Blades of Metal: An Epic, Coming of Age, Action Fantasy (Daughter of Destiny Book 5) by Kate Jones

Author:Kate Jones [Jones, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Purple Phoenix Publishing
Published: 2023-06-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17. Desolation

Charley pounded through the darkened corridors of Tikal, uncaring where she was going. The familiar feelings of power and invincibility that came with using dark energy failed to smother the disgust filling her heart.

She hated what she had become, what the use of her power made her do; the uncontrollable, unbearable craving that tore at her guts when she didn’t use it.

She ran in a vain attempt to escape from her self-loathing, but it clung to her like a briar to wool, tearing and clawing at her conscience until she skidded to a halt and slammed her fist into the wall. Flinging her head back, she screamed her pain and shame into the chilly gloom.

It didn’t make her feel any better.

She had lost everything, and the agony that crushed her heart could not be escaped. Tears streamed down her face as she slumped to her hands and knees on the ground and howled, gasping and choking for air as anguish gripped her body and choked in her throat.

What have I done? Why is this happening to me?

“It’s not fair,” she screamed into the shadows. “I don’t deserve all this shit.”

She pounded her hands into the dust, coughing and spluttering as it clogged her nostrils and filled her mouth. Gritty snot seeped from her nose, and she dashed it away as she moved to sit down against the wall and closed her eyes.

She was out of options and friends. Paralysed by guilt and self-recrimination, she had no idea what to do next or where to go. So she sat and waited for the tears to stop.

It was a long time before she regained control of the storm of emotions that had overcome her. Her eyes were swollen and sore, and her nose bunged up. Her head pounded with a migraine that blinded her vision and churned in her stomach.

She shivered and hugged her knees to her chest. Her sweat-drenched shirt was plastered to her skin and gave no protection from the icy chill that filled the air.

Worst of all, she had no idea where she was or how she was going to get out of Gehenna. Nevaeh had gone to God-only-knew-where, and Violet and Ardreth….

Charley groaned and pummelled her temples with her fists.

What now?

An idea struck her, and she sent her thoughts out into the darkness. She sought Ardreth, hoping and praying that he had not raised his mental defences against her again. What she would say if she contacted him did not cross her mind. All she needed to know was that she had not hurt him… or worse. And she was desperate for the comfort of another, even if it was only a fleeting touch.

She calmed her breathing and focused on the familiar feel of Ardreth’s energy. Her consciousness crept through the tunnels and corridors of Tikal, drawn by the blood-ties binding her to Ardreth, until she found her way back to him. Relief flooded through her as she felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

I’m sorry, Ardreth.

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