No way. I turn my head and find Luke staring right at me. What in the world is he doing here? "Uh ... thanks." I want to move away, but my legs are still Jell-O.
He frowns and takes in my appearance. "You aren't doing well at all. What are we doing to do about that?"
Maybe I should have just stayed home.
17
Summing up all the strength I have, I take a step back and stand. "I'm fine. We don't have to do anything." I can't believe he's threatening me here in the middle of the store, but he is an Elder. He can pretty much do whatever he wants. He does make the rules around here.
A rare smile fills his face. "Did you think I was threatening, dear?" He steps closer to me and lowers his voice. "I mean I know what's wrong with you and how to fix it."
Of course, he freaking does. I'm the one out of the loop. "Which is?"
"I'll have to take you there." He glances around and then focuses back on me. "I need to pick one thing up, but then I can show you."
Great, I'm struggling to stand let alone stay here for any length of time. "I ... I don't think I can stay here much longer."
"Don't worry." He pushes the cart over to me. "It'll just take one minute. It's back here in the back. Then we can leave."
"You know what." I grab the handles once again for support and take a deep breath. If I move slow, I'm sure I've got this. "I'll stay here and wait for you."
"That's probably for the best. I'll be right back." He heads off toward the back.
It's stupid but I didn't notice until then there is someone standing in the back corner of the section standing behind a display. There is long, white blonde hair coming out of a hoodie, and they are looking away from me.
Luke walks right up to them and the person hands them something. It's small so I can't make out what it is. Luke takes it and places it some pocket inside his suit jacket. No words are exchanged, and he turns heading straight back to me. "Are you ready?"
I'm not sure what just went down, but right now I need his help. If he has the answer to what is going on, I need it. This is getting worse, not better. "As ready as I'll ever be."
"Then let's go get you feeling better." He holds out his arm to me.
Oh, no. There is no way I'm walking out of here arm in arm with him. "No, I got this." I steady myself and let the cart go. I'm sure someone will come by and get it. I didn't get to the first item to put in there.
Taking slow even steps, I follow him out to a Bentley. A driver gets out and opens the door for us. Whoa, I didn't expect this. I climb into the car and smile at him. "Thank you."
"My pleasure, ma'am." He nods and she shuts it and returns to the front.
"See, my dear." Luke pats my arm and motions around me. "This is what you have to look forward to once you become one of us."
The thought hurts my stomach. I don't want all these fancy things. I've had them before and the people who value them don't tend to be nice or loyal. "So ... how's Dax?"
"That's interesting." He purses his lips and looks out the window. "You'd ask about him first instead of yourself."
Oh, my God. Did I do wrong by asking about someone else first? You'd think they would admire that since they are supposed to be advocates for our people. "I assumed I was getting taken care of." Dear God, these games make me sick. "Should I be worried you won't deliver?"
"Oh, my dear, that makes me so happy." He turns and his eyes are expressionless. "So, you're finally starting to trust me. I had expected you to be hesitant, so it took me off guard." He leans toward me and crosses his leg. "Dax is doing better. He'll be ready to head back down in just a couple of days. You, of course, saved him."
At least there is that. Dax did try to protect me down there even if it was for the council so I was happy to return the favor. "Okay, I'd like to check on him if he is still at the mansion."
"Sure, I need to drop off this item anyways." He pats his pocket and nods. "That will give you time for a quick visit."
"Wait. We're going there now?" He told me we were going to get help for me.
"Just for a minute to drop this off." He lets out a sigh and straightens high jacket. "Then I will take you to where I promised."
The mansion pulls up outside and the driver pulls in front.
Luke doesn’t wait for help and opens the door. He gets out and hurries to the door. “I’ll meet you back down by the door in ten minutes. You’ll find Dax in my office in the cot I reaped him in.”
Well, okay then. I follow his lead. For once, when I walk in the door a butler isn’t there to greet me. I’ll take that small blessing. They creep me out anyways. They have a knack of just showing up. I wonder if a witch put a spell on them or something.
As I make my way to the room, a cold shiver passes through me. I hold my arm out to the wall to support me as the coldness seems to attack my power. It encompasses it and tries to smother it.
Crap, am I going to lose it? What happens if I do? I never even considered the possibility of losing my magic before. My body freezes and my heart races. I can’t … I don’t want
