Thane adjusted him into a more comfortable position. “He will be fine.” The reassurance was unnecessary; Darcie had already seen the vampire wake up.
The present and future were nearly indistinguishable for Darcie. Her mind jumped to sporadic moments of the future without warning, just like the one which revealed Thane’s impending arrival.
Thane stood back up. “I know I haven’t really been very observant as of late, but since when have you had those creepy eyes?”
Darcie did not register the joke. “Since I used The Veritas.”
He released a low whistle. “I had no idea the effects would last so long.” His sounded so normal, like the Thane she first met in the Brunswick library.
“I don’t believe anyone did,” she told him.
Thane moved to sit on the leather couch. Darcie followed him but positioned herself on Gregory’s abandoned armchair.
“You knew I was coming,” he stated it as a fact, but he waited for her to confirm it.
“Yes.”
“Did you know I would defeat Adir?”
“Yes.”
Thane shook his head and looked at the ground. He released a trembling breath. “I wish I’d known that. I was worried at first.”
“You had nothing to fear,” Darcie told him. “If nothing else, your need to avenge Bella gave you the advantage.”
His sad eyes met her own. “It will not bring her back. She is lost to us.”
Darcie allowed him time to stagger through his sadness. She saw multiple emotions flit across his face, but sadness definitely dominated the rest.
“She betrayed us,” Thane whispered mournfully. “She went to him willingly.” He was repeating what Adir said during the fight. Darcie wondered if it was the first time Thane heard the truth of his wife’s actions.
Perhaps it is just the first time he truly listened.
“Bella died trying to protect me. She may have aligned with Adir, but it was with the desire of seeing you no longer used as The Council’s puppet. She loved you, Thane. There is no doubt.”
Thane’s hand began to shake. He pressed it against his leg to stop the movement. “I behaved monstrously,” he admitted, referencing his weeks of depressed solitude and volatile temper. “Bella would be ashamed of me.”
“Everyone makes mistakes.”
Thane shook his head, fighting the desire to be comforted. He flexed his hand and made a fist. “I nearly lost my goodness… I nearly lost my morality.”
“You lost nothing. You grieved, and now Bella is avenged. You can begin to move on.”
Thane looked up. “What needs to happen for you to move on?”
Darcie did not know what he was talking about. When he did not elaborate, she said, “I do not understand.”
Thane gestured toward her. “I have seen many witches and warlocks become ensnared by their magic, but it always releases them within minutes. How long have you been trapped?”
Darcie blinked. “I am not trapped.”
“Then why are you holding onto your power? Do you feel threatened?”
“Of course not.” Nothing in the compound could harm her. She had full access to her powers while everyone else was limited.
“Then let go.”
Darcie felt her lips turn down. “I am not holding on.” Even as she said the words, Darcie started to doubt them.
Was she subconsciously keeping close to her powers?
Was she still afraid of some unnamed threat?
Thane read the thoughts off her, now, expressive face. “You commended me on achieving my revenge,” he began, “let me do the same for you. You defeated Henry. The warlock betrayed you and gave you up to Adir. Now, he no longer walks the Earth. I have disposed of Adir, and the rebellion is finished without him. There is no longer a need for the connection to your power. Let it go.”
Darcie heard every word he said. Gradually, her heart beat started to slow. She hadn’t even realized it was racing.
“They’re all gone,” she murmured, marveling at the truth of the words. All of her enemies… they were gone.
“Yes.” Thane nodded. “Do not lose your humanity, Darcie. Do not shut off your emotions for the sake of protecting yourself. Nothing will hurt you.”
The reassurance took immediate effect. Darcie’s entire body flexed for one long moment before all of the tension and lingering power trailed out of her extremities. It felt like she breathed for the first time in hours.
Blinking, her vision suddenly became less sharp. She hadn’t realized her eyesight had been affected by her state, but now it returned to normal. She pressed her fingers against the corner of her eyes. Lowering her hands, she met Thane’s knowing gaze.
“Welcome back, Darcie.”
Right on time, Gregory stirred. Darcie looked at her friend and rushed to his side. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t shown more concern when Adir first hit him. What kind of monster had she allowed herself to become?
Gently, she touched his shoulder. “Gregory?”
Hearing her voice helped him complete the transition to consciousness. “Darcie?” He jerked upright and whirled around to place himself protectively over her.
“Gregory,” she aimed for a calming tone. “It’s okay. Adir is gone. Thane took care of him. We aren’t in danger.”
The vampire continued to scan the room. Only when his eyes landed on Thane sitting on the chair did he finally permit himself to relax. He looked back at Darcie. “Your eyes are back to normal.”
She nodded. “Yeah. Sorry about that. I guess I was holding onto my powers a little too tightly.”
Gregory reached up and moved a strand of hair out of her face. “I’m just glad you are alright.”
From the couch, Thane cleared his throat. “I am going to find the others to tell them what happened,” he said, rising to his feet. “The two of you should stay here. I’m sure The Alliance is going to have questions.”
Darcie nodded and watched Thane exit the room. She looked back at Gregory. He still looked too pale, even by vampire standards. “You should rest. Here. Let’s move you to the couch.” She leaned forward to help him to his feet when a hand on her shoulder stopped her.
She looked at him with questioning eyes. “Are you alright?”
His pale blue eyes locked onto hers. A deep and troubling emotion swam in his vision, distracting Darcie with its movement. She didn’t know what to make of it.
“Are you alright?” she asked again, but in a lower voice. Maybe the attack affected him more than she believed.
Gregory reached up and cupped the side of her face in his palm. Darcie did not have time to register what was happening before he leaned forward and pressed his cool lips against hers.
39
The kiss was sweet and full of affection. Gregory shifted so both of his hands were free to hold her head as he guided her against his lips.
Darcie sat beneath his movements, completely shocked with what was happening. Her mind tried to figure out how she had gotten into her current position, but she could not remember how she went from worrying over Gregory’s injuries to kissing him.
Darcie’s first reaction was to move against the kiss. She closed her eyes and almost lifted her hand to touch his cheek when she realized what was happening.
She cared for Gregory–she cared for him a lot, but he wasn’t Des.
Darcie was not in love with Gregory.
Unable to process the decision to pull away, Darcie made due with ceasing her involvement in the kiss. She sat still underneath his ministrations, waiting for him to realize her lack of movement.
It did not take long.
Seconds later, Gregory broke the kiss and leaned back, still holding her head between his hands. His face was flushed, and he released a faltering breath.
“I’m sorry,” his voice was husky. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
Darcie bit her lip, unsure what someone usually said in the situation. “I–” She started speaking but quickly realiz
ed she had nothing planned. Closing her mouth, she resumed biting her lip. “I-I don’t know that to say.”
Gregory’s eyes scanned her face. “You don’t have to say anything. I know your heart belongs to someone else. I just…” he trailed off, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them to finish. “I just had to do that once. After everything we’ve been through, I needed to show you how I felt. Even though I know you do not feel the same, I couldn’t live with myself if I did not tell you.” His lips turned up into a sad smile. “So… now you know.”
Darcie’s heart hurt. The last thing she wanted to do was cause her friend any pain. Gregory had been a godsend when she was confined to the Grecian mansion. She valued him, and she feared she was in danger of losing him from her life forever.
“Hey.” Gregory brushed away the tear as it rolled down her cheeks. “None of that. I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. I knew from the start that your heart wasn’t free to give away.”
He dropped his hand and willed his eyes to reveal his sincerity. “I am happy for you and Des. Sure, I might pine after you for a bit, but I’ll get over it. I have many years ahead of me, and you know what they say, ‘time heals all wounds’.”
Darcie watched him as he talked, and she knew he meant what he said. Gregory didn’t expect anything from her after their kiss–it was just something he felt the need to do.
Regardless, she couldn’t help but feel the need to apologize. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He sat back on his heels and stood up. He held out a hand and helped her to her feet. Once she was steady, she dropped his hand and took a step back.
Darcie looked at the door then back to Gregory. She was torn between staying put like Thane said and fleeing the awkwardness of the room.
Gregory made the choice for her. “Go,” he said, seeing her inner turmoil. “I’ll tell Thane where you went.”
Darcie’s forehead creased. She wasn’t sure what Gregory meant. “Go where?”
His sad smile returned. “To Des,” he said with honorable concession. “Go to him, Darcie.”
40
Darcie wandered around the main lodge, listening for any sign of life. The structure was still eerily quiet. She guessed Thane had not yet reached any of The Alliance leaders to tell them the news of Adir.
Darcie pressed a hand to her chest as she relived the moment of his death. She may have not felt any emotion at the time, but now that she was back to normal, her stomach twisted as she thought about Adir’s last moments. She’d seen the desperation and resignation in his eyes, and she heard his dying threat.
She wasn’t naïve enough to believe the entire rebellion would end with Adir. Their leader might be gone, but the lesser immortals who were unhappy with the way The Council enforced their interactions with human would not suddenly cease their grievances. The Alliance had their work ahead of them with finding and punishing stray rebels. Darcie did not envy the task in the slightest.
A door on the first level slammed shut and light footsteps raced up the stairs. Darcie descended one flight and came face to face with her mother. Jennifer Bane was panting, her eyes wild with terror. Seeing her daughter, she cried out with relief.
“Darcie!” She closed their distance and captured her in a desperate hug.
She patted her mother’s back. “I’m okay, Mom.”
Pulling back, her mother examined Darcie’s eyes. Her shoulders dropped their tension when she saw the normal blue hue. “You’ve released your hold on your power,” she observed. “Was this before or after Adir found you.”
“You know about Adir?”
Her mother nodded. “Thane found us. We were positioned closest to the building. I ran here as fast as I could.” She placed a hand against Darcie’s cheek and tears pricked her eyes. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if something happened to you.”
“Nothing will ever happen.” Darcie hated seeing her mother so worried. “I’m an immortal, remember?”
Her mom choked on a laugh. “That’s right. How could I forget?” She offered a watery smile.
Darcie returned the gesture. “I need to find Des,” she told her. “But, once everything is settled here, I was wondering if you would go with me to Maine? To see Dad.” It was time John Abernathy knew about the mystical world his daughter and ex-wife were involved in. Darcie had promised to tell him everything once the rebellion ended, and she planned to keep her vow.
And, who knows, maybe the conversation will give my parents some much needed closure.
Her mother did not hesitate. “Of course,” she patted her cheek then dropped her hand. “I’d be happy to go with you.”
Darcie smiled appreciatively. The two had many things they needed to discuss. For instance, how her mother concealed her birth mother’s identity for so long. Darcie had a thousand questions about that topic alone, but it would have to wait.
At that moment, she needed to find Des.
Darcie walked around her mother and descended to the first floor. Now, a number of allies were milling around the bottom level. Scanning the crowd, Darcie identified Eros and Julisanna, but she didn’t see any of her friends.
“Looking for someone?” a familiar voice whispered close to her ear. Darcie turned around and smiled at Alex. She reached over and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I know I didn’t say it earlier when I was a zombie, but I’m glad to see you are okay.”
Alex chuckled and returned her embrace. He stepped back, but kept his hands on her arms. “Glad to see you back to your normal self.” His face sobered. “Thane told me what happened. Is Gregory alright?”
Unwillingly, a faint blush rose to her cheeks. She nodded. “He is resting upstairs.”
Alex noted her reaction and gave her a knowing look. Thankfully, he did not comment on it. “I will go check on him. We can speak later.” Darcie nodded again and turned to continue searching for Des.
“He’s out at the compound’s border,” Alex revealed. “If you walk towards the main gate, you will find him. Thane was detained by Eshe and Lome the last I saw him. I doubt he has managed to reach Des.”
“Thank you.” Without wasting another second, Darcie wove through the crowded floor until she stepped out onto fresh snow. She didn’t know it had snowed, and the observation made her wonder how long she had been in her weird power-induced state.
Shaking away the distraction, Darcie followed Alex’s instructions and made her way toward the compound’s main gate. She passed many lesser immortals and half-breeds returning to the center of the compound. Some recognized her and waved while others didn’t spare her a second glance.
Rounding a curve in the path, Darcie arrived at the gate. Lines of men and women scoured the area, searching for any conscious people among the large number of bodies on the ground. Darcie froze, not willing to venture any closer. Her enhanced vision had already seen enough.
Whirling around, Darcie was readying herself to go back to the main building and wait for Des there when she heard him call her name.
Peeking over her shoulder, she watched as Des wrapped up a conversation with Joseph and J.J., then jogged toward her.
“Darcie?” he repeated. “What are you doing out here? You must be freezing.” Looking down, she realized what he meant. She was standing in snow with nothing but a thin long-sleeved shirt.
She met his eyes and saw the moment he realized she was no longer attached to her power. He sighed in relief. “It is good to see your eyes again.”
Darcie couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s legitimately what everyone has said when they saw me,” she told him. “What about seeing me in one piece? Isn’t that good news too?”
Des didn’t understand the joke. In an instant, he stiffened and began searching their surroundings. He placed a protective hand on her arm. “You shouldn’t be out here. Adir could be anywhere.” He started to guide her towards the path to return her to the main building.
“Adir’s dead,” she sa
id with no ceremony. “Thane killed him about a half-hour ago.”
Des stopped in his tracks. “What did you say?”
“Adir is dead,” she repeated, placing a calming hand on his arm. “Thane killed him.”
Des didn’t move. “Are you serious?”
“I wouldn’t joke about something like that.”
“No.” He jerked his head to the side. “Of course you wouldn’t.”
Darcie watched as Des processed the news. His expression shifted from astonishment to uncertainty.
He sighed heavily and faced Darcie again. “It is over.”
She stepped forward and rested her head on his shoulder. “Yes. It’s over.”
The couple remained that way for some time. Darcie heard the whispers of those walking past, but she tuned them out. She didn’t care what they thought of them. Soon, the entire world would know what Des and Darcie meant to each other. They had waited to move forward with their relationship until Adir had been taken care of. Now, the future was wide open for them.
There was just one more thing Darcie needed to do before they could move on.
Darcie leaned back and met Des’ joyful, yet still conflicted, gaze. “I’m sorry for leaving the shack. And I’m sorry for turning into an unemotional void of a person. I just…” her voice thickened, forcing her to swallow before she could continue. “I couldn’t risk letting Henry hurt you. My vision… it was awful.” Delayed tears began to run down her cheeks.
Darcie cursed her reaction. She had only wanted to apologize; she didn’t know she would turn into a blubbering mess.
Des saw her tears and immediately worked to stop them.
His muscular arms wrapped around her back, pressing her face into the space between his neck and shoulder. “No. I’m sorry, Darcie. I shouldn’t have left you in the shack. I shouldn’t have expected you to stay put while people you care about were risking their lives.”
She sniffled against his jacket, consoled by his words. “I had no idea using The Veritas would do that to me,” she admitted. “But I’d do it again to save you.”
Enraptured: Immortal Chronicles Book IV Page 26