Mercedes breathed heavily, sweating and her body full of injuries. She was at her limit. She couldn't go on fighting, yet fighting was what she had to do if she wished to remain in control of her body. Mercedes didn't know how long she had been at it, but she had been fighting dark shadows appearing from everywhere, trying to wrap themselves around her and swallow her into darkness. She couldn't let that happen. If they got her, she would lose it all.

The thought of being ...