Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 85 - Disappointing

Jadea

Sometime later, a knock roused us. It was Lance. "She's here," he announced before allowing us a moment to get dressed.

Slipping into the lavender house dress, I reached out to my pack and roused them. I wanted them there for whatever Constance had to say, since it would affect all of us.

As a unit, we moved through the halls and met Constance and Lance in the study. Constance stood before the vast windows, back turned to us, arms clasped behind her. She looked like a warrior, dressed int he familiar black uniform of the demonic guard, her archangel's sword attached securely along her spine. Other blades and weapons were strapped or tucked neatly across the rest of her body. Her long blond hair was plaited and pulled over her shoulder.

While she looked regal, normally, she was dressed in brighter dresses or blouses, which reflected her bubbly personality. Seeing her like this... It didn't feel like a good omen.

When she turned to face us, I knew by her expression she hadn't gotten much out of the survivor.

"Jadea," she greeted, sounding tired. Sedately walking toward me, her gaze met mine. "I'm glad to see you are well." Stopping a pace away, she lifted my arm with the enchanted cuff and, with a wave of her hand, had it falling off my wrist. The clang as it landed on the floor was loud in the silence of the study. It sent an ominous shiver down my spine.

"Thank you," I murmured.

Nodding once, she continued, "The wolf that was captured was not part of Keb's pack. He hailed from another who was part of the trafficking world and followed Keb's orders. We did not learn much, other than where they normally reside. Which is at the heart of Oregon. The only good intel we got was tht one of the major players is Keb's sister."

Keb had a sister?

"The wolf said she communicates via letters. He's never seen or heard about her showing her face. Doesn't have a name. But, he knows she isn't the head of the organization. There's someone else calling the shots. Someone who is rumored—in the underground trafficking rings—to be in the High Immortal Council."

"Oh s**t," Garret muttered in my mind.

"No wonder she feels miserable," Briar stated softly.

"What can we do?" I asked, knowing she wouldn't be able to do this alone. Knowing we were her experts in the underground trafficking rings. If she needed us, I would harden my heart and straighten my spine and do what was needed.

Constance shook her head, at a loss. "At this point, I am not sure. Keb is still on the loose and is obviously hunting you. You must have seen something..."

I shook my head, knowing what she was referring to.

"You haven't recovered your memories?"

"I have, but..."

"Not of that night." She mused, nodding understandingly even as the disappointment swelled in her chest. "Lance also mentioned Silas saved you."

Nodding, I told her what I knew of him and what I suspected. Going back so far as to tell her Silas, initially, hadn't wanted to be associated with Elam, and how Elam retaliated killing his daughter.

"Interesting," she mused, her gaze going distant with curiosity and thought. Then, "Aggie has requested to stay with you," she stated, her gaze refocusing on me. "I believe it would be in your best interest if you allowed this."

I was being given a choice? After a moment of contemplation, I nodded my agreement. "I would appreciate him and his pack's expertise and protection." I knew they were largely why we'd had such a landslide win. "But he needs time—"

"They have already said their final goodbyes," Constance stated matter-of-factly, as if she was trying to downplay how much their deaths hurt.

"You'd think after witnessing so much death and destruction—" Blade started.

"She would be numbed to it," Briar finished, curiosity lacing her tone.

They wouldn't understand. This was Constance we were talking about. She'd always had a big heart, was down to earth and cared for everyone: friends, family, complete strangers. Everyone's life, even an enemy's, was considered a loss. And each was handled with care and grieving. While she knew death was inevitable, she kept her humanity surrounding it. She never allowed herself to grow numb. Being emotionless was the gateway to becoming heartless. And, eventually, falling into darkness.

"I will let him know he will continue to guard you. I am presuming you would like to return home now that your memories are back?"

"Yes." I affirmed.

"But?" she pressed, feeling my hesitation.

"Do you want us to handle the trafficking organization in Oregon?"

She shook her head, looking aghast. "As of right now, you are on leave. I have someone filling in for you. They will be overseeing that. As for you, you have enough to worry about. Once Keb is out of the picture, Silas has been captured and those in the council who are hunting you are brought to justice. Then we can talk about your return. Until then, I want you to stay safely out of the limelight. To heal. Rest. Recover. And spend some quality time with your family."

A weight lifted off my chest, knowing what Constance's expectations were. I was thankful she wasn't expecting me to just jump right back into the fray. "Okay."

"Very well. Now, do not feel as though you must rush out of here."

"We appreciate your hospitality and allowing us the opportunity to stay at your residence," I thanked both her and Lance.

"Pft," she waved her hand, "The pleasure is all mine! Lastly," she turned to retrieve a large white gift box and set it in my arms. "A small gift since tomorrow is Easter."

I wasn't sure what to say, other than, "Thank you. You didn't—"

"I wanted to," she beamed, leaning across to plant a kiss on my cheek, her hands squeezing my shoulders assuringly. "I've got to run. You know how to reach me if anything comes up," she stated pointedly. Saying her farewells to the rest of my pack, she breezed out of the study, Lance hot on her heels.