Page 32 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

Forcing my body upward, there's a moment of pause once I observe the space, taking several seconds to let my eyes adjust before landing on the figure in the window. Perfectly perched on the windowsill, her back leans into the farthest side of the window, her knees tucked into her chest. Wearing a thick, black cloak, one far too dense for the warm weather, her hair is pulled back from her drained face, her golden green eyes like pools of fire in the night. Watching me like a crow stalking its prey, a smile is the last thing to touch her lips. Touching her ring settled on my chest, I run through the scenario that I am dreaming once again, counting silently in my mind until all possibilities of being asleep have faded away.

She's really here.

Running through every single question I have wanted to ask her for the past several months, one burning desire eats away at me.

To feel her.

To really feel her.

"F-Forest?" I question, her face wincing as if the sound of her voice in my tone brings her great pain.

"Forest Flower-"

"You can't travel to the Precipice," she snaps, her voice cold, her hand clamped into a fist, the feeling of her Hold keeping me down more than enough to startle me.

Stuck in a seated position on our bed, I thrash around, doing my best to get some movement out of the constraining position.

"How the hell-"

"I saw Mason lurking," she sighs, slipping down from the window, her body shielded from prying eyes.

Walking and talking like Elyon, the woman before me is isolated, her thoughts entirely her own.

What the hell has he done to you?

"Nothing, he's done nothing," she sighs, taking a seat on the edge of our bed, her body only a few inches away from my constrained hands. "I told you nine months ago your purpose to me, and now I'm telling you-"

"I've missed your voice," I snap, unable to hold back anything in her presence. "Sanctum, I've missed your voice," I grovel, unsure where all of this is coming from.

Giving me a blank stare, she watches me close, her eyes hazy, as if she hasn't slept in days.

"I can't say the feeling has been mutual," she hisses.

She is lying.

She is lying through her teeth.

Feeling the faint pull of our connection, I hone in on its suddenly lively presence, focusing all of my energy on making my way into her mind.

"Why was Mason trailing me-"

"Why are you lying to me?" I question, anger riding my tone.

"What lies, Xavier?" she questions, narrowing her eyes at me. "I figured you'd appreciate the opportunity to start over, find some place better than this decrepit cabin," she snaps, her focus diverting away from the strongholds in her mind.

Talking.

I have to keep her talking.

"You honestly think I believe that pile of lies you threw at me nine months ago?" I question, straining my arms to get as close to her as I can, forcing my way into any open space in her mind. "Why else would you come back here? Why keep me away? What are you really doing, Forest Evermoore?" I question, her nose scrunching like a small child.

Pulling her eyes away from me, she shakes her head.

"My last name is Morgan-"

"Evermoore," I correct, now angry enough to tear off my own hands to get to her. "Or, if you're so confident you share the devils last name now, look at me while you lay claim to the last name Morgan."

Feeling a sense of self doubt that is not my own, I focus in on the portion of her mind I have tapped into, feeding her the idea to loosen her Hold with my Call.

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