The Locket

Brent sat on the floor looking horrified. I wanted to run over and throw my arms around him like I did in my dreams when he had come for me, but I was cemented to the floor. Reese stood by the door looking just as terrified, and none of us spoke.

Brent stood up and looked away as Logan and I sat clutching each other. Brent and Reese walked out through the doorway into the hall. I wanted to chase after him, explain everything and hold him. Still in shock, I didn’t go.

“Wait,” I finally yelled. But they were gone.

I collapsed into Logan, crying hysterically. “What have I done?”

“You didn’t do anything, Claire. This is my fault. Let me go talk to him,” Logan offered, standing up to go. I pulled him back down telling him that it wasn’t a good idea.

I heard footsteps coming back through the doorway and could tell by the shadow it was Brent. He stood in the doorway watching us before he spoke.

“I’ll be in the car when you’re ready,” he said, frowning. It hurt me to see him so confused.

Logan stood and stalked towards Brent. I tried to grab Logan’s hand but missed.

“She’ll be right out. I know how this looks, but you don’t understand what happened here, Brent,” Logan argued for me.

“I don’t understand, Logan?” Brent’s voice boomed, exploding with rage. “I don’t understand what? The fact you tried to kill her while she slept or the fact you kidnapped her, and I have been going out of my fucking mind trying to find her? Or how about you choked every last breath from her aunt and she saw the whole thing, and when I finally find her, you have your fucking mouth on her. Tell me Logan, so I can understand.”

It felt like every brick in the room was crashing down around us. Logan turned to me, his mouth in a thin line, the beautiful amber glow gone from his eyes, replaced by the dark stare I hoped to never see again.

“What’s he talking about, Claire?” Logan questioned.

I didn’t know what to say, but I knew I needed to be alone with Logan to explain.

“Brent, can you wait for me in the car, please?” I asked, finally rising to my feet.

He narrowed his eyes at me, showing disapproval. “No, I’m not leaving this room, Claire.”

“Answer me, goddammit, Claire,” Logan interrupted.

“Don’t you fucking talk to her like that,” Brent warned, pointing a finger at Logan.

Logan taunted him, “Or what, you’re going to pummel me again? Go ahead Brent.”

“Don’t tempt me, Logan,” Brent warned again.

“Enough! Enough!” I shouted making my way to Brent. I wrapped my arms around his waist resting my cheek on his chest. I felt a surge of energy with his touch. My body had ached for so long I had acclimated to feeling weak. The sensation from his touch was exhilarating and his expression showed he was healing too.

“I just need a minute,” I pleaded breathlessly, tightening my grip. I really didn’t want to let go.

Brent reached behind his back, grabbing my hands. He pulled my hands forward and placed them on his lips, kissing them softly.

“A minute,” he conceded and went back out through the door.

Logan’s expression was so guarded that it pained me to look at him. “Is it true, Claire? Did I kill your aunt?”

The look on his face was precisely the reason I didn’t tell him the truth about Maggie earlier, when he asked what happened while he was adhered too. I didn’t want him to have another reason to hate himself. But it was out there now, and I had to be honest with him. Tears fell from my eyes, one after the other, as I reached for Logan’s hand and clutched it to my chest.

“Yes, but it doesn’t change anything,” I argued.

He pulled his hands from my grip. “I murdered someone. It changes everything, Claire.”

He was pacing the floor frantically.

“Logan, please don’t. I forgive you. I know you could never have done any of this without the Adherent. Please don’t blame yourself. You’re breaking my heart.”

“How can you even look at me?” Logan asked, stopping in front of me.