Chapter 32
ERDIKOA
Rory and Lauren walked into Night Potions after eating lunch and found the rest of the group waiting on them with drinks in hand. Rory smirked despite her nerves when she saw Kordie’s bright blue hair and blunt bangs.
“I like your hair,” she told her as they sat. Dume slid Lauren a water and Rory her usual.
“Just tell us,” Kordie blurted out. “Never text ‘I need to tell you something’ unless you plan on shouting it as soon as you walk through the door.”
Smiling sadly, Rory took in her friends’ worried expressions. If Adila sent her to Vincula, would she be able to come back soon, or would the Scales of Justice force her to complete her original sentence?
Keith set his drink on the table, and his mouth turned down. “Judging by your face, it’s nothing good.”
Dume stayed quiet, staring at Rory with a deep sadness. He knew her better than anyone here, and he probably already knew her plan.
“You’re going back,” he guessed, but there was no venom in his voice. Only disappointment, and somehow that was worse.
“You can’t,” Kordie protested, standing.
Keith placed a gentle hand on his girlfriend’s shoulder, stopping her. “We need to hear her out.”
Sera stayed quiet, which struck Rory as odd.
She talked more than Kordie. “Caius is my mate,” Rory began, earning her an incredulous scoff from Dume.
“The Lux King is his identical twin brother and the one who killed Cora.” That shut Dume up.
“He also killed Atarah and took over the Lux throne. Caius was falsely accused, and now, instead of being free to exact his revenge, he’s locked in Vincula for another five-hundred years because of me. ”
“How is it your fault he was sentenced longer?” Kordie demanded. She wasn’t taking this well.
“Because he took over my contract to free me.” Her voice was barely a whisper and riddled with guilt. He’d done it for her, sacrificing his own freedom to give her a chance at a full life with her loved ones.
She swiped at a tear running down her face. “Not only that, but my mother’s prophecy was true.”
Everyone sat forward, listening intently. “In what way?” Dume asked.
“Caius and Gedeon are identical twins. ‘Two were one, and one is yours,’” she recited. “Caius is my mate, and he and Gedeon were once one egg in their mother’s womb.”
Kordie’s mouth hung open, Dume looked down at the table, and Keith stared at her. “The end of that prophecy says you’re in danger.”
Sera still sat silently, looking perplexed.
“Who is the golden child?” Dume asked. “They’re the only one who can save you, according to the prophecy.”
“Caius,” Lauren said. “Lenora’s head is clear in Vincula, and parts of visions are coming back to her with more clarity.”
Rory’s stomach clenched at the mention of her mother.
“Lenora claims if Caius can’t break out of Vincula in time, Rory will die. If the golden child saves her, and Caius also saves her, either he’s the golden child, or she’ll be in danger twice.” Rory hadn’t thought about that. Great.
Sera chugged the rest of her drink and set the glass down with a loud clunk. “Is Gedeon trying to kill you?”
“Yes,” Lauren answered for Rory. “If Caius cannot get to her in time, Gedeon will kill her.”
“Then why is she going to Vincula?” Kordie asked. Her already pale face had leeched of what little color it already had.
“Maybe I’m the key,” Rory guessed. “Or maybe my mother misinterpreted her vision, and we need to be together, not necessarily in Erdikoa.” From the corner of her eye, Rory saw Lauren press her lips together.
Dume glanced between the Angel and Rory. “How do you plan on getting back to Vincula?”
She took a drink to stall. Her plan was shotty, but what other choice did she have? “I’m going to ask the Scales of Justice to send me back.”
Dume’s face twisted in disbelief. “Are you out of your mind? You can’t go before the Scales of Justice and ask for a ticket to Vincula.
You can’t go before the Scales of Justice at all unless you’re an enforcer or on trial!
” He was on a roll now. “You can’t even walk into The Capital without reason, Rory. You’re smarter than this.”
“Lauren can get me in,” she said defensively. “I know it’s a shitty plan, but it’s the only one I can think of. I’m going to die if I can’t get to Caius. What have I got to lose?”
“Us,” Sera said, making the table fall silent. “You have us to lose.” The small woman released a loud breath. “But you’re in danger either way.” Her pale eyes met Rory’s. “What can we do to help?”
Gratitude overwhelmed her because Sera understood her on some level the others couldn’t. “I don’t want you all involved. I wanted to let you know so we can say proper goodbyes this time.”
“Rory, please don’t do this,” Kordie begged as she grabbed her hand. “We just got you back, and it’s too dangerous for you to be in The Capital with the Lux King. What if you’re delivering yourself to him on a silver platter?”
“If it was Keith, what would you do?” Rory challenged.
Kordie’s lip trembled. “Caius is not the one in danger. You are.”
She couldn’t deny what Kordie said, and she knew they would never agree. How could they? Her love for Caius was unlike anything she’d ever known. He was like a phantom limb; there, but not, and all she wanted was to have him back.
But it was more than that; she couldn’t shake the notion that he was in danger too.
“It’s not up for debate,” she said with finality. “I promise to send letters and videos back and forth through Sam and Lauren.”
Lauren turned to her with a look she couldn’t decipher but said nothing.
“There’s no talking you out of it,” Keith guessed ruefully.
“No.” She looked around at her friends. “I’m going, and I’d like to leave on a happy note, unlike last time.”
“It’s not just her life on the line,” Lauren added, surprising Rory. “The Lux King is up to something. He is hiring non-Aatxe guards in the palace and removing anyone who asks questions or speaks about the changes.”
“I knew something was going on,” Dume said, furrowing his brow. “There has been a large influx of Aatxe enforcers being transferred from The Capital to city departments. They can’t remember why, and the transfer papers they’re given at the gates don’t give a reason.”
Lauren nodded. “They must have become suspicious.”
They sat quietly, absorbing the information, and Rory’s throat dried. She couldn’t promise them anything, so she didn’t. They were important to her, and she would do her damndest to see them again once she and Caius reunited and figured out their next steps regarding Gedeon.
Sitting back, Dume exhaled loudly. “I’ll go with you.”
Rory couldn’t hide her surprise, and once his words sank in, she shook her head. “I already told you I didn’t want any help. It’s too dangerous. I’ll have Lauren or Sam.” When Lauren snorted, Rory realized Sam might not help her. It would have to be Lauren.
Kordie wiped her face with a napkin and threw her hair over her shoulder. “Then we have things to plan.”
Everyone turned to the Alchemist, and she forced a smile. “We’re spending as much time together as possible until she leaves.” Turning to Rory with watery eyes, she whispered, “I don’t understand, but I know you wouldn’t leave us again without reason.”
“Thank you,” Rory replied. “And you’re right, I wouldn’t. It will be one of the hardest things I’ll ever have to do.”
Keith raised his hand to grab the server’s attention, and after ordering everyone new drinks and a round of shots, he gave them his signature devilish grin. “We’ll start tonight. First one to throw up has to pick up the tab.”
Rory’s head swam as she laughed along with her friends. They traded stories from their past, reminiscing as Sera listened with an amused smile on her face, interjecting playful jabs here and there. She's funny, Rory thought.
Lauren’s phone rang, and she stepped away to answer it. When she returned, she plucked the drink from Rory’s hand and set it down. “We need to leave.”
Squinting, Rory tried to focus on Lauren’s face. “You’re really pretty. Have I told you that before?”
The Angel looked annoyed instead of flattered. “I shouldn’t have let you get this drunk, but thank you. I have to meet Sam, and I can’t leave you alone in public.”
She scanned the group before landing on Dume. “Are you sober?”
He was already rising from his seat. “Yes.”
“Mr. Stick-in-the-mud,” Keith taunted, raising his glass.
Dume ignored him and returned his attention to Lauren. “I’ll stay with her,” he told the Angel and turned to Sera. “How are you getting home?”
Sera waved her phone in the air. “I’ll call a car.”
“I don’t want you riding in a stranger’s car alone while you’re drunk,” he protested. “We’ll drop you on the way.”
Sera smiled at him. “My hero.”
“You can stay with us!” Rory exclaimed.
After getting up, Sera clapped excitedly. “Let’s go.”
“I want to come, too,” Kordie whined, crossing her arms like a petulant child.
“Me too,” Keith added as he stood. “Lead the way, Dumey.”
Dume shot eye daggers at the Shifter. “I will leave you here.”
Keith’s toothy smile was lopsided when he said, “No, you won’t.”
“Good luck,” Lauren told Dume under her breath. “Do not let anyone near her, and do not answer the door for anyone once at the house.”
“You have my word,” he promised, watching the drunkards. “Wait here, and I’ll close out our tab.”
She rummaged around in her purse for her bank card and thrust it into his hand, making him scowl. “I’m rich now,” she reminded him. “I’m paying.”
Reluctantly, he took the card, and when he returned, he and Lauren herded the group to Keith’s truck.
“How would you have taken us home if Keith hadn’t come?” Sera asked him.
He smirked. “Keith’s truck. He was never going to drive home. He’d either take a car, or I’d take him.”
Sera used Dume’s shoulder to hoist herself into the backseat, and he grabbed her safety belt, buckling it for her.
Lauren bid them goodbye and stalked off, and Rory frowned. Where was she going? She forgot to ask.
The group pulled into the safe house and piled out of the truck. “Isn’t everything beautiful?” Rory asked her friends.
Dume chuckled. “I haven’t seen you this drunk in a while.” It was true.
“I missed the greenery of Erdikoa,” she admitted softly. “I mean, there are some plants in Vincula. We had a beautiful garden, but it was nothing like this.”
Keith slung his arm around her shoulders. “I want to hear all about it.”
“We’re not supposed to tell,” she whispered behind her hand. “Everyone is supposed to think it’s a horrible place, but it’s better than here in some ways.”
“Will you marry the king?” Kordie asked with a hint of intrigue. The sadness from earlier disappeared, thanks to the copious amounts of alcohol they consumed.
“Yes, and when I do, I’ll bring you to Vincula for a visit,” she proclaimed.
Sera’s eyes widened. “You can do that?”
“No.” Rory shrugged. “But I can try.”
All but Dume burst out laughing again. “All right, everyone in the house,” he grumbled, opening the door.
They all stumbled inside and threw themselves on the living room furniture. Rory heard the door lock automatically and the alarm set. Fancy.
The group sat around, talking and laughing until they all passed out.
As Rory’s eyes drooped, she looked around from her spot on the couch.
Keith was on the floor, curled around Kordie, Sera lay sideways in one of the oversized chairs, and Dume draped blankets over everyone before disappearing upstairs.
Seraphim, she hoped she would see them again.