"Yes, she told me that." But honestly, I thought she was bluffing.
"The elder couple do not have our best interest at heart. If anyone goes up against a view or has a differing opinion, they cast them out, instead of hearing their side. If you don't blindly follow their lead, they will threaten you with your family or hold you in the prison under the mansion. That's why I need you to join the council and help me make a stand." He holds his hand out toward me with his thumb up. "Will you help me?"
Most of everything he says resonates with me. That's what happened to me. I didn't follow exact protocol and they threatened and jailed me. That's what confirmed how evil they are. I don't think he can be pulling the wool completely over my eyes right now, the Eldest wouldn't allow anyone to speak this way about them.
The door of his study opens, and the other two council members enter. They are both dressed in their formal attire. The lady is wearing a long, red gown and the man is wearing a suit. She turns to me and frowns. "Oh, I see you haven't learned any manners yet. You stink, child."
I wonder if she's evil enough to burst into flames? "Well, I just came back from Hell, so pardon me if I'm not up to your high standards. I'm trying to save the world after all."
The elder male jerks his head to Luke. "Wait ... she went to get an artifact and we weren't made aware?"
Huh, maybe I like this guy after all. "Well, I made him go with me. I mean, if the council wants the glory they should be part of the process, right?"
A faint chuckle comes from behind me and I glance over to find Dax staring ahead with a straight face.
How is he able to laugh and keep a straight face? This is a technique I need to learn.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" The eldest lady's jaw clenches and her nostrils flair. "I can put you back down in the dungeon if you aren't careful."
Awe, we're back to our old threats. "No, you can't, and whether you like it or not, you need me." I take a step toward her and lift my chin. "Remember, right now you need me, not the other way around." If what he said hadn't convinced me to join his cause, this has. I'll be wary until I know I can trust him. I turn around to Luke and wink. "I'm in."
He nods and grins. "You won't regret this. Go home and get some rest."
Now that sounds perfect. I turn around and ignore the elder couple as I walk past them and wave to Dax as I open the door. "See you around."
"Bye." He nods.
As soon as the door is closed, the eldest lady asks, "What the hell was she just talking about?"
Holding back a laugh, I close my eyes and transport home.
When I arrive back at the house, I find Charlie on the couch.
He’s sitting with his hands in his hair and he's hunched over. He jumps up as soon as I appear. "Oh, my God, Chris. I've been trying to get ahold of you."
Shit, I haven't checked my phone in forever and I'm sure I didn't have service in hell. I pull my phone out and see it's dead. I hold it out to him. "I'm sorry. It's died and I had no clue."
"What am I supposed to do when I get a call from one of our neighbors that says a witch and the council car showed up?" He grabs me and pulls me into his arms. "You smell like ash. Did you go to Hell again without me?"
"I'm sorry, but I was about to implode." I wrap my arms around him praying he doesn't let me go.
"Are you serious?" He tugs back a little so he can look at my face.
I fill him in on what happened with the witch and everything else that night. I feel awful I left him again, but my life was at risk this time. "I'm sorry, but I was afraid my time was limited."
"No, this time was different, but it does suck getting left behind all the time." He lays his forehead against mine and runs his fingers through my hair. "But your life is way more important than my feelings. The other times you had a choice, but this time, you didn't. I couldn't live with myself if you waited for me and died because of it."
"Things are getting so big. Are you sure this is what you want?" I take a deep breath and stare into his eyes. "I'm so much more than a person now. I have to consider every action I take now and what it could do to the world."
"Chris, I love you." He brushes his lips with mine and cups my cheeks with his hands. "I will be by your side no matter what. Nothing can rip me away. You're it for me. Whatever you decide to do, I'm in."
My heart feels so big that it wants to burst. Between the artifacts and him, I don't think there is anything I can't do. He grounds me and keeps me human, while the artifacts make me strong. I don't know what I would do if I lost him. "I love you too."
"So, you know what the inevitable question is." He arches an eyebrow and tilts his head.
A grin fills my face. "No, what is it?"
He puts his finger out and lifts my chin. "Since we're doing this together and all, I want to know. Can you see the next artifact?"
You know what, I haven't even looked. In the past, they come hammering into my head. I close
