Chapter 22 #2
“I understand his melody is extremely strong, almost as strong as Emma’s, but the laws of the Ancients, of our people—they are not just easily dissolved,” Glasson added.
“A soul once bound inside a midnight crystal can never be returned to its owner, never be removed at all, which is why the Ancients set up the system of extraction—so that the corruptor couldn't obtain more melodies.”
“Which is why I find it odd that the Corruptor is requiring Cade to put these soulless peoples’ melodies inside of midnight crystals.
What could be the benefit from that? There has to be a way to reverse it, or else the Corruptor is not gaining anything in all of this, and he is greedy,” Keil added.
“It has never been done without the soul being completely lost. We must move on, and go back home,” Glasson insisted.
“He was chosen,” Keil argued.
“We were all chosen,” Glasson said softly. “All for different things, and if we fail, we don't get second chances.”
“I don’t know if I believe that. Hope is important, Glasson. Do not forget that the Ancients can do as they wish,” Keil added.
“What, so there is no saving him?” I turned to Keil.
“It is true that there has never been a successful attempt of putting a melody back if a midnight crystal was used to take it away; however, this is a special circumstance. They are brothers, Emma, and Shad has a song. Those are factors that could make it possible.” Keil looked around the room.
Glasson was silent.
“It is worth a shot then; I mean, everything is different now,” Mary agreed with a weak smile. “If you are willing, Emma, of course.”
Glasson looked irritated and sat down again. Ryker glared at Mary, whispering something to her.
“What do I need to do exactly?” I asked, looking back to Keil. “Do I really have to, like, date Cade?” I felt myself wanting to vomit at the thought.
“Not really dating, just trying to win him over.”
“I don't know. He could probably tell that I am faking it, especially as I suck at soul-shielding.”
“Yes, but you shielded your soul for most of the day today, did you not?” Keil asked. It was true. I did a pretty good job, but he didn't know that it was only because I had let the monster inside of me take over when it became too difficult to do it on my own.
“He has Shad’s melody, and practically the same face as him. It could be pretty easy to pretend that he is Shad if you really have to go through with this useless plan,” Glasson added.
I looked at him, he was insane if he thought I could just pretend that Cade was Shad. I mean, I had become mixed up the other day, but that was because I was engaged in wishful thinking. They were nothing alike.
“We are nothing alike, Emma,” I heard Shad’s words in the cave echo inside of me.
“You really think that this is a good idea?” I eventually asked, looking around the room. Glasson had a blank stare, and I wondered why he was so against having hope.
“What are you worried about?” Keil asked.
“I hate Cade. Cade stole his soul, murdered my parents, and beat Ryker to death.”
“Actually, not to death, I am very much alive,” Ryker added, and I glared at him.
“You would have died,” Keil added to Ryker before motioning for me to continue.
“There has to be a better way. These memories, can't you get them out of me?” I
looked over at Keil.
“I have no way to extract them. You have to learn to access them, and that could take months of soul-training, Emma.” I heard a huff from Ryker and chose to ignore him.
“What would Shad think if I befriended his enemy? My enemy?”
“He won't stop loving you, Emma,” Keil said softly.
“What?” I asked.
“It is accurate that he is annoying and doesn’t give up,” Ryker shrugged, aware of Shad's feelings, it seemed.
“So I need to try and seduce the enemy?”
“Yes, but you have to be able to contain your melody. As soon as he knows the truth, Emma, there is no telling what he will do. We all know that he isn't stable.”
“For the record, I don't think this is a good idea,” Ryker said, holding up a hand.
“Me either, but if it is what the Princess wants, we must let her,” Glasson agreed, and I was surprised that he felt that way. Ryker would probably nag me about it after the meeting and try to convince me not to do it.
“That is good.” Keil sat down on a chair in the living room, looking at Ryker. “You should act just as mad as if she were to truly be with him. It will help it look authentic.”
“Well, it will be authentic,” Ryker mumbled under his breath.
“What if she gets into trouble, and she needs a way to protect herself from him?” Mary asked softly, not very happy about the entire thing, but I was grateful that she wasn't against me.
“I will attach a tracking device.” Keil got up, walked to the counter, and picked up some syringe-type thing.
“Uh, what is that?” I asked as he walked over to me. Ryker and Mary walked over to him, seemingly in awe.
“How did you get one of those?”
“What is it?” I asked again, but I was ignored. “You just had this lying around? This seems a bit planned,” I gulped.
“It was very expensive and hard to come by, and yes, it was planned. I assumed that this would be the course of action,” Keil said as he stood in front of me.
“This is a tracking device that I will inject into your arm. It will tell me where you are.”
“So, uh, you're gonna inject me with that thing?”
“It is perfectly safe, Emma,” Mary said with a smile. I looked at Ryker who nodded. I looked to Shad who was still looking out the window. I wanted him, and I needed him back.
“Fine, I will do it.” I pulled my sleeve up and held out my arm. If it could save Shad, if it could get Shad back to me, I would do it. I would do anything to save him.