Moving Objects

Chapter 19

I ran through the building and took the stairs two at a time, nearly plowing someone down as I went. I made it to the gate in minutes and slipped out of them, walking a few meters down until nobody could see me, before letting down all of my mental barriers.

The discomfort assaulted me but I ignored it, calling out for the one person I needed most.

"Mason!"

Several people appeared but none of them were Mase. "Shoo. I don't want to talk to you! Mason!"

He appeared in front of me, a sad expression on his face. I sighed and took a deep breath. Now or never.

"I need to know something," I said, and he nodded his head. I noticed a blonde man standing a few feet away with an equally sad expression on his face. I looked to him and then back to Mason.

"Dimitri...is he dead?"

Mason shook his head.

"Oh, thank God," I breathed but Mason shook his head again. "What?"

Mason looked to the ground before look back to me, lifting his hands to his mouth and pointing his index fingers downward, mimicking fangs. I felt like I had been hit by a bus.

"No," I whispered sinking to my knees. Mason crouched before me and looked at me. I sucked in a breath and exhaled, but it came out as a strangled whine. I wrapped my arms around my waist and leaned forward, breathing out into the ground.

He suffered a fate worse than death. He suffered something that he feared. Losing his soul. The fortune that Rhonda told him all those months ago rang through my head. You will lose the thing you value most, so treasure it while you can.

I looked up again to find the blonde man crouched next to Mason and with him being up close he looked familiar, but I couldn't place him. I looked away and wiped my tears. "Are you sure?" I sobbed and both of them nodded their heads. Mason looked as though he was going to reach out and touch me, but his hand passed through me, leaving a cold chill in its wake. I sat back on my butt and rested my head against my knees, trying to pull myself together as I processed this new information.

I pulled my head up and looked at the two figures for a moment, still trying to figure out who he was, but it was useless. I stood up and brushed my jeans off before looking at Mason again.

"Thank you," I whispered and he nodded sadly. I turned and made my way back to my apartment, barely noticing the people around me. It wouldn't surprise me if people already knew what had happened to Dimitri, but I just walked with my arms wrapped around myself. When I got back Eddie was sitting in the armchair, his gaze on the duster still on my couch. I closed the door gently and he looked up to me, his face ashen and full of grief. He went to get up but I stopped him with a wave, sinking down onto the couch.

"His phone has been ringing," Eddie said gruffly, pointing to it. I nodded and pulled the coat towards me, pulling his phone out again. Two missed calls from his mother, one missed call from an unknown number.

I opened his phone and scrolled through to his mother's contact. The icon that said she was online was lit up, so I wiped my face again and clicked it. This was news she should get somewhat face to face. IT rang a few times before the video was accepted and two women sat in front of the camera: one younger but easily in her forties, the other a frail older woman. His mother and grandmother.

"Roza," Olena breathed.

I looked from her to his grandmother before clearing my throat, wishing that I didn't need to do this. I didn't want to admit that Dimitri was gone, but someone needed to confirm it for them. I was the best person to do so.

"His body wasn't recovered," I said thickly, sniffing. Olena looked excited for a moment before I opened my mouth again, ruining the small ounce of hope she had.

"There are sources that state that he was turned, Olena. He is reported to be dead and turned."

I looked at his grandmother and I could tell that this didn't surprise her, but I remember Dimitri once saying that his grandmother was viewed as a witch of sorts. That she knew things that she shouldn't.

The look on Olena's face broke me all over again, but I refused to let more tears slip in her presence. I didn't need the comfort as much as she did. I lost my boyfriend, the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with – but she lost her only son.

The sound of her tears shook me, and I used every ounce of my will not to lose it too. His grandmother places her hand on Olena's and held it tightly before turning her attention to me.

"You already know what you have to do. You're a strong headed woman and you made him a promise."

I looked into her wizened eyes and nodded stiffly. A small jerk of her lip was her only response. I felt awkward and hopeless sitting there, watching his mother through a digitized screen. I wanted to reach out and comfort her, but I didn't know how to comfort myself.

It wasn't long until she pulled herself together a little and looked to me, her eyes so similar to his that it stung. "I'm so sorry, Roza."

I shook my head, not wanting her to apologize to me. She had every right to grieve for the loss of her son. "You don't need to apologize to me, Olena."

"No," she sniffled, "I'm sorry that you have to go through this loss too. You meant so much to him."

I smiled and sniffed again, looking up to Eddie who had a few tears on his cheeks. I don't think he knew that they were there. Shortly after that Olena said her goodbyes, promising that I keep in touch with her. I promised I would, but it felt like lead in my stomach.

After the call ended Eddie got up and came to sit beside me, wrapping his arms around me, hugging me tightly as I sank against him, resting my head in the crook of his neck.

_______________________

The door opened and Mom stood before me. Her face was neutral before shock and concern clouded over.

"Rosemarie?"

I stared at her numbly for a moment before I stepped over the threshold and wrapped my arms around her, pressing my face into her shoulder. She shifted back at my added weight, wrapping her arms around my waist. I couldn't answer her and kept my face in her shoulder as she tried to get what was wrong out of me. Footsteps approached us and I could smell Dad's aftershave as he came to a spot on the other side of Mom, whispering in her ear.

I wasn't sure if he knew the full extent of what had happened but must have known something because Mom inhaled sharply before resting her head against mine.

"Oh baby," Mom whispered softly, stroking my hair as she pulled me into the house. I pulled my face away and Mom gave me a soft look, wiping my tear stained cheek.

"I'm sorry," she said with a small frown. I nodded numbly and scooted over on the couch, laying my head down in her lap. It seemed to be instinctual as Mom's hand went into my curls, stroking my head affectionately.

I was past the flood of tears now. Now I just wanted comfort. I didn't seem right to go to Lissa for physical comfort right now as she was already shaken up, and Eddie had to return to her as her Guardian. I couldn't stay cooped up in my apartment any longer and my feet had a mind of their own, bringing me to Dad's house. I knew Mom was here because Lord Szelsky was in Court, and I was happy that she was the one who opened the door first.

If Dad had opened it, I may not have been able to hold my composure.

"It doesn't feel real yet," I whispered, rubbing my eyes. Mom sighed softly but continued to stroke my hair.

"It won't for a few hours. It's always hardest when it's someone you knew, someone you cared for." 

Soooo... I know you probably hate me for this one, but it will only be a week until the next update!

Let me know what you thingk