Vindicate (Insight #5)(14)

“Is the string safe?” I asked .

Everyone seemed to nod at once. Rose hugged me , then left the room. I hated to admit it, but I was glad to see her go. With her gone no one would know about the emotional war that was raging inside of me. I twirled my ring allowing my nail to scrape against my raw skin. If I kept my focus there I would be good.

“August,” I said to get his attention. “Have you checked on the looking glass today?”

His eyes captured mine. “Do I need to?”

“Well. I don’t think it’s working.”

“Of course not ; it’s under water , ” Alamos argued. “At least time has not been bothered since it moved there.”

I held August ’s stare. “Are we sure that’s a good thing?” I asked distantly . “Moving time wouldn ’t be a bad idea right now.”

“Shame we can’t do that , ” August said , trying to ask me if I had the chance without lettin g the others in on our secret. The secret that we ’d changed the purpose of that looking glass. That now it was meant to lead us back to a moment we needed to change. Something I wanted to do right now. I wanted to turn back time.

“Agreed. But it’s clear that ’s not happ en ing , ” I responded .

August nodded , taking in my unspoken conformation that I hadn ’t been given that chance. The universe was forcing me forward.

“Where ’s Stella? With Marc?” August asked the room.

“She was comforting Beth in the chapel , ” m y father answered.

I looked down as August walked by. I was sure by now mourning was something Beth had grown use d to. I glanced at my dad. “Has…has anyone told Aubr e y ? Does she know ?” I asked as I fought my tearful voice and my eyes moved to Landen. I knew his mother would be insane. I knew I should bring her comfort, but I couldn’t ; it was all I could do to hold myself together right now.

“Preston did , ” m y father said humbly.

“What did he say?” I asked , looking for anything. A ny insight.

“He told her that Landen had to go away to fight , but for her not to worry because he could feel that – that he needed us to be strong so we wouldn ’t make him weak , ” m y father said in a calm tone as he walked slowly to me. I reached my arms around his shoulders and let him rock me from side to side. I kne w then that I had to be strong. I had to hold it together so I wouldn ’t make Landen weak where he was. I needed to figure out how to make him stronger.

Over my father’s shoulder , I saw Alamos release the drapes along the canopy of the massive bed Landen and Drake were lying in. “What are you doing?” I asked him . I didn’t want them closed in. I had to see them.

“Giving them rest. They don’t need to be stimulated by any movement we make . A ll of their senses are elevated , ” m y father answered for Alamos.

I walked past my father and opened the drapes. Not all the way , just enough that I co uld see the center of the bed. See their arms. The sides of their strong chest s as they took in air. No one argued with me. I t was a silent compromise.

I felt Brady’s respect and gratitude grow and turned to see what had caused that spike in his emotion. Marc was in the doorway , and he took my breath away. He was wearing one of Drake’s suits. His hair was brushed back the way Drake always leaves his. His shoulders were pulled back , and the look of disdain for the position he was put in caused him to become a twin image of his brother.

“What do I have to do again?” h e asked hoarsely as he locked eyes with Alamos.

“You have to wait for Perodine to dress. We’ll stand at your side . That will show a unity. That will show Drake embracing the present – Donalt – add to the confusion of the rumor that he ’s dead.”

“I don’t want them to doubt that victory , ” I said in firm protest.

Alamos looked at me. “Yes , you do . Donalt ruled with an iron fist. The fear of him – the fear of his past rule will enforce the mourning. The silence we need.” He glanced at Drake’s body. “The time we need.”

I didn’t bother to argue. I just walked to the edge of the be d and stared at Landen . I was lost in a vacant thought for countless moments. I kept listening…listening for Landen’s voice. I listened so closely – so deeply into my soul that I barely noticed when the bells began to ring.

What is it about the sound of a bell ? The sound that could cause an emotion of pure joy or absolute misery? It’s the energy…the energy behind the person pulling the rope…when they’re happy , they pull the long rope to the bell with joy as if it were weightless…when the y’re sad , the rope seems as if it weighs a thousand pounds…the measured pull of the line creates a slow , long , deep sound that commands you into sadnes s. I couldn’t afford to be sad. Not if that meant I was making Landen weak in whatever realm he was in . I focused on another s ound – the sound with guitars. The one that brought misery to that girl.

Holding that sound in my thoughts and the craving for revenge , I walked to the window to witness a ritual of the damned people that lived in this dimension. My father and Brady were standing in the shadows of the drapes. From their side , I could see the courtyard. The bells that were ringing from every corner of the palace and all throughout the city had caused people to come out of their shelters and walk slowly through the palace gates to center court. I could see no individualism, no color. It was as if they were one entity. One thought. The color… everything I had given this city had been washed away in one morning.