Intrinsical - Lani Woodland [86]
Cherie sighed with a small grin. “Noted.”
“Stop pestering him, Cherie. I mean it.”
She nodded. “Alright.” Her hand went to her pocket and she pulled out my necklace. “Maybe this would have helped, or changed things. Your family was really mad that you took it off. I think you should take it now.”
I was stunned. “I don’t know if I can.”
She smiled broadly. “Your grandmother has a few theories about that.”
“Vovó?” Tears welled in my eyes.
Cherie nodded. I lifted my hair and bowed my head as Cherie clasped the chain around my neck. I felt a jolt go through me, my balance faltering for a second.
“Did it help?”
“I felt something. What did she think it would do?”
“She didn’t say. Your mom wanted to bury you in it, but your grandma thought this would be better. She said your grandfather wore something like it when he went to school here and that it should be a mandatory part of the Pendrell uniform. He appeared to her in a dream before you started school and said you would need it.”
My hand flew to my chest. “Really?”
Cherie looked like she was trying to remember something else. “She mentioned something to your mom that I thought sounded interesting. She scolded your mom for letting you come here. I guess she told them it would be dangerous for anyone in your family, even though your grandpa had used up all the plants to put a barrier around the school. I have no idea what that means. Does that mean anything to you?”
“My grandpa was the one who put up the barrier?’
Cherie nodded and raised her eyebrow. “Yeah, that’s what she said.”
I nodded as my mind absorbed this new information. Had my Grandpa used the last of the pankurem plant to create a barrier meant to trap the evil he knew existed but couldn’t see, making sure no plants remained so that others wouldn’t try leaving their bodies unprotected as their secret society had done? Everything in me screamed yes.
Cherie dropped her eyes sadly and her little sniffle interrupted my thoughts. “See, it is my fault you died then . . . because I begged you to come to school here.”
I gave her a forbidding look. “It was not! Do. Not. Ever. Say. That. Again.”
Cherie looked sheepishly happy as she nodded.
I shook my head and brought myself back to the present. “I don’t know how long we have, but I have to tell you, Cherie, you’re going to be okay. You have to try harder to be all right,” I scolded her without meaning to.
“I’m trying. I promise I am.”
“You were always the leader. You were always the strong one.”
“I was?” Cherie sounded so unsure, so unlike herself.
I nodded. “Yes. I’ve been following you my whole life.”
“Maybe I’m only strong when I have you watching my back.”
I pulled her in for a tight hug, “You are always strong. I love you, Cherie. You’re my best friend—always.”
“You, too.” She reached for my hand, but instead of connecting, it went through me. She shook her head desperately. “No! It wasn’t long enough. I need more time!” I could hear the hysteria creeping into her voice.
“Just remember, you need to cause enough trouble now for both of us. I love you.” There was an ear shattering pop as our bubble burst. The force of it threw me back and I collapsed on the floor. I shook my head, dazed.
Brent was instantly by my side, his face still strained with worry. I sat up, feeling dizzy.
“You vanished. I was afraid I had lost you,” Brent said, his voice ragged. “I had no idea what had happened and I was afraid I’d never see you again.” Brent leaned toward me and rested his forehead against mine, breathing deeply, his eyes glistening with more moisture than normal. “I’ve never felt so alone. It was like I had lost . . . Yara, I . . .” he stopped, closing his eyes.
I could feel the blackness and emptiness the incident had caused in him, surprised by its intensity. He lifted his hands to my cheeks, opening his eyes and staring into mine. Something unspoken passed between us, creating an intimacy that