by Laura Tree
Chapter 49
“Layla, it’s always a pleasure to see you again.” The Dean gives a curt nod to both Damien and Zeke. The waiters set about putting another place at the table. I guess that Zeke had not been invited, but I don’t feel comfortable without both of them.
The table is laid out as if it were last time, full to the ends with a luxurious meal. The table is empty except for the Dean. Who did he invite this time? I just hope that this doesn’t turn into an all--night event; we need to get going.
“Please be seated. I have invited some companions. They should be arriving shortly.” The door to the back of his office opens and in walks the robed members. I know from my visions that they are part of the Council. “Perfect timing.”
After the introductions are made, they sit down to start the meal.
“I called you all here to celebrate a victory. It was a small one, but for a worthy cause. Princess Anna has been deported from The Isle.” Cheers ring out from the Council. It seems like they are on my side, but I know differently. I eye the Council member who was keeping the Azure Pendant hidden away in the Geroda Realm.
I need to figure out a plan to get it from him as soon as we leave this place. The Isle is feeling less and less like home every second. I feel violated having them here, knowing that they are working against us.
The conversation is light as everyone helps themselves to the food. I put a few small scoops on my plate and push them around with my fork. My stomach is too tied up in knots to eat right now.
I am served a glass of wine and decline to drink any. I need my head to be clear for traveling.
When is it acceptable to bow out of here? I hope Damien catches my drift.
Soon, just a few more minutes until the meal is over, and then we can leave. We have to be polite; we might need the support of the Council in the future, he responds.
I understand, but it doesn’t put my mind at ease. I sigh with relief as Damien voices an excuse about me tiring easy.
“She needs all of her strength, and she’s not back to normal yet. We should get her to her dorm,” he says. I fake a yawn to make it believable. I know that Damien has been probing me, checking on my strength for the past few days, which is back to normal.
“Of course, don’t let us old bats keep you. It was a pleasant evening with time well spent. Have a good night,” the Dean responds. I follow Damien’s lead back to the dorm with Zeke on my tail.
...
I am feverishly packing when Damien and Zeke barge in through the bathroom.
“It’s time to go. Grab your bags and keep your guard up.”
I sling the bag over my shoulder as my heart races. I check my mental wall, and it’s tight in place.
I follow them out of the corridor and down the hall. As we turn the corner, I feel a sense of unease creeping up my spine.
Something is wrong; I can feel it deep in the pit of my stomach. The hairs on the back of my neck start to stand up.
“Damien,” I call, but he keeps walking, not acknowledging me.
“Damien,” I try again. This time he turns around. For a fraction of a second, his eyes look wild, like a feral child. It scares me.
“Damien, something’s not right. We need to stop.” I grab for his arm, but he pulls away before I can catch him. He speeds up his pace.
“We can’t stop; we need to keep going. We are in trouble. We need to get out of here,” Damien replies. We round another corridor, and I recognize the cafeteria. I have a weird feeling. Something isn’t right. My connection tells me that I’m getting farther and farther away from them. Each step I take makes my heart aches a little more. I drop my guard and can’t feel them.
I stop dead; there’s more going on here than meets the eye. I stop so abruptly that Zeke runs into me. I grab his arms to steady myself, and he jerks away.
I know then; I can feel it, or rather the lack of it. It’s not them. I can’t feel the fire when we touch. My heart is aching because we are too far apart. I hide my surprise as I try to figure a way out of the situation.
“I have to rest; I am still too weak to keep going, unless you can carry me.” I know that the real Damien and Zeke would, but both decline. Someone knows that we’re joined. Someone has insider information, but how did they get it? Damien will probably have an idea. I wish the boys were here to help me out of this mess.
There’s no better time than now to act; I don’t want to get any farther away from them than necessary.
“Wait, I forgot my mother’s pendant. I have to go back.” It’s a desperate plea; hopefully they don’t figure out that my mother doesn’t have a pendant, at least not that I know of.
“Leave it; we have to go.” Fake Damien’s face is trying to mask his anger.
“I can’t fulfill the prophecy without it. I have to get it,” I say. As I turn around, fake Zeke blocks my way.
“I knew it wouldn’t be that easy, you stupid bitch. If you would have just come with us, you could have saved yourself a world of pain,” fake Zeke says. The blow to my face knocks me back a few steps.
I stumble but come up swinging. I unleash every combat move that I have learned, stunning both men. I sling my backpack around, knocking fake Zeke off his feet. I spin and kick fake Damien. It leaves me enough time to step away from them. I focus on my power.
I can feel it running through my veins, ready to be unleashed. The world stops; they are moving in super slow motion, and I drop my bag and pull my hands out in front of me. The power moves to my fingertips, and I let the most powerful orb I can gather fly. It explodes with white light, knocking both men back onto the ground in a limp heap.
I turn and run, forgetting everything except Damien and Zeke.