Page 188 of Sienna Rossi: Beyond Shattered Trust

As I said, I’ll follow my instincts, but that doesn’t mean it’s not scary. I have to do this, not only because I can, but also because it’s come down to me, and because everyone is counting on this.

Control the Will, the drakaths, bring down the dome, and find the rest. It’s the dome that’s messing with the energy here. Once it’s destroyed, it should be easier. That’s what I’m banking on anyway.

Soon, the cocoons come into view, and we stop. In person, they seem even more terrifying. My stomach churns, and I instinctively move closer to Jayce, his hand now resting firmly on my waist. Some are empty, cracked open, but many still hold drakaths inside. For as far as I can see, there are cocoons.

We’re going to have to cross that… I say.

I would say you could fly over, but they’d notice us faster, Jayce replies. I look up at him, smiling.

That’s true, but really, you’d let me carry you? I ask, surprised.

He cocks a brow. Who said anything about you carrying me?

So would you let me carry you or not? I ask as we begin walking slowly.

If it made things easier, yeah, I guess I’d survive it.

I smile softly and nod. Aww, that’s so sweet.

He offers me a withering look. Don’t make me change my mind, Darling.

Ok, I’ll behave, I reply with a smirk.

He reaches over, taking hold of my chin and forcing me to look up at him, the move alone making my heart hammer.

Good girl, Jayce murmurs, making my cheeks instantly burn up, and it takes me a moment to recover. An arrogant smirk crosses Jayce’s face, knowing exactly the kind of effect he has on me.

Gods…

Ok, focus. We carry on walking, and I can feel his gaze on me, and it only makes me more nervous, until he reaches for my hand; his gauntlet is now gone, and sparks dance through me. His touch ignites my entire body and yet at the same time calms me.

You got this.

I look at him and nod.

He’s right. I do.

We keep moving through the cocoons as quietly as possible, occasionally hearing shrieks in the distance and wondering just how many drakaths are actually inside this place. The dome stretches for miles in every direction, and despite being close to the centre, there is still no sign of the end of it.

I need to control the Will before it consumes me.

I hope I can do it.

The thought sits heavily in my stomach as we continue weaving our way between the cocoons. Some twitch as we pass. Others remain perfectly still; their occupants suspended within. More than once, I catch movement from the corner of my eye and immediately tense, only to realise whatever is inside has settled again.

Then the pull intensifies.

I come to an abrupt stop, and Jayce does the same. Neither of us says anything; we don’t need to because we both know we’ve found it.

The cocoons begin thinning out, creating a natural clearing around the centre of the dome, and there it is.

The Will.

My heart immediately begins hammering. I’ve seen it in my dreams, and now it’s right in front of me.

The massive membrane-covered egg pulses slowly, veins spreading from it in every direction.

I swallow.