“To honour Cato, you’ll need to wear whatever colour his aura is. Everyone will be dressed in that colour. I give you my word.”
“… Okay.”
I lifted the fork back to my mouth and savoured the most delicious slice of fudge cake I’d tasted, letting out a moan of pleasure.
“Scott, am I ever going to be able to take you anywhere?” Gray shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and I grinned.
“Problem, Gray?”
“Nothing you can’t fix.”
“Dream on.”
By the time we finished and returned to Gray’s, I was yawning.
“Maybe you should head to bed. It’ll be a busy day tomorrow,” Gray said, running his fingers through my hair.
“What about you?”
“I need to visit Elva and sort out some arrangements before tomorrow.”
“Can I help with anything?”
“I have it all in hand, Scott. Go on up and I’ll see you in the morning.”
Halfway up the stairs, I turned back to him. “Thank you for everything today, Gray. I really enjoyed myself.”
“You’re welcome.”
Upstairs, I changed into my pyjamas and crawled into bed. Sleep found me easily, but not long after, I woke to the sound of whispers. I tried to ignore them, but it was no use. Getting up from bed, I followed them out into the hallway.
“Gray?”
Nothing. He must still be with Elva.
The whispers were a rush, and a pulling sensation joined them. My feet moved of their own accord. Even though I didn’t know where I was heading, it was like my body knew where it needed to be.
It lured me out of Gray’s house and barefoot through the streets before I reached the reflecting pool. A beautiful body of water that was crystal clear and mirrored the night sky above.
The desire to step in was overwhelming. The whispers were no longer soft and gentle but roared around me. I had to step in. I needed to obey.
My feet hit the waters, ice cold and making me shiver, but I didn’t stop. Instead, there was a desire to wade in deeper.
“QUENTIN!”
I heard my name, but it didn’t deter me. I only stopped when I was swept up from the water and into Gray’s arms. The noise disappeared as he held me and the waters around us turned a deep black colour.
“I don’t know what happened,” I said, confused as to why I was in the pool.
He moved out of the water and up onto the shore. Erik and Sloan were standing on the banks with Elva, looking horrified.
“I’m so sorry,” I said to him, realising I’d done something wrong.
Gray placed me on the ground, and the tug to return to the waters started again. It was like I was being dragged back towards it. Gray picked me up and it vanished.
“What’s happening, Gray?” I asked, looking up at him.
It wasn’t often that I got scared, but I wasn’t in control of my actions and the panic was setting in.
