Page 87 of Shattered Heir
“Thank the Creator. Emma, I swear, if you weren't in here—” He paused, turned around, and spoke to someone. “Move away from the door.” I ran to the bed, hearing a loud explosion as I curled into a ball behind it. Warm arms engulfed me only moments later.
“Are you? Is it really you?” I asked, still weak. I reached out to touch a blond lock of hair, and he gave me a sad, warm smile.
“It's me, Emma, and we are taking you home.”
“What about?—is Shad—?” I started to cry as I heard Keil call from the hallway. I saw Glasson enter the room.
“Rykerian, we have to go. The police will be here soon. Cade has alarms.”
“What about all the bodies? Could he call in and say it was a false alarm? What else is he good for?”
Keil came into view and nodded at me with a smile.
“I'll force him to call off the earthlings,” Keil said to Glasson.
Ryker looked at me.
“Mary and Ash are worried sick. Let's get you home.”
I didn't overlook my unanswered question about Shad. The look in Ryker’s eyes, however, told me all I needed to know. I was too late. As Ryker started running with me in his arms, and as I was lowered and buckled into a seat, I realized that I wouldhave to live in a world without Shad, and I wondered how I could possibly do that.
Chapter Forty-Three
Sleep. Peaceful sleep, and peaceful dreams of Shad and me. He held me, kissed me. We spoke and laughed, and I enjoyed every single moment of it. If I could have, I would have dreamed of him for the rest of my life, but I woke up to a touch on my shoulder and a whisper of my name on Mary’s lips.
“Emma,” she repeated, and I opened my eyes. I was back in my room, in my white and pink blankets and sheets with the window that faced Shad’s house. There was a bright light coming from my window, so I knew that it had to be daytime. “Emma. Oh dearest Emma.” She took my hand in hers and bowed her forehead over it. “This is all my fault. I was keeping too busy doing stupid work when I should have been here; I should have kept you away from Cade. That was a horrible idea to get close to him.” Tears fell down her cheeks.
“Mary, please, I made the choice to go to him. I agreed to it. It is not your fault.”
She wiped at her tears and smiled. “I don't need to burden you with my worries. I am so glad you are alright, Emma. I was so worried.”
“I love you, Mary,” I whispered, and she returned the sentiment, kissing my clasped hand as she held it tight in hers.
“You are so brave; you are so much like your mother.”
I thought of my mom, soft spoken and quiet, and I gave her a confused look.
“Not everyone saw the side of her that you have inside of you.” We both turned as my door was opened. Ryker and Ash came inside.
“Emma!” Ash entered with a bounce, holding a plate.
“Hey, Ash,” I whispered, happy that she was okay, wondering what had happened to Aiden when I saw her.
She likes him? Does she know who he is? That he had worked for Cade?
I closed my eyes, and I was still so tired. She walked over to where Mary had been and placed a small plate with what looked like a sandwich on the bedside table.
“Emma, if you ever need to go in and attack the bad guy, remember you need back up. And in case it wasn't clear, I am that backup.” She smiled at me.
“I will keep that in mind.” I looked to where Ryker stood, hesitant.
“We tried everything we could, Emma.” I saw, then, that he held the midnight crystal in his hand.
“What do you mean?” I asked, turning to look at him.
“We tried using the crystal to give Shad back his soul, but it didn't work; it seems his melody is fused to Cade, and it cannot be removed. Keil and I tried all night.” I sat up, my head wobbly, my vision blurry as hands tried to push me down. Somehow, I still got to a sitting position.
“Shad, he is—he isalive?” I wanted it to be true, wished it to be true. Could it really be possible? I looked around the room, and no one answered me. Why? Was he or was he not alive?! “Tell me, now!” I screamed, and my voice was raw, and my throat hurtterribly. Everyone was looking at each other as if they did not know if they should tell me or not. My heart, my melody that had been rising with hope, suddenly swelled with pain again. Keil walked into the room, looking around, and I held his gaze; he would tell me. He always cared more for Shad than the rest of them.
