Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
Sleep. Peaceful sleep, and peaceful dreams of Shad and me. He held me, kissed me. We spoke and laughed, and I enjoyed every single moment of it. If I could have, I would have dreamed of him for the rest of my life, but I woke up to a touch on my shoulder and a whisper of my name on Mary’s lips.
“Emma,” she repeated, and I opened my eyes.
I was back in my room, in my white and pink blankets and sheets with the window that faced Shad’s house.
There was a bright light coming from my window, so I knew that it had to be daytime.
“Emma. Oh dearest Emma.” She took my hand in hers and bowed her forehead over it.
“This is all my fault. I was keeping too busy doing stupid work when I should have been here; I should have kept you away from Cade. That was a horrible idea to get close to him.” Tears fell down her cheeks.
“Mary, please, I made the choice to go to him. I agreed to it. It is not your fault.”
She wiped at her tears and smiled. “I don't need to burden you with my worries. I am so glad you are alright, Emma. I was so worried.”
“I love you, Mary,” I whispered, and she returned the sentiment, kissing my clasped hand as she held it tight in hers.
“You are so brave; you are so much like your mother.”
I thought of my mom, soft spoken and quiet, and I gave her a confused look.
“Not everyone saw the side of her that you have inside of you.” We both turned as my door was opened. Ryker and Ash came inside.
“Emma!” Ash entered with a bounce, holding a plate.
“Hey, Ash,” I whispered, happy that she was okay, wondering what had happened to Aiden when I saw her.
She likes him? Does she know who he is? That he had worked for Cade?
I closed my eyes, and I was still so tired. She walked over to where Mary had been and placed a small plate with what looked like a sandwich on the bedside table.
“Emma, if you ever need to go in and attack the bad guy, remember you need back up. And in case it wasn't clear, I am that backup.” She smiled at me.
“I will keep that in mind.” I looked to where Ryker stood, hesitant.
“We tried everything we could, Emma.” I saw, then, that he held the midnight crystal in his hand.
“What do you mean?” I asked, turning to look at him.
“We tried using the crystal to give Shad back his soul, but it didn't work; it seems his melody is fused to Cade, and it cannot be removed. Keil and I tried all night.” I sat up, my head wobbly, my vision blurry as hands tried to push me down. Somehow, I still got to a sitting position.
“Shad, he is—he is alive?” I wanted it to be true, wished it to be true.
Could it really be possible? I looked around the room, and no one answered me.
Why? Was he or was he not alive?! “Tell me, now!” I screamed, and my voice was raw, and my throat hurt terribly.
Everyone was looking at each other as if they did not know if they should tell me or not.
My heart, my melody that had been rising with hope, suddenly swelled with pain again.
Keil walked into the room, looking around, and I held his gaze; he would tell me.
He always cared more for Shad than the rest of them.
“Keil, tell me, is Shad still alive?”
“Yes.”
It was all I needed. Regardless of the pain, the weakness, or the spinning in my head, I stood up. I was going to save him. I could still save him; there was a chance!
“Take me to him, now,” I demanded.