I pull my arm from his grip, not wanting to be lectured. “This can’t wait.” He knows better than to push the issue, so he simply nods and accepts my decision.
The lies stop today. Once I tell her about Damien, she’ll know everything. Maybe then we can begin to rebuild our friendship—if that’s what you could even call it.
When I get to the Center, I see her and Akari sparring on one of the mats while Amaya and Emeric watch. I can’t stop myself from mentally correcting her form. It’s not bad, but her kicks could use some work. If she won’t forgive me for lying, maybe I can at least convince her to let me continue training her.
First things first, though.
“Reign.”
While the others acknowledge my presence, she continues to ignore me, moving to one of the hanging bags that weigh just as much as she does. When she kicks the side of it, it barely moves. I look to Emeric for back up, but he just puts his hands up and shrugs. I move in closer, but still keep my distance. I had hoped to tell her in private, but she’s made it apparent she wants nothing to do with me, so she’s left me no choice.
“Damien is here.”
“What?” Amaya’s head whips from me to Reign and back to me.
“What do you mean he’s here? Like in the Shadow Lands?” Akari asks while Emeric and I both stare at Reign who has stopped kicking but hasn’t turned around.
“Yes. It’s complicated.”
“Then uncomplicate it!” Reign demands as she turns on her heel to face me.
“I’ll explain it. To all of you,” I add, glancing at each one of them as they glare back at me. “But not here.”
Amaya looks around at the surrounding people training in the Center and nods. I turn and begin to walk out of the arena, allowing them to follow behind.
“This isn’t going to go over well. You know that right?” Emeric warns when he catches up to me.
“What gave you that idea?” I say sarcastically.
“Funny,” he says flatly. “I like you and appreciate you taking me under your wing, but Reign is like family. I’m with her always.”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “I know. Just keep an open mind.” We turn the corner to an empty study. “We can talk in here.”
I stand outside the door as the others walk in. When Reign passes me, she keeps her head down, avoiding eye contact. I close the door behind us so no one else can hear our conversation and suddenly the air is heavy.
“Alright, let’s get to it.” Amaya crosses her arms and stands just slightly in front of Reign like a protective sister would.
“As you all know, my father had the Night Renderer, Slader, cut into Damien’s mind. My father caught on that Damien’s allegiance to him was slipping so he sent him on a “mission.” In reality there was no mission. Damien was brought to the palace where Slader worked on him for months. Basically, he rewiredeach of Reign and Damien’s memories together in order to cut the emotional tie he had to her.”
“That’s vile,” Amaya spews.
“That’s my father. He doesn’t like when he can’t control people.” I look to Reign, but her eyes are still trained on the floor in front of her. “Anyway, when we attacked the Throne Room, our forces were able to capture him and bring him here. It had always been part of the plan, but I wasn’t sure we would be able to pull it off.”
“So now what?” Akari asks, propping herself up on one of the empty tables.
“Ever since Damien’s been here, Slader has been working to repair his memories. It’s taken awhile, but he’s finally reached a breakthrough.”
“Wait, he can do that? He can just put the memories back together?” Emeric asks what I’m sure they’re all wondering.
“Yes. I mean it’s going to take more time to undo it all, but essentially once he’s finished, Damien’s memories will be back to the way they were before they were tampered with.”
Amaya looks back at Reign who hasn’t moved a muscle since she took her place at the back of the room.
“So, what does that mean exactly? Will he fall back in love with her?” Amaya asks the question, so Reign doesn’t have to.
“I’m not sure. This is uncharted territory for me,” I admit.
“I don’t want to know this,” Reign finally speaks up. “I don’t want to know any of this.”
