Chapter 100: The Grand Mistress

DESI

With every step closer to the Door, my body grew colder. It excited and terrified me. My right arm burned so much I gasped and clasped it to my side. I glimpsed a tendril of black snaking up my arm - the arm that normally glowed gold with my Gardian gifts.

“You okay?” Michael said from a few steps ahead.

“I’m okay.” I clamped my left hand around my forearm. I couldn’t let him see the dark tendrils curling around my skin. My Shadow stretched behind me and my feet slowed to a stop. Dread filled me. What if once I got there, I didn’t want to come back? “This might not be a good idea.”

Michael stopped and turned to face me. He considered me and a darkness passed in front of his eyes. I couldn’t tell what he thought, but my whole soul quivered with terrible foreknowledge. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this,” I said.