Theurgy: Forsaken Oaths (Book Two)

Chapter 15 The Raid

        After their meeting, Ryan was sent home to prepare for that night. So much weighed on him that he felt exhausted by the time he reached the front door. Fortunately, all things looked safe. And well, though the street was for the first time empty of the kid's usual games and atmosphere. The air seemed a bit ominous with them not here. But this is indeed for the best. He opened the door and was pleased to find that despite not doing all they wished, the kids, of course, found ways to entertain themselves. The air was alive with the smells of fresh pies, pies that would have been enjoyed at the beach if they went through with their plans as previously, but either way, at least they were all having a great time. On the other hand, Ryan found himself sitting on the floor just before the door, trying to take in what would happen in the coming nights, what he would have to do, and what this prince wanted with him. He never considered it before, but could it be that Talin is in Antalya? Is that why the prince is here? That seems to be the meaning behind his words, but he was too afraid to admit that fact. Not because he feared Talin, he feared what that meant for him. That his goal to liberate this world of their filth, which he abandoned, was not a fool's errand. That he had given up when he was so close to uncovering them from their darkness. And worst yet, they were in the same city as his family. It weighs so much, but what other choice does he have but to bear it?

"Are you alright, Ryan?"

He looked up to see Rachel clutching her doll.

He gave her a small smile. "Everything is alright, sweetie, go play with the others."

She gave him a hesitant look, looking down at her stuffed doll and not looking up at him. "I wanted to go to the beach. I've . . . never seen the ocean. Why can't we go, Ryan?"

"I promise you that we will go to the beach someday," Ryan said. "I promise when it's safe."

"Are you talking about monsters?" she asked. "Is that why we can't go outside anymore?"

"Yeah." Ryan lamented. "Yeah, there are monsters out there. But I'm going to find them and make sure they won't hurt us, okay?"

He patted her on the head to reassure her, though he wasn't sure how effective he could be. She started a game of tag with the other children, and he looked to Avery, who was still baking in the cooking area. For a moment, their gazes crossed, and she quickly looked away as if even looking at him hurt. He understands this current arrangement was stressful. It seems the cold fingers of his past were still haunting him. And now, he was letting it affect them as well. This was why he left, after all, so that they did not have to suffer this oppression, this paranoia. It was his battle, afterall. And he wanted to make sure it stayed that way.

"Is there anywhere we can take the kids?" he asked her.

"If you mean out of the city, then I don't have the slightest clue," she sighed, closing the hatch to the oven. "We don't keep good contact with those that left the orphanage. I wouldn't begin to know where . . . Ryan, are we going to be safe?"

"I don't know," he said. "I wish I knew."

"It's hard for me even to imagine Veronica could do something like this," she said, her voice twisted as if they hurt even to speak. "Even after all this time. She came to our home."

"I can fix this," Ryan said. "I can make all this go away; just trust me, alright?"

"I do," she turned to him. Though her voice was well poised, her face was drawn with pain, and tears were close to bursting in their sockets. "I trust you, Ryan."

Ryan hugged her more tightly than he had ever hugged anyone before. "I promise, everything is going to be alright."

(X)