“Because what if I can’t just sit back and let her die?”
Jacob steps closer to me, his voice soothing as he says, “You’ll do what’s right.”
I raise my brows at him. “And how can you be so sure?”
Jacob’s expression shifts, his head tilting slightly as he responds, “Some things are inherent, Vivian Jones. You’ll see.”
Scowling, I shake my head, completely undecided on what the hell he’s talking about or what the right thing is. Sensing my indecision, Zion pulls me closer to him and wraps his arms around me in a hug, murmuring into my ear, “I don’t want you to have to do anything that’s going to hurt you. But given how out of control I become when you’re not around, I’m pretty sure I need you to come. You only have to be there, though. Find a corner where you can defend yourself easily and let us do the rest.”
He pulls back, his hands squeezing my biceps as he watches me having an inner battle with myself. After a moment, I nod, and he gives me a half-smile before releasing me.
I’m sure he knows I’m at war with myself. Torn between a bond with someone I always felt was my sibling and a man who was written into the universe for me. If anyone had asked me a few days ago which side of the chessboard I’d be on, I would’ve bet my life that it would’ve been Gemma’s.
But not now. Not after so many insane revelations and simple truths that shone light on the shadows of my existence. Not with this chronic ache at the back of my skull that screams that the truth, as I know, wasn’t at all as it appeared.
Then Cornelius is opening the door and walking through, Jacob following behind him. I enter next with Zion right behind me, the rest of the crew flanking us. Then we’re slowly jogging through the winding hallways, quickly overwhelmed by the damp smell of earth.
My first thought as we walk deeper and deeper through this maze is how it’s unlikely I’d ever be able to find my way outwithout assistance. While that doesn’t stop me from continuing forward, I find myself having to bite back the bubble of mania that brews in my chest.
Eventually, an odd glow shows ahead of us, and Cornelius and Jacob pick up their pace. We burst through the doorway, and I immediately jump to the side, stopping in my tracks and gaping at the sight before me.
We enter the side of a mountain and wind our way through, only to emerge at the other end in what appears to be another world, another realm, another universe.
It’s completely void of color—all blacks and greys intertwined with random slashes of white, as if someone created a world out of complete black marble. It’s desolate, and the air appears thick, and though it breathes the same, when I watch carefully, I see it moving.
I turn to Zion and ask, “What is this place?”
“Just the waiting room.”
Frowning, I parrot, “Waiting room?”
Zion starts to reply, but he’s cut off with aboomfrom above. I look up, noting a sudden slit in the dark clouds. Then that gash starts to drip as if it’s bleeding.
“Fucking A,” Cornelius mutters.
I glance at him, now looking annoyed, and then turn to Jacob, who rolls his eyes and says, “Well, this is seriously inconvenient.”
“What? What the hell is happening?” I cry, suddenly overwhelmed by how much is happening so quickly.
Zion leans closer and replies, “They’re just being dramatic. Anything that falls from the gashes is only meant to distract you.”
I’ve never been a fan of riddles. Right now, I'd like to put a gash in all their faces because it appears that leading me here completely unprepared was a mistake. I look to Cornelius, fullyprepared to tell him exactly this, when a bit of wind hits me in the face.
And then I hear it.
“Vivian.”
It’s the slightest whisper, and I glance at everyone else to see if maybe they heard it, but their lack of reaction indicates they didn’t.
“Vivian.”
I move to the side, trying to get a better view of the vast expanse before me. At first, I see nothing, but then the tone of the voice saying my name turns pained, desperate. “Vivi.”
My breath catches in my throat, and I’ve taken a few steps in the direction of the voice when suddenly Zion is in front of me, stopping me. “What is it?”
I grit my teeth, not wanting to tell him, but the more stubbornly I try to hold on, the brighter his eyes glow until my breath escapes in a rush, and I gasp, “Gemma.”
I glance over his shoulder, and he turns to follow my line of sight, his eyes narrowing. Then he turns back to me, giving me a little shake. “I will tend to her. You need to stay out of it.”
