Wicked Destiny - By Tiffany Stevens Page 0,76

the both of us to follow.

Shay had been trying to get information out of a non-speaking Declan. She saw us walking towards her and she hopped off her chair to meet us. I just wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. Mindy handled the introduction.

“Shay, this is Crystal. Crystal, this is Shay.” They shook hands.

“Declan isn’t speaking. Is everything OK with Sloane?” Shay asked. We didn’t know what to say to her.

“Shay.” Crystal walked to stand in front of her and held her hand out for a handshake. This guaranteed direct contact. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Dale and Mindy were just telling me what a wonderful friend you are.” Shay looked confused, and then her face held a blank expression. Crystal had her. “You are going to take the night off and visit you parents out of town. You’ll call to check in with Mindy before you come back. Is that understood?”

“Yes,” was all Shay could say.

“Good, now go gather your things and be on your way so you don’t run into traffic.” Crystal was finishing up.

Shay mumbled, “OK,” and then she left. Mindy and I walked her to the door and watched as she got into her car to drive off. One less thing to worry about at the moment was all I could think about, until I spotted Crystal as we returned.

“Get out,” Mindy spat through her teeth.

Crystal grabbed her stuff and left. I knew this wouldn’t be the last time we saw her. She would always find a way to pop up, to make her presence known just to be close to me. She had a problem with letting go, I knew. Although Mindy was mad, I grabbed her and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Surely you know that the only thing I want and need is within these arms. Nothing else will ever matter.” After deliberation, she finally wrapped her arms around me, retuning the hug.

Chapter 23

DECLAN

“Declan, what do you want us to do?” I stared at Dale and tried to read him, but he gave no emotion.

I was still sitting at the bar drinking and refilling my glass. It was just Dale and Mindy sitting there with me. I hadn’t known Mindy or Dale until I’d came back to Columbus, but in the short time I’d been here, I realized why Sloane was so fond of them. And I couldn’t help but squeeze my eyes shut every time her name was mentioned or her memory popped into my mind.

“I don’t know yet.” I sat the glass down, reaching for the bottle to refill my glass, but Dale grabbed it first. “I guess I need to finish what I was sent to do in the first place.” I downed the last drop or two and got up to leave, but Mindy thought differently and she grabbed my arm.

“You can’t be serious? This is Sloane we are talking about.” She let go of my arm, but was now blocking my way.

“I’m aware of whom we are talking about, Mindy, and if I wasn’t so damn weak, I would’ve ended this years ago.” My voice began to get higher with each word. I mean, did she not understand that this was my burden and not hers?

“Then why don’t we give it time to see if we can bring her back?” She was reaching. For what I hadn’t a clue.

As much as I wanted to save Sloane, I had never seen anyone that had turned away from the Darkness once they gave themselves over to it. Especially if there was a prophecy of the person leading an army of Darkness. There wasn’t a whole lot of light you could shine on the subject. Although it would be great if she could, I knew Sloane then and the Sloane now. The Sloane now had lost sight of her way, and if the truth be known, I’d still trade my wings for her life. But if she had given her full self to the Darkness, I’d rather her not be of this earth. And in truth, she wouldn’t want to live that way if she could think clearly.

Even if she couldn’t see it, there were people here that loved her and would fight for her. I needed to see Gabby. Before I made any decisions I had to make sure that she was no longer the Sloane they had all come to love. Maybe Gabby could help. I was so confused, and they’d just have to