“I know, but surely, among the combined skills we have, there’s a way out of this for us. This is a moment where it's not about our magic, it's not about what we can offer, not what can drain us, but how we can fuel each other as a collective and get out of here as one.”
“And why should we believe in you? You said it yourself, Jude is your brother.”
Turning my attention to the source of the voice, I find a guy sitting with his legs crossed and his spine ramrod straight without the wall to aid him. My mind swirls, grasping for the right words, but I know there’s nothing I can say that will hold enough weight.
“I don't know what you need to hear to fill you with the trust you need. All I can offer you is perspective into my pain and despair, most of which I have suffered at the hands of my brother, and I’m at my limit. No matter how deep it gets, how much shit he’s put methrough, nothing has caused me greater pain than allowing him to hurt those I love. If you hear nothing else I say, hear me when I say this: he does not care for those that you care for, and he doesn’t keep true to his promises. If you hold any hope of seeing your loved ones survive his wrath, you won't find it in these walls.”
Slowly, the man rises, understanding washing over his features. “Then do you vow to leave as one?” he clarifies, and I nod, lifting the hem of my t-shirt high enough to reveal the small mark under my arm.
“I bear the mark of the Veilstone. The controller of that mark is Elodie Blackwood, their daughter.” I point to Odie without glancing at him. “I asked for this to ensure my brother could no longer control me or bring others harm because of my actions. I vowed to do everything it would take to protect Elodie and keep her safe, and that includes everybody in this room, because she would never leave anybody behind.”
Muffled sobs come from Elodie’s mother, and I can't look at her. I can’t let those feelings sink in as they lie thick in the air.
“I trust in you.”
The words come from my right, and my gazesnaps to find Jenkins leaning against the wall for support.
I muster a smile at him. “Are you ready to figure out a way for you to truly live again?”
I could swear hope blossoms thick in the air as Elodie’s mother clears her throat.
“It’s Elodie Silverthorne,” Ellie whispers, and I frown, taking a moment for understanding to slowly wash over me. “Are you always this selfless?” she asks with a hiccup, changing the subject before I can respond, and I scoff.
“No, I'm a selfish motherfucker unless it comes to Elodie. She makes me do some crazy things that go against every vampire fiber inside of me, but that's a deeper conversation for another day. Right now, escaping these four walls is what we need to focus on.”
At my own words, I turn toward the steel door, sucking in a deep breath as I try to find the answer. Hope quickly turns back into frustration as the desire to slam my fist against the barrier ripples through me. Taking a step toward it, ready to exert even just a fraction of the tension nestled in my gut, I falter as the sound of the latch clicking rings through the air.
As if my prayers have been answered, the door slides open.
Confusion twists inside of me as I grab the handle and yank it the rest of the way open, startling when I see who's on the other side.
Black eyes.
Black fur.
Black pecs.
There’s only one monster of a man that I’ve ever seen with these traits, and my assumptions are confirmed a moment later as he shifts, transforming into his human form, his familiar brown leather jacket draping his shoulders as he blinks at me.
“Rory,” I blurt, blinking at him as I shake my head in disbelief. “Where the hell have you been? I haven't seen or heard from you in forever.”
He shrugs, unfazed by the fact that he's just rescued me and all of these people with ease. “Biding my time,” he states, and I roll my eyes.
“Obviously, but for real, what the hell?”
He sighs, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he rocks back on his heels. “When I learned of the girl's existence, my priority became your parents. I had to make sure they were safe and that your brother didn't come up with an ingenious plan.”
“So how are you mysteriously showing upexactly when I need you to?” I retort, and he shrugs again.
“Because I heard through the grapevine that you were back here, and your mother pleaded for me to ensure you were safe too,” he answers truthfully, making my chest ache at the mention of my mother, but that’s a hopeful discussion for later.
“Shall we get out of here first? I need someone in this room who can create portals to lead the way. We don't have much time.”
24
ELODIE
Igape in disbelief as I watch Professor Drayker slump to the ground. A tornado of emotions whips through me, but there's no time to think, and there's no time to check on Rion or pat Ocean on the back for doing something I was desperate to do for so long.
