“You were losing too much blood. The cut was really deep. You could have gone into shock. My blood—evil or not—has healing properties. I did what I had to in order to save your life.”
His answer surprised me more than knowing he’d dared to do something so reckless.
“Why did you save me? I’ve been anything but nice to you. Why do something so stupid, knowing I’d be pissed?” I wasn’t as angry as I should have been. In spite of it all, I was surprisingly mellow.
“I figured you couldn’t hate me any less.” I don’t know if he tried to hide the bitterness that accompanied his words, but if he did, he failed miserably.
“Trying to lay a guilt trip on me?” I couldn’t help my response.
“No. I’m just stating facts.”
I shook my head. “I don’t hate you. Not really. I hate the idea that I might actually trust you and then you’ll turn against me. I hate that possibility even more.” The second those words left my mouth I wanted to swallow them whole. I don’t know where that bout of honesty came from, but once I’d said them I couldn’t take it back. And it was apparent by Rhyzel’s reaction that my honesty sat well with him.
“I guess I’ve gotten on your good side after all.”
In spite of myself, I smiled. “I just have one little problem with what you did.”
“What?”
“What if your blood has long lasting effects on me? What if the effects are bad?”
“First of all, I don’t think a few drops will actually hurt you. You’re a witch, so I’m pretty confident your system will repel any bad effects my blood might have on you. You inspected your wounds yourself and they’re not completely healed, but healing slowly. That should tell you the amount of blood in your body isn’t much. And second, if you were to present any effects, I think we would have seen them by now.”
Rhyzel had a way of talking that made him sound pretty convincing. That was why I feared getting close to him. Even when he presented himself to be an ordinary person, there was something inside me that wouldn’t let me trust him completely.
“I hope you’re right.” I knew I’d have to keep Mom from finding out what he did to me. Although he’d done what he thought was best, I knew she’d probably freak over it. I didn’t want her to get scared or try killing Rhyzel over something that had saved my life even when it was a method that could be potentially hazardous for me.
“How are you feeling now?”
My head did hurt still, but the pain was getting duller as time progressed. “Better.”
“Then…I think we should head on home.” He sounded reluctant to leave, but I didn’t think it was wise to stay in a dark, abandoned house all alone with him. My emotions were already in a riot and I didn’t want to risk developing any more feelings for him.
“I hope I don’t fall off the bike.” I laughed as the visual crossed my mind—it was also my way of lightening the mood.
Rhyzel picked himself off the floor. “Hold on tight then.” He extended a hand.
I placed my hand in his. “Promise me something.”
“What?”
“That you won’t drive like you have some kind of death wish this time.”
He helped me to my feet and pulled me close. “Did I scare you?”
Although uncomfortable with his nearness, I tried not to let it show. “Scare me? I thought I’d never live to see another day.”
Rhyzel said nothing as he leaned over to pick up my phone from the mattress and hand it to me. “And here I thought you were holding me tight on purpose.” There was humor underlining each word.
“Dream on,” I replied with a smile, pushing on his chest.
Distance seemed to be a priority when we were alone and even though I felt I was seriously crushing on him, I needed to put at least a couple of feet between us just for my own sake.
Chapter Sixteen
Barriers
“Let’s get out of here.” He took my hand and led me out of the bedroom, out a small hall, to what I assumed was the living room, where I could see two big windows on the right side of the boarded up door I’d tried to come in through hours ago.
“How did you get me in here?” As far as I could tell, the door was still boarded up from the outside and so were the windows.
“You’re not the only one with a few tricks up their sleeve.” He pulled me along as he made his way toward the first window. “I couldn’t just break into the house and leave evidence that would lead the police right to us.” He inched his face closer to the window and looked out through the cracks in the wooden panel used to cover the gap where a pane of glass used to be.
“The police were looking for us?” I couldn’t help but sound horrified, and he was completely oblivious to my eyes burning a hole in the back of his head. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“I don’t think they were looking for us specifically. I think they were looking for any sign that an intruder had used this place as a hideout.” He straightened up again. “I had to erase all signs of us ever being on this property.”
Since we hadn’t been found by the police I had no choice but to accept that he’d done a good job at hiding our tracks.
“How are we going to get out then?”
“The same way we came in.” Rhyzel flattened the palm of his right hand against the wooden panel, spread his fingers wide, and pushed out. It took about a second for the entire thing to disappear as if it had never been there, leaving the gap open for us to slip through and come out the other side.
My mouth dropped open. “How did you do that?”
He grinned. “I told you, you’re not the only one with a useful trick or two.”
I nodded. He had managed to make himself invisible for an entire week and I had never detected him. “That is a good trick.”
Rhyzel stuck his head out the window and looked out from left to right before saying, “The coast is clear.”
“How are we going to get back to your bike? We can’t exactly hike up the fence alongside Devin’s house. There might be a cop keeping guard somewhere.”
“That’s the boy’s name?” When I nodded, Rhyzel said, “Don’t worry about it. We can go in the opposite direction and jump the fence from the far right side. It leads directly to the sidewalk, so all we have to do is circle around the block.”
“You’ve already scoped the place out, huh?”
He tugged on my arm to get me moving. “I had to be prepared in case we had to get out of the area fast.”
“Sounds like a safe enough plan.” I shoved my phone in my pocket to free my hands, and with Rhyzel holding onto my waist, I climbed out window and waited for him on the other side. Once he was out, he repeated his little trick but this time in reverse, placing his hand over the gap and pushing in. The wooden panel appeared back in place as if it had never vanished.
“Come on, let’s get out of here.” He immediately grabbed my hand and started moving, walking to the right side of the porch, jumping down from where the structure ended and waiting as I did the same. From there we moved carefully to the far right side of the property—away from Devin’s house—and made it to the chain link fence. “Climb up. I’ll keep an eye out.”
I nodded and made it up and over the fence in a few seconds. Once I jumped down, I looked around, hoping not to see any signs that the place was being watched by law enforcement. When I saw no indication that the place was under surveillance, I motioned for Rhyzel to make his way out.
As soon as his feet touched the sidewalk, we turned right and started to circle around the block, hoping to make it to the bike and be on our way home. There was a huge probability that if we were spotted by police, we could be stopped and interrogated. Neither of us exactly looked presentable. Now that the street lights made it easy for me to see in the dark, I was sure my torn, bloodied, dirty clothes would raise red flags. So would Rhyzel’s.
We kept walking past a few houses, turned right on the corner, and strolled on by two more houses before sp
otting Rhyzel’s Yamaha in the same spot he’d left it, in front of Devin’s house. Neither of us said a word as we cautiously sauntered on to the bike and once again, inspected the area for signs of trouble.
“It’s safe,” Rhyzel murmured after a moment.
As my gaze came to rest on the bike, I noticed a piece of paper taped to the seat. “Look.” I pointed to it.
Rhyzel read it before saying, “It’s for you.”
I furrowed my brows. “For me?” When he nodded, I took the paper and read it. The note was written in ink and it was obvious by the writing that a child had been the author. It was a simple note with only a few words, but its message was loud and clear. “He took care of things? I wonder what story he fed his parents. I can’t imagine them not freaking out when they unfroze and saw the better part of a wall missing in their little boy’s room.”
“He seemed to be a smart boy. I’m sure he knew how to handle things.” Rhyzel took the keys from his jeans pocket.
He was right about Devin, though. The little boy would prove time and time again just how smart he was for his age. After what I’d seen, I had no doubt he would be able to face anything and come back the victor.
“Let’s go home,” I said, pocketing the note before climbing on the seat behind Rhyzel and wrapping my arms around his midsection.
***
The ride home wasn’t as bad as the one to Devin’s house. Rhyzel had taken care not to freak me out. We made it back home in about twenty minutes—the ride taking ten more minutes because he actually obeyed traffic laws this time.
We made it back to the apartment building by four fifteen in the morning and I was glad we made it home without incident. Of course, my luck could run out once I set foot inside my apartment but there was nothing I could do.
As we climbed the first set of stairs, I wondered how much I would be able to hide from Mom—if I’d be able to hide anything at all. She was good at catching me in a lie so I would have to be really convincing this time. Not that I could lie all that much. My appearance could pretty much rat me out.
I was half way up the second set of stairs when Rhyzel caught my arm and forced me to a stop. I turned and questioned him with my eyes.
“About tonight…?”
“Tonight?”
He let go of my arm and straightened his back a bit. “About you owing me a bite to eat.”
Ah, so that’s where he was going. “What about it?”
“Tonight?” It was the first time I’d seen Rhyzel appear even remotely sheepish. I could clearly read hesitation in his eyes, and for a second there I thought he’d take off running and forget all about finishing the conversation.
I had agreed to go out with him. Granted, he’d been practically blackmailing me at the time, but it had been mostly my fault. I hadn’t told him my urgency was due to an emergency. Maybe if it had crossed my mind, which it should have, I wouldn’t have stumbled into agreeing to treat him to a meal.
“I’m a girl of my word,” I responded with a straight face. A part of me wanted to allow the smile, begging to be released to actually do so, but the more sensible part of me thought better of it. “Do you have a place in mind?”
He ran one hand over his bronzed colored hair. “Just wear something comfortable. It’s supposed to be really hot out today.”
His response sparked my interest.
“It sounds like you’ve been plotting this all along.” I tossed a suspicious look in his direction. “Have you?”
He scrunched up his face a little before saying, “I had a lot of time to think while you were out cold.”
“And a lot of time to go over my phone too, huh?” I patted my jeans pocket for emphasis.
A smile played at his lips. “I was bored.” He tipped his chin up a bit. “And curious. I’ve never seen you with your guard down.”
“What are you talking about? You’ve caught me off guard more than once.” I stared hard at him. He looked like he wanted to get something out but it was costing him a lot, and I had no idea what he was trying to get at.
“That’s not what I mean.” He took a step closer. “I mean that I’ve never seen you be…well, just you. Not Demi the witch, but Demi the girl. The person.”
I drank in his features and as I did, I realized Rhyzel was trouble. Not the demon type trouble. No. He was boy trouble. The kind of trouble that can end badly, but you’d still try anyway.
“Was your curiosity sated?” I don’t know why, but the memory of lying on the hard floor with him on top, pinning me in place with his hot body, his lips sealed to mine, momentarily swirled in my head. For a brief few seconds I had the urge to know if his kisses were actually worth all the hell I’d probably go through in order to keep him in my life.
It was too much of a risk, but damn if I wasn’t tempted.
His mouth curved up at the ends. “Some. It was a start, but not nearly enough.”
“What more do you want? You’ve already seen into my life, kissed me, fought a battle against evil beside me, and gone through my property. What more is there to be curious about?”
He scoffed. “You call that a kiss? Nah, that was just a peck. Something to get your attention. Nothing more. I can do better.”
I blinked. “Is that an invitation?”
A mischievous sparkle lit his eyes. “Maybe.”
I felt a smile tug at the corners of my mouth. “I think you have high expectations.”
He barked out a quick laugh. The sound was rich and incredibly pleasant. “My expectations may be on the high side, but I’m aspiring to something that might just be out of my league completely. Let’s just say I have dreams of breaking through barriers that could crumple on top of me at any moment.”
“This barrier is tough,” I teased.
“I know.” He looked away. “But I’ve never wanted to break through barriers more than at this moment.”
I was taken aback completely by the emotions in his voice. He sounded so tired and motivated at the same time that it surprised me completely.
“I think you should chip away at the ends first.” I looked away, too. Gazing at him directly, taking in his handsome features, made me feel things I didn’t want to feel.
“I’ve been trying.” His eyes dropped down to his black and white running shoes. “I’ll see you tonight, right?”
“Sure.”
“Seven?”
“I’ll be ready.”
His gaze shifted to my face. “Pack a large blanket, cold drinks, and a few sandwiches.”
Intrigued, I questioned him with my eyes, but he only added, “Don’t worry, we won’t be alone.” He started up the stairs again. I stayed behind, staring at his broad back. Near the top, he stopped and glanced back over his left shoulder. “Just so you won’t have problems with your folks, I’ll meet up with you at the front of the building.”
“Okay.”
He continued up the stairs alone and was soon out of sight.
Since we were nearing the second floor entry I could only assume he didn’t want Mom or Dad—in case they were up and about, waiting for me— to see us arriving together. It was better that way. I tried to convince myself of that, but his departure left me feeling alone.
Rhyzel Connor was proving to be the biggest challenge I’d ever come across. He’d shown up unannounced, shaken up my life, and worst of all forced me to sympathize with the enemy. Everything he’d done so far only showed a side to him that I found incredibly appealing even if I was still cautious. As our encounters increased, so did the odds of being exposed to the human side of him. I realized more and more that he was a better person than most people I knew.
Realistically, his entire victim act could be false, but I would never know for sure what was under his skin unless his weaknesses were revealed. And I wouldn’t find that out unless I was close enough to figure him out.
I could very well be putting my entire existence at risk, but that date with him was something I couldn’t pass up. If he turn
ed out to be a good guy after all, then the only harm in spending time with him was in disappointing my mother.
Sighing heavily, I climbed to the top of the stairs, turned to my right, and ambled down the hall to my apartment. Once I got to the door, I fished for the key in my pocket but couldn’t find it. Just to be sure, I searched in my other pocket but that one only held my phone.
“Shit!” I murmured and knocked on the door. I’d barely rapped on it twice when it swung open and my dad stepped out, pale as a ghost.
“Demi!” He took me into his arms and hugged me so tight my circulation was almost cut off. “Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick!”
“Demi? Demi!” I winced when I heard Mom’s scream coming from inside the apartment.
“It’s kind of a long story.”
Dad immediately ushered me inside, where I was greeted by my worried mother.
Mom took in my disheveled hair, the bloody shirt, and torn pants slowly, as if she couldn’t believe I was standing before her, alive.
“She looks okay.” Dad shut and locked the door before turning back to us. “Well, most of her, anyway.” I had to give Dad credit for trying to lighten the mood.
“Okay?” Mom gave Dad a look that clearly told him she wasn’t amused by his attempt at a joke. He looked a little uncomfortable afterwards and quite frankly, I was, too. “Demi, I’ve been on pins and needles for hours. We must have called your phone like a hundred times. Where have you been?”
“Out of commission.” I smiled, but instantly regretted it. Mom wasn’t in the mood for any form of jesting. She certainly wasn’t taking my disappearance lightheartedly. “Mom, I’m sorry. I…” The rest of my sentence was cut short when she ran toward me and wrapped her arms around me.
“Don’t you ever disappear like that again.” My heart constricted as she broke out in sobs.
“Mom, I’m really sorry. I had an emergency with a charge and things got really complicated.” I returned the embrace. “I was knocked out cold, but I’m okay. Really.”
Mom released me and took a step back. “What happened?”
Keeper of the Innocents Page 19
