Witness: See Series (Volume 1)(23)

“I don’t think he –” before I could finish my sentence, Britain stepped onto the side street I was hiding on.

“Charlie,” he said charismatically as his steel blue eyes danced across my face.

“Britain,” I replied flatly.

He stepped closer, and instinctively I stepped back, but the street lamp stopped me from moving any further. Monroe was still a statue with wide eyes as she stared at me.

“I was worried about you,” Britain said as he stepped closer and reached to let his fingertips trace my cheek bone.

“Why?”

“Because…well, because...you know.”

“No, I don’t,” I said quietly as I looked down. My heart was hammering in my chest, and my ears were burning. I tried to hide the fear and find anger, but it was a battle I was losing. I had no idea how close Bianca was, but I was furious that he was with her earlier and that they followed me to Draven’s.

“He knows we’ve been texting…he was rather mad. I had to come out and get a new phone so I could have one when you call me tonight.”

I looked down at the bag in Britain’s hand and remembered that Draven had said he had smashed his old phone with the black book that was now in my hoodie pocket.

“I’m not calling anymore,” I said as I looked up into his eyes.

Britain titled his head and smiled impishly. “I was having breakfast with Bianca to tell her to leave you alone – all of you. I needed a public place to do that if we were gonna both remain calm. I only followed you to make sure you got to a safe place.”

My eyes moved slowly from side to side as I replayed his words in my mind. I almost believed him…I wanted to believe him, but I couldn’t completely commit to that thought.

“Listen…I don’t know if I wanna trust you or not. I know she drugged me. I know you were mad – but I also know you told me to forget every man in my life the night of the party…I know that more than likely you had nothing to do with my car crash or her vain attempt to rob my memory once again – but if you’re close, that means she is, too - and I don’t want that demon anywhere near me.”

Britain’s smile grew, and he leaned closer to me. Before I could push him away, he stepped back and looked down at me adoringly. “Now we’re beginning to be honest – took you long enough.”

“You knew...?” I gasped.

“I know everything,” he said in a firm tone that reflected the same disdain I had for Bianca.

“Then why are you still here? What are you waiting to do?” I asked with a growing amount of confidence.

“Waiting for you to understand why I’m so addicted to you.” His eyes slowly moved across my face. “That I’m your servant,” he whispered, almost humbly. When I gave no response to his words, his body tensed and he stood up straighter. “That your little boyfriend is walking on the dark side – away from you and your kind.”

“I’ll bring him back,” I promised.

A bold smile spilled across his face as he shook his head. He looked to my side at Monroe. “Where’s Madison?” he asked.

“Stay away from her.”

“Jealous much?” he asked as his eyes moved back to me.

“Are you toying with her dreams?”

“The question is – is she toying with mine?” Britain said as he raised his eyebrows.

“Answer me,” I said as loud as I could.

At that moment, the street light went out and the lights on Main Street dimmed. I felt an arm go around my waist, and I went to push it away, thinking it was Britain - but there was a calming emotion that came with this touch that all but paralyzed me.

The lights came on again, and I saw Britain a few feet in front of me. I looked to my right, to where I knew the person holding me was standing - and saw a strong, lean, young man. His complexion was flawless. His light brown hair was swooshed to the side, and beneath his bangs I saw the most alluring color of hazel…they almost looked like honey because behind them I could see a beaming light, one that seemed not only to empower this stunning being holding me, but also…me. I felt a confidence, a determination to end all evil, swell in my soul; it was as if I felt myself waking up, really waking up. I could swear I knew this person…he felt so familiar…it was like an empty piece of my existence was returned. He smiled slightly at me as he read the wonder in my eyes, then his eyes left mine and he stared fiercely at Britain.

Then all at once, every single time Britain had asked me what color Draven’s eyes were, all the times he asked if they glowed or were the color of honey - suddenly came rushing through my memory….was this the person he seemed to fear, the person he was trying to protect me from? No, it couldn’t be…this person was pure, innocent, beautiful.

“Silas,” Britain said coldly, pulling me from my racing thoughts.

“Britain,” the boy holding me said grimly. Silas...Silas...I said over and over in my mind, trying to see if there was a memory of him just beneath the surface, but there was nothing. All I had was a feeling, one that said he was safe, that I could trust him with every part of me - that I needed to do just that.

“Charlie, tell your friend goodbye,” Silas said to me.

“Bye,” I mumbled, looking at Britain in utter confusion.