Surreptitious

Chapter 22: Realizations

“H- How?!” Hope started tearing up as she ran towards the bars that separated her from Landon, Josie following close behind with her cheeks already wet.

Landon reached through the bars and took each girl’s hand, squeezing in a comforting manner. “I don’t really know. I just woke up, like all the other times. I didn’t even know that so much time had passed. Wherever I was… there was no time.” After the initial ramble of words, he paused and stared at the two girls before him in confusion. “Is there a reason your eyes are glowing?!” He asked in surprise as his gaze flickered from the one to the other.

“Don’t worry about it right now. It’s a long story…” Josie blinked, wishing she could blink the glow away. It remained impossible to control it as long as she was close to Hope.

“Do you think it’s the Necromancer?” Hope asked worried, folding her free hand over his where he was holding onto her and relishing in the warmth she felt, reassuring her that he was definitely alive somehow.

“That’s why I’m in here.” Landon nodded towards Josie. “Your dad and I both realized it would be safest to keep me in here, for all of us, until we have this figured out.”

Josie wiped at her damp cheeks and tugged on his hand. “You shouldn’t have to be in here. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Well… I could hurt someone. If the Necromancer is somehow still in control of me… using me… then I pose a big danger to everyone.” He smiled softly at Josie’s concern. “I’ll be okay, don’t worry.”

“I just can’t believe it’s you…” Hope wiped at her eyes and smiled through her tears at the young man. Her other hand reached up through the bars to cup his cheek, her thumb wiping gingerly over his skin.

Josie felt the pangs of hurt, jealousy, fear, alarm, and concern all rumbling and tumbling deep in the pit of her stomach as she watched the exchange. She knew Landon was supposed to be the great love of Hope’s life, and now that he was back… Josie felt like she was intruding on their moment. And more than that, she felt like she might break down if she had to witness any more of it.

“I’ll check in with you later. I’m so happy you’re back.” Josie squeezed Landon’s hand one more time and pulled away, briefly glancing over to meet Hope’s golden eyes. As she slowly backed away from the pair, her own copper eyes started fading, though she kept her gaze on Hope. By the time she reached the door that lead to the stairs, her eyes were simply just dark and wet. She turned and disappeared.

Hope felt Josie’s absence immediately, like a sinkhole that slipped through the bottom of her chest. She tried to shake the feeling and returned her attention to Landon. Seeing him, feeling him with her own hands, connecting with those steely blue eyes of his and witnessing that goofy smile of his… Hope felt her cheeks warm up as she grinned wordlessly at him. It was like wearing your favorite fluffy hoody on a cold winter’s morning.

“Your eyes have stopped glowing.” Landon remarked, one brow raised.

“It’s really a long and complicated story that we will not be getting into right now.” She chuckled and reached for his face through the bars of his cell in order to bring him closer as she moved herself to meet him. She leaned her forehead against his in the gap between the cold iron shafts and she could feel her heart beat steady and strong.

“I’ve missed you… so much…” She whispered as she watched him, then rubbed the tip of her nose to his, still caught between laughing and crying.

“Wherever I was… I’m sure I missed you too…” he whispered softly to her as his own hands settled on her sides, holding her as close as he could with the cell bars dividing them.

The moment was so bittersweet. Hope felt like she had everything she could ever want right in front of her. She felt like, suddenly, things were the way they were supposed to be. And yet, there was a distinct nagging feeling in the back of her mind that this – her and Landon – just wasn’t quite right. It was like a puzzle piece that seemed like it should click into place, but it just didn’t quite fit; like a key that could turn a lock halfway, but not finish the job.

What was the most disturbing to her was the fact that, after she could feel her wolf, exuberant and alive like never before since she woke from her long sleep… her wolf was now quiet. There was nothing stirring within her. No agitation. No excitement. Nothing.

It made her feel cold and empty.

(…)

Lizzie looked up from her magazine when her bedroom door opened slowly and stretched her brows at the expression on her sister’s face. “Uh oh… Something tells me I need to go grab the ice cream…” She immediately tossed her magazine aside and shifted up on her bed, making room for her twin to crawl into the space and into her sister’s arms.

Josie cried, and Lizzie simply held her, stroking one hand gently down the dark tresses to try and soothe the obviously distraught girl. “Let me guess… Landon?”

Josie sniffled and nodded.

“Sooo, you’re not happy he’s back?” Lizzie scowled.

“Lizzie!” Josie lightly hit her sister’s shoulder before wiping over her face with a frustrated hand.

“I know, I know…” Lizzie sighed. “Okay Jo, it’s time to get real here.” She shifted slightly so that she could look into Josie’s eyes, all while still holding onto her with one arm for comfort. “Are you in love with her?”

Josie buried her face in her hands and nearly bit a chunk out of her lower lip. How could she admit to such a robust statement? How could she admit to such a strong feeling? Things between her and Hope have barely started developing and everything felt like such a mess.

And yet… everything with Hope just felt so right…

“Did dad tell you? About the unification?” Josie asked in a soft whimper, checking in on how much her sister was aware of, but Lizzie shook her head in answer and allowed Josie to fill in the blanks. After hearing how her twin was basically wolf-engaged and marked as the tribrid’s future mate, Lizzie nearly had a heart attack.

“I will kill her…” Lizzie muttered. “I will poison her liver and feed it to her bird boy boyfriend.” To say that she was feeling a tad overprotective of her twin was a massive understatement.

“Lizzie just let it go, please? Don’t make a scene.” Josie sighed and stood from the bed, folding her arms protectively around herself as she slowly paced.

“Who’s making a scene?” Lizzie cried out, arms flailing. “Not me! Because no one will even see it coming!”

“If you want to actually help me…” Josie tried to soothe her sister as she stepped closer to the blonde who had by now jumped to her feet, and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“If you want to help, then help me find a way to break the bond. It’s what Hope would want… and I can’t stand the heartache.”