Aria's POV
I walked alongside Jax, outside the castle walls. It had become my daily routine, since I had nowhere else to go and nothing to do, I had gotten tired the garden quickly. So I started to watch the sunset from the outskirts of the castle.
My nightmares hadn't gotten any better, this was the only thing that seemed to calm my mind.
I hadn't ventured into the woods since Kael had taken me there, so I watched the sunset from here instead.
It might not have been as mesmerizing as the sunset at the clearing but it was still beautiful and it calmed my turbulent mind.
I turned my attention back to Jax who was still looking at me in his usual weird way, while I pretended not to be unerved.
I missed Ryker more and more everyday. He had not returned from the mission Kael sent him on and I was begining to wonder if he would ever return.
I shook off the thought from my mind.
Kael was still avoiding me like the plague.
So, for now I was stuck with Jax and his leering gaze.
"Why don't you go take a break, I'm sure you must be tired or parched". I said in an attempt to get jax to leave.
He looked skeptical, but I could see he was deliberating it.
Something about him always rubbed me off the wrong way. I hated being alone with him, he just seemed so off. The way he looked at me always made me feel like ants were crawling up my skin.
Thankfully, he hated watching the sunset with me. He had deemed it important to always mention it to me whenever I went for a walk. Him watching the sunset with me for the past few days has been nothing but torture for him which brought me alot of joy.
"I promise I won't wonder anywhere. You can come back after the sun has set." I said trying to convince him.
He still looked reluctant, unwilling to leave me alone.
"I'll just be under that tree watching the sunset." I said pointing to the said tree.
That seemed to persuade him as he nodded and walked off. That was way too easy, I thought. Usually whenever I tried to get him to leave, he insists that Kael had instructed it and he could not disobey orders.
I let out a sigh at the quiet that followed. The wall was unusually silent today. I hadn't seen any of the guards patrolling. I shrugged it off as nothing.
I strolled around for a bit before settling under my favorite tree as the sun began to sent casting a warm orange glow on the horizon.
As the sun disappeared darkness soon descended. I suddenly noticed someone by the tree line staring at me. Goosebumps appeared on my skin sending shivers down my spine.
"Who is there?" I called out.
The person didn't respond. "Who are you?". I called out slowly approaching the forest.
The closer I got to the person, I soon realized, the person was dressed in a black cloak, the hood drawn up. From his physique , I could tell he was a man.
A sudden realization that he was the man that haunted my dreams washed over me.
Abruptly, he took off startling me and without a second thought, I chased after him.
My heart was pounding with fear, but I didn't let it deter me. I had to know who he was and what he wanted from me.
I kept running, my feet pounding the earth, as I made a break for him. I could hear Jax shouting, calling for me, I wasn't sure if he had seen me or was looking for me but I didn't look back, just kept my eyes fixed on the man. But the closer I got to him the farther he seemed to get.
The trees seemed to close in around him, casting deep shadows that made it difficult to see him or where I was going. I stumbled over roots and fallen branches, but I didn't let that slow me down.
I was determined to get him.
And then without warning, he disappeared. He was within arm's reach and then he suddenly vanished into thin air.
Magic, I realized coming to a stop. He had magic. I wasn't sure why I was surprised. I had known most people here had magic, I just hadn't seen it being used until now.
I sighed filled with disappointment. I turned back to return only to realize I was lost. And I didn't know my way out.
I tried to retrace my steps but the trees all look the same and I wasn't exactly paying attention to my surrounding when I chased after him.
I was overcome by a weird sensation. The forest was quiet, too quiet. They was no sound of insects, animals skittering about.
I noticed the forest had grew denser and the trees seemed like they were suddenly taller, enclosing me in.
The leaves behind me rustled. I turned slowly my muscles tensing up preparing to run if need be. 'Please be a rabbit or a rodent' I prayed.
My prayers went unanswered. It was a creature, unlike any I had ever seen before. It was a huge black monstrous creature, with oozing sores and large fangs. It had green eyes that seemed to glow in the dark forest.
Warning bells were going off in my head, whatever this creature was, it won't hesitate to make me it's next meal.
Before I could blink, it was stalking towards me, its eyes fixed on me with a hungry gleam.
I backed away slowly, preparing to run, but It was too late. I hadn't been able to take more than a step before it had pounced. It's motion nothing but a blur.
The creature's hot breath washed over me, and I felt its teeth snap shut just inches from my face. I tried to raise my hands to defend myself, but they felt heavy and unresponsive. The creature's claws swiped at me, digging into my flesh. My arms felt like they were on fire.
The creature's jaws then closed around my shoulders. Feeling a wave of agony wash over me. I let out an ear piercing scream which only seemed to anger the creature as its teeth sank deeper into my flesh. I felt my vision begin to blur.
The last thing I saw was green eyes that seemed to glow in the darkness of the night.
I was then embraced by the darkness that beckoned to me, welcoming me into it's dark and cold clutches.