Chapter 99 AURORA I cried out and pressed a hand over my chest .


    My heart mmed against my ribs in fear .


    The light cut off , contained .


    But it still hurt .


    Still burned .


    Ah ! Cursed .


    Thats what the dream entity had said .


    Aurora ! Dane tried to pull me toward him .


    I was cursed .


    Goddess , what if I hurt Dane ? I rolled away from him , my hand still pressed against my chest .


    I knew I wasnt worthy to reach out to the moon goddess , but I prayed anyway .


    Goddess , please , dont let me hurt him .


    Let me contain this … My palm tingled .


    The light pouring from beneath my hand changed .


    No longer purple and bruised , it shimmered silverly white , blue , and purple .


    A cool feeling like fresh water poured over the feverish burn of the wound .


    I gasped and lifted my hand .


    What … ? The oozing light of the scar was gone .


    Instead , my palm glowed .


    That was the source of the new light .


    Id seen those colors of light before … Chapter 99 2/5 Before I could grasp the memory , it faded .


    So did the light from my palm .


    Aurora ? Danes voice was rough in the dark and it snapped my attention away from my hand and my scar .


    Id tried to move away from him , but he wasnt having any of that .


    He knelt behind me on the mattress , his hands on my shoulders , my back pressed against him .


    Dane , I was trying to keep you safe , I said .


    That evil light .


    It looked like it was trying to get to you .


    He shifted and wrapped his arms around my waist .


    You are never safer away from me .


    I closed my eyes at the ache caused by his words .


    Maybe because it was dark , I was bolder .


    Since his change of heart , I had mostly left our past unspoken .


    But that wasnt healthy .


    What he and I needed was honesty .


    So , I said , I still have trouble trusting that .


    Of course , he said .


    There was no irritation or anger in his voice , onlyplete understanding .


    All I can ask for is time .


    I nodded , then lifted my hand to where his was on my shoulder and intertwined our fingers .


    He gripped mine tightly , then dropped a kiss on top of my head .


    What just happened ? I hesitated , staring at my palm .


    I … dont know .


    I was having a Chapter 99 nightmare , and then my scar , and then … 3/5 His thumbs kneaded small ,forting circles against my shoulders .


    What was the nightmare about ? Maybe that will exin why that scar you got from the shadow monster in the Reeds pack house was acting up .


    I flinched .


    Only a few seconds ago , I had thought to myself that we needed honesty .


    But I still had one great secret from Dane .


    That I hadnt been a victim , but a willing participant in the near downfall of Blue Ridge all those years ago .


    A weapon , they had called me .


    Hidden in in sight .


    Shame flooded me , threatening to drown me .


    Only my memory loss that night had saved Danes life .


    At my core , I was a disgusting , evil thing .


    I didnt deserve him or his love .


    I closed my palm and let it drop into myp .


    Something … terrible .


    It was definitely a monster .


    It was the truth , even if it was a misleading truth .


    He would think I meant the monster who had scarred me , when the only monster Id dreamed about was me .


    Then I remembered the second part of the dream , and I tilted my head .


    It hadnt felt anything like the first part .


    Then I was somewhere else .


    Floating in a sky of stars .


    Safe .


    And there as a voice … ? Chapter 99 1 trailed off again .


    The voice had told me I was cursed .


    I opened my palm again , trying to picture the dream .


    It glimmered with a few specks of the iridescent light , and I gasped .


    Dane saw it , too .


    What is that ? 4/5 I dont know .


    I touched my chest .


    But my scar was burning , and the light from my hand stopped it .


    I bit my lip and swallowed a growl of frustration .


    What the hell was happening ? None of it made sense .


    Then I remembered something else and turned around to face Dane .


    There was something else in the dream .


    About you and your grandfather , and something in your blood .


    Do you know what that means ? Danes brow furrowed .


    No.


    But we know what Remington said that the Reeds would take my blood in exchange for our children .


    And thest two times I spoke to my grandfather , he talked about me bing a sacrifice .


    That just brings up more questions , Dane .


    We need answers .


    My grandmother didnt give us long .


    Were running out of time .


    And now the twins are missing on top of it … I started to shake .


    Dane pulled me close .


    Dont undo all of the good sleep just did by overwhelming yourself .


    One step at a time .


    The children first .


    Even Augusta wont make you leave Chapter 99 here without them .


    He pulled back .


    His eyes went to my chest and widened .


    Aurora … look at your scar .