DUSK'S POV
I closed my eyes, enjoying the subtle breeze as it ruffled through my hair and clothes.
"It's all okay now, Dusk. You're fine," I said to myself, and lay on the grass, watching the beautiful sky draped in orange, pink, and a calming blue.
I closed my eyes once more and didn't know when I fell asleep.
Later in the day, I was awoken by something dark coming over my eyes. I opened them slowly and saw Seline looking down at me with a smile.
"You and the garden are so inseparable, why's that?" She asked. I smiled and sat up.
"I came for the morning view," I said, looking at the sun that was already high in the sky.
"I'm sorry," she said, and I raised a brow.
"For what?" I asked, and she bit her lip.
"I didn't recognize her immediately. I didn't even notice that she wasn't you. That's a bad trait for a friend to have, isn't it?" She said. I gave a little laugh.
"Are you beating yourself up over that? You shouldn't. First, it's in the past. Second, I'm not mad. I wasn't even thinking about it. And thirdly, it's a mistake anyone can make. She turned into the perfect version of me, asked me questions so she could know how to relate with you guys. It's something that can happen to anyone, Seline. You apologizing is very funny to me," I said, and she hugged me.
"I still feel sorry though," she said, and I patted her.
"What was she like?" I asked, and she shook her head.
"She was like you. When I found out, I couldn't believe that my own friend had been taken away," she said, and I smiled.
"But... This Naomi, isn't there a way to get rid of her? What is she exactly?" I asked her, and she sighed.
"She's a creature of the water. They guard the sea, but I think she was banished. That's likely why she's here, in that small pond. I still don't know how to get rid of her, but I'll find a way quickly," she said, and I fell back onto the grass.
"She's terrible," I murmured, and she lay on the grass with me.
"Are you okay? I have this feeling like... How do I say it? There's this aura around you," she said, and I looked at her.
"What aura?" I asked.
"Like a powerful aura. It's different from the aura you used to carry, but I don't know. These days, I've been slacking on my potions," she said, and I looked up at the sky.
"Probably because I spent a lot of time in that mirror."
"How did it feel in the mirror?" She asked, and I sighed.
"Lonely, scary, dark," I said, and she found my hands and held me.
"You're out now."
"Lucius dreamt that Naomi was very angry," I said, and she scoffed.
"There's nothing she can do. She can only get angry. If she tries anything, if she hurts you in any way, then I'd get really serious about ending her," she said, and I laughed.
"Wow. I've got two strong people behind my back. There's nothing I need to fear," I said, and Seline sat up.
"Who's the other person?" She asked.
"Lucius," I said, and she smiled.
"Look who's coming," she said, and we saw Ariadne coming with Dalia behind her.
She seemed angry as she approached, and she bent down to me.
"You were the possessed one, right? You don't deserve to be here. Evil only finds a place to stay in evil. It means deep down, you're evil," she said, but Seline interrupted.
"She wasn't possessed. She was hidden, and that Dusk was a replica of this Dusk," she said, but Ariadne held up a hand.
"I came to discuss with her, not you. So, do not try to be her spokesperson! And you, Dusk, you've only brought bad news to the Alpha. I want you gone before tomorrow. If you're not, then I'll have to take matters into my own hands!" She said angrily.
"What are you saying?" Seline asked, but Ariadne held up a hand.
"I'm saying I will be the Luna, and nothing's changing that. This is something I've worked for all my life. I've climbed my way to the top doing all sorts of miserable things. You can't just come from nowhere and steal my spot! I will do something about you! Mark my words!" She said, and left angrily, with Dalia trying to catch up with her.
"What got into her?" Seline asked.
"I wouldn't know. She's just so obsessed with Lucius," I said, and Seline shook her head.
"You're mistaken if you think she wants Lucius alone. She wants everything he has. She's a power-driven fool," Seline said, and I laughed.
"Well, let's forget about her," I said.
That night, I had gone to the garden to look for a paintbrush I felt I had abandoned, but I couldn't find it.
Then, all of a sudden, I straightened up and started walking towards the tree.
"What's wrong with me? What's wrong?" I asked myself and tried to turn back, but my body wasn't listening to me.
I began to panic and wanted to scream, but nothing came out of my mouth.
I took a long vine, climbed the tree, and tied it around a strong branch.
"What's happening? Someone help me!" I said, but no one could possibly hear.
I made a hoop with the other end of the vine and tightened it as much as it could.
"No..." I whispered as I put it around my own neck.
I looked around but couldn't see anyone coming, and I stepped off the branch and hung by my neck without being able to scream.
All breath was cut off from me immediately, and I was choking, but I wasn't even able to raise my hands to my neck or shake my body. I dangled from the tree helplessly, dying.
It hadn't taken a minute when the vine was cut, and I fell to the floor.
I gasped for breath, and someone held me up. It was Lucius, and he held me in his arms.
"Dusk! Why did you do that?" He asked, and I began to cry as I regained control of my body.
"It wasn't me. Something's controlling me..." I said in shock.
"Come... come to me... get up on your feet," I heard a mysterious voice say in my head.
"Something's calling me."