False Reality | Book Three

Chapter XVI

Grim's POV

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"Grim," Azrael appears beside me as I lean against Cassie's wall, staring down at her. We came here, she explained some stuff to me, but got tired in the middle of it. She wanted to stay awake and tell me everything, but I could see and feel the exhaustion dripping off of her so I practically forced her into bed. I hate to admit it, but I laid with her until she fell asleep. I couldn't stop thinking this was going to be a dream, or hell, a nightmare.

Getting to see Cassie again was a dream. Her remembering me was a dream, to be more clear. Me waking up to find nothing had truly happened and she wasn't my Cassie was going to be the nightmare.

"Not now, Azrael," I look at him quickly before looking down at Cassie. She sleeps soundly, her face buried in her soft pillow.

"But Grim," he starts. I just glance at him with heavy eyelids. Ever since I told him and Zeuxis to call me Grim, they've stuck to it. I don't like going by any other name other than the one Cassie calls me. "I think you should seriously think this through," Azrael says coming closer to me when I don't wish him away.

Zeuxis then appears and I instantly feel the need to punch him. He glances at Cassie and smiles softly before he can feel my laser eyes and looks back up at me. He looks down at the ground. "Zeuxis told me Cassie spoke to Thanatos."

I just look at him. I know Cassie talked to Thanatos, she told me he was calling to her from Purgatory. I never thought it was possible.

I also never thought me falling in love was possible as well, but if someone were to look at me, it is clear I am completely and utterly in love with Cassiopeia Edwards. Just her face sends me crazy. Her adorable smile, soft eyes, and her plump lips. She's so skilled with those lips.

"I heard," I glance at Zeuxis. When did Cassie speak to Zeuxis? Alone?

"And it's come to my realization that there had to be a bigger reason as to why he contacted her."

My eyes narrow and I turn to him. "What do you mean?" I run my fingers through my hair in nerves.

"I think Cassie is hiding something from us," Zeuxis whispers.

I turn to look at him and send him a withering look. "How dare you assume that?"

"It wouldn't be the first time she's hidden something from us," Azrael says, nodding along with Zeuxis. My heart mourns, but I know they are correct, nonetheless. I pray Cassie is still asleep. From her deep and rhythmic heartbeat, I can tell she's at least relaxed. I cannot sense her thoughts either. "Not that the first time matters," Azrael says softly. "We understand she was trying to protect us."

I nod. She was and she told me countless times. I remember her telling me everything and all the thoughts flowing out her head like a floodgate. So many times she kept thinking she was sorry in her head and I could see she was remembering everything. I realize now how pathetic I was that night, crying to her and telling her I love her.

Which reminds me: did Cassie say she loved me earlier? I'm not good at all the understanding feeling things, but when she joked about loving me, I heard the thoughts in her head freeze. The one I heard was "Do I love Grim?." I sure hope she does.

"And you think she may be hiding something from us again? Like what?" Azrael and Zeuxis glance at each other.

"The complete conversation with Thanatos," Zeuxis says. "He said he contacted her but why would he pull her into mindspace without a reason other than to hand her memories? He had to have a bigger reason to use all his power." I tilt my head back and forth before chewing on my lip ring. I hate to say it, but they may be right. Thanatos is wise and he would never use his dwindling power to just help Cassie out in the memory field--wait. Humans cannot remember things that are taken from them, ever. Even if they are placed back in their head, the memories will feel like dreams. And I can tell Cassius feelings for me are real...I hope.