Royal's Way

Chapter 10

"She's just drained," she replied, watching me as I lifted Miriam and lied her on the bed. "It's a common thing. It happens to everyone at some point." I scowled, looking at Miriam's pale face. Blood stained her lip. I frowned, grabbing a tissue from my table and reaching over to wipe it off. "What exactly... happens?" I asked.

Ruth sat on the edge of the bed beside me. "It usually only happens in children, or teenagers, like you," she began, "It happens when the host isn't connected to their magic, and their body isn't yet used to the amount of power they must work with. It happens to everyone at some point, even those who are used to it when they use too much." I scowled, looking to her. "Sounds dangerous." She shrugged in response, her eyes turning to Miriam. "Sometimes, I think we aren't made for this amount of power. That, maybe, the Gods and Guardians chose wrong." "Guardians?" I exclaimed.

She looked to me again. A small smile spread on her face. "A story for another day."

I swallowed. I had so many questions. But I had an important one that was my main priority. "About earlier... that bridge." Her expression darkened.
I bit my lip. "It was this place, like... what I see in my dreams, ya know? Like, the big, empty--" "Contrituum."

I blinked. "What?" "That was Contrituum. The realm of Demons." I shifted uncomfortably. "Oh."

A realization hit me. "They wanted me in Contrituum. You know what that means, right?" Ruth rose a brow. "No?" "They definitely sent Ian there, then. We can open the bridge in the house, and--"

Ruth held up a hand. "That is, unfortunately, not how it works."

I blinked. "What?" "Every bridge to Contrituum leads to a completely different dimension. If you broke a mirror in one bridge, it would be intact in another. We would still have to find the crack Percy and Lily used."

I frowned, pulling my knees to my chest. "After you teach me how to use my magic, you'll show me how to find Ian, right?"

Her expression darkened. From the look in her eyes, I immediately knew her response was gonna be negative. "Levi... I-I believe it would be safer for you if you waited for something to pop up in your dreams."

I sunk in my seat. "What?" "Levi, if you'll listen-" "He's only ever contacted me once. He doesn't even know if I can see his message. Do you really think he'll try again?" "Levi, I'm just trying to keep you safe-" "Forget about my safety!" I argued, "Saving him is the only thing that matters right now!" "Your death would cause more than a few sad faces," Ruth snapped, her voice rising a bit, "It's critical that we-" "So, we're just going to sacrifice Ian? We don't have time. He'll die." "Listen, Levi," Ruth said again, her voice quieting, and hand going on my shoulder, "We are not sacrificing your brother. We are not sacrificing anyone." The tenseness in her hand softened, and it lowered to my arm. "I've had my share of pain, and loss, and fear. But I also have gained knowledge from these years of it, and I will let you know that the pain you are feeling will make everything worse if you act on that rather than your instincts."

Her hand lowered into her lap. "And I know that, out of all people, your instincts are smart. You are smart, you're a very smart boy."
I scowled. It almost sounded like she was becoming sentimental. Like she was getting even more worried about me.
"But you do not realize that." I scowled, lowering my gaze to the floor.
Ruth reached over, her hand resting on my cheek gently as she turned my head to look at her.

Her expression darkened. "I want you to trust me. Alright?"

I scowled. I didn't know how to respond, because I didn't know what would happen. I didn't know if I could really trust her judgement.

I needed time to think.

I stood. "Give me a few minutes," I muttered, turning and heading for the exit.