Page 84 of Crystal Iris
It’s Sunday, and I let myself stay in bed until mid-morning. I took a shower after coming back from the hotel and I even slept for a bit. But now, I’m awake, with a massive headache and feeling hungover. I wish I could hear what’s going on in the meeting. I keep checking my phone. They’re about to start any minute.
I’m too restless.I have to do this now, before I change my mind.
They’re seated in near silence. They’re waiting for someone. I tell myself, I’m only staying for a minute. I’m under the table. I wasn’t sure it would work, if I could get myself here. I kept thinking about finding Hoyt as I lit the candle. And I begged my prism to stay hidden.When I opened my eyes, I was here.
I try to make myself as small as possible; I’m not sure how much space I take up in this form. I’m not even sure they can see me. What if Hoyt was the only one capable of seeing the violet light? I can’t risk finding out.
I hear a door open, then close. A chair scrapes across the floor. I recognize Aaron’s voice. I wish I could see their faces, but I know better than to move. The lawyers begin. Hoyt’s attorneys state their reasons for wanting to get out of the deals. I hear Aaron’s representatives fight them. Apparently, they hadn’t explicitly named me as the reason for backing out—something to do with timing and location. It’s just an excuse. Only Aaron’s attorneys know the real reason, and they press it.
“My client hasn’t given any reason not to be trusted, no misconduct,” an older man says.
“Not yet—a matter of time, perhaps,” I hear a younger man’s voice.
“You have no right to accuse him of anything,” the older man responds.
“We have every right,” another voice interrupts.
“You’ll need proof. And since you don’t have any, I guess we’re done here.”
I hear papers shuffling. I need to stay longer, but I’m starting to feel tired and dizzy. I focus on my breath, telling myself I can control it. I miss something they said.
People start moving. Someone stands up. Then I hear her voice. I turn around, careful not to touch anyone’s feet when I spot the only high heels in the room.
“We are committed to our clients. We will remain so.” I want to get closer to her, very close. I’m fantasizing about hearing her scream as I burn her feet when the door opens, and people begin walking out.
“How’s my fiancé doing?” Aaron asks, and I know Hoyt is still there.
Please don’t take the bait, I beg him in my mind, as if he can hear me.
“She isn’t your anything anymore,” Hoyt says, his voice calm.
“Because of you,” Aaron snaps.
“We both know that’s not true,” Hoyt replies.
“I can’t wait to ruin you,” Aaron sneers. “We’ll see if she sticks around once I leave you penniless.”
“You think very highly of yourself,” Hoyt says. “And very lowly of her, apparently.”
“No matter how much you think she is in love with you, it has always been me who she runs to, and once this fling gets boring…she will come home, tome.”
“Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.”
I hear footsteps.
“Aaron, let’s go,” Lara calls.
Aaron moves, and I hear him say, just before leaving, “Everything she does in bed, I taught her.”
The door slams shut with force, and I black out.
I wake up to find my shirt soaked in blood. At least there’s no fire this time. I’d placed my candle in a tray with water, just in case. My head throbs when I try to sit up, and I can barely make it to the couch.
I lie down, my vision still blurry. I’m supposed to meet Hoyt soon—I don’t even know where. I want to text him, but my phone’s in the bedroom. Too far. I know I can’t walk that much yet, so I stay where I am, lying still. How long did I stay there for? Definitely longer than the previous times. It’s clear that each session is stretching my abilities, stretching theprism’s abilities.
I must have fallen asleep because Hoyt’s knock at the door jolts me awake. Slowly, I push myself toward it.
“What happened?” He moves closer, almost forgetting he can’t help me.
