It is an hour later when Zedkiel enters the bedroom. I had actually found a book on his shelf and had begun reading it but had fallen asleep reading, that is until the door slammed open, shocking me. I jerk awake, my heart thumping.
“Must you always bang the doors?” I ask, rubbing my eyes, freezing when I realise what I had just said. I swallow hard as I look up slowly, only to see him watching me emotionlessly.
“I can if I want to," he says before walking over to the bed and taking something out of his pocket. “Here.”
I look at the slim black device in his hand, and my mind instantly goes to the phone I have hidden in the sofa in the other room.
He cocks a brow, and I know he didn’t miss the way my heart began racing or the way I had probably paled. I need to get rid of the phone Sinclair gave me before he ever discovers it. It could ruin everything.
“What’s wrong? Never had a phone?”
“N-no, I mean, yes, I have!” I say, taking it quickly. “Thank you.”
“Just in case I need to get in contact with you, and since you can’t mind-link, keep it close," he says, frowning slightly as he watches me. “You look guilty…”
I shake my head quickly, shutting the book that lay on the pillow, hoping he thinks it is because of that. “No, not at all. I just… it’s the second gift I got today.”
“Hmm… Second?" he asks, and I hold up my wrist.
“Omega Lucia gave me this,” I say. He frowns, taking hold of my hand and yanking it up as he observes it.
“Hmm. Come on, let’s go to the Oracle," he says, dropping my hand, and I stand up, feeling nervous.
I follow him to the door after placing the phone on the bedside table.
We walk down the hallways, passing people, but apart from clearing the path for Zedkiel and lowering their heads, no one seems curious about where we are heading, just wanting to be clear of us.
We reach the door to the Oracle's quarters, and I take a deep breath, feeling nervousness overcome me. Remembering that the last time I was here, I was branded…
He glances down at me before he takes hold of my wrist and knocks hard on the door. The door swings open, and I feel the same odd atmosphere settle over me.
Let’s not go in there.Leave, Evangeline!Are these memories? Or am I going crazy?I frown, allowing Zedkiel to lead me into the room. The Oracle is standing today, her hands folded in front of her as she watches us emotionlessly. “I was expecting you.”
“We have some questions that you will answer,” Zedkiel says coldly. His eyes flicker red as he looks at her.
Her eyebrow rises, but she doesn’t react, swiftly looking us over. Her eyes linger on me, and I feel as if she’s looking into my soul.
“That, of course, depends on if I can,” she says, as the door shuts behind us.
“There’s a link between us, correct?” Zedkiel asks her sharply.
“I cannot say anything.”
“You must answer to the royals,” Zedkiel reminds her dangerously.
She doesn’t say anything and purses her lips. “I will answer only one question. Choose it wisely.”
Zedkiel’s eyes flash, and I feel his anger rising. “You will-” I place my hand on his arm and shake my head.
“Can we ask one question each?” I ask, frowning slightly.
She raises an eyebrow, and I can’t make out the expression on her face.
“Very well. Choose carefully, for once you have asked the question, it cannot be changed," she says calmly. She looks at Zedkiel, who clenches his jaw.
“Then how about you answer what the mean-”
“Zedkiel,” I say, cutting him off again. “Let’s come back after we’ve thought the questions over.”
“Wise,” the Oracle says, turning her back on us. “Now, please do leave. There is much I need to do.”
“We need answers, Little Mouse,” he growls, and I find myself smiling slightly.
I missed that name. I really am strange. “But we need to think them over carefully. We can’t lose this chance,” I whisper.
He frowns before he turns and yanks the door open. The unease that had been building in my mind eases away the moment I step out. I look over my shoulder as Zedkiel tugs me away, and I see the Oracle watching me. Our eyes meet, and only when the door snaps shut is the eye contact broken, making my breath hitch.
What was that about?My mind is a whirl as Zedkiel leads the way, still holding onto me, and I don’t even realise that we are halfway back to our quarters until I’m called.
“Luna Evangeline!”
Zedkiel comes to a stop, and I look up as one of the omegas bows his head.
“Alpha Prince Zedkiel. There is an invitation we were commanded to give to Luna Evangeline herself. It is from Alpha Sinclair Welhaven of the Silver Mountain Pack,” he says, trying to hide his fear.
Zedkiel frowns, and he snatches the embossed envelope from the man. Zedkiel rips it off, and I lean closer, looking at it.
‘You are invited to the wedding of Sinclair Welhaven…’ I don’t read the rest, feeling a sting of pain inside, and it’s not over Sinclair getting married but the fact that after everything… now he wants to invite me to a wedding?
Zedkiel growls, making the omega flinch as he backs away, and I give him a nod, letting him know he can leave. I’ve been there and wished there had been someone who would let me run away. Sometimes, Alpha Aeron or Sinclair would try to give me a chance to escape when facing Grandmother Philomena’s wrath.
“An invitation to that fool’s wedding? Like hell we’re going to go," Zedkiel snarls, about to tear the invitation in half, when I place my hand over his, stopping him from tearing it.
“No, we will go. I think we need to show everyone how nothing will shake us,” I say, frowning slightly.
Zedkiel's frown softens, and he looks back down at the card in distaste. “Are you sure you want to go?" he asks venomously.
“If you go with me… please?” I ask, my heart thundering. I know I’m pushing it…
He clenches his jaw and nods. “Fine, we’ll go.”
“Thank you,” I say, my heart skipping a beat at the fact he has agreed. “When is it?”
Zedkiel holds the card up between two fingers, “Tomorrow evening.”