Chapter 77 The Tarnished Ring
Chapter 77 The Tarnished Ring
Jeffrey was laying in the afterglow of his and Shayne’s most intense love making yet. She was laying against his bare chest and he was so excited about spending a hundred more nights just like this one. She was like a drug to him, and he was convinced her would never get enough of the feel of her body tangled up with his. He couldn’t imagine ever wanting to be anywhere else.
Shayne reached over and took Jeffrey's hands into hers and interlaced their fingers. “I need to tell you something. And you're not going to like what I have to say.” Shayne said sadly. He could feel her pain. He knew she had been struggling lately but he also knew she wasn’t quite ready to tell him about it yet.
He had felt the exact moment that she had built a psychic wall around her emotions trying to spare him whatever she was feeling. Jeffrey knew that only intense sparrow could break a connection such as they had. He had been working very hard to be patient while he waited to hear what was troubling her. He waited on pin and needles hoping he could in some way bring her comfort.
The Expo with Old Man Harris had been an interesting experience, but being away from her was misery. He spent much of his time with his attention divided.
He was excited to see about all the new great products that were coming, but he was also worried about leaving Shayne alone. If he hadn’t had Jeffrey and
Brian’s solemn promise to look after her, he never would have been able to go.
Knowing that his two best friends had his back, gave him courage and strength. But he couldn’t help but be a little concerned with the weirdness that he has gotten from both of them earlier. It almost felt like they were trying to say goodbye. He vaguely wondered what had gotten into them.
He knew it took a lot for Brian to introduce his date to everyone. Jeffrey had to admit he had been taken completely by surprise. It made him realize it was possible he didn’t know Brian as well as he thought. But he also felt that he handled the news well, thereby proving he was a good listener.
“You know you can tell me anything. I love you and I'm here for you,” Jeffrey said with confidence and compassion. He kissed her temple and squeezed her hand.
“I know you have noticed how withdrawn I have been. It’s because I’ve had a couple of visions of the future. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to worry you until I understood what they meant.” Shayne admitted sheepishly. He could feel how upset and worried she was.
“What did you see?” Jeffrey asked as an uneasy feeling settled in his gut.
Shayne seemed to be struggling for words. “In the first one, I had a vision of my great, several times removed, grandmother Glennys Booth. She told me that we have broken the curse on the family but it came with a terrible price. She says our child will be born healthy and safe, as well our grandchildren, however, a life must be sacrificed.” Shayne said as she wiped a tear from her eye.
His heart felt torn. He was beyond happy that his child would be born into a different world than Shayne had been. He was ecstatic that the darkness that they feared would no longer be hanging over his lineage forever. The curse being broken was something to be celebrated.
But he was also terrified of who he would be asked to sacrifice. He could not give Shayne up. He needed her. Baby Bean had to have his mother. He knew the most obvious choice would be to volunteer.
“Me,” Jeffrey said quietly. “Sacrifice me,” He said a bit more forcefully. He could already feel Shayne trying to emotionally reject his choice.
Shayne shook her head. “That’s the problem. I can’t.” Shayne began to sob. “Even after I saw an obituary dated for these week. I still couldn’t accept it. I just can’t live in a world where you don’t exist.”
Jeffrey realized that Kevin and Brian must have already known about the two prophecies. It had been why they had been acting so strangely. They were preparing themselves to truly say good-bye. It all made sense now. He kicked himself for not saying more when he had the chance.
He couldn’t say that it made him happy to know he would be dying at some point during the week, likely in the next few hours based on the behavior of the people around him. But there was a sense of relief that the sacrifice wouldn’t be one of the people that he loved. Shayne and Baby Bean would be safe. That was all that mattered.
“Shayne, I would happily give my life for your and Bean. I love you,” Jeffrey said with resolve. When it came to his families safety, he would never waver.
“Jeffrey, I will not let you die. There is only one way I can find to save your life,” Shayne leaned in and began to kiss him passionately. His hands went into her hair and he could almost taste her desperation. He felt her hands slip around his neck and his chest began to burn.
The minute their kiss broke, he saw that she had placed the locket now fully repaired around his neck. The locket felt hot and began to glow purple. An eerie light that always surrounded Shayne’s magic filled the room.
“I love you. I always have and I always will.” Shayne began to sob.
“No,” Jeffrey yelled as he realized what Shayne has done. He tried to cling to her but he literally felt his body being pulled away into nothingness. “I love you. I’ll find a way back! I promise!” He shouted as the light suddenly blinded him. His head felt too light and he slipped away into darkness.