Chapter 15: The Killer is Found
I come back to myself slowly, aware that it’s suddenly dark in the room. How long have I been out of it? Arisen is asleep next to me with his arm around my shoulders. Trying not to wake him, I slide off the bed and tiptoe out of the room, closing the door quietly behind me. I cross the hallway to Azriel’s room and knock softly. The door swings open a moment later and he appears before me, dressed only in a pair of black sweatpants.
“What?” he demands.
“Did I wake you?” I ask in a hushed voice.
He rolls his eyes and steps further into his room, leaving the door open. “I rarely sleep,” he answers. “What do you need?”
I enter the room and begin pacing back and forth. “I had a dream or a vision or something,” I mutter. “I saw my mother. She told me things. You must have known though because after the Celestial King died, you were the one who kept putting the glamour on me and my mother.”
Azriel sinks on his bed and rubs his hands up and down his face. “So, you know the truth now,” he grunts.
I turn to him. “I can’t be the Celestial Heir,” I say desperately. “I’m no leader. I’m only eighteen. I was supposed to go to college. I never wanted this. I never wanted any of this. How do I get out of it?”
Azriel stares at me like I just grew two heads. “There is no getting out of it,” he answers. “It’s in your blood, kid. You’re the Celestial Heir whether you like it or not.”
I shake my head rapidly. “What about Ari,” I whisper. “He’s the future king. He’s the one who’s supposed to rule.”
“And he still will, by your side,” Azriel says calmly.
My heart rate slows down as I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “What if I can’t do this?”
Azriel hesitates. “Look, kid, I’m terrible at these motivating speeches,” he sighs. “But from what I’ve seen in the short time we’ve known each other, you’re one of the strongest people I know. You’re a perfect match for my brother. The way you confronted me when you thought I might have something to do with the murders. That took guts. You’ll be just fine. I know it.”
I smile. “Thank you,” I say sincerely. “You’re not as cold as I thought you were.”
His eyes narrow. “Don’t you dare tell anyone,” He snaps. “I have a reputation to uphold.”
I chuckle. “Your secret is safe with me,” I tell him as I head for the door. “Azriel is a soft teddy bear inside.” I sing the words as I leave his room, laughing at the irritated growl he lets out.
I slip back into Arisen’s room and curl up next to his side. My mini freakout exhausted me. I should have known my mind wouldn’t let me have a good night’s sleep. I might never have a normal dream again.
My dream starts off much like the last one. I stand in the Village, surrounded by an eerie silence. Fear climbs through my throat as I spot Arisen’s body in the road with the sword sticking out of his chest. My feet are rooted to the ground. I refuse to get closer to him. I know what I will see. I’ve seen it before. A shiver travels up and down my spine as the same slithery voice speaks up once again.
“Samara White,” it hisses. “You know nothing.”
“Who are you?!” I demand.
The voice ignores my question. “You don’t see the truth when it’s right in front of you. The world will be destroyed if you don’t see the truth.”
“What truth?!”
“The murderer is one of you. The murderer lives among you. They eat the same food as you. They befriended you. Find the murderer and you will prevent another Great War.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” I cry. “Just tell me who it is!”
“You will know. In time. But it may already be too late.” The voice cackles and fades away.
I wake up with a start, drenched in sweat. The voice freaks me out. It sounds cruel and menacing, yet it gives me advice, even if it doesn’t help me. The sun shines through the open windows of the room, a cool breeze blowing the white curtains around. I’m alone in bed which is probably for the best. I haven’t told Arisen about my dreams yet. The words from the dream come back to me and I slide out of bed, stopping at the window. I lean against the edge, staring at the crashing waves on the beach.
Gabriel stands at the water’s edge with his wings unfurled. He takes a running leap and soars into the sky, flying away from the island. My gut sinks as I watch him disappear from view.
Everything suddenly clicks. Holy shit. I know who the murderer is. I can’t believe I’ve been so blind. I was so sure it was Azriel that I didn’t think about anyone else. No one would ever suspect Arisen’s closest friend and advisor. And why would they? He was supposed to be trustworthy. This was going to kill my soulmate, but seeing Gabriel leave the island like that, there isn’t a doubt in my mind who the killer is.
It’s Gabriel.