. Of pure and absolute darkness.

“Braxton,” I whimper, my voice sounding throaty, as if it hasn’t been used in a while.

“Are you okay, baby?” he asks as he pulls me to my feet. His hands remain on my waist, the warmth he emits almost palpable.

“I-I’m…” I try to articulate that I’m fine, that I’ll survive, but it hurts so fucking much to even speak. I suppose losing two essences would do that to a person. I’m only going to get weaker and weaker until I fade away completely. The thought is both humbling and terrifying, causing goosebumps to skate up and down both of my arms.

“You’re going to be okay,” Brax says firmly, and I have a feeling he’s speaking more to himself than to me. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“Whe-where are the others?” I stutter, leaning heavily on Brax for support. Attempting to raise my voice, I call out, “Karston! Preston! Caius! Auston!”

Only silence greets me.

I can feel panic percolating in my gut as I spin in a wide circle, attempting to find my four other lovers. But all I see in every direction is a darkness as black as pitch. I can’t even encapsulate with words how dark it actually is. Imagine standing in a room with no windows or doors. No matter how many times you blink, there’s not even a sliver of light for your eyes to adjust to. It’s just pure, suppressing, unrelenting darkness that suffocates you.

I feel something scaly slither around my ankles, and I release a startled yelp, jumping two feet in the air. A whimper is ripped from my throat before I can contain it.

“We need to keep moving,” Brax says, but for the first time since we entered Hell, he sounds unsure. Tentative, almost, like a scared little boy attempting to put on a brave face. I hate that he has to pretend with me, but I’m too weak, too terrified, to protest.

His rough hand clasps mine as he pulls us a step forward.

Something scurries across my foot—something that has a distinct fur coat—but when I look down in alarm, I see nothing.

“I’m scared,” I admit on a breathy exhale.

“I know, baby. I know.”

He rubs his thumb soothingly across my knuckles as we continue to venture forward step by agonizing step. The darkness is so thick, I’m practically choking on it. There’s something immensely eerie about wading through something you can’t see but can still feel. Anything could be lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce.

“Maybe I can call on the fire,” I whisper, willing the sword to appear in my hand. Once it does, I reach for the reserves deep in my stomach that house Braxton’s fire power. Fire sparks on the tip of the sword, illuminating pitch-black floors, but before it can grow, the power dissipates with a low hiss. “Dammit!” I growl, attempting to call on it again. But this time, it doesn’t even bother to heed my call. I’m too weak, too tired, too…useless.

“It’s okay,” Brax assures me as we continue to walk forward. “You need to conserve your energy.”

“We-we nee-need to find the others,” I stammer in protest as another wave of fatigue crashes over me. I stumble to the side, only Brax’s lightning fast reflexes keeping me upright. I sag against him heavily as he supports my weight.

Taking a deep breath, I call once more on the fire. Like before, it sputters to life, briefly giving us a glimpse of dozens of ominous shadows before it dies once more for good.

Some of the shadows appeared to be the silhouettes of monsters. I could distinctly make out claws, hunched over bodies, and spindly legs. Others were smaller, darting across the dark floor with tails longer than my arm and oddly resembling barbells.

Terror roots my feet to the ground as I cling to Brax’s hand for dear life.

“Did you see—”

“Yes.” He releases me, and I practically cry like a pathetic, simpering child. “Hadley, I’m right here. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” He gives my shoulders a squeeze before pulling me into his hard, chiseled body. I place my hands on his chest and tilt my neck back to stare at where I suspect his eyes to be.

“I know,” I whisper as I step away. “I just… Where are the others? Why aren’t they here? Braxton,