"Jewe-"
I hung up the phone, my fingers typing away to Zane's contact, and I pressed the tracking icon. It loaded up, and I saw the blinking purple dot. I immediately closed it and checked the train times. Please be delayed. PLEASE!
My eyes landed on the TRAIN 58 icon and darted to the side to see DELAYED. I thought I'd have a moment of relief, but I noticed the red number. Two minutes. Really? You call a delay two fucking minutes?
I glanced around the empty streets, wishing someone, anyone, could help me. I need help! I have to get to him. I can't let him die. He's...mine too. He's my boyfriend. Even if I can't remember the beginning, he introduced himself again. We hugged and made up. We laughed, cried, ate ice cream, and studied together. Why are my lost memories the decision maker regarding life and death?
Zane doesn't deserve to die. No. He doesn't deserve that for his mistakes. Help...Dad? Dad! I need help! Please!!!
"Sweetheart?"
I snapped my eyes open, and I was back in the dim cell, Father's wide eyes staring at me.
"Dad," I whispered, moving down to kneel before him. "Dad, I only have a minute. Zane. He's strapped to the tracks of the train station. No one can get to him. I need to save him, but Maxi said I have to remember Zane from the beginning, but I can't! I'm scared, Daddy. He's going to die, and I can't do anything. No one can help me. Please, Daddy, help me," I begged through sobs, my whole body trembling as I tried to breathe.
"Shh, Jewel. Concentrate. Don't think about me helping you. Think about Zane. All the memories you shared."
"I don't remember them all, Dad," I reminded him, and he smiled.
"Just remember the ones you do. Remember how they made you feel. The happiness, the sadness. You don't need to have memories to reach Zane. Feel the emotions attached to him, Jewel. Now concentrate."
I nodded, closing my eyes and pulling deep within myself. I remembered Zane's voice, the way his emerald eyes filled with tears when he wished to fix everything he had caused. I remembered how sad I was, and the way my heart ached for him. I wanted to make things right for him, to see him smile rather than shed tears.
The image of his wide smile flowed into my mind. Zane was overjoyed after Meredith assured us she'd explain everything to the town, clear Zane's name, and get Taemin's job back. I envisioned the way his joy made me so happy, and the feeling of his arms wrapped around me as he lifted me up and twirled me around.
Memory after memory flowed through me after that, from when he'd asked me on a date, to us eating ice cream together as we walked back home, his hand in mine. The memories went by faster and faster, feeling like seconds despite my mind thinking they were minutes. Then the memories I'd forgotten returned.
The exam, the dorms, the distance that began to grow between us. Zane's hurt-filled expression in the club as I walked away with Kage, and the pain that morphed on his face when he apologized on the tower. Finally, the fear of shock that lingered in his emerald eyes, seconds before my body was thrown back and off the tower.
I remember...I remember!
*CHOOO*
My body jumped, and my eyes snapped open as I glanced around, realizing I wasn't in the town of Natala, but at the train station. I immediately found the tracks and saw the oncoming train that was blaring its warning sounds. I turned my head to the left, my eyes landing on Zane who was struggling with the metal chains on his ankles and wrists.
I could see his panic, and the tears running down his cheeks as he looked towards the train that was approaching.
"ZANE!" I screamed, running at full speed towards him.
He dropped his head to look back as I approached, fear taking over his once panicked expression. "Jewel, no, no. Don't touch the metal! It'll take your magic," Zane revealed. I reached him, skidding to a stop at his words before I hopped carefully around him and onto the tracks.
We both looked at the train that sent another warning signal, and I waved frantically, trying to get the attention of the driver.
"There's no one in there!" Zane shouted.
"What?!"
"They made it so it was an automatic train! It's not supposed to run today. It was a setup. Jewel, go. It's okay. It's my fault. I can die...as long as I know you're safe," Zane admitted.
"You're not dying!" I snapped, moving over him so that I sat on his waist and began to examine the chains. I bit my lip, knowing they were the same as the ones on Dad. Shit, Shit, shit!
"Jewel."
I looked at Zane, and he shook his head. "You can't. If you use your power, you'll only be able to teleport one of us. The guys would kill me if you died in my place. Please, Jewel? Just let me die. At least maybe I'll be known as a hero rather than a bad guy. Please," he begged.
"No. No..." I whispered, leaning down to press my forehead against his. "We haven't gone on another ice cream date, or had time off to go to the cottage with the others. Remember, you couldn't go. We have to make up...the time...Zane."
Zane leaned up and gave me a soft kiss. He pulled back as the tears rolled down his cheeks. "Next time. Maybe in the next life...or if I'm good...I'll visit in your dreams. Just...please Jewel. For me?" he whispered.
The next warning signal went off, and the train was probably thirty seconds from us. I gave him one last glance, my tears falling on his cheeks as I finally admitted defeat.
My leaned down and gave him one more kiss before I stood up and moved away from the tracks. I turned around and watched his wide smile, the tears in his eyes continued to run down his face.
I knew he was hiding his fear. Hiding the reality that, in seconds, the train would take his life. As much as I wanted to turn around, to avoid watching his death with my own eyes, I couldn't do it. I'd watch the moment as punishment for not being able to do anything. Zane deserved at least that much.
"Zane! Jewel!" Braxton's voiced called out. I looked up to see Brax and Kage at the top of the hill, their eyes both wide as they locked onto Zane and then migrated to meet my defeated ones.
I knew they understood what predicament we were in. Brax's lime eyes filled with tears and Kage fell to his knees, his whole body trembling. Nixon, Logan, Maximus, and Meredith arrived, but I zoned everything out, lowering my gaze to Zane as the final warning sound went off, the noise so loud my ears rang. Zane's eyes didn't leave mine as he gave me a final smile.
"I love you," he mouthed.
I sensed something break within me, the power that I'd felt when I confronted my father was back, but with so much force it took over my body like an infection.
Two seconds. That's all I need.
I didn't know why I thought that, but I didn't let the thought delay me as my body pushed forward. Everything went in slow motion; the sound of the other guys’ screams and shouts were muffled as I got on the tracks and laid my body on Zane's.
"Jewel!" Zane shouted, but it sounded like nothing but a whisper.
"I love you too," I murmured and let the power out, imagining somewhere safe. Anywhere but here.
I didn't know if it would work, but I would rather die protecting Zane than watch his selfless act of love.
I loved him, and I hoped that love would save us both.
Jewel...
Jewel, c’mon...don't die. Please. I'm not ready to lose you.
Jewel- please...
Please...breathe. I beg you.
I'm...sorry. So damn sorry. Just open your eyes one more time?
Please...universe, if there's truly a being of power up there.
Don't take jewel away.
Let her live.
I love her.
She's our Precious Jewel.
Our Sexy Jinn.
The one who makes us smile and hold us when we cry. Please...
Save our Jewel.
Live Jewel.
Live.
"Jewel?"
I slowly opened my eyes as a pair of emerald ones looked down on me. I felt a drop of water fall on my cheek. One after another, droplets of water that didn't feel warm or
cold.
It took my sluggish brain to realize those droplets that continued to fall were tears that were coming from the boy who held me in his hands.
The Korean man with navy blue hair that was a mess.
The man who shed tears from those dazzling emerald eyes that held passion and relief.
The man who wanted to do what was right, even if the plan didn't execute the way he'd wished for.
The man who was willing to do anything to fix the mistakes he made, even if he never received redemption for them.
The man who loved his brothers and had a lonely heart that craved friends.
The man who loved me, even when I'd forgotten who he was.
That man...who now held me in his arms.
"Zane." I smiled, my voice barely audible, but it was loud enough to reach Zane's ears as a sob escaped him.
"Jewel. You're alive. I'm so grateful. So damn grateful." He sobbed, lowering his head to press his forehead against mine.
I could barely move, but I gathered the strength to lift up my hand and gently stroke his wet, tear-stricken cheek. He leaned back slightly to look into my eyes, and I smiled weakly.
"You're an ugly crier."
"Really?" He smiled at my comment, the tears not stopping their flow down his cheeks.
"Ya....but you're still handsome as fuck," I mumbled, and he laughed through his sobs.
"Dammit, Jewel. Those contradict each other."
I smiled, and Zane closed the distance between us, kissing me so gently, I wondered if he thought I'd die if he kissed me too firmly.
"Welcome back to the living, Jewel," he whispered against my lips.
"I died?"
"Yes. For a few minutes, but I was able to get your heart to work," Zane explained.
"How?"
"My mom used to be a healer. She can't heal herself but can heal those who are close to her. All three of us were able to heal just a little bit, but it wasn't a strong enough skill to heal a person’s broken leg or revive someone. I didn't think it would do anything...but I had the strongest urge to save you. You died because of me. I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I wished so hard. So damn hard for you to breathe. I don't know what I did, or how it happened, but when I opened my eyes again, you were breathing. You had a heartbeat." He took a shuddering breath, trying to calm down.
"Zane. Don't cry. I'm here. See? Right...here," I said weakly. I was fighting off sleep, but I didn't want to drift off until I knew Zane was safe.
"I know," he whispered, holding me close to his warm body. I relaxed against him, breathing in and smiling at the same scent of Irish soap as his brothers, but with the added lingering hint of lemon.
"Do you guys all use the same soap?" I asked randomly, hoping it would keep me awake for help to come.
"Ya, but I use lemon body lotion. Kage likes mint, and Brax is all over the place with his fancy cologne and body lotions," Zane replied, his voice holding a hint of happiness.
"Hmm. Good to know," I mumbled.
"You brought me to the cottage."
"Cottage?" I asked.
Zane nodded and helped me sit up just a bit so I could see where we were. We were at the cottage, the same one the others and I'd been able to spend a week at when Zane hadn’t been able to come with us.
"It's peaceful here," he whispered. I nodded and rested my head against his chest.
"I'm glad we're here."
I closed my eyes, unable to hold them open any longer, but I did my best to stay awake as I counted the beats of Zane's rapid heart. As minutes passed, it began to calm, and Zane occasionally asked if I was awake, in which I'd make a small sound to let him know I was still here.
"JEWEL! ZANE!"
A smile formed on my lips at Maximus’ voice that seemed far off in the distance. The others are here. At least Zane won't be alone.
"Jewel?! My Mistress, you're okay?" Alice questioned. Her voice was softer than it was on other occasions, and the thoughtfulness of that alone made me smile slightly.
Yes, Alice. I'm okay. Zane's okay. We're all okay.
I don't know what she said after that, my mind drifting away, but the last thing I remembered was seeing my dad's gentle smile and red eyes that were filled with pride.
You did well, Jewel. Now rest.
"Did we actually pass? We're technically all here. Just a week late." Maximus grinned sheepishly. We smiled, all three brothers chuckling softly while myself, Nixon, and Logan shook our heads.
One week had gone by since the final exam, and we were currently in Meredith's cottage. I'd woken up last night and was able to stay awake long enough to have something to eat and get a general explanation of what happened after I'd lost consciousness.
All the alumni involved in the incident were arrested and charged. We didn't go into details of what their consequences entailed, but the guys involved didn't hesitate to rat Savannah out.
Meredith had found the organization that was connected to Savannah, and it was being raided by Mage Warriors and police force for International Magic Affairs. Meredith didn't go into too many details regarding what happened, saying we'd have to be Mage Warriors to discuss such matters, but she reassured us justice would be delivered for what had happened.
As for the exam, in order for us to pass, Logan had to teleport us back to the school and carry me and the rainbow flag to Meredith's office before Zane and I were able to receive treatment. Meredith ended up teleporting all of us to her cottage, and thus, a week later, we were finally about to discuss what Meredith wanted to talk to us about after our exam.
"Yes. Thankfully, you all did well on your written exams prior to the test and gained a perfect score thanks to what you all did during the exam. Your teamwork was exceptional, and even with the surprising events that occurred, you handled them as Mage Warriors would in the real world," Meredith praised.
I smiled, looking down at Alice who was asleep in her cat form. Her little body was wrapped around Koa who was also sleeping in my lap. Maxi, Brax, and Nixon were on the right side of my bed while Zane, Kage, and Logan sat to my left.
Meredith stood at the end of the bed, wearing a black and white business suit like she would at school, along with black framed glasses. Her blonde and purple locks were curled and left down, and she smiled sweetly at us, her gold eyes glimmering with pride.
"Now, I have a proposition for you all."
We all exchanged glances, looking confused as to what Meredith would want from us.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Well, I was going to announce this for people to apply for during the break and choose the accepted individuals before the next semester began. However, I believe you seven will fit perfectly, but I'd like to give you guys the choice," Meredith replied, looking at each of us.
Once she did, her head nodded in approval and she smiled. "The professors and I have taken the week to discuss this, and we've come to the unanimous decision to ask if you seven will be a part of Brighten's Magic Academy Elite Division for your second year."
We were all silent, everyone as shocked as I was. Our shock must have been strong because Koa and Alice woke up, lifting their heads to glance around. I reached out and stroked both of their heads, urging them to go back to sleep.
Alice was still tired from everything that had happened, and she, as well as Koa, deserved some rest time. They were asleep before we exchanged glances once again, the guys all looking to me for a general answer.
"If we accept, what would this entail? Are you saying we'd be Mage Warrior recruits for a year?" I asked.
"Yes. You won't be allowed to do everything Mage Warriors would do, but once you've received a semester of training and studies at the head corridors, the other semester will be strictly in-field work. You would be working as a team for most cases and would have a teacher on standby. Ms. Landsford, who hasn't been in the field for some time, has offered to go back on your behalf."
"Ms. Landsford is going to come?" I queried.
; Meredith nodded."I must say, I was rather shocked because others have begged for Ms. Landsford to be their teacher supervisor for the Elite many times, and she's denied every single one until yesterday. That, to me, says your group has potential, and she'd like to see it firsthand."
"But..." I trailed off, trying to think of words. Zane met my gaze and spoke up.
"Even with everything that happened, you think we're ready? We weren't all flawless like Mage Warriors are, and we've made mistakes a few times as well. Not all of us get perfect grades, and we're not all amazing at magic or combat."
"What you're trying to say is, you don't feel confident enough that you're perfect for the role?" Meredith summarized.
We nodded in unison, and Meredith smiled. "No one is perfect. We may have high expectations at Brighten, but perfection is not what's going to help you save a comrade or a group of innocent individuals in need. You may not be perfect, but you all are willing to accept your imperfections and work on them. That is one of the key aspects a person needs to go from a Brighten graduate to a Mage Warrior."
I understood her words, and I glanced at the others; all of them appeared deep in thought. A minute went by before the guys turned their attention toward me, their once hesitant expressions were replaced with confidence and determination.
I smiled at them and looked back at Meredith as she spoke. "This isn't an opportunity that comes often, but I'm offering it to you all because I believe you deserve the chance to grow and excel. We at Brighten have watched you all tackle many challenges, and instead of running, you recovered and kept going. No one dropped out, or gave up, even in the instances where you felt that a damaged situation couldn't be fixed."
She looked at Zane and me, taking a deep breath and continuing. "Now, I'll ask again. Would the seven of you be interested in joining the Brighten Elite? You will have a few weeks off before you begin, giving you guys enough time to rest, pack, and get documentation reviewed and signed. You'll also be able to inform your parents before your departure. When you return after the second year is up, you will be given two weeks to recover before your final year at Brighten. There will be challenges, and I can't guarantee you will return alive, but this will be an opportunity to strengthen yourself both individually and as a team."
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