Chapter 18

Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN 

INDIGO'S POV

“Leave me alone! Don't come any closer!” I shouted moving back as the shadowed figures drew near. 

They whispered words I couldn't understand as I searched for a way to escape but it seemed almost impossible. Finally I found a small clearing which I leaped towards.

I began running, pitch darkness surrounding me. I found it hard to breathe and I didn't know what to do. I was powerless and the figures were catching up to me.

“I said leave me alone!” With everything I had in me I let out a huge gush of energy and there came fire, burning all the figures before I heard a loud scream.

I stopped in my tracks watching the figures huddle together and turn into…Winter?

“Winter? Winter?” I shook her profusely.

“It hurts, it hurts, it hurts Indie!” She screamed, tousling around. “How could you do that? Indigo!”

I gasped as I jotted up frantically looking around for eerie figures, my chest heaving back and forth.

“Oh my…” When I finally looked enough and deciphered it was my room, I calmed down. My hands on my face.

“A dream, it was just a dream.” I reassured myself as I got down from the bed. Winter still hadn't woken up and the guilt consumed me everyday. The weird crack on her cheek had spread to her neck and arm, the healers were doing all they could. 

She was in pain and it was all my fault. My fault!

I sighed as I finished fastening my Academy uniform. I heard a knock on my door and wondered who it could be.

“Coco?” I saw her smiling by the door with Lucas by her side. Besides me, they were just as worried about Winter.

“What are you guys doing here?”

“We have some good news.” Lucas stated and they didn't have to spell it out. Gauntlets of tears were already forming in my eyes.

“Winter?”

They both nodded, “she's awake!”

Without a minute to waste we all went running to the school's infirmary. Winter sat up on the bed, pillows aiding her as she softly smiled and chucked at the healers.

“Winter!” I blurted and she looked my way with a wide smile.

“Indie!”

I leaped in for a huge hug and she grunted. “Ow! Good to see you too.”

“I'm so sorry Winter! This was all my fault, those things were after me and you guys got caught up on it too. I feel so bad.”

“Hey, hey, hey,” she shushed. “None of this was your fault okay? I'm alright now.” She embraced me and so did Coco and Lucas. That was my first ever group hug and I'd keep this memory for as long as I lived.

“How are the cracks?” I asked as we were finally left alone. Coco and Lucas went to get snacks.

“Their closing up.” She let down her sleeve and she wasn't kidding. The cracks were just thin lines now.”

“I'm still so sorry about this. I felt so bad I started having dreams about those things and them hurting you.”

“What do you think they were?” 

“I don't know…but they were after me. I could feel it.” I pressed the edge of my skirt, feeling my belly churn whenever I thought about it.

“Indigo, you're the one not safe here. If your mates hadn't come in time we would all be toast.”

“You're right. They're all willing to protect me, I see that now. Not even one of them hesitated.”

“That's exactly why you should stop avoiding them, go thank them and stay close if you can. If I didn't know any better there would be another attack.”

I sniffled, what did I do to deserve someone like Winter? I grabbed her hand. “You have to stay away from me as well Winter. There will be another attack and I don't want you getting involved, I don't bring anything good to anyone.”

“Why would you say that?” She scolded and my breath hitched. “I can take care of myself, I was just taken by surprise this one time. I am an ice necromancer and I will protect you if I have to. Plus we're friends and I'm sure Coco and Lucas feel the exact same way.”

“You're an angel Winter.” I smiled and she chuckled.

“Tell me something I don't already know.”

“Oh…I'm going to be late for professor Gage's class. I better leave.” I muttered checking my watch. “Will you be fine on your own?”

“Of course, plus it's Coco's and Lucas's free day today. They'll be with me.”

“I'll come back once I'm done.”

“Have a good day and don't be mean to any of your mates.” She waved goodbye.

I ran along to Gage's class. I always wondered what it was like. I heard his powers were dream walking and dark magic but I had no idea what that was. The hallway was empty and I spotted Gage leaning beside the closed classroom door. 

Damn! I was late.

“Gage, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to be late–” I didn't finish my sentence before he dragged me into a hug.

“I'm so relieved.” He muttered against my ears, “I was anticipating you.”

“You're not mad?” 

“Mad? Of course not.” He faced me, “I wanted to ask if you'd appreciate private lessons.”

No one had to tell me. It was obvious, I could see it in his eyes. 

Gage loved me.

“Thank you so much Gage!”

“For what?”

“You and Lyriq and Valtor. It's just so much has been going on and I've been so selfish, these things that've been going on…It's not just been hard on me, but you all too. Still you guys saved me. Thank you so much!”

“Just know it's not just because of the mate bond. We care about you.”

“Are you really okay Gage? You're the one I chose to be my mate.”

“Just because I pressured you… Indigo I want you to take your time, everything is still so new and confusing so don't be rushed to do or decide anything you're not sure about.”

I dragged him into another hug.