Shit, is she really asking me to do this? "Becca..."
"No, you owe me." She steps toward me her hands shaking. "You brought me into this mess, and you will save me from it."
Whoa, her body quivers from head to toe almost in sync with the chaos surging inside me. I get she's angry with me, but some of this has to be misplaced. It's not like I did it on purpose. "I understand you're angry, but I never meant to cause any harm."
She clenches her hands into fists. "It doesn't matter what you intended. I'm miserable and I'd rather be dead."
"If that's true, why haven't you gone to the council and asked to be reaped again?" Okay, so I'm being an ass, but I don't appreciate her attitude. But at the same time, it's a good question.
"You don't think I've tried?" She puts her hands in her hair and pulls. "Every time I get close, he shows up and yanks me back."
He? "Who? Damien?"
"Yeah, who else do you think it would be." Her eyes narrow into slits and she crosses her arms. "And why do you think he does?"
"Because you guys are friends?" I'm hoping that's the right answer, but with the daggers she's shooting my way, I'm pretty sure it isn't.
"Oh, no. That's not why." Her nose wrinkles and shakes her head. "It always comes back to you, doesn't it? He needs me for leverage over you."
"It was never meant to be this way." I do hate this for her.
"I know. So, save me, please." She reaches out and touches my hand. "Please."
My magic collides deep within me, crashing throughout, causing me to become dizzy. I take a step back and take a deep breath through my nose. The scent of the oak fills me. "I can't. I'm sorry."
"Are you serious?" Her nostrils flare and her breathing turns ragged. "You brought me back to life and then gave me to Damien from him to protect and you won't save me?"
Shit, it sounds so bad when she puts it like that, but it is what I did. But I can't put her life before billions. If I give him all three artifacts, the world won't survive. I can't confuse all this any longer. "All I can say is I'm sorry. This," I motion around her and then between us, "wasn't supposed to wind up this way. If I could do it all over, I would, but I can't. I will live with this decision for the rest of my life. If there is any way I can help you that isn't that, please let me know."
Tears fill her eyes and her shoulders slump. "There isn't anything you can do other than just let me die."
My heart cracks in two and I step toward her. Maybe I should just help her. As soon as I get close to her, my power goes crazy once more. The power is like electricity coursing through me and my stomach rumbles with nausea.
This smacks some reality back into me. What the hell am I doing walking over to her. I can't change my mind. I've got to get out of here. I take one last glance at her and frown. I need to leave now. I've got to figure out a way into Hell. Before I can do anything stupid, I pull up my apartment and transport out.
12
As I arrive back in my apartment, I take a shaky breath and plop down on my couch. Shit, I was close to going back to my old habits when she broke down. What the hell is wrong with me? I can't be that soft or I'll let more than just myself down.
My cell phone rings, causing my pants pocket to vibrate. Ah, please God. Don't let it be her. I take a deep breath and pull out the phone. I glance at the caller ID and pause. I'm not sure if I'm relieved or more annoyed. Luke's name flashes and I want to pretend I never saw it, but I'm sure someone is watching me. If I don't answer it now, it'll wind up going to voicemail. I hit the green accept button before I think much longer. "Hello?"
"Christina, where are you?" His voice is annoyed and gruff.
For once, I don't have to stretch the truth. "I'm at home."
"And you don't see a problem with that?" He huffs and then clears his throat.
No, I don't, but I'm assuming that's not the answer he's expecting. "I'm not sure where you want me to be."
"What did I tell you yesterday?" A door shuts in the background and he takes a deep breath.
He told me a lot yesterday, but I'm going to assume it was his parting words. "That you are going to teach me."
"Exactly. Which means you should be here now. So, get here. I'm at the council house." He hangs up the phone.
What a jackass. I want to be a child and refuse to show up, but I don't have the luxury. Yesterday he taught me something very worthwhile, I would hate to miss out on something else that could be another game changer for me. Speaking of which, I'll just transport myself there. It seems the more I use it, the easier it gets.
As I stand, the swirling of my magic within me grows even more intense. I've been trying to ignore it since seeing Becca, but it's almost to the point where it can't be pushed aside. What the hell is going on? I don't understand what is causing this. Shit, focus. I've got to get to Luke. I don't have time for a break down.
I find Luke and he's back in the office from the other day with the large desk in the center. I transport myself there and
