(Un)bidden

Present…

“You’ve been doing that a lot since we left,” Thomas said, coming to stand behind me. His hands settled on my shoulders as I continued staring out the hotel window. Bethi, Gabby, Luke, and Clay were now barely visible in the glow of the streetlights. They were on their way to find the fifth member of our little group. Bethi’s excited nervousness and her desperation had been palpable.

I was relieved that only the four were going. Emmitt, Michelle, and Jim were a door down from our room. Close enough to keep safe, though Gabby had assured the Elders she would be watching for Urbat. So far, their net hadn’t closed on this area.

“Doing what?” I asked, gently laying my hand on his.

“Drifting off. Do you want to talk about it?”

“No, I don’t,” I answered honestly. He wouldn’t accept less. “Mostly I’m thinking about my past.” And what I would do to keep the ones I loved safe.

“You’re worried.”

“I am. I’m worried that my secrets, when you hear them, will be more than your Claim can withstand.”

He turned me, and I met his serious, dark gaze.

“You’ve always been stubborn. But I can’t believe that after all these years, you still doubt me.”

“It’s not doubt in you or your ability to love me. I’ll never doubt either. I’m worried you won’t be able to forgive me everything.”

He frowned. “Now, you’re worrying me.”

“I know. And I’m sorry. I love you, Thomas. More than ever.” I sighed and looked out the window once more. “Something is pulling at me. Something dark and ominous. It’s whispering to me to be strong, to wait. It’s telling me the end is near. The end to what? I don’t know. But I sense it’s not going to be good. When Bethi started talking about Judgements and balance, it felt right.”

I sighed again and said the words that had been weighing on my mind.

“The cycle is almost at its end. I feel like it’s the end of our time here, of me.”