by Carly Marino
Wynter didn’t act too fazed, anyway. She sauntered around smiling and talking with several of our classmates, more than likely campaigning for queen. She had to fight Tatum for the title, and Tatum scared the votes out of people.
I wouldn’t vote for her.
Cole guided me onto his lap and wrapped his arms around my waist. I snuggled closer to his chest.
His lips brushed my jaw. He breathed me in, and sighed. “You’re so beautiful.”
I bit my lip. Whatever changed between us, I liked it.
I spotted Holden, hanging out with a bunch of guys from the football team. We had won the game, and I assumed everyone crowded around to congratulate him. Matt hobbled next to Holden. He glanced at me and gave a slight wave. I returned the gesture. Cole’s biceps tensed. I couldn’t lie to myself, I enjoyed his jealousy.
Holden followed Matt’s gaze. He didn’t acknowledge me at all. Instead, he dropped an arm around Macy and pulled her closer. He acted as if we had never hung out.
I whispered in Cole’s ear. “What did you erase from Holden?”
“What needed to be.”
“What needed to be? That’s all you’re gonna give me?” Awesome. “What about everyone else? They knew he asked me.” Tatum would have a hay day with this one.
“They’ll just think you traded up.”
“Won’t they say something to him?”
He kissed my earlobe, and the tickle soared to the tips of my toes. “Who cares.”
Yeah. He was right. Why should I care? I didn’t need their acceptance anymore. I belonged somewhere. I relaxed into Cole. Nothing could ruin the magic of this night. I wanted to dance, spin, giggle, and I didn’t care who saw me.
Cole lifted me off his lap. “Dance with me.” He led me to the center of the floor, placing his hand on the small of my back. I rested my head on his chest and listened to the steady beating of his heart. We swayed to the music. Our bodies fit together like the links that circled my wrist.
Couples held each other close. Some kissed. Others twirled, gleaming. They all seemed happy. I raised my chin to peer into Cole’s eyes. None nearly has happy as me. I hugged him, never wanting to let him go.
We turned, and I caught a glimpse of Wynter tugging Ethan to get him to stand. He eventually did and they danced next to us. She smiled, but I could tell she didn’t want to. Why was he treating her like this? Everyone, for that matter? I searched my memory for a reason why he’d be upset with us. He wasn’t friends with Holden, and he didn’t have a problem with Cole. Or so I thought. Ethan had to be sick or … tired?
I worried about him, but I didn’t know what to do. He was my best friend but also Wynter’s boyfriend. Before they started dating I’d have yanked him to the side and demanded an answer. Now I wasn’t sure if that’d cross the line.
The music shifted to some techno song I had never heard, and Wynter separated from Ethan and waved me to dance with her. Cole nodded and motioned where he’d wait for me.
There was something crazy sexy about a guy in a suit. Especially one like Cole.
Wynter bounced up and down, interrupting my ogling eyes. She swung her arms over her head to match my terrible dance moves. I threw my head back and laughed. The flashing lights blinked in my eyes, and I closed them, letting the pounding bass take me away. I didn’t care who saw me. Tonight was mine.
A slow song interrupted my jumping. I paused to catch my breath and wipe the sweat from my temples. Eww. I had to freshen up. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
Wynter’s hands went to her hips. “You aren’t leaving, are you?”
I shook my head. “No. I’ll be right back. Can you tell Cole?”
“Sure. And I’m holding him hostage because I know there is no way you’ll leave him here.” She motioned to Cole with her hand. He tilted his head with a smirk. I spun to hide my embarrassment and bumped her with my hip.
“I’ll see you in a few.”
“I have to work on votes, anyway.” She gave her forehead an exaggerated swipe. “Running for queen is hard work.”
I grinned. “You’ll beat Tatum. Don’t worry.”
She smiled and wandered into the crowd. I shook my head and made my way to the exit.
Jason waited by the door, carrying a huge bouquet of roses. I sucked in a breath and stumbled to the side.
He slid a long stem from the bunch. His face lit. “‘She was fair as is the rose in May.’”
I chuckled. “Chaucer?”
“Of course, my lady.”
I folded my fingers over my mouth and took the flower from him. “Thanks, Jason.”
“Have a lovely evening.” He bowed before gliding around me.
Drake stepped through the hallway doors. He grinned when our eyes met. “You’re absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you.” I looked away to hide my warm cheeks.
He squeezed my arm. “You almost hid the embarrassment radiating off of you.”
“I really hate your ability.” I chortled. “You look pretty good yourself.”
He did. His black suit and bow tie had a James Bond perfection to them. His vibrant gray eyes sparkled in the white lights.
Nora sashayed in next to him, smiling, and singing to the music. A short tight violet dress hugged her body. Her clunky black boots made me chuckle. Ropes of hair bounced with her staggering dance moves. “Hey, luv. You made it,” she slurred.
Drake rolled his eyes. “Nora tends to drink when our parents fail to attend our important events.”
“Sod off. If that were true, I’d be an alcoholic.”
“You said it, not me.” Drake smiled at me.
I withheld a giggle.
“Where’s Holden?” Drake searched the room. “He brought you, yes?”
Cole hadn’t told them. I fidgeted with my nails. “Um—no. Cole did.”
Nora stumbled. Her lips curved down. “Thea…”
“I know, and right now I don’t care. I’m having a good time.”
Nora waggled her finger. “It’s your heart, luv.”
Drake glanced at her. “Why don’t you look for Cole? Maybe get yourself a glass of water.”
She waved him off before dancing through the crowd. She slammed into people and smiled at them, calming their annoyance. I shook my head.
Drake took my arm, slightly harder than I’d expected. “May I ask for this dance?”
I pulled gently from his grip and straightened my dress. “I’m actually on my way to the bathroom. Everyone is at the table in the corner. I’ll meet you over there.”
“Be careful.” He kissed my cheek.
His gaze linked with mine, and he gave me a tight-lipped nod.
I pushed through the double doors. I opened and closed my eyes to adjust to the blinding fluorescent lights. Empty. Thank goodness. I relaxed, happy to leave the chaos of the gym for a moment.
I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect first high school dance. I had the most wonderful date here, and I survived at least two hours without touching a single person. The rest of the night would only get better. I couldn’t wait.
In the bathroom, I fixed any stray hairs, wiped the mascara inching below my eyes, and breathed into my hand to make sure I was kissable. Withholding a dance of excitement, I returned to the hall. Ethan stood outside the door, frozen like a statue. He didn’t blink or acknowledge me and the whites of his eyes seemed to invade his irises. Why would he wear those creepy contacts? Always the jokester. If this was his surprise, Wynter would hate it.
“Ethan, why are you…” I noticed the purplish bags outlining his eyes and cracks peeling on his lips. “What’s going on? Are you sick? Do you need me to get—”
He pivoted and tread toward the far end of the school.
“Ethan, wait.” The rose fell from my hand, and my heels clicked on the floor as I ran after him.
He quickened his pace until we reached the line of locker doors at the end of the hall. He turned into the dark corridor that led to the library. Th
e strobes from the gym across the courtyard cast pulsating squares of light onto the tile floor.
Ethan disappeared into the shadows.
I crept through the light. “Ethan?”
No answer.
“Where are you going?” I crashed into someone. “Oh, I’m so—”
I raised my chin. A sinister smile stretched across the face I hoped I would never see again. The sight of him weakened my knees. Pale-green eyes, platinum-blond hair, and slightly crooked teeth—the Resparé from Metro.
Chapter Seventeen
The Resparé man gripped my shoulders, shoved me against the wall, and the crown of my head knocked into the concrete. A throbbing pain shot down my spine, and I whimpered.
He breathed into my hair. The feel of his nose grazing my cheek burned my throat in disgust. I twisted to move away, but he jammed his hips to my abdomen, pinning me to the wall. His grip tightened. Heart hammering in my chest, I anticipated the pain of him draining me.
When it didn’t come, I squirmed to escape. Screaming and kicking, I fought to free myself. He held tighter. At this rate, I’d only tire myself. I focused, summoning my light to blast him, and fire ignited down my arms. In two seconds, he’d be across the room.
He dug his fingernails into my skin, and sharp jolts of pain cooled the growing heat in my hands as a little of my essence seeped from me. His lashes fluttered, and he moaned, the sight and sound churning my stomach.
I didn’t know how to retaliate. Cole hadn’t shown me how to absorb essence. I didn’t even know if I could.
“Do not charge off her. Not even an ounce. I need her completely intact,” a deep male voice said from the shadows. His footsteps tapped on the tile as he neared.
Intact? What were they going to do with me? Torture me? I darted my eyes at the lighted portion of the hallway, hoping that one of my Inflexaen friends would run around the corner to save me. No one came.
I was alone.
“I’ve tasted her, Larc. Her essence is indescribable. The small amount charged me longer than I’ve ever experienced,” the blond Resparé said.
“Not. Even. An. Ounce,” the man ordered.
The Resparé nodded, tangled my arms behind my back, and tugged me toward the man’s voice.
How would I get out of this situation? Scream? No. The music would drown out my cries for help. I could fight, but I had no training. Provoking him might result in my being drained to death. There had to be another way.
Think, Thea.
Larc stepped from the darkness with the girl from the beach standing next to him. Her elbow-length hair puffed around her like an apple-red halo. Splashes of bronze freckles dotted her fair cheekbones. She glared and crossed her arms.
I ignored her and observed Larc. He seemed to know me. But I’d never seen him before. His black shoes shone as if recently polished, and every pleat on his black slacks was pressed to perfection. He stood tall with broad shoulders, his muscular physique evident even beneath a tan sports coat.
His eyes connected with mine, and my stomach coiled, nausea rolling over me in threatening waves. I trembled, losing my balance and slackening in the Resparé’s grasp.
I’d never forget those eyes. Never for as long as I lived.
Electric-blue. Vacant. Emotionless.
I stared in horror at the man from my nightmare. The man who murdered the woman in front of her child. I’d been right. The dream was a memory.
“What—what do you want with me?” I hated the fear in my voice. That I couldn’t pull it together and be strong.
A malicious grin extended across Larc’s face. His smile brought back the memory of how I felt while peering through the closet doors. The swell in my throat. The tightening of my chest. Whatever he had in store for me would be way worse than death.
I writhed in the Resparé’s hold on me, my foot connecting with his toe. He grunted, his fingers loosened, and I shook myself free.
The girl held up her hand. Yellow light hovered above her palm, crackling and spidering out from the sphere. I froze, wide-eyed, knowing she could knock me onto the ground in one flick of her wrist.
The Resparé man snatched my arm, capturing me once again.
The girl looked at Larc with a grin. “Want me to knock her out?” Her red curls bounced in front of her face, hiding the obvious excitement in her eye.
Larc shook his head. He steepled his index fingers to his lips, and my breath hitched, as he studied me. His eyes squinted, and his head cocked to the side, making me feel like a specimen.
He slid his hand into his jacket pocket and withdrew a photo. The corners were as tattered as the one I carried of my parents. How many times had he looked at it? He glanced several times from the photo to me. His thumb rubbed the once glossy side. “Lyra?”
I shook my head. “I—I think you have the wrong person. My name is Thea. I don’t—”
Larc shifted closer. His terrifying blue eyes burned into mine, and he placed his palms on either side of my temples. I squirmed, and he squeezed tighter. “This will be quick.”
A piercing jolt zipped through my head. My eyes darted back and forth behind my closed lids, and my lashes fluttered, revealing quick flashes of electric-blue. The muscles in my cheeks tensed. I jellied.
I couldn’t focus on fighting. I couldn’t concentrate on anything except the agonizing pain.
I screamed.
Larc released me, and I hung limply in the Resparé’s arms, peering at Larc under hooded eyelids.
His sprung open. “They actually did it? Mnemosyne couldn’t sustain you any longer, eh?” His gaze drifted to the ceiling. He chuckled, giddy. “Taking a chance on their own. Drastic times, I suppose. Brilliant, really. Years, I’ve been searching for you.” He nodded to his followers. “Take her out the back.”
I dug my heels into the tile. “Where are you taking me?”
The Resparé squeezed the back of my neck with one hand and gripped my wrists with his other. He shoved me forward. I resisted, stumbling and tripping. “Get your hands off of me. Help! Help!”
The redhead whipped around and smacked me across the face. “Enough!”
I dropped to the side but the Resparé from Metro held me upright. Warm liquid dripped from the corner of my mouth. Without a free hand, the blood moistened my lips. Metallic flooded my taste buds. I spit.
Larc spun. His teeth clenched. The muscles in his cheeks twitched. “I told you not to touch her.”
Her face contorted in fearful worry. “But, sir, she—”
He grabbed her by the chin and forced her to her knees. I gasped. His eyes glowed a neon yellow. The girl screamed and writhed. His grin broadened as he sucked out her life.
She aged before my eyes. Her hair straightened and faded to gray, white, and then a wiry color I’d never seen before. Skin that had glowed with youth moments before dulled and wrinkled, melting into every crevice of her skull. Yellow wisps of essence drained from her body into Larc’s. She wheezed and coughed blood.
Her gurgling cries… I wanted to cover my ears.
“Help,” strangled from her rotted lips. Her eyes sank back into the sockets, and she crumbled to the ground in a cloud of white smoke.
I wavered on shaky legs. He killed her with zero hesitation and had no remorse. None. I had to run. I didn’t have a choice.
The light from the window outlined a silhouette slumped on the bench in the hallway. I focused to make out the person’s face. Ethan stared straight ahead, unmoving. He didn’t react or flinch at the horrible scene.
Larc had done something to him. Stolen a part of him somehow. My heart sank.
Larc rubbed his palms together and brushed off the sleeves of his jacket. His eyes slanted at the man holding me. “Do not harm the girl, Jonathan.”
Jonathan’s shoulders tensed. He was as afraid of Larc as I was. He cleared his throat. “And the boy?”
Larc glance toward Ethan. “Leave him. The others will come soon. First come first serve, so to speak.”
<
br /> No! They couldn’t hurt Ethan.
Larc laughed and strolled into the darkness. “Say your goodbyes, Lyra.”
Jonathan shoved me forward. I stumbled and moaned, tears trickling on my cheeks as we passed Ethan. My heart sped up. How many Resparés were outside? How many would come in and hurt my friends? Ethan and Wynter were human. They’d never survive an attack.
I’d never let that happen.
Anger boiled inside my chest. I’d die before I allowed this man to hurt anyone I loved. I concentrated on Jonathan’s skin touching mine and fueled my power to his hands. The world seemed to bend and bow as if I looked out from inside a bubble. Ripples of light rained from above, and a gust of wind whirled around our feet. Weightlessness relieved the heaviness in my muscles, followed by the sensation of swimming in a warm pool. I didn’t spin into a dark oblivion as I usually did when I stepped into a memory. Instead, I hovered.
Stray tendrils of my hair tickled my nose.
My eyes flicked opened and prickles climbed my neck. I stood beside Jonathan and a frozen version of myself. Not in the past, but in the present. Jonathan was still clutching my neck, and Larc was paused mid-step in front of us. Had I passed out? Was this a dream? Was I … dead?
I touched my frozen self’s arm to see if my fingers would go through. They didn’t. But at the same time something brushed my own forearm. I rubbed the spot. I was still tied to my body, just not inside of it. Was this what an out-of-body experience felt like? What had I done? And how would I get back?
A stream of light from the frozen strobe illuminated the picnic tables in the courtyard. The windows lining the top of the gym were too high to see in, but I assumed the people at the dance were also motionless.
This wasn’t a memory, but the present. Time had somehow stopped. As much as my mind spun with questions, I didn’t know how long this would last. I had to focus on getting everyone to safety.
I reached to Jonathan but hesitated. Before I freed myself, I had to see the photo. I wiggled the torn picture from Larc’s right hand.
