Our Flame

li

NADIA

I don't blame Issac for rushing out the way he did, I would've done the same if it were Ezra. And I know he would've done it for me. Ezra nor Kai trusted him to drive alone so they went with him.

"I'll ask, who's Maeve?" Luka speaks up.

"A friend." I run a hand through my hair. Ezra didn't need to tell me that my father was the one who shot Maeve, I already know he was.

Which is why Ezra told me to stay where I am. As far as my father knows, I'm still in Australia.

"Is that a hickey on your neck?" I roll my eyes, "Probably." I respond.

I wouldn't be able to handle being responsible for Maeve not surviving, the thought physically pains me. She doesn't deserve to be fighting for her life right now. She should be helping Iris pick a wedding dress.

"Can I borrow one of your guy's phones?" I stand up. I take Vadim's walking away from them, I dial Ezra's number without hesitation.

"Nadia." He speaks, I calm down at the fact that he knows it's me. I calm down at the sound of his voice. "Can you tell Issac for whatever it's worth that I'm sorry?"

"He knows it isn't your fault, he doesn't want to hear it." Ezra says. "But I need to hear it Ezra. I need to know that he knows that I didn't think this would happen."

Ezra sighs, "We all know that, Nadia. None of us could blame you, I've learned not to." Issac speaks. He sounds so tired, so sad- which isn't a surprise.

"See? Maeve's injuries aren't on you, it's not your fault." Ezra assures. "We'll find him, okay?" I sigh not knowing if we will, it's frustrating.

"Tell Iris that I'm sorry too." I tell him. "I'll call you later." I hang up without waiting for a response. My eyes close, wishing I wasn't my father's daughter. I've always wished that but now more than ever.

Collecting my thoughts, I go back to the living room where my family sits. "Thanks." I hand the phone back to Vadim.

"Where's your phone?" Aleksi questions. "It's broken." I shrug. "We'll get you a new one." Vadim states. I nod in response, mumbling a small thank you.

For the past three months, the constant thought of being with my family remained in my mind. And now that I'm with them, I can't focus on anything but Ezra's safety.

"Can I see the picture you were talking about on the phone?" I ask Niko. Niko nods, standing from his seat. "Stop staring at me."  I clear my throat.

"Here." Niko hands me the pictures. Ezra hands wrapped around my waist, as we share what was our first kiss.

"What's the tattoo mean?" Viktor questions. "What?" I continue to stare at the picture, I have to say- my crazy, shitty father takes good pictures. Or at least the people who work for him do.

"The tattoo on your arm, what does it mean?" Finally I look up, then down at the tattoo. "Kinda depressing meaning." I chuckle.

One night I was up late with Ezra, and we got onto the topic of not being able to save people- how it was like your hands are just untying. And there's nothing you can do about it.