We've had many arguments about this new attitude of his. At first it was hard to let it slide, but I shut up now. Mostly because I know he's been talking about this disturbing voice in his head and he's not in control of his powers. He’s essentially sick, mentally and physically, and it's the only reason why he snaps at me.
So just as you would do with any loved one nearing their deathbed, I swallow my pride and forgive him.
“Either you help me find her or fuck off!” he shouts before bringing a hand to his forehead. Black flowers start to sprout beneath him as he grinds his teeth. “I need her dead.Now!”
“You may have gotten her past the kingdom.” One guard says to Amias. “We've checked each city there is, and many of these villages.”
Amias’ eyes shift. “You think I sent her to Caelestia?”
“It would make sense.” Erasmus has his shiny eyes squinted at him. “Caelestia accept dreamscreechers and it's the closest kingdom besides Somnia.”
I chew the inside of my cheek. “We aren't gonna make it if you don't eat, Amias. We should stop the operation and solve that first.”
“I can't, Glaide!” He clenches his fists as he glares at me. “If I could, I would've a long time ago!”
Erasmus sighs behind him, staring down at the ground. I know he thinks this is just as fucked up as me. He's been carrying the same frown this whole search.
“No one will convince me to go home! I can't!” Amias yells. Tenebris flowers shoot from under him, towering over us like giant hungry plant monsters.
Everyone steps away. People on the sidewalks scream and empty the streets. My own heart starts to pound.
“The only way to get out of this damn curse and get these corrupt powers and this fucking voice out my damn head, is to kill that dreamscreecher!” Amias shouts.
He releases an eerie shriek as his long black nails dig into his scalp. The flowers grow taller after that noise. His gaze darts to everyone else. “That motherfucker ruined me! If it weren't for that fucking dreamscreecher, I wouldn't be like this!”
Everyone falls silent as I brainstorm ways to calm him down. I'm not sure if there's much Icando though.
His scowl starts to fade, tears streaking his cheeks. “I just want to be myself again.” His voice nearly breaks into a sob. “I hate this. I don't want to be this cruel version of myself.”
I slowly nod as I begin to approach, reaching an arm out to him as he starts to weep. The flowers start to wilt. My heart jumps at the fact those flowers might attack me next once I approach. It wouldn't be the first time.
As soon as my hand touches him, he snaps his head in my direction, blasting and twisting flowers around me. “Don't touch me!”
It gets harder to breathe as the stems wrap around my neck. These damn powers. Just as I predicted. Who knew the Gift of Love’s magic could be so deadly?
Amias gasps looking up at me. His black eyes widen. His mouth seems to say “I'm sorry” but I can't hear the actual words.
I stop moving as Amias walks away. The flowers start to wilt the further he goes. “ We’ll check the villages nearby, then we’ll set off towards Caelestia in three days.”
I fall from the flowers as the guards reluctantly follow behind Amias. Catching my breath, I let Erasmus take my hand and pull me to my feet.
We stand there as everyone else follows Amias. He's going to die if he doesn't eat soon. Soon it will be too late. Honestly, I don't know if killing Ignatia will really release him from this illness.
Maybe it will just destroy him in the end.
“He’ll die if we don't pause the operation,” I say to Erasmus. Not that it's of any use.
He sighs, still watching Amias while patting a hand on my shoulder. “I know.”
Chapter 69
Glaide
“You think this will work?”
“I have no clue. But it's worth a shot.” I smile at Erasmus as he stands at Amias’ hotel room door. Him and Amias have been sharing rooms, mostly because of Amias’ condition.
It's been a day since we've searched Amor Beach. The guards had gone out to nearby villages to find Ignatia. Amias hasn't left his room today. I think his powers exhausted him yesterday when he freaked out.
