Game Of Lightning

Chapter Fourteen

Ari's POV-

"Why aren't Annie and Damien answering my calls? I'm getting worried," I say to Aaron, who is seated beside me.

Aaron puts his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure they're fine, not much bad can happen in the mortal world," he says, attempting to reassure me.
"It doesn't matter where they are, they're in danger because of what we're trying to find. It isn't like them to not answer calls," I say, trying, and failing, to call Annie again. I shake my head.

"You're right, but maybe Ember and Rafi have heard from them?" Aaron says.

"Good idea, I'll call Ember now," I say, calling Ember.

"Hey, Ari, have you found anything?" She says, her and Rafi giving Aaron and I a wave.

"Hey, Em, have you heard from Annie or Damien? They won't answer my calls and I'm getting worried," I quickly say, my concern causing me to ignore her question.

"No. That's unlike them," she says. Rafi cuts in, "Do you think somethings wrong?"

"Could be, but let's not jump to conclusions," Aaron says beside me.

"Aaron's right, no need to get ourselves all worked up. How long have you been trying to reach them?" Ember says, Rafi nods.

"Uh . . . about an hour," I say.

"That's weird," Rafi says. "They almost always answer."

"I have an idea. Why don't you two try and reach Damien while we try Annie?" I say, more of a statement than a question.

"Good idea, I'll let you know if he answers, over and out," Ember says with a laugh.

"Talk to you guys later," I say with a laugh before hanging up.

"Relax, Ari, I'm are they're okay, trust me," Aaron says, placing his fingers under my chin and gently turning my head so that I'm facing him.

"Okay," I say, turning back to my Future Face Timer and trying to call Annie again.

This time, to my relief, she answers.

"Hey, Ari, find anything?" She says.

"Annie! Are you okay? I've been trying to get ahold of you for an hour! I was worried sick!" I say, talking quickly and excitedly.

"She was, we all were, we even asked Ember and Rafi if they'd heard from you guys. What happened?" Aaron says, backing me up.

"Sorry, we ran into some . . . trouble. It's a long story. However, long story short, we have found Princess Nailea!" Annie says, excitement in her voice.

"Y-you did?" I say, shocked. "Where was she?"

"Turns out, Ember has been unknowingly living with her," Damien says, behind Annie.

"Really? Interesting," Aaron says.

"You bet it's interesting," Annie says. "We have to go, we need to discuss some things with the princess. Sorry to worry you guys, really."

"It's alright, I'm just glad you're both okay. Talk to you later, guys," I say with a wave before hanging up.

I sigh with relief. Suddenly, Aaron leans over and hugs me, shocking me. I stiffen in his tender embrace. I can't get close to anyone else, ever again. I can't lose anyone else. I can't have the same thing that happened to Rosa and my parents happen again. I have to keep my guard up.

Aarons must've noticed my stiffness, because he pulls away, looking at me quizzically.

"Is something wrong, Ari? You seem really tense," he asks, confusion and worry masking his voice.

Is something wrong? Yes. I want to get close to you. I want to let you in. But I cant. I can't risk it.

"N-no," I say, concealing my thoughts and making my gaze unreadable.

"Are you sure? If there is, I can help," he says, flashing me a gorgeous smile.

"You can't help me, Aaron, no one can," I say, turning away.

"How do you know?" he asks, his tone worried and quiet.

"Because, the only person who could is dead," I say, my words shocking even me.

I stand up and run to the library. Being around books always seems to calm me. I start browsing, looking for something that might have the spell we've been looking for. Just then, I hear someone behind me. I whip around, already in combat position, ready for whatever is there.

I see Aaron, and drop my fists.

"You shouldn't sneek up on me like that, you almost got punched," I say, turning back to the books.

Aaron grabs my arm and turns me back around. "Ari, what happened?" He asks.

"I don't want to talk about it, I can't talk about it. We should be focusing on finding that spell," I respond, no emotion in my voice.

"Ari, when you're ready, I want to help you," Aaron says.

"Okay," I start to say, but just then my Future Face Timer starts beeping, indicating a call.

I answer, and it turns out to be Annie and Damien.

"Hey, what's up?" I say. Aaron moves behind me so that he can see the call.

"I think we might have that spell Aralynn needs," Annie says.