Chapter 30 Fury and Fallout #2
“The Gods created angels,” Holden prompts.
“After the Seelie Court created the Unseelie,” I say, though my jaw remains tight.
“Why?”
“For corruption and disorder.”
Holden nods. “I’ve heard humans are taught a very different story.”
I release a silent breath, still fighting for control. The ache in my chest dulls but doesn’t disappear. “Different is an understatement.”
The corners of Holden’s mouth lift with the hint of a smile. “Now you see why we can’t trust human information.”
I scoff, certain the insult is directed at me, but unable to care. I pull in another breath, testing my emotions and reactions. I’m still too warm, but it’s easier to breathe. “I’m okay.”
“You’re still charged,” Holden says quietly, his voice edged in what I think is compassion. “There are too many here. We should go.”
Too many to bear witness. Too many I might hurt.
I turn to Scarlet. “You should stay and celebrate.”
She shakes her head. “My feet are sore, anyway.”
I give her a leveling stare, knowing she’s lying. “Stay. Everyone’s still here, including Everett, Gideon, and Wynn. You kicked ass tonight. You deserve to celebrate.”
She shifts her gaze to Holden. “If you’re a jerk, I’ll kick your ass.”
I grin, not watching for his reaction. I don’t care. I wrap her in a tight hug. “Great job tonight.”
“If you need me sooner, just message me.”
“I will.”
Rain skitters across my skin again as Holden follows me outside. I inhale deeply as the storm inside me continues. Holden leads me to an unlit corner of the parking lot where he opens the glider doors.
I climb in, wondering if it’s fireproof or if I’ll have to face Kai.
Once again, it feels like I have no cards in this game as Holden slides into the seat across from me, his jaw set in that unreadable way that always makes me feel like I’m being assessed.
The two of us ride in silence.
I stare out the darkened window, replaying the way Veronica pressed herself to Kai, the way it had looked so familiar. So simple.
The rain doesn’t offer the same comfort when we arrive at Mysthaven, quickly soaking me before Holden unlocks the heavy front doors.
Lochlan stops in the middle of the foyer, his gaze passing over me before sharpening and jumping to Holden. He swipes his hand, creating a silencing charm that, to my surprise, includes me. “What happened?”
Holden shoves a hand in his pocket. “She was triggered.”
“Fuck.” Lochlan glances at the stack of papers in his hand and then in the direction of the formal rooms, toward the library I charred on my first day. I haven’t returned to those rooms since. “What was the damage?”
Holden shakes his head. “Nothing happened.”
Lochlan’s gaze snaps to me and then back to Holden. “What does that mean?”
“She became supercharged and then… controlled it.”
I swallow my scoff. There wasn’t an ounce of control involved, but I’m not about to tell them that.
“We don’t have time for this,” Lochlan says. “Where’s Kai?”
“Ensuring no one saw anything they shouldn’t. Is Kandi still here?”
As though in answer to his question, the unmistakable sound of heels ends our conversation. Lochlan removes the silencing charm.
“I thought I heard something.” Kandi’s gaze dances across my drowned form. “It appears you’re making yourself comfortable.”
“I’m just getting back from the tidescast game,” I say, sidestepping Lochlan and heading for the stairs. “I got home early so I could get some extra studying in since I have a tough quiz on clock faces Monday.”
“You certainly have the charm of a human,” Kandi says. “Or an Unseelie.” She snaps her fingers, turning to Lochlan. “She reminds me of that surly delinquent caught hiding in Northern Hyland last year. Her powers were also so low, she had to rely on her sharp tongue to defend herself.”
My grip tightens on the banister. “Actually, I rely on wit and sarcasm.”
Kandi openly glares at me. “I realize Miss Ravelle is a strong healer, but I took the liberty of seeking the best healers in Bryxton and have a roster of options for you guys to consider so you can wash your hands of this new… obligation.”
It’s as though she knows that word is my silver bullet, piercing through every shred of my dignity and self-worth.
Obligation.
A chore. A burden. A problem to be solved and handed off.
On another day, with another audience, after another night, I’d tell her to shove her thoughts up her ass, but the shrapnel is already burrowing into the places I’ve tried so hard to protect.
I don’t have the energy to argue.
I continue up the stairs and down the long hall, searching for that icy embrace that allows me not to care or feel.
I peel off the dress on my way to the shower, wanting to rid myself of every memory from tonight, then stand under the showerhead, scrubbing away my reaction and emotions.
Once clean and dry, I pull on a pair of sweats and leave my hair dripping, too annoyed to be bothered with the fancy styler that would make me look presentable and more comfortable in seconds, because I’m already in the top tiers of self-loathing.
I try to focus on The History of Elementals. Try to brainstorm where to begin with my essay, but it’s as though my brain refuses to connect the words so they make any sense.
I close it and pace around my room, wondering if Kai is currently naked and buried inside Veronica and why Griffin pulled away tonight like he had.
“Gahhh!” I growl, hating this roller coaster of self-pity.
I abandon studying and bury myself in the mountain of pillows and blankets on my bed and close my eyes.
I drag myself out of bed when dawn starts to peek over the horizon.
Lief greets me in the kitchen with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and a cheery disposition, that immediately makes me suspicious.
“The Vestra will be out for the day, so the morning workout has been canceled,” he says.
I nearly hug him.
“Would you like some breakfast?”
I shake my head. The only thing I need right now is information.
While Scarlet sleeps, I head to Edmond’s office, finding him already tucked behind his giant monitor.
“You look tired,” he says without looking up.
“One of my many talents.”
He almost smiles.
“There was a book about bonds,” I say turning to the shelf. “A small reddish colored book.”
Edmond shakes his head. “I’m not sure which one you’re referring to.”
“It was about bonds and had Fated Mates in it.”
“Are you sure?”
“No,” I admit on a sigh. “Everything’s beginning to blur together.”
He gives me a sympathetic look. “Why don’t you get comfortable, and I’ll get us some tea.”
I pick up the book on prophecies again, and spend the morning across from Edmond, searching for answers to one of a million questions I have.
A message from Griffin is waiting for me when I return to my room.
Griffin: I’m sorry we’re leaving without talking to you first. I promise it will be fast this time. If you need anything, Gwen and Lief will be at the house. We’ll be back to you as soon as possible.
I don’t reply, spending the next couple of hours working on Holden’s assignment.
It’s midafternoon before Scarlet joins me, her blue eyes still sleepy as she plops down on my bed.
“How do I learn more about Soul Mates and prophecies besides reading?” I ask. “I spent hours reading about a famous seer this morning, and I learned nothing. I meet Councilor Seacore in a few weeks.”
“How will learning about the prophecy help you with your meeting?”
“Because maybe if I know the truth, and can confirm that I’m not their Mate, I won’t have to worry about hiding so many damn secrets.”
Scarlet releases a dry laugh. “Bri, you were ready to burn down Keyhouse. As far as I’m concerned, prophecies are a hoax at this point, because we know the imprint is real.”
“But you said they’d feel physically repulsed to be intimate with others, and Kai proved the opposite. Besides, he doesn’t even have an imprint. What if what I felt last night had nothing to do with him?”
Sympathy has her frowning. “I know this is too little, too late, but I saw Veronica leaving alone last night, and she looked pissed. I think she and Kai had a fight or—”
I shake my head, silencing her. I can’t don’t want to hear it.
“I’ll see if I can learn more today at the healing center. An Elemental with a Fated Mate came in a few months ago, and Willow knew more than anyone. I’ll ask her.” She stands. “Are you okay being here today?”
I nod. “The guys all left.”
“Where’d they go?”
“Beats me,” I say, turning back to my book.
Scarlet hugs my shoulders and drops a kiss on the top of my head. “Take a break. Rest. Let yourself acclimate. I promise to be back before dinner to face the firing squad with you.”
I spend the day alone, finishing my essay.
True to her word, Scarlet returns before dinner, but the dining table is set for two. Lief informs us the guys are caught up with work and won’t be back until late.
“We’ll make it a gremlin night,” I say before she can offer me another ounce of sympathy.
Scarlet laughs. “What in the hell’s a gremlin night?”
“Pajamas, junk food, and being as lazy and humanly—” I bite my lip, “or Elementally possible.”
Without hesitating, she grabs our dinner plates. “Come on. Gremlin night begins now.”