Revival (Pure Magic Book Four)

Chapter Nine - Ruby/Lilith POV

Ruby POV

I darted through the only town I truly knew from my own past. Of course, being a part of Jade showed me many more, but being my own person now, I returned to where I was familiar. I stopped in the center, glancing around. Wolfsbane Manor. No. That's Lilith's house. Straud mansion. No way. I knew better. I made my way over to a red house only a small distance beside Wolfsbane.

I knocked on the door. I wasn't confident that I'd be accepted with open arms.

A petite woman in a yellow dress greeted me. Inna Cents. Yes, I was at the right place.

She stepped back, shocked. "R-Ruby. No. It can't be."

I put my head down. "Yes, it's me."

She rushed out and gave me a hug. "Oh God, where have you been? We all thought you died! If I had known, I would have never-" she stopped. "I'm just glad you found your way back to the hollow. Please, come in. We have company you may like to see."

I nodded, walking in with Inna as she kept her arms around me, protectively. We sat on the couch and Lilith walked out. She acted surprised, but I could tell it was forced. She already knew.

"Ruby, where have you been all this time? Inna asked.

I shook my head. "I was dead. I did die back then. I was revived. I don't know why." Tears filled my eyes. "And I've ruined everything. Jade left Caleb tonight. Because of me. I tore them apart!" I put my head in my hands.

Lilith shook her head as well. "A lot of factors played a role in their separation. It wasn't you."

Inna looked up at Lilith. "What happened?"

Lilith sat down. "Okay, so I don't know the full details, but Vlad still wants Kris to see him as a father, be the way they were. But if course, Kris doesn't want that. He has seen the pain Vlad has put others through. Hell, Kris is the reason Vlad was dead! Vlad knew he wasn't going to get his way, so he started reviving people from our pasta who could tear us apart. And it's working. He revived Damien to go after Marco. He almost killed him. He also caused Jade and Marco to kiss in front of Morgyn and Caleb. That started a whole load of drama. He revived you, causing Caleb's feelings to reawaken. By Jade, Morgyn and Caleb separating, Vlad got exactly what he wanted; to hurt those who hurt him." She clenched her fist. "I don't know his next move, and I'm scared to find out. I know he will try to move in on Kris or something. I can't risk it. We finally have a life together."

I sighed. "This is a mess."

Inna glanced at Lilith nervously, but spoke to me. "Does Caleb know you're here?"

I shook my head. "No, and I don't want him to. He doesn't come here, right? He won't come looking?"

Inna shook her head. "I haven't seen him in years. Even when he was living next door."

"What happened? We used to be close?"

Inna looked away. "I…"

Lilith sighed. "After you died, Caleb tried to love again. He tried with Miss Hell, and then with Inna." She clenched her teeth, nervous. "They were actually really good together. But he felt things getting too close and broke it off."

"He's been like a ghost since," Inna said quietly. "I don't know what I did. I loved him. I guess I still do."

I gazed at her. "Wow. I had no idea. He never told Jade that."

Lilith nodded. "It was a part of his past he wanted to forget."

Inna hung her head and closed her eyes. "Nice to know I'm so forgettable."