Cardinal

Chapter 4

The force of the wheels touching the runway as the jet descends awakens me. I quickly notice that I'm still on Keenan's lap, though his embrace is a little loose now. He keeps his arm around my waist and strokes the little skin exposed on my abdomen. His touch sends pleasurable electric zaps around my body and it makes it hard to keep still in his lap. However, I keep my eyes closed wanting nothing to do with explaining myself or the situation which just transpired. I keep a check on my emotions and my gift, feeling a little more in control now after my nap in my link's arms. 

I hear Damian clear his throat nearby. 

"She seems calm now. We should probably wake her up soon since we're landing now." I hear a slight softness in Damian's voice, unlike his previous tone towards me. 

"Damian, I would advise you to refrain from aggravating her any further. We're still not aware of the extent of her capabilities let alone the control she has on her gift. She didn't complete her studies at the academy with us so we need to tread carefully." Keenan replies cooly. I keep my eyes closed, pretending to sleep to eavesdrop on their conversation. 

"Sicily doesn't know anything. I'm not sure how to even begin to tell her. She's Lucian's daughter. I can't risk our position with the magistrate." 

Steel laughs sarcastically, "You're a fucking coward and you know that. Sicily is a bitch and her dad's a magistrate. Who the fuck cares? Our cardinal is right here. We can't lose her again. I don't know what the hell I'll do if I lose her again after we've just gotten her back." His voice trails off, cracking with the last word.

After what he's seen today, he's still Team Lilac. My whole escape plan basically just crumbles before me. My resolve with running for their safety again goes into shambles and I'm mentally cursing myself for having no backbone when it comes to them. 

"Shut the fuck up, Steel. She. Doesn't. Want. To. Be. Here. Let her the fuck go. I'm not going to vie for someone's attention who doesn't want me." William exclaims, an acrid tone to his voice. I take a deep breath, trying not to react to his statement. 

I shift in Keenan's lap, finally deciding that I'm done with this conversation by feigning waking up at that moment. I feign a yawn and my surprise, getting off of Keenan's lap. 

I murmur a small "Thank you," to Keenan, avoiding his eyes and finding a seat away from them. No one says anything as the plane comes to a complete stop. 

Before we get off of the plane, I see Damian cautiously take steps toward me. 

"I apologize for the situation getting out of hand earlier, Lilac. I should have gotten a better gauge of your emotions, seeing that it's something that I could do. I didn't stop to think that maybe this day was getting overwhelming to you and all the other factors..." 

His curly blonde hair entrances me, reminding me of how much I loved running my hands through his curls when we were teenagers. I shake my head and finally meet his gaze. His eyes look softer now, regret shining through. 

"I'm sorry too, Damian." 

I'm sorry for leaving. That's what I really wanted to say. I'm just going to have to reevaluate my situation tomorrow and start avoiding them because I'm obviously either insane or certifiable if I forget about the danger to them if I lead the bad men to them by staying here. 

He leads me out of the jet and down the steps where Steel is waiting for me. Steel wraps his arms around my shoulder and leads me towards the car. Tomorrow, I'll start avoiding. Today, I'll revel in their touches for just a bit. I lean into Steel's touch, though I don't wrap my arm around him like I want to.