Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 74 - Memory Manipulation

Jadea

After the initial heavy topic, our pack's light banter filled the space, not allowing for any deeper conversation to commence. Which, to me, was a blessing. I wasn't mentally prepared to handle heavy at that moment. Allowing myself to get distracted by entertaining recantations of our different pack's antics, I felt the weight on my heart lift. It was a great distraction. The conversations carried on long after the plates were cleared.

As it neared ten, I excused myself. My mind no longer able to focus on the banter at hand.

Caden excused himself as well, and followed me as I wandered around aimlessly until I found the huge study. Pushing open the door, I slipped inside and paused, taking in the large, looming space before me. One wall was lined with floor to ceiling bookshelves filled to the brim with books. Beautiful tapestry style rugs were laid out before the bookshelves, two rocking chairs and a small decorative table settled in the middle of the rugs where someone could sit and read. On the opposite wall was a giant fireplace with an elegant mantel, while two large dark paintings hung on either side. Before the fireplace was a large white fur rug where two dark leather wing-backed chairs sat. A low, small coffee table set between them. My gaze moved to the back wall of windows where, upon a raised platform, sat a large and regal desk that overlooked the space.

I could just imagine Ulysses Erickson sitting behind that desk, fingers steepled, as he stared out across the vast space, admiring the scenery. Though, had he been a man who could admire such beauty? With such a blackened soul like his, it was hard to imagine him admiring anything beyond himself.

Stepping up next to the desk, I ran my hand over its smooth, polished surface while I stared sightlessly out of the windows, wishing Adam were here...

How stupid was I? I reprimanded myself, closing my eyes against the onslaught of emotions coursing through my chest.

Bitter tears fell.

He was no different than the others.

He'd betrayed my trust so easily and so quickly. After everything I put out on the line for him, for us. I felt like I had egg on my face for ever believing he was different—

"Ah-ha! There you are," Lance announced, his voice carrying loudly in the vast space, making me flinch.

Turning, I found Caden perusing the books as Lance stepped further into the study, closing the door behind him.

"C'mere. Let's chat," he stated, pointing to one of the wing backed chairs.

I'd come here looking for space and solace. However, if I'd wanted to be left alone, I should have moseyed myself to my bedroom. With a heavy sigh, I took a seat, Caden sitting at my feet, leaning back against the chair for support.

With a wave of his hand, Lance had a fire roaring in the fireplace, as his gaze watched us curiously. "So what didn't you tell me at dinner?" he asked pointedly.

I knew this conversation was coming. Pursing my lips, I told him the rest. Leaving nothing out. Knowing he would pry until I'd given him everything and more. At the end, his expression was thoughtful. "First off, I'm glad you made it out alive and have such a wonderful support system to help you navigate the fallout," Lance stated sincerely, reaching over to place his hand over mine. "Secondly, I think you should give Adam a bit of grace."

That wasn't what I'd been expecting. I was sure my pinched expression said it all, especially since he started chuckling.

"Think about it," he said softly. "He's gone through his own hell. Sure, what he did was wrong, but, I'm sure everyone's not at their best after what transpired. As someone from the outside looking in, he's handled every situation well and, with his own kind of grace. It's going to take time to heal from such deep and detrimental wounds. And to not be paranoid." At my unamused expression, he continued. "We all make mistakes, Jadea. Would you want to be crucified for yours?"

I hated how much his question hit home. "No," I admitted, understanding instantly his point of view.

"Make him work for it, but don't hang him for it, okay?"

Smirking, I nodded. "Okay."

"Now! Seeing as that pact was made under duress, it can be undone," he suddenly quipped, clapping his hands together before leaning over his chair toward me. Hands reaching for my face.

Tensing as his hands framed my face, I stared back blankly, trying to digest what he just said. I hadn't known this was a possibility. "Can you...?"

"Yes!" His toothy smile blinding. Leaning closer, he pressed his thumbs into my temple. Closing his eyes, a concentrated frown marring his brow, I felt a warm sensation bleeding into my mind. He easily found the binding pact. With a few smart tugs on the bindings, and a counter spell spoken, I felt the pact's binding properties unravel. I was, thankfully, free from it.

Instead of pulling out of my mind, however, Lance lingered. His head tilting in a curious manner. "Interesting," he mumbled softly, his eyes distant as he focused on something.

"What?"

"Did Raphael inspect you after your rescue?"

"Yes?" My response came out more like a question.

He nodded thoughtfully, as he pulled away, his brows pinched. "He may not have recognized the patterns."

"What patterns?" I pressed.

"A controllers," he mused, eyes glazed as he lost himself to deep thoughts. Standing up, he started pacing before the fire. "I don't recognize the patterns. But they are powerful. Like sis's... Have you been able to recall any of your missing memories since you reinstated your bonds?"

"Very few," I admitted. It was frustrating to say the least.

"Curious... I wonder," his voice trailed off as he continued to pace, mulling over the information.

"What?" I was at the edge of my seat, hanging on his every word.

"They must have set a trigger."

"A trigger?" What did that mean?

"Yes. Where you will only remember everything if you drink a specific individual's blood."

"That's not possible," Caden scoffed.

Lance paused, his gaze slowly turning to Caden. His expression bellying that statement. "Constance made it happen when she was but a child. She set Nikolai as her trigger for the elaborate memory manipulation spell she put over herself and Gabriel."

No way!

"Well, does that mean the controller could set anyone as her trigger?" Caden pressed.

"Not likely," Lance replied, hesitantly. "There isn't a lot known of this side of memory manipulation. It is very new still and very under-explored. In theory, a stranger being a trigger wouldn't hold as well, since the delicate fabric of the mind needs familiarity to hold such spells. No... The spell would hold better when the trigger was someone the individual is very close to."