22. Luce

22

LUCE

The waves lapped gently against the hull as I stood on the deck, lost in thought. A soft sniffle broke the silence. I glanced over to see Jeanette, shoulders hunched, wiping at her face. Totally unlike her usual self.

I walked over and patted her shoulder awkwardly. "Hey, you okay?"

Jeanette took a shaky breath. "Rissa... I owe her everything. My life. Rescuing me from that... that thing."

"What happened?" I asked, brow furrowed. "How did it happen?"

Guilt stung me again. I should have asked before.

"It was only a week or so, but it took over my body, made me do things, horrible things, to sabotage you all." Jeanette wrapped her arms around herself, staring out at the dark water. "I was trapped inside, watching, unable to stop it. It dug through my memories, looking for ways to..." She swallowed hard. "To kill you. More effectively."

I couldn't imagine how torturous that must have been for her. Mind violation of the worst kind. It made me glad they were all gone.

"I'm so sorry, Jeanette. But you made it. You're safe now." I squeezed her shoulder again, hoping it provided some small comfort.

She nodded, managing a watery smile. "I'll never be able to repay her. But I'll spend lifetimes trying."

"She's going to be okay," I reassured, glancing back to where Rissa lay unconscious. "We'll make sure of it."

I pulled Jeanette into a tight hug, her slim frame trembling against my chest. The weight of what she'd endured hit me like a punch to the gut. Possessed, helpless, forced to betray those she loved. It was a nightmare I wouldn't wish on anyone, let alone my sister.

"I've got you," I murmured. "You're safe. It's over now."

Jeanette clung to me for a long moment before pulling back, swiping at her tears. She took a deep, steadying breath.

"There's more." Her tone turned grave. "That's how they got the jump on you. The formless one in me drugged you so they could do the spell. Edward, too." Jeanette's jaw clenched. "He was betrayed too, taken by a formless one. It's how they surprised Rissa. He was staying with her."

I scrubbed a hand over my face, a headache building behind my temples. Edward. Goddamn it. I'd been impressed at his bravery in cutting loose from the Council.

My thoughts snagged on Rissa, still unconscious, her strength utterly spent in saving us all. In saving Jeanette.

Rey tilted his head, brow furrowed. "Wait, I don't get it. If a formless one was pulling your strings, why didn't it just blow the boat sky high? Why bother with the sneaky sabotage crap?"

Jeanette shuddered, arms wrapped tight around herself. She looked small, haunted. It made my chest ache. "I fought it," she whispered. "Every second, with everything I had. I couldn't control my body, but... if I focused, really focused, I could sort of influence its choices. Nudge it away from the worst options."

Her shoulders hunched as she met my gaze. "I made it go for the sabotage that wouldn't kill everyone outright. Bought us time. It was all I could do."

Pride surged through me, mingling with rage at what she'd endured. "You did good. Really good. You saved our lives." I tried to pour every ounce of conviction into my words. She needed to hear that. To believe it, after what that thing had done.

I glanced over at Rissa, a frown tugging at my mouth. She was still out cold, sprawled across the bed, her face ghostly pale. Using that much power, warding the world against the formless ones... it had drained her dry. She needed rest. Safety.

"I think Rissa got them all," I said slowly. "Probably gave Edward the scare of his life, but he should be fine. Relatively speaking. We need to get her somewhere secure, let her sleep this off. However long it takes."

My gaze cut to Rey, a desperate hope kindling in my chest. "Any chance you can walk us through Dream? Get us home without dealing with the human world?"

Rey flashed a grin, hope and mischief dancing in his golden-brown eyes. "Of course I can. Dream and I are old friends." He winked conspiratorially. "I'll have you lot home before you can say 'shapeshifter shenanigans.'"

Relief crashed through me like a wave, tension bleeding from my shoulders. "I owe you one, Rey. Seriously."

"Nonsense." He waved a dismissive hand. "We're all in this together, yeah? Besides..." His grin turned sly. "While you're tucking Sleeping Beauty into bed, Cathy and I will bring the boat back via the scenic route."

I barked a laugh. "A honeymoon cruise, huh?"

"Something like that." Rey's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "What can I say? Near-death experiences have a way of putting the little things in perspective."

I clasped his hand firmly, gratitude swelling in my chest. "Thank you. For everything."

As we shook, a pang of envy twisted beneath my ribs. What I wouldn't give to steal a few blissful days with Rissa. No Council, no monsters, no world-ending threats looming over our heads.

Just us. Learning each other. Exploring this thing between us.

But that was a fantasy. The cruel reality was, she might never wake up.

Sighing internally, I released Rey's hand and turned to gather Rissa into my arms. Her slight weight settled against my chest, her breathing deep and even.

One step at a time, I reminded myself. Get her home. Keep her safe.

The rest would come. It had to.

With a nod to Rey, I stepped forward into the shimmering portal he'd conjured, Jeanette close on my heels. The earthy scent of loam and leaves enveloped us as we crossed into Dream.