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Waking up, I rubbed my eyes, glancing around the tent. Maeve and Eli were still peacefully sleeping and so as quietly as possible, I exited the tent, in search of Kalani. As I exited, I noticed the other tent was still silent, the sun barely rising over the horizon. My eye caught on Kalani, curled around herself in front of the dead fire. I didn’t know what had brought her up this early, but I knew right now she needed her friend.
Walking towards her, I sat on the ground, wrapping both my arms around her body. I waited, allowing her the silence and time she needed to tell me what was going on. Kalani was one of the toughest people I knew, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t break. And after everything that was going on, I’d be here to pick up the pieces if she did.
“I can feel it in my chest, you know? And the closer we get to Sanctum Library, the louder I can hear it screaming, wanting out. I know it’s a part of me, but I’m scared of it. Scared of why it wants out. Scared that I don’t know what’s going on when the creature that’s a part of me seems to.”
Her voice was quiet, barely above a whisper, and yet I could feel the tremor in her words. We had been hoping that when we found the Sanctum Library, we would find the prophecy as well as answers to the creature that Kalani now had. Unfortunately, it seemed we may not have enough time.
“Does it speak to you?” I wondered, curious to how independent of Kalani the creature was. When it came to every other Shifter and their creatures, it was an extension of them. It didn’t have a mind of its own, it was one with the Shifter.
“It’s not like when we speak. There’s no words, but it’s a feeling. I know what it wants, even if no words are uttered.”
We became quiet again, allowing Kalani to process what was happening to her. I wished I could give her the answers. I wished I could go back and make sure none of this happened to her, but I couldn’t do any of that. So instead, I continued to hold her, allowing her to be weak for this moment, hoping I could be strong enough for the both of us.
I don’t know how long we sat there for until Maeve stepped out of the tent, looking for the both of us. Her eyes lit up with understanding and love when she spotted Kalani in my arms, slowly breaking apart. Kalani spotted her at the same time and I saw the same emotions shining in her eyes.
Whispering quietly to me, she said, “She gives me everything the guys give you. She’s the love of my life.”
Smiling, I gave her one more squeeze before allowing Maeve to take my spot. Looking at both of them together, I only hoped that this world wouldn’t try to tear them apart.
Chapter Forty
Eli
The sun was barely shining when all of us woke. The girls were the first up, but the rest of us soon followed, eating a small breakfast over the embers of the fire. No one said a word, silent in the knowledge that today was the day that would change all our futures. Either we would find Sanctum Library and all our answers or we would be turning back to a place that we were no longer welcome. No matter which outcome, none of us would be the same again.
“Time to move.” Knox announced, breaking the silence. I recognized the look in his eyes, knowing that it wasn’t just a suggestion, but that he hadseenwe needed to move now.
Quickly, we erased our presence from the campsite, hoping that if the Council were tracking us, they wouldn’t know we were here. Gathering in the SUV, we all took our original spots, Knox and I up front. For the next hour, we drove through empty roads, passing only a few other cars. Eventually, the five in the backseats fell asleep again, leaving Knox and I awake. Every few moments, I caught him looking in the rearview mirror, his eyes tracking the sleeping woman I loved.
I wasn’t surprised. Knox and I had made an agreement before our powers surfaced that we would try to avoid using them on each other. However, with a passive gift like mine, it was impossible to ignore the feelings flowing off him. And even though I usually never brought up when he was feeling something strongly, I couldn’t push it away any longer.
“She’s special, isn’t she?” I whispered after Knox looked at Halley one more time, keeping my voice low so as to not wake up the rest of the car.
Knox’s head swung my way, shocked that I had brought it up. But even without my powers, I could tell something was changing between the two of them. Over the past few months, his gaze had sought her out, his eyes lingering longer. He had protected her like he protected his family and did everything possible to make sure that the weight of this venture wasn’t solely lying on her. Knox didn’t let many people in, but when he did it was all consuming and I could tell that without even trying, Halley had managed to push past his barrier.
“She is. But Eli, you’re my family and always will be. These feelings will fade.” Knox responded; his voice gutted with the admission.
I knew him well enough to know that he had been desperately trying to push the feelings away, his loyalty to our friendship stronger than anything else. But he didn’t need to push those feelings away. I wanted nothing but happiness for KnoxandHalley.
“They won’t fade. Once she’s under your skin, it’ll be impossible to get her out.”
Knox opened his mouth, I’m sure to deny the truth I could so easily feel rolling off of him, but I cut him off.
“She loves me, I know that.” And I did. I had felt the truth in her words last night when she had dropped her shield, allowing me to feel the joy, happiness, and love that swirled in her chest when she was with me. And when I felt that, I was on top of the world. And truth be told, I wanted everyone to have the chance to feel like that.
“But I also know that she loves Madden, even if neither of them will admit it. And I know that she cares about you. Sometimes our hearts are too big to only love one person.”
Knox didn’t respond for a moment, mulling over my words, and I waited patiently, knowing that even if it wasn’t necessary, he would need my acceptance. Finally, he spoke and I couldn’t help but smile wide at his words.
“She gives me peace.”
An outsider listening in wouldn’t understand his words, but I did. With a daunting future put on Knox when his powers emerged and the million pasts and futures always in his head, Knox needed peacefulness sometimes more than he needed to take his next breath.
“And you give her strength.”
Knox returned my smile, his eyes going to Halley once more, and I knew that the adoration pushing against my power would only grow.
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