The Power Brewing Within Her (The Nightlighter Trilogy Book 2)

The Power Brewing Within Her Copyright © 2023 Skylar A. Blevins All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author. ISBN 978-1-7375256-4-6 Editor: Samantha Swarts Cover Artist: Alexandra Purtan To the darkness that shut out the sun, thank you for showing me your gloom, for it was in that, I was truly able to bloom. To the man in the moon, the one whom I gave my heart too, thank you for betraying my heart, because of you I learned how to love myself in the dark. Warning: Usually, I don’t feel the need to add a possible trigger warnings due to the nature of my books. It’s dark fantasy and dark themes follow heavily. That being said, this is the final warning that certain ideas may be triggering to some. If you are a gentle reader…this may not be the book for you. If you like it dark, then read on my loves. One Week The stone fortress that is Tatiana’s castle is starting to feel more like a prison sentence than a simple visit. It’s been one week, and I still haven’t heard from Reznor. I’ve been waiting patiently for him to come get me, or perhaps I should say impatiently. I’m constantly badgering Tatiana with questions: Where is he? What is he doing? Why am I here? How long am I going to be here? Is he okay? What is going on? To all these questions, the answer remains the same. “I’m sorry, Liara, I don’t have any details. All I know is he showed up here with you passed out in his arms. He told me he would be back for you, but he didn’t say when. He kissed your head, then opened a portal and left. I haven’t seen or heard from him since.” Needless to say, she’s now avoiding me as well. I know it puts her in an uncomfortable situation, but I want to know where my husband is, and what the hell happened! I keep trying to reach out through the bond, trying to get a response out of him, but he seems to be ignoring that as well. I would check in with the talisman bracelet he gave me for winter solstice, but I woke up in Greensboro naked and confused. He dumped me here without a parcel of clothing, and if I weren’t so concerned that something is wrong, I would be yelling at him for that already. But right now, I’m just worried. The bad guy is dead, and the war is won, I thought our problems would be solved. Yet, for some reason, the big bastard felt a need to ship me off in the middle of the night without any answers, or explanation. As it rolls around to my daily time to harass Tatiana about Reznor, I hurry along the halls toward her office. Her bright décor has been the cause of many headaches, but they must not bother her seeing as the color pallet has seemingly puked all over her walls. Therefore, when a dark object greets me, I’m surprised. I barely get through the doors before I immediately recognize the trunk sitting next to Tatiana’s desk. It’s mine…from the manor. I don’t even bother to open my mouth as I take in the sight of her study. I recognize it all, he’s sent all of my belongings. Two trunks of my things and a bag filled with books that I hadn’t gotten the chance to read lie in a neat stack. I cross the room to them, running my hand over the top of the wood as Reznor’s scent drifts to my nose. He brought these here but didn’t see me. I’m suddenly hit by an onslaught of emotions: anger, fear, sadness, confusion. I peer at Tatiana who seems saddened; her once bright yellow eyes now full of sorrow, her shoulders are tense, showing a bit of her unease. “He’s not coming to get me, is he?” I ask softly, lifting my hand off the trunk like it’s burnt me. I don’t want to touch anything from the manor, I don’t want these items that are no doubt meant to make me feel safe or more comfortable. No, they’re just a reminder of where I should be. The overwhelming sense of unease makes me nauseous, as a wrongness settles deep in my bones, dread seeps into my gut, my heart beats faster. It’s not supposed to be like this, we’re supposed to be together at home. “No. He said he can’t bring you home yet,” Tatiana replies, rising from her seat to take slow, hesitant steps toward me. She’s treating me like a wounded animal that’s just run into her path. Her golden gown rustles at her feet and even in her obvious worry, she remains pristine as she inches closer to me. Sadly, I can’t do the same. I crane my head, “Can’t or won’t?” I snap, feeling the darkness swelling in my chest at the thought of him leaving me here; abandoning me without rhyme or reason. A nasty anger claws at my chest. “I suppose he won’t. Look, Liara, he still hasn’t told me what’s going on but—” I don’t stick around to hear what she has to say, instead I leave the study, slamming the door behind me as I storm back to my room. The hideous room that Reznor and I shared only months ago when we first visited Tatiana. The bright wallpaper is even more of a nuisance now as it reminds me of him and the memories we created here. I decide to give him one last chance. Reznor, I don’t know what’s happened, or why you felt the need to send me away, but you need to tell me what in the hell is going on. A feather-like stroke touches my cheek, then his side of the bond slams shut.