Meanwhile, Amon's POV

Everything is... dark.

I still have no control over my body, and I'm terrified. I can hear people talking around me, but it's always muffled, and I have to focus intensely to understand what they're saying.

After everything that has happened since Milo recruited me, this is the strangest feeling I've felt. Not just the strangest one, though, also the worst.

I feel violated and used, but I don't know how to break out of this. I feel the urge to scream, to call for help, to do something. But I can't. I'm just stuck in the passenger seat for what has possibly been days.

But one day, I hear a word that seemingly makes me more aware of my surroundings. I'd given up trying to break the curse until I heard his name. Milo.

I don't know who said it, but it changed something. I can hear the people speaking more clearly now, and I can feel myself breathe.

"I can't believe they made him the leader of the coven!"

I hear laughter.

"Ridiculous, I know. He's pathetic, doesn't have a tenth of his mother's power. If he didn't look just like her, I would say he wasn't even her child."

I feel myself breathing heavier, and the anger inside me is bubbling. How dare they speak of Milo like that?

"Hm, yes. Seems the only thing he inherited from her is her looks. Other than that, he's just short and weak."

I clench my jaw, and it's the first movement in a long time that I feel in control of.

I hear more laughter and manage to clench my fists, and it feels like my body is on fire. I'm screaming as I'm trying to break free - but only internally.

"Not to mention he always hides behind his friends. He's a coward."

My whole body is aching, the source of the burning pain being my chest, but my anger pushes me not to give up.

I will not tolerate this any longer. Milo is one of the bravest people I know, and if anyone's a coward, it's Caspian.

My body is shaking, and I feel sweat running down my forehead. I'm surprised no one seems to have noticed that I'm close to breaking the spell. They're all too busy talking smack about Milo - their arrogance and condescendence will be their downfall.

I shut my eyes forcefully, and when I eventually open them again, the pain stops at once. I look at the faces of the people around me.

I did it. I broke the curse, and I got my own free will back. But I have mere seconds before they realize, so I quickly step back.

All eyes immediately shift over to me, and I can see how their faces go from confusion to anger. They attack me instantly, but I put up a shield, fueled by my anger, pain, and love.

"Milo is not a coward."

Caspian narrows his eyes at me. "So, you're awake again..."

"No shit, sherlock. Maybe talking about someone I love in such a degrading way wasn't the smartest move- but I'm not surprised. You've never understood emotions that aren't anger, hatred, and fear."

He scoffs. "Fear?"

I smile, but it's an angry smile. "Yes, fear. You have taken away my free will, you've made me do horrible things, and if I were you, I'd be scared, terrified even."

"You're outnumbered," August replies.

"And you're naive."

"I don't know what game you think you're playing," Clio says, stepping closer, "But we can take you down."

I glance at her and then look at Caspian and smile again. "You know, you say that, but have you seen your friend's face?" I nod at Caspian. "He knows I can overpower all of you."

They all look at him. "Nonsense," he hisses.

I chuckle. "Sure, it is. I don't have time for this shit, to be frank. You are all the lowest of the low. You're disgusting, disgraceful. You've caused so much pain, so much misery, and I should kill you all for that."

"You don't have the guts for it," August scoffs.

I take a step closer. "Are you sure?" I raise my arms and charge an attack, and I can now see the fear on August's face.

But before I can shoot the attack, there's a puff of red smoke, and then they're all gone.

I let my arms sink and exhale deeply. I just stand there for about a minute, having no idea what to do with myself. I eventually sit down and bury my face in my hands.

I stare at my hands. Now that I don't have to fight for my free will anymore, the realization of what I have done dawns on me.

I killed Alvina. I didn't mean to, but it was me who did the spell, my hands that ended her life.

And then I used my powers to hurt the person I love the most on this earth. I can see his busted-up face in front of me. I made him bleed and bruise.

My chest aches, and I can't tell if it's from the curse I was under or if it's the guilt stinging. I cry out in pain and clutch my chest, tears streaming down my face.

This pain is unlike anything I've ever felt before, and with that I mean it's so much worse. I try to tell myself that I didn't mean to do any of that, that I would never.

But it doesn't change the fact that it was me who did it.

And I caused so much pain with it. I'm sure people at the coven are still mourning. I try to hold back sobs and get up and sniff. I leave the house I was in and make my way outside.

I follow a path, shaking and wiping away tears. I spot a yellow flower and stop walking.

I take a deep breath and lift my arms a little. I move my hands and create a circle of those same flowers. In the middle, I put a big stone and start carving a message in it.

In loving memory of Alvina.

I sit down and look at the stone for a while. It's so quiet and peaceful here, but I can't enjoy the beauty of this place at all. The guilt makes me feel sick.

A yellow butterfly lands on the stone, and I suddenly remember something. I start frantically searching my pockets, but I can't find what I'm looking for.

The brooch is gone. I let my head hang and start crying again.

I don't know what to do. I can't just go back to the coven after what I've done. What if they won't forgive me?

I wouldn't blame them.

I shiver a little. I don't know if I can go back. It might be too dangerous, and I don't wanna be the reason more people get hurt.

Maybe I should stay away from The Crimson Coven forever.