It’s eerie that she knows every single time. For that reason, I listen—because how in the fuck does she know? I play her words in my head daily.
You are to be king—one of the various Kings of New York, and one of the most powerful there is. Your brother will lean on you when times call for it, and you will need to lean on your queen.
A queen meant to be one of the Bellas. Not just any Bella, but the right hand of Death herself. You will resist at times, but this is the way it must be.
I’m still trying to understand what she meant by the Bellas. I have no idea who they are. The right hand of Death? I’ve been circling that part most.
“Should I follow her?” Emory says from the driver’s seat.
I shake my head. “No, let her go. I’m of more use in California. Let’s head back.”
CHAPTER 33
The Lesson
Deja
I walkinto my great-gran’s bedroom and go to take the seat next to her bed. My heart aches to see her like this. She looks so frail. Much worse than when I left.
My anger grows all over again. How did I allow this to happen? I feel so selfish and stupid.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper.
She opens her eyes, and they are unfocused at first. It takes a moment before she’s able to train her gaze on me. A smile comes to her lips.
“Aye, she told me ye were coming,” she says weakly.
I purse my lips. If she’s talking about that gypsy friend of hers, I don’t want to hear it. I left in the first place because of her.
“Och, and she told me ye would be angry. Listen to me, Deja. Ye did the right thing.
“Dinnae fash yersel. I am auld. My time grows near whether ye be here or not but ye should not be here.”
“How can ya say that? Where should I be if not with ya?”
“Ye should be where ye will unlearn—” She begins to cough midsentence.
I have to fight against my tears and frustration. What am I supposed to be unlearning? Why do I have to leave to unlearn it?
“It’s okay, Gran. Rest,” I say softly.
“No, I’m fine. Ye need to understand. It’s important. Yer destiny awaits ye.
“This will always be yer home, but yer life is tied to where Phoebe has seen ye.”
“Where has she seen me?”
“Ye belong in the Big Apple. Yer destiny lives in New York. However, the time hasn’t come for ye all to be there. It is coming. They will be there when ye arrive.”
“They who?”
“Hush—” The coughing begins again.
“I’m sorry, Gran. I will sit here and be silent. You sleep.”
She gives a laugh and her eyes twinkle. “Och, love. No. I don’t mean for ye to hush. That is who will be there when ye arrive. Hush and the Black Death. They will teach ye to trust.
“This is the lesson. This is what you will unlearn. This mistrust. When ye learn this from them, the lad will reappear and ye will know the truth.”
