Madison had found a way to calm her nerves: she was whispering to the pleas of the dead all around us, paving a path. It was easy to help them. All you really had to say was, “You are worthy.” It seemed every one of them had died thinking that they weren’t.
I found it odd that there were not more of them around us. I thought about asking Draven if they had come before to help them, if that was why it was not as overwhelming as it was the last time we were here. But before I had a chance the carriage stopped and a large older man dressed in a black suit opened the carriage door.
Olivia nodded her head for me to go. I held my breath and took the man’s hand as he helped me down. I faced forward, staring at the two doors that were at least a hundred feet high, wide open, less than three hundred feet from me. Once I felt Madison next to me I stepped forward, slowly, elegantly, the way Olivia had coached me to.
Halfway to the door that led to the three images that were waiting on us, Madison quietly said, “I’m going to do this for you, Charlie. I’m going to let my guard down tonight, let them see whatever energy they want to.”
“You’re not doing anything for me. Tonight - of all nights - keep your guard up,” I whispered harshly.
“Charlie, all of us would be in a mental institution if it weren't for you. If I do this and this place does hold the vortex of the darkness - we’ll kill The Realm, Bianca, and save Draven from whatever is trying to claim him.”
“You cannot fall for a guy just to do your best friend a favor. We are in a mental institution. Have you taken inventory of your situation lately?”
I heard her smile, which told me it had to be a bigger grin than what was more than likely appropriate right now.
“Well, I’ve always said only insane people fall in love. I guess we’ll find out how crazy I am.” Her voice was dry, trembling - and I knew why: Drake was just a few feet away now. Flanking him were Alamos and Perodine.
I glanced around, looking for Cashton, but he’d vanished from my sight.
Drake looked like the king I knew he was. His dark eyes sparkled with a dangerous anticipation. His firm jaw was locked in place, making him look even more powerful. His broad shoulders were pulled back in a commanding manner. I could feel his energy from here, the dominance of it, and I could feel Draven’s just behind me. If I weren’t standing in the center of this hypnotizing bliss, I’m sure my heart would be racing, my anxiety wreaking havoc on every part of my body. But the energy in both of them had the power to still every anxious emotion in existence.
Side by side, Madison and I climbed the steps to where he was. Once there, I stepped forward first, as I was told to do before by Olivia. Drake bowed as I did.
Quietly, I said, “Your Grace,” which made me feel ridiculous because I knew this guy.
He noticed the sarcasm in my tone - he had to hold in a grin. I stood to his right as Madison stepped forward. Drake definitely took advantage of the custom, kissing her hand more softly and intimately than he had mine. I wasn’t sure, but I thought I saw the ‘good’ red aura around them.
Madison stood to his left, opening the way for Draven to greet him, playing the part of strangers - even though in the last few days they had only been apart for a few hours at a time.
Now that I was just inside the entryway, the whispers became more defined, urgent. I heard “Run!” cried out in agony over and over. I tensed hearing it and locked eyes with Madison. She’d heard it, too. We broke eye contact and both started whispering, “You are worthy,” just under our breath. If Draven heard it, he was keeping his cool, greeting Drake with all the mannerisms of royalty.
I felt Perodine’s stare and my eyes angled to where she was standing. She was not in slacks with her hair tossed into a ponytail. No, she looked like a refined queen. Her stance suggested harsh judgment, but I saw approval in her eyes, maybe even a ‘thank you.’ Her gown was massive, black, decorated with priceless jewels. Her silver hair was pulled back in what manner I could not tell. A black satin train was there (I assumed it was to represent her suggested grief over the loss of her husband). The judgment in her stance was to represent that she would not easily give up her place as the ruler of this world.
She bowed slightly in my direction and turned. It took me a second to remember that I was supposed to follow her. The whispers and shadows lingering here and there with their pleas for me to run had distracted me.
I followed Perodine into the entry hall, which was beyond impressive. I don’t care what shows you watched on the History Channel or what movies you could have watched about kings and palaces - they had it all wrong. Not nearly elegant enough. Even when I played the part of a tourist in the UK, seeing museums and such, I’d never seen anything like this.
The ceilings were at least three stories high, and elegant paintings and sculptures were displayed. The air felt aged, regal, and powerful. The atmosphere brought new meaning to the term ‘old money.’
Beyond the shadows, the only sound was the echo of Madison’s and my heels. I felt my skin blush, thinking I was walking wrong because Perodine seemed to glide across the marble floors...then again, I’d only had a quick rundown on how to be graceful. She’d had millions of years to perfect it.
Another double doorway that was at least a hundred feet high and made of pure gold was before us now. It opened, and behind it I saw elegance for the first time. Tables that were lined in white and deep purple circled the room, which I swear was as big as my high school. Massive chandeliers hung from the high ceilings. Candlelight from the tables was flickering against the glass wall of windows to the left. Red velvet stairs led to a balcony that would hold the private dessert Madison and Drake would have later.
In the room, there were at least a hundred servants dressed in black with gray aprons. They were lined up like soldiers.
I stood next to Perodine. Madison came to my left. After that point, people - mainly men dressed in cloaks or suits like the ones Drake and Draven wore - came through the line. Alamos introduced each of them, first to Perodine, then to us. I was warned of this custom, too. I was only to allow the men in suits to kiss my hand, but I was to bow to each.
I didn’t even try to remember their names. The line of black seemed endless. I tried to get out “You are worthy,” when I could. The cries of the shadows were becoming more intense, their warnings more pleading.
Symphony music began to play. I sighed in relief that I had a sound to hide behind.
“All right little one, we have a slight issue,” I heard Cashton say against my neck.
Draven glanced at him, wanting details - like now.
“Xavier, Master Escort, is coming through this line. He knows exactly who you are.”
That didn’t really help me. Did that mean he knew I was Charlie or Julia or some girl from a ‘selected’ bloodline? It’s a wonder I didn’t have an identity crisis at that point.
“You might remember him from that Pompeii place. But seriously, don’t tremble. You are his death, and he knows it,” Cashton said, displaying rage for the first time ever in his tone.
The line was near its end now, and a man that was no less than six-three stood before me. His hair was not gray, but a yellowish blond. His eyes were not dark like the others. They had more of a hazel look to them. Even though I was sure he was years older than me, his skin was young, pristine.
He did not smile when he reached for my hand. Rather, I saw a scold there. The tingling sensation in my head went haywire, showing me images of Pompeii. How did Cashton know that guy was there, too?
When his hands clasped mine I felt ice. They were so cold that I had to stop myself from visibly showing a chill.
His eyes rose to meet mine. “Charlie, is it? You seem more like a Julia to me,” he said in a polite but stern tone.
I bowed. “Your Grace. What a beautiful compliment. But my name comes from a strong family line.”
His smile was as icy as his skin. “Xavier, please.”
If my expression did not show
my shock, it was a miracle. They were right before: this guy was my father in that life, and he was cruel.
“I’m sure your family line, your father, is proud that you are with a man he chose for you,” Xavier stated in an icy tone.
Every nerve in my body was telling me to strike him, that he was not another enemy - he was my only one - but this fool thought that I only knew of that past. Cashton could not have shown up in my life at a more perfect time. I would have been totally freaking out if I were not prepared for this.
“Elated, sir.”
Xavier was the last in this line of greetings. Drake and Draven had broken the line and were now at his side. I felt the blade-sharp energy slicing into my skin.
Cashton whispered something to Draven, which seemed to help him cool his obvious anger.
“Xavier,” Drake said curtly, “I’m sure our guests are famished from their journey. If you are curious about her bloodline, please see the registries the highest priest has brought for our convenience. It would be quite rude to ask them to speak of a bloodline that is clearly more honorable than yours.”
Xavier’s icy stare raked over Draven. “The heavens must be in your favor, Drake, for this entourage to appear just days after you finally decided to tell this kingdom their ruler had left this world. Do they find favor in your hesitation?”
“They do,” Drake responded coldly. “The stars themselves told me of their coming. I only delayed so their arrival would be closer - so my people would not live in fear for any length of time.”
“Odd...I didn’t see their arrival in the heavens I study,” Xavier said as he finally met Drake’s dominant stare.
“That is because you are of one world. Sovereigns observe many skies,” Drake responded with the grace of a king.
“True sovereigns seek the rule of those in their studies, not to endorse unruliness.”
“Xavier,” Perodine said curtly, “I will ask you to leave this hall if choose to banter about old causes in the presence of our guests.”
Xavier bowed once to me then casually walked to a group of people that were lingering near us.
Olivia, along with Chrispin, had come to Draven’s side. Olivia’s stare told me not to say another word, to just go with the flow. Draven held his arm out for me and I took it, wanting to run away with him, to listen to my shadows and run.
A girl in a gown that was way more revealing than any other in this hall sauntered right up to me, but she passed me by and hung her body on Cashton like he was a coat rack. He blushed and tried to remove her hands, which were swimming across him.
“Good to see you out. Come dance with me,” she pleaded in a seductive tone.
“Not in the mood,” Cashton said, finally getting a grip on her hands.
“Never heard you say such things before,” she said with a giggle.
I furrowed my brow at him, trying to figure out how that girl could see him in the first place.
“Later,” he said to her as he moved to walk with Draven and me. He shrugged his shoulders at me when my stare demanded an answer. “Some people would rather stay dead. They like it more. I’ve seen her in the veil before.”
“Disapprove,” I said under my breath, which brought a slight grin to Draven’s stone cold image.
As we walked, a few more girls approached Cashton, leaving me to wonder if anyone in this room was alive in the first place. I knew my brother was easy on the eyes, but I wasn’t fond of the girls his essence was attracting. He just gave me a glance that said ‘I’ll explain later,’ then nodded for me to focus.
We were guided to an elegant table. After listening to speeches of warm greetings, a lavish meal was presented to us, but Madison and I paid little attention to what was going on. If I wasn’t looking in Xavier’s direction, trying to see him, I was helping the shadows, the ones I could still hear over the music that seemed to consume the air.
Cashton had left us before the meal was presented. Every once in a while I would catch a glimpse of him. He was trying to survey the crowd, but his female fan base was making it hard for him. He was so going to explain this to me later.
When dinner was taken away, many people rose to dance. Draven and Drake carried out a casual conversation. Not wanting to sit any longer Madison and I rose and acted like we were looking at the art that was displayed in the massive room. We had mingled near the back of it. Large doorways, three of them, were back there. They seemed to lead to an area you could resort to for a quieter conversation if you wanted, but we were avoiding conversation like it was the plague.
When there was a brief pause in the music, I heard something I’d grown to hate: silence. I swallowed nervously as I glanced at Madison, but she wasn’t looking at me. Her eyes were wide as she gazed across the floor.
On the other side of the room were men dressed in black. Not the black of Esterious, but the black of the men we had fought in the graveyard in Salem, in The Realm. Their white shirts and thin ties made them stick out, but not as much as the fact that they were walking through people like ghosts to get to us.
I was too far away from Draven to run to him or Drake, and Cashton was nowhere in sight. The open doorways behind us were our only resort.
So we ran.
Chapter Twelve
Hastily, we walked to the open doorway that was just behind us and braced the wall as if it were some kind of magical barricade. Both of our eyes were racing in every direction, trying to figure out where to run to, how to get to Draven - or anyone else.
“Go that way,” she whispered to me. “I’ll go this way. We’ll corner them - then gut them.”
“I don’t think I can,” I harshly responded. “This is real life, not The Realm.”
“You can,” she firmly stated as she reflected what she saw me do in The Realm a few days ago: end those men by just aiming my hands at them, the sound that was coming out of me. I couldn’t do that here, no way. If it weren't for Clarissa, I never would have even figured out how to do it then.
“You have to believe you can. Put a lid on that fear - you’re pointing an arrow at us,” Madison said shortly, clearly seeing my denial.
Before I could argue, she moved in the opposite direction of me, ducking into doorways, then out again.
There was only one servant in this hall. She looked at me curiously before taking her tray into the ballroom. I chanted, I can do this in my mind and began to follow Madison’s lead, only going in the opposite direction.
The doorways along the hallway were dim, clearly not inviting any guests in. They looked like libraries or conference rooms. Seeing all the dangerous artwork and sculptures along the walls, I decided this wouldn’t be the best place to have a showdown, so I moved to another room. It didn’t take me long to figure out that it didn’t matter if I was in one of the rooms or in the hall; wrought iron seemed to protrude from everything. I guess asking for a padded room to kill these men in black was too much to expect.
I leaned in the doorway, finding anger. I didn’t want to run from these disgusting souls. I clenched my fist, thinking ‘Rock’ over and over again so I would know to remember that when I did reach into them. I would try that, but the music thing was out.
I decided to lay out some bait: I let fear rise in me, then unfocused my eyes so I could see it in the energy around me before pushing it down the hall, painting a trail to me. I didn’t see anyone, and for a second I thought maybe Drake and Draven had seen them, that they had stopped them already.
But that thought ended when I felt a cold energy behind me and turned to see one of the men smiling devilishly at me. I didn’t hesitate - I charged forward, pushing my hand through him, finding that rock, and pulling out the cloud of black smoke. He burned into ash instantly. I wanted to freak out, but there wasn’t time. Five more appeared. I did my best to fight them off, killing three before one had pinned my arms and the other began to pull from me. I saw white lights break out from my chest, only slightly resembling the butterflies I would have seen if I were
in The Realm.
I had just about conceded defeat when I felt the man behind me fall and saw terror in the eyes of the one in front of me. I turned, expecting to see Draven - but it was Silas. I wasn't thrilled to see him.
As he killed and burned the last man, I ran. But he caught me at the door, turned my body, and pinned me against the wall with my hands above my head.
His eyes were blazing with fire. “Don’t move,” he said so quietly that it took a second to register.
My heart was hammering out of control. I didn’t trust him, not after Landen told me his intent.
He furrowed his brow as an intense calm came through his hostile embrace of my wrist. “This fear is not for them,” he stated in a stunned tone.
Anger took the place of the calm he was giving me. “You’re planning to kill Aden,” I scorned.
“How is that news?” he asked, glancing to the walls as if he could see through them.
“It’s news because you know it will kill Draven, because you’re not helping Landen, because of your obsession with me - it’s going to kill us all.”
I bowed my back, trying to break free, but all it did was push my body closer to his, to that calm he was emanating.
“Old news, Charlie,” he said, glancing down to my chest. “I told you if Draven or anyone else ever hurt you, I would kill them. I just figured Aden is the only way for me to kill Draven. I haven’t told Landen anything because it’s not time. The intent Landen saw was pure. I will defend you. I owe you that much. Whether we are meant to be or not, I owe you that.”
“Debt paid. You’re stressing me out. I want to be your friend, but I’m not friends with murderers.”
“Telling me not to kill them is like telling a burning man not to seek water or a drowning one not to seek air. If they hurt you, it will be instinct, and one day you will forgive me.”