Chapter Sixteen
Michael?
The harsh whisper ran through his mind. He closed his eyes and leaned back in the armchair. He didn't feel like talking to anyone right now, particularly Seline. Yet she was the one person who might understand. He sighed and silently acknowledged her probe.
Michael, what have you done?
He smiled grimly. What had he done? Even now, he wasn't entirely sure. He'd risked his life and cheated death, but until Nikki regained consciousness, he wouldn't know if it were all worth it. There could be aftereffects, either from her drowning or his own intervention. There was a very real possibility he might have destroyed the fire he was trying to save.
He raised the beer, taking a long drink. It didn't ease the burning in his throat. Michael?
Worry shot through Seline's mental tones. He sighed again. She'd be out to Lyndhurst in a flash if he didn't start answering. The last thing he needed was a face-to-face confrontation with the old witch. Here.
Michael, what on earth have you done? Half the circle has had visions of you in trouble. And it was unusual enough for Seline to worry. No doubt his ice cool reputation had been shot all to hell, as well.
I think I've fallen in love, Seline.
Heavens, boy, I knew that ages ago. Just answer the question, or I'll come over in person and box your ears.
The threat made him smile, as she no doubt intended. Seline barely reached his shoulders, and was a thin, frail-looking woman. But she didn't look the one hundred and eighty years Michael knew her to be, and she certainly didn't act it.
We've known each other a long time, Michael. I thought trust was part of what we shared. Trust wasn't his problem. Would she understand the sheer desperation that had made him act as he had?
Would she accept his need to break a vow? Understand that he might lose Nikki anyway, because of his actions?
She was dying, Seline. I shared my psyche with her.
Made her live, against her will. He closed his eyes and took another long gulp of beer. The sudden tension down the mental lines told him Seline understood the risk he'd taken. Dear heavens, Michael, are you all right?