Insight (Web of Hearts and Souls #1)(98)

“Marc, no!” she screamed.

Marc froze as he stared at the older woman dressed in a black gown. Her hair was decorated with jewels, and tears streamed down her beautiful face. Drake turned his back to Landen and glared at Marc over the woman’s head. Landen stepped in my direction, staring in disbelief.

“That’s Beth.”

“Are you sure?”

“She looks just like her pictures, only her eyes have aged.”

I could feel the woman’s grief, and Marc’s emotions were out of control. “Why are you here?” Marc asked breathlessly, not believing his eyes.

“Where else would she be, but with her son?” Drake said as he grabbed the poker that was pressing against the woman’s heart from a stunned Marc. Now standing side by side, the resemblance between Marc and Drake was undeniable.

“What kind of game are you playing here?” Brady asked, looking at Beth, not sure if she was real.

Beth stared forward into the darkness, past the room, then gasped as tears fell from her eyes. We followed her gaze across the stone room and saw Livingston walking into the room, holding the hand of the little boy from my nightmare.

“And now let me introduce you to my father,” Drake said harshly to Marc, watching his words burn at their touch.

“What’s going on? If you knew you’re one of us then why are you still here? Why are you playing the part of the devil?” Landen said harshly, looking at Drake with absolute disgust.

Drake turned toward Landen, sinfully grinning. “Me? I would dare say that you are the devil, my friend,” he said confidently.

Brady and Marc advanced as Drake waved his hand, sending an invisible force that knocked them down. Beth screamed in terror as she saw them hit the ground.

“Drake,” Livingston said.

Drake raised his hand and pointed at Livingston. “I allow you to be here for her, not me. Your words mean nothing. Willow belongs to me, and I shall have her.” His tone was definite.

Landen’s wrath filled the room, and mine met his as we passed the point of rage. Livingston let the little boy run across the room to Beth.

“Drake, Landen was born five minutes after you…they’re only using you…this is not your place, it’s Landen’s,” Livingston said, walking slowly toward Drake.

I edged backwards, getting closer to the altar and watching everyone in the room, hoping this turn of events would serve as a distraction. My heel found the bottom step, and I began to climb the stairs backwards. I felt the little boy’s fear grow, and I looked in his direction and saw Beth holding him back from me.

Drake raised his hand to Livingston and flung his body across the room, sending him crashing into the stonewall. Then a rush of energy took the ground from me, and the poorly lit room was replaced by a white glow, much like the string. There was no current or hum, just utter silence. Every single gift that I possessed—including my most precious one, Landen—was stripped from me. I knew that Drake had seen his intent through. He stepped out of the white glow, smiling cunningly at me.

“Now then…for the first time, I have you all alone.”

“Drake, take me back!”

“But, my love, we’ve never left.” His voice was warm, alluring, calling me closer to him.

I let my anger rise to defend me. “Drake!”

“Now, now, my love, you must listen to me. If we’re ever to leave here, you are the way out, not me.” Drake gracefully walked over to where I stood frozen and stopped inches from me, staring down as I stared forward, pulsing with anger. He put his hands on my shoulders, and his touch sent an addictive, blissful, warm sensation coursing through me.

“See? I’m not so bad,” he whispered as he moved his left hand down my side and his right hand to my face, tracing my cheek bone and leaving a warm tingle where his touch once was. I let out a quiet breath, and he smiled as he saw the effect he was having on my body. “You really shouldn’t listen to all the bad things you hear people say. It’s wrong to judge someone,” he whispered into my ear.

I let another quiet breath loose as I felt his lips near my skin. I was losing my sense of reality.

“I haven’t listened to anyone. I’ve seen with my own eyes,” I answered, searching for clarity.

“What have you seen?” he said, now tracing my eyes with his fingers, then letting his lips dance across my cheek. I was losing control of my body and mind, and I couldn’t find a way to grasp the sensation he gave me.

“You’re the reason Monica is dead,” I sneered, pulling myself back into reality.

Drake hesitated, leaned back then pulled his brow together, questioning my words. Now holding my face with both of his hands, he sent my head into a spin, and I struggled to stay focused.

“She followed you there…she drowned,” I said, more sure of myself.

“Ah, now, my love, that would be fate, not my fault,” he said, grinning with relief.

“You took them…why?

Drake tilted his head, and his eyes slowly moved across my face, then settled on my eyes. His brow drew together as if he’d been through a great pain. I almost felt sorry for him.

“I needed your attention. I couldn’t have you running off and hiding in that ghastly dimension, now could I?” he asked innocently.

“Chara is where I belong, and if you’re Beth and Livingston’s’ son, then you belong there. You need to find the one you’re meant to be with and leave me alone. Are you some kind of fool, playing with demons?”