War (Book 3 in Destined Series)

24

We come to a stop and I sigh flopping onto my butt, my back against the tree.

"I need sleep." I say looking up at him. He nods and slowly sits down beside me.

"We'll sleep for tonight and finish the trip tomorrow." he says gently and I nod. I cautiously scoot over to him and when he doesn't move back I slide down and put my head in his lap.

"Goodnight Luke." I whisper

~~

"Christina. Christina."

I blink open my eyes at my name and panic when Shane comes into view.

"Where's Luke?" I ask quickly and he nods beside me. I shift my gaze down gently and sigh seeing Luke sound asleep. I look back up at Shane everything within me on attack mode.

"Why are you here?"

"Walk with me?"

"Hell no."

"Please Christina, I'm not here to hurt you." he says and I don't know, but something within me tells me it's ok. I look back down at Luke then gently shift my gaze back to Shane.

"Ok." I whisper

~~

"Why'd you come here Shane?" I ask, as we continue to slowly walk. I keep my hand on my knife incase he tries something.

"Because I remember everything."

"What?" I ask slowly turning to face him.

"You, me, us, the Academy, darkness, us fighting, Alec, us running, me leaving you... I remember it all."

"Why are you telling me this? What are you trying to pull?" I ask cautiously gripping the gun now.

"I transformed. I ran and left you to protect you. And in return I betrayed your heart, soul, mind, I even betrayed myself."

"I'm not quite understanding what's happening? Are you not the one who killed Grace without a look of regret, are you not the one that blew up the home we had all made, who killed Nick's mom, who poisoned Nick's dad? Are you not the one who cheated on me, who turned into a monster?" I ask and he shifts his gaze down then slowly back up to me.

"I am."

"Then what the hell are you trying to pull Shane!? You have me out here all alone! Nobody can hear me scream, nobody can find us out here... Why not swoop me up and take me away? Why not kill me right now? Get the power you've always wanted!? You've put me through hell and back what more do you want!?" I shout

"Your forgiveness."

"Forgiveness? What kind of trick is this? Pretending you're you again. Pretending your not this monster that reeks havoc through this world. Who kills innocent people!" I scream tears blurring my vision as Grace comes to mind.

"I am me."

"No you're not!" I shout. He steps towards me but I quickly step back.

"Christina, I never meant for any of this to happen. I was poisoned and I ran. I ran to protect you."

"I don't need people to protect me! We could've worked it out! We could've solved the problem but instead, here you are as a demon! Your red eyes blaze into mine, I don't see the Shane I fell in love with. He's gone."

"I'm right here, in front of you Christina."

"No. You're not. Shane, the man I loved, died when the devil claimed his soul."