Page 108 of The Awakening of Essensia

Vaelira shrugged, dropping onto the bed. “Here, mostly.”

Ressa joined her, while Fang settled on the floor, his back against the wall.

“Seeing as the prince has been knocking every day, we guessed as much,” Fang said. “You two get in a fight or something?”

“You could say that,” she replied. To her surprise, a laugh slipped out.

“Did you hear about the chapel?” Ressa asked, clearly trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

Vaelira glanced at the door, lowering her voice. “I was there.”

“Ha! I knew it,” Fang said, pointing at Ressa. “This one didn’t believe me.”

Ressa scoffed. “Because it’s absolutely insane.” She turned to Vaelira. “What in the Abyss happened?”

Vaelira didn’t answer right away. Her secrets were getting heavier but that didn’t mean her friends were any less trustworthy. She just didn’t know how much was safe to reveal.

It was me, she wanted to say, but Elijah had been right, revealing her essensia would only complicate things, and keeping it a secret was the one thing everyone seemed to agree on.

“Summoners,” she murmured, clasping her hands in her lap.

Fang stared at her, jaw slack.

Ressa’s eyes grew weary. “Why were you there?”

“It’s a long story.”

“We have all night,” Fang replied, crossing his arms over his chest, and leaning back.

Vaelira’s stomach growled loudly.

Ressa laughed, but it was strained. “Let’s eat first. You can tell us after.”

Vaelira told them almost everything. She left out the part about her essensia, making it sound like the demons had brought the place down on their own. There was no denying Elijah’s involvement. His constant appearances made that much obvious, but she didn’t mention the others. She didn’t tell them what had happened when he’d walked her back, either.

When she’d finished, they sat in silence for several long minutes, Ressa and Fang staring at the bare walls, speechless.

“You’re lucky to be alive,” Ressa said, finally.

“Does the Commander know?” Fang asked.

Vaelira shook her head.

“Why not?”

Ressa answered for her. “She was out after curfew, drinking with the prince,” she said flatly. “Doesn’t exactly paint her in the best light, does it?”

Fang nodded. “Right.”

“So,” Ressa continued, “a demon lured you and Prince Charming to the chapel, for what? To kill you?”

“Seemed that way,” Vaelira said, placing her empty plate aside and lying back against the cushion. She stared up at the cracks in the ceiling, trying to piece it all together.

“They must be targeting the Prince,” Fang said, rubbing his jaw. “I don’t understand why you followed him though.”

Vaelira took a deep breath. She’d known this moment was coming. As soon as she’d realised Ressa and Fang were becoming true friends, she knew she’d tell them eventually. “Before I left Anhaven,” she said, willing her voice steady, “my brother was possessed by a demon.” No one spoke. “Elijah killed him,” she continued. “Jon was the last of my family. When I saw that man possessed, I got so angry. Elijah tried to stop me,” She paused. “It was my fault.”

“You couldn’t have known,” Ressa said, taking Vaelira’s hand in hers. “I’m not certain I would have acted any differently.”