The thought slammed into her like a wave of freezing water. And yet, here she was. Standing in a motel filled with hellfire residue, staring at a man who didn't seem mad, but had just spoken the most insane words she's heard in decades.
He didn't want power.
He didn't want protection.
He wanted Eliana.
And that meant everything she thought she had feared, demons, the darkness seeping into our realm, was just prelude. Because if Eliana returned... What would follow next would shatter this realm.
Her silence wasn't agreement. It was shock. It was awe. Her body itched to vanish, to retreat, to cast something, anything.
"All will be revealed in time," he said, walking towards Zorvath with the obsidian blade.
He didn't want to talk anymore. He was done talking and whatever role he wanted her to play in it, she would be no part in it. Her magic had already began to gather, tugging at the night, dragging from underneath. She needed to vanish. Before this man took the next step. Before the next name left his lips.
But the night wouldn't take her. It resisted. The room didn't let her tap fully from underneath. Her magic faltered. A pulse of dread already unfurling in her chest. Her magic curling sluggishly around her legs from underneath, projecting behind her, instead of lifting her up and away.
"No," she panicked under her breath. "Come on, come on—" her knees tightened. She gave it her all.
Father Nicholas paused on his step. He just watched her struggle. Expressionlessly. Like he enjoyed it. Like he knew she was going to be back.
'No, you smug bastard. I'm not going to back. Not if she's here. Not if she touches this plane.' she screamed internally.
He waved his hand at her dismissively. And just immediately, her magic rippled from underneath. Tearing open behind her. Forcing her trembling body through the peel behind her. And she was out of the room.
Back at Simon's family house, Jeanette was in the kitchen preparing something on the stove when Steve walked in. He gently caressed her back as he picked up a towel to dry the dishes. She flashed a warm smile at him.
He dropped the third plate, "We should tell him." He paused looking at her waiting for a reaction.
"No." She said just immediately, slowly dragging her eyes from the cooking stove to her husband. And there it was. Fear. Written all over her face.
The sound of sizzling pan filled the silence.
"Not now," she returned her gaze back to the stove. "When the time is right, we will."
"Nick suggests now, tonight," he sighed. "It's been two decades and we still hold this from him—"
"He's not ready yet," she cuts in abruptly. She took a deep breath and continued, "we are his parents. We must shield him from the gravity of this secret. It will break him." She turned to him, "he is only a boy. How can he handle such weight now?"
Jeanette's eyes held genuine sadness and worry. Her boy, cheerful and ever loving. She believed the best way was never to tell him. It was better than handling the truth.
Steve held her hand, grounding her. "Just a little longer, then." He gave her a smile of assurance. And slowly, the worry in her eyes were replaced with comfort. His wife, ever worrying and scared for their son. He knows exactly how she feels, but what about their son? His truth? They've been at this for years and she always found a way to convince him.
Simon stood in front of the mirror in his bathroom. Face pale and worried. He knew definitely something was wrong. His father's dismissive answer when he pressed on knowing who they were trying to find. The way his mother glanced at him like he was a glass soon to break. It all started after the accident. It pressed in his skull.
He needed to know what they were hiding. They never hid anything from him. They literally talk about everything and anything. But Father Nicholas has skipped town for days now. His mother watched his every move. The Lyons didn't want him anywhere near Jessica because she's 'traumatized.' Ezra didn't say so much around him anymore. His injury, strangely, is healing quicker than normal and it frightens Mrs. Lyon and his mum.
"It's just a phase. It's just a phase," he muttered under his breath as he splashed cold water on his face.
He grabbed the doorknob. Just as he was about to step into his room. The temperature in the room dropped drastically. The atmosphere grew heavier. The memory of the accident came flooding in. It made his skin crawl. Goosebumps filled his skin instantly. He grabbed his rosary. Shut his eyes. Muttered a quick prayer under his breathe, walking into his room.
The moment he stepped into his room. He squeezed his eyes open. Unknown darkness was about to throw its thick curtains over his room. His eyes held 'what in the name of God is happening.' It was still a bright evening and his room was getting dark.
The sun had disappeared. Everywhere felt cold. His heart was thudding in his chest. He didn't know what to do. He ran for his door, to leave the room to the hallway. And the darkness covered faster.
As he was about to reach for the knob. The door opened. His father stood behind the door, his mother by his side.
"Simon?" His father quick to call.
He heaved a deep sigh, grabbing the door post. "Dad—" He grabbed his chest with the other hand, panting.
Jeanette immediately threw her hands around his cheeks. "Are you alright, baby?"
"I—I don't know—" he looked up at his father. "For a moment... it felt like I was seeing things. Like the room was getting dark... and it chased after me? I don't understand "
Steve and Jeanette gave each other a quick glance. That stare said a lot. And there it was again, that fear. It painted her face. She was struggling to act calm, but her expression gave her away.
Steve removed his hand from his chest, "You're fine now, son." He threw his hands over his shoulder. "Come. You need to feed well."
At the table, the silence between them was deafening. Simon's eyes darted from his mother to his father. Jeanette hid her face, but kept throwing glances at Simon. She didn't want him to catch her worrying. And Steve just ate.
Steve clears his throat, "The Lyons will be joining us for dinner tonight." A smile crept up his lips as he observed his son.
His silver eyes immediately lit up as his cheek flushed red. He's been trying reach Jessica ever since the accident, but the Lyons said it was best he stayed away. He didn't understand why they'd say that, he just respected their decisions, but deep down his heart ached every minute he couldn't talk to Jessica. He had a lot to say to her, maybe it was time he just said what he had always wanted to say.