Wicked Destiny

Chapter 25


DECLAN

As the clearing came into view, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Sloane was enclosed in a circle of demons as Viktor transferred his energy to her. What I couldn’t understand was why he was doing that. And then it all became clear.

He was Darkness himself.

All this time he had fooled us all. I heard Sloane screaming for him to stop as she collapsed to the ground begging once more. I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t move. I should’ve been in there fighting for her, but she chose this. It was her free will. I suddenly remembered what Gabby said. Give her something to fight for. But what was I fighting for? Was it to save just a human life? And did it really matter what I was fighting for? Then I heard it. It was one word that sounded like a sweet soft melody from her lips. She called for me and I knew it wasn’t her that needed a reason to fight; it was me. Just as I went to leap into action, Gabby stepped up and blew her horn. Just behind her was Mindy, Dale, and even Jared.

We were still outnumbered, but those minions were no match for me anyway. It was Sloane that I was actually afraid of. If she truly lost herself and knew what power she hid, we would all be in for a world of hurt. There’s no way she could control it before it took control over her.

“I don’t think you were supposed to use that horn,” I said to Gabby as she came to stand by me.

“What’s going to happen? Someone hears it and a spike in religion happens,” she smiled. “Anyway, it was meant to only cause a diversion, but you see how well that turned out.” I grabbed her shoulder.

“Thank you, Gabby. All of you. Thank you for coming.” Declan looked around at all of them.

“Thank us later when we get Sloane the hell out of here,” Mindy yelled.

“Declan, you need to know something. The power that Sloane carries has the ability to destroy. That’s why you were sent on your first mission. If she unleashes her power, are you prepared to finish her off? If not, I will.” I couldn’t believe I heard those words come from Mindy’s mouth.

“It won’t come to that. I’ll make sure of it.” I shot her a look that said to stay away from her. I wasn’t losing Sloane again. I didn’t care what it would cost me, and I would make damn sure Sloane wouldn’t be harmed anymore.

“Well, what the hell are we waiting for?” Dale asked, and in that moment it was all we needed.

All five of us went charging in.


SLOANE

No one was fazed by the light or by the horn. It was Gabby. She was dressed in a beautiful blue robe, trimmed in gold. Everyone sat there and watched as I withered in pain with smirks on their faces. I caught a glimpse of Declan and I couldn’t tell if I was dreaming or not. I let his name slip from my lips and reached my hand out for him. I heard a shrieking sound and saw Mindy charging after Crystal. Dale and Jared went after the two wolves while Declan took on the were-tiger. Gabby had her hands full with Dee. Chad stood there watching Viktor’s back.

In that moment of fighting, I saw everyone that I had come to love and respect fighting for me. What was it about everyone wanting me? I was so tired of everyone hurting because of me and I didn’t want to hurt anyone else. More less dominate the world and whatever else Viktor had planned. I just wanted to give up. I collapsed further to the ground and I managed to roll onto my side while Viktor kneeled down next to me and held my shoulder. Chad still stood guard.

I could feel it swirling inside me. It was taking over and everything flashed before my eyes. The last image was of me and Declan walking hand-in-hand around the bank of the lake. I saw us holding hands and smiling at each other as if I was watching TV. That was the best day of my life; it was the day he told me he loved me. I took comfort from that and hoped it would dull the pain. No such luck, actually. In fact, I began to grow angry.

As the Darkness started to slowly take over, I now understood everything it was doing and what its plan was. I was to be used as the destruction of life while Viktor enslaved what survived. I had the power of destruction and complete utter chaos. Viktor now removed his hand and stood up. He watched for any signs of concern, but didn’t move. I was too scared to. Here it was—I carried all of this within me and I was afraid I was going to break if I moved.

“Get up, Sloane. Get up, now.” Viktor was sending me a command and I found myself fighting the urge to please him. The more I refused, the more it hurt. I was going to make him pay.

So I slowly rose, staggering. I regained my balance and I locked eyes with Declan, seeing the stress and hurt. I would ease his pain for sure and spare everyone else there’s also. I shot him a smile and mouthed the words, “I love you,” to him. I turned to face Viktor and Chad, who stood side by side.

“Well, you wanted me, so you got me.” Before I knew what I was doing, I reached up and touched Chad’s cheek.

Chad’s eyes went wild, but his body remained motionless. His skin color went from tan to grey, to a charred black, and then he broke into complete ash that simply drifted away. Viktor grabbed me by my shoulder and his eye glowed with anger and hate.

“It’s what I was made for.” I reached up and grabbed his face between my hands, and then pulled him closer. “I’d like to repay the favor.” And slowly, our lips met.

Viktor tried to break away, but the force of the power was too much and he couldn’t fight it. I kept my eyes locked with his, because I wanted him to watch and see that this was me. I, Sloane Townsend, club owner, bartender, and the prophecy was ending any chance of Viktor’s plans. I wanted him to see I didn’t want this. All I ever wanted was to be happy.

I never wanted this.

I heard screams and cries from behind me, but I paid no attention to them. If sacrificing myself was what guaranteed my friends’ lives and everyone else’s, I would gladly do it. I would spare them anymore wrongdoings, for the time being at least. Viktor tried his best to lock us away from each other, but my power was in control. You see, Viktor was who he was, but here on earth, in his human form, he was weak and that’s why he needed me. Although this would not kill him, it would certainly delay any plans he was making. I wondered what would actually happen to me. I wasn’t sure I would even survive, but if I did, was I damned because of what I had done? What would become of me when everything was said and done? Would I become a monster? I decided to give every bit of power to Viktor. He wanted it, so he could have it. I closed my eyes and sent everything I had to him.

I willed it into him.

I knew it was too much for him to have here on earth, but I just unleashed it. I heard Declan and Mindy screaming for me to stop, but it was because of them I refused to. Viktor would know after today that I wasn’t one to mess with when it came to me and the people I loved.

At this point, everything was becoming too much for me to maintain. I dropped Viktor’s lifeless body and fell to my knees next to him. The Darkness still crawled within me and I had to get it out. So I looked to the sky and begged, “Please, guide me, for I have lost my way.” I flung my arms out and screamed, and then I slammed my palms down to the ground, beckoning for the pits of Hell to take it back. It sent a shockwave through the clearing and knocked everyone off their feet, sending them flying back.

I opened my eyes. My breathing was too out of control and my heart felt like it was about to come through my chest. I glanced behind me to see if everyone was OK. When I saw movement from everyone, relief washed through me and I collapsed. I laid there looking up at the sky and mentally saying thank you, because I couldn’t bring myself to move an inch. I was so tired, but I couldn’t close my eyes yet. I felt someone cradling me and smoothing my hair out of my face, caressing my cheek.

It was Declan.

He was saying something, but there was this loud ringing in my ears that prevented me from hearing anything. I saw Dale holding Mindy in his arms, comforting her as she cried, and Jared standing there next to them with his hand in his hair as if he was ready to pull it all out. Then there was Gabby. I was so grateful for her being here and helping Declan. If I didn’t make it, he was going to need someone to pull him through.

I was glad Shay wasn’t here to witness this. At least she was spared.

And then everything went black…