“You have got to stop this,” Davis told me that afternoon. We had spent the afternoon cleaning up the damage, burning Day Stalkers, and burying those we lost. Marie included.
It was sad because Marie was a pretty great person. She was amazing, and while she didn’t deserve the fate handed to her, I would have been surprised if Marie had died any other way. In my opinion, she died a hero’s death.
I guess I wasn’t discreet when I conveyed my feelings about Vala and the situation. Nor was I even mature about it.
Davis pulled me aside. “Tanner,” he said. “You have to stop.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, let it go. About Vala. I understand you went after her, tried to stop her, and she kept going. I understand your feelings are hurt.”
“It’s more than that,” I said,
“Is it?”
“We dedicated a lot of time to helping her.”
“Marie did all that. She believed in Vala, and so should you.”
“I really can’t. It’s bugging me.”
“I get it,” Davis said. “But you don’t. Either that or you didn’t read the note.”
“Well I ...”
“You didn’t read it, did you?”
I dipped my head slightly. “No.”
“Then how in the hell can you pass judgment? It’s not what you think.”
“How do you know what I think?”
“Because of the way you’re acting. You’re taking this as a personal strike against you. It is and it isn’t. Yes, she wants to help us, no, she isn’t a traitor, and yes, she left because of you.”
“Then jeeze, how can you say I am feeling or thinking wrong?”
“Because I read the note.”
“Okay.”
“Okay and... she didn’t want to leave. But after the first warning was issued and I didn’t take it seriously, the attack happened. The boyfriend came back—”
“Teacher.”
“Whatever you choose to think,” Davis said. “He came back and told her that another attack was gonna happen, so to avoid it and keep the rest of us safe, she left. Her leaving will open up that gate to the Sybaris. We’ll get there through her the same as we would have through Mindy.”
“I understand what you’re saying. I do. Can we trust that she would help us?”
“You of all people should trust her.”
“Why?”
“Because of the warning.”
“We’ll be ready. We’ll protect our people, she didn’t have to leave.”
“She felt she did, Tanner, because it wasn’t a threat against our people, it was a threat against you. She left to keep you safe.”
“What?” His answer shocked me.
“When her boyfriend, teacher, whatever, came to her, he said they were coming for you.”
“Why… why me?”
“You shot at and nearly took out the queen bee. They know Vala cares for you. They got Marie already, and she didn’t want to take a chance they would kill you.”
A lump formed in my throat and I nearly choked as tried to swallow. “Is this supposed to make me feel better? Less mad?”
Davis shook his head. “No. it’s supposed to make you feel more understanding.”
“Well, it doesn’t,” I said. “It makes me feel bad. I can take care of myself. I don’t need her protection. I just... I just ...” I tossed out my hand in defeat. “I need her here.”