42. Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Two

Lexia

"I can't believe it was right here this whole time," I say, staring up at the large building. It was never a place I feared, but looking at it now in the dark, it's a little creepy.

"I suppose it's no coincidence that I was made to guard this area," Vesperon says beside me.

"Will someone tell me the significance of this building?" Slate says, looking at it, unimpressed.

"Everything started here. All of it…" I begin, shaking my head. I turn to Slate. "It's my old high school."

"How did everything start here?" he asks.

"Well, if I hadn't found my boyfriend at the time cheating on me at prom, I never would have run off to the park. I never would have happened upon Vesperon. At least, not when I did. Who knows when we'd have crossed paths had that not happened?"

"And when did you show up?" Slate asks Lumen.

"After the shadow's memory was wiped. I was sent here due to a ripple in the balance, which likely was all the shadows lingering around. I showed up just as Lexia was being attacked by one of them."

"He saved me," I say with a smile, reaching for his hand.

"And then there's me," Slate says quietly. "Who showed up because I was supposed to."

I let go of Lumen's hand and walk to Slate, putting my hands on his shoulders. "We couldn't do this without you. It's obvious we all have a lot to work on when it comes to us , but at least this is easy. This is black and white. We know what we have to do. You're here. You're helping us—everyone. You chose the right side. We'll figure out everything else later."

He places his hands on my cheeks and leans down to kiss me.

"Let's get inside. Get this over with so we can turn the page on this nonsense," he says.

I huff out a laugh, and turn to face the school again. Lumen wraps his arm around my waist and in a flash we're inside the school. Slate and Vesperon pop in a moment later.

I navigate the halls until I find the door that leads to the basement. We head down, and I find the hidden door Hades mentioned against the far wall. I pull it open. The moment it's open, I feel it. Feel the waves of magic. I'd be lying if I said it didn't scare me. This whole thing is scary.

Having to consume a large amount of magic that could wipe out the entire universe.

Not knowing where the four of us will be after this.

What if it doesn't work? What if the shadows show up?

What if I fail?

With a heavy sigh, I take the first step through the doorway and move down the hall. It's dark and damp, the buzz of magic feeling almost electrical. We walk so deep into this tunnel that there is no way we are still in the school. If I had to guess, we're somewhere around the bit of trees I cut through to get here. How has this been so close to my house and I had no idea? It's the craziest part of all, I think.

When we reach the end of the hallway, we're forced to turn left. There is a deep blue glow coming from the hall. Before I go down it, I turn to face the guys.

"How will I know what to do? How do I absorb the magic? I've never used magic before. I have no idea what I'm doing."

Vesperon walks to me first, putting his hands on my cheeks.

"My love, you will do great." He kisses my forehead.

"You'll know what to do," Lumen says.

"Instincts are important," Slate adds. "Don't overthink it. Do what feels right."

I swallow hard and close my eyes to take a few deep breaths.

I can totally do this . I have to. Not only that, but I want to. I'm ready for this to be done. To have a normal life. To figure out what my future will be.

I open my eyes and walk down the hall. It opens into a large room, the blue glow much brighter in here. In front of me is a large pool of magic. I have no idea how I know it's magic, I just do. Instincts.

The magic looks angry. It feels angry. It's bubbling and lashing at the sides as if it wants to get free. Bits of it pour over the edges, spilling onto the floor. Seems we've made it just in time. Anyone who looked at this could see it isn't meant to be so full. I don't know how much magic is used by a person at a time. A cup? Teaspoon? Something the size of a grain of sand? Regardless, there are hundreds of thousands of gallons in front of me.

It's too much.

And even though I was so scared moments ago, I have the urge to jump inside of this magic.

Instincts are important.

Jumping in has to be the right answer, right?

I look around the room, taking in the walls, the corners, the floor.

The pool of magic sits in the very center of the room, with enough space on each side for you to walk around.

"What do you need from us?" Lumen asks softly.

I keep looking, knowing what needs to be done, but no idea how I know. I just do, and it's so weird.

"Slate needs to go there," I say, pointing to the spot across from me. "Vesperon there." I point to the left. "And Lumen, you're over there." I point to the right.

They don't question me, but they do all kiss me on the cheek before they make their way to their spots. Once we are all in place, I take another deep breath. If I'm wrong, I'll die. This much magic can't be good for anyone. Not only that, but the world may end too. I could detonate this thing by being wrong, right?

"You all trust me, right?"

I know they do, but I need to hear it. I need more confidence before I dive in.

All of them smile at me. "We do," Slate says. Lumen and Vesperon nod their agreement.

I nod once and shake my hands out. Blowing out a sharp breath, I prepare myself for what comes next. I move to the very edge.

"Whoa," Lumen says, holding his hands out and stepping forward. He glances at my feet and how close it is to the magic, then back at me.

"I know what I need to do, Lumen. You have to trust me," I say firmly.

He grits his teeth, but nods, stepping back. I look from him to Ves, who seems just as nervous as Lumen. But then I look at Slate, who has nothing but trust in me. It's written all over his face. And it's that look that allows me to do what I need to do.

With my arms out wide, I fall forward.

I've always loved swimming and being in the water. The feeling of being weightless. Of being free. Of just floating and not having any cares. But this is like nothing I've ever felt before. Warmth hugs my body from every angle like a soft blanket. I'm weightless in a whole new way. Free in a way I never thought possible. It's like every worry, every concern I've ever had… just goes away.

Quiet whispers sound all around me, but I can't hear any words. I'm not sure what is being said, but I feel that they're friendly. That maybe they're telling me what I'm doing is right. That this was the right decision. It doesn't feel wrong. For the first time in my life, I feel like this is what I am supposed to be doing.

I float for hours, it seems, enjoying this feeling. But then it hits me…

I have a job to do. I can't float here all day. Nothing is happening. There needs to be more. This isn't about me enjoying this feeling. This magic shouldn't be here, it should be gone.

Blinking my eyes open, I turn to my stomach.

The magic is so much more beautiful from down here. No matter which way I look, there is a blue hue with white sparkling dots and shimmering waves. I feel like I'm in the clearest ocean without getting wet. I breathe deeply, my lungs feeling full and tingly. Like I'm inhaling fresh mist. There's a sweet smell to it. Not overbearing, but perfect. I do it again and again, not able to get enough. With each inhale, I feel even better than I did before.

Before I know it, I'm breathing in deeply but that feeling is gone. The soft mist is gone. The smell is gone. I open my eyes and I no longer see the magic around me. I see the ceiling far above me. Turning my head, there is nothing left of the magic but a light fog that reminds me of the clouds in Heaven.

This feels right.

I get to my feet, looking around at a way to get out. My body moves upwards. Floating . My stomach does a little flip when I'm hit with a small bit of fear, but it goes away quickly when I see the top of the pool and my three mates standing around it, waiting for me.

"Are you okay?" Lumen calls.

I give him two thumbs up.

"I feel amazing!"

"Good, because that was scary. Get up here," he says, crouching by the edge of the pool.

Slowly, and without having to do anything, I keep floating upwards as if invisible hands are lifting me. The three of them watch with curiosity and concern.

The higher I get, the more I realize the whispering words are back. I close my eyes and finally make out what they're saying.

"It is over."

"You've done your duty."

"We are safe."

Along with a ton of other similar things.

All I can do is smile.

"What do we do now?" I ask as we make our way out of the tunnel.

"We go home," Lumen says.

"Where is that?" Slate asks.

"Arizona," Vesperon answers dejectedly.

"For now," I add, taking his hand. "I don't want to stay there."

"Thank the gods for that," Vesperon says, and we all laugh.

When we make it outside, the sun is shining brightly.

That freeing feeling I felt when surrounded by the magic?

I feel it even more now, and I've never been more grateful for anything in my entire life.

I stop, moving in front of the three of them and causing them to stop too. They look at me curiously.

"I want you all to know I am beyond grateful for you. For everything you do for me and for each other. We have a lot to work on, but I want to work on it. I want us to be together… always."

The three of them look at each other, then back at me.

"I want the same," Vesperon says.

"So do I," Lumen adds.

My gaze goes to Slate. He's the one I was worried about. He smiles at me and says, "I've never wanted anything more."