Dead Lines

30: Turning of the Tide, pt 1

Because I promised you wonderful lovelies an update. I ran out of time to finish editing the second half so I guess that means you get TWO UPDATES IN TWO DAYS!! Second half coming tomorrow. 

As always, unedited. 

Chapter Thirty

I felt sluggish as I opened the bathroom door. As if I was in slow motion while the world spun at regular speed around me. Kells remained behind me, a guiding and supportive hand at my elbow. Both Cecil and Andrzej stood by the bed, the quiet conversation they’d been having stopped the second the door opened and it was me coming out instead of Kells. Their faces were solemn and troubled, making me worry if I was still as pale as a ghost. Maybe I looked as shitty as I felt and that’s why they were so anxious. My whole body still ached and if a strong enough gust of wind came along, I was sure I’d fall over.

Cecil stepped forward first but Andrzej stopped him. “Wait.”

“What? Why?”

“Before the pair of you get to the mushy stuff, I have something to say.”

“Please don’t apologize,” I pleaded as he approached. “It wasn’t your fault. There was nothing—”

“You’re wrong.” It was blunt but the truth of it was in his eyes. “Your death tonight could’ve been avoided. Even when it’s someone like you who goes headlong into situations without considering what it would do to the rest of us if you don’t come back from it.” He took a hold of my hand and turned it so my wrist was up, baring the slowly fading knife mark. “I failed you, both as your εταίρος and as your Lycaon Guard. I was tasked to protect you and I didn’t do that.”

“Andrzej—”

“It’s the truth, one I refuse to ignore any more.” His eyes shifted to Kells before looking back at me and kneeling. “On my life and honor, I swear my allegiance and sword to you, the Oracle. To protect and serve you above all else, including my own life.”

The lines on his neck had started to shift the moment he began the oath and when he finished, they’d formed an intricate knot just above his jugular. It was a strange design, one I’d never seen before, but something told me it had everything to do with the oath he’d just sworn. The words had weight and I hoped they wouldn’t doom him.

His eyes flashed the golden color of the wolf before fading to his usual dark depths. That quickly, he committed his fate to protecting mine. He got up and hugged me, something I never thought he’d actually do. It wasn’t in his character to hug. Guess I was now the exception.

“I’m glad you’re back,” he whispered.

“At least you’re not thinking I’m a zombie.” I pulled out of the hug and smiled.

He squeezed my hand. “Even if you were a zombie, it would be the least of our problems. Gaia’s not the only thing that came out of the ground before it mysteriously sealed back up and no one seems to be able to track their whereabouts.”

“It sealed back up because the sacrifice was no longer dead,” Kells commented. “Or at least that’s what we’re assuming.”

“Assuming? You mean you don’t know?”

“Everyone is clueless,” Andrzej said. “And it’s not like Caelus stuck around to help us figure it out. He was pretty pissed when Gaia came out still asleep and we’re hoping she stays that way for the time being. But no one seems overly optimistic about it.”

I nodded and glanced over to where Cecil was still standing apart from us. He was staring at me, unabashedly, and once we locked eyes, I couldn’t look away. Not that I wanted to. He looked a little worse for wear: a few tears in his t-shirt, scuffed up and dirty jeans, and blood stains on everything. Even his hands.