Chapter 142 AURORA He paused me to him like a ma .


    It felt like the whole world flickered around us But as much as my feet moved toward him .


    I turned my head and strained to see Dane .


    He couldnt be dead .


    He couldnt have left me .


    Not when I needed him .


    Not when I hadnt even been brave enough to say that I loved him .


    Tears leaked from my eyes .


    I felt something tug on my mind .


    It felt like Holden might be trying to speak to me , but … it was like a mouse tugging on a cobwebpared to the hold the man in front of me wielded .


    Its you , I said .


    The smirk he shed me should have been beautiful enough to stop my heart .


    But there was something … oily about it .


    Something cold and dark .


    Chapter 142 Yes , he said .


    Youre the guardian ? I asked .


    2/6 Heughed , as if Id just told a very funny joke .


    Darling , is that who you think I am ? Its who you said you are .


    1s expression turned thoughtful .


    Youre right .


    Well .


    Of course , you believe me .


    As you should .


    You were created for me , after all .


    Created ? Of course .


    A child of the most devoted servant of the moon goddess , raised in the dark .


    One of her chosen high priestesses turned to the dark .


    Light tainted with shadow , just like I asked .


    My heart beat once , twice , three times as I tried to understand what he was saying .


    High priestess of the moon goddess ? My mother , her most devoted servant ? That wasnt what the Reeds had said .


    Celeste never wanted a child , so she sold her to us .


    We made a blood oath that Id raise her .


    I whirled on Esther Reed .


    You said my mother sold me to you ! Chapter 142 3/6 She smirked .


    I made you believe whatever I had to .


    And trust .


    me .


    Ann .


    It doesnt matter how good or pure you were born .


    We twisted you .


    Warped you .


    You are exactly the monster Ive always said you are .


    You couldnt even save the man you loved .


    You tried to make some heroic sacrifice , and now there he is .


    Dead at your feet .


    I looked down to where Danes big bodyy , motionless .


    Tears streamed from my eyes .


    I turned to the guardian .


    You said I could have him .


    The guardian made a sad face .


    So sorry love .


    I didnt realize who he was at the time .


    No ! My tears fell faster .


    In my minds eye , I saw them falling into a pool of silver , glowing with moonlight .


    Please , if I ever was yours … if you ever loved me … As if he could read my mind , the guardian grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him , then said , Dont try to speak to her .


    Shes at her weakest tonight .


    Thats why the ritual had to take ce now .


    I tried to pull away , but his fingers grew crushingly tight .


    I cried out , but he only smiled .


    You brought me here , Aurora .


    You cant escape me .


    Its time to give in to your darkness .


    Its time to remember who you are .


    Chapter 142 His smile turned sympathetic .


    It might take some time , but youll remember .


    Come with me .


    I clutched the pearl pendant that hung around my neck .


    No matter what he said , I wouldnt stop praying .


    I called on the go less .


    Shed always seemed to ignore me , but maybe … 4/6 There was a sh of something white and silver .


    It was embedded in the split stone the guardian had just stepped out of 1 stared at it .


    Something about it whispered to me .


    Comfort .


    Wisdom .


    I am with you .


    Everything will be all right .


    So many voices in my mind .


    Id heard this one before , but it had been so faint .


    Now , it filled me with new strength .


    Strength I instinctively knew to hide from the man who had emerged from the stone .


    A man I was quickly realizing was more terrifying than Holden could ever wish to be .


    I took my secret strength and poured it into the pearl pendant .


    Then , when the creature who held me looked to Waylon , I gave a sharp tug .


    The chain broke and fell into my hand .


    Chapter 142 Quietly , I let my hand fall to my side .


    5/6 Then I dropped the pearl .


    Dane had fallen face down with his hands under his head so that his heart could bleed directly into the earth .


    I dropped the pearl into one of the shadowed crooks of Danes arms .


    I saw ite into contact with his skin .


    Then the guardian turned his attention back to me .


    I stood still , hoping he wouldnt notice the missing pendant .


    He didnt .


    He only gazed intently into my eyes .


    Time to go , Aurora , he said .


    Go … ? Then he moved his arm .


    Though he wasnt wearing any kind of cloak , a sweep of ckness suddenly appeared .


    He pulled it over my head .


    I nced down at Dane … I thought I saw his fingers twitch .


    His hand close around the pearl .


    Dane ! But it was toote .


    Darkness closed over my head .


    Then I was gone .