“Absolutely not.” Nathan’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. We were heading to school, and I reminded him of my idea about going along with Aosoth or the “old one” on finding the incantations and using it on them.
“Why not? I think I can do it.” Actually, I wasn’t sure if I could, but he didn’t need to know that. “It might be my only option,” I added for good measure, knowing he was right, but I didn’t see any other way out of it.
He smashed his lips together and glared out the windshield.
“You just became immortal, Paige,” he said at last. “You’re unskilled in your abilities and haven’t even started your training. I can teach you some things, but that would only be enough to get you by until Anwar can begin preparing you.” He was trying his best to stay calm, but what I had suggested unnerved him. He was worried now, and I silently berated myself for voicing my idea again. The last thing he needed was another splinter planted in his brain.
“You’re right,” I said, wanting his mind to be eased. His eyes flicked to mine, and they weren’t convinced the white flag I held was genuine. I looked the other way, thinking about earlier this morning.
After my alarm clock had gone off, we immediately dove into a conversation about my grandmother’s visit and what she’d told us. A while later, Nathan caught me crying in the kitchen.
I didn’t want to cry, and tried not to, but my emotions overpowered me. All I could think about was this damned power I had inside me. I didn’t want it, and there was nothing I could do to get rid of it. My own grandmother cursed me, even though she did it with good intentions. And, for an added frickin’ bonus, I came from a long line of witches and might be a witch myself. And yeah, to be a witch like in the Harry Potter books would rock, but unfortunately this wasn’t Hogwarts. Instead, this was the school of, “What the hell?”
What the hell was I going to do? What the hell was my life going to be like?
Nathan comforted me and made me realize what I could do with this power. It wasn’t a curse, but a weapon to use to help protect humanity. And as he spoke, I remembered my promise to my parents–I would do my best to make things right–and I was determined to uphold that promise.
Afterwards, I asked him about what he’d done to Aosoth. He told me he’d created some of his own organic incantations and used one of them to incapacitate her, which in effect would prolong her agonizing pain. I then asked him what he was planning on doing to her. He said he wasn’t sure yet, but promised to tell me everything before he executed the plan. I wasn’t satisfied with his answer, but I knew he had a lot on his mind, so I let it go.
Now, Nathan was parking in the school parking lot. The bell was about to ring, but instead of hurrying to class, I reached out and touched his arm. I had a burning question I needed to ask him, a question that couldn’t wait. It was a question that could come with a devastating answer. But I had to ask.
“Do you want to break up with me?”
The skin between his eyes crinkled. “W-what?” He placed his hands on my shoulders. “No, Paige. Why would you ask me that? You mean more to me than anything. Did I do something to cause you to question my love for you?”
“No, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted to be tied down to a burden like me, and I understand if you want to bail. I mean, what kind of life are you going to have with me?” If he did leave, I’d be grief-stricken, and my heart would never mend, but I’d continue on. I had to. There was no way I could blow off what had been given to me.
He cradled my face in his hands, his thumbs resting on my cheeks. “You’re not a burden in my life, Paige. You’re a gift bestowed upon me from the heavens. A gift I sometimes can’t believe is mine.” He kissed me, creating that funny feeling in my belly. “I’m madly in love with you, and the life we’ll share together will be a good one.”
“I have to go,” I said, hearing the bell, grabbing my backpack. I scanned the school grounds. “Is it safe to run?”
He looked. “I don’t see anybody, so you should be good.”
I gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll see you later.”
“Okay,” he said as I opened the door and ran toward the building with the elation I’d felt yesterday when I ran into the woods. “I’ll see you at lunch.” I heard him say before I stepped inside.
The halls were vacant, so I zipped to my class. I stopped in front of the door, hearing books opening and pencils scratching on paper. I also heard sighs and bodies moving against the wooden seats. Not to mention, twenty or so hearts beating at once, like kettledrums. I closed my eyes and focused on tuning those sounds out, thinking how I hated walking into a room filled with students. I took a deep breath and walked in.
Mrs. Hong was at her desk, marking off everybody in her book. When our eyes met, I mumbled I was sorry for being late and hung my head to avoid the stares, taking my seat in the back.
“I thought you decided not to come to school today,” Carrie whispered while I pulled my biology book out of my backpack. She looked away when she saw Mrs. Hong walking toward my desk.
Mrs. Hong covered my hand with hers, and her stone-cold face melted into sympathy, shocking me. I never knew she had a soft side to her.
“I lost my mother at your age to a tragic accident as well, and I’m deeply sorry for your loss.” Sincerity filled her dark eyes, and I stared at them, trapped in their warmth. I bit my lip and blinked back the tears.
“We’re all sorry,” Max called from across the room.
I looked at him, suddenly realizing the whole class was watching me and heard what our teacher had said. Heads nodded in response, including Ashley’s.
I forced a weak smile and dropped my gaze, feeling tears trailing down my cheeks.
Mrs. Hong patted my hand. “If you need to talk, my ear is yours.”
I nodded, unable to speak in fear my voice might crack. She went back to the front of the class. All eyes fell back on their work.
An hour later, when I entered English class, Tree was eagerly waiting for me, looking like he was going to explode. I shook my head and smiled at him. He lifted his eyebrows and flipped his palms up, giving me a “what” look. I took my seat next to him, blocking out the many conversations going around the room.
“Okay, what do you want to know?” I squinted at the goofy grin on his face.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about.” He paused to evaluate the room, making sure nobody could hear us, then cupped his hand around his mouth. “You know,” he whispered. “It’s still hard for me to believe even though I know it’s true, but I feel you both haven’t told us everything, and I want to know. Carrie and I want to be a part of it, sort of like your sidekicks.”
I burst out in laughter and the more I thought about what he said, the harder I laughed. My stomach began to cramp. I leaned forward, curling my arms around it. Some of my classmates turned to stare, but I continued to laugh until a scowl appeared on Tree’s face.
“Why are you laughing? I’m serious. I think we can help you and Nathan if you let us.”
“I’m laughing,” I said, catching my breath, “because you have the superhero thing going on in your head. This isn’t make-believe like when we were kids, and we’re not superheros. Dork.”
He leaned over his desk, gripping the edge, tilting it forward, his face begging for me to consider what he just proposed. I shook my head and grinned.
“Come on, Paige. Please.”
I opened my notebook and wrote: It’s too dangerous. Besides, I’ll be training all summer, and we’re probably going to leave Astoria for a while. I turned it so he could read my words.
He dropped the desk back down. A thudding sound amplified in my ears.
“Leave? Where are you going?”
Mr. Russo walked in and called the class to attention.
“Europe,” I mouthed to him.
“Why?” he whispered.
“Many reasons,” I said out the corner of my mouth, and he glowered at me. I settled in my seat, turning my attention on Mr. Russ
o, ignoring Tree’s constant fidgeting throughout the rest of the hour.
“So, you’re not even going to consider it?” Tree asked on my way to biology class.
We walked side by side up the stairs. Students were dodging Tree. He held onto my wrist to make sure they wouldn’t knock me over, like falling can hurt me now. But it was sweet of him to do.
“Why didn’t Carrie say anything to me about this?” I asked.
“Because she wanted me to and is still coming to terms with it.”
We stopped outside my class, and I pulled him aside. “Listen to me. Besides Nathan, you and Carrie are the most important people in my life.”
“We feel the same way about you and Nathan. That’s why we want to help you.”
I squeezed his hand. “I love you two, and if something were to happen to either one of you, I’d never forgive myself. I’m sorry, but the answer is no.”
“But, Paige, it’s our life. If we want to risk it then it’s our choice.” He thumped his fingers against his chest. “It’s our choice,” he repeated, raising his eyebrows.
“Could you forgive yourself if one of the dark spirits slit Carrie’s throat or harmed her in any way?”
He flinched, and I hoped that scenario knocked some sense into him.
“I get your point now,” he grumbled, staring at his combat boots.
“Good. I’ll see you in an hour.”
“Okay,” he said, sounding dejected. He turned away from me, and I watched him trudged down the hall with slumped shoulders.
Beyond the Eyes: YA Paranormal Romance Page 61
