“What?” Colton asks.
“You and Liam and the ones that officially end the war,” I tell them. Liam leans forward and rests his arms across the back of Colton’s seat.
“We,” he motions between Colton and himself, “are the ones who end the war?”
“The prophecy said that her warriors were the ones who were to end the war. You two are the ones that stop Dravin, not me. I’m the unifying factor, but I’m apparently needed somewhere else at the end.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know. She said that I’ll know when the time is right. Oh, she wanted me to tell everyone that she’s proud of us all.”
“Communicate with the dead,” Emma mutters into David’s shirt. “Check.”
I roll my eyes and lean back into Colton. He’s being awfully quiet. I glance up at him. He’s looking in my direction but doesn’t seem to be looking at anything in particular. “You okay?” I whisper to him. I know it’s pretty much impossible to seek any sort of privacy in a large vehicle, but something is up.
His arms tighten around my waist. He blinks back into awareness and looks at me. “Yeah, yeah. I’m good. Just thinking. Nothing to worry about.”
“I’m sorry that she contacted me.”
“No, Ry, I’m not upset that she contacted you instead of me. It’s not that. I’m glad that she contacted someone. It’s just that sometimes I forget that she’s actually gone.”
I rest my head against his chest, turning so that I can hear his heart beat. I wrap my arms around him and whisper, “I’m sorry. I wish I could go back and do something else that day. Save her somehow.”
“Ryanne, there’s nothing I would change about that day. Claire always told us that everything happens for a reason, and after all that has happened, I still believe that. We are who we are today because of the events of our lives. Claire knew what she was doing that day, and I don’t think she would change anything if she could. She wouldn’t want you to wonder about that either.”
He tightens his arms around me and continues, “You saved me that day, and then I saved you. I had to watch you die to fuel my anger for the Gadramicks and gain a better appreciation for human life. You had to deal with Claire’s death to fuel your anger which strengthens your power. Everything happens for a reason, and those reasons have brought us to this moment.”
“How do you always know the right thing to say?” I mumble as I bury my face into his neck. I feel his body shake with silent laughter.
“I don’t. I just choose my words carefully.”
“Well, glad you do I am,” I whisper.
“What?”
Gasping, I shoot up and look at him. “Yoda?”
“Like Star Wars, Yoda?”
“I was speaking like Yoda! I said that I was glad that you choose your words carefully. I’d hate to have a soulmate that was bad with words…though one that doesn’t understand Star Wars references isn’t much better…” I giggle at him. “Disappointed in you, am I, Colton. Hmmmm.”
Liam and David laugh at my comment, which confirms the little privacy theory, but I’m glad someone appreciates my humor. Colton shakes his head and smiles but doesn’t say anything else. He leans back in his seat and closes his eyes.
Might as well…
“We’re here, Ry.”
“How do you always wake up before me?” I mumble sleepily as I slowly get up. Rubbing my eyes, I try to get rid of the sleep that threatens to pull me back. With a long exhale, I look around at our surroundings. It’s nighttime, and we’re parked in front of a large apartment complex. I thought all mages would live in seclusion somewhere, so it surprises me that James lives in the middle of town.
“Where are we exactly?” I ask Tom.
“We’re at the Riverplace Apartments, just outside of Portland.”
“James lives in the city?”
“He can fully control his magic, so he doesn’t need to live away from people like some other mages.” Oh, that makes sense. James’s power is strength, and I’m sure that he’s gotten control of it now, so he can be around people all the time.
Tom gets out of the car, opens the side door, and helps me off of Colton’s lap. Colton exits after, and then everyone else follows. With our hands laced together, Colton pulls me to his side. I go to him easily, accepting his protection. There is something about James that confuses me…I just don’t understand what.
Entering into the lobby, I squint to adjust to the lights. The outside of the apartment complex looks simple, but the interior is just the opposite. The lobby has a nautical theme. The carpet is a dark blue, resembling the majestic waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Off white walls reflect the bright twinkling lights that parallel the imagery of water droplets falling from the sky. Fabric is cascading from the ceiling, duplicating the appearance of boat sails while wicker couches and chairs are precisely located throughout the room with navy blue accent pillows. A large red brick fireplace is built into the wall off to the right. Two old rustic oars decorate the mantle, and bottles of sand and shells decorate the small tables. The soothing sound of the ocean is playing quietly through speakers camouflaged and randomly dispersed throughout the room.