Chapter 23

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Killian and I kept to our word.

He stopped appearing in my bed, and didn't talk to me unless we were in a circulus meeting.

We stopped our bantering, no more arguments, no more biting.

Two weeks of absolutely nothing.

And it was better this way, really. My time was quickly running out. Every day I got weaker and weaker, my nose or eyes bleeding every hour, and coughing up blood left and right.

At the circulus' concern, I assured them that it's just because my Sight is getting better. And that part is true.

My Sight is getting stronger.

And that's why I have to die.

Everything in life has to have balance. Nature would never allow someone with this much Sight to continue to live. Every day I saw more and more, even of people I've never met before.

Most of it was irrelevant, just visions of people I've never met, places I've never been. It was beginning to get overwhelming, I couldn't touch anything without my gloves without being bombarded with visions and blood.

And with Killian keeping his distance, there wasn't a moment of peace and quiet.

It has to be this way.

Seers know early on their fate. It can change, of course, as people's decisions change on a whim. But our death is something we grow up Knowing.

We learn quickly to accept it. To learn how to be okay knowing you either won't live well into adulthood or won't be in your right mind enough to appreciate it.

Death is merciful for Seers when it comes.

I can See that now.

My bones are turning brittle, and even my actual sight with my physical eyes is getting worse. When reading through the books from the Archives, I practically have to hold it right up to my face in order to see the words.

So I started keeping my distance from the circulus too.

They were getting suspicious, constantly asking me if I'm okay, and it was driving me crazy.

Another reason why I just want to die alone.

But the wolves were still missing.

None of my visions were helping on that front. Every day made me more frustrated at how useless I am.

My Sight is supposed to be my only strength, the only useful part about me, and not only was it killing me, it wasn't even helping.

Jae falls apart more every day. Snapping at everyone during circulus meetings, constantly leaving abruptly, and I Know that she goes back to the house she shared with her mate and cries herself to sleep, clutching clothing that belongs to him.

Two more wolves went missing in the meantime.

And I couldn't See it before it happened.

Completely useless.

At least if I died before finding the wolves, it wouldn't matter, since I wasn't helping much anyways.

Weak, I've always been weak. Worthless, not even deserving of my Sight. Not deserving of anything.

"Katrina?" Knox snaps his fingers in front of me, pulling me out of my self-loathing.

"Sorry," I shake my head. "Are you ready?"

Knox gives a cocky grin. "I should be asking if you're ready for the beat down I'm about to give you."

I force out a laugh. He's not wrong. He is about to beat me in this fight.

He's going to punch with his left hand to try to throw me off, and when I dodge it, he's going to kick, and I know it's coming, but I'm too weak to move quickly enough to avoid it.

And that's exactly what happens.

Knox pins me to the ground. "Finally!" He laughs in relief. "I was worried you may get a big head and challenge me for the Beta position someday."

Someday.

I smile weakly. "There's always tomorrow."

And there is. Just not many more tomorrows.

Knox chuckles, and I turn my head quickly to the side when I realize that I'm about to start coughing up blood.

Knox gets off of my quickly and I pull out a handkerchief and cough blood into it.

Knox looks at me in concern when I'm finished. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Fine," I cough again. "You're just too strong, had to use too much Sight to try to beat you," I force out a laugh, trying to sound casual.

Knox beams, but his smile falters when I cough once more. "Just... Maybe take it easy for the rest of the day, okay? And don't use your Sight if it hurts you."

I almost laugh at that. Like I had a choice. I couldn't turn it off if I tried.

And I've tried.

"Layla wanted me to remind you to meet you in the conference room tonight for her birthday party," Knox states suddenly.

My Sight for tonight disappeared, so that could only mean that Killian would be there.

"Why is she having her birthday party in the conference room?" I groan when Knox helps me up.

Knox looks nervous. "She said there's good acoustics?"

My eyes narrow. "You're hiding something."

"No," He says quickly. "Anyways, I have a patrol shift to get to. 8 o'clock, don't forget."

Knox darts out of the training center, and I try chasing him, but after a few strides, I double over, gasping for air, my lungs weak.

Shaking my head slightly, knowing that they're scheming but I can't tell what because Killian is somehow involved.

I go back to the Pack House, where Killian and Kage are eating lunch together. Killian looks up at me, before shifting his gaze back to his bowl.

Kage grins at me, the shadows around him almost disappearing completely. "Hi, Kat. Wanna join us for lunch?"

"Not hungry," I say, and quickly run upstairs to my room, even though it leaves me panting with exhaustion once I arrive.

I shower, and spend the rest of the day in bed, like I typically did when we didn't have meetings or trainings. I didn't much have the strength for anything else.

I don't close my eyes, not wanting more visions of my death, and that's all I See when I sleep.

In those visions, I'm on my bed in my crappy loft in Iron Claw, blood pouring out of my eyes and vomiting up blood, which I eventually choke on until I stop breathing and my heart stops beating.

Not really something I care to continue reliving while I sleep.

I stare at my ceiling until it's time to get dressed for Layla's birthday party. At least I'll get to find out what they're plotting, though I'd probably be better off not knowing.

I pull on a thick sweater, leggings, and my gloves. It's not cold in the house, but I'm freezing as my body continues to slowly shut down.

When I get to the conference room, everyone but Killian is standing outside.

"Happy birthday, Layla," I tell her, and she throws her arms around me, making me stumble.

"It's my special day!" She sings.

Jae rolls her eyes, but smiles slightly. Her eyes are puffy and red.

"What are you guys waiting for?" I laugh, walking to the door. When I step through the door, Killian is sitting at the table, and when I make eye contact with him, he looks to Layla.

"Happy birthday, kid," He smiles, standing up to ruffle her hair.

"Not a kid anymore," Layla giggles. "I'm twenty."

A twentieth birthday. I swallow hard.

"Practically geriatric," Killian agrees sarcastically.

Layla laughs, and puts her hand on his back. "You're so funny, Killian."

Killian looks at her strangely.

Layla slams a needle into his his arm and pushes down on the plunger.

"Let's go!" Maryn yells, grabbing Layla's hand, and they all race out of the room while Killian and I stare at his arm in shock.

I hear something bang against the door. And I run to it, trying to open it, but they blocked it off with something.

"What the hell is going on?" I yell, looking back at Killian in concern as he continues to stare at his arm.

"We're Parent-Trapping you guys!" Layla says gleefully.

I hear a smacking sound, and Maryn whispering, "Don't tell them that!"

I laugh. "You guys are idiots. Killian can teleport us out of here."

"No, I can't," Killian says quietly, glancing up at me, then back down to his arm. "Layla injected me with wolfsbane to block my Gift."

I swear under my breath. I pound on the door. "Let me out of here," I yell. "You guys are acting like children!"

"We are your children," Layla insists. "That's why we have to Parent-Trap you!"

"Knox, let me out of here right now," Killian says lowly.

"Sorry, Alpha," Knox says guiltily. "You two wouldn't talk to each other otherwise."

His Alpha Command must not work with the wolfsbane in his system.

"Kiss and make up so we can party," Maryn whines. "We'll let you out once you're back to normal."

"Seriously?" Killian asks in disbelief. "You're going to stand with your ears pressed to the door listening to us?"

"No," Kage interjects, his voice so soft I can hardly hear him through the door. "We'll come back in an hour to let you out."

"But if you still act weird when we release you, we're sending you back in!" Maryn yells.

"Parent-Trap!" Layla squeals in excitement, and I hear a high-five.

"See you in an hour!" Maryn laughs, and I hear them walk away.

I groan, sliding my back down the door and sitting on the ground.

Killian rubs his temples, his eyebrows furrowed.

We ignore each other for a few moments. Killian rubs his arm.

"Um, are you okay?" I ask hesitantly, looking at his arm.

Layla freakin poisoned him.

"Fine," Killian mutters. "Wasn't a lethal dose. Just enough to stop my Gift for a few hours."

More silence.

"Do you really think they won't let us out of here?" I ask him.

"Don't know."

More silence.

"I don't know what they expect to happen," I sigh.

Killian doesn't say anything.

"Aren't you going to say something?" I glare at him.

"I don't know how to talk to you anymore," He says shortly, his eyes unreadable.

More silence.

I get a familiar ache in my throat. Shit, not now.

I start coughing, pulling out my handkerchief and splattering blood into it during my fit. After a minute or so, it stops.

Killian's jaw clenches.

"Sorry," I mutter.

His face softens slightly, and he walks over to me, bending down and using his sleeve to wipe stray blood off underneath my nose, which I hadn't realized was even bleeding.

"Don't apologize," He says quietly. "Not your fault."

He sits next to me, sighing.

More silence.

"Sorry I bit you," I mutter, staring straight ahead, not brave enough to make eye contact.

"I told you before during training that you're always welcome to bite me," Killian says seriously, but when I turn to look at him, there's a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

"It won't happen again," I assure him.

"Pity."

"Funny."

"Wasn't trying to be."

More silence. I really don't understand his sense of humor.

"Aren't you going to apologize?" I say suddenly.

He quirks an eyebrow. "What do I have to be sorry for?"

I roll my eyes. "Intentionally cancelling the circulus meeting that morning so I would think you were with the bloodsucker."

"I canceled it so that there would be time for your bite mark to heal and your scent wouldn't be mixed with mine. The circulus would have asked questions. Didn't think you'd want them to know about it," Killian says monotonously, and when I look at him, there's no hint of any kind of emotion.

"I see," I say quietly, feeling guilty. He was right. I definitely didn't want anyone knowing I bit him.

"Do you?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Of course not."

I feel tired. I have no energy left to spare fighting or arguing.

"Look, I'm sorry," I tell him quietly. "For biting you, yelling at you. I just don't really understand people very well, especially not when I can't use my Sight to know how they feel or predict what they're going to do. I think you just freak me out, because I can't See you."

Most honest I've ever been with him.

Guilt flashes in Killian's eyes. "I didn't really consider that," He mutters. "How difficult it must be for you to suddenly be blind to someone. Of course, you're confused. I'm sorry for not considering that. I'm sure I've made this much harder on you."

I frown. "No, it's not... It's nice, sometimes," I say, my voice strained. "The quiet."

"Well, you're always welcome to use me for that," Killian says, smiling sadly. "Always a pleasure to help a Seer in need."

His deceased childhood friend. My guilt multiplies exponentially.

"I'll remember that," I say lightly, not planning on ever taking him up on that.

"I hope you do."

More silence.

"Truce?" I say finally, holding out my hand.

Killian smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. He pulls off my glove, and takes my hand in his.

And there's only silence.

Hi guys!!! I uploaded again (you're welcome) because I wanted to ask if you would be so kind as to read, like, and comment on the new story I posted titled "Three Times". It's an entry for the Blumhouse writing competition, and the exposure from winning would be AWESOME for my stories.

Also, if it gets to 2k reads, I'll post another chapter of Dimensions before the next week.

So check it out!!!

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VVITICUS

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