"The Sacrifice:;The Sacrifice Trilogy"[Book 1.]

17. Choices

Savannah

A sudden crash disrupted our serenity, but somehow we knew it couldn't last long.  Adelaine's silhouette comes into view like she's some glorious queen from hell, literally.  Gray-blond hair flows down her back as she flies downward to greet me, though I've not the slightest idea why because I believe I made myself perfectly clear on the fact I had no desire to see  her ever again.  Yeah, I'm pretty sure those words escaped my very lips.  "What would owe me the displeasure of seeing you again, Adelaine?" I asked while crossing my arms over my chest with a way-too-dramatic sigh.

Rolling her eyes the way I do when Lucien says something arrogant, she sighs as well.  "Okay, so I guess I deserved that one after everything that's happened. Just hear me out for a minute-sixty seconds tops," she begs in a rush.  Turning towards Lucien to gain his opinion on this matter [why would I care, anyway?] and he shakes his head lickity-split.  "Sixty damn seconds, that's it! If I don't particularly like what I'm on the brink of hearing, get out of my sight quicker than quick, witch." Lifting up my hands for emphasis, I figure we understand each other's view points.

"The reason I've called this little meeting is because I have some troubling news that's been withheld from you thus far.   Patricia Faye is a liar and a fake, she doesn't love you!  Your supposed mother has been speaking with the enemy, who, might I add, is not Alexander." As she relays that newley-found information from out of the blue, there's a crease in her brow like she's frightened I won't believe the woman who gravely betrayed me.   "I can't fathom how you have the audacity to grace my presence and then speak these lies about my mother-"

"She's not your mother, child! I only played along with the charade because Alexander brainwashed me into thinking it so.  He wanted to mellow out for a while, to see what twisted game Patricia was playing.  I'm digressing, but really?  Grace your presence?  Don't act like a priss, or a queen because you're neither." She remarks like only my mother can pull off.  "There's no evidence that anything you claim is in fact true, nor would I ever take your word for crap!  Don't ever come near me or my loved ones again and infect them with deceitful lies, woman," I turn away from her so she doesn't see these traitorous tears trickling down.

Clutching my left hand in order to hinder a much-needed escape, I halt at her unspoken command and turn around.  "What is it that you seek from my compliance, Adelaine?  Forgiveness?  Because I'm afraid I cannot afford such lenient behavior towards you, considering your recent act of committing arson Excuse me-"

Jake's body contorted under Lucien and he rolled over onto hands that were not his, flipping back and forth in rapid-secession until he screamed like a tortured animal being strangled.  An unbearable ache formed inside my chest as If I was experiencing greater amounts of pain than my amber-blue eyed protector, which seemed physically impossible.  "What's happening, guys?  Why do both of you look green in the face? Talk, people!" Demanded Adelaine.

"I don't-can't..." There is a literal burning inferno seeping into my bones like liquid, poisoning liquid.  Dry heaves expelled out of my lungs as if air is suddenly a fantasy-a thing of past years.  The last person I laid eyes on was Lucien, beautiful and ethereal Lucien, then Jake's eyes flashed and sky-blues were staring at me.  A conniving little smile lit up his face like the devil was inside him.

What the hell?

Sleep tight, love, because I'm coming for you.

Everything faded to black in that moment.

* * *

Braiden

This woman lays in darkness, but never too long.  She has my eyes: the exact jade irises with long, black hair flowing down.  She's off in space while sitting near a clear river, and smiling.  I'm on that same bench with her when she puts an arm around me and says, "You have to let go of this hate, baby girl.  A decision must be made before It's too late.  I know how much it hurts, I understand you more than anyone, I'm your mom!  Braiden, you're not a hateful person, so let that false persona go before you lose Noah for good." Her yellow sundress shows the tiny stain she just couldn't rid of no matter how vigorously she tried.

"I miss you and daddy so much, mama.  There's no way I can let you go!  I probably sound like a stubborn child right about now, but I don't care!" My arms went over my chest in defiance.  "What more would you rather hang onto?  Your unnecessary hate for a girl who was very frightened, but still chose to save your ungrateful ass?  Or you're fire-like love for a boy who loves you just as much?  Love conquers hate, my beautiful Braiden.  Remember that," she kissed my cheek as she poofed away peacefully.  

As I woke, my first thought was Noah.  Noah and no one else.