Discover L (Book 2) | Complete |

~~~~ It's Better This Way ~~~~

The silence was deafening, nobody moved or spoke, all eyes were on L and Bryce.

"Alright, alright. That was enough of a debacle to disturb everyone's night. Pay no mind to Torias, I think he has had a little too much to drink. Please, everyone, go back to enjoying your evening."

The queen's voice carried over to them, someone clicked their fingers and the music started up. The Elves gradually turned away and soon it was as if nothing had happened.

L blew out a breath and turned to Bryce, "Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not." His face was clouded, expressionless. "How could you do that in front of everyone? I look exactly the way they all see me now."

"What are you talking about?" L was mystified.

"They all think I can't lead, and now you've shown them I can't even argue for myself. This wasn't your fight, you should have let me handle it."

"But, we're a team, that's what we do." L's heart was pumping in her ears, Bryce had never spoken to her like this before.

"When it comes to Demons and stuff, yes, but this is my business and my people. I need to do this, I don't need you trying to fight for me, this isn't for the Keeper to fix."

L felt her blood run cold, she could see he was conflicted but his words stung, calling her the Keeper like Torias just had, it hurt. She never thought he'd treat her this way. She had to get out of there, she turned and ran, faster than she had in a long time. She ran straight to their room, tears had begun to fall and she didn't bother to wipe them away. She changed her clothes as fast as she was capable, and packed up her belongings. Laying the fabulous outfit on the bed, she admired what it had brought before the world had turned upside down.

L shook away the sob that was building, she couldn't afford to feel anything right now. She pushed her emotions down, grabbed her bag and headed for the door. But someone opened it before she could. Robbie was panting on his way in, holding his hands up to her.

"L, wait... please."

"No, I'm done. I've had enough of this place, enough of being stuck here, enough of Elves. I'm going to Emrik, you can come with if you want, or go back to Lymasia and be safe, it's up to you."

L stepped around him but Robbie moved in front of her; he stared at L's face but she didn't meet his eyes.

"I'm coming... just, give me a sec."

Robbie packed his stuff and they were out of the door, down the stairs and through the main front doors without meeting any obstacles. It was the middle of the night, but the guards had paid them no mind.

"What happened in there?" Robbie asked, panting to keep up with her.

L shook her head, "I don't want to talk about it right now. I just want to get as far away from here as possible. Can I carry you, please?"

Robbie looked shocked, but something in L's face must have stopped him from questioning her further. He nodded and L picked him up, she ran as fast as her legs would carry her. Out of the boundary and on through the forest she sprinted. L was trying to decide how best to get a message to Emrik when someone stepped out from behind a tree; she jolted to a sudden stop and Robbie grunted as though he'd been winded. L's heart dropped for a moment, thinking it might be Bryce, but she soon made out the face through the darkness.

Emrik was staring at L with such sadness, she felt the pain in her chest deepen. He knew, somehow he knew what had happened.

"Come with me." He said simply, gesturing to the tree he'd just appeared from.