Chapter 82 Chapter Eighty-Two - Gabriella

Chapter 82 Chapter Eighty-Two - Gabriella
“According to sources, the FBI is working with local law enforcement throughout the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho to get to the bottom of this sudden wave of unexplained disappearances. Conspiracy theorists are going wild on public forums suspecting everything from alien abductions to human trafficking. As for the real cause behind these disappearances, authorities still have no leads on the matter.”

I take in a deep breath, guilt strangling me as the news shows more faces of people who have been reported missing since the eyti were released. I allowed this to happen. Those people aren’t missing. They’ve been pulled into an unfathomable dark abyss, infected by the eyti set free from their prison and fuelled by the malice that lives within every human.

The TV turns off and I look over to see Jartre getting up from the couch and making his way out to the patio, anger and frustration radiating off him in waves, rippling against the radiating pure white of his essram, now spotted with the finest flecks of deep, forest green since we took the first step in restoring our bond. We’ve started staying at his place while I adjust to my new height. I’d already put several holes in my ceiling and had to repair each one magically. I was getting sick of it. Jartre’s place, however, is more height friendly.

I follow Jartre outside, watching him raise his face to the sun, close his eyes and let the rays cleanse his body. I now understand why my whole life sunlight made my migraines feel better. Doctors always told me that wasn’t possible because if I was really having a migraine, then any bright lights would only exacerbate the pain. Shows what they know, which is nothing. Natural light always made me feel better because at my core, whether human or Goddess, I am the personification of light. Funny how life works out, isn’t it?

“I’m not happy about this either, Jartre, but I still believe there’s hope. Now that Orenda–”

“Don’t say it,” he snaps, cutting me off.

I take in a deep breath, to keep from popping off. “Now that the bond between Orenda and Azadou has snapped into place, there is hope for him to find peace and with that peace can come freedom for all the eyti,” I say hopefully.

Jartre turns to me, looking at me like I’ve grown two heads – which I think I can do now – the sun glistening against the ultra-white stubble of his returning beard.

“How can you of all people put that kind of burden on her? So now it’s suddenly Orenda’s destiny to fix up my mistakes?” he asks in frustration.

I look at him with a raised brow, debating whether I’m going crazy or if he’s just dense. “You literally created her and her brother to clean up your mess. You waved your hands and brought the raitruum into existence to destroy the eyti, in an attempt to deal with the side effects of something you did, which was creating Azadou. Seems to me like Zarseti just played into a role you already made her for.”

Jartre’s face falls, his eyes staring through me while his brain starts to short-circuit. I love this man more than anything, but sweet fucking Christ he can be a real meathead sometimes, and a hypocrite.

“That’s–”

“Not the same thing? You’re right because you just created someone without caring that they’d become a person with feelings, needs and desires. You just expected those two to keep cleaning up your mess and never asking questions. Zarseti saw a genuine match in Orenda and Azadou and made it so, why is that such an issue for you?”

“He’s evil, Gabriella! He has no compassion or empathy! He’ll only hurt her!” he bellows.

“Or maybe she’ll teach him compassion and empathy because from where I’m standing, no one else seemed to fucking bother,” I huff in frustration.

“That’s not fair.”

“You know what else isn’t fair? Creating a super powerful being of destruction because it was easier than just talking about your feelings. I love you Jartre, but you have to stop seeing Azadou as the enemy. I understand why you have such disdain for him. It’s because when you look at him all you see is the terrible pain you endured and the pain you inflicted, I get that. But it has to stop somewhere. You were so close to extending a hand to Azadou and I was so proud of you. Don’t turn your back on that now,” I implore him.

He sighs, running his fingers through his long locks, looking at me with tired eyes. “If he hurts her, then it’s another person who has become a casualty of my actions.”

My face softens in sympathy as I walk over, taking his hands in mine. “Orenda isn’t a little girl and if she’s tough enough to stand up to you then she’s tough enough to handle him. Whatever happens, you have to give her some faith that she can handle herself. Don’t make their journey about you.”

“It’s eery how much you sound like Fretez these days,” he says with an unsettled look on his face.

I blink in surprise, “I do not.”

“You do so.”

“Fretez talks like a fortune cookie,” I scowl at him.

“And now so do you,” he smirks in amusement.

“That might be the meanest thing you’ve ever said to me,” I pout, crossing my arms petulantly across my chest.

Jartre chuckles, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me to his chest, “I admit you do give it your little Gabriella spin,” he says bemusedly.

“Oh yeah? How do I do that?”

“Well, Fretez wasn’t one for cussing, unlike you who has a very colourful vocabulary,” he coos, kissing my temple.

“Are you patronising me?” I ask through narrowed eyes.

“I would never patronise you, my love,” he says sincerely, cupping his fingers under my chin and kissing me softly, igniting fire through my lips.

I return his kiss, feeling my whole being slip into relaxation. I both love and hate how he’s able to do that.

“I know this all makes you feel uneasy, but maybe this is a chance for everyone to move forward, including you.” I cup his face in my hands, feeling the glorious burn of our flesh as I brush my thumbs against his cheekbones.

“I hope you’re right.”

The scene before me shifts, and as I look at Jartre I can also see Derrick lying in a hospital bed, his face contorted in pain while Wyatt comforts him.

“What do you see?” he asks with concern.

The vision passes and I look at Jartre in surprise, “I thought you couldn’t see my visions when reading my mind.”

“I can’t, but I could feel worry and sadness come over you all of a sudden. Figured you saw something that troubled you.”

I give him a lopsided smile, “Very clever. I saw Derrick in the hospital again. I need to go and see him.”

“How do you plan to explain your new appearance?”

“I don’t. I just hope that as my friend he’ll respect that there’s not much I can say and hope that he can accept that.”

“No one said you can’t tell him,” he say comfortingly, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“Derrick is my family, but as much as I love him I know this is too much for anyone to comprehend. I also don’t think it’s fair I put that burden on him.”

“Didn’t you once tell me it wasn’t fair to make those kind of decisions for you? So why are you making them for Derrick?”

I scowl at him, “You’re not supposed to use my own words back at me.”

“Then don’t say such clever things and I won’t have to.” He kisses my forehead and holds me close. I lean my cheek against his chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat as I reflect on his words. Maybe I should try telling Derrick the truth, I could always alter his memory if it doesn’t go well. Either way, that’s an issue for another day. Today I just need to be there for my friend.