Brazen: A Dark Paranormal Romance (The Sephlem Trials Book 2)

by Felisha Antonette

  I laugh out loud. “Good one, Mom.” That probably won’t happen. I like Nathan without his shirt on. Though we’ve been better, I’ve made it his obligation to make things right and fix this thing with Roehl and me, although I know there’s nothing he can do. But there should be.

  Mom leans over the counter, saying, “I have a proposition for you.” I set the orange aside and give her my full attention. “How would you feel if your father and I got you your own place? A small apartment near the school. Make it so you’re not living off Nathan or living with him. You’ll get a little part-time job to cover some bills and your books. It will prepare you for being out there on your own independently.”

  I chew on my lip as I mule it over. “I like it. . .”

  “I think it’s a good idea. Let’s make some time this weekend to look at a few places next week. We’ll want to move quickly to snag you a place near the school before they’re all rented out for the school year.”

  Nodding, I accept her proposal. “Thanks, Mom. Let’s do it.” It might not be so bad to be on my own, with or without Nathan visiting every night.

  Loud knocks sound against the front door.

  “Who could that be?” Mom asks.

  I shrug, getting down from the barstool. “I’ll get it.” I know it isn’t Nathan, he’s at his house trying to stop Little Nathan and Taylor from fighting. Then he’ll check on some things with Olar dealing with this Lunis guy who apparently has it out for Olar.

  Scott’s presence pricks at my flesh before I make it to the door. Lately, Scott has an insecure demeanor; it’s draining and depressing when it overtakes me, so I’ve been trying to avoid him. I open the door and speak extremely quietly, “Hey, Scott.”

  “Hey. Is Glen here?” he asks, completely ignoring my hint for him to keep his voice down. The second Glen hears him, she may blow a gasket.

  “Yes,” I say, offhandedly. “Where else would she be?”

  “She’s not answering, and I want to talk to her for a minute. At least make her feel better.”

  “Come in.” I move from the doorway, letting him pass. He drags his droopy gaze away from me. His black, heartbroken eyes are dressed with dark bags. He walks proudly, but his face and the lack of color in his skin is a dead giveaway of his misery.

  “Who is it, Tracey?” Mom calls from the kitchen.

  “It’s Scott, Mom.”

  She comes around the corner to the foyer, racking a towel over her hands. “Hi, Scott. How are you?”

  “Hi, Karen.” He waves. “I’m well. You?”

  “I’m fine, thank you. Are you here to see Glen?”

  “I am.”

  She nods and heads back to the kitchen. “Would you like a snack, Scott?”

  “No, thank you.”

  She’s upstairs, I tell Scott. If she’s still sleeping, and she wakes up mad that you’re here, please don’t get loud or wreck my room.

  Okay.

  Scott follows me upstairs, and I crack open my door. Glen’s laid across the chaise. Scott grabs my arm, keeping me from crossing the floor to her. “Don’t wake her,” he says. “I’m just going to touch her to take her pain away. To at least make her look better.” The plea for her coats his anxious tone, and the desire swirls in his eyes that have turned a deep gray. At least they’ve changed from the empty black they’ve been.

  Nodding, I ask, “Should I stay or leave?”

  “Up to you.” Scott baby steps across the floor.

  I think to say, she won’t bite, but then again, we’re talking about Glen here. The garage door rumbles, rising. “My dad just got home. Make this quick.”

  “Okay.”

  I leave from my room, closing the door behind me. If Glen wakes up, I hope she doesn’t have a fit seeing Scott or want to blast her wind gusts at me for letting him in. They need this, and I know she’ll feel better if she just lets him near her once.

  Sitting back at the breakfast bar, I snatch an apple from the glass bowl and toss it in the air.

  “Hello!” The garage door to the house opens. “Would someone like to help me with these bags?” I rush to help Dad, taking the large, white box from him. “I should’ve known you’d go for the cake.”

  “Yes!” I close the door for him, and we go to the kitchen. “What’s the surprise?” I chirp, setting the cake on the counter.

  Dad turns to Mom and purses his lips. “Dear, you cannot hold water.”

  Mom blushes.

  He sets the bags down on the counter, and Mom unloads the groceries. Reaching into a silver bag that Dad pulled from a black plastic bag, he retrieves a large, square, white box.

  “Ooh, it’s jewelry!” I exclaim excitedly.

  Dad snorts. “Yes, it is.” He sets the box in front of me.

  I open it and ogle at the beauty of the necklace.

  “It’s an eighteen-karat south sea pearl and diamond necklace,” Dad excitedly exclaims. “Congratulations!” they sing together. “We’re so proud of you, honey.”

  That it is. A white gold necklace with ten round pearls resting in a garden of small linked leaves that’s embedded with tiny diamonds rests in the gray box. It’s exquisite. “Thank you both. It’s beautiful,” I unintentionally whisper. I pull it from the box, fighting my emotions of excitement and disappointment.

  “Put it on so we can see it, honey.” Mom is more excited than I am.

  I unclasp it and clasp it back around my neck. It rests cold against my skin. Good thing I’m human and didn’t turn Sephlem.

  Dad’s eyes light up. “It is beautiful on you, Ladybug. Good pick, dear.”

  “Thank you, I knew it would look incredible.”

  “Thank you, Mom. You were right.”

  “No!” Glen angrily shouts.

  I whip around, racing for the stairs. Skidding to a stop at the corner, I turn back, urging, “Stay here. I’ll check on her. Be right back.” I shoot up the stairs, rip the door open, and rush in. Glen’s on one side of the room, and Scott’s on the other.

  “It’s fine, Tracey, I got it,” Scott says, waving me away. His gaze drops to my neck, and his face twists in disgust for my new piece. “Is that?”

  I look down at it. “It is.”

  He nods. “Fine.” For now, he adds, turning his attention back to Glen. “I’m sorry. I wanted to help you feel better. Don’t you feel better?” he asks, knowing exactly how to get to Glen’s soft side.

  “I may,” she answers honestly. “But I still don’t want you around me.”

  “Can I just hug you? For one second? Then I’ll leave.”

  Her gaze flicks to me, then back to Scott.

  I’m no longer dabbling in their relationship. The only reason I rushed up here was to check on her and make sure my parents wouldn’t flip with the alerting way she screamed.

  “Touch me and let me go.” Glen caves. “But don’t kiss me.”

  Scott slowly crosses the floor. He makes it before her, and I expect for him to ease his arms around her waist and pull her into his hug or something, but his broad arms rest at his sides.

  A second ticks by, and Glen throws her arms around his neck. Her soft sigh of relief is loud in my ears, and though she’s trying to fight it, it’s winning her over. She knows where she belongs, but she’s just too confused to accept it.

  A second, another, and then another passes with her wound around him.

  Scott’s arms slowly push around Glen, and not a second later, he breaks out of her embrace, taking several steps away. “Thank you.” Leaving my room, Scott nods for me to come with him.

  I follow, pulling the door closed. Glen cries. I go back, but Scott taps my arm and shakes his head. “Let her be,” he says. I take his advice and continue to follow him down the stairs. “Hello, Mr. Warren,” he greets on his passing, heading to the front door.

  “Oh, hello, Scott.” Dad utters, surprised. “When did he get here?” I overhear him ask Mom.

  Scott pulls the front door closed behind us and jumps right in. “Trace
y, that shit isn’t going to work.”

  “Scott,” I object, “shouldn’t you, instead, be updating me about what’s happening between you and Glen?”

  He rolls his eyes. “We’ll be okay. Okay? That necklace needs to go.”

  “I know. But it was a gift.”

  “Gift it back!” he says, brows high, brightening his color-filling eyes. “You know what that can do to us.”

  “I can’t gift it back. It would break my parents’ hearts. And yes, I know what it could do if it were on something. Currently, it’s harmless. And I love it.”

  He shoves his hands through his wavy locks, pulling them into a bun. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not my place. Tell Glen I’m sorry again, and I love her.” Grumbling, he mutters, “I miss her, Tracey. And I want her back.”

  I sit down on the porch and motion for him to sit beside me. “She misses you too. She’s just confused and still doesn’t know the entire truth.”

  Scott rubs his forehead, sighing. “What truth is this?”

  “That she has chosen another man and the only way to break his hold on her is for her to kill him.”

  He tips his chin, grumping, “God, is there anything Nathan doesn’t tell you?”

  “Maybe if you told Glen more, you two would be in a better position. But, I’m sure there is plenty.” I shiver as the demanding presence coats my skin—announcing Nathan before I see him. “Like how he’d be popping up right now.” I lift my gaze, and there he is. “Hey,” I greet, standing.

  “Hey, Sparky.” He looks me over, gaze resting on the necklace. “Why are you wearing that?” he asks, repulsed, crinkling his nose.

  “That’s the same thing I said,” Scott chimes in.

  “You did not,” I sass. Turning my attention back to Nathan, I add, “It was a gift my parents gave me for graduation.”

  “Okay, I don’t mean to be that guy . . . again. But make sure it finds its way in a box when you pack your stuff, so it’ll move with them.”

  I frown. “Nathan, don’t be like that. It’s beautiful.”

  “That it is.” He grazes the edge of the necklace. “You like it?”

  “I love it.” I take the necklace between my fingers to get a better look at it.

  “Okay. Then we’ll replace it with something, but that one has to go.” I knew he wouldn’t like it, but I don’t see the problem; it’s not like these pearl balls can penetrate through his rock-solid skin.

  “I think we should keep it. Maybe I can use it as a weapon if any other Sephlems come around to bother me.”

  Nathan shrugs but doesn’t respond. “What are you doing here?” he asks Scott.

  “I came to see Glen.”

  “Then why are you sitting out here with Sparks?”

  “I was getting ready to leave.” Scott rises. “I just saw my girl.”

  “What are you getting ready to do?” he asks me.

  “Supposed to be celebrating with my parents. And Glen, if she ever comes downstairs. Why? What’s up?” I walk into his hug.

  “I need you to stay at my house tonight. I have something I need to take care of.”

  Leery of his answer, I ask, “What would that be?”

  To Scott he says, “That Lunis talk didn’t go well. They have Olar, and we need to go get him.”

  Panic washes over Scott’s face. “I graduate tomorrow.”

  “I know that,” Nathan responds with a quick nod.

  Scott shakes his head, emphasizing, “I have to be there. I missed prom for you. No way am I missing my graduation ceremony.”

  “I understand that,” Nathan replies, nodding.

  I interject, “Scott, you’re saying that like you won’t make it back or something.”

  In a high voice, Scott shrieks, “I might not.” He grumbles, throwing his hands up and then letting them fall lamely at his sides. “This is shit.”

  Nathan’s rubbing the back of his neck. “We might not make it back tonight,” he answers before the question leaves my lips.

  “Then when will you make it back?” The question fires off with a fury I didn’t intend to have.

  His distressed expression weighs me down. It’s answer enough. “I’m not sure,” he says slowly. Wincing, he adds, “Later. . .”

  I back away from him, shaking my head.

  Nathan grabs my wrist. “I’m sorry, Sparks. I’m being honest with you.” He tugs me forward, eliminating the distance I’d put between us. “We have to get him.”

  “But why do you think you won’t make it back?”

  “Because,” Scott cuts in. “Lunis doesn’t do make it back. Once you’re there and caught, you’re there! And considering what Olar did, it’s not a fair chance that he’s even still alive.”

  My eyes bug-out, and I try to calm my racing heart. “Who is Lunis? What did Olar do?”

  “He’s full-blooded but highly respected. A guy on a level that calls shots like a king. When he wants you dead, all he has to do is snap a finger. He’s built an army by collecting people who owe him a debt, and anyone willing to fight for him. Olar’s dumbass killed his mother and sisters for killing a girl he was into,” Scott says.

  He murdered his mother and his sisters . . . “It wasn’t his mate.”

  “No, but that meant nothing to Olar.”

  I throw my head back, realizing, “And now he has him and you—” I drop my gaze on Nathan. “—Captain Save ‘Em All! has to go get taken to save him.”

  “I’m not going to get taken,” Nathan states in the deep, domineering tone that I despise. It nearly makes me concede to this nonsense.

  I throw my hands on my hips and fire back, “Do you even know what’s going on with Olar?”

  “I don’t.”

  “So, what happens if you do get taken?” I can’t help the shouts firing past my lips.

  “I won’t.”

  “How can you be for sure?” I throw at him. “You don’t call the shots of life, you know?”

  “Sparks! Again with all the questions.”

  “No, Nathan! Don’t get me wrong. I’m all about Olar not staying there. Yes, he needs to get out. But again, you have to leave me to save the rest of the world, when it’s messed up stuff going on in our own. What happens when I’m alone at your house, and someone comes? You want me to fight them off until they let up?”

  “Everyone will be there.”

  “Everyone except you!” I gripe, shoving his hand away.

  His hard expression falters. “Sparks,” he croons.

  “No, Nathan. What if this is something they’re doing just to get you away?”

  He rubs his hand over his mouth, then wraps it around his chin.

  “She has a point, Nate.”

  “Thanks, Scott.”

  “Let me think for a minute.” Nathan’s inquisitive glare passes me to my front door. “Let’s go inside so I can speak to your parents.”

  I grumble, heading into the house. This talk isn’t over, and I will not allow him to distract me.

  “Hi, Nathan,” Dad greets cheerfully when he sees him passing the kitchen. “You’re staying around for a bit? We were about to cut some cake.”

  Nathan takes a seat at the bar. “Hello, Mr. Warren.”

  I settle on the seat beside him, and Scott sits at my other side.

  Dad brings the knife with him for the cake, saying, “James is fine, Nathan. I think we can get past the formalities.”

  Nathan smiles, and his eyes brighten. “Thank you, James.” He’s been waiting for that for a while now.

  Dad nods and flicks his gaze to me. “Is Glen coming down?”

  “Probably not,” I say. It comes out dry and gloomy while I intended it to be neutral. I play gaze tag with Nathan, looking away from him when his eyes flitter over to me, and looking back at him when he’s turned away. Knowing what’s been going on, it’s bizarre to know he’d risk leaving me alone for who knows how long. I am so team ‘rescue Olar,’ so if Nathan’s going, I’m going. If he’s going to ge
t taken, I’m getting taken with him. Period. That’s the only thing I need him to realize.

  Nathan turns on the barstool to face me. “Would you like to talk, Sparks?”

  “Nope,” I answer, matching his kind tone.

  “Is everyone going to have a slice of cake?” Mom asks.

  “Yes,” we answer, and she passes each of us a plate.

  I don’t feel like eating the cake. I kind of feel like throwing it in Nathan’s face.

  “Sparks, I think we should talk,” he requests again.

  “No, Nathan, that’s okay.” Why go over again, how he wants to leave, how he can’t leave Olar there, how he thinks everything is going to be fine? That’s his favorite line—Everything’s going to be fine, Sparks.

  “Is everything okay, Nathan?” Mom dabbles.

  “I’m working on figuring that out.” Gosh, is he excessively honest with my parents even knowing how nosey they are.

  “Yes, Mom. Everything is okay. Nate has some things going on,” I answer before she can pry.

  “Well, talk to him,” she says, pointing toward the living room with the cake covered knife.

  I glare at her through my lashes. “I will. After we eat our cake and when no one is around.”

  “That’s fine, Ladybug,” Dad dismisses the idea. “Nathan, do you like Tracey’s graduation present?”

  Cocking a brow, I face Nathan, wondering how truthfully he’ll answer this one. His gaze drops to my necklace. He wears a deceiving smirk that appears genuine to anyone who can’t read through him. “Yes, it’s beautiful. Did you pick it out, Karen?”

  “I did. I thought Tracey would love it.”

  “She definitely loves it.” His smile grows wider, and he winks at me.

  I turn back to my half-eaten cake, biting my tongue.

  Scott hasn’t said a word, but his cake is nearly gone. He’s probably thinking about Glen, or maybe his mini-speech tomorrow.

  Footsteps round the corner from the stairs. Glen comes up behind us and stands between Scott and me. “Scott, can I have a minute?”

  Scott nods and leaves with Glen without cleaning his spot. They go out front, closing the door behind them.

  Maybe I’ll be just a little nosey.

  “Don’t meddle, Sparks,” Nathan utters under his breath.