She disappears.
Darkness is lurking in every corner. Instead of the scene I remember falling asleep in, the room is dark, and everyone is asleep. Ryanne is still lying against my chest. I push a couple of curls out of her face and lean back down. Claire came to warn me.
We haven’t even gotten through the hardest part of this whole ordeal yet. How is that possible? Both Ryanne and I should be dead. We shouldn’t be here. We won’t get another shot if that were to happen again. Will we survive the most challenging part?
I understand Ryanne’s struggle. I don’t want morning to come. I want to hold Ryanne and take her away from all of this. I want her to be safe in my arms forever. I want that life from the vision she told me about.
Ryanne sighs and slowly opens her eyes. Why is she awake? I look at the clock on the wall. It’s three in the morning. “Why are you awake?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” she mutters as she leans back against my chest. She doesn’t close her eyes though. “My mind keeps wandering. I have this feeling that everything is about to get way serious.” She turns so that she is facing me. “Like the Joker will come and ask “Why so serious?” serious.”
“I think you’re correct about that,” I say as I wrap my arms around her.
Turning slightly so that she can rest her head on my shoulder, she sighs and glances up at me. “Are you scared?” she whispers. I can see the fear in her beautiful hazel eyes. I tighten my arms around her again and kiss her temple.
“Yes.” There’s no point lying to her.
“Me too,” she whispers as she slowly starts to close her eyes. I can tell she’s trying to fight the need to sleep.
“Go to sleep, Ry.”
“I love you, Colton,” she says as she curls into my side again. I can tell that she’s already asleep. The worry lines on her face disappear, and her sweet innocent countenance reappears. I hope that her dreams are the reprieve she needs to get over the hardships we’re about to endure.
“I love you too.”
*****
Since we now have James helping us, we have more room in the car. Colton, Liam, David, Emma, Natalie, and I all ride with Tom while everyone else rides with James. We are going out to find more mages to help us. There are so many things that can go wrong today. Dravin’s been spreading all these rumors about me. Valdus said that the mages are rising. I’ve been away from mages for…well since I’ve come to know of their existence. Because of that, it’ll be a little difficult to convince some of them to help me, but I need all the help I can get.
Colton squeezes my hand, disrupting my thoughts. “Everything will be fine.”
“Did Liam share some of his power with you?” I say. These guys can read me too easily.
“No, I just know you, babe. You get this glazed look in your eyes when you’re over thinking something.”
“Yeah, well you always smile when you laugh. See, I’m observant too,” I mutter as I lean back against the seat. Everyone can read me so well. It’s not fair…well, technically I guess it is, since I can read minds but still. Not cool.
Colton laughs and wraps his arms around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him. I smile and lean into his side. “I wasn’t aware that I did that. Thank you for telling me.”
I smile up at him. “Oh, you’re very welcome. At least I’m good for something. Just call me Miss Captain Obvious.”
“Oh, you’re good for more than that,” Colton whispers into my ear in his sexy voice. His soft lips brush my earlobe sending chills throughout my body. Arching toward him, I let out a breathy giggle. Those lips then reach lower and kiss me under the ear, causing another giggle to escape.
“Eww, keep it PG, please,” Emma squeals but smiles over at me. I know that my face turns ten shades of red and then some. Biting my lip, I look down at my lap, avoiding everyone’s eyes. Emma and Natalie laugh at my reaction.
I turn and bury my face into Colton’s neck. “Make them stop looking at me.”
“Guys, I’ll stick this little embarrassed all powerful mage on you if you don’t stop staring at her.”
“Thanks,” I say. Instead of facing everyone again, I decide that a little nap is in order. I need to prepare for what is going to happen today anyway.
“Ryanne, we’re here.” Someone starts shaking my shoulder. I groan but push myself up into a seated position. Looking out the window, I see James getting out of his car and walking toward us. I rub my eyes to push sleep away and scoot over into my prospective seat. “You okay?” Colton asks. He’s always so worried about me.