Synergy (See #3)(62)

Draven nodded as every muscle in his body hardened.

“He would find peace around all of you. Do you want to know why?” Willow asked.

Draven didn’t answer her. She looked down at me. “Because all of you speak the truth. There’s no doubt in your words.” She smiled weakly. “Thank you for teaching me that. I know that the love I feel you have for Draven would have helped them faster because you knew what you were doing, and because that love is just as powerful and real as what I feel for Landen...I will hold on to that lesson, I promise.”

With her simple words, she ended the silent fight between me and Draven just as quickly as it began. He turned me in his arms and kissed me tenderly at first, but then the passion that our touch always created took over. He was telling me he was sorry once again, and I was telling him he had no reason to be sorry. Shyness caused us to pull away as we heard Brady ask if the others could come in now.

We were picking up the bags we’d dropped when Ashten and Winston stepped into the entry hall. A cold wind caused me to halt. Draven’s eyes met mine, and I saw the dread I felt there. Grayson came through next with the traveler that was with Ashten, and the room became so cold that I felt my teeth chatter. Before I could say anything that would keep Monroe in the string, Austin stepped through with her. At that moment, a growl thundered through the room. I knew that growl ... it had been embedded in my memory: it was the evil angel.

I glanced over my shoulder to find that it had manifested in the center of the room. I swear it looked bigger there. Its ash wings spread over twenty feet in each direction, and its body was bold and strong. Though its image was portraying a beautiful man, I knew what it could become. Monroe and her brothers had stolen its attention. I reached for Monroe and pulled her behind Draven, then held her as tightly as I could. Winston stepped forward and smiled wickedly at the angel, and it returned the gesture. Grayson stole its attention as he said, “Give her back.”

The angel let out a bellow that framed one word, one command: “Come.”

I noticed that the angel’s image was moving, like something was hitting it. Then I saw Willow, Brady, and Olivia with their hands extended like they were pushing some kind of invisible energy at it, but it was having little to no real effect.

Grayson glanced over his shoulder, ensuring that Monroe was safely in my arms. Aden and Madison were doing their best to help me shield her behind Draven.

The angel waved its hand, and a force that I couldn’t see or explain pushed us all away from Monroe, leaving her completely defenseless. I screamed her name, but my voice was silent. I couldn't move; none of us could.

As Monroe locked eyes with the angel, she was just as calm and placid as she always was. Slowly, she said, “Pater me temptatis.” I knew enough Latin to know that she’d said, “Father, tempt me not,’” or at least something close to that. My greatest fear was confirmed: that evil being was her father.

It was clear that those words were powerful. A fierce, cold wind blew through the room, and the angel’s expression grew sad, as if he were human or had the emotions a father would have for his daughter. I saw waves of energy ripple across his image and noticed that Willow and the others were pushing everything they had at it. It must have worked because the angel vanished.

Grayson dove across the floor and pulled Monroe to him, then rocked her from side to side as Draven helped me up. His eyes were locked on Winston. None us could find a way to trust him; it was like he wanted to go with that angel, that he wanted his father to take him somewhere deep in The Realm. I was terrified for Monroe. No one should have to face what she just faced, especially a child. This entire situation brought new meaning to the phrase ‘dysfunctional family.’

I noticed Willow’s stare and said, “I told you I didn’t want to bring our demons to your doorstep,” in a vague attempt to apologize.

“And I told you they were already here,” she said, clearly not bothered by the display Monroe’s dad had shown them.

I couldn't understand why she didn’t have more questions, why she didn’t demand to know who he was, who Monroe was. I was starting to understand how right Madison was; Willow was truly focused on one thing: Landen. She looked at Monroe, then to her brothers. “We’ll talk about this when you’re ready. We’re more than willing to help you, to help you and your family.”

“You don’t want to help us,” Grayson said. “You want to destroy him, and that’s fine with me.” He quickly got a dirty look from Winston. It was becoming more and more clear to me that Winston was struggling to make a decision on whether or not he would become darkness. Grayson was struggling to talk him out of it and protect Monroe at the same time. Grayson had encouraged Monroe to be with me at my house to keep her away from Winston; I’d bet money he thought Winston would betray him and take her to their dad.

“I don’t want to destroy him. I just want him to stay out of my dimension. Out of all of them,” Willow said placidly.

Willow came to my side and put her hand on my shoulder, sending that calm emotion through me. She must have known I needed it, that I was terrified and angry at the same time. She let go of me and made it a point to touch both Aden and Draven. She hesitated before she touched Madison, but she did anyway, and I could see the gratitude in Madison’s eyes; Willow had managed to take the edge we were all on away.