Descending Darkness(94)

“Stop it, Ryanne,” Liam says. “Everything will be fine.”

“Oh, stop reading my mind, Mister,” I mumble as my eyes start to feel heavy. “That’s my job.”

“Someone has to be able to read yours if you can read ours,” Liam says.

“I can’t read Colton’s mind. Who can read his? Hmm? No one that’s who.” Colton’s chest shakes, and I can hear Liam and David laughing at me.

“You guys can sleep in my room tonight. I’ll sleep out here,” James offers. Without opening my eyes, I wave him off.

“No. This is your place, big guy, and we’re the ones intruding. I’m gonna sleep right here.”

“Did she just call me big guy?”

“When you’re 5’3,” everyone is a big guy,” Bragden explains. I give everyone a thumbs up as I start drifting to sleep.

“You are correct, big guy number two.”



Colton

I lean back against the back of the couch and stretch my legs out in front of me. Ryanne fell asleep curled into my side. James is still sitting in the chair to my left. I glance over toward him and see him watching Ryanne with a slight grimace.

“Look, Colton…I’m sorry I attacked her as forcefully as I did. I didn’t mean to break her wrist. She’s much smaller than other mages; I didn’t realize the amount of strength I was using on her until I felt her bones break under my hand. I seriously didn’t mean to cause her any harm,” James says to me. Now he’s apologizing? He couldn’t have done that right after it happened?

The room around me has gotten really quiet as everyone waits for my reaction. I look down at Ryanne sleeping peacefully in my lap. I can tell that she’s already forgiven James for what he did. She even tried to protect him from Liam earlier. She’d be mad if I stayed mad at him, but he basically forced himself on her in the same way that Adam did.

“You understand why I have a reason to be mad at you, right?”

“I attacked your soulmate. If you weren’t mad at me, I’d say you weren’t really her soulmate. So, yes I understand why.”

“Then you’ll understand why it’ll take more than an apology to make me trust you.”

“Yes, I understand that also. I guess I’ll just have to prove myself to you in time,” he says as he leans back against the chair, crossing his arms.

“Without touching her,” I glance down at Ryanne and look back up at James. He seems sincere enough, but you can never be too sure, especially when it comes to Ryanne’s safety.

“If that’s what it takes,” James says.

Ryanne starts moving in my arms. I look down and check for any signs of injuries. She looks like she’s just sleeping, but I glance toward Liam to be sure. He’s sitting on the couch, talking quietly to Natalie. I’m worrying again. Everything is fine.

James gets up from the couch and walks over to a door off to the side of his bedroom. Opening it, he pulls out a couple of blankets and pillows for everyone. Walking over to me, he hands me a dark blue fleece blanket and puts the rest on the coffee table. I open the blanket and carefully wrap it around Ryanne and me. Leaning back, I pull her closer to my chest. She sighs and turns more toward me in her sleep, folding her knees onto my lap. I lean my head back against the back of the couch, knowing that everyone else is still awake but no longer caring.



“Colton, open your eyes. I don’t have much time,” says an urgent voice. I’d recognize that voice anywhere.

“Claire?” My eyes snap open and take in my surroundings briefly. I’m back at the house, sitting in the kitchen to be more exact. Everything looks to be exactly as we left it, but my assessment stops when I see the woman with me. Claire is standing against the island in the middle of the room, staring at me.

When our eyes connect, she runs toward me and wraps her arms around me, engulfing me in a large hug. I’m bigger than her, but in a hug, she always makes everyone feel small. “I’ve missed you so much,” she whispers.

“I’ve missed you too.” She feels so real. I tighten my arms around her as my eyes start to water. Quickly, blinking back the tears, I clear my throat and release her from my hold.

“Ok, now to get down to business. Protect Ryanne. Don’t let her out of your sights. Darkness is lurking in every corner, and Ryanne is full of light. She’s in more danger than you know.”

“Dravin?”

“Yes and no.”

“You can’t tell me?”

“I’m not supposed to be here. I know too much already. I can’t reveal it all because it could change everything. The road ahead isn’t going to be easy, Colton. In fact, it’s going to be your toughest challenge yet, but don’t give up, and protect your soulmate at all costs!” Claire starts disappearing. I can see the doorframe behind her. “You can trust James, too. He’s not traditional, but he does mean well and he’ll help protect Ryanne.”