by T. R. Hamby
“Nora--please--you don’t know what you’re doing--”
“Don’t you dare,” she growled. “I know exactly what I’m doing. You need help, Roone. Do you get it? You need help.”
“I need you. You’re my soulmate. You’re my life,” he moaned.
Tears stung her eyes, and for one wild moment she considered staying after all. He would die of a broken heart if she left him alone.
But she shook herself.
“Don’t try to Call him,” he warned, his voice suddenly dangerous. “I’ll hurt him.”
“If you hurt him, I’ll kill you,” Nora breathed.
He smiled sadly. “No you won’t. I know you won’t. You love me.”
Nora let out a sob. She didn’t love him, but he was right; she couldn’t kill him.
Suddenly an impossible idea crossed her mind, and she jumped away, taking the Blade from his throat.
She held it instead to her own throat, and he shouted, scrambling to his feet.
“Don’t!” he cried, holding out a hand.
“If you do anything to him, so help me, I’ll kill myself,” she breathed. “I have nothing left to lose. I’d rather be dead.”
“Nora,” he begged, his face twisting.
Tears slipped down his face, but she ignored this.
It was now or never. She had to do it. Let it work, let it work, let it work….
“Michael!” she Called.
It was almost instantaneous. Michael appeared, bewildered, barefoot and wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt.
He looked around wildly, caught sight of Roone and Nora.
Then he acted, darting to Nora, grabbing her, and tipping them backward. Nora dropped the knife, and the last thing she saw was the little room, and Roone standing by the bed, heartbroken and calling her name.
They landed hard on a carpeted floor.
Nora knew she was in Michael’s arms, but she still sat up, heart racing, waiting for Roone to burst out of the shadows--
“Nora!”
And Mel appeared, dropping to the ground and pulling her into his arms.
It took her a moment to realize. It was his voice, his scent, his strong arms around her. She had bought this shirt for him, and his sapphire necklace--Lilith’s necklace--sparkled on his chest.
It was Mel. It was Mel.
She burst into tears. Happiness and relief surged within her, and she threw her arms around his neck, burying her head in his shoulder and sobbing.
Thank god, thank god. Mel, Mel, Mel.
“Are you hurt?” he asked feverishly, brushing at her hair.
“No….”
She pulled away, took his face in her hands. His dark hair was tousled, and his eyes were so blue. He was crying too, though he grinned, taking her in as well.
It was really him.
She was weak with relief, and she clung to him again, shivering.
“Gilla, could you get her some clothes?” Michael asked quietly.
“Michael,” Nora breathed, her heart soaring.
God, Michael too. And Gilla.
He came to her side. There were tears in his dark eyes, but he was grinning ecstatically.
“You’re a genius,” he breathed, and he kissed her cheek. “You rescued yourself.”
Nora nodded shakily. “It took me a long time,” she whispered.
The kidnapping seemed both a long and short time ago. She was having trouble remembering things, while other memories were sharp in her mind.
“How do you feel?” Mel murmured, rubbing her back soothingly.
She looked at him. God, he was gorgeous. She had almost forgotten what he looked like.
She brushed at his hair, and he let out a breath. “It’s really you.”
He looked close to crying again. He kissed her brow, held her tight. “Yes, love. It’s me. I’m here.”
It took a long time for her to relax. Mel and Michael soothed her by detailing their journey finding her. Barry appeared too, and showed her some card tricks, which made her grin.
She was finally able to stand, and she found herself a lot steadier than she had expected. Mel helped her into the leggings and sweatshirt Gilla had provided, and then led her to the sofa.
Nora looked around. They were in a single hotel room, with a queen-sized bed. The decor was unique, as if they were in someone’s home. A standalone bed and breakfast, possibly.
“Where are we?”
“Cloghane,” Michael said, sitting on the bed.
Gilla sat beside him, and Gabriel and Barry sat on the two recliners by the sofa.
“Ireland,” Mel clarified. “It was the closest we could get to Mount Brandon, without knowing where you were. Did you see it?”
Nora nodded. “Yeah. We were in a little village there. We got there sometime yesterday afternoon….I was asleep….he injected something….”
Mel’s head twitched, and everyone shifted, fury on their faces. The room cooled, but then warmed as Mel tried to control his anger.
There was a silence, and Nora looked down at her hands. She had a strong urge to tell them her story, but to also keep quiet, to forget about it altogether. Bury it in her mind, in a dark corner she would never visit.
But she had seen a therapist for trauma before--after her dad had died--and they had always said that ignoring it wasn’t healthy. Nora knew that. It was best to get it out in the open now, face it before it was too late.
“Can I have some tissues,” she whispered, and Gilla got up to fetch some.
“Nora,” Mel murmured in her ear, “you don’t have to.”
She nodded, leaning into him. God, he smelled good. Like home.
“I need to,” she replied, looking at him. “Just….promise me you’ll try to keep your anger in check.”
He looked pained, but nodded firmly. “Of course, diletta.”
And he held her tight.
This soothed her--she felt so safe in his arms. She was away from Roone, and he wouldn’t be able to find her.
So she began. It was hard, and she had to stop to cry quite a bit. But she told them everything, even the part about getting into bed with him half-naked. She felt Mel stiffen, hearing that, and hearing about the times Roone had hurt her.
Finally she finished. She felt lighter, relieved, and totally exhausted. The people she loved more than anything now knew her story, and they looked at her now with gentleness.
For a moment there was only silence. Then Barry got up and approached her. He knelt down and wrapped his arms around her. Nora’s eyes stung, and she held him too, laying her head on his shoulder. For once, it was Barry soothing her, instead of the other way around, and she didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.
“Hey, me too,” Gabriel said, and Nora grinned.
He hugged her, and then Gilla came along, weeping.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you,” she whispered, taking her hands.
Nora stared at her, feeling her heart stop. Did she just--?
Gilla looked worried at the look on her face, but then laughed, understanding.
“It’s a long story,” she said, in her beautiful Swedish accent.
“Well, tell me,” Nora exclaimed, looking around. “Spill. It’s your turn.”
Everyone laughed, even Mel, who was still tense beside her.
They took turns, going back over many of the details Michael and Mel had murmured to her earlier. They told her about Them, how she was now communicating with them through Barry, and how she had managed to give Gilla her voice back as a sign of her goodwill. How she had helped them get to Walsh, and then to Mount Brandon.
And then they told her about Serene and Agatha, and Nora felt the color drain from her face.
Shit. God was angry with them….so angry he was seeking vengeance. So angry he wanted Gabriel dead. So angry he had kidnapped an baby.
How could he?
“What do we do?” she breathed, bewildered.
They looked at each other, silent.
&nbs
p; “We need to find Sydney,” Mel said darkly. “It’s the only way.”
“Father will still find a way to kill Gabriel,” Michael said, his face white. “Even if we find my grandson.”
They were quiet.
“So we keep you safe,” Michael finally said, gazing intently at his son. “This won’t be Father’s only trick; we’ll watch out for it. We’ll play his game.”
“We can only go so far, Mica,” Gabriel said, sounding weary.
Michael looked pained.
“Don’t think like that,” Nora said firmly. “We’re a family; if Father threatens you, he threatens all of us. We have to protect each other.”
Gabriel looked away and nodded.
“So Father doesn’t know that Agatha has given us some time,” Michael said, still looking pained, “because Them’s been shielding us from his sight.”
“And Father doesn’t know that Serene’s doing the same thing, because she didn’t say she would,” Gabriel said. “She just threw a knife at my face.”
“S’pose that was cathartic,” Barry muttered dryly.
“Do we have any idea where Sydney is?” Nora said weakly.
No one spoke, which was her answer.
“Can Them try to find him?” Mel asked, without much hope in his voice.
Barry leaned over, frowning. “She says she can try,” he said quietly. “She followed Michael Up There when he first saw the baby, so she knows his Presence. But she said it’ll be very difficult. She’s never stretched that far before, and his Presence is faint. It was difficult enough finding Nora.”
Nora felt herself deflate. So they had nothing.
They decided to go to bed, and talk more in the morning. Nora followed Mel to his bedroom. Her heart raced, and she clung to him as he opened the door. But there was no Roone.
She drew into Mel again, and he held her tight.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.
Nora closed her eyes. She saw Roone’s face, and opened them again.
She took a shuddering breath. “I need a shower. I’m all sweaty.”
“You’re perfect,” Mel murmured, brushing at her hair, “but I’ll help you.”
It was a good thing Mel was there to help her shower. Nora was anxious, shaky. She couldn’t keep her eyes closed long, glancing around the corner for any sign of Roone. Mel rubbed her arms soothingly, reassured her there was no one there.
She felt ridiculous. She didn’t even consider Roone a threat, and yet she was terrified he would appear again, hurt Mel and Michael and drag her back to Mount Brandon. If Michael and Mel got hurt, she would be devastated, and if she was kidnapped again, she would be hopeless. She couldn’t survive it again. Not even her medication would help her.
Mel had packed some of her clothes before their journey to Ireland, and now he helped her get dressed. Nora was drained, and a black cloud hung over her. She felt very low, which made her very worried.
She knew Mel could tell what was going on. He coaxed her into bed and slipped in beside her. He drew to her, holding her, squeezing her. The dam broke, and she began to sob, burying her face in his chest and crying until she was utterly exhausted.
Mel soothed her the whole time, shushing her, brushing his hand up and down her back. It felt so good.
Nora felt very dull afterward. Her eyes felt swollen, and her throat was hoarse.
She looked at Mel. He looked pained, and she could tell he had been crying too.
She expected him to ask her how she was feeling, or to even ask her again if she had been hurt.
But he didn’t. He just brushed at her hair, so gently, and kissed her brow.
“I love you so much,” he whispered.
Nora managed a small smile. She nodded--she didn’t have the energy to reply, and he seemed to understand. She curled up, laying her head on his chest. Mel held her, and after a moment, began to quietly sing. It was that lullaby he had sung to her before, the one his sister Judith had made up.
It was beautiful, and Nora’s heart gave a tiny leap. Maybe things would be okay. Maybe she would be better in the morning.
The diamond ring sparkled on her finger.
Roone
He had to wait for the store to open. Because it was a little village, and nothing was open twenty-four-seven. While he waited he sobbed, doubled over. He had never felt pain like this. All he could think about was her, and how she was gone. She had left him. She hated him.
He considered using the knife on himself, but refrained….after all….there still could be hope….
Maybe she would come back.
When the store opened he bought a liter of vodka, drank most of it, and passed out in bed. Just hours earlier Nora had been in his arms….he had considered making a move, but had decided against it….maybe if they had slept together, she wouldn’t have left….
Roone.
He wasn’t quite asleep anymore. He felt suspended in water, or something thicker, floating slowly.
He frowned, looking around at this dim Place. “Who is that?”
It is your lord, the voice replied. You know me as Father.
Roone felt a chill, though his heart beat very slowly.
Father was speaking to him. Why? Had he come to punish Roone for what he had done with Nora? For losing her, allowing her to return to Melkira?
You’re confused, Father said calmly. And I see that you are heartsick.
Roone’s chest ached, and he grimaced. “She’s gone,” he whispered.
She is.
“I’m sorry,” he said, defeated. “I couldn’t keep her safe from him.”
There was a pause. Then Father said, My dear Nora is a stubborn woman. Fiery, spirited. It takes time to tame such a creature. You were on your way, but you let your guard down. It’s understandable.
Roone was intrigued, and listened raptly. “Can you get her back to me? This time I’ll do better; I promise. She won’t leave my sight this time--even when we sleep. I’ll keep her chained to the bed if I have to. Until she’s ready. She’s close; I know it.”
You are willing to do so much for her. I didn’t expect that from you--after all the people you’ve hurt with your Talent.
Roone felt another pain, and he faltered. “I didn’t mean to….I couldn’t control it….”
You were a petulant child.
Father’s voice was scathing.
Roone squeezed his eyes shut, as memories of his childhood came flooding back. “My parents left me. My mother left me….I was alone….no one loved me….”
You’ve always been alone, haven’t you? Father asked, and now his voice was gentle.
Roone shivered, tears stinging his eyes. He nodded.
It’s been difficult for you. I didn’t watch over you enough.
Roone didn’t reply.
But I can look after you now, Father said quietly, and Roone looked up, his heart just barely racing.
“What do you mean?”
I’m willing to offer you everything you’ve ever wanted, Father said calmly. I only ask for something in return.
Roone shivered, and he nodded desperately. “Tell me, Father.”
I brought my Nora to you once, all those years ago, he said. Now I offer her again. I offer her….and I offer a child. A boy.
Roone stared into the dimness. A son….his son….
His heart soared, and he sank to his knees. “You’re giving us a son?”
Yes. An Angel child. See, now you won’t have to adopt a human, and worry about their mortality. You will have a son who will live like you, for all eternity. You and Nora will be happy. And she will love you.
Roone closed his eyes. It was too good to be true.
He frowned. “What must I do?”
You must kill Gabriel--Michael’s son. A son for a son, if you will.
There was a silence.
Roone shook his head, confused. “Why? Why would you want him dead?”
Michael was my Favored Son, Father replied, his voice bitt
er. He always listened, always followed my orders. But now he has betrayed me, in a most grievous way. He can’t be allowed to live, but he is too strong to kill, and his friends are too sly. They will prevent it from happening. But he has a son, and there is no greater pain than the loss of one’s child. Someone must be sacrificed to atone for what he has done.
Roone nodded vaguely. Typical, he imagined, that Michael would finally betray Father. He was a murderer, after all.
Do you accept my offer? Father asked.
He didn’t even need to think. Roone nodded. “Yes,” he whispered, breathless. “Yes.”
Then you know what you must do, Father said.
“What about my son? What about Nora?”
Nora will come to you in time, Father replied.
He paused, then said, Your son is in the next room. Wake up….you’ll find him….
And Roone woke with a gasp.
He had a splitting headache. But that didn’t matter--he had to get to--
He stumbled into the master bedroom, the bedroom that Nora had occupied for mere hours last night.
His heart stopped: Lying on the bed was a bundle. And it was moving.
Roone went to it, scooped it into his arms. His heart soared, and he laughed, staring at the child.
He couldn’t have been more than a couple weeks old, maybe a few days old. He was dark-haired, olive-skinned, with dark glittering eyes. He wriggled, blinking, and looked up at Roone.
And Roone rocked him.
It was his child. And Nora’s, too. Their son.
Roman.
