*
Michelle raced up the footpath as a piercing wail erupted from the apartment, thundering into the night. She had headed home once Alex had fallen asleep, only to find the ringing in her phone was from Clive. She listened to only one voicemail, and that was enough to see her floor the car to Dante’s door. She didn’t even take time to think about calling Clive back. The message was enough to send a chill through her along with adrenaline to fuel her movements.
“Good God…”
She barged in and tore up to the bedroom where she had spent so much time. Melina was sobbing uncontrollably, holding Dante’s limp form. Her hands and face were splattered with blood, and Dante was nothing more than a beaten, crimson mass.
“Oh my God…” Michelle said, trying to find the wall for support.
Melina continued to cry, not hearing. Not listening. Hysterical. Repeating herself. “How could you…I loved you…how could you…please come back…I’m sorry…please…how could you…”
It was then Michelle moved closer and knew what had happened. Go Deo. That didn’t make it any easier. Michelle sank to her knees and crawled the short distance to him. She reached for his ice-cold hand and kissed it, holding it to her chest. She wasn’t sure how much time passed, but she did know she would never completely piece together her broken heart again.
Chapter Forty-Five
Something I Need To Tell You
Michelle placed her hand in Alex’s. So much to say, yet every word seemed to be stuck. She still had to be careful. After letting Alex’s calls go to voicemail all morning, Michelle finally called and asked her to come over. This wasn’t something that could be said over the phone. Could Michelle even say it at all?
“Alex, the thing I’m about to tell you is one of the hardest things I have ever said.”
“Ok…”
“The thing I was hiding from you is that the demon Dominus took possession of your body. You attacked us under his influence. And…he violated you. You now know that.”
The colour drained from Alex’s face.
“But there’s more. There was one man that fought harder than anyone to save you. It was because of him that you’re ok. But the cost was that you would never remember him.”
“Who?”
“His name was Dante.”
“Why would he do such a thing to save me? How did I know him?”
“He was in love with you.”
“Did I…love him?”
“Yes. I think you did. The reason Dominus could attack you was because you slept with Dante. Apparently, that meant all your defences were removed. He was devastated. He didn’t know sex would leave you vulnerable to attack from anything, and he did everything he could to save you. Even if it meant him never being with you.”
Alex leant back, taking in all the information. “I um…I have to find him. I have to say something. Thank you at least. Maybe seeing him again will trigger something.”
Michelle closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “He’s dead, Alex.”
“What? Oh my God…did I-”
“No. You had nothing to do with it.” Michelle explained what she knew of the Go Deo agreement and what it meant for anyone that killed Julian. She wavered when it came to telling Alex that Melina had been the one to end him, but she managed it. “He sacrificed himself to save us from Julian. He killed Julian.”
“Mish…I’m so sorry. I wish I’d known him or…that I remembered knowing him,” Alex finished softly.
Michelle shrugged. What else could be done or said? Nothing. She had done the right thing and told the truth which was what Alex wanted from the start. But even now, Michelle looked into her eyes and they were sad but not devastated. She had been told she’d known him, but she didn’t remember. She didn’t feel the loss. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Well,” Michelle asked. “I was wondering if you…Can you contact Masonian?”
“Mish…I don’t think I can.”
Michelle placed her fingers on her face, trying to settle her raging thoughts. “Please? Try? I’m trying to think of anything to make this feeling go away.”
“No, Mish, I mean really, I don’t think I can. I didn’t tell you this, but I drove out there and even bought a ticket to get into the particular cave tour for help as to why I can’t fly anymore. I’d planned to sneak off when I could. He’s gone. The entrance to it, the way in. It’s gone. I think…” Alex looked down, pressing a fist to her mouth. “I think I’ve lost it. I don’t know what to do. I’m supposed to be providing hope and I can’t even do that.”
“It’s ok…” Michelle said. Her voice, though, reflected her mood. Deflated. Alex and Masonian were her last semblance of hope to get Dante back. She swallowed that hope, making herself understand he wasn’t returning. Michelle thought she knew why Alex was having trouble and it was that word: hope. Alex wasn’t providing hope to people because she herself had none since her memory of that night came back. Beating herself up over it wasn’t doing anyone any good, but how to fix it?
“Is there…anything else I can do?”
Michelle smiled and blinked away the sting of tears. She truly had never known anyone like Alex. No matter how
