be false sympathy. “This decision really is out of my hands,” he lied.
“Don’t be upset that, from this day forward, I’m basically being held prisoner here?” I asked.
“That’s not at all the case.”
“Forgive me for speaking out of turn, Chief, but I don’t think you understand.” When I peered up at him, my chest burned with frustration. “I don’t want to leave because I’m tired of the scenery,” I said, holding back my sarcasm as best as I could. “I’m trying to avoid hurting anyone.”
Or … everyone.
What wasn’t he understanding?
He nodded, patronizing me with his expression. “If you would like, I can present your request to the Advisors, but it will take some time for them to reach a conclusion. There will need to be an investigation, and—”
“Forget it,” I scoffed. “There’s no time for that.”
Standing from my seat, I accepted the fact that this argument was futile. Turning toward him, I was astonished that he hadn’t been on my side. After all, it was his people and his home I sought to spare.
“Please, don’t let this meeting color your opinion of me,” he said calmly. Too calmly, considering what I was certain he knew about me. “For what it’s worth,” he continued, “it is my belief that you’re meant for great things. Perhaps, even on this island, beyond your academic endeavors.”
“Whatever happens, the blood is on your hands,” I spoke up, ignoring his attempt at smoothing things over with flattery.
“Ano-Luana,” he said kindly as I parted from Ms. Long’s office.
As I left there, two things were abundantly clear.
One, he wasn’t fit to lead these people, because he clearly didn’t put their safety first.
Second, his and Kai’s resemblance started and ended with their looks. This man wasn’t even an eighth of the man his son was.
Chapter Twenty
Noelle
Sleep didn’t come easy after my run in with Chief Makana. Even with all that was said, I still knew there was so much he hadn’t. He’d tried explaining why me staying here was necessary, but his excuses felt like a smoke screen. For what, I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t think I was wrong about this.
I was so close to using what little authority I did have to demand that someone let me contact my parents, but then remembered my authority didn’t extend here to the island. They had their own royals, so my family name wasn’t regarded here the way it was on the mainland.
Basically, I was stuck.
After tossing and turning for several hours, I finally dozed, but it wasn’t a peaceful sleep. Strange dreams plagued me the entire night, but one stood out from the others.
I was in the woods as the sun set, but I wasn’t alone. A few feet away, stood a woman. She hadn’t turned to face me, so my only view was of her back—smooth, bare skin, long dark hair that covered her to her waist. At first, I mistook her for my mother, but was then stricken with an inexplicable feeling that she was not, despite the similarities. Being near her spurred conflicting emotions within me, mostly fear and peace, which I didn’t understand.
Thinking I heard her speak, I moved closer, desperate to hear what was said. With less space between us, her energy could be felt, moving over my skin like static electricity, making me more aware of … everything.
There were definitely words being spoken, and I believed they were important. Important enough that I risked taking yet another step in her direction.
‘Don’t be afraid.’
Even asleep, I felt my heart race when she spoke, her voice sounding brassy, and oddly ethereal.
‘You’re not here by mistake,’ she informed me, ‘but be not deceived. You are a powerful being, and the Darkness senses that as well. You’re on the path to fulfilling your purpose, Noelle, but that path can easily be diverted.’
That sense of both fear and peace swelled within me, hearing those words. Making it even more imperative that I get answers.
‘Is this some sort of test? Am I a danger to others if I stay?’
The woman didn’t immediately answer, and I found myself wondering if she had even heard me.
‘I will do what’s within my power to protect you, but it goes against my nature to interfere with freewill. So, if all else fails, please understand; I will do what I must to protect Sanluuk. Just as I have always done.’
I hadn’t missed the meaning behind these words. She would protect me, but not at the expense of the island’s people. Her resolve to keep