The Ember In The Dark novel Chapter 25

I woke up, with a massive headache, at the nurse's office. Toni was holding my hand, and Ash was hovering behind him. They both looked so concerned and deep in thought. They hadn't noticed me come to yet.

"What happened?" I asked my throat raspy.

"I was hoping you could tell me." Ash responded a bit snappy. He was scared.

"I remember being in art and then.." I thought about it a moment and then it all rushed to me at once. "Dex.." I whispered his name.

Toni tensed up beside me.

"What did he do?" Reep was near the surface, traces of his growl in Toni's voice.

"I mind traveled by mistake. I have never done that before and I didn't know how to leave. He took advantage of that and got me under his spell again. I only broke away because I heard mom's voice tell me to think about…" I paused for a moment a bit embarrassed.

"Think about what? What do you mean you heard mom?" Ash asked a bit inpatient.

"I don't know. Her voice just popped into my head like she was there with me. She told me to think of Toni." I blushed starring Toni straight in the eyes.

"Did he do anything to you?" Toni was concerned. Although he was mad he tried to keep the anger from his voice while he asked me.

"He kissed me." I couldn't look at Toni when I said this. I felt guilty. If I would have just been more careful or if I would have known how to get out on my own.

"I'm so sorry Ember." He told me, but hearing that only hurt me.

"I should be the one apologizing. I kissed someone else." I shook my head in disgust.

"It wasn't you. It was him. He made you feel that. He made you do that. You did nothing wrong." He reached for my hand, but I pulled away. I feel gross right now, even if he told me not to.

"Mom called the school and had us checked out. She wants us home." Ash interjected, and I nodded my head getting up.

"Ember…" Toni's voice sounded worried.

"I'm fine. I just…" I sighed. "I feel gross right now. Just give me a little while."

He nodded his head. I could see the hurt in his face and it only made me feel worse. He may forgive me, but I'm having a hard time forgiving myself. I would have given Dex all of me at that moment if mom hadn't stopped me. How can he still be okay with me? I should be stronger than this.

Ash and I headed out together, leaving Toni behind in the nurse's office. I felt Talia getting anxious in me. She was worried for our mate bond.

"Hey, it's going to be okay." Ash elbowed my arm lightly, trying to comfort me.

I just nodded my head still deep in my thoughts. We arrived home rather quickly, walking in a peaceful silence.

"Ember, thank God. I saw you snap out of it, but I'm not sure what got you out. I'm just happy you didn't go through the same thing as… I'm just happy you're okay." Mom embraced me tightly and a faint emotion of trauma rang in her mind. Who's Luke?

"Mom, you're the one that helped me." I scrunched my eyebrows tightly.

"What do you mean? The tree just had me project to you and all I could do was watch in terror at what was happening. I've told you before, when I project I have no control of the person. I can think to myself and pray they hear me though." She squeezed my shoulder, still looking at me with a mixture of strong emotions. The tree of life always had mom project into people at important moments. Things she needed to see or feel through that person.

"I heard you mom. I heard you tell me to stop. I heard you tell me to think of Toni. Mom, I've never traveled before. I didn't know how to leave." I felt the fear seize me then.

"Oh my baby. I'm so sorry. I should have told you how to do that. I realized I only ever talked about how to get there, but not how to leave. That's my fault, and we are going to fix that this evening."

Mom was determined. She didn't want to leave us vulnerable like this again. She told me about how she was sexually assaulted in college by a man named Luke. He was her highschool boyfriend. She never wants that to happen to me. I had no idea mom had gone through something like that. She never really speaks about life before us. She always says how life before us isn't worth mentioning.

We spent the afternoon training our minds. Mom taught me how to place a strong barrier over my mind and my soul. She then taught me how to get out of people's minds. She had me practice on her several times.

Mom had a very warm and welcoming mind. It was really beautiful where Heli stayed when she wasn't in control. The colors were very vibrant which worried me about my own gray drab mind. Evening rolled around and mom finally let us go. We had about an hour before it was time to train with Eryn.

"You want to grab a snack before training?" Ash gave me that big childish grin of his.

"You know it. I'm starved."

We headed to the kitchen and grabbed a couple snacks. I decided to check my phone while I ate them.

Josh: Hey, you okay? My weak ass couldn't carry you to the nurse's office. Dex had to. I hope he didn't bother you. I hope you're okay now. You really have me worried.

Of course Dex carried me to the nurse's office. I just assumed it was Ash or Toni for some reason. I think my head might still be a little muddier than usual. I don't remember him holding me.

Me: Yeah I'm okay. I am sorry I worried you. My mom's taking care of me. You probably don't know, but she's a doctor, so I'm in very good hands.

I sent him a few emojis to lighten the mood and let him know I really am okay.

Toni: Ember please don't pull away from me. I know it wasn't your fault and I don't blame you for any of it. Sirens only ever want power and you exude that by the millions.