Chapter 106

“He wants what?!” Deonna asked, staring at Kamala with wide and worried eyes.

Kamala sat at the edge of Deonna’s bed, playing with her fingers nervously. She felt the urge to cry but no tears would leave her eyes. She wasn’t sure what to do or what to think. She couldn’t believe that Bob was asking her to do such a thing. Especially after knowing what happened to her the first time when she used this power.

Bob didn’t even know the extent of it, and he was wanting her to return to Mooncrest and defeat the king’s army using the light magic that Nyx had given her. He had no idea that her light magic was gone, and it was only replaced with the dark magic the castle’s shield had soaked into her.

She was like a sponge, and she wasn’t sure she could handle such a task.

It would put everybody in danger and probably kill her in the process.

“I have to,” Kamala said softly, looking at Deonna. “I must help with this battle. If there’s a way to defeat the king’s army and fight for our freedom, then I have to try.”

“There has to be another way,” Deonna said, placing her hands on Kamala’s shoulder and giving her a gentle shake like she was shaking some sense into her. “It nearly killed you the first time and there’s no telling what it would do. We already know that what you have inside of you isn’t good, Kamala. It could literally kill everybody.”

“Or it could save everybody,” Kamala said softly.

“I can’t let you risk your life,” Deonna argued.

Kamala knew that Deonna was worried, and she had every right to be worried, but this was something that Kamala felt like she needed to do.

Since she broke that shield, she hasn’t been wanting to admit to anybody that she’s been feeling this darkness inside of her. It’s almost like boiling anger that might erupt at any moment. It was scary because Kamala had never felt that way before. She had always been able to hear her wolf in one way or another and her wolf was always the voice of reason for when Kamala felt angry about anything.

But it’s like her wolf is being forced silent and she won’t communicate with Kamala as to why. She told Deonna that her wolf is dying and that might be so. She appears to be getting weaker and quieter as the hours go by, but it also feels like much more than that.

It’s like her wolf is being forced to stay quiet; forced to stay hidden. Being held hostage inside of Kamala’s body and she can only think that it’s the darkness that’s doing it. She tried to channel her inner wolf and she felt an electric zap coursing through her body like she did when she broke the shield.

It’s something unreal and it was worrisome.

She no longer felt that light she once did before she broke the shield; the darkness completely engulfed her. Even though Bob interfered with the connection and saved Kamala’s life; she stilled feared that it might have been too late.

Perhaps the power wasn’t going to kill her, but completely consume her on the spot. What would have happened if it did consume her? Would she still be who she is? Or would she be the darkness?

Considering Bob did interfere with the connection in the middle of its absorption, perhaps it was only half there and that’s why can still feel her wolf. Perhaps it wasn’t done absorbing her yet and it was working on the inside out while she was conscious.

She shivered uncontrollably at the thought. She rubbed her hands down her arms and felt the goosebumps that coated her skin.

She was terrified about what was going to happen. Even though Deonna had said they were going to figure this out together and she wasn’t alone, she was still terrified.

Now Bob was asking her to channel that power again and defeat the King’s army. She would love to help in the battle however she can, but what’ll happen once she does channel that power. It’s no longer the same light magic Nyx had given her.

It was dark magic and it’s dark magic she’ll have to use to defeat the army once and for all.

There’s no telling what will happen.

“I have to,” she said again, keeping her tone low. “It’s the only way to defeat the army.”

“Then I’m coming with you,” Deonna said, shooting to her feet.

“No!” Kamala said, panic rising through her. She couldn’t allow her best friend to go and be part of something as dark as this. If anything were to happen to her, especially because she’s pregnant, Kamala would never forgive herself. “You have to stay here. Bob said that Marlon specially said to stay here.”

Deonna rolled her eyes.

“I’m not his slave anymore,” Deonna said, folding her arms across her chest. “I don’t have to do what he says all the time. You’re my best friend, I’m coming with you.”

Kamala shook her head rapidly as she stood to her feet.

“You have a baby to think of,” Kamala said, pointing at her stomach. “Not to mention Mateo. You need to stay here so you can get him tomorrow.”

“Kamala, you are going to get yourself killed,” she pouted.

“I’ll be okay,” Kamala promised, though she wasn’t so sure herself. “I’m going to link Bob back and tell him that I’m on my way. You stay here and rest. I’ll reach out when I can.”

Deonna grew misty-eyed as she stared at her best friend. This was the hardest thing Kamala had to do; leaving her friend to go on a certain death mission. But she needed to stay strong for everyone involved. This was her one chance to fight for her freedom: for all of their freedom. She couldn’t let anyone down and she certainly couldn’t let herself down.

As children on the slave farm, this has always been what they spoke about. Seeing beyond the chains and gaining freedom for everybody. They finally had that opportunity and Kamala wasn’t about to let it slip away. She finally had the chance to make a difference in this world and she was excited to see what the future held.

Regardless of if she was in it or not.

She couldn’t be afraid of this; she had to do what was right.

She hugged her best friend and cried softly into her shoulder.

“I’m going to be alright,” she promised.

“Just be careful,” Deonna whispered.

“Of course,” Kamala answered as they pulled apart.

Kamala didn’t stick around much longer; she ran outside and forced her body to turn into a wolf. She felt an electric shot, trying to pull her back into her human form. It was resisting and rejecting her wolf; she felt weakened by the effect and it was painful, but she was only going to be in her wolf form for a little longer. She just had to make it to Mooncrest.

“Bob?” She said as she sprinted towards the forest. “I’m on my way.”