The Locket (39 page)

As the movie played, I watched the group drift to sleep one by one. Reese was the last to doze which I expected. I closed my eyes trying to sleep, but my mind was going through the list of unanswered questions, searching for guidance. I wanted more than anything to know with certainty if I was doing the right things. Who was I kidding? I really wanted to know if I had two Paramours. Did I have to make a choice? What would it change if I made the wrong choice? I needed reassurance and I knew just where to get it.

Bad idea Claire, you should wake Brent and talk to him. It would be dangerous to go alone. You know it.

That may be, but I didn’t need Brent’s permission to do this. He was not my father. I decided as foolish as it seemed, the best way to get answers was to go to Maggie’s and see Omni. I was still in my clothes so sneaking out would not be a problem. I could get to Maggie’s and back before anyone even knew I was missing.

Brent’s phone was on the counter, but his keys were nowhere to be found. I cursed him silently, thinking he kept them in his pocket, knowing I might try to leave. How could I blame him, as I had made a habit of doing just that? I convinced myself it was different this time. I needed these answers to help all of us so it was somehow justified. I swiped his phone and quietly left the loft. Outside, I called a cab which arrived just a few minutes later.

I unlocked the door. Before I opened it, I turned back to Logan.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I thought I’d get back before anyone knew I was gone,” I admitted, happy Logan was not like Brent in that way. He wouldn’t make me feel like I was being difficult for doing what I thought was best.

“Guess not,” he said shrugging. “Shall we?” he asked, turning the knob and opening the door to Maggie’s house. He put his hand on the small of my back, his touch affecting me, though I couldn’t place the emotion.

When we entered, I threw the keys on the small table in the hall. We made our way upstairs to my room. Logan turned on the light and I went and stood in front of the mirror while he sat down on the bed.

“Claire.” Logan’s edgy voice broke my concentration. “Can I talk to you for a second?” he asked imploringly.

I turned, looking at Logan’s troubled face and took a seat next to him. “Sure, Logan.”

He positioned his body so we were facing each other. “Claire, I…I’m not sure how to say this. I know that you’re supposed to be with Brent but I have feelings for you and I’m not sure what to do about them.”

I understood exactly what he was saying because I was conflicted too. I was sure my

heart belonged to Brent, but I did have feelings for Logan that went a little farther than friendship.

“I understand Logan.”

He smiled gently, eyes bright amber and folded my hands in his.

“I know you do, Claire. I can feel it when you’re near me.”

“I think it’s our seals. That is one of the things I want to ask Omni about,” I said, looking down at our joined hands. It felt like I was doing something wrong. I instantly regretted my decision to come here without Brent.

“I don’t need Omni to tell me, Claire. I know how I feel about you.”

Before I could protest, Logan was kissing me and I was kissing him back. It was soft, sweet, and I enjoyed it. What I didn’t expect was the complete lack of excitement. He didn’t take my body hostage the way Brent did. There was no raging desire to have more of him, and I knew immediately that while I cared deeply for Logan, he was not matched to me completely the way Brent was. Oh my God, Brent. I made a huge mistake. I left him again and he would be hurting.

Logan pulled away, looking at me benevolently. He knew as I did. “It’s not you.”

“No, it’s not. I do love you, Logan, but I’m sealed to Brent. I belong to him.” He nodded. “But, I know who you’ll end up with.”

Placing my head on his, I showed him Layken’s beautiful smile just before he put his lips on hers. As the image panned out, it revealed a crowded church. The two of them stood before everyone as Mr. and Mrs. Marshall. They held hands weeping joyful tears, before the vision came to an end.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“He’s the reason you’ve been shutting me out?” The broken words sliced through my heart as easily as scissors through paper. How long had he been watching us?

Logan stood up quickly. “It’s not what you think, Brent,” he defended, while I sat on the bed frozen, gaping at the two of them.

Brent must have used his ability to jump to get here so quickly. Or, Logan woke him when he left. He had probably seen everything, thinking I betrayed him.

“No offense, Logan, but you should stay the hell out of it,” Brent roared. He looked so irate, like he did the day in the hall when Logan shoved me.

“You’re probably right, but I care about her too,” Logan argued insistently.

“Obviously,” Brent agreed vociferously, scowling at Logan.

Speak before they kill each other.

I rose from the bed, still unsure of what I wanted to say.

I shot Brent a disgusted look. “Don’t speak to him like that, Brent, he didn’t do anything wrong.” I felt guilty the second the words left my mouth. Brent didn’t do anything wrong either, I did. He loved me and I had hurt him.

Brent came closer to me. His face was warped with betrayal. Feeling his heart breaking was excruciating.

“Is that what he told you? That he wasn’t doing anything wrong. How could you trust him enough to come with you, but not me, after everything he’s done to you?” Brent asked, his words digging deep, making me feel even guiltier.

“He followed me here, Brent. I didn’t ask him to come.”

Brent turned, glowering at Logan. “Did you tell her, Logan?” Brent asked. “Did you tell her you read all of her thoughts, just as I did? Did you tell her you knew she believed you could also be her Paramour?”

The room was silent for a moment as Logan and I exchanged glances before Brent continued.

“It looks like you made your choice, Claire.” Brent’s voice was hoarse.

“What are you talking about, Brent?”

“Exactly what I said, Claire. We both knew you thought you had two Paramours. Logan jumped at the chance to prove you right. And it looks like he did. I hope you’re both very happy together,” he said, the hurt in his voice clear.

They both knew the entire time.

I felt regret in my chest as I tried to breathe, a surprise, as I expected anger for their intrusiveness. Brent knew I was conflicted about the role the two of them had in my life and I had been shutting him out to explore those feelings. Then he walked into this room to find me in Logan’s arms. What did I do? I wished Maggie was home. I wanted to run into her room and cry on her shoulder. My inexperience with love and trust was catching up to me.

I turned to Logan.

“You knew before you got here?” I asked, disappointed he hadn’t been completely honest with me.

Logan nodded, and then added, “I had to know if you were right, just as much as you did, Claire.”

“Well, now we all know!” Brent stormed from the room without even a backwards glance. His heavy footsteps rattled my door as he made his way down the stairs. I bolted from the room. I had to tell him the truth, wanting him to know there was nothing between me and Logan. My heart, now and for eternity, belonged to him.

As I swung the door open, I saw the rest of the group in the hall way. They were pretending not to listen. Taking the stairs down two at a time, I wondered how long they had been there but didn’t stop to ask. Needing to talk to Brent was more important.

I ran down the hallway towards the front door, sliding on the hardwood floor as Brent fell to my feet in front of me. He wasn’t moving and I wasn’t entirely sure if he was breathing. Anything that happened prior to this moment was infinitesimal. Here and now would decide our path forever.

Kace stood in the doorway glaring at me, hatred oozing from his heartless stare. He slammed the door and ambled towards me, emitting arrogance. I wanted to call for the others so we could wipe the smug look off his face, but I needed to know if Brent was okay. I fell to my knees, hovering over Brent protectively. He started to stir and I pulled him into my arms, using all of my energy to heal him.

“Thank God,” I sighed. Brent looked up at me, obviously shaken and I kissed his lips gently. “There was never a choice, Brent. It’s always been you,” I cried, feeling his body healing beneath me, his strength growing as I kept whispering how much I loved him.

“I’m sorry, Claire,” he said, squeezing me tightly “I shouldn’t have pushed you so hard. I should have stayed out of your thoughts when you asked me too. I know Logan’s important to you. I should have trusted your love.”

None of it mattered now. I loved Brent, unconditionally.

“No. Please, Brent. I was selfish. I was stubborn, and you were right, I was scared. I’m the one who is sorry,” I whimpered.

“Aww, isn’t that sweet,” Kace teased, standing over us. His voice was condescending – twined with hate – or was it more than that? He was envious. I heard it when he spoke. He had this kind of love once – with Cecilia. Was she his seal’s match?

Brent and I rose from the floor when the others pounded down the stairs. They stood silently behind me and Brent, watching Kace defensively, and prepared to fight.

“The gang’s all here I see, but minus one, aren’t you?” Kace inquired.

“Mandy didn’t make it. You already knew that, Kace,” I answered unemotionally.

“Sad, isn’t it?” Kace taunted in that haunting voice I’ve learned to associate with him when he’s playing on my emotions. I didn’t say anything. I wouldn’t let him use my emotions against me this time. “It was foolish of you to come here, Claire,” he said coldly.

I responded just as coldly. “It saves us the trouble of having to find you.”

“Oh, the little flower is blooming and growing stronger, isn’t she?”

“I have all the strength I need in my friends,” I told him confidently.

Kace narrowed his eyes until the whites disappeared behind his lids.

“That’s sweet Claire, but friends aren’t eternal,” he said, taking a step towards me.

Kace thought he had me. A few days ago he might have. The inability to make friends had always been a weakness for me, but not anymore, now knowing I shared a piece of my seal with the group standing behind me.

“My friends are eternal, Kace,” I defended, narrowing my eyes back at him.

Kace laughed at my faith. “I thought that once too. It’s amazing how fast your friends drop out of your life when you bed your brother’s wife. One by one they sided with him. Even my closest friend who I entrusted with what my brother did to Cecilia. How my brother beat and abused her, but they judged me for my sin and not his.”

I balled the sleeves of my sweatshirt in my hands, rubbing the fabric tensely between my fist and thumb, calming the anxiety I felt.

“I’m sorry about how your friends treated you. That must have been very hard for you. Perhaps they were never really your friends to begin with. But I have faith in my friends and the strength they provide me,” I argued, taking a brave step forward. Brent stepped with me.

Kace circled Brent and I and we spun with him, keeping our eyes glued to him. He was silent for several turns before he stopped and spoke again.

“Do you really think they would die for you, Claire? Children in your generation are spoiled and selfish. They only care about themselves and what people can do for them. They don’t actually care about you or their silly purpose,” Kace countered, glaring at me questioningly.

I took another half a step forward, dangerously close to him, displaying confidence.

“Perhaps that is where you misjudged them? These are not children, Kace, nor are they perfect. None of us are, but I have no doubts about what they would do for me if I needed them,” I said dauntlessly.

“Hmmm, let’s see about that, shall we?” Kace threatened, lifting his arm and cupping his hand so it formed the letter C. He held it out in front of him, pointing it at me. His grip was strong around my neck while he squeezed the C together, even though he was not actually touching me. He slowly lifted his arm, simultaneously lifting me off the floor. I heard a collective gasp. I struggled to find a breath, feeling the heat beneath the skin of my cheeks as the blood rushed to the surface. I clawed at my neck in a futile attempt to get him to release me. He held firm as his ebony stare threatened to end my life.

Kace stumbled backward as if he was intoxicated. My body moved back and forth with his movements causing my own wave of motion sickness. He released me and was briefly confused and disoriented. I glanced over at Brody because I knew he was causing it and saw him smiling proudly. Kace gained his bearings, looking angrily toward the group.