Page 24 of Fate of the Fallen
“I might be of some help.”
Elise scoffed and the reaction surprised me. “I don’t think you understand. In two short weeks, this child may begin to develop quite rapidly, Evangeline,” she warned, reiterating her point before letting it go. “That’s only fourteen days.”
When I remained silent, thinking of all the reasons to turn down Elise’s suggestion just like I had when Liam made it, she took the moment of silence to say more.
“What I’m suggesting is that, for once, you think of yourself first,” she pleaded, practically panting as her dark eyes watered again. “At every turn, you’re darting out into danger, holding little to no regard for your own life. Only, this time, it isn’t just about you,” she expressed, her gaze narrowing when she asked a question. “Don’t you understand the terrible turn this could take? Aren’t you afraid?”
I swiped a rogue tear from my cheek before answering, feeling no shame when I admitted the truth. “Terrified, actually.”
Elise gave a knowing nod before trying to reason with me again. “Then let us protect you.”
I heard her loud and clear, but even letting my imagination ponder every possible tragedy, I couldn’t agree.
“Being scared doesn’t give me the right to run,” I concluded.
Elise was silent and clearly frustrated as she stared—the rims of her dainty nostrils flaring with each breath. When she realized I wouldn’t bend, she was visibly shaken—a fact that was proven when I took her hand, feeling it tremble for myself.
“I’m staying because, if I don’t, if I go away like you’re asking me to do, no one I leave behind will focus. Everyone’s minds will be on me, worrying, but never here. Never in the fight like it should be.Includingyours,” I added, “and I can’t have that on my conscience.”
My voice was shaky when I told her more than I intended to. “I’ve already lost one mom … I can’t handle losing another.”
Elise’s eyes were glassy pools before eventually spilling over. However, her controlled expression never changed.
Pushing my own tears away, I forced out the last thought that ran through my head.
“I need you, Elise. Not just Liam; I needallof you. Everyone,” I admitted, and it was true.
Each member of my family was important. Elise my comforter, Liam and my brothers the ultimate protectors, Hilda my guide, and Dallas the most level-headed person I ever met. Not a single one was expendable.
When I leaned in, Elise did what came naturally, whatanygood mother would have done—she held me, stroking my hair as every fear, every emotion I couldn’t let the others know I held came spilling out.
She didn’t ask questions or force me to bare more of my soul than I already had. She didn’t rush me to pull it together. Even inherhour of grief as Ivan lie in limbo, she comforted me.
For a moment, I was allowed to forget my eventual title, allowed to forget the outside world’s expectations. Sitting there with Elise, she only acknowledgedonerole I played in this life.
For now, I was just her daughter.
Chapter Seven
Liam
Hilda scrolled from one picture to the next. Instead of taking her away from Ivan, Dallas thought photos of what we’d stolen from Sebastian the night before would suffice for now.
She paced while scanning the images, a grave expression set on her always-stoic face.
“Any initial thoughts?” Dallas asked, crossing both arms over his chest.
Her steps halted when she breathed deep.
“Biremede,” she breathed, fixating on that particular photo for a while before speaking again. “There aren’t many known uses for it, but I’m led to believe Sebastian may intend to commune with the Oracles, orsomethingof that nature.”
My brow tensed as I locked both arms across my chest. “Is that possible?”
Hilda gave a nod. “It can be done,” she sighed. “If someone is not summoned directly and wishes to be heard, there is a possibility of forcing your way into their presence. A way tomakethem hear you,” she explained.
Her statement trailed off as she continued to study the photo. From the look she wore, she was just as troubled as I was by the news she brought to light. Sebastian communicating with the Oracles was less than ideal. I imagined what sort of business he might have with them. Did he intend to feed them lies that would garner their sympathy and persuade them to support his cause? Was such a thing even possible with their ability to know and sense things others could not? There was just no way to tell, but what Ididknow was that we at least stalled him.
“Are you sure that’s what he’s planning?” I asked, noting how the question clearly frustrated Hilda. I could tell as much from the stern look she leveled on me right after.