“You say that like I care.” I shake my head.
In two seconds flat, he goes from pissed off to enraged. With his fist raised, he stalks toward me. I don’t budge. Don’t care enough to. He doesn’t stand a chance. One swing, and I’ll have him flat on his back.
Catching sight of my bored expression, he freezes. Then a smirk curls at his lips as his eyes roam toward Everly.
“You act like you don’t give a shit, but you do.” He steps toward her. “Maybe you just need a little reminder.”
Fury blazes inside me. I release Everly’s hand, slamming my hands against his chest.
“Don’t even think about touching her.”
He trips back, skittering in the dirt, and I continue to move toward him. He then rushes back to his car, hops in, and locks the doors like a coward.
“This isn’t over!” he shouts through the cracked window. “She’s going to pay for humiliating me. And I’m going to make you suffer because all you’re going to be able to do is sit back and watch.” He grins, revs up the engine, and then peels out of the dirt parking lot, leaving a cloud of dust.
“What an asshole,” Everly states, fanning her hand in front of her face as she coughs. “I was hoping I’d never have to see him again after graduation.”
“I won’t let him hurt you,” I assure her, eyeing his car speeding away. Something about what he said doesn’t sit right with me. And not just the threat, but the way he emphasized suffer, as if he knew my secret.
How could he? He’s not one of the Unearthlies; that much I do know. What if he’s something other than human, and he knows what I am, knows why I’m here? Worse yet, what if he knows about Everly?
I tear my attention away from the car as it vanishes down the road. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I really need to talk to Evan.
“Nico, it’s okay,” Everly suddenly says. “He didn’t hurt me. He didn’t touch me. That threat he made is probably empty.”
I look at her to assure her again that he won’t touch her, but then I realize she’s looking at the tattoos on my arms that are flickering like fireworks.
“What’s happening?” Everly whispers, her eyes wide as the colors blink rapidly.
I battle to get my emotions under control, and the ink settles down instantly.
“What’s what?” I play dumb, not knowing what else to do. I feel like an asshole for lying to her, but telling her the truth now … The fear in her eyes lets me know she’s not ready. And the time has to be right, or I’ll spook her.
Confusion swarms in her eyes as she meets my gaze. “I thought I saw …” She massages her temples. “Never mind. I think the heat’s getting to me or something.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to go home?” I ask, not because I want to get away from her, but because I really need to have a little chat with Evan and make sure Leo is just a normal guy who thinks he’s the shit and not some ex-god on a power trip. “We could just hang out at your place for a while. Maybe watch a movie. Take it easy.”
“No, I’m fine …” She trails off with a yawn, her eyelids lowering. “Okay, maybe we should go back to my place before I fall asleep standing up.”
I watch as she sways from side to side, struggling to keep her balance.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask, slipping an arm around her waist to steady her.
She bobs her head up and down. With how fast she went from being wide awake to barely being able to keep her eyes open, something has to be wrong. The question is, does it have to do with me? Leo? Or the otherworldly presence I can feel somewhere near us?
Chapter 13
Everly
I think I’m going crazy. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. Nevertheless, I know I saw Nico’s tattoos lighting up like Christmas lights, so either there’s something off about Nico, or my brain finally broke completely.
I consider calling Nico out, but I worry maybe I am just going crazy. That thought makes me keep my lips sealed. However, I do vow to research hallucinations and glowing tattoos when I get home.
After we leave the carnival, Nico drives me home, driving much quicker than he did earlier. By the time we arrive at my apartment, my uncontrollable sleepiness has gone up a notch, while his increasing despair continues to stab at my heart.
“You want me to walk you up?” he offers as I climb off his motorcycle then slip off the helmet.
I shake my head, combing my fingers through my hair’s tangled strands. “I think I’ll be able to make it up a flight of stairs. Sorry I got so tired all of a sudden. I really need to get more sleep.” And stop feeling other people’s despair.
He presses his lips together, casting a wary glance up at my apartment as he continues to straddle his motorcycle. “I’ll feel better if I walked you up.”
I want him to. Believe me; after the creepy night I had last night, I really do. Between the despair and excitement of the day, though, I’m on the verge of passing out and just want to do that as soon as I get in.
“It’s really okay,” I try to assure him.
“Still, just to be safe, I should walk you up.” He turns off the headlights and swings his leg off the bike. “I won’t be able to go to sleep if I don’t.”
Well, I can’t argue with that.
“Okay. Thanks.”
I fight my exhaustion as we hike across the parking lot. At the stairwell, Nico reaches over and threads his fingers through mine. The move is innocent, except I can feel his pulse pounding through his fingertips. I wonder if it’s because he’s excited, scared, or nervous, which then makes me wonder what he thinks is going to happen when we reach my apartment.
My body floods with heat as scenarios play through my mind, ones that will most likely never happen, considering I can barely kiss him without getting sick.
When we reach the top of the stairway, I unlock my apartment door and step inside, momentarily hesitating before motioning for him to come in.
He steps over the threshold with a trace of a smile on his lips, his gaze flicking to my mouth. Nerves twist inside my gut as those stupid scenarios that will never happen flash through my mind again.
God, I’m so pathetically lame.
All thoughts are ripped from my head as Teddy scrambles from the living room, hissing, growling, and having a fat, cat-size tantrum.
“That cat’s losing his mind,” I mutter, kicking off my boots. And making me feel like I’m losing my mind, too.
“I’m going to look around and make sure everything’s okay.” Nico turns to me with worry etched deeply on his expression. “If that’s okay with you?”
I nod through another yawn, sinking onto the sofa. “Yeah. Go ahead. Knock yourself out. Just a warning, though. I think my cat’s gone crazy …”
His brows furrow as he watches me flop back on the cushions. “Are you okay?”
I lazily bob my head.
Seeming torn, he hurries off down the hallway …
“Everly, sweetheart, open your eyes,” a voice cuts through my nightmares of fire, torture, and pain. So much pain … Skin being split apart, bleeding. My soul being torn out of my chest … I have to be bleeding, dying. Slowly, painfully dying …
“Come on, dammit.” The voice grows angry. “Wake up. You can’t do this to me.”
My heart aches for the person. He seems so anguished, hurting … so much … Chains around his wrists, thorns piercing his skin, bleeding. So much blood …
Warmth touches my cheek. Someone whimpers helplessly. Or maybe it’s me.
“Come on, sweetheart,” he whispers. No, pleads. “Come back to me, okay?”
More fiery hot pain. Another whimper. Then, I abruptly become aware that the tormented noises are coming from my own lips.
My eyes pop open, and I suck in a huge lungful of air.
“Easy.” Nico rubs my back, letting out a breath of relief. “It’s okay. Just take some deep breaths.”
Inhale. Exhale. Breathe.
“What happened?” I ch
oke out, wiping the tears from my eyes.
He sinks down on the edge of the sofa, his worried gaze never wavering from mine. “I went to make sure no one was in your place, and by the time I got back, you were asleep …” He swallows hard. “Then you started whimpering, and I couldn’t get you to wake up. For a second, I thought …” His voice cracks, but he hastily clears it. “Are you okay?”
I nod, humiliation over spazzing out in front of him rising into my cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’ve always had problems with sleeping. I have nightmares sometimes …” All the time. “And I just …” I lower my head and press my fingers to the brim of my nose. “I’m so sorry. I’m such a spaz.”
“Hey, I thought we already talked about this.” He hooks a finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him. “You’re not a spaz. Not even close.”
“Yeah … Maybe.” I drag my hands down my face. “I just feel stupid. I mean, I’m eighteen years old; I shouldn’t have nightmares.”
“That’s not true. People way older than you still have nightmares. Some, every night.” Undiluted pain flickers in his eyes, but he swiftly erases the look as he scoots closer to me. “You fell asleep so fast, though. Were you tired all day? I know yesterday you mentioned you’d been sick. Maybe you overdid it today.”
“I’m fine. I think it was just too much excitement or something,” I say, which could be true, yet I don’t feel like it is. “On the weekends, I usually stay home and stream movies.”
“You had fun, though, right?” he asks. When I nod, he relaxes and settles deeper into the sofa. “How about I stay for a little while and watch a movie while you fall asleep?”
Both excitement and nervousness creeps up inside of me. Could I even fall asleep with him sitting right next to me? I don’t know, but part of me wants to find out.
I nod. “Okay.”
He drapes an arm around my shoulder and forces a smile, his despair all over the place. “So, what movie are we watching?”
I smile back, mine equally as forced.
Why does he look so nervous? And what keeps making his despair jump all over the place?
And why do I feel myself slipping away?
Chapter 14
Nico
Evan, can you hear me! I scream inside my head for the millionth time.
Silence. Again.
Come on. I need your help. Something’s not right.
I look down at Everly lying in my arms, her lips parted, her eyes shut. She passed out in my arms about five minutes into the movie. I haven’t moved since, watching her sleep, and silently freaking out.
The panic set in the second I stepped foot into her apartment. The air was electric, buzzing with untamed magic and power. I nearly shit a brick, thinking a God was about to appear in the middle of her living room. But nothing came. Still, something unearthly has been to her place. But why? And what?
Evan! I silently plead as I stare down at Everly. Her breathing is slowing, her skin is turning blue. “Shit.” I move out from underneath her and start to do mouth to mouth.
But her life won’t return to her.
And strangely, the longer she remains still, the more powerful I feel, a fire blazing through my veins and cutting off a connection. I don’t know what it is, or what’s happening. All I know is the more Everly’s life slips away, the more my despair dissipates.
I can’t let her die, though.
No, I don’t want to be free this way!
I keep trying to breathe for her. Keep trying to pump her heart. Keep pleading with Evan to answer me.
But all I hear is silence. Calming, peaceful silence.
Coming Soon!
Captivate 2
(Unearthly Balance, #2)
About the Author
Jessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.
Other books by Jessica Sorensen:
Unearthly Balance:
Captivate
Captivate 2 (coming soon)
Mystic Willow Bay, Witches Series:
The Secret Life of a Witch
The Secret Life of a Witch 2
Shadow Cove Series:
What Lies in the Darkness
A Deadly Little Game (coming soon)
Standalones:
Rules of a Rebel and a Shy Girl
Confessions of a Kleptomaniac
The Illusion of Annabella
The Forgotten Girl
Broken City Series:
Nameless
Forsaken
Oblivion (coming soon)
Guardian Academy Series:
Entranced
Entangled
Enchanted (coming soon)
Sunnyvale Series:
The Year I Became Isabella Anders
The Year of Falling in Love
The Year of Second Chances
The Coincidence Series:
The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden
The Redemption of Callie and Kayden
The Destiny of Violet and Luke
The Probability of Violet and Luke
The Certainty of Violet and Luke
The Resolution of Callie and Kayden
Seth & Greyson
The Secret Series:
The Prelude of Ella and Micha
The Secret of Ella and Micha
The Forever of Ella and Micha
The Temptation of Lila and Ethan
The Ever After of Ella and Micha
Lila and Ethan: Forever and Always
Ella and Micha: Infinitely and Always
The Shattered Promises Series:
Shattered Promises
Fractured Souls
Unbroken
Broken Visions
Scattered Ashes
Breaking Nova Series:
Breaking Nova
Saving Quinton
Delilah: The Making of Red
Nova and Quinton: No Regrets
Tristan: Finding Hope
Wreck Me
Ruin Me
The Fallen Star Series:
The Fallen Star
The Underworld
The Vision
The Promise
The Fallen Souls Series (spin-off from The Fallen Star):
The Lost Soul
The Evanescence
The Darkness Falls Series:
Darkness Falls
Darkness Breaks
Darkness Fades
The Death Collectors Series (NA and YA):
Ember X and Ember
Cinder X and Cinder
Spark X and Spark
Unbeautiful Series:
Unbeautiful
Untamed
Captivate (Unearthly Balance Book 1) Page 8
