Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
W ith a tender touch, Emily’s fingertips brushed softly against Logan’s cheek, tracing the contours of his rugged features. His immortal gaze held a love that spanned centuries, a commitment unwavering in its devotion, and a desire that burned with an intensity unmatched by mortal constraints.
She felt the weight of his emotions wash over her like a tidal wave. His mind laid bare before her with a vulnerability that stirred her soul. Every memory, both joyous and sorrowful, lay open for her exploration, a tapestry of experiences woven through the fabric of time itself.
But even as she reveled in the intimacy of their connection, Emily’s body bore the toll of her transformation, her powers stretched to their limits by the chaos of the night’s events. Weariness crept into her bones like a whispered promise, a silent reminder that she was not immune to the demands of mortal flesh.
With a sigh, Emily reluctantly withdrew her touch, her thoughts turning to the practical matters at hand. The cabin lay in ruins, its once sturdy walls now reduced to smoldering embers by the ravages of fire. She needed to assess the extent of the damage, to confront the aftermath of the night’s turmoil .
“Logan, we should head back. We can head over to my apartment to pick up some things. We can stay there tonight if needed,” she said.
Logan stood and helped her to her feet. “My clan is already making the repairs to the cabin, but it was extensive, so we have time to return to your place and retrieve what you want.”
Emily and Logan walked in unison through the dense foliage, their footsteps echoing softly against the ground beneath them. The canopy of trees overhead cast dappled shadows upon their path, creating a serene ambiance that belied the chaos of the night’s events.
As they emerged from the embrace of the forest, Emily’s gaze swept across the clearing, her eyes widening in astonishment. Hovering in midair above the charred remnants of the home was the cabin’s roof beam.
Legion used his otherworldly power and ancient wisdom to restore the beam atop the cabin. Charred and splintered from the inferno that had engulfed it, the beam underwent a miraculous transformation. Its once-damaged surface slowly returned to its former pristine condition.
The other dragons were working on various parts of the land and cabin to return it to its former beauty.
It was a scene that defied logic and reason, one that belied the unfathomable power wielded by Legion and his tireless pursuit of balance and harmony within the natural world. And as Emily watched in awe, she felt a sense of reverence wash over her, a silent acknowledgment of the sacred bond that connected all living things in the tapestry of existence.
The cabin began to take on a renewed vitality, its scars of destruction fading into obscurity beneath the skilled hands of the Legion and his clan mates.
“They are using magic,” she whispered
“The cabin was set ablaze with dragon fire and magic. Under such circumstances, we are using magic to restore it quickly. It will be finished before we return. Do you wish to fly?”
She shook her head. “Normally, I would say yes, but I just want to feel human for a while. Can we drive?”
He kissed her temple. “Of course.” He led her to one of the SUVs parked away from the cabin. There was one closer, but the paint was blistered and had been damaged in the fire.
Logan opened the passenger door for her and got in the driver’s seat. They were barely ten minutes into their long drive when she fell asleep.
In no time, Logan was shaking her slightly and calling her name.
She blinked and glanced at the front entrance to her apartment. “We are here already?”
“Yes. You needed your sleep. I have scanned the area. There are no darks in the vicinity. It is safe to go up and grab what you need.”
She was glad he had ensured there were no darks around. It was really late, and those on the road were either leaving nightclubs or heading to an after-hours bar.
“I will be quick.”
Logan unfastened his seatbelt, and she put her hand on his thigh. “Can I have ten minutes alone? I only need to grab a duffle bag. I don’t care about the clothes, just my mother’s things and a few personal items.”
Logan’s jaw tightened. “Ten minutes. Call to me if you need help with anything.”
“I will.” She exited the vehicle and entered the main entrance. The lobby was empty, and the night watchman was likely doing his rounds.
Emily’s footsteps echoed softly in the corridor as she made her way to the elevator, each step a reminder of the decision she had made. With each passing moment, the distance between her and the life she had once known grew ever wider.
As the elevator doors slid shut behind her, Emily felt a pang of finality settle in the pit of her stomach. This was it. The end of one chapter and the beginning of another. She was choosing a life with Logan, a life filled with love and adventure.
Logan offered her everything she had ever dreamed of and more. He asked for nothing in return, save for her trust.
Entering her apartment with a sense of purpose, Emily wasted no time in retrieving the bag she had prepared for this moment. It lay nestled under the bed, a relic of her past that now held the key to her future. The bag, a faded shade of pink, had once belonged to her mother, a tangible reminder of the strength and resilience that ran through her veins.
With a reverent touch, Emily lifted the bag from its resting place, her fingers tracing the worn seams and frayed edges with a sense of nostalgia. It was a symbol of all she was leaving behind. The memories, the pain, the uncertainty, and yet, it also held the promise of a new beginning.
Emily slung the satchel over her shoulder and moved to the dresser. She carefully packed her cherished belongings into the faded pink bag. Each item held a special significance, a tangible connection to the memories and moments that had shaped her life.
First among them was her mother’s jewelry, delicate pieces imbued with sentimental value, each one a precious reminder of the love and warmth that had once filled her childhood home. Among them was a locket containing a picture of her family when she was just nine years old, a snapshot frozen in time that captured the essence of a simpler, happier time.
Next, Emily gathered a few articles of clothing, none of them fancy or expensive, but each one imbued with a sense of comfort and familiarity.
With each item carefully packed away, Emily felt a sense of satisfaction settle over her like a warm embrace. These were the things that mattered most to her, the tangible remnants of a life she was leaving behind in pursuit of something greater.
But as she turned to leave her bedroom, her heart skipped a beat at the sight of her uncle sitting on the couch, his presence a stark reminder of the ties that bound her to her past.
“Are you going somewhere?” he asked. His black hair was slicked back, and the touches of gray seemed to accent his aging good looks. His son stood behind the couch and sneered at her.
“I am.”
Her uncle motioned for her to sit as her cousin placed his hand on his gun.
She did as he asked, but clutched the pink bag to her body like a shield. “I was told you had struck a deal. That you would have the money soon.”
Her uncle smiled. “I received it a half hour ago. Far more than I would have received had I sold the pearl. Our contract is officially over.”
“Then you should be happy. Why are you here?”
Her uncle sighed. “You were supposed to die after the heist. I had it all arranged. Once you dropped off the pearl, you were to be gunned down by a rival. Your death was to give me a reason to usurp more territory.”
Her shoulders slumped. She should have known that her uncle would never let her go. “Why do you hate me so much? I did everything you asked.”
Her cousin grunted. “It isn’t personal, Emily. Your father sullied himself with that Canadian whore. You were born unclean. He should have fucked her and left her, but he couldn’t get enough of that bitch. Father only allowed him to keep her because he was never going to be a family head. But we don’t want a future tied to your tainted blood.”
She put her head down as if she would cry. Part of her wanted to. She connected with the familiar thread in her mind. Logan. My uncle is going to kill me. I’m sorry. I love you.
She had never said those words to anyone except her parents, but in her last seconds, she wanted him to know she would have chosen him. That the life he offered was a gift she would have cherished.
Her eyes moved to her cousin as he pulled his gun. She could see the barrel and knew she would never see the bullet. Her magic began to rise, but she was unsure how to create a shield and doubted it would be strong enough to withstand this attack. She was exhausted from the transmutation and didn’t know enough about her powers to use them properly yet.
As his fingers squeezed the trigger, time seemed to stop. Just as the bullet should have left the chamber, the glass sliding door to her balcony imploded, and Logan stood retracting his wings from his back. His eyes were ablaze with fire, and he looked like an avenging angel from hell.
Her uncle scrambled from the couch and moved behind his son as they backed away from Logan.
Her cousin made the mistake of firing his weapon. The bullet bounced off Logan’s skin as if it were made of steel before he grabbed her cousin by the throat and snapped his neck in one easy motion. He dropped the body to the floor before he moved toward her uncle.
“You were paid for her services, and you came to kill her out of spite. I warned you to take the money and go, but you had to bring about the death of your oldest son.”
Ming glanced at his fallen son and held his hands up. “It wasn’t personal. She knows too much about our operation. She is too involved. I will give the money back in exchange for my life.”
Logan’s eyes blazed. “The money is meaningless to me. She is everything. You had a treasure worth more than anything you could ever steal, and you squandered it. Now you will live out your days wishing you had made another choice.”
“You aren’t going to kill me?” her uncle asked.
Logan placed his hands on either side of Ming’s head. “Death is too good for you.”
She felt Logan’s power flare out before her uncle’s eyes glazed over. He dropped him to the floor beside his son, but Ming’s chest continued to rise and fall.
Emily stood from the couch. “What did you do?”
“I crushed his mind. A part of him will know what is happening, but he will never communicate with anyone again. He will live out his days locked in a mental prison.”
Emily stared at her uncle. “He won’t live that long. His youngest son will take over the business, and they have no use for the infirm. He will end up in a public facility when the family cuts off funding.”
“Good.” He grabbed her hand and led her to the door, but paused before he opened it. “Do you have everything you need from this place?”
She stared at him. “All I need is you.”