Chapter 26 - Owen - Purge With My Demons

We all piled into Finn’s SUV to drive to the Gates. Eleanor sat staring out the window most of the drive.

“What’s on your mind?”

“I’m nervous about whatever we are walking into. I can’t seem to wrap my head around all of this information, but somehow, I’m okay with it all. Why doesn’t this terrify me?”

“Maybe because it was always supposed to be this way, so deep down, you really already knew.”

“I guess.” Eleanor shrugged. Luci laid her head on Eleanor’s lap, offering comfort.

Finn pulled into a parking lot around the block. We were prepared, and we all had each other’s back. This was no different from any other time we brought someone to Amon.

As we approached the alley, I saw The Void. “Hey, Buddy.” He was on high alert, looking directly at Eleanor.

“What is that?” Eleanor was staring at The Void.

Tristan stepped forward. “You can see him?”

“The giant dog right there? Um, yes! It’s huge.”

Grabbing Eleanor’s arm, Ashton moved her to the side with Luci, who had greeted The Void and moved away. “Okay, you have to keep your voice down.”

“Oh shit, I’m sorry,” Eleanor whispered.

I walked over to Eleanor, taking her hand in mine. “It’s okay.” We approached The Void, and Eleanor took the treats out of her pocket. The Void sniffed the treats, looked at Eleanor, and bowed to her. The Void stretched out his front paws and dropped his head.

Eleanor looked confused. She looked at me and I shrugged, just as confused as she was, unless… “He may already recognize you as Queen.”

The Void stood, and Eleanor offered the treats to him again.

Cora was the next to speak, walking closer to Eleanor. “Since we don’t know what’s going to happen when you go through…” Cora pointed to the blackness that was the Gates. “Just prepare yourself for anything. It could be nothing or it could be like a rush of cold water, burning flame, electricity, who knows. It’s different for everyone, apparently.”

“Isn’t that wonderful,” Eleanor said with two thumbs up.

“Okay, Tristan, you first. Ashton and Cora, you lead El in. Finn and I will be at her back.” I rubbed Eleanor’s back, letting her know I would be touching her the entire time.

Tristan shot a finger gun in the air and walked into the darkness.

Less than a second later, his voice was shrill in my ears. “Owen!”

It was too late. Amon and Mannox stood in front of us.

That wasn’t the only surprise. Eleanor had changed. She wore a sheer black veil similar to my cloak. Her arms were covered in inky black, and her eyes were solid black. Blue flames danced on the floor where she stood.

“What the fuck?”

“Holy shit.”

Amon stepped forward, looking at us. “I bet you weren’t expecting that.”

In a gust of ash, Eleanor disappeared.