Inside My Head (Silent Moment Series: Book 6)

Chapter 41

 As I neared the end of my countdown, I watched Madi's eyes intently, searching for any sign of the daughter I knew. Then, in the final moment, something shifted in her gaze. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was a change that spoke volumes. It was as if a light had flickered back to life within her, a spark of the real Madi breaking through the surface.

"Teik the Prime en his mani (take the Prime and his men)!" Madi commanded with sudden clarity and authority. Her voice, now imbued with the strength and leadership of her true self, echoed commandingly through the room.

The impact of her words was immediate. "Weapons down!" one of the men ordered, his tone carrying the force of Madi's command. The guards, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, briefly hesitated before their training kicked in. Weapons clattered to the ground as they complied with the order, a symbol of the shifting power dynamics in the room.

I slowly lowered the gun, my hand shaking from the emotional and physical intensity of the moment. Relief washed over me in waves, mingling with a renewed sense of hope. The connection between Madi and me, the unbreakable bond of love and family, had reached her, pulling her back from the brink. As I stood there, the gun now hanging loosely in my hand, the room transformed from a place of desperation to one of controlled chaos. Russell and his men were effectively disarmed, their threat neutralized for the moment. The immediate danger had passed, but the road ahead remained fraught with challenges.

In an instant, Madi was in my arms. I pulled her close, my relief and love for her overflowing as I nestled my head against hers. Gently, I placed a kiss on the side of her head, a gesture of profound affection and reassurance. It was a moment of solace amidst the chaos, a reminder of what I had been fighting for. My gaze then shifted to Russell, who stood defeated and disarmed. I locked eyes with him, letting my emotions translate into the nastiest, most contemptuous look I could muster. It was a look that conveyed my defiance, my triumph, and my unspoken vow that I would do everything in my power to protect Madi from him and anyone else who threatened her. I couldn't save my mother, a realization that still pained me deeply, but here in my arms was the proof that I could save Madi. I had saved her. The realization filled me with a bittersweet mixture of grief and determination. My mother's loss was irreplaceable, but Madi's safety was a victory that brought a glimmer of hope in the darkness.

As I held Madi, I could feel her body shaking with sobs, her tears soaking into my shirt. She gasped for air between her cries, the emotional release overwhelming after the ordeal she had been through. I tightened my embrace, offering her all the comfort and protection I could. My heart ached for her, for the innocence she had lost and the burden she had been forced to bear. In that embrace, I made a silent promise to Madi and to myself. I would continue to fight, to stand against those who threatened us, and to ensure that the horrors of the past would not repeat themselves. Madi's safety and well-being were my top priority, and I was prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead to keep her safe. The room around us felt still for a moment, a brief respite in the eye of the storm. But I knew that this was just the beginning. The battle for Sanctum, for our lives, and for our future was still raging. Yet, with Madi safe in my arms, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and strength. We would face whatever came next together, united by our love and our resolve to survive.

"Madi?" I called out, my voice laced with concern as her body began to convulse in my arms. The sudden onset of her seizure sent a wave of panic through me.

"She's seizing," Jackson's voice cut through the chaos, his medical expertise immediately kicking in.

"Get her upstairs!" Raven barked out the order, her tone urgent and commanding.

Without a second thought, I gathered Madi up in my arms, her body still trembling uncontrollably. I followed Jackson and the others, moving as quickly as I could up the stairs. My every step was fueled by a mix of fear and determination, Madi's well-being the only thing on my mind. Reaching the medical area, I carefully laid Madi down on the table, positioning her on her side as Jackson had taught us for seizure safety. Gaia joined us on the other side, her expression a mix of worry and focus.