Vindicate (Insight #5)(62)
“Is he?” I said as an instant defensive emotion came to me. I was determi ned to defend my friend, guard , my guide. Draven.
I was not going to let any jealous boy distract us, and I was prepared to tell him just that. With that thought, I was across the field, standing inches from this Silas boy.
I guess I expected him to be surprised like I would be if someone appeared in fro nt of me, but he didn’t budge. I knew then that t here were no surprises in The Realm.
“You have a problem you want to talk about?” I asked sternly as I peered up at him. I’m sure my display looked foolish; he was at least a foot and a half taller than me, but I didn’t care.
“Not with you,” he sa id as his eyes fell into mine. I felt a peace come over me.
I stepped back, fearing he had some kind of power, some kind of hypnotic energy he was using on me.
I felt Olivia, along with Brady and Drave n’s intent to come to my side. I moved my hand behind me, creating a wall of energy. A barrier between this boy and Dr aven. I could feel Silas’s intent. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, but I didn’t trust him not to hurt Draven. I’d made a silent promise to Charlie that Draven would be saf e at my side and I was determined to keep that promise.
Silas nodded his head once as his eyes that blazed like gold sparkled. “Impressive.”
“I’m not even trying,” I said slyly. “Listen. I do n’t know what your problem is. I don’t really care. I’m telling you right now, if you lay one hand on Draven there will be hell to pay.”
“Am I meant to fear those words?”
Lighting struck the ground on each side of him, the smoke from the singe grass snaked through the air. I guided the wind with my thoughts, circling him with burning air.
“You would be wise to,” I said, glaring at him.
He didn’t seem too impressed with my display, which told me I might very well be in over my head when it came to this Realm.
“Let me see if I understand. You, in another life, loved Charlie and in this life she loves Draven. And that, well, that makes you mad.”
He grinned as he crossed his arms. “You’re on the right track. Lacking a few details, no doubt.”
“Get over yourself,” I said coldly.
“When you figure out how to do that please share,” he said as he smiled boyishly. I could swear I knew him, somewhere in time I knew this boy. It wasn’t a bad memory, but he didn’t overly impress me in my past either. It was like I knew this was not the first time he was way off course. I had no time to muse over a forgotten past. I was living in my now. And he was a problem in my now.
“Excuse me?” I fumed.
He was staring at me with the same familiarity I had. “You’re telling me to back away yet, you’re here to save not one man, but two. One that loved you before. One that you love now.”
I smirked. “You think you are the first person to point out my flaw s? Or that you will be the last? What was it you said? Oh, yeah, you’re l acking a few details. I loved them both before, and I love them both now. Here’s a news flash: they are n’t killing each other over me. They are more mature than that.”
Silas moved his head from side to side as his smile grew. “Are you sure about that? “ His discerning eyes glanced around the field we were in. “You see, this place it brings out y our deepest, darkest emotions. I’ve witnessed battles between them as recently as this hour.”
“And whose side did you take? Where are they? Have you partnered with Bianca? What do you want besides some macho manly claim on a young soul that has no idea who she is or what she wants?”
“I don’t take sides. A nd for the record Charlie is far from a young soul.”
“I ha ve a few million years on her. She’s young, and if I had to guess I would say that you are only showing her one side of whatever past you had with her. If you really believ ed she loves you more than him then you would show her every side. You would not let her live in fear t hat you will end Draven’s life. That has to be the lowest act I have ever witnessed. In Drake’s dar kest hour, he never lied to me. Never tried to kill Landen.”
“If he were given a reason, he would. I f Landen threatened your life he would have st opped him. If it were reversed Landen would have done the same. I do show Char lie every side of her existence. Before you argue on anyone’s behalf you may want to get the entire story . Your rock star friend over there was not always so seemingly innocent.”
“Neither was I. No soul is.”
“You sound like Charlie.” He bit out glancing away from me.
I knew I liked that girl. “I take that as a compliment.”
“You should,” he said, locking glares with me.
I glanced over my shoulder at Draven, whose energy was full of rage. He didn’t trust Silas. I ignored Olivia’s pleas for me to lower my wall of energy and locked eyes with Brady. He was standin g calmly with his arms crossed. He had proven more than once that he could walk through my energy, but now he was choosing not to. It was odd; it was like I could feel a truce, a calm understanding between him and Silas. Like he knew Silas wouldn’t hurt me. That I wouldn’t hurt him. Brady’s trust built my confidence.
I looked back at Silas. “I don’t know your whole story. I don’t even know mine, but I feel you. I f eel purity in your soul. I t’s beautiful. Why woul d someone who feels like that torment anyone. He’s trying. He’s fighting what he thinks he is because he loves he r, and you’re making it worse. You’re bringing out his dark side. Why ? Why would someone so pure do something so sinister? What satisfaction can you get from that?”