"Well, I just wanted to make sure you all were okay." Damien takes a step toward me, the shadows following him. "You've been gone a while, so I thought I should drop in."
Of course he knew when we left. I hate how he seems to know a lot more than he should. "We're fine, so you can leave now."
A chuckle leaves Dax. "You never told me he was so considerate."
"Hey, stop making fun of him." Becca rushes Dax and swings her hand back, ready to slap him. What bothers me the most is she’s now moving like a demon. Her steps are jerky and odd for a human.
He reaches out and grabs her wrist. "Calm down, or I'll make you."
She stumbles back and cradles her hand. "Chris..." Her tone is so whiney it hurts my ear.
For the first time in my life, my gut reaction is not to help her. I turn to Damien and raise an eyebrow. "Is this what you were hoping to accomplish?"
A hand touches my back, and Charlie's voice is in my ear. "I'm right here with you."
"I just want to know where the damn artifact is." Damien's eyes flash red before going back to the ice blue. "My patience is wearing thin."
So is mine. "This one hasn't been easy." What does he expect? Each artifact to appear right in front of me in each realm? "It’s being hidden somehow with spells."
Becca snorts. "This is what she did at the Angel Realm. I had to go looking for her."
Before this is over, I may wind up punching her. Taking a deep breath, I choose to ignore her instead. "The Water Artifact is calling to me like crazy, and I'm not sure where it is quite yet, but I'm working on it."
"It's not like they are thrilled with the prospect of her taking it." Charlie's finger stills, and his breathing has quickened.
"So, you don't ask." Damien growls and makes his way toward me.
"Even when I find it, it's going to be difficult." It's so easy for him and the council to say go get the artifact, and bring it back. But hell, it's never simple. "They are going to fight for it. Their water is their livelihood, and the artifact is linked to it."
"If you think you can do so much better, you can get it." Dax arches an eyebrow and moves to my other side.
I'm now sandwiched between both men. I almost want to laugh, but I force it in.
"Huh, and here I thought you cared about your friend Becca." He caresses her cheek.
Becca almost purrs in response like he's her favorite drug.
"What does this have to do with her?" I hate that she is struggling, but I don't know how me having trouble finding the last artifact shows I don't care.
"Well, I mean her soul is fractured, and it gets worse every second." Damien drops his hand and shakes his head. "I thought you wanted to save her. You're running out of time."
"I think it's time for you to go." Dax growls and pulls out one of his knives.
"I agree." Charlie stands tall and glowers at him. "You've made your point, and anything more will just serve as a distraction."
For once, I'm not consumed with guilt. Yes, I brought Becca back to life, but I never meant for this to happen. I thought she could go on living her life like normal. I didn't expect this. If I could do it all over again, yes, I wouldn't save her. But hindsight is twenty-twenty, and I’d never would wish this fate on anyone. I'm tired of feeling guilty. "It's not going to work."
"What does that mean?" Damien places an arm around Becca, and she leans in to him.
It makes my stomach turn. "That's what you always do." I motion to her, and vomit rises in my throat. "You use her against me all the time."
"Stay back." Dax crouches down in a fight position, and Charlie moves closer to me.
"Oh, Chris." Damien pouts, and his eyes flash with amusement. "I'm not trying to use her against you. I just thought you'd like to help your friend who is splintering away bit by bit. I mean, you did bring her back."
"This ends now." I break away from the guys, and my powers pulse inside me. I get in Damien's face and push my finger into his chest. "Stop using her to make me feel more horrible. I'm done. This," I say pointing between him and her, "will not work anymore. If you want the artifact, get it your own damn self."
"There's my firecracker." Dax's tone is proud.
Damien's mouth drops open. "You're bluffing."
"Chris, please." Becca's bottom lip trembles, and she reaches out for me. "I need you."
I won’t deal with this anymore, and my power is getting uncomfortable. I turn my back on them and head to Ria’s. "Come on, boys. Let's go."
Dax and Charlie walk beside me as we make our way back to the house.
"You'll regret this," Damien calls out.
12
The power's raging through me, and as soon as we turn the corner, I trip over my feet and fall to my knees. Where did this come from, and why so sudden? Is this the end for me?
"Chris." Charlie reaches for me but isn't fast enough.
However, right before the rest of my body has the chance to hit, large arms lift me up. "Dammit, we've got to get you back." Dax sighs and helps me back to my feet.
"Thanks." I hope that Damien is gone and can’t see me like this. It would give him too much pleasure. The artifacts begin clashing with my reaper magic, and the Water Artifact feels as if it's rubbing against my skin, causing horrible friction.
"Why didn't you tell us it was getting this bad?" Dax's tone is harsh, and his aura turns that light grey color.
What the hell is his problem here lately? One minute he’s
