Chapter 21

Nora felt a slight pinch in her arm as she struggled to open her eye lids. She couldn't figure out where she was or where she laid. Her nose picked up the scent of spicy cologne and mint. It made her want to sneeze. But she couldn't. Her eyes watered instead and her nose itched.

"Hi, there," a man said as Nora began to slowly open her eyes.

Nora thought she arched a brow, but in reality she just stared at the man. Her big brown eyes were confused and filled with questions.

"Just taking some blood," the man smiled. "Not to worry."

"Nora?" Aunt Lidia's voice came from the side. "Hi, baby."

Nora wanted to turn her head but the thought suddenly made her so sleepy. She wanted to go back to sleep.

Nora.

Nora's heart skidded. The heart monitor picked up the slight change and displayed it on the screen. Dr. Banks looked up through his lashes and paused.

"Sorry, Nora," he said. "Just a little longer."

"Is she in pain?" Lidia asked, leaning over to see what Banks was doing.

"She's okay," Dr. Banks said. "This is normal. She is slowly waking up."

Nora, where are you?

Nora's lips parted and Lidia clutched her hand.

"What? What is it baby?" The women asked.

Hayden....Nora tried to say as she felt his presence all over her mind.

"She's trying to say something," Lidia looked up at the doctor as he finished with drawing blood.

Dr. Banks removed his gloves and pulled on a new pair. He took out a small flashlight from his pocket and began to check Nora's eyes.

Motherfucker, that's bright! Nora crushed.

Let the man do his job.

Why are you in my head? Nora demanded.

I'm not....Hayden said slowly.

Then how are we talking?

I....I don't know...

Hayden...

Yes?

I really have to pee, Nora said. And I smell french fries. Who's eating french fries?

Nora?

Yes?

Can you hear me?

Yes.

Nora?

What?

Shit....Nora?

Oh I'm going to go insane.

Darkness once again started to pull Nora under. Her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep once more. She heard her aunt and the doctor speaking beside her, but not Hayden. It no longer felt as if he was sitting right beside her, whispering into her ears. She didn't know whether that was a good thing or bad. Nora liked being alone in her head. But having Hayden laced all through her thoughts for a few seconds felt....exhilarating.

Across the world, Birdie looked up from her book as Hayden's body jerked in his unconscious state. She paused slightly to see if anything else would happen as she reached for a french fry from the brown bag on the floor. In her head she counted to ten slowly to see if he would make any other movements. When nothing else happened, Birdie nudged Hayden's leg with her feet and leaned forward to check his face.

"Psss....hey!" She whispered to him.

No response.

After a few minutes, Birdie leaned back in her chair and went back to her book and french fries.

________________________

Ares knocked on the closed door and waited a few seconds as he heard the giggles inside. Be allowed the girls ten seconds before he turned the doorknob and peaked inside.

"Hi, dad," Cara looked over her shoulder and smiled.

"Hey, kid."

"Hi, Mr. Ares," Cara's friend, Samantha or Amber or something, smiled politely and sat up straight.

"Hello," Ares smiled back politely. "Clementine, where is my lovely wife?"

"Mom is still at work," Cara said, scrolling through her phone.

"Still?" Ares asked. "I thought she said she was supposed to be leaving early today."

"I don't know," Cara shrugged, tossing her long brown hair over her shoulder. "Dzed was in her office today."

"Oh boy," Ares let out a breath. "She doesn't call Owen unless it's something bad."

"I think she was crying."

"What?" Ares stilled and looked at his daughter. "You're telling me this now?"

"You didn't ask," Cara looked up from her phone.

Ares muttered under his breath as he opened a portal in the halls.

"I'm going to the campus," he announced. "Stay here. And don't set the place on fire."

"I might."

"That's the spirit!" Ares laughed as he opened his mind-link and ordered two of his men to be stationed outside their high rise apartment.

He knew Cara was a smart and responsible child. She had to be. Clare raised her. But he never wanted her to be without protection. Especially after the whole mess with Kiara and Skyfall, he had become almost paranoid about Cara's safety. Of course, Clare didn't know. She would tell him to simmer down if she ever found out.

Stepping through the portal, Ares arrived at the top floor of the dome and found it completely empty. All the employees had left for the day, the office lights were turned off, the student private dorm rooms were locked...it was a ghost town.

Ares turned towards his office and found the lights on. He made his way over and pushed the door open to find Clare sitting at the base of her desk with Dr. Trystan laying on the floor beside her.

"Clare..." Ares' heart began to worry. "What is this?"

Clare took a painful breath and looked up. Her beautiful eyes were puffy and ringed with red. Her bottom lip trembled and for the first time in a while Ares caught a glimpse of the young girl who had pushed her way into his life and captured his heart. He was suddenly reminded of the time he had found her just like this in her bedroom, crying by the window after he had left her at the Par festival. The memory haunted him as he drove forward and cupped her face.

"Baby," he said, searching her face. "What happened?"

"I..." Clare began to panic. "I fucked up."

"What?"

"I fucked up," Clare said once more, shaking her head as more tears rose to her eyes. "I fucked up so bad."

"Calm down, calm down," Ares pulled her onto his lap. "What happened? Why is Trystan like this?"

"She was hypnotized," Clare said looking at the woman. Her words began to jumble as she rushed to explain what happened. "Azazel hypnotized her. She faked all the reports on Kiara. I didn't pick it up. I couldn't see it. I thought she was telling the truth. How could I be so stupid? I did this. I caused Kiara to break. The prophecy is coming true."

"Clare, Clare," Ares pulled her closer and tried to catch her gaze. "Breath, breath, baby. I can't understand you."

"Ares!" Clare pushed away as if she couldn't' focus on anything else. "I ruined Kiara's life! She's inside Pandora's box, mentally checked out all because I was to stupid to think maybe, just maybe something wasn't right!"

Ares knew better than to speak. He watched Clare as she paced the floor and tugged at her hair.

"I checked Trystan's head," she said. "Kiara was never in her house. In all her sessions she was trying to get Kiara to admit and confess to being crazy and hearing voices and feeling unexplainable violent urges. How could this have happened? Right under my nose?"

"Clare..." Ares began to share his wife's panic. "She fooled all of us."

"How do I explain any of this to Tobias and Posey?" Clare began to cry. "Tobias.....he believed us over his daughter....he put her in Pandora's box....Ares, they're going to hate us forever."

"Clare," Ares reached up and took her hand. She paused just long enough to watch the god climb to his feet before he cupped her face once more and looked into her broken eyes. "We are going to mix this."

"No," Clare shook her head as she began to cry.

"Yes, we are," Ares said. "We made a mistake. But it is not too late yet. We can get Kiara out and have Gemma help her get back in control."

"No, no," Clare shook her head more. "You haven't seen her. She's not there, Ares. She's gone! The little girl we watched grow up....the baby you blessed....there's nothing left of her."

"That's not possible," Ares said. "Magic has memory. Kiara is there. She is angry and hurt. She's hiding and doesn't want anything to do with any of us....but she's there. Just tangled with evil."

"This thing....whatever it is that has control of Kiara," Clare's voice shook. "It's been years in the making...from the start of time to Azazel...Kiara won't be able to fight it."

"We'll be there to help her," Ares said. "You, me, Gemma....we're going to get her out."

"I..." Clare tried to speak but her voice cracked and she began to weep harder. "How did I let this happen? Why didn't I see anything?"

"Clare," Ares began to grow frustrated with the amount of pressure she put on herself along with every god damn person who looked to her to solve all of their issues.

"It is not your job or duty to save everyone," Ares sighed, placing his forehead against Clare's. "If the universe wanted you to stop this, you would have known."

Clare didn't reply. She shut her eyes and let her tears roll down her face.

You can't hold yourself responsible for every bad thing that happens," Ares continued. "You think Zeus breaks down every time a mass shooting happens or an earthquake kills millions? There are things in the universe that were set into motion trillions of years ago. There is nothing you or I can do about it."

"I...." Clare lifted her lashes. "I see the way they look at me...they all expect me to solve everything."

"If anyone has a problem with how we handled things they can come talk to me," Ares said. "I want to see the face of the wretched soul who dares to point a finger at you and blame you for not carrying the world on your shoulders."

"I don't...." Clare shook her head. "I don't know how to tell Tobias and Posey. And Killian....oh god, Killian....he's going to be crushed."

"You don't have to do it alone," Ares kissed her forehead. "I will be right beside you."

___________________________

"This is the longest you've stayed conscious for," Lidia smiled as she ran her hand through Nora's hair. "I'm so proud of you, baby. Keep fighting."

Nora stared at her aunt through hazy eyes. The sound of her voice weaved in and out through a filter.

"Do you know where you are?" Lidia asked. "You're in the palace hospital. The king and queen came to see you. I got to meet Queen Ella! Not that it's important in this state."

Nora wanted to smile. She likes hearing Lidia laugh and get excited.

"You're doing so good, baby," Lidia kissed Nora's head. "Just keep pushing and you will be up on your feet in no time."

I need coffee.

Nora mentally groaned as Hayden's voice popped into her mind. Her spine tingled as his presence invaded her senses and mind. She wondered if she was blushing from the way she could almost hear and feel Hayden's warm breath on her neck.

You think so much, Hayden said. Why is it so loud in here?

Oh I'm sorry, are you used to an empty brain? Nora snapped.

Hayden laughed as she bombarded him by thinking of loud truck horns.

Get out of my head, Nora complained.

Trust me, I'm trying to.

How is this even possible? Nora asked. Why is this happening? Oh my god, am I getting superpowers?

No...Hayden said. I think....I think you have a mind-link.

Why? How? Since when?

I don't know, Hayden said. But somehow you're able to tap into my mind-link.

I'm not doing anything!

Then it's me, Hayden said. I can somehow tap into your mind-link.

Again. Why do I have a mind-link? I don't want it!

You don't want me in your head?

Would you like me in your head?

As Nora asked the question, Hayden began to feel his pulse rise. He quickly covered his thoughts before Nora tripped over and stumbled into his mind. She was right. There was no way he wanted her to get a look inside his mind. She would never look at him the same.

Hayden?

Nora waited, holding her breath as the feel of his presence slowly vanished from her mind.

__________________________

If looks could kill then Tobias' gaze would have shred Clare to bits and pieces and left her meat for Cerberus.

She sat in front of the god, holding her breath and counting to a million. Posey had declared she couldn't take any of what they were saying any longer and had stepped out of the room. Killian stood by the windows looking out into the fruit garden as the artificial sun set behind the hills, leaving behind a red sky.

"Tobias...." Clare said with a voice so soft and fragile, it made Ares to to step in front of her and shield her from his uncle. "I am so sorry....I have made a deadly mistake...."

Tobias didn't reply. He continued to stare at Clare with his cold hard eyes. His elbow rested on the armrest as he held his face with one hand. His jaw was placed on his thumb and his index finger seemed to be holding his head up...or maybe back. Something was stopping the man from leaping over the table and killing the girl.

"Tobias," Gemma, who had volunteered to come with Clare, reached across the table and placed a hand on the god's. "Nothing will happen to Kiara. I won't let it."

Killian took in a shaky breath as they all talked behind him, trying to convince Tobias they would save Kiara.

"What are you proposing?" Tobias asked, looking at Gemma and finally moving his eyes off of Clare.

"I know when Azazel was inside of me....I was oftentimes pushed to the back of my mind," Gemma said slowly. "I was only able to overtake her when Exton was around. He centered me, calmed me down."

Ares eyes flickered to Killian.

"Kiara and the magic are two separate beings," Gemma explained. "We have to separate them."

"How?" Tobias asked. "We can't take the damn thing out of her."

Gemma took in a deep breath, "We have to erase its memory."

"What?" Tobias narrowed his eyes.

Killian slowly turned to look over his shoulder.

"Once we get Kiara back, Clare can wipe the magic's memory," Gemma explained slowly.

"How is that possible?" Killian asked. "And if it is possible then why didn't you think to do it before?"

"The magic has accumulated so much of the conscience from its host that it is now a being of its own," Ares explained. "It doesn't need Azazel's mind or Kiara's mind. It just needs a body."

"Ares is right," Gemma agreed. "This would have been possible before because there was no conscience for the magic. But now...we can clean it. We just have to separate Kiara from it."

"You make it sound so easy," Tobias mocked. "As if this isn't my daughter's life you are experimenting with."

Clare bit back how her body flinched from the god's words. She had never seen Tobias so cold.

"Tobias," Gemma said gently once more. She took his hand between her and urged him to look at her. "I know you're worried. So am I. We've all made a mistake. But we have the chance to fix it. And we will fix it."

Tobias began to say something else but Killian didn't wait around to hear. He turned the black ring Tobias had given him and opened a portal into Pandora's box out in the hall. Ares and Clare looked up as the boy turned on his heels and walked out.

As Killian stepped out into the halls, Posey looked up from where she stood by the large french windows. Her eyes flickered to the portal and then back to Killian.

"Would you like to come?" He asked.

Posey shook her head, "Not today....I won't be able to face her today."

Killian nodded. He looked over his shoulder one last time before walking through the portal. His heavy eyes immediately landed on Kiara as she looked up from where she stood behind the kitchen counter.

"Well, well, well," she smiled. "If it isn't the father of my child."

Killian's eyes widened as Kiara picked up a knife. He cursed under his breath for not remembering to take those out the last time he had seen them in the drawers.

"Welcome home, honey!" Kiara aimed the blade right for Killian's head and flung the knife through the air.

"Jesus Christ!" Killian said, dodging the knife. "Kiara!"

"Damn it!" Kiara slammed her bony hands on the counter. "I was so close."

"Want me to just lay down for you so you can stab me to your heart's desire?" Killian shook his head as he pulled the knife out from where it had lodged into the wall.

As he said the words, his heart contracted in the most painful way. Maybe he should let her take her anger out on him. It would certainly hurt less then the pain he was in.

"What a delightful idea, my dear?" Kiara purred. "But I remember giving birth to you so that would be weird."

Killian shivered thinking of the situation he was in. It was at moments like this that really made all hopes in his heart shrivel up and vanish.

"Who peed in your soup today?" Kiara laughed as she watched the broken look on Killian's face. "Or are you suddenly realizing that just like you, your daughter too will be born inside this dollhouse?"

"Lila's not going to be born here," Killian shut the idea down.

Kiara gasped, "Oh?"

"You're not going to be around for that long," Killian said. "I'm going to be holding Kiara's hand and looking into her eyes when we bring our daughter into this world."

A wicked smile began to dance over Kiara's lips, "We will do about that, my dove."

___________________

Nora?

What? Nora snapped. What Hayden? What do you want?

Nothing, Hayden laughed. You've been quiet.

I told you to stay out of my head.

I'm bored.

Then wake the fuck up or something, Nora said. Why are you not letting me sleep?

You realize we've been asleep for about a month now, right?

What? Nora felt her heart stop. A month?

Something like that.

Why do you sound so calm? Nora began to panic. Why are you not freaking out?

You calm me down.

Hayden....

Yes, Nora?

Are....are we stuck like this forever?

Hayden could feel Nora's fears mix in with his blood and pump throughout his body. Her heart was racing so fast. He was shocked he could feel it as if his hand was right above her chest.

Breath, Nora, Hayden said to the girl, wishing he could run his hand through her hair and hold her hips and soothe her. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise.

I don't trust you.

You should, Hayden grinned in his mind. Nora shivered, feeling his grin.

Why? She asked, slightly breathless.

Because my baba taught me to never break a promise, Hayden smiled. Especially when you make it to a beautiful girl.

Nora didn't know what to say. She remained silent, her mind going numb. Hayden smiled as if he had just achieved the impossible.

Did he really just make Nora speechless? He loved it when she didn't have words to throw at him. But then again he also loved it when she rained hell fire on him. God, what was wrong with him?

Nora?

What? Nora snapped again.

Did you fall asleep?

Can't you tell?

You're very quiet.

I'm thinking.

No, you're not, Hayden laughed. You're thinking about what I said. Why are you surprised that I called you beautiful?

Get out of my head please, Nora frowned.

Okay, Hayden said, knowing he had tasted her enough for one night. But I'll be back in the morning.

Nora didn't reply as she felt his presence leave. She wished she had said something. Or at least kept him for a little longer because when morning came and the sunlight crept in through the window of her hospital room, Nora felt her body jerk as if she was having one of those dreams where she thought she was falling out of the sky.

Her first instinct was to grab the sheets beneath her and call out to Hayden.

"Hayden!"

"Nora!" Lidia jumped up from her chair. "Oh my god! Baby! You're okay!"

Nora blinked in confusion as her head began to pound. She waited for Hayden to appear and make the pain stop, but he was a no show.

"Can you hear me?" Lidia asked, taking a seat beside Nora. "How are you feeling? Should I go get the doctor?"

"I...." Nora looked up and frowned. "I want coffee."

"What?" Lidia asked, confused.

"Coffee," Nora said once more. Her nose could almost pick up the scent. "Hot, no cream, one sugar."

"Honey," Lidia frowned. "You hate black coffee."   

What do you think is happening to Nora and Hayden? There will be a second book on them so I'm not too worried about them not getting enough time here :) 

Also what do you think of their plan to save Kiara?