Chapter 17

‘Why am I in the hospital?’ I asked in a hoarse voice. Ace, Ashling and Rosita were in the room with me.

‘You passed out from hypothermia.’ Rosita explained, looking relieved. ‘Lucky the ambulance came just as you passed out.’

‘How’s Aura?’ I asked, reaching for a glass of water on the bedside table.

‘She’s got a broken ankle, but I think she’ll live.’ Rosita said, slightly amused.

‘How did you know that was going to happen?’ I asked everyone.

‘I foresaw it.’ Ashling answered. ‘I saw you coming out the back and you and Sean in the water, about to drown. We made Aura try and prevent that but it didn’t quite go to plan.’

‘Ryvre... I’m so sorry,’ Ace suddenly spoke, ‘for everything.’ He walked to the farthest wall and leaned against it, looking at the floor.

‘I think,’ Ashling leaned down to whisper to me, ‘it’s time you forgave him. He did run through the burning warehouse to keep you warm until the paramedics could get through to you. Risking his life to save yours, I think that deserves a second chance.’ Ashling too Rosita by the arm, ‘we’ll let the others know you’re awake.’ Ace and I were left alone for the first time in what seemed like forever.

‘Ace,’ I said gently, my voice seeming absurdly loud in the quiet, little room, ‘come here.’ He strolled over to the side of the bed and sat on the edge of it. ‘Thank you.’ I smiled at him.

‘“Thank you” for what?’ Ace asked, a little taken aback.

‘For saving me even though I didn’t want you too.’ My smile grew a little bit wider. ‘And thank you for caring about me.’

‘Anytime,’ Ace was trying to resist his own smile, ‘I just wish I could have a second chance. I wouldn’t screw it up.’

‘Ace... I forgive you.’ I told him and pulled him down to me by the collar of his top. Then I whispered, ‘I love you, Ace Hunter,’ and placed my lips on to his. That longing ache disappeared.

‘Ahem, shouldn’t she be resting?’ Taran interrupted us. ‘How are you doing, Ryvre?’

‘I’m okay...’ I smiled, ‘thanks Taran – for helping me out back there, you know what I mean.’

‘Yeah, it’s a shame you didn’t get the chance to use all your power, we need to train you to be stronger.’ Taran grinned.

‘Ryvre,’ Arella joined my side, ‘this is going to be a big decision, but... would you like to come and live with us?’

‘Scotia and Seth were arrested on the account of kidnap and murder.’ Sonny told me. ‘Not to do with your case but with previous cases.’

‘Sure, I’d love to live with you guys.’ I smiled, squeezing Ace’s hand. ‘Mum, what happened to everyone else?’

‘Oh, well- Wait, did you just call me “mum”?’ A smile grew as Arella beamed.

‘That’s what you are, aren’t you, my mum?’ I laughed.

‘Yeah, of course... I, err, lost my place...’ Mum was stunned but in a good way.

‘Dad, can you tell me what happened to everyone else?’ I asked Sonny, who also smiled when I called him “dad”.

‘Sure; that girl and boy are in the conversion program – where black-souls are guided into becoming white-souls. The two thugs, that were there, managed to get away. As we said, Scotia and Seth got arrested; Scotia confessed about her brother, Nigel, and they caught him.’ Dad explained.

‘So that’s the end of the black-soul dynasty in this town?’ I asked, slightly hopeful.

‘No, we took out some strong angels; it’ll take a while for that dynasty to build up its strength again. But it turns out that Nigel wasn’t in charge of the company – he was just posing as the boss because he has been tricked into loyalty and was ordered to do it.’ Not so loyal when it risks the law. Dad must have seen what I was thinking as he nodded as if to agree.

‘How did you get them arrested without evidence?’ I queried.

‘Electra was controlling the recording from outside in the car and she handed it in to the police, who were only too happy to use it against them.’ Dad smiled, showing how proud he was of everyone.

‘Did they,’ I swallowed, ‘find Sean’s body?’

‘Yes, it was found a little further down. It turns out that when he hasn’t practised using other people’s gifts, the gift can overpower him.’ Dad explained, grimly.

‘What about Georgia?’ I asked, immediately sitting up.

‘Easy,’ Dad pushed me back down slowly, ‘she’s fine. We had to explain it to her, about angels as well, considering the amount she learnt from the black-souls. She completely understands and is willing to talk to you.’

There was a knock on the door and a thin, tall man entered just as Rosita was about to walk in. He looked about Rosita’s age. ‘Hey, Rosie,’ he gave her a quick peck and turned to me, ‘hi, I’m Ryan, Rosie’s fiancé.’

‘Nice to finally meet you,’ I smiled politely at him, ‘I’m Ryvre.’

‘I know,’ Ryan chuckled, ‘I’ve heard so much about you. I hope you’ll come to our wedding.’

‘I wanted her to be one of our bridesmaids.’ Rosita informed her soon-to-be-husband.

‘Yeah... Okay, cool.’ I said just as the door opened again and Georgia walked through it.

‘We’ll go check on Aura.’ Taran suggested and mum, dad, Rosita and Ryan followed him.

‘Hi,’ Georgia said softly, ‘thank you... for what you did... and I’m sorry for accusing you, although I now know why I acted like that – the black-souls.’

‘That’s okay; thank you for understanding everything and believing it.’ I tried to sit comfortably.

‘Yeah, your dad can really... convince people you know. He should be a motivational speaker.’ Georgia hinted.

‘I think he’s got his hands full with being the leader of a dynasty, but I’m sure he’ll be glad that you think so.’ I laughed – it felt good to smile and laugh again.

‘So... what’s your power?’ Georgia asked with forced casualness as she sat down in the chair.

‘Me? I can control water and I can freeze your thoughts so it’s like your frozen in time but your body’s not – it’s just your mind.’ I tried my best to explain, ‘but I’m not very good at it yet. You’re meant to start training when you’re little so your power doesn’t overwhelm you but I didn’t get that chance.’

‘Are you moving in with...Arella and Sonny?’ Georgia was suppressing a smile.

‘Yes... why?’ I looked at her suspiciously and then I laughed, saying, ‘fancy a sleepover in my new, amazing room?’

‘That would be nice,’ Georgia’s smile broke out across her face, ‘come on, you know me better than anyone: of course I would.’

‘Any excuse getting away from the parents.’ I said as I rolled my eyes.

‘Sonia, Randy and the police are talking to my parents about it all – the non-angel version, of course.’ Georgia winked. ‘I should see how they’re handling it.’

‘Alright, I’ll see you later.’ I watched her leave as Hugh and Electra walked in.

‘Hey, we just came to see how you’re doing.’ Electra smiled delicately as if the slightest upset I would break.

‘I’m okay; how’s Aura? I want to see her but I’m sure she hates me now.’ I bit my lip.

‘I don’t think she does, I think she’s not happy – considering the ankle – but I don’t think she hates you.’ Electra insisted.

‘I never thanked you, Hugh,’ I grinned at him as he looked confused and stunned, but in a good way, ‘for helping me out with...Scotia.’

‘No problem; I just want to know how you managed to get past her power, since she’s a powerful angel and you’re still on your training wheels.’ Hugh settled for a small smile.

‘That’s easy,’ I winked at Ace, ‘I blocked.’ That and because of what I felt for Ace. I’m so glad, I said to Ace, that I fell in love with my twin-soul before I found out he really did belong with me.

Ace beamed.  Me too – but replace “he” with “she”. He said aloud, ‘I’ll take you to see Aura and then I’ll get you some proper food.’

Aura’s room was only a little way down the hallway. Ace walked me to the door and then left me to it. I knocked gently on the door and opened it slowly and quietly. Aura was lying down, alone, and she rolled her head to look at me.

‘Hey, where is everyone?’ I asked, tenderly.

‘They left to go get something to eat for everyone else.’ Aura said stiffly. ‘So... How are you doing?’

‘You’re asking me?’ I smiled. ‘You’re the one with the broken ankle.’ I pointed out as I shuffled closer to her bead.

‘You passed out from hypothermia trying to save someone who deserved to die after you pulled me out of a burning building and saved me from drowning.’ Aura cocked her head.

‘Yeah, I had it easy. You broke your ankle, could have burned to death and then could have drowned.’ I mirrored her expression. ‘Look, I know you didn’t like me before, so I can only imagine now you hate me but-’

‘Hate you?’ Aura repeated with outrage. ‘I don’t hate you... I-’ She paused which caused me to look up and I saw her smiling at me. ‘I love you. You saved my life whilst we were trying to save yours. You helped me with my ankle... I love you and not just because you’re my sister...’ I ran to her bed and hugged her so tightly it was as if we were back in the violent lake and she was my lifeline. ‘Okay, that’s as painful as the ankle.’

‘Sorry,’ I released her, ‘I haven’t had so many people care about me and to know that someone you thought hated you, who is your sister, turn out to like you... it feels like a hugging moment.’ I made her laugh and eventually I started laughing too.