Chapter 6
Another family likely lost to Titus’s curses. Unless Anne found a way to convince him not to blame every Ember for Leonora’s decision to shun the ritual. How likely was that? It wasn’t as though he listened when she argued with him. She barely ever tried.
There was no reason to. Anne knew Titus. When he made the decision there was no changing his mind, and he’d never liked the Embers. From the beginning he didn’t think they deserved the power they were gifted – they just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Had it not been for the Lockwoods they wouldn’t have magic at all. The same argument Titus always made. It was never going to change, because he believed he should have been able to choose who got the power. When it came there was no controlling it. Glimmerbrook changed.
Everyone who called it home changed with it, one way or another. The time came when the Lockwoods created the Council, for Titus to have greater control, only it was never as simple as he wanted it to be. Other people liked to be able to share their opinions, when he’d much rather than accepted his.
Without the Embers the Council would almost entirely be under Titus’ control. If Leonora truly understood who Titus was she’d make a different choice. The reality was she didn’t see, even though she said she did, and chose to trap them more than before. He’d never let go.
The girl on the bench had to be Anne, and she was beautiful, even glaring at the air as though it had done something to harm her. What was she thinking about? Did he talk to her, try to help her though those emotions? Maybe she didn’t want anyone around her. He sometimes didn’t.
Only if he didn’t say anything there might never be another chance. She was away from Titus, and Dante had a feeling he’d be an issue in the future. If the dreams were true Anne was someone he was meant to get to know. She was right there. All it took was a couple of words.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” Anne looked at Dante, their eyes meeting, and he was certain. They were meant to be together. “You’re Anne, right?”
“How do you know my name?”
“My dreams.” She raised an eyebrow. “I’m new magic. When I See I have no control over it, but I have Seen you.”
“You’ve dreamt of me…”
“Sorry, I’m Dante.”
“Well, Dante, dreams don’t tell you everything, and I’m certain they never showed my brother. Titus is also a Seer.”
“No, they didn’t.” Unfortunately. “I know you’re a part of something dangerous.”
“Trying to save me?”
“If it comes to that, but for now I think I’ll settle for getting to know you.” She lifted her head, eyes meeting with his. “The dreams are nothing compared to reality, Anne.”
“You’re better off walking away. Leave Glimmerbrook. No one with new magic is safe here.”
“There’s nowhere else to learn. My dreams led me here for a reason, and it doesn’t matter what that reason is. I know this is how things need to be.”
“Until you end up dead.”
“Anne…”
“My brother will kill you, one way or another.”
“Titus and I have met.”
“When?”
“Midday today.”
“I’m surprised you’re still walking.”
Anne studied Dante more closely. There was one reason Titus would have made that decision, and it was Dante’s strength. Using it… the curse would be stronger, along with everything else.
“What do you see?”
“You don’t want an answer to that question.”
“Don’t I?”
“Please leave Glimmerbrook.”
“No, Anne, I’m not going anywhere, because I need to be here. This is where I can get some answers.”
“Answers to what questions? I know as much as Titus does. Possibly more. Then you can leave.”
“Why don’t you want me here?”
“Titus hates anyone with new magic. He believes you shouldn’t exist, and he’d do anything to make certain no more will be born.”
“From what he said it was due to worry, something I can understand, because I’ve seen the worst of magic already.”
Anne laughed, and Dante studied her. “You haven’t. I believe you’ve seen what you think is the worst. There is still more. Stay here, and you’ll see it soon enough. Especially if Titus invited you to join in the ritual at the full moon.”
“He did.”
“You’ve been to the house?”
Somehow Dante was stronger than the darkness, unusual for new magic, and another reason Titus would want him dead.
“I’m trying to save you, Dante, the way I think you want to save me.”
“Anne…”
“Those dreams… they mean nothing. You need to understand that.”
“No, they don’t, because I’ve Seen the strength within you.”
“You’ve also met Titus. He’s stronger.”
“Than both of us?” Anne raised an eyebrow. “I understand the fear. Even though you love him, because he’s your brother, you know what he’s capable of.”
“Dante, he will kill you.”
“Seems like he’s going to kill me no matter what, so I might as well make the most of whatever time I still have.”
Well, he wasn’t wrong. “If you really want to make the most of it I suggest you leave Glimmerbrook. You have control. Control is more important than anything else.”
“You’re not going to stop, are you?”
“No, Dante, I’m not. I’ve already failed once today, and I’d like to save someone.”
Their eyes met. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Leonora was never going to listen to me, so I don’t know why I tried, but I hate it when Titus curses people.”
It wasn’t often Dante was lost for words. “Titus curses people?”
“Sometimes, when he’s upset enough with the choices they’ve made. He’s never liked the Embers. Leonora simply pushed a little too much, so now he’s going to make certain they’re going to regret it.”
“You’re very young for this.”
“Don’t pretend you have no idea what I’m talking about. If you have dreamt of me you’re going to know.”
Anne didn’t hold back, and she wasn’t wrong. “How many lives?”
“Enough.” She ran her tongue over her bottom lip. “Too many.”
“With Titus.”
“Our souls are entwined, Dante.”
“So are ours.”
“Don’t do this.”
“Pretending you can’t feel it won’t change anything, Anne.” He was right, but the connection between them also didn’t change anything. “Give me a chance. I meant it when I said I want to get to know you.”
“Titus finds out, and you’re unlikely to make it to the ritual.”
“He wants to use me. We both know it. I don’t think he’ll give up the chance to take my power to make you both immortal, although I don’t believe he has the time to make the ritual work the way he wants it to.”
“Immortality isn’t what I want.”
“Anne, I know.” From the way Dante looked at her Anne could tell he wanted to hug her. “We can find another way.”
“Titus won’t simply let me leave. He made me a promise centuries ago. It’s held us together ever since, no matter what I might want.”
“We can find a way.”
“Belief is a very strong thing, Dante, but promises like the one Titus made are much more powerful.”
“Tell me why he made it.”
“Magic came into this world, and we watched our parents destroy themselves.” Anne closed her eyes for a second. “It changed us.”
Dante was the one. Anne felt her soul calling to his, telling it everything it wanted to hear, but sense told her it was better for her to put as much distance between them as possible. If Titus knew… hiding it from him might be impossible. Unless he didn’t want to believe it.
“We have until the ritual to find a way, Anne. I want to try.”
“How many times do I need to tell you to leave? You deserve to live your life, Dante, rather than lose it at the full moon.”
“Your soul has been calling to mine ever since I learnt the truth. Leaving isn’t possible.”
“Do you know what I’ve done?”
“None of that matters.”
“Yes, it does. My soul is as scarred as Titus’s. You’re a good person, a far better one than I could ever be, and being connected doesn’t mean anything. Find someone better, who hasn’t used their power to kill.”