Page 24 of The Heart of Moonlight Falls

People in the crowd were murmuring their agreement with Eleanor’s suggestion, but they were past trapping people to calm the veins.

“It won’t help,” Sebastian said so quietly he figured only James could hear him. “It won’t help,” he repeated, louder this time. “Me leaving the property didn’t make it any more likely the veins would explode.”

All eyes fixed on him. Sebastian’s mind went momentarily blank. The stress of the situation seemed to be crushing him.

“Then what are you going to do?” someone asked.

“We’re fixing the veins,” Eli announced, stepping forward with an air of calm authority. “The veins need to be restored to their normal state. It’s the only way to permanently stop the explosion. So unless any of you happen to have in-depth knowledge on the topic, we don’t need more suggestions.”

“That’s right,” Eleanor said, recapturing everyone’s attention. “This meeting was only meant to alert you to what William omitted when telling you about the situation and to ensure this doesn’t escalate further. Any other concerns can be brought directly to me.”

“I still don’t think he should be walking around free, like he didn’t have a hand in all this,” William couldn’t seem to help saying, pointing at Sebastian. “You’re blaming me for something I didn’t start.”

“If Sebastian hadn’t been walking around free, we’d all still be in darkness or killed by shades by now,” Eleanor snapped. “He saved this town.”

No one seemed overly impressed or like they were going to accept Sebastian based on the mayor’s words. Perhaps they didn’t believe her. More than a few people eyed him suspiciously like they were keen to drag him back to Storm House to see if it solved their problems.

Sebastian had been cast out. He was back on the outside of Moonlight Falls, just as he had been as a child.

“Eleanor’s right,” James said, arm wrapping protectively around Sebastian. “We all owe Sebastian for banishing the beasts and dark magic from Beyond back to where they belong. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I don’t think anything else productive will come out of this meeting.”

James guided Sebastian out. Parker, Hazel, and Eli followed.

Sebastian was shaking. He wished the town’s rejection and anger didn’t hurt him, but it did. It made him feel disposable. His own mother had treated him that way for so long that being cast aside felt like a permanent part of who he was. This would always happen.

But this time, he wasn’t alone. He had James standing firmly by him, and when Sebastian focused on that, his world shifted. Not all people were good or understanding, and Sebastian couldn’t change that. Not everyone was going to like him or believe him, but the important people would. James would. Eli, Parker, and Hazel would. Eleanor would.

He could have a life full of people who loved and cared about him. The anger of the rest of the town couldn’t take that away.

The only thing that could ruin it all was the veins. They could take the lives of everyone he loved and cared for, the town, and all the people in that room. He had to stop the worst from coming to fruition. He could make good things happen and have faith they would last. For James. For their life together. For everyone who stood with him and even for the scared, angry people in town hall.

Not for William though. Screw that guy to the ends of the earth and back.

10

JAMES

James led Sebastian out of town hall, his blood boiling. How could any of them blame Sebastian when William was the problem?

He didn’t let go of Sebastian as the group hovered on the sidewalk in the late afternoon light. “I’m so sorry you had to hear that.”

Sebastian shifted in his arms. “It’s all right, James.”

“No, it’s not. Even if they’re scared, they shouldn’t have placed blame on you.”

“I don’t think fear was why William was blaming me,” Sebastian muttered.

Parker huffed. “No, that’s just how he is. He’d blame anyone to avoid admitting he was wrong.”

A few people exited town hall behind them, not stopping to say anything as they hurried to cars parked down the street.

“Want to head over to the diner for some food?” Parker asked the group.

James looked at Sebastian, making it clear it was up to him.

“That sounds good.” Sebastian smiled, though James could make out worry lines around his eyes. “I’m an anxious mess from that meeting, but surely the diner is quiet enough at this time of day that I’ll be able to calm down, and it won’t make things worse.”

“It should be. It’s too early for most people to be going for dinner.” James was surprised Sebastian had mentioned anything about being uncomfortable in the diner in front of the others. He must be finding it easier to trust them.

---