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“We need to keep moving if we want to make it there before dark.”
Knox removed his hand from mine, and I nodded, allowing Knox to lead me through the forest once again, hoping the long walk would bring some clarity to the thoughts running through my mind.
? ? ?
The sun was beginning to set when Knox’s steps finally slowed. His tread became quiet against the ground, almost tiptoeing. I was hopeful his change in demeanor meant we were close to our destination, as the exhaustion was hitting me full force and I was struggling to stay on my feet. Standing close to Knox’s back, I maneuvered behind him, carefully stepping over the fallen brush. Not able to see around Knox, I stuttered to a halt when he stopped walking, and peered around his side. Although Knox didn’t say a word, I knew where he had taken us.
The vision before me was just as Eli had described many times, small wooden and brick homes decorated the streets, lights shimmering from inside as families gathered for dinner. The trees surrounding the town shaded any last remnants of light, and streetlamps lit up the main road trailing throughout the area. Knox had brought us to where Eli declared was the safest place he’d ever been: their home.
Taking care to stay in the shadows, Knox began walking again, now that we were through the barrier, trailing behind homes and businesses and making sure none of the last stragglers on the street spotted us. Although he hadseenthis place would be safe for us, he still didn’t want to announce our arrival to everyone, clearly still not knowing who to trust.
Walking through multiple yards, Knox finally strutted up towards a medium sized house, similar to those surrounding it. The main structure was made of brick, with a dark wooden porch attached to the back. The windows were shut, but there was a sliding glass door allowing a peak into the house. Lights were bright inside and from our viewpoint, I could see an older couple sitting at a dining table, enjoying conversation and their dinner.
Knox gripped my hand in his and then pulled me forward, entering through the glass door, the unlocked door another thing that threw me for a loop after the childhood I had. As we stepped into the cozy home, both sets of eyes at the table met us, wide and worried. However, the worry quickly subsided, replaced by large smiles and warm eyes.
“My boy!” The woman squealed, jumping up from her chair and pulling Knox into a tight hug. The woman seemed to overpower Knox, even though he had a good foot of height on her. The hug was slightly awkward, considering Knox still hadn’t let go of my hand, but I went with it. Backing away from her son, she took him in, and I was struck by her beauty. The fact that she clearly held so much love for Knox only added to her vibrancy.
The man stood from the table as well and the resemblance between him and Knox was uncanny. Clearly, Knox took after his father. Clapping a hand onto his shoulder, Knox’s father pulled him into a tight hug as well before both parents turned their eyes onto me.
I was uncomfortable under the scrutiny and unnervingly jealous at the apparent affection between Knox and his parents. I didn’t want to resent others happiness, but it was like a spear to the heart to see the love between the three of them. The love I had been missing for ten years.
“Mom, Dad, this is Halley. Halley, this is my mom, Desiree, and my dad, Hank.” Knox introduced us and then I was the one being pulled into a hug, Desiree squeezing me just the same as she had down her son. The comfort in her embrace had me choking back tears, the day already too much without this adding onto it. I hugged her back as well as I could before we broke apart.
Clearing my throat, I tried to speak normally as I smiled at them. “Nice to meet you both.”
Hank spoke up next, his happiness mingling with confusion. “It’s great to see you son, but what are you doing here? We were told that the Guard and selected students would be attacking the Hunters today but we weren’t expecting to hear any news or see you for a bit.”
Knox sighed deeply before responding. “We need to talk.”
Desiree and Hank both immediately turned serious, obviously hearing the tone in their son’s voice. The four of us all moved towards the dining room table and sat in silence, before Knox began speaking. And all I could hope was that Knox was right and that we could trust his parents.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Knox
The situation wasn’t ideal, but I couldn’t deny I was happy to see my parents. I hadn’t seen them since the last school break in May and unlike some people, I not only loved my parents but also enjoyed their company. Looking at them sitting across from me, it was clear they were both immensely worried. I knew I needed to explain the situation, but as I tried to come up with the right words, I studied them. It was clear I got my looks from my father. Both of us were over six foot tall, with lean muscles. He wore his hair shaved like me and we both had dark brown eyes. It was no surprise when I became a Seer like him, considering all our other similarities. Even my personality mainly stemmed from Dad, I learned how to be a leader and to plan from him. Whereas Dad and I were practical, Mom was the beating heart of the family. She was tiny, similar in stature to Kalani, with tight curls and bright hazel eyes. Growing up I thought my mom looked like a princess and acted like one too, kind to everyone she met. To this day, I still held that belief, and that’s why when I knew Halley and I needed to hide somewhere safe, this was the place to go. Mom would take us in and make Halley feel safe and cared for, while Dad would help with a plan. With that thought in mind, I decided there was no need to beat around the bush and began explaining the situation we had found ourselves in.
Mom and Dad were both silent through my explanation, only subtle movements indicating their reaction to the story. Their eyes widened when I told them Halley was the Enchantress everyone had heard about and their brows crinkled when I detailed what I hadseenabout the Council.
“They tried to have her killed this morning. I knew we couldn’t go back and this was the safest place I could think of.” I finished, hoping for the two of them to take over. I may have prided myself on being the one with the strong head on his shoulders, but everyone needed their parents every occasionally, and I wasn’t one to hide from the fact that this was a moment in which I needed their help.
I was expecting Dad to speak up first, but Mom surprised me by standing from the table and smiling towards Halley. “From what I heard; it’s been a long day for both of you. How about Knox and Hank work their magic and figure everything out, while you go clean up and get some rest? I think I have some clothes you could change in to.”
Halley’s eyes widened at Mom’s words and she looked to me, as if she wasn’t sure what to do. In that moment, I realized how hard this may be on her. Having a mother look out for her wellbeing when she hadn’t had that in over a decade. Slightly nodding my head, telling Halley this was a good idea, she got up and Mom led her towards the bedrooms of the house, sending a wink my way before they disappeared, leaving Dad and I alone.
“It seems to me you’ve had quite the rough road lately.” Dad spoke, the deep timber of his voice wrapping around me and bringing me that familiar comfort of home.
Chuckling humorlessly, I responded. “You could say that. Half the time, I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m not sure anyone else does either.”
“Unfortunately, that will be most of your life. But it seems you’re doing right by your girl there, so I’m proud of you son.”
I didn’t correct his words, that Halley wasn’tmygirl, she was Eli’s. The man they viewed as an extra son. Fuck, she was even Madden’s girl, the surly asshole who never gave anyone the time of day. And yet, I didn’t correct him, because as much as it killed me to admit, I was falling for my best friend’s girl and I wanted her to be mine as well.
“Now tell me about your plan. Your mother and I will help as much as we can.”
Dad listened intently, quietly nodding along, as I explained my half-assed plan. I hadseenthe vicinity of the Sanctum Library, but I didn’t know exactly where it was or how to get in. I wasn’t surprised, if it was that easy to find, the prophecy would have been found long before and wouldn’t be hidden so easily from the rest of the Divines. So far, my plan entailed heading down south towards the location, protecting Halley, and that was it. Even to my own ears, it sounded like there wasn’t much to go on, but fuck, I was pulling out of thin air here.
“I can tell you’re frustrated, but from what I can tell, there isn’t much else to go on. So, this is what we’re going to do. Tonight, you and Halley will rest and recharge. When your friends get here, they’ll do the same. Tomorrow morning, you’ll take my SUV and leave. I’ll search into the future as best I can and give you any more information you don’t already have.”
