~Diana~

When Devon told me that Dad was finally conscious but asleep, I immediately ran to his room. Maybe, being with him might stop the nightmares. I slid off the bed and stood beside mom who now had a happy face on. “Can I sleep in here tonight?”

Mum’s face changed quick.

“Diana, there’s no room for that. I don’t want anyone to be inconvenienced or do you want to end up with body pains?”

“No.”

I grabbed her hand before she could start the whole speech. “But please? I will be very quiet, and I will stay on the rug, and I will be tiny as a mouse.”

“Who said you weren’t tiny?”

“I can be tinier.”

I gave her my biggest eyes. “Daddy and I need each other. I’ve been having nightmares and I think he would want me by his side.”

Mum stared at Daddy, before her shoulders fell.

“I’ll ask an omega to bring a bed later since you are so scared,” she muttered.

I bounced once, not even fighting the urge to hug her.

Later turned into me sneaking into Daddy’s room with a pillow, a blanket, and very important sleepy feet. Mum told me to use my indoor voice, and I was proud of myself for obeying.

Once mom was fast asleep, I snuck to Dad’s side and placed my hand on his body. It wouldn’t hurt to use my powers, right?

I shut my eyes and crossed my fingers, making a small wish that it would work. Soon after, silver lights burst out over him and I noticed the dark webs were fading off but not fully.

“This means it’s working.” It was more of a question because I wasn’t so sure and I couldn’t risk calling mum or Devon for help because they would only scold me.

But when Dad started responding faster, I couldn’t hold it in.

“DEVON!” I ran out of the room and screamed at the top of my lungs. “GET IN HERE RIGHT NOW!”

Devon burst into the room looking stressed already while his eyes darted wildly between me and Daddy.

“Do you want to wake up mum up?”

“Sshhh! She wouldn’t hear us, come here.”

“Look at him,” I said quickly while grabbing Daddy’s hand tighter and forcing more silver energy into him, and the dark corruption beneath his skin shrank farther back for another second.

Devon stared at Daddy in disbelief while his mouth slowly fell open. “Wait... are you actually healing him? But the healers said nobody can.”

“I don’t know, something good is happening but my head is getting heavier.”

“That’s not a good sign. You need to stop and I’ll take over.”

He climbed onto the bed beside me immediately and grabbed Daddy’s other arm. With our twin force, the light grew stronger.

Daddy’s chest jerked beneath the blankets and we exchanged knowing glances at each other.

“If we channel in more powers, he might wake up.”

“Now on three.” He counted and just when we pushed harder, a brutal migraine pierced into my head so violently that I gasped and nearly collapsed.

Immediately after, darkness kissed me goodbye.

***

Black Moon stood beside Daddy’s bed smiling at me, and the sight of him immediately filled me with dread and fear because absolutely nobody invited this weirdo into my dreams again.

Dirty chains were wrapped tightly around Daddy’s body, trying to squeeze his last breath out of him.

“What do you think you are doing?! I won’t let you kill him!” I cried.

Black Moon rested one hand against Daddy’s forehead almost gently while amusement flickered beneath his hood.

“You little one again,” I whispered shakily, and his grin widened immediately.

“I might be little but I can surely kick your ass with my powers.”

“Don’t forget how last time ended.”

“I remember all too well and that’s why I’m here to take my own pound of flesh.” He gritted his teeth. “I was going to take your brother but then I changed my mind. Your father is just as good as dead so it will be easier to make him one of us.”

“He will never be!”

“Oh, he already is and you’ll find out when he wakes up.”

Then he started walking towards me, causing me to take a step back. “But if you love him so much, why don’t you join him? Then we can include Devon.”

“No!”

“Yes, little princess. Wouldn’t you want to become the shadow queen?” His eyes were so scary as he bribed me.

“My answer still remains the same. Now back off!”

“Fine then. I’ll just make the new born replace you.”

My brows squeezed in confusion, “What are you talking about?”

Black Moon tilted his head slightly while shadows twisted harder around him. “Nobody told you yet?”

“I don’t even have a little brother.”

“You will soon enough,” he murmured softly. “Power always calls to power, little princess, and shadow collects what it’s owed.”

“You’re lying.”

“Your family took a lot from me. It’s only fair if they pay back the ultimate price.”

“And if they don’t?”

“I’ll kill every single one of you.”

“That’s not possible because you are dead!”

“Yes but I found a perfect replacement to torment you in my demise.” He revealed.

“Who?!”

“You’ll find out soon enough, little princess.”

Daddy suddenly started choking beneath the chains, and panic humbled my heart.

“Stop!”

Black Moon didn’t even look at me.

“Your brother will either save kingdoms or destroy every single thing standing.”

Then he stretched one hand toward me slowly while his smile widened again.

“Come here, Diana.”

I screamed so loud, my throat nearly tore apart.

Then the second I opened my eyes, Mum grabbed my shoulders while Devon hovered nearby looking exhausted enough to collapse.

“Diana, calm down,” Mum cautioned, but I immediately grabbed her arm while terror threatened me again.

“Where’s Daddy?”

“He’s still resting,” she answered, and the silence after those words told me everything before she even said another thing.

I turned toward Daddy’s bed, and seeing him still unconscious nearly broke me all over again because I thought there would be little progress.

Tears filled my eyes instantly while frustration and exhaustion tangled painfully inside me. “I hate this stupid room.”

Mum pulled me carefully against her chest while she brushed my hair back gently. “Easy, sweetheart.”

“I saw Black Moon again,” I whispered, and Devon stiffened so fast it was impossible not to notice.

“It was only a nightmare,” Mum replied.

“He talked to me about killing all of us.”

“Then he mentioned you were going to give birth again. A boy, this time.”

“Little brother?” Mum repeated slowly.

“I told you the dream was creepy.”

Mum kissed my forehead quickly while forcing calmness into her voice. “We can talk about this later. Diana, I’ll take you to your room so you can rest till I tell you otherwise.”