Read Online Vital by Jamie Magee - Free Book Online Page B

doesn’t hold any particular influence, we’ve moved passed that and are looking at Mars.”
    “Wait,” I said, calling his attention to me, “we’re facing Earth – not Mars?”
    August tilted his head and tried to find a way to explain his reasoning to me. “I agree with the others that Mars is the threat; yet, it seems that Earth has to have some kind of trial in order for it to fall under the theory of the orbit. My theory, and Perodine agrees, is that the trial that’s about to occur will serve as a catalyst to Mars; in a way, you’ll face Mars twice. That’s why I’m more determined than ever to find a way to protect you from anything that may lie ahead.”
    “What does that have to do with Clarissa?” Landen asked, not satisfied with August’s answer to his original question.
    “Remember how Pelhan and Aora told the others when we were trapped inside of Venus that you had a counsel? That there were members in your life that held the elements of earth, fire, water, and air, and that they’d be able to guide you through your trials? We are arguably facing Earth currently, and Clarissa represents Earth by her sun sign, Taurus. It just seems odd that you’re fighting with the one person you may need. If I were the devil, I would have taken her out of the equation, too.”
    I could feel August’s intent; he was making no effort to hide it. He wanted me to apologize to her, to end this fight - but there was no way I was going to do that. She was cruel, to say the least. Beyond that, this wasn’t my fight; it was hers and Dane’s - and I refused to take sides.

Chapter Four
    As Stella walked through my front door, a few butterflies followed her. She seemed fascinated with them. Stella was so new to Chara that any color would capture her attention for moments at a time. I found her childlike excitement refreshing; it always gave me hope that I could make a difference in the souls of Esterious. She sat down at the table next to Landen. In her hands, she carried a little black book that I recognized. When I first found myself inside Evelyn, her sister, a storm had destroyed every simple possession she’d owned.
    In the rubble, a little boy had found that book and had the intent to take it from her. Even in the tragic state of Evelyn’s dying body, my insights led me to read him and stop him from taking it from her. Looking back, I still get angry with myself for forgetting who I was so easily. I know those moments alone with Drake gave him the hope that if Landen weren’t in my life, I would fall madly in love with him. The idea was nauseating - not Drake loving me, but losing Landen.
    August smiled warmly at Stella. He hadn’t had the chance to really bond with her - in a way, they were almost strangers in his eyes - but in Stella’s mind, he was the angel her father thought he was. The conversation she overheard as a child gave her hope that one day she’d see the colors of Chara and feel the unconditional love of a soul mate.
    “I hope we haven’t upset you by asking you to come here and talk about your family,” August said, sitting up straighter.
    “Not at all. I love talking about my family. I know if I remember them, they’ll never really die,” Stella said, blushing slightly.
    “I don’t mean to change the subject,” I blurted, “but were you with Clarissa? Has she calmed down at all?”
    I could feel her remorse as she spoke. “One minute she’s crying, the next she’s destroying everything around her. I’ve never seen anything like it,” she murmured making a face.
    I could only imagine what Clarissa’s emotional display looked like from Stella’s point of view. Loud voices or any display of emotion wasn’t allowed where she was raised. I gritted my teeth, knowing that this wasn’t an ordinary fight that couples have from time to time.
    In the back of my mind, I started to question how it was possible for two people who loved each other that much to be so cruel to each