“Sounds like a wonky dream,” Asher remarked with a smile.
“Of course not,” said Raymond. “Don’t worry, Pax—the Pseudosphere can play tricks with your mind.”
“Great!” Amara said, knowing how worried her friend had been. “See, Pax? It was just your imagination.”
Pax was just beginning to feel reassured about the safety of the planet and her sexual orientation when Vincent cleared his throat loudly. “Actually,” he said, “there is a comet.”
“Oh, fuck,” said Pax.
Raymond growled. “Young lady, your language!”
“Sorry, Papa. I get emotional about the apocalypse.” She shifted awkwardly, thinking about the apparition with Suja. “Hey, wait a minute. That means everything else Suja said is true too. Sakra, did you seriously make your wife shapeshift into famous movie actresses during sex?”
“That was one time!” Sakra said defensively. “She never let me forget it either. Come on; it was the fifties. Everyone was nuts about Marilyn.”
Amara and Pax looked at each other. After being cooped up together for years, they didn’t need words and could easily read each other. They speechlessly communicated volumes of their misery upon confirmation of the the impending disaster. Feeling the need to soothe Pax, Amara sent her friend a thought anyway. You could not have necessarily stopped this. Just because your dream turned out to be true, doesn’t mean she was actually there or any of that actually happened. Remember, when I found you, you were asleep—it could have been a prophetic dream.
It doesn’t matter now, Pax responded. She turned to Vincent, whose eyes were still focused on the sky. “Vince. That powerful man we’re sensing—do you think he has something to do with the comet?”
“It’s possible,” Vincent answered, “but if you ask me, he’s too distant to be of any concern. That life force is not even in this solar system; Suja would not position herself so far away. If a comet is going to hit the planet on August 12th, it is either already on its way here, or it will be launched from a much closer location.”
“August 12th?” Pax asked in surprise. “Suja didn’t mention that date to me. How do you know that?”
“It seems we both have our sources, girl. Unfortunately, I cannot share mine.” Vincent turned away, crossing his arms again. “Just know that this missile will be stopped—in one way, or another. My money is on ‘another.’”
“So that’s why Rose is having Thorn meet with all those army bigwigs and politicians,” Asher mused. “I can’t believe no one told us. This better not be another situation where someone fails to inform me, then suddenly teleports me into the middle of the mayhem, expecting me to risk my neck on a second’s notice.”
“You didn’t have to help out on Venus if it was so inconvenient for you,” Amara responded, her face stoical and her voice grim.
“Mara,” Asher said softly. “I’m only complaining because I wasn’t involved sooner. I just need two seconds’ notice, and I’m all yours.”
Her face faltered. It had been almost four years since she had seen him, and it was far too overwhelming to her emotions. Pax, you need to get me out of here now.
“We have a pressing engagement on another continent,” Pax informed the men gathered at the temple. She reached out to grasp Amara’s arm, as she placed her palm against her stomach. This time, her teleportation was perfect, landing her precisely in Amara’s waterfront home.
“My house,” Amara breathed, collapsing in the sofa blissfully. “Sanctuary at last!”
Pax smiled. “Frozen dinners or Chinese takeout?”
“Tacos,” Amara answered promptly.
Chapter 21: To-Do List
“Can it be done, Mr. Alvarez?”
“Anything can be done for a price. I usually don’t work for people I don’t know. How did you find out about my services?”
“I’ve hired you before and I was very pleased with your work. For this job, however, I require a bit more confidentiality and would prefer it if even you didn't know my identity.” Amara was using an untraceable number, and a simple device to change her voice.
“Well, miss. Just send me a photo of the girl along with the exact spelling of her name, the date of birth, her address, and... which package did you want to buy?”
“The full package. I need a birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, citizenship, everything.”
“Everything? As though you were creating her out of thin air?”
“Yes, everything.”
“Sure—but it’s really going to cost you.”
“Not an issue. I’m ready to transfer the money to you as we speak. I’ve sent you all the pertinent information, is that acceptable?”
“Ah, yes. I've received it. ‘Medea Meadows’ who was born in London, twenty-four years ago?”
“That’s the one.”
“Sorry—I usually don’t interfere in personal choices, but the name sounds a bit too fabricated and flowery. Can you add something to make it a little more realistic? An ugly middle name?”
Amara hesitated. “Para. Add ‘Para’ as a middle name.” She knew that Para would enjoy having a small shard of honesty in her official documentation. Leaning back in her leather chair, she fingered the new dress she’d purchased on her morning shopping trip. She’d picked out a small house in the city for Para, done all through a realtor on the phone; once she could use the IDs to set up a bank account, she could purchase the house in her name. She could have easily just purchased the house as herself, but she didn't want to have any obvious links to Para. She specified that she required a finished basement so that she could install features that would conceal any life force within the room.
“Alright, I can have everything ready within the hour if you can transfer that money to me. Do you know the premium price?”
“Yes. I appreciate your assistance, Mr. Alvarez.”
* * *
It was easy to commit crimes when you had superpowers. Pax had managed to secure all the etorphine they would ever need. Now, for a more daunting task, she was seeking out Thornton’s prana and flying in his direction. She had been nervous enough to change into fresh clothes and apply light makeup. When she was almost at her destination, she realized that he was at her condo; their condo, really. She had originally bought a modest apartment near the hospital once she had begun working there, but Thornton had stayed with her so often that he demanded she upgrade to a more deluxe flat, paying the difference.
It was fitting that they should meet there. She could tell him that she’d decided to sell the property while in the vector zone. She’d realized that she hadn't been back to the place since she and Thornton had broken up, not able to bear the memories it held for her. The mere thought of approaching the complex had made her feel sick to her stomach; hadn’t enough time passed that she could put it all behind her?
Mara is lucky that she bought her house all by herself, Pax thought inwardly. Having Thorn’s name on my title…. it made me feel practically homeless after we split. Pax landed on the roof and as she walked to the stairs, knowing that every step brought her closer to him, she began to feel ill again. Putting years and dimensions between them hadn’t given her as much emotional distance as she’d hoped. Her feelings hadn’t changed as much as she’d hoped. She unconsciously ran her hands over her clothing to smooth out the wrinkles from flying.
Descending the flights of stairs, she walked through the halls to her apartment door. She could feel his prana more strongly now. She tried to concentrate on his life force to determine his emotions. He knew she was coming, and he was anxious. Even though it was her apartment to which she had her own key, she still raised her hand to tentatively knock on the door. Before her knuckles had touched the door a second time, Thornton had already opened it, and their eyes locked.
She knew that on the outside, it had only technically been a few days since she had last seen him—but it had felt like several lifetimes. She found herself searching hungrily for changes in his f
ace. He looked more haggard, more tired, and more beautiful.
“It’s really you this time,” she whispered.
Thornton did not respond. He stared wordlessly for a moment before swiftly moving forward to seize her in a hug. She buried her face in his neck, finally feeling that she had returned home. The world might not have noticed her absence, but here, glued against his chest, she felt like there was a place for her. She felt her own world rushing back, seeping into her through his warm skin. She did not know how many minutes she stood like that, but she could not let go of him; she could not move or breathe.
His hand was on the back of her head, cradling her gently against him, massaging great handfuls of her hair. His fingers kneaded away the tension at the top of her spine, causing her eyes to close in bliss. His other hand swept down over her blouse, resting against the bottom of her spine and sending warmth through each lonesome bone within her. She wanted to get closer to him; was it possible to be closer to him? Every careful plan and intention for this moment went sailing out the window.
His hands exerted their ownership of her easily. She could have said any words, formed every protest and barrier, but the truth was in his touch. Her response was not just accepting, but pleading. She was starved for him, and fiercely protective of this moment. If anyone had happened by to interrupt them, Pax almost surely would have toasted them to cinders with a thought.
He seemed to sense this, and recognizing that their embrace was no longer public-friendly, he levitated them into the apartment and shut the door. “This time I’m me?” he repeated questioningly, but he had pushed her against the door and covered her mouth. She was unable to respond with the sudden sweet assault against her tongue, and mentally unable to focus her thoughts enough to reach his mind. His mouth had the similar effect to Sakra’s portal, transferring her to another world.
Even as her hands slid under his shirt, feeling the hard warmth of his muscles, she fought for composure in order to answer. Suja came to me in the vector zone, pretending to be you. After she sent this thought, he continued kissing her deeply, running his hands carefully over her denim-swathed hips. She allowed him to slip his hands under her thighs, deftly removing her feet from the floor and holding her in his arms, without ever removing his lips from his mouth.
Was she convincing? he asked, as he carried her to the couch, gently lying her out on the pillows before positioning his body on top of hers to resume kissing her.
No, she responded, enjoying the feel of every inch of his body that was pressed against hers. She was nothing like you. But I wanted to believe it was you so badly.
The Pseudosphere is like that. It messes with your mind and makes you think that you see things which aren’t really there. I wish I could have found a way to come inside with you. How long were you in there?
Four years, Pax answered.
“Damn,” he swore, lifting his mouth from hers. When he gazed down at her, there were swirls of comforting clouds in his blue eyes, resembling satellite imagery of the Earth. She found such strength in knowing him; he was still as familiar to her as her own skin.
Pax tightened her grip on his neck, latching onto him for solace. The warmth of his energy against her body pervaded her insides like hot cocoa. “I’ve never been away from you for so long,” she whispered.
He smiled, pressing his lips against her forehead before shifting their position so he could lie beside her on the couch. “Don’t do it again, okay? There are other ways to punish me. Give me the silent treatment, force me to donate money to charities of your choice, or we can even get a dungeon with whips and chains…”
She laughed, nestling her face against his cheek. She could have lain beside him for hours, or days. She had missed him so dearly. If the Pseudosphere had been good for anything, she had emerged reminded of who was important in her life. Regardless of whether Thornton was her boyfriend or fiancé, she loved and respected him more than anyone else. He always had been, and always would be a massive part of her life. He would always mean the world to her.
Which is why it made everything so much more difficult.
Thornton had wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. He closed his eyes and buried his face in her hair. He silently prayed that Pax had found her answer in the vast expanse of time which she had plunged herself into—he hoped that she could find forgiveness and understanding for him so that they could return to their normal lives. He had not felt like himself in a long time, but just lying on the couch with her in his arms was heavenly; all the missing pieces which had been torn away were suddenly all patched up.
“Don’t leave the world again anytime soon,” he whispered into her hair.
“I may have to,” she answered. “We both may have to.”
“What?”
Pax knew she should sit upright and put a serious face on before delivering this news, but she was way, way too comfortable. She felt dirty about turning the apocalypse into casual pillow talk, but had no inclination to remove her head from the divine luxury of her cotton cushions.
“Comet,” she said with a yawn, snuggling closer against him. “On its way to destroy the Earth. We should go and stop it.”
“Pax?” he asked in confusion.
She could feel the tension beginning in his body, and she knew that her sweet moment was about to disappear. She remained silent for as long as possible, enjoying the feel of his arms around her while it lasted. She tried to memorize this little taste of paradise before she ripped it apart and burned it to ashes. “Suja is sending a comet to destroy the planet. Your dad said it’s going to hit on August 12th.”
Thornton seemed to freeze as he processed this information. “That’s why… my mother. With NORAD and NASA… why didn’t they tell me? Didn’t they think it would be important for me to know?”
She could see the anger settle in just behind his eyes, the pale blue darkening to herald the impending storm. Pax reached out to touch his perfectly-styled blonde hair. “We’ll stop it, won’t we?”
“There isn’t any other option,” he answered. He cleared his throat. “Thanks for telling me. I assume that was the bad news—do you also have some good news for me?”
Pax watched the budding storms promptly disappear from his eyes as he turned them on her, suddenly filled with hope and love. She felt her breath catch in her throat, mesmerized by his closeness. She shut her eyes tightly to break the spell, and slipped a hand down to the pocket of her jeans. Fingering the ring, she took a deep breath, reminding herself what she needed to do. She had promised herself that she would be strong. Pulling the ring out of her pants, she pressed it into the palm of his hand, relinquishing their future together.
“No. I can’t marry you.”
Thornton sat up abruptly, tearing his warmth away from her. Pax turned away, unable to look at him, unable to bear the pain on his face. She wanted to curl up into a little ball and disappear. She felt her heartbeat pounding right out of her chest, aching with every beat. “Please don’t be angry with me,” she said softly. “I just can’t.”
Thornton stared down at the ring she had returned to his palm. “Then why are you here?” he asked angrily. “Why are you here, lying with me like this—letting me hold you as if…”
“Thorn,” she said, forcing herself to sit up. “I’m not ready. The Pseudosphere taught me that there is so much I don’t know. I thought we should marry; I thought so for years, and I wore your ring every day in the vector zone. Then something happened. In the fourth room—my body was split into two halves. I really got to know myself, and… she made me think about things differently.”
“Fuck the Pseudosphere!” Thornton swore resentfully. “Pax, those are hallucinations. Sick, miserable psychological tricks. Nothing that happens there is real. Your body hasn’t aged a single day—even if you had stayed there for a hundred years, you wouldn’t change. Everything happens in your mind—if you grow stronger, it’s because you are learning how to manipulate your p
rana better.”
“But that’s just it—I had my nose rubbed in my own foolishness and inadequacy. I’ve been so dependent on you for my whole entire life.”
He reached out and grasped her around the waist, pulling her into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her so tightly that she felt the pressure on the bones of her ribcage. “I want to be everything you need,” he told her fiercely. “If you need a lover, teacher, father, or friend—I want to be your rock. I want to be the solid thing you stand on, the thing you trust.”
“You always have been,” she said quietly, “but I need to stand on my own two feet… and I need to let you live your life.”
“You are my life!” he shouted.
Most women might have recoiled from such an angry tone, but Pax soaked it up thirstily. He was more upset about this than the comet. Her lips slightly curved. She was honored to know where she ranked on his priority list; slightly above all of humankind.
“You’re going to change your mind,” he told her evenly. He took the expensive ring and shoved it back into the pocket of her jeans. Pax swallowed when his warm fingers dug into her thigh, separated from her skin by only a thin layer of fabric. “That diamond is yours, and I won’t take it back. And my proposal—I won’t take that back either. You’re going to agree, someday, when you realize that you’ve been ready all along.”
Pax leaned against him, pressing her forehead against his shoulder. She wondered if he was right; she did not think she could resist him forever. Even now, she was using his physical nearness to soothe the pain caused by the emotional distance she was placing between then. She wanted to smack herself for how weak she was, but instead, she just mustered her resolve and hauled her body off his comfortable lap.
“We are devas,” he said, with an earnest glare. “We love fiercely and forever.”
Thirty Minutes to Heartbreak Box Set (Books 1-3) Page 47
