My mind quickly catches up and I relax. I stretch a little and ask "What time is it?" He chuckles again and taps the tip of my nose before saying "Nearly noon. Are you hungry? I can go get you something and bring it to you."

I quickly sit up and pull the covers off me before hopping out of bed and saying "No time! I'm supposed to meet Queen Cara at noon!" He quickly sits up and says "I can send her word, I'm sure she won't mind if it's you."

I run to the bathroom and say "No way! I need this training!" He falls back on the bed as I close the door. I only have a few days left, I need to make the best out of them. Suddenly, the pain in my shoulder causes me to fall to my knees.

I quickly cover my mouth to keep from crying out as the pain starts spreading down my back! I grab a thick towel and shove it between my teeth before biting down on it in pain. Lesser pain has caused me to pa.s.s out before... but whatever this is... it wants you to feel every agonizing second of this.

I fall over and press my forehead against the cold tile floor as pain washes over me in intense, powerful waves. I'm going to die... this is going to kill me... I don't know how long I've been like this but I suddenly feel like I'm going to throw up.

I struggle to keep breathing as the pain continues but as the burning pain reaches my lower back, it finally starts to ease. I spit the towel out as I continue to lay on the cold floor. Sweat soaks me and my clothes, causing me to s.h.i.+ver.

After a few moments, I hear a knock at the door. "Eris? Are you okay?" I struggle to sit up and I find that I have to swallow my spit several times before I can say "Yeah, girl issues." My voice still sounds a little off but I'm hoping he won't notice.

He seems to hesitate for a moment before saying "Okay... just let me know if you need anything. I'll be waiting outside." I gather enough energy to say "Okay" and prop myself up against the wall. My entire body is shaking as I lean my head back against the wall as well.

I close my eyes tightly and focus on my breathing. After a few minutes, I force myself to get up. To be honest, I want to curl up in a ball of pain on the floor and cry like a baby but I can't let Kian find out and I have to learn what I can... I have to.

When I make it to the sink, I scoop up the cold water out of the bowl and splash my face with it several times. Hoping that it'll bring some color back to my face but it just takes me from looking like paper to looking like wet paper.

I brush my hair out with shaky hands and when I go to change, I walk back to the mirror and slowly turn around. I take a deep breath as I look at the large black markings all down my back. It almost looks like I've been struck by lightning but the scars left are black and red.

I stare at the markings for a few silent moments before silently getting dressed. My hands, arms, and legs were still shaking but not nearly as bad as before. I stand before the mirror and stare into my own silver-blue eyes.

"You can do this... you have to. If you die, so be it." I say to myself in a soft whisper. I grit my teeth and nod before walking out of the bathroom and grabbing my shoes. When I walk out of the room, I see Kian standing to the side talking to one of the guards.

I make brief eye contact with him before turning away and rus.h.i.+ng to meet Queen Cara. When I make it back into the room from yesterday, she stands in the middle of the room sculpting a person out of clay. "The demon presence is much stronger today my child. Are you feeling alright?" She asks without looking at me.

I walk to the same seat I sat in yesterday and plop down as I say "Never better. When shall we start?" She puts her tools down and wipes off her hands before finally turning to look at me. She walks over with sharp eyes and says "I'm surprised that you haven't been affected more by the demon essence. It's strong and most people wouldn't be able to walk around like you are. You need to rest my dear."

I feel anger surge through me as I quickly say "No! I'm completely fine. I want to learn, I need to learn and I only have a few more days to do that." She arches a delicate eyebrow at me and says "Your moods will be affected by the demon essence trying to take over your body so I'll let that slide. You're so focused on 'learning' you can't see that you're dying."

I kinda knew... It's like my soul knows but I keep trying to deny it and ignore it. I grit my teeth and close my eyes as I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry... I just... I don't know anymore." Queen Cara sits in the seat beside me as she says "You have two days before the new moon. Rest up so that you can have enough energy to get back to your time."

I look up to her in despair as I say "But... I need to learn. I need to save my brother and my father... I need to save the other supernaturals before I die and I can't do that unless you teach me!" She stares at me calmly as she says "Everything you need to know is already inside of you, child. Do you have so little faith in me and the blood that runs through you?"

I want to argue with her but I can tell she isn't going to budge. I look down at my hands in my lap and feel my eyes beginning to sting. Queen Cara reaches out and gently touches my hands as she whispers "Trust me. You'll save them all."

Warm, powerful magic seeps into my hands from hers, instantly giving me relief. She leans over and whispers in my ear "Remember the gift I gave you. When you get back, you'll discover it and know why I have so much faith in you."

She gently squeezes my hands before standing up and walking back over to her sculpture. I slowly lift my head to watch her as my warm tears slip down my face. I quickly reach up with a shaky hand and wipe them away as I whisper "I hope you're right... I wish I had as much faith in me as you do."