Vindicate (Insight #5)(38)
“Let’s just end this , Willow , and w e’ll all go home , ” h e said under his breath.
I felt Chrispin and other peaceful people I assumed were travelers close, down another hall I would soon pass. “Chrispin is down there , ” I said to Olivia , nodding to the hall.
She picked up her pace and had turned down that hall long before I passed it. I took in a deep breath as I felt the emotions waiting on me in the room ahead, anger , fear, and sadness.
Chapter Eight
When I reached the bedroom where I ’d left Landen and Drake , I saw Perodine at the table behind the sitting area. My father was at Landen’s side , and Alamos was at Drake’s. Marc was pacing the floor. His hair was disheveled where he had run his hands through it over and over. The sleeves on his button up black shirt were rolled up , as i f Drake’s clothes w ere suffocating him.
He saw me and took two domina n t steps toward me and gripped my shoulders . “Are you insane?!” he bellowed . Obviously furious that I left without telling them, without protection, but I didn’t feel obligated to explain or defend myself. Landen had not only sent me to these new found souls, but he was protecting me becau se his soul was within in mine. A nd if Landen ever figured out how harsh Marc was with me right now it would not end well for either of them.
Before I could even conceive a thought to push him away , Brady ’s energy had pushed him back three feet , then he walked dominantly to him. “Are you ?! Do you have a death wish?!” Brady roared .
Marc pulled at his shirt , breaking the top button. “Obviously , I do!” he bellowed , crossing his arms , trying to calm himself down. “I’m him – I’m him , and that means that I ’m living in his hell. I have no idea who ’s on my side and who ’s not. I have no idea if I ’ll live longer than this hour , i f some traitor will come from so me secret passage and kill me. Do you know what that feels like?!” he shouted .
His words left me speechless. I knew Drake’s life wasn ’t peaceful, but I had no idea how dangerous being a king was, how deadly it was.
“You’re n ot going to die,” Brady swore , “n either will he. You know she wouldn’t have left if she didn’t have a damn good reason . I t’s almost over.”
I felt the stares of my father, Alamos, and Perodine. I swallowed , nodding to Marc , trying to let my pride apologize without uttering a word. I glanced to my side at the floor by Perodine. “Your Taurus twins – the Libra – and several othe rs are down the hall. The song we heard , t he one that stop ped the demon , was created by them. The lyrics are ‘an angel fallen , a devil risen , our fate is calling , this world will not be our prison.’” I locked stares with Marc. “They ’ll show me how to get t o The Realm. How to bring Landen and Drake back.” I forced myself to look at my d ad, to Landen’s body as I walked slowly there. “How are they?” I mumbled.
“Weak,” m y father said sadly. “But the sound of your voice has made them stronger.”
I reached in my pocket and pulled out the iPod. I unplugged the headphones and moved the track back to the beginning of that song and hit repeat just before I turned it up as loud as it would go. I held my father’s stare as I walked around the bed to where the canopy drapes were pulled back. My father’s eyes fell to Landen’s body , and mine followed.
He looked so weak, pale. His skin was glistening , and I wasn’t sure if it was from sweat or the water from the basin by the bed. I sat down next to him and let my fingers run th rough his locks of curls. He took in a deep breath with my touch. It made me smile , but tears glassed over my eyes . I sat the iPod between them and let the music reach their thoughts, a place where I could not go yet.
“I don’t know where you went , Willow , h ow you weathered the pain and came back looking stronger…but I beg you not to do that again…at least not without explanation , ” m y father said quietly. I nodded as my fingertips traced Landen’s face and settled where his dimples would be if he smiled for me. “He told me to , Dad . He was right ; he’s always right.”
My father put his hand on my shoulder before he walked away. Alamos had already gone to Brady’s side. He was quietly telling them what we’d done , w ho we ’d brought back. There was just as much hope as th ere were concerns. My family didn’t think Charlie and the others were dangerous. They assumed now that they had more to look after, to guide. I felt Brady’s intent to hold off on telling them what Mo nroe had said to Donalt’s ghost. It was a wise decision . We didn’t n eed to focus on that demon now. No – right now , I was hunting the one they c all ed Bianca.
Their quiet whispers halted just as I felt Aden and Draven’s energy enter the room, their fearless , determined emotion. Brady made the introductions. I looked over my shoulder to find both Aden and Draven sta ring intently in my direction. Draven walked slowly to my side , catching glimpses of Landen and Drake’s bodies through the drapes that were open slightly on each side of the massive bed. Aden stayed back. I saw his attention move to Perodine and felt his awe as he must have seen her lifetime, one that stretched over four million years.
Once Draven was at my side , I peered hopefully up into his eyes, but he wasn’t paying any attention to me ; he was staring at Landen. His green eyes laced in black changed to the color of coal. A second later , they were green , and his stare moved to Drake . Once again , the green was washed away , and his eyes turned black. I weighed every emotion I felt him have ; he was angry, sad – determined.