Of Scars and Secrets (Time Walkers Tales Book 2)

22

As I entered the medical bay, the sterile white walls seemed to loom over me, enclosing me in a cold and unforgiving embrace. The sharp, familiar scent of antiseptic assaulted my senses, making my nose wrinkle in discomfort. My eyes fell upon Julius, standing beside an exam table with a grim expression etched onto his face. His jaw was set in determination, but I could see a hint of worry in his eyes.

”What did you need to see me about?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

Julius”s wrinkled hand pointed to a weathered leather-bound book resting on the cluttered counter. Its pages were worn and yellowed, and ancient symbols adorned the edges. Curiosity and fear flooded me as I leaned in to read the passage he was referring to. His thin fingers pushed his glasses up his nose as he spoke. ”Something has changed. According to the Books of the Blooded Ones, your life will end because of a minor car accident. The seatbelt you always wear will cause a slow leak in your aorta, leading to internal bleeding while you sleep. It will happen days after the collision. There is no way to stop it before it happens.” A chill ran down my spine as I tried to comprehend the words before me.

He found it. The way I would die. And there was no stopping it.

I stepped backwards, my hand grasping at the cold metal of the exam table for support. ”This can”t be happening,” I whispered, feeling a wave of despair wash over me. Julius” words confirmed my worst fears - no matter how hard Nicholas tried to change things, I would always meet this tragic end. The thought of him constantly struggling to alter my fate, just like he did with Alec, filled me with dread. I couldn”t bear to think of him consumed by this never-ending quest, yet the idea of living without him was unbearable.

The automatic doors hissed open, and my father marched in with Ronan trailing behind. My father placed a hand on my shoulder and asked, ”Are you okay? I got here as soon as I could.”

I tried to nod but my bones felt like lead. ”I just need some time. This is too much to take in.”

Ronan”s sympathetic gaze met mine. ”We”re here for you, Sophia. Whatever you need.”

”Thank you,” I whispered, feeling grateful for their support. But right now, all I wanted was to be alone. I slipped out of the medical bay, avoiding my father”s concerned stare as I left.

As I walked out of the sterile facility, my mind was still spinning from Julius”s shocking revelation – his words echoing in my head.

Me, destined to die because of some freak minor car accident? It seemed impossible, yet the ancient texts were fluid things, and they echoed the reality of what would be. I thought of Nicholas and how this news would torment him. He had spent lifetimes trying to rewrite his brother”s fate. The guilt and anguish it caused him was staggering. I couldn”t let him go through that again for me.

My mother”s face, wild and untamed, flashed through my mind. She had succumbed to the Madness when I was just a young girl. Her laughter had turned to screams, her eyes vacant and hollow. She used her powers to try to harm herself, and others in her path. I remembered my father”s desperate attempts to find a cure as her condition worsened, his once gentle demeanor consumed by grief and determination. The weight of it all had changed him, hardening his features and stealing away any hint of joy. It was a heavy burden for any man to bear, but he carried it with unyielding strength and love for our family. The memories flooded back, bringing with them a surge of sorrow for the sacrifices my parents had made for me.

My heart ached at the thought of Nicholas bearing the weight of fighting against fate to save me, endlessly battling against forces beyond his control. And I simply could not bear the idea of my death haunting him for all eternity, hanging over his head like a dark cloud. In the end, I had to let nature take its course and trust that it would bring about the best outcome.

For Nicholas”s sake, I knew I had to release him. It was a bittersweet choice, but the only way for us to truly live.

I set my shoulders, resolved. It was time for all of us to accept my fate, and move on.

As I stepped into the parlor, my eyes landed on Nicholas. He stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the rolling hills beyond. When he heard my approach, he turned with a start, his brow furrowed and lips pressed tightly together in concern. His piercing dark eyes searched mine for answers.

”Sophia, what is it? Has something happened?”

I crossed the room swiftly and took his hands in mine. ”Nicholas, there”s something I need to tell you.”

I poured out the details of Julius” revelation - the prophecy, my fated accident, the countless futile attempts to change the course of destiny. Nicholas listened intently, his body rigid like a tightly strung bow.

When I finished, he pulled me fiercely into his arms. Our bodies pressed together as we held on to each other, tears streaming down our faces. The weight of it all settled heavily upon us.

At last, Nicholas spoke, his voice low and thick. ”I will find a way, Sophia. I swear it to you, I will not let this come to pass.”

I drew back, meeting his intense dark eyes with my own sad gaze.

His brow furrowed as he gazed at me. I lifted my hand and gently brushed his cheek, feeling the rough texture of his stubble against my palm. ”No,” I said softly. ”We must accept what fate has in store for us.”

He shook his head, determination flashing in his eyes. ”But I will fight for you, always. I will do anything to save you.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at him, so fiercely devoted, but ultimately helpless against the forces of time. I entwined our fingers together, squeezing him tightly.

”Don”t you see?” I pleaded, desperate for him to understand. ”Our time is limited. Let”s not waste another moment trying to alter what cannot be changed. Let”s live and make happy memories before...”

“Sophia—”

My voice shook as I spoke. “Please. I don’t want to waste any more time trying to change things. If we did not live this life, and—and know these things about magic and time—we would simply live. That”s what we need to do, Nicholas. We just need to live. We have to accept the inevitable and focus on the time we have left together. It”s the only way.”

He looked at me with a desperation in his eyes. I could see the struggle written all over his face.

But then, he suddenly pulled me close and buried his face in my hair, his grip almost painful in its intensity. “All right. We will face whatever happens, together.”

That night, we found solace in each other”s arms. As we lay entwined in bed, the rest of the world faded away. The warmth of Nicholas” body enveloped me, his steady heartbeat lulling me into a sense of security.

Nicholas” fingers traced slow, gentle patterns through my hair. I tilted my face up to look at him, taking in every detail of his features illuminated by the moonlight.

”I love you,” he whispered, his words like a soothing melody.

And in his arms, listening to the steady beat of his heart, I believed a beautiful life was possible. We would cherish every moment fate allowed us. And our love would sustain us through the rest.