Image (Insight #3)(74)

Drake took a dominant step in Dane’s direction, but Landen held him back. Marc then pushed Dane out of the room, and Clarissa followed, shaking her head at me in disgust. When Dane was out of sight, Drake let the tension in his body release, then stared into Landen’s eyes as is if he were trying to give him a guarded message.

Alamos looked sympathetically out the window. “I’m afraid, my dear, that he’ll have no choice but to evoke it,” he said.

Drake broke his stare with Landen and looked at Alamos. “I will not evoke war - I will cause the world to fear this city.”

“They will not fear it; it’s nothing compared to the mass outside the walls,” Alamos said.

“They fear the demented, and in their eyes Delen is just that,” Drake argued.

“Yes, and they will destroy it just to give them peace of mind,” Alamos said.

“We must give them reason to believe that they cannot destroy it,” Perodine said. I felt her excitement and relief as she took ownership of the path I’d chosen.

The room was still; each of us were lost in own thoughts, what we thought would be enough to terrify an entire world. Brady looked to the window, then to Landen. “Do you think you can lift that wall – push it back?” he asked.

Landen looked down at me, then to Drake; we’d never moved something so enormous.

Alamos looked over his shoulder at the wall, then to Drake. “Drake, Willow, and Landen could,” he said.

I felt an excitement rise in the room as we all looked at one another.

“If you lift that wall, that would give them enough fear to buy us time,” Perodine said.

“Hold on,” Alamos said. “Drake can’t be seen helping Landen.”

“Then we’ll do it by nightfall,” Drake said.

“Do you not realize that they’re watching your every move? Someone will realize that you were missing at the moment the wall was moved,” Alamos said.

My eyes looked to the doorway through which Marc had just left. Drake looked at me and smiled slightly; he had the same thought I had: Marc could pose as Drake.

“We’ll do this tonight. Marc will stay in my chambers with you and my mother at his side. Once the wall is moved, Landen and I will stop time. I’ll be back before they alert me that Delen is attacking.”

“And what if you’re not back in time? What if they choose to speak to you about a different matter?” Alamos argued.

“I’m sure you’ll think of something; we’re only talking about moments,” Drake said.

“I’m going to get some of your clothes for Marc,” Perodine said, leaving the room.

I looked at Drake. I knew if the chamber were dark enough, if the priest didn’t come close enough, they’d be convinced.

I could feel the immediate intent of Dane and Clarissa - they were leaving. I knew I wouldn’t be able to focus if I thought for a moment that I hurt them.

I began to walk to the doorway, and Landen stepped closer to me and reached for my hand. “I don’t want you around him without me,” he thought.

“Then come,” I thought, pulling his hand to the doorway.

Landen looked at Brady and asked him to follow us. Chrispin began to follow us, but August reached his arm out, telling him to stay.

In the hallway, we found Marc trying to reason with Dane and Clarissa; their violent whispers halted when they saw us.

“Marc, I need your help,” Landen said. Marc nodded, and Landen tilted his head toward the study. “They’ll explain,” Landen said.

Without hesitation, Marc returned to the study. Dane crossed his arms across his chest, and Clarissa refused to look any of us in the eye.

“It seems we’re not needed here...we’re leaving,” Dane said.

I felt Landen suppressing the anger he felt for Dane. He pulled me closer to his side and stared at Dane.

I looked at Dane. “Dane, you crossed a line. What I need from my family and friends is trust - not doubt. I’m not choosing between the two of you and Olivia and Chrispin; I’m simply listening to my soul...you have to trust me,” I said.

Dane’s jaw tightened, and he took in a deep breath. “The devil has a way of dancing in your mind, a way of changing your perception – and right now you’re playing the part of a fool,” he said as he leaned forward and locked eyes with me. I could understand what had happened to him; I’ve never known this person staring back at me – which was terrifying. Landen held me tighter as he leaned forward, breaking Dane’s stare.

“Dane,” Brady said, “I don’t know how Landen is remaining as calm as he is – because if you’d even thought of touching Felicity that way, I would have killed you.”

“I think Dane’s right: all of you are blind to the devil in there,” Clarissa said in support of Dane. “You can’t even see that Drake is right where he wants to be - with Willow.”

Landen looked at Clarissa. “Last time I checked, I was the only one that could read Drake’s intent,” he said calmly.

“You know what? I don’t even care anymore. I’m leaving,” Clarissa said.

“I’m not going to stop you,” Landen promised. “I think you’re too close to all of this; you both need a break.”

Clarissa looked at me, wanting me to stop them and send Olivia and Chrispin away.