Vindicate (Insight #5)(71)
That voice, it was so spellbi nding that it took me a second or two to understand what he said to me. “I seek equality.” I uttered as studied every immaculate feature of his strong profile.
He stopped before me and gazed down into my eyes. After a long moment he said. “I believe you.”
A wave of numbing energy soared through me for no reason at all. I held in the gasp that was nearly choking me and managed to say. “Well, damn, you just made my day.”
He laughed, and when he did the energy in t he room became electric. “Did I.” He said as he managed to suppress his laugh.
“What can I do for you , Vade?” I could not feel anything at that moment. I wasn’t mad, sad, or lonely. I was just numb. It was like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. For the past two days I had to keep a constant check on what I was feeling, but right now I didn’t have to feel anything, and that was pure rapture .
“Is that a sincere inquiry?” he asked in a subtle, yet serious tone.
“I’m sincere in telling you that one way or the other I’ve got somewhere to be.”
“Naturally,” he said as he raised one eyebrow. Clearly agreeing that my train of thought was right on track. “Willow. That is your current name. Correct?”
I nodded once. He smiled vaguely . “Willow, I want to apologize for har dship this soul has brought you,” He said with glance to Bianca’s body.
“I can’t accept that apology.” I wanted that to sound fierce. But it didn’t. It sounded humble.
His gaze became colder, yet the energy in the room was still humming. “Do you disregard this Escort or the race? Speak the truth.”
It wasn’t a hard question to answer. “This one.”
“You hav e no ill regard toward the race?” He pressed as that stare bore into my soul.
There was no way in hell I was lying to this guy. His essence demanded respect, maybe even loyalty. He was simply regal. “Equality. Why should one bad soul mark the race? I have an issue with her.”
I’ll be damned. August, Madison, and Olivia’s philosophy was sinking in. A moment to late of course.
“I see.” He said as he glanced at Bianca’s body that was hovering in the air. “I would destroy her for you, but you see I have a te ndency to see the larger perspective .” He hesitated to capitalize on his next words. “I do not ha ve an issue with this soul. I do , however, have a problem with her creator.”
“Leave her like that for all I care.”
I saw his eyes sparkle. I’d amused him in someway. Maybe even made him proud.
“You’re not begging me for your life. You’re not begging for redemption.” He mused so quietly that I wasn’t sure I was meant to respond.
“Why would I beg you for something I own? As far as redemption , karma will have its way. I just want to be released from here. My soul needs to find its counterpart so I can begin again.”
That made him smile. “I knew I’d like you.”
He had to stop smiling, looking at me that way. I felt like a humble servant, and even though I could not feel anything right now I knew when I remembered this I would be furious with myself for gawking at him. It wasn’t a lustful gawk. He was just forcing me to not hide how I really felt. My emotions may rage on the inside, but outwardly I always looked the same. Indifferent. Not with him, though. “What exactly do want from me again?”
“I want to make a deal with you.”
That took my breath a way, and all the fuzzy feelings on the inside vanished. I was not making a deal with the devil. Is that what he was? Lord please tell me he’s an angel. Do not waste evil on someone this pristine. “Before you say another word let me tell you that I will not bargain with my soul or anyone else’s.”
“Now you’re just trying to impress me.” He said with a slight grin. “It’s a simple agreement.”
Aren’t they all ? I thought sarcastically. As if he could hear my thoughts he glanced in my direction for a brief instant before h e walked over to Bianca and considered every inch of her. It was clear to me that she was nothing more than rubbish to him. “I will res tore everything she has taken from them. I will restore your life.”
I waited for him to go on but he didn’t. “For?”
“For.” He repeated as his diamond gaze moved back to me. “For your support.”
“My support?”
“Yes. In your future you will come across souls that feel that Escorts are less than worthy. I want your support. I want you to speak to the masses that you lead and tell them that one bad soul does not spoil the race.”
Draven’s image flashed in my mind. Even without this deal I would have stood up for him if his soul were in question. “I will speak the truth. I will harm no one that does not harm me. I’ve been told that the ghost I’m fighting, Donalt, is or was a n Escort. I will not stand up for him or anyone like him. But I will defend anyone who is simply existing and not harming anyone.”
“Donalt.” He said with an amused grin. “I could tell you how to end him in an instant, but lets not exhaust this night shall we. We have energy to restore.”
“And how can you do that? Are you a God or something?”
He smiled faintly but never bothered to answer my question. “You will not remember me or this conversa tion. I will restore your adored’s energy along with yours. With that energy in place you will be able to send Bianca on her way.”