Aura

by Rebecca Lynn Talley

  "Look, demons have been here. They have your parents, and they may come back for you any minute. We need to hurry." Alec gathered me up in his arms and carried me to his car. He pushed me inside. "You have no idea what demons are capable of."

  He slammed the door and ran around to the other side. I wanted to throw the door open and run from him, but if demons really had my parents, Alec was the only one who could help me find them.

  He started the engine. "I'm taking you somewhere safe to protect you. That's what your parents would want."

  The tires squealed as we sped away from the house. Alec wove through the streets, checking his rearview mirror. He didn't say anything.

  Afraid to utter what circled around my mind, I finally whispered, "What if they're dead?"

  "They aren't." He checked over his left shoulder.

  "How do you know?" Fear, anger, and sadness wound around me so tight I could hardly breathe.

  "I just do."

  I stared at him waiting for an explanation.

  "If he wanted to kill them, he'd have left them dead at your house. He'll use them to get to you."

  I hated that Alec only gave me hints here and there but never fully told me anything. It made me feel like a little kid. I wanted answers. "He? Who's 'he'? Tell me what you know. "

  Alec shook his head and then hit the steering wheel with his palm. "I should've known. I should've—"

  "What? You should've what?" My voice cracked.

  "I told you, he wants you."

  "You're not trying to blame this on Nate are you?"

  "Yes."

  "Why would Nate take my parents? So I'd be his girlfriend?" Sounded completely insane.

  "Probably has orders."

  "What does that mean? Whose orders?

  After a minute or so, Alec said softly, "I know this has all been thrown at you and you're confused, but I promise I'll get you to a safe place and then we can find your parents."

  Realizing I had no other options, I sat back, watching the houses and buildings blur into one another until we left the city limits. The scenery changed into black fields with occasional lights. I chewed on my fingernail, my insides twisted into a million knots.

  Alec dialed his cell phone. "I've got her . . . her parents are gone. . . . Maybe the boyfriend or maybe he sent others, I'm not sure . . . We're in the car . . . No, I didn't see anyone following us, and I don't sense anything either . . . I'm sure he wants her . . . soon." He ended the call and dropped his phone.

  I cleared my throat. "When are you going to tell me what's going on?"

  After a few moments, he said, "My mom will explain everything."

  I rested my throbbing head against the car seat, a thousand thoughts revolving around my brain. What if Alec is right? What if someone took my parents to get to me? Guilt slithered up my spine. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to them because of me.

  We followed a winding road in the foothills with spots of snow lingering on the sides here and there. After fifteen minutes or so, I saw a dim light in the distance. The light grew brighter as we approached an old cabin.

  Alec stopped the car in front of it. He got out, leaving my phone on the seat. I scooped it up and got out of the car. It was worth a shot to listen to his mom, but if she didn't have answers, I'd have to formulate my own plan to find my parents.

  The wooden steps creaked with each step. Even in the darkness it seemed old, like something from the Wild West. Firelight flickered in a small window. The door opened, and a woman with flowing red hair stepped into the doorway. She flung her arms around Alec. "I'm so relieved you're okay."

  When she saw me, she stopped for a moment, studying my face, as if she recognized me. "Hello, Crystal." Kindness filled her eyes. "You must be so frightened. And confused." She spoke in a soft, comforting voice.

  I blinked back tears, feeling relieved, but still apprehensive—I wasn't ready to trust anyone yet.

  We walked into the small main room. "I wasn't sure where else to take her," Alec said in a hushed voice.

  "This is fine. We didn't know they'd attack tonight. We thought we had more time."

  Though I didn't know her, I recognized the same worry in her voice that my mom had the last time . . .

  "He must be angry," Alec said.

  "Of course."

  "Maybe there's still a chance—"

  She cut him off. "He is what he is by his own choice. We cannot change it."

  "But there may be a part of him—"

  "No." She held up her hand and her voice grew hard. "There is not." She laid her hand on his shoulder.

  "But, Mother—"

  "Joshua, no more. We must focus on the task before us."

  Joshua?

  A knock at the door startled me. "Come in," the woman said.

  A man with a beard entered. He cleared his throat. "They weren't followed. All the checkpoints are secure."

  "Keep watch," she said. "We'll determine what to do in the morning. Thank you, Frank."

  Frank dipped his head and left.

  "Will they come after her?" Alec asked.

  They were all talking as if I didn't exist. As if I weren't in the same room. I wished that were true.

  "I don't believe so. Not now that he has a bargaining chip. I think he'll want her to come to him on his own terms, in his own time. He wants to control everything, just as he always has."

  I coughed, trying to make them realize I was there, listening to them.

  Alec looked at me.

  "Alec—whatever your name is—you said your mom would explain things to me."

  He glanced back at the woman. "I did tell her that."

  The woman walked over and sat on the small couch. I followed and sat next to her. She placed her hand over mine. A current of warmth traveled up my arm. "I'm so sorry about all of this. It must be very confusing." Her tranquil voice calmed me.

  I nodded. I wanted someone, anyone, to explain what was happening. And why.

  "This is my son, Joshua."

  Alec glanced at me. "I had to change my name. Actually, I change it often," he said in a matter-of-fact way.

  "Why?"

  "Long story," he said as he sat on a rocking chair next to the fireplace.

  She spoke again. "My real name is Sarah, but right now I am called Melinda."

  Trying to take in that information I asked, "Are you hiding from someone?"

  "Yes," she said.

  "Who?"

  "The man who ordered the kidnapping of your parents."

  "Why would some guy want to take them? They're so . . . ordinary." Maybe this was all related to why we moved so often and to what my parents were hiding from me.

  "Actually, they aren't ordinary at all. Nor are you." She peered at me with an intensity I didn't understand.

  I blinked. "What do you mean?"

  "I tried to tell her some things, but . . ." Alec's voice trailed off.

  "You are a threat to an evil and very powerful man who is controlled by a demon," Sarah—Melinda—said.

  I put a hand on my chest. "Me?"

  She nodded.

  "How could I be a threat? And what would that have to do with my parents?" I was sure I was going to wake up any minute from this bizarre dream and laugh about all the weird people and strange things in it.

  "The only way to combat Darkness is with Light. You radiate great Light and the demons know it."

  I studied her, waiting for her to say more.

  "The only way for evil to rule is for good to do nothing. Those who fight against evil, or have the power to do so, are especially targeted."

  In case she hadn't noticed, I was a high school student. I spent my time reading novels, worrying about my hair, and acting in plays. I tried to keep my grades up, wore acne cream at night, and looked forward to college. Normal teenager stuff.

  "I'm a regular person. I don't fight against evil."

  She tilted her head and gazed at me with a bewildered expression. "Your
parents have told you nothing?"

  I shook my head.

  She raised her eyebrows. "Perhaps they felt they were protecting you. Your aura is extraordinary. You must be very innocent and you must have unique gifts. There are not many like you."

  "I don't understand."

  "The demons are well organized." She glanced away for a moment. "The leader over this area is especially cunning." Something flickered in her eyes.

  I stared at her. Could my parents have really known about this—about the demons and about my aura?

  She reached out and touched my arm. "I am involved with a group called The Covenant. We have sworn to fight the demons—to stop them. We search for people like you, because we can sense your Light. The demons can sense those with Light too. If they can convince you to join them, and pollute your power with Darkness, they can use it to spread the evil. It is a power struggle of the highest degree."

  "Why would anyone want to join them?" Spreading evil didn't sound at all appealing.

  She sighed and tucked her long hair behind her right ear. "For power, fame, money, beauty. You name it. The demons cannot force anyone to allow possession, but they do their best to entice human hosts by promising all of these things, and more." She paused, then with more passion, continued. "They appeal to what matters most to people. They lull them into believing they can have what they want without any cost except to recruit more followers. The hosts don't realize that once they have given themselves over to the demons, they'll never be free unless . . ."

  "I had no idea," I said.

  "Demons inhabit more hosts every day. We of The Covenant must hide, trying to stay one step ahead of the demon armies by finding people with Light to fight against them."

  I rubbed my eyes with the heels of my hands. If this is all true, I'm right in the middle of a demon war.

  "The demons have kidnapped your parents in an effort to bring you to them. You are very valuable. The one who leads them is driven by his desire for power. He destroys whatever, and whoever, stands in his way." Her voice sounded a little something. Sad, maybe?

  The flames licked the wood in the fireplace while I tried to make sense of the erratic thoughts bouncing through my mind. I didn't want to be involved in some apocalyptic war with demons. After a few moments, I said, "I'm not interested in saving the world, just finding my parents."

  She leaned toward me. "Both goals are one in the same."

  I blinked. How would finding my parents save the world?

  "We are formulating a plan. Until we have it set, you must stay here with us—protected. We don't want to run the risk of the demons corrupting your Light."

  "I want to find my parents and get back to a normal life. I want to graduate from high school and go to college. Be on Broadway. Get married and have a couple of kids. You know, normal stuff." I emphasized the last two words with my hands to make my point.

  With a look of sympathy she said, "Your life will never be normal. Once you are on their radar, the demons will never leave you alone."

  "And my parents?"

  "They are on the demon's radar as well."

  Her words sucked the breath from my lungs. "But, why?"

  Frank burst into the cabin. "Melinda, something has come up. We need to talk. Now."

  She left with Frank without answering my question. Of course.

  "Why don't you lie down here on the couch? Get a little rest," Alec said.

  "I'd rather wait for your mom to get some more answers." As exhausted as I was, I needed answers way more than I needed rest.

  "She may not be back for a while."

  I dragged my hand down my face. "Why is it so hard to get answers from people?"

  Alec moved next to me. "I know this sounds bizarre, but everything she said is true." He looked at me with his magnetic eyes that I didn't want to notice.

  I pushed my hair from my face. "So do you fight these demons?"

  "Ever since I can remember. My mom and I have been on the move all my life."

  "What about your dad?"

  "She left him shortly after I was born." Alec looked away and shifted his weight. "I haven't seen him since."

  The firelight cast dancing shadows across the walls. My arms and legs were numb. So much had happened and I wasn't sure where to go from here, except that I needed to find my parents. ASAP. I had to believe that they were still alive somewhere, because I couldn't even consider the alternative.

  I massaged the back of my neck reflecting on what Alec's mom had said.

  Demons inhabiting humans? A demon army? Terrifying thoughts—but, somehow, as crazy as it all sounded, it made some sense. Were Ms. Neal's dead eyes part of this? Nate attacking me? My parents making us move all the time for no reason? Were they all related?

  Even if they were, pieces were missing. Parts of what Melinda had said rattled in my head. Why were my parents on a demon radar? Because they had strong auras too? Because they were protecting me?

  I tossed and turned, falling asleep for a few minutes here and there, thoughts ping-ponging in my head, and images of creatures with red eyes and sharp teeth invading my cloudy dreams. Finally, I rose onto my elbows. Dawn was slowly emerging, so I gave up trying to get any more sleep. Muffled voices sounded in the bedroom, and then the door opened slightly. Alec crept into the room.

  "What's going on?" I asked.

  He startled at my question then came over to me, leaning slightly over the couch. "How did you sleep?"

  "Not very good." I sat up, and the room tilted to the left. Closing my eyes for a second, I licked my chapped lips. When was the last time I'd had a drink of water? Or eaten any food?

  Alec sat on the couch next to me and flicked on a floor lamp. Though my mind spun in a hundred different directions, I couldn't help but notice his strong jaw and those blue, blue eyes. Blue like I'd never seen before. The kind of blue I could lose myself in and forget . . . Stop it! I screamed inside my head. Stop noticing. Now.

  Alec said softly, "I'm sorry you didn't sleep well."

  I stifled a yawn and ran my fingers through my tangled hair.

  "You've had a lot thrown at you."

  I wiped at my mouth, hoping my morning breath wouldn't melt the furniture. "I still don't understand."

  Alec scooted closer. His gaze held mine, and in a gentle voice he said, "All you need to understand right now is that you're in danger because you pose a threat to a powerful demon disguised as—"

  "How?" I cut in. "Your mom said the same thing last night, but how could someone like me pose a threat to anyone?" How much damage could a skinny, awkward, insignificant girl like me do?

  Alec seemed to ponder my question. He stood and placed a small log on the fire. Sparks flew into the fireplace, and the aroma of burning cedar filled the room. After a few minutes of silence, he turned toward me and said, "Have you ever wondered why people lie?"

  His question took me by surprise. I shrugged and said, "I guess they don't want to get in trouble. Or maybe they want to get something." What did he want me to say?

  He sat next to me on the couch. "Why does someone rob a store?"

  "For the money." I'd never thought much about the reasons for robbery, only that it was wrong.

  "Murder?"

  "I don't know. Maybe the victim made someone mad enough to kill them. Or maybe they hurt someone the killer loved." Where is this conversation going? I picked at the wool blanket.

  "Do you ever wonder why Adolf Hitler did what he did?"

  Horrific images of what he'd done to millions of innocent people flashed through my mind. He murdered anyone that he decided deserved it. "He thought Jews were inferior and wanted to create a superhuman race."

  "What about Saddam Hussein?" He sat next to me, his leg touching mine, making shivers race up and down my thigh.

  Searching my mind for a pattern to his questions, I finally gave up. "I don't know what you're getting at." I stretched my arms then pulled my hair up into a ponytail, holding it in place with my fin
gers.

  "Now think about Mother Theresa."

  I admired all of the wonderful things she'd done, how she'd sacrificed her life to serve others. I let my hair fall down over my shoulders. "She was one of the most giving, unselfish people ever. She was amazing."

  Alec nodded. "What about a man who risks his life to save another?"

  "He wants to help someone else more than he wants to protect his own life." Still no clue what point he was trying to make.

  He leaned in toward me—so close it made breathing difficult. "Or a family that takes in foster children?"

  I'd met a family when we lived in Nebraska that had a house full of kids. One had Down syndrome and another was in a wheelchair. "They want to help kids who need it." I hoped he'd make his point before I stopped breathing altogether.

  He peered at me. I wished he'd stop doing that. Focus on his words, not on his eyes.

  "There's a force for good in the world and a force for evil," he said.

  "Well, yeah. But, how do I figure into any of it?"

  "We're all born with Light. As we make choices, that Light either gets brighter, or it dims. It depends on what we choose to do with our lives. You've made a conscious decision to follow the good over and over again, enough that your Light—your aura—is so bright that it glows." He paused. "Each time you tell the truth, or help someone else, or you don't cheat on a test, your Light grows. And . . ."

  "And what?"

  His cheeks colored, and he looked at the floor, tapping his fingers on his knees. "Virgins are especially powerful."

  My face turned to an instant forest fire, and my heartbeat echoed in my ears. Awkward. How does he know that? I squeezed my moist hands together and kept my gaze on them.

  He cleared his throat and said, "Sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you, but your aura gave you away." I could feel him looking at me as he went on. "Light can disrupt the connection between a demon and the host. Kind of like interference on TV or the radio. Get enough disruption, and the demon may lose power over the host."

  I found enough courage to finally look at him again. "Go on."

  "Demons don't have physical bodies, so they have to get humans to let them use theirs. Once inside, the demon begins to take control, a little at a time, until the demon has complete control. Sometimes that's fast, and other times, it takes longer."