Chapter 27 — Carter

Emmy is holding my hand as we watch them lower William and Sam’s caskets into the ground. It's been a week of viewings and funerals. William and Sam are the last ones. I’ve already said goodbye to Josh, Evan, and Jess. My heart is heavy with grief. I can’t believe they are really gone. I know that we went our separate ways after high school, but we still stayed in touch. Hell, I just saw them for my birthday a few months ago.

My dad looks so sad because he has just lost his best childhood friend. I know how he feels. I have been friends with Evan and Sam since we were kids. I know Emmy is a bit torn up even if Sam and William weren’t her real family. She did live with them for a while, and they have been a part of her life since she was a toddler. I know she didn’t always get along with Samantha, but towards the end they did start to develop a friendship.

I can’t believe Tori did this. I knew she was possessed by the Enchantress, but the Enchantress wouldn’t have been able to take over her body if Tori’s soul wasn’t dark and twisted. Tori would have also had to agree to let the Enchantress overtake her body. I always knew Tori had a dark streak; I just never knew how deep it ran.

We walked to our car after saying goodbye to my parents. I know they are under a protection spell, but I am still worried the next phone call I will get will tell me they are dead. I didn’t always see eye to eye with my parents. They always wanted things for me that I didn’t want for myself, but I still can’t imagine losing them. I don't know how Emmy did it when she thought her mom was dead for all those years.

Back at the manor everyone is pulling together to prepare for the Enchantress’s next attack. Travis and Calder are like attack dogs ready to strike at any sign of danger. The team is training extra hard. Emmy and I have been gone for the week paying our respects to our fallen friends. Vivian is pulling together the cove and helping them to prepare for war. The Warriors and The Reapers are also preparing for war. Once the Enchantress’s army rises, all hell will break loose. Thousands of stolen souls will plague the human and magic worlds. It is not going to be pretty or fun.

I head upstairs to shower and go to sleep. I am mentally and emotionally exhausted but saying goodbye to five people who have been a huge part of my life will do that to anyone. Emmy kisses me goodnight.

“I love you, Carter.” She whispers in my ear as I hold her tight. I don’t want to let her go.

“Sleep with me tonight.?” I ask, as if Emmy has a choice in the matter.

I don’t think the guys will mind knowing the hell I’ve been through, or we could take one of the spare rooms. The manor has over twenty spare rooms and that doesn’t include the two apartment-style suites the team has, or Vivian’s bedroom.

“Of course, my love,” Emmy says as I hold her tighter. “Go shower. I’ll be in a bit. I want to see my parents and Calder. Plus, I’ll warn the guys that I’ll be staying in your bed tonight.” Emmy kisses me on the lips. I reluctantly let her go.

“I love you, Emmy,” I say as I walk into the room I share with Bex and Ryan.

We’ve talked about Calder joining us. There is room for an extra bed. Calder has been training with the team a lot since him and Travis started living in the manor. Calder is also Emmy’s second in command now, so it only makes sense for him to join us guys in our room. At the moment Calder likes sleeping near the healing wing near his mom, but soon she will be moving into a room with Travis. I think that’s when Calder will join us.

The warmth of the shower is soothing which I needed because my muscles are tight from the stress I am feeling. I want to get the Enchantress, avenge my friends, and take Tori out. I blame Tori and the Enchantress for the deaths of my friends. Emmy thought I would blame her, but I don’t. Emmy hates that she brought me into her world, but what she doesn’t get is, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I don’t regret coming with her. I don’t regret joining the Warriors or joining the team and I don’t regret the people I’ve killed.

I crash in my bed. I take an extra strong sleeping potion that Brie made me. It seems we all need sleeping potions lately. Brie is amazing at making potions just like her mom Kenzie. Everyone on the team brings something special to the team. I don't know what time it is, but I feel Emmy curl up in bed with me. I pull her to me so her back is against my chest. Her hair is wet, she must have showered before coming to bed. I hear her sigh as she settles herself in my arms. I close my eyes and let sleep overtake me.