Chapter 57 - Charlotte Orhan
952 Words
Jadea
I couldn't pinpoint where in her undertone it all felt wrong.
Though, it was there all the same.
Adam felt the minimalist undercurrent of alarm deep within my gut and shifted closer. Taking a protective stance just behind me. We had ignored such a warning before. It made us both uneasy feeling it again within the walls of the stronghold.
"Jadea!" Daxton greeted, his dazzling smile falling on me. "We heard you were back. Just didn't expect to see you so soon after your ordeal. How have you been?" His voice trailed off, taking on a more serious note. Knowing what I had been through was life-altering. Something none of the others could begin to comprehend.
"I've been better," I smirked, going for light and airy. Aloof. I needed to appear as though I hadn't felt the undercurrents of malice moments before.
"Is it true your memories were erased?" Charlotte's voice dipped, trying to maintain some semblance of privacy. Those piercing eyes of hers, while filled with concern, held something sinister just below the surface.
"Yes. I can't remember anything after the incident with the Walker's." I stated, watching her closely.
"Hmm, how sad." Her sympathetic gaze moving between Adam and I. "That must be hard for both of you. I couldn't imagine!" She turned to look at her mate, trying to fathom such a loss.
"It has been a journey," Adam's voice spilled over my shoulder, strong and subtly filled with ice.
"Do you know who took you? Or why?" Charlotte pressed innocently.
Constance shifted, drawing the attention away from me. "An investigation is already underway, and cannot be discussed at length in such a public space," she stated with finality.
"Of course," Charlotte bowed her head in apology.
A wave of exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks. Not caring about propriety, I turned to Adam declaring, "I'm tired. I would like to go home now."
Nodding, Adam wound a protective arm around my waist, pulling me securely into his side. Constance allowed me to slip away.
"Are you staying with your brother?" Charlotte asked conversationally while we waited for Agamemnon to teleport us back to the cabin. "I mean, it would make the most sense," she rushed on, knowing her question was impolite. She could get away with such questions, though, seeing as Constance and her mate were deep in conversation.
"Have a good night," I clipped in farewell, trying to keep the ice out of my tone.
As Agamemnon and his hounds approached, I felt the subtle vibrations in the air as Constance spoke with him telepathically.
"We hope you have a speedy recovery, and look forward to seeing you soon," Daxton smiled, bowing his head in farewell.
***
By the time we got back to the cabin, I was spiraling.
And Adam knew it.
"Go to the room," he ordered forcefully, my turmoil latching onto his steadfastness. "Undress and kneel." His orders chasing my heels.
My steps faltered. My chest hurting. Everywhere I looked, I saw him. Keb.
He was haunting every recess of my mind.
But why now?
After I'd had such a great day!
Slipping from my dress, tears fell freely. Frustrated how quickly things turned sour.
It was triggered by Charlotte. There was a familiarity to her darkness. I'd felt it before.
But where!?
It was similar to Keb's. That same sickly darkness I'd become familiar with when dealing with immortals immersed in the trafficking world.
What about Charlotte was so unsettling?
Was it the feeling she was a snake hidden in plain sight?
The malevolence she threw my way indicated there was something more between us. What that was, though, I didn't know.
I hadn't felt such emotion from her mate, Daxton.
Was I imagining it all? Had Constance picked up on the pin-prick of difference in her character like I had? Or was I imagining it all?
Was my paranoia driving me insane?
Shaking, I fell to my hands and knees, hyperventilating. Dragging gulps of air into my depleted lungs was hard. The room spun.
Why had she evoked feelings of panic, similar to those I felt when confronted with memories of Keb?
Her aura... It was undeniable. Distinct.
Flashes of light. Screams filling the night. The taste of copper on my tongue, drowning me. A shadowed outline hovering over me, long hair cascading over her shoulders... The blinding light behind her making it impossible to pick out any details.
Could the head of this whole heinous organization be a woman?
Desperately, I pressed the heels of my hands into my eyes, trying to rid myself of these horrid intuitions and flashes of tainted memories.
This couldn't be right! Charlotte was mates with Daxton, an immortal councilor! He would know about his wife's misconduct. He wouldn't have been able to hide such atrocities from Constance when he was sworn in.
I had to be wrong about her.
This was all a big misunderstanding. A paranoia set off by something at the feast. I hyper-focused on Charlotte because she'd stood out in the crowd, staring me down. Staring because she was making sure it was really me.
That had to be it--
"Jadea!"
My shoulder's tensed, back snapping straight, head down. Chest heaving. Mind racing. Hands shaking.
Warm hands engulfed mine. His essence seeping into my mind, holding me. Grounding me. With his help, I was able to take my first deep breath since we got back. Slowly, I felt the storm calm.
"Everything will be okay, baby girl," he soothed, slipping the headphones over my ears, my song already on repeat, the vice around my chest easing.
I believed everything would be okay because he was here.
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