Page 84 of Pet: Torment

We both follow his gaze, my heart sinking into my stomach. The glowing beams that once covered the sky, crackle and ripple, slowly dissipate from existence. I thought that when this happened I would feel excitement, but as I stare into the sky, my stomach sinks.

He did it. Remus destroyed the rings.

Ezra moves past us, stepping onto the patio to get a better look, and I follow. The news of a new arrival into this star system can’t be a coincidence to Remus’s action. Nor can his spontaneous visit. It has to be connected. And somehow, even though it has happened, Remus has decided to go ahead with my suggestion and destroy the rings. I want to feel proud of myself for somehow convincing him to go through with it. But as I’ve learned from being by his side, nothing is ever in my control.

It only ever is to his benefit.

The night sky is empty. The streak of light that usually covers it has been dissolved, leaving onlyLlorato illuminate the night. Because his siblings were unaware of his plan, the panic that has consumed them has been difficult to watch. The destruction of the rings was our theory. Neither of them had spoken to Remus about it. In their eyes, this is sudden.

In their desperation, they have both gone to seek out their brother to understand what’s going on. I know he won’t tell them. They probably won’t even find him. Remus trusts no one, including me. He made that very clear during our last meeting.

I feel helpless. Now that the rings have been destroyed, the gnawing fear of their mother retuning to finish the job now that her rings have been destroyed eats away at me. Unfortunately,fear of the unknown outweighs that. Whatever trap Remus has set is now in play. And we’re all nothing more than pieces he’s using to complete his puzzle.

He said so himself.

I pull in a deep breath, bringing my knees to my chest as I sit atop the bed, staring at the sky. As much as I would prefer to remain at Ezra’s home, with the rings gone and his siblings having no way of knowing where or when their mother will return, they figure the safest place for me remains at Xion’s. But I no longer feel welcome or safe here. I don’t feel safe anywhere. I took that for granted when Remus was himself.

I drop my head to my knees, pulling in shuddering breath as tears form. I hate being in the dark on his plans. I don’t know what his endgame is in all of this, and that terrifies me. In his mind, does this end with him coming back to me? Or is this all a plot to get revenge on the person who tampered with his mind? My life is in limbo.

I suddenly feel a warm touch against my ear, drifting into my hair to brush over the hairpin that holds it in place. I look up just in time to see Remus pulling away with it in his grip. His purple gaze glitters in the dim lighting, as calm as I’ve ever seen it as he studies me, his expression blank.

My chest burns, and I force myself to breathe in as he moves around me. I quickly look to the door, but it’s closed. As is the door to the balcony. He must have transported himself in here. His eyes remain on the hairpin.

“If you want the real truth, you have to get rid of the rings that surround this planet. Those were your words to me that night,” Remus says.

His tone is chilling. He’s angry.

“I’ve done as you said, and I still have no idea who you are…or why you flit around in my memories,” he says.

My stomach twists, and my chest suddenly feels tight as I find the strength to argue with theCelestivinewho despises me, especially now. But I know that if I tell him the truth, if he goes and seeks out his mother, this is all over.

For me, at least.

She’ll know I’m alive. And she’ll know Remus’s mind isn’t as wiped as she wanted. He’ll have no reason to protect me, especially since he’s angry with me for manipulating him. She’ll make sure she kills me this time, and above all, Peace will be restored between her and her children.

“It was just a theory. The rings do something to all of you. Maybe it takes longer than a few hours for the effects to wear off,” I say, hoping to buy myself some grace.

Remus laughs, his grip closing around the hairpin.

“A theory?” he asks.

I shrink away as he comes to stand over me on the bed. I know he can hear my heart thrumming wildly against my chest. He intensifies his intimidation by placing his hands on either side of my legs, leaning in toward my face, and I immediately notice the blue flecks within his eyes slowly pulsing with his irritation.

“I have put everyone on this planet at risk to test your theory,” he says.

“At risk from what?” I ask.

His gaze narrows, and I can see him fighting his natural instinct to do something awful to me for speaking to him and asking about this world when it isn’t my place.

He suddenly stands tall, turning away from me.

“What do you think will happen if you tell me why everything is so convoluted?” he asks.

“I will be hunted down and killed. And you won’t even remember to mourn me,” I whisper.

Remus keeps his back to me, his face tilting toward the sky outside my window. His hair is held in a low ponytail, falling down his back as he thinks to himself.

“By who?” he asks.