Chapter Thirty
Marie
She didn't know what that meant, but it had to be something major. It would have to be a conversation for another day. She had to deal with the pressing matters happening now. After the story her mom had told her, she knew she had to end things with Brenton. There was no way she could put either of them through this.
She walked inside the house and spotted Brenton slouched down in the corner of the living room. She wondered if he had already picked up on what she was feeling.
She made her way over to him slowly, trying to place his mood. She couldn't read him. He finally looked up and when he saw her, his eyes lit up. It took her back to the first day they met. He had the same look on his face now. The look that said, “I finally found you.”
He stood up and pulled her into a hug. She melted into his embrace and squeezed him tight. She didn't want to let go.
“What's wrong?” he asked. “You're shaking.”
“We need to talk.”
She put her hand in his and led him to the couch. He sat down and faced her. She decided to use the same approach he did when he wanted to share bad news.
“Close your eyes, I want to show you something,” she said.
He did it reluctantly. She let him search her mind while she thought about all the sweet moments of them being together; the first time they met, how she felt when she woke from her three day coma, their first kiss.
When she opened her eyes, he was smiling. She loved how he made her feel; how that his smile brightened her day. She felt so safe and secure with him. She thought she couldn't live without him, but she would have to. She would have to make herself forget the feelings she had and move on.
Things were different now. A war was beginning and she was at the center of it. She couldn't possibly put him in a position where he would be in as much danger as she was. It would be hard, but they had to do what was best.
It reminded her of what her mom said and now she completely understood what she went through. Her heart ached for her and her mother, going through the same fate. Why did things have to be so hard for them?
“Brenton...” she began.
“Don't say it,” he cut her off. “I already know what you're going to say and I can't listen to that.”
He grabbed her hands and rubbed her knuckles with his thumb. “You think I don't know what the dangers are for us? I do, I've known this whole time and that still hasn't stopped me. The reason being, I love you and you love me. How can you honestly walk away from this because something is scary and is going to be hard?”
“Brenton, I can't do this. There is so much pressure on me and I don't know if I can maintain this and try to save the world. I just don't see this ending well.”
“Why do you think you have to do this alone? That's what I'm here for. I told you I wasn't leaving your side and I meant it. I'm pretty sure the Watchers have already seen us kissing and they still haven't tried to hunt us down. We're okay.”
Marie let go of his hand. It was too much to bear. It was true she loved him, but it wasn't enough to build on. This whirlwind romance happened too fast, it almost didn't feel real.
“Please don't do this. I told you we can figure this out. Just give us a chance, Marie. That is all I'm asking.”
She didn't see this getting any easier. He was so adamant about saving this relationship.
“Okay, I will give us a chance. I love you so much,” she said.
He kissed her passionately. His lips were so soft against hers. She got lost in the kiss and savored him. When he let go, she was out of breath.
“I love you, too. I will always love you, no matter what.”
“No matter what,” she said and stood up. “I need to go find my mom. We have a lot to talk about.”
“Yeah, I know. Come find me when you're done.”
She walked away in a hurry. She took a cue from her mother's rule book and blocked him from her thoughts. There was no way she could talk him out of ending their relationship, she would have to resort to other means. After all, it was for the best.
She quickly made her way to find Lavonna. She finally found her in the garden on the side of the house. She was startled when Marie walked up.
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.”
“It's okay, whatsup?”
Marie sat down in the patch of dirt next to her and took a deep breath.
“I understand you and your twin can resolve enchantments.”
Lavonna's eyebrow arched, “Yeah, why?”
“Well, I'm pretty sure everyone knows about me and Brenton's, um, situation, and I'm scared that if we don't put an end to things now, it will be disastrous in the long run. But he doesn't feel that way. I think he is more in love with me because of the enchantment, now that the shield has been removed. So, I need something that will make him forget how much he thinks he loves me, but I would rather he didn't know what I've done. Can you help me?”
Lavonna clapped her hands to get the dirt off of them. She took the shears she was working with and stuck them in the ground.
“I can do this, of course, but there are risk.”
“What risk? He wouldn't die or something like that, would he?”
“No, nothing that severe. What I mean is, the effects of the potion are different for everyone. We wouldn't know what they were until after he takes it. He could forget his feelings for you or he could forget you altogether. We rarely use them because they are so dicey, but if you feel you need it, I can make some. But make sure this is what you want.”
Marie leaned back and blew out a long breath. Is that what she wanted? Brenton could forgot who she was, but she would remember all they shared. Could she go through life having that on her heart?
“Okay, I will get back to you,” she said standing up. “Thanks.”
Marie walked back toward the house. Her mind was reeling. She had to decide which would be the worst thing to happen. They stay together only to be ripped apart in the end and possibly killed or he not remember who she was and they both be as safe as they could be in this situation.
This was going to be a tough decision. She would have to talk to her mom and see what she thought about it all. There was no way she could make this decision on her own.
She went back into the house and searched for her mom. The last place she looked was in the dining area and there she was, still talking to Jason.
They both looked up as she entered the room. Her mom smiled and Jason nodded. Marie pulled the chair next to her mom out and sat down.
“We were just talking about you,” her mom said.
“You mean he can talk,” Marie joked.
Jason laughed loudly. “I'm sorry about before. I was speechless when I saw you. I thought I would never find you. You are a hard person to track down. Honestly, I had given up long ago. When I met my girlfriend, I stopped being into all of this angel stuff anyway.”
“That seems to be the trend,” Marie said smiling at her mom.
“I'm actually graduating high school early and my girlfriend and I are going to the same college where I'm going to study to be a Chemist.” ? “Where are you from, Jason?”
“My girlfriend, Ashley and I are both from North Carolina, born and raised.”
“You guys sound so cute,” Marie said sarcastically.
“Oh yeah, she is my world. I was a mess when she found me. She saved me from myself. I owe so much to her. I love her more than life itself.”
Marie could have thrown up with all this sweetheart talk. She couldn't end up like this. She didn't peg Brenton as the dependent type, but there was no way she would find out.
Plus, she was sure Ashley was a mortal. There was no risk involved with Jason being with her. She didn't need to consult her mom, she knew what she had to do.
“Well Jason, I'm glad to finally meet you, even though I didn't know you existed until some hours ago. You seem nice and I wish you and Ashley all the best.”
“Thank you Marie, I appreciate that. It was nice to meet you, too,” then he turned to her mom. “It was especially nice to meet you Mrs. Mitchell. I enjoyed our talk, but I need to get back home. I'm sure Ashley is worried sick. Those thugs snatched me right out of the air after roughing me up a bit. I don't know how I'm going to explain this,” he giggled. Marie rolled her eyes.
“Don't worry, we'll get you fixed up and back home in no time,” her mom said.
Marie had to get out of there fast. She bolted for the door and headed back to the garden. She nodded to Lavonna and knew she understood.
“It will be ready by dinner time,” she said.
Marie hated she had to do this, but she could see no other way. She hoped Brenton would forgive her, but if he didn't remember, she wouldn't have to worry about it.
Dinner was in about an hour, she needed to occupy her time until then. It wouldn't hurt to spend a little time with him as her boyfriend before she had to let him go for good.
She mentally reached out to him and told him to come to her room. He was there within seconds.
“Wow, I don't know why I still haven't gotten used to this super speed thing,” she said.
“Don't worry, you will,” he kissed her cheek then laid down on her bed.
She had to use all her energy to keep him from knowing what she was up to, but if she was silent he would figure it out quickly. So she began telling him random stories from her past just to keep her mind clear.
They talked for a little over an hour and then her stomach started to rumble. They got up to make their way to the dining room.
There were so many new faces added to the group. It was nice to see her mom and dad's there as well.
Her uncle stood, as he always did, and they began to give thanks. When he was done, he sat down and they were free to eat.
“ It's already in his drink,” she heard Lavonna's voice in her head. She mouthed the words, “ Thank you,” and looked away.
She grabbed Brenton's hand and squeezed before he picked up his glass and drained it. He held onto her hand while he continued to eat his food.
Suddenly, his fork dropped and his hands went straight to his stomach.
“Brenton, what's wrong?” Marie asked.
“I don't know. I just feel really sick all of the sudden. I think I need to lie down.”
“Okay, I'll help you,” she said pushing her plate back and grabbing his arm.
He put his arm around her shoulder and she helped him to the room he had been staying in. She gently laid him down and put a cover over him. He laughed through the pain.
“I haven't slept in years and now I feel like I could sleep forever,” he said.
“Well, you can take a nap, but I need you to wake up, okay?”
“For you, anything. I love you Marie,” he said and kissed her hand, the same way her dad kissed her mom's.
“I love you, too Brenton. Now get some sleep, I'll be here when you wake up.”
“You promise,” he said, his eyes drifting off.
She held back the tears, “I promise.”
He fell asleep soon after and she left the room.