Between Darkness & Light
Page 38
My inability to prove Kali’s theory about my power led to growing resentment and doubt about me. Although Samuel advocated that my telepathic bonds to the rest of the ka-tet proved I was still meant to be a part of the Resistance and of their group, secretly he wondered if he had made the right choice saving me.
As the years passed, the meetings only became more hostile. Any attempt made by Samuel to unite and build the wounded movement was met with suspicion as members started to wonder if Valentino had damaged his brain, if he had become a turncoat as well, if they should find a new leader.
The one reprieve he had was when Matthew started to visit again, but the visits were infrequent. Samuel rarely attended the meetings and he didn’t tell Matthew of the others’ growing animosity toward himself. He was watching everything he had worked for collapse. After a particularly nasty argument with other Council members he simply gave up and started spending his nights in the library, drinking. When Mary Anne told him the Council decided to have another leader, he made the decision to go to Rome one last time.
The telepathic connection ended. “Samuel, I had no idea,” I said softly. Over the last few years, I had looked at our problems with a limited scope, only worrying about my relationship with the rest of the ka-tet. I had hardly thought of the rest of the Resistance until this year. “So that’s why you didn’t know who to believe when they attacked me. Sandro was the only one who had provided you with a place to go.”
He nodded. “They were right; I should have come here. I just couldn’t stand to think they would also turn me away.”
I stared at him in concern. “Samuel, didn’t you confide in anyone the last few years?”
“Who would I have confided in?”
I didn’t know how to answer him. “Does anyone know about all this?”
“You, Elizabeth, and Diana.”
“That’s what you talked about last night.” I shook my head, unsure what to say. “Did they agree that everything you did was wrong?”
Samuel smiled. “Not everything. Elizabeth pointed out one thing I managed to do right.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“I saved you.” He leaned over and pulled me into his arms. I felt his tears against my face and hair.
I hugged him back. “Two things, actually.”
“How do you figure?”
“You didn’t attack Lane.”
I heard muffled laughter. “Yes, you’re right about that.”
I pulled back and stared into his eyes. “So what do we do now, Samuel?”
He looked at the door. “We have help now. We’ll figure it out.”
I nodded. “Talk to Matthew sometime, Samuel. He’s worried about you.”
“I will.” He leaned forward and kissed me. “I love you, Julia.”
I whispered my reply. “I love you too, Samuel.”
About the Author:
Theresa Van Spankeren lives in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. She got her bachelor's degree from Elmhurst College, in Elmhurst Illinois. She still hasn't figured out if the degree was worth it. She graduated right before the Great Recession and has found temporary work which included ghost-writing self-help articles for online sites and has spent the last several years grading standardized tests.
She has been writing since an early age, and came up with the idea for the War of Destiny series in high school. When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, hiking and swimming, and also loves checking out local haunted places.
Other Works by this Author
War of Destiny Book 1: Lost Soul
War of Destiny Book 2: Pursuit into Darkness