CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
Vesper
Overlapping voices shouted at one another, filtering through the room, creating a chaotic din as more and more black-clad people stormed in. Vesper didn’t recognize anyone behind their opaque masks. If this turned into a fight, it was going to be over in no time. She and Bel didn’t have strength left in them. They had to lean against one another for support.
“Cypress,” Vesper called quietly over the roar of sound. “Behind me.”
She watched out of the corner of her eye as Cypress shuffled behind her, close but not clutching onto her like she previously would have. Cedar moved with her, staying in front as if she could do literally anything during a fight.
Still, her presence might help keep the kid calm. They couldn’t afford another explosion. Vesper and Bellamy wouldn’t survive it. She knew the kid had to feel safe, protected, and not be overwhelmed. She only hoped they could manage the first two enough that she wouldn’t blow.
Vesper swallowed, glancing at Bellamy under her arm, leaning into her side. She kissed the top of her head.
“Bel…” Vesper paused, waiting for Bellamy’s tired eyes to find hers. An invisible fist squeezed her heart. She licked her chapped lips and took a steadying breath. “You know I do lov?—”
“They’re down!” A voice called over the noise. “Where’s my bitch of a sister?”
Bellamy whipped around in search of the source, finding Wisp easily, coughing and waving away the illusion as she walked away from where Cypress’s parents were lying.
“What the fuck…” Vesper whispered under her breath. She let her gaze drift around the rest of the room, seeking any other familiar face as people slowly started to remove their masks. The crates that had appeared when the illusion fell were being broken into and hauled out hastily. A small group stood over Cypress’s parents still, assessing them and… Vesper squinted. Were they being cuffed?
“Ari?” Bellamy called out, not moving away from Vesper’s support. Confusion laced her voice, overtaking the exhaustion as she straightened up and watched her sister’s face light up.
“You’re alive!” Wisp, Ari—whatever—rushed over with a relieved smile on her face, tears in her eyes. Before Vesper knew it, Wisp was yanking Bellamy away into a crushing hug.
“Fuck.” She held Bellamy at arms length and examined her critically. “I told you I was trying to help, you shithead. What happened? We saw—well, we felt a blast. Did someone set off a Dampener bomb or something? It was killing me having to wait until the magic dissipated! I didn’t think you’d be able to…” She swallowed, stopping herself and letting her gaze slide over Bellamy again. “You did though. Ro! Over here!”
“Ro?” Bellamy asked, brows furrowed. Her gaze slid over the room as her confusion mirrored Vespers. Wisp hadn’t given either of them a chance to speak. Shit, she hadn’t even acknowledged Vesper. “What’s going on, Ari? How are you here?”
Wisp opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by another, louder and much more excited shout. “Bels!” Ro’s deep voice boomed across the cavernous space, easily quieting thesurrounding madness. People moved out of his way as he rushed over and pulled both sisters into a huge hug.
“Get off me, you oaf!” Wisp squirmed away, shoving him off while Bel practically collapsed against his hold.
“What is this?” Vesper asked, breaking up their reunion. Finally, Wisp acknowledged her with a glare.
“Ves!” Ro turned to her, releasing Bellamy carefully and giving her an awkward hug. Not nearly as crushing as Bel’s. Vesper staggered under his grip anyway. She was glad they were here, but fuck, it was killing her that no one was explaining anything.
“We should get you out of here,” Wisp said quickly, scanning the room and still ignoring their questions. She held tightly onto Bellamy in a protective grip Vesper wouldn’t have thought possible coming from her. Especially not after all the shit she’d been stirring.
“Tell her to cut the fucking illusion,” Wisp snapped out irritably, lashing out and grabbing some poor person running past them with arms full of jars. “And bring her inside. It’s safe. She’ll want to see them.”
Vesper tensed, eyes narrowing at Wisp and pulling Bellamy away from her. “Who?” she asked, shooting another glance behind her to make sure Cypress had stayed put.
Wisp whirled back around, glaring at Vesper and looking between her and Bellamy, Ro beside them.“Tell me what happened. Who set off the Dampener bomb and how the fuck did you survive it?” Wisp asked again.
Bellamy darted an uncomfortable glance at Vesper. They couldn’t tell her sister it was Cypress, right? Vesper hoped Bel knew that as she opened her mouth to fill Wisp in on what happened.
“Don’t touch her!” Thoai’s angry voice cut through their little huddle and saved Bellamy from having to answer. Every head in the building was turned, watching the man struggle against the two figures in black, holding him back. His arms were pulled painfully behind him as he fought to free himself.
Cedar gasped behind Vesper. Their mom was still on the ground. Someone had flipped her over, but she didn’t look very alive. There was no way she would have died from Cypress’s blast though. She was an herbalist; her magic wasn’t linked so directly to her life force like it was for Vesper and Bellamy. Vesper squinted, trying to see if she was breathing or not.
“She’s not dead you imbecile, get your filthy hands off her!” he yelled at the poor person checking the woman’s pulse and trying to wake her when smelling salts didn’t work.
“You might not wanna see this,” Vesper said over her shoulder, half turning to see Cypress staring at the scene. The kid’s parents deserved to die for what they’ve done, but Cypress didn’t need to think it was her fault.
The urge to reach out and comfort her was strong. Vesper knew it was silly to be concerned about touching the kid now, after all the years of casual hugs and affection. But she hadn’t known Cypress was a Dampener before. It felt more risky now, especially with the kid already on high alert and Vesper’s Energy all but drained.
For once, she was glad Cedar was there. Cedar turned Cypress into her and held her close, covering Cypress’s eyes so she wouldn’t have to see what they were all watching. Cypress pushed against her.
