Chapter 27
Christin
There were loud explosions and crashing, banging, yelling, that took place above her head. The noise was deafening. It sounded like a bomb had gone off over her, but Christin couldn’t see anything. It was dark where she was; she hadn’t seen light in a long time. Christin tried several times to shift, but the cage was still spelled. She was stuck in the dark after the noise stopped, waiting and listening in the silence that took over.
Another time, there were people above, working, driving, right over her, but no one heard her screams. She could hear them, but that was because of her hearing and how good it was. It had nothing to do with anything else. She was still too deep in the ground to be heard by humans. It was one of the reasons that she was down there. Christin was to be hidden and there was nothing that she could do about it.
Christin gave up, or as much as she could. It wasn’t too much different than what it had been like before. No one was coming to save her, even though it felt like something significant had changed. She wanted to believe that it was all an attack on Phillip, and he was finally gone from the world. Why else would he not be there in her face, gloating and taking in her misery? Christin knew that was what he wanted most, so his absence spoke volumes.
Sleep finally came to her, but it was likely because she was in a bad state. Christin didn’t have any idea how long she had been there, but it was easy to feel time slipping away from her.
***
Christin jerked when she heard noise above her. It hadn’t been the first time; she ignored the humans working to clear up or build. Christin didn’t know if Phillip was building more or dead, and his legacy was being wiped from the face of the earth. She definitely wanted to think that it was the latter.
This time though, it was someone calling out her name. Christin felt tears spring to her eyes at once. She was doing her best to make it out, but she could almost bet that it was Broch. Could he really be there for her?
Christin was so lost in her head that she didn’t remember to speak. He was getting further away before she called his name out loudly, knowing that his hearing would pick her up. She was so thankful that he wasn’t human. If he was, he would never have been able to find her. Christin was shaking with fear, excitement and hope, the first thing she had tossed to the side. It had all felt so hopeless, but she should have known that Broch would find her.
“Broch! Broch!”
He told her that he was coming. He just kept saying her name and Christin did the same. It was her first lifeline in days, and she needed to be found. She needed to be saved. It was ironic, the damsel in distress, but Christin needed her knight in shining armor. She’d known it was Broch from the start. She just never thought she would need saving again. Christin was grateful and couldn’t stop the tears. She was finally getting out of there.
***
Christin had never been so happy to see someone in all of her life. That it was Broch just made it that more special. She had worried about him ever since Phillip told her that he had been attacking Broch’s people. She wanted to apologize for everything that was brought on them, but nothing came out but a sob. Christin deteriorated into a bawling mess. She could barely look at him, embarrassed by how she was acting and the frightful state that she must be in. It didn’t take long at all before vanity came back.
“I must look horrible.”
“You are literally the most beautiful sight I have ever seen, Christin. I was beginning to think that I was never going to find you.”
“I am glad you didn’t stop.”
His lips pressed against hers, and she fell into his arms, holding on for dear life. Christin was free, she was going to be taken out of that cage. Nothing else mattered and she was in a daze as they pulled her out of the ground.
“Where is the mansion?”
The place was leveled and all of the commotion that she had been hearing was the land being cleared. Humans stood around and gawked at her as she came out. They were shocked to see anyone survive for so long. Christin didn’t know how she did it, but water was the first thing she asked for, besides being taken away. Broch said that he was going to take her home and that was all Christin cared about. She had so many more questions, but all of them stilled on her lips. Instead, she just enjoyed the moment, which was all that mattered. Christin was ready for whatever came next, no matter what it was. She was prepared to take on whatever came her way.
***
Christin was carried out of the rubble, her knees and legs too weak to keep her upright for long. Christin wanted to walk out of there, but she was just too stiff and hadn’t used her muscles in what felt like forever. Since there were humans all around, she was put in a car, and they made the arduous trek back to Broch’s place. She asked once where they were going, and he told her that they were going home. It sounded really good to her, and she slept the whole way back, leaned up against his chest, her arm around him protectively. She was never going to let him go again.
“Come on, Christin, we’re home.”
“I like the way you say that.”
“We’ll make it official soon enough, but for now, I have a surprise for you.”
Christin touched her hair and face. “Maybe you will let me clean up before this surprise? I don’t want to scare anyone else, and I haven’t had a shower ever since I left. How long have I been gone?”
“Almost three weeks, Christin. I will go get you some towels and whatever else you need. Take all the time you want, Christin. No one is rushing you. We are all waiting for you when you’re ready.”
“Ready for what?”
Broch sighed and then looked away. Christin knew where his mind went and it made her smile.
“Anything that you want, Christin.”
