Eyes of Ember (Imdalind Series #2)(48)

Ilyan moved toward the window, the pane opening before he even reached it.

“Ilyan?” I wasn’t sure what was happening.

“I am going to go get some food. I won’t be long. Promise me you will stay inside these walls.”

I nodded and he began to move, but I knew I couldn’t let him leave without knowing. He wouldn’t tell me everything, but I knew this one thing he could.

“Ilyan?” I asked again. This time he turned his body, hesitant.

“What does Siln? really mean?”

His answer came without hesitation, two words spoken before he left the space, leaving me alone with a bit of his warm magic shielding me from the inside.

“Most powerful.”





Fifteen


Most powerful.

I stared at the window where the last light of day was seeping in. My body was exhausted, but all the new information had left me feeling jittery and wide awake. Or maybe I was just stressed. I plopped down onto the bed, Ilyan’s cell phone bouncing around next to me.

I grabbed it without thinking, flipping it open and staring at the screen saver. I missed my phone. I missed all the pictures of me and Ryland. I ran my fingers over the screen repeating his number in my head as I traced it.

What I wouldn’t give to be able to call him, to hear his goofy voice as he taunted me, to feel his hand against my skin as he comforted me. I closed my eyes, willing an imaginary phone call; bringing his voice so strong to the forefront of my mind I could almost hear it. I could feel the leather seats of his Lotus as we talked about everything… anything. We could talk about my Father, about what I...

I pushed the phone away and dropped my head in my hands. The stress at what Ilyan had said was growing, but so was my irritation at still not having been told everything.

“So, Dad,” I sighed aloud to the empty space. “You cursed me, and you didn’t even know it. You keep getting better and better.”

I pulled up the blanket that I laid on, needing some comfort since my hoodies were probably gone forever. As the blanket moved, Ilyan’s cell phone fell back onto my stomach. I grabbed it, making sure to keep the blanket around me. I held down the number three and waited impatiently for Wyn to pick up the phone.

“Jos!” She yelled the second she picked up. “Oh please tell me you are okay! I’ve been so worried since Talon told me what happened. And then you didn’t call me at all yesterday. I knew I should have gone with you! This never would have happened if I had…”

“It would have happened either way, Wyn.” I cut her off, worried she would run out to find us right now. “If you were here you would have gotten hurt too.”

“Too? You got hurt?” she asked, alarmed. I rolled my eyes.

“Nothing a little magic can’t fix.” I heard her exhale through the line.

“I can still come out if you want, an extra pair of hands doesn’t hurt.”

“No!” I sat upright, the blanket falling off of me as I moved. The last thing I needed was Wyn anywhere near me. “Stay where you are. You’ll only get hurt if you get too close to me.”

“Joclyn?” Wyn’s voice broke a bit over the line, “What are you saying? I’m not going to get hurt.”

“I don’t want to risk anything. People seem to get hurt around me.” I said and fell back down on the bed, cursing the tiny space. There wasn’t even anywhere to hide around here.

“Is Ilyan okay?” she asked, alarmed.

“He’s fine,” I felt his magic pulse in my shoulder, and I instantly became worried he could feel my anxiety.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come out?” she asked again, her voice gaining back some of its normal playful quality.

“I’m sure, but can you do something for me?” It was a silly idea, but I needed some of Wyn’s silliness right now.

“Sure! What’s up?”

“Sing me a Styx song.” I smiled as she laughed, her voice echoing through the phone.

“You’re a dork,” she giggled. I smiled, I knew it was a silly request but I needed to feel at least a little bit normal.

“I can’t help it, you’ve got me addicted.”

“Addicted to Styx?” I could hear her disbelief, I only smiled more.

“Yep.” I rolled onto my side, bringing the blanket with me “Alright then, when was their first album released?” I paused, leave it to Wyn to see through my little lie.

“1840.” I said as confidently as I could, causing her to laugh harder at me.

“Liar.” She obviously wasn’t going to sing anything for me.

“Come on, Wyn, just sing me one of their stupid songs.” Her loud gasp came through the line. I could almost see her offended face, dark scars and all.

“I thought you said you liked them?” Her voice was hard. Leave it to me to piss her off by offending her precious Styx.

“Please, Wyn.” I let a little bit of whine seep into my voice. I didn’t want to have to explain.

“I’m sailing away,” she sang, “I’ve got to be free…” I smiled. Her choice of song seemed a little bit too perfect given the current situation.

She sang and sang, and I let the lyrics wash over me, their meaning becoming deeper the more I heard.