51. Anything else I need to know?

The flight to Hawaii was the longest and most disturbing of my life, especially after I felt Arc's mind shut down, he was already gone. I knew I had to concentrate on the work at hand, I needed to think, but I was still confused. Eventually, the volcano I was going to was surprisingly Kilauea; one of the world's most active volcanoes, located on the Big Island. I had been to Hawaii before, but going to a volcano was certainly never on my list.

I disguised myself to avoid recognition, then stayed at the private penthouse I never knew my husband had. Caleb suggested we leave at night, midnight that it. So, there I was, sitting in my room trying to meditate while Kisa and Caleb threw insults at each other in the living room. I was tired of them arguing, Arc could have just sent someone else but nooo, he had to put the cat and rat in the same mission.

I exhaled as I continued to try to meditate, to expel the darkness. The hammering in my brain wasn't going to stop me, the heat and itches on my body wasn't going to either. I just needed answers, I needed to hear something that would help me. The voices whispered to me, too many to single one out. It was getting harder to control them, harder to even keep me in check. I focused hard by thinking about Arc and what would happen if I don't do something, it gave me strength to push on.

Esme will kill more… pack in…

Protect your babies…

…bite, pup bite…

"Please, speak clearer," I whispered, "please."

Judith had weakened her, but you must destroy Esme because she will reincarnate.

Another attack will be launched and people will die, you can't stop it.

"Can't I try?"

In wars, my dear, there must be those who die for others to live.

"I know but…"

Focus more on the phoenix and getting the seals refilled.

I exhaled, "any idea how to convince the phoenix?"

Follow your mate's instructions, he has given you the answers, use his ego against him.

"What if he burns me?"

He cannot harm you as long as the seals are with you, he can never. Don't show fear, but don't show weakness or pride either.

"Anything else I need to know?"

Yes, to expel the darkness and get the spell, you must pour every single wave of loss.

"Loss? What do you mean by loss?" They went silent. The ringing in my ears stopped, bringing me back to the reality of Kisa and Caleb screaming down the penthouse. "Great." I stood up from my circle of white ash and blue candles, stepped out of it and wore my slippers. I snapped my fingers, blowing the candles off and the ash away.

I walked out of my room grumbling to myself, their argument became clearer as I got closer, and I must say I was shocked to hear the revelation.

"How long will you keep avoiding it! Caleb, stop pushing me away!"

"I don't need you, Kisa, suck it up!"

"You have to need me, I am your mate!"

"Second chance, not first! The only woman I want is Danielle and her alone! I don't need some fuck desperate whore as my mate!"

Wow!

"You can say anything you want, I don't care, your words have never hurt me before. How could you still love the woman who rejected you within ten seconds of finding you, without giving you a chance! She fucking chose another man over you! A human! Why not accept me! I have been here for you, hoping that you would see pass your infuriation for her and notice the woman loving you, the one that have been hanging on for almost a bloody century! Caleb, I deserve better!"

"Then fucking accept the rejection and stop pestering me! I don't need to dick and mark a wannabe bitch! Danielle is coming back for me, I know it!"

"You are cruel! She has three children already and is still very much in love with her husband, why can't you let go?!"

Wow, wow, wow. I felt bad for Kisa, all this time we had been together, I never noticed it. They were both so good at hiding it. Kisa had openly talked to me about how she had always wanted a mate, someone that would love and care for her, one who could take her attitude. She told me she found her mate, but she was a second chance to him as he was her first, he didn't want her, so he rejected her flatly. I had hugged her but never thought for once that Caleb was the bastard hurting her so much, and for what!

"I already rejected you, accept it and wait for your own bloody second chance, if you are fortunate enough to get one." He scowled. I heard the door slam shut, he was gone.

"Kisa," I hurried into the living room to see her on the floor, holding her chest as she wailed convulsively, "Kisa, I am so sorry," I sobbed, throwing my arms around her. She instinctively curled herself around me and cried on my shoulder.

"Why? What have I done to deserve it? Aren't I beautiful enough? I know I'm crazy, but that doesn't mean he should hate me so much, hate me as his mate…"

"Why hang on to him? He already rejected you, why don't you move on?"

"If I do, who would love me then? Who then will…" She choked on her tears.

"Kisa, can't you see? You have been wasting almost a hundred years with a man who doesn't even find you the slightest bit attractive as a mate! You say who would love you? Has he even loved you since then?"

"He can change…"

"That is precisely what he is telling himself, Danielle will change her mind and come back to him, not realising he is losing a blessing. You are wasting your time with him, can't you see you are just like him? Longing and hoping, ignoring the obvious truth…"

"But…"

"No buts, didn't you just hear the shitty thing he said! Kisa, for a hundred years, really?! I thought you were stronger than that!"

"Love is foolish," she sobbed, "I did this today to get his answer for a last time, hoping you would hear. Judith told me to move on…"

"Judith knew!" I exclaimed.