Chapter 2 - Dreaming

Here we go guys! The next chapter of Counting Stars! Also, I still need to come up with a ship name for Jared and The Grimorie...How about we take a vote? I'll list the options (

booknerd00 : cx Yes, it is a bit confusing, and I will not say anything on whether any guesses on who the mysteries pov was from, but I promise, I think you guys will be pleased!

Evx : xD Ya...It is definitely Jared's fault in my mind. Of course, he has no idea it's not Mina, so I do feel some pity for him. Just a smidge.

andgirl12 : Yes yes, everybody is having sad stuff happen. ;; But that's okay! Right? Haha, no, it's not, but it may or may not get better!

Ashka Silver : We will see, we will see!

Guest 1 : Ooh, I like those! Jimorie and Grimored...I'll have to remember and ask at the end of this chapter for people to add that in their reviews!

Guest 2 : xD The proper reaction! Haha, yes, it is a little complicated, but this whole series is complicated. It's okay.

Guest 3 : Well, I won't say anything about who it is, but I will say it has nothing to do with amnesia. ;)


Over the screaming, I hear someone - how do I know the voice, again? - calling out. "Mina!"

The pain in my chest subsides a little, and I lift my head up to try and look around. Who's calling? I can't see anyone in the dark. Obviously someone is. Who is this Mina they want though? I've heard that name before.

"Mina, I can see you moving!" It confuses me. I don't hear the rattle of chains from anywhere else except my cell. Then again, I'm having trouble hearing with the screaming. Who is this person talking to? "Answer me!"

I try to shift, to get a better look at who's talking. But I can't see them in the dark. Where are they? Across from me? Around me? In my had? Are they a figment of my imagination, sent to drive me even more mad than I am already?

"Mina! Don't ignore me!" The voice starts to gain a desperate edge as I wrack my brain for who matches the voice. No one comes to mind though.

I pull forward, but something stops me from getting as close to the door as I'd like. My eyes are wide, my hair is a mess, yet I don't even realize it, or care, for that matter. I want to know who this is calling for this Mina. Who is she? How do I know her and this person who's calling for her? Why can't I remember?

I hear rattling of chains from the cell across, and it echoes loud and clear over the screaming in my head. I peer as close as I can, trying to make it out in the darkness. And then, I see icy, blue eyes, staring at me. Where have I seen them before?

"Mina!" The icy, blue eyes. That's who's talking. But who are they?

A ripple of pain hits my chest, and I collapse onto the ground.


Teague's POV


I struggle against the bonds that hold me when she falls. It's Mina. It has to be. I can see the hair and eyes. At least, I hope it's Mina. But she doesn't react to catching glimpses of me, or me saying her name. She didn't even respond to my voice. What's going on?

My anger is flaring up even more. I hate Jared. I hate him for putting me in this potion. For feeding me some stupid pill. Any pity I had for him has vanished just like that. Who cares that he's being tricked by the Grimorie? It's his own fault. If he's too stupid to see that it's not Mina talking to him and kissing him and spending time with him, then fine. He can deal with that on his own.

There's a short scream from the cell across from mine. Mina's cell. She's shaking, when I get a good look, and her eyes are shut. Is she asleep? Is it some sort of nightmare? I want to break these bonds that hold me. I want to get over there, to talk to her, to wake her up from the nightmare, to tell her it's going to be okay. But I can't. And it's all this stupid Grimorie's fault!

That reminds me. I hate her too. I hate her even more than I hate Jared, although I hate them both with a fiery passion. The stupid Grimorie that I didn't even know had been able to escape the actual book's clutches till now. This is stupid. And it stinks. She thinks she's so clever, locking us away in here and using Mina's blood to look like her. She'll die from the blood loss!

I struggle against the chains again as Mina screams. It's a terrified sound. She's scared. She's hurt. And she's alone. I can't reach her, and even if I could she gave me such an alien look, as if I wasn't even there. As if she were staring at a stranger. And it's all the stupid Grimorie's fault! Why does she even exist, anyways? What sort of idiot named their child Grimorie? How did she end up tied to the book? Seriously, she needs to go get a life!

One chain snaps as the hatred pulses through me for those two. And the desperation inside me. The desperation to get to Mina and save her form the Grimorie. I won't let her be touched again. I won't let her lose any more blood. I promised her that I would keep her safe. And I need to fulfill that promise, no matter what.

"Mina!" I try calling her name again. "Mina, can you hear me?"

Her body spasms. Another scream breaks it's way out of her. I'm going to take that as a no. Or, if she can, she can't do anything about it.

How dare this be done to her? What did Mina ever do to the Grimorie? She obviously didn't know that the Grimorie even existed! Is this just a battle for Jared? Can't she handle the fact that Jared will never love her? Mina doesn't return his feelings! She should be content on trying to win Jared without taking Mina's form!

The anger grows inside me.

It's like a monstrous parasite. It grabs onto my soul with sharp claws, hanging on. It lives off my anger, my darkness, my hatred. All the negative feelings inside me feed the beast.

The second chain snaps on my hands.

My hands are free. It's simple, after that, to blow the ones off of my ankles. My ankles and wrists are raw and red. But that matters not. I hurry over to Mina's cell, demolishing the door, and kneeling beside her.

"Mina. Mina, I'm here." I put a hand on her shoulder, and feel another spasm shake her.

She doesn't respond. The screaming is haunting, but I shift, pulling her into my arms in a way that won't hurt her.

"Mina, it's me. It's Teague. I'm here. You're okay." My eyes land on her arm. It's nearly covered in black. Isn't that what was going to happen if Jared and I neglected her? I haven't been able to reach her, and Jared is captivated by disguised Grimorie, so I guess this would be happening.

"Mina, I'm going to get you out of here, okay?" I whisper, and my hands move, smashing the chains with Fae magic. "We're going to get away. We're going to be safe. I'm going to keep my promise."

The screaming suddenly ends. She curls up into a ball, hands positioned over her head, and it takes some effort to get her to uncurl so I can carry her. Once she's in my arms, I snap my fingers. Because I'm so drained, we only get outside the castle. But that's okay. We just need to get away. If Fae magic can't carry us far enough, I'll walk. But I won't let Mina die.


So, would you guys like to see some Grimorie (in Mina's form) interacting with Jared next chapter? Or should I stick with Mina and Teague?

Also, do you guys prefer the ship name Grimored or Jimorie for Jared and The Grimorie? Or do you think something completely different? Please give your opinions in your review!

And, now we need three reviews so that I will update!

~ Dagger