BLOOD LEGACIES
Chapter 505: Pieces

Chapter 505: Pieces

A/N: Song For The Background ~ Forgotten By Lorne Balfe

The rain didn’t stop, pouring heavily like the heavens mourned our situation. The coffin was slowly lowered into the ground, the priest’s prayers echoing through the downpour.

The entire Witch Clan are present at the burial saying goodbye to a good woman. I might not have been fond of her but I knew she did right by Emma. When Emma first came to Juneau it was hard for her to adjust. Vanessa was her first stronghold, she was the light she needed at times she didn’t think she did. She was a guide too toward Emma’s path in the supernatural world.

I know how much Vanessa means to her, Emma always talked about her highly, and now that special in her life was gone.

I watched as they each dropped flowers onto her coffin, one by one before the shovels began covering it with sand. I kept my eyes on Emma, under the umbrella with her mom, holding onto her tightly. I couldn’t see her properly through the crowd, but the view was enough. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the pain she must be feeling right now. I tried to tap into it, to feel what she was going through, but it seemed like she had blocked me out completely

I respected her decision to keep her pain to herself, she needed the quiet without me constantly trying to poke in. I deserve it. But I had no idea how long I would stay sane without feeling a thing. It was like an itch to scratch, but I couldn’t figure out where. The frustration gnawed at me, a constant discomfort I couldn’t reach. It was irritating.

My eyes circled the corner where I spotted Grayson watching away from the crowd, it was hard to notice because of how intense the burial was.

Grayson approached me under an umbrella, dressed in a black three-piece suit. I on the other hand opt for just black sleeves and pants. I didn’t go formal but respected the event by wearing black.

"Do you think it’s wise to stand out here?" He said beside me.

"No one wants me there," I replied.

He huffed at my words. "Keep telling yourself that" he cut to the chase. "How long do you plan on doing this?"

"What?" I acted the fool.

"Right, go ahead play the fool, that’s the only thing you’re good at"

My jaw clenched. "Did you come here to piss me off?"

"I respect my aunt enough not to poke a beast at her burial, I’m just here as Emma’s brother"

I glanced his way and then he turned to me. "Emma is barely speaking to any of us," he said, in a solemn tone. "Do you want to know how she feels?" he began. "Since you can’t I’ll let you know"

I swallowed a lump in my throat. I showed how desperate I was by giving him my undivided attention. I would give anything to hear it.

"She blames herself more than she blames you. She hated that she couldn’t defend herself, both of them" His teeth clenched, and I realized just how much it had cost him to say those words.

I gulped, breaking eye contact and watching the event. The rain didn’t seem to let up, pouring heavily but not once did anyone move. It was so quiet that any other noise was swallowed by the heavy rainfall, leaving only the sound of water hitting the ground.

"It breaks me to see her like that" Grayson broke the silence. "It breaks me more that there is nothing I can do for her,"

"What do you want me to do?" I asked.

"Be there for her," he snapped. "You’re her mate so act like it"

"There’s nothing left of me, Gray" I murmured to myself but I knew he heard me. "What Emma needs right now is her family, not me" I turned to him, and he glared. "What can I give her without breaking her heart, how do you think she would feel when she realizes I didn’t feel the pain of losing our child, or her aunt?"

Grayson’s gaze softened and he quickly looked away.

"But I have a guess Gray, I think she knows and that’s what breaks her heart more, knowing that the man she loves is now incapable of emotions,"

"So what will you do?"

"I don’t know," I confessed. "I have never been so confused"

"Then let me ask of this"

I glanced at him. "Give it a chance," he said before leaving me behind.

I stood there for an extra hour as the crowd slowly diminished. My interest was piqued when I observed Emma walking solely on her own, heading towards the greenhouse away from people. My legs moved without a single thought, the rain instantly drenching me but I was too focused on getting to the greenhouse to even care.

I stood at the entrance, hesitant to take a step further. What’s the use of this? I don’t expect her to smile at me or rush into my arms like I was her savior, I don’t expect anything at all, but the mate bond is tugging at me, scolding me for declining my female for so long.

I grabbed the doorknob and stepped into the greenhouse. I paused when I saw every single vase floating in the air, positioned in a single format. I don’t think she had any idea she was doing it, her powers must have tapped into her emotions or maybe she came here to get loose.

I slowly approached her, walking down the aisle lined with stationed vases. She stood at the end, her back to me, wearing a slender black gown that hugged her frame perfectly. She was in heels, too. She stood so still that, for a moment, I feared she was a statue.

I want to turn away and leave her to solace but I can’t, I kept taking each step without looking back even for a second. I noticed her hair was in a top bun, reminding me of her teen years. I could suddenly see a mirage of her in her jeans and cardigan but it dispelled when she slowly turned to me.

Our eyes connected and that was all it took for the whole world to die and become lifeless, the only creature in the world was her, the only breathing thing and the only reason I wasn’t going insane. Just one look at her and the hollow emptiness was suddenly replenished with her beauty.

I was purely captivated and even more speechless when I spotted a small dagger twirling at the base of her palm.

The Death Blade. Capable of destroying any creature born of darkness, the very one she used to kill Luther. I thought the Banshee said it was gone. Why does Emma still possess it?

"I can hear them," she said in a croaky voice, probably sore from all her crying.

"Hear what?" I asked softly.

"Screams" she replied. "...Of the dead" Her lips trembled, closing her eyes briefly, the dark circles beneath them became more evident. "I hear cries too, baby cries"

"Emma" I took a step closer. "Give me the dagger"

"Why?"

"Because you’re taking too much negative energy from it. You have to give it back to Hayden,"

She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. "It’s hard to let go. When I drove it through Luther’s heart, I felt pain. The little bond we still shared was broken" She slowly dragged her gaze back to me. "Do you hate me for saying this?"

"Why would you ask such a thing?"

"I-I should have..." she paused, swallowing hard. "... K-Killed Luther when I had the chance, the moment he approached me, I should have fought back but couldn’t. Because of the bond"

"But you did," I urged.

She shook her head. "I only did it because he took from me"

I don’t know about a sire bond but I knew enough. She’s not only overcome by grief but pain because she killed her sire, a part of her died and at the same time, she hated herself for feeling for him. I can’t begin to imagine the internal turmoil.

"The pain won’t stop," she confessed. "Every day I’m reminded by the fact that I feel something for that monster, it’s torture, and it’s disgusting"

I stretched my hand to reach for her, but she took a step back, averting her gaze. There was nothing in her eyes—no regret for her actions, only pain. It was as if she couldn’t stand to be near me like my presence alone was too much for her to bear.

She smiled looking back at me, a lone tear sliding down her cheek carrying a weight of pain and burden I can’t describe. I thought she was only under grief but I was wrong, she’s dealing with a side of her that felt loss for Luther Zalatoris.

"What are you doing here Dace?" she asked.

"I’m here... for you"

Her smile got wider. "No you’re not" she whispered her voice barely inaudible. "You’re here because Grayson told you to"

My teeth clenched and I took a step further but she pulled back instinctively. "Please don’t," she sniffled, keeping her eyes fixed on the dagger instead of me, as if even sparing me a second glance was unbearable for her.

I can’t feel anything. Not even her rejection. What have I become?

"What will become of us now, Dace?"