Page 30 of Lunar Diamonds (Celestial Magic #1)
RILEY
T he next morning, we held a meeting in the living room.
I hugged a pillow, exhausted from the lack of sleep. I’d spent most of the night staring at the TV, trying to block out the shade’s hissing infecting my brain, sometimes crying, sometimes cowering, my determination taking a wallop.
Drake wouldn’t speak. He’d stayed in his room until this moment, not answering my knocks. As much as I wanted him to have alone time, it kind of stung that he didn’t want to see me. Which was some selfish crap on my part.
What happened to him in that place?
Erin was now utterly convinced our uncle did this and faked his death.
“He must retain some of the illusion power,” she said. “Possibly boosted by shadow magic.” She brushed cookie crumbs from her black cardigan, having eaten four for breakfast.
The crackling fire burning in the open fireplace filled the living room with cozy warmth—an antidote for the bitter, overcast day. But my insides were cold with unease, my brain heavy with confusion.
Jonathon Aurora had tricked us badly, using our fears against us. But how? What did he know about us? And how did he manage to scramble Drake’s powers? Scrying power was incredibly powerful and reliable. It cut through cloaking, worming its way to the truth. But not this time.
Damn. I wished he’d talk to me about this.
“We must start again,” Erin said. “The diamonds are out there. We cannot lose hope.”
Drake finally broke his silence. “I’m sorry I failed you. I didn’t lure you there.” He sat forward, his head almost between his knees. “I promise I didn’t trick you. I…I kept checking last night and the readings always go back to that location. But…” He hesitated.
“What is it?” Erin asked.
“There’s no catacombs there. They don’t… They don’t exist.”
His defeat hurt my heart.
“Are you certain?” Erin asked softly.
“Yes. They’re not there. But the diamonds are.”
“This isn’t your fault, Drake,” I tried.
He said nothing, just remained sitting with his chin on his chest.
Erin injected hope into her tone. “This is a hurdle. The enemy is smart. And we will undo them. Jonathon Aurora is a vain, selfish man.”
I knew that barb took a lot for her to say.
“He will falter. Mark my words.”
Sooner would be better than later.
“I need to make some calls,” Alice said, leaving the room. “I’ll let you know if I find any information.”
“Can I get anyone some tea?” April asked.
We all fancied a cup.
“I’ll help you,” Ollie said.
“Me too!” Isaac responded, getting to his feet.
Ollie didn’t react.
Aaron left with Erin next, leaving me alone with Drake.
“Are you okay?” I asked after several awkward beats.
He didn’t look up. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine.”‘
“I don’t want to talk about it.” A cold, empty response.
“I’m here if you?—”
He sat forward again, still not making eye contact. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be.”
“I failed.” He shook his head. “Useless.”
“You’re not?—”
“Can we not?”
His curtness shocked me. “Okay.”
He did meet my eyes then. “Sorry. I just need some time. I know you can’t really give me space, and that’s my fault.”
“You want space?” I asked that as if we’d been married for twenty years and he’d just dropped a bombshell on me.
I had no right or reason to be hurt.
“So I can clear my head.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes, nearly as chilly as his tone. “I’ll keep trying to find the diamonds.”
I didn’t know how to respond.
“I’ll go where you go, of course,” he added. “But please ignore me.”
His words cut deep. “Drake… I… Talk to me.”
He shook his head. “Please do this for me. I know I’ve asked so much of you already, but I can’t do this right now.”
What could I do? Argue? Rage at him? Demand he start talking? Hug him? None of them would work. This was a guy trapped inside his own head. Lost. Frightened. Defeated. Ignoring him would be awful, but I also wanted to respect his right to his own feelings.
Damn.
“Okay,” I said. “But I’ll be right here if you want to talk.”
He offered me another weak smile. “You’re a good person, Riley.”
He didn’t speak to me for the next seven days.