“I believe the two of you have been looking forthis.” Rafe reaches inside his coat and removes something from the inside pocket.
It takes a moment for me to recognize what he’s holding.
The missing page from the codex.
I reach for it, but he pulls it back.
“It was very foolhardy of you, Selah, using something so dangerous to reignite Jude’s heart. Don’t get me wrong, I am appreciative. He is the only family I have left, after all. The problem, you see, is that now Dr. Psycho is treating him like an afternoon snack.”
I try to swallow, but my throat is too dry.
Rafe hands me the page.
The writing is terribly faded and written in a different language.
“Allow me to translate,” he says in my ear while Jude radiates fury. It oozes from him in palpable waves. “The heart stone has many powers, the greatest being power over life, but the ruby does not give without consequence. You poured your love into that stone when you begged it to save Jude. Upon granting your wish, a tether was formed.” He directs my attention to a drawing that seems to illustrate his point. “And now, his soul is being siphoned by the very thing that saved him.”
I am dizzy.
Lightheaded.
Weak in the knees.
“I don’t understand,” I breathe.
“Oh, but I think you do,” he croons. “You’re feeding him, Selah. With every touch, every kiss, every physical act of love, you imbue the stone with more of Jude’s soul. And Dr. Psycho is all too pleased to enjoy the meal.”
I look away from the page, to Rafe, who is standing much too close. “How do we stop it?”
He slides his thumb to the bottom of the page where a single phrase has been written.
Lapis delendus est.
“Destroy it. Which I guess poses a bit of a problem, as he is wearing it around his neck.” Rafe clucks his tongue. “I suppose the next best option would be creating some distance?”
He slides his arm around my shoulder, his other around Jude’s. “I’ll give you two lovebirds a chance to chat in private. It seems there’s much to discuss.”
The bell jingles as the door closes.
The silence that follow screams.
I can’t feel anything.
Not the pain in my arm.
Not the page in my hand.
All is numb.
“Selah,” Jude says.
But I shake my head, unable to look at him.
Rafe has returned.
And he just confirmed my worst fear.
Jude runs his hand down his face. “He’s lying.”
