“Then trust me when I say your ability to give me a peaceful sleep is the cherry on top of all the other reasons I’m here.”
“Say more things like that.” Aidan smiled, pulling her close.
“Sleep. Pillows. Blankets. Please.” She yawned into his bare chest. “And I wouldn’t say no to chocolate chip pancakes either.”
“How about pancakes tomorrow and sleep tonight?” His chest vibrated against her cheek with his laughter.
“M’kay.” She lay back on the bed and curled up against him.
The last thing Allie ever wanted was to further complicate their relationship. Just when she was finally brave enough to test the waters with him, hoping they might find happiness together, the world reared back and punched them in the gut.
~~~
CHAPTER
THIRTY-FIVE
Allie brushed her hair, trying to tame her wild curls. Chloe was so good at styling it for her, but she didn’t want to bother her. Not on the morning of her grandparents’ and her mother’s funeral. She hadn’t spoken to Chloe or Jin since Ming’s death. She wouldn’t blame them if they never wanted to see her again.
“I don’t think I should go,” Allie said for the hundredth time.
“Ming would want you there,” Aidan assured her. “No one is blaming you except you. You’ve got to stop taking so much responsibility for things that are completely out of your control.”
“I would blame me,” she muttered as she twisted her thick hair back into some semblance of an elegant bun. “Have you ever been to an Immortal funeral before?”
“No. I think it’s a new experience for most of us.” Aidan paced to his closet for another tie, discarding a perfectly good one with the others piled on his bed. “We’ll each have an opportunity to make a mark on her final resting place with our gifts, so be thinking about what you want to do for her.”
Ming was to be buried in the crypt in a special tomb Hélène had turned into a garden. Allie wasn’t sure what she could possibly do for Ming with her gifts, and she wasn’t sure if the family would even want her to.
“Let’s go, Lex.” Aidan held his hand out for her.
The walk to the underground was long and somber as everyone converged in the main hall where Ming’s casket rested between her parents’ under the high vaulted ceilings of the place they all called home. Her parents had died trying to protect her. Poor Jin and Chloe had lost half of their family in one day.
Allie lingered toward the back of the line, not wanting to draw attention to herself. Quinn, Graham, Darius, and Aidan carried Ming’s coffin at the front of the procession. A distraught Chloe and Jin followed behind the other two caskets.
Sasha and Santi drifted closer to Allie, falling in step beside her. The two girls were having a rough time with the new bond, but they seemed to have a mutual, albeit guarded, respect for each other. It helped that Santi was a complete stranger to Sasha before all of this happened. Darius and Aidan weren’t handling it nearly as well. And Allie tended to disappear whenever they were all in the same room together.
The girls linked arms and followed the silent funeral procession to the final resting place for Ming Lao and her parents, Ju Long and Lu Li.
“Wow,” Santi whispered as they stepped into the lovely garden deep within the recesses of the crypt. The three coffins occupied the center of the room. Trees swayed in a soft breeze. Emma had obviously done her part since the room blazed bright with sunshine, and Gregg’s puffy white clouds drifted high above them. Everyone circled around the coffins and one by one, each person took a moment to say their final goodbyes and offer a gift for the departed. Allie watched as Aidan placed his hands on Ming’s coffin and used his gift to bring a warm, balmy breeze to this oasis, deep within the cold crypt. Sasha stepped forward and called a host of birds to join the quiet garden. Allie heard them winging their way here through the halls until they burst into the room in a chorus of song.
Even Santi offered her gift. As she placed her hands on Chloe and Jin, something wondrous came over them. Their smiles and laughter chased away their sorrow, if only for a moment. It seemed to give them the strength to get through this terrible day. Allie watched as Santi took her place at Quinn’s side, placing her small hand in his. Something about the way she selflessly offered her gift to a woman she’d never met solidified Santi’s future among them. The small act of kindness may have changed the course of her life.
Allie had come to realize her clairvoyance would always be a challenge. She could only see so much, and she could only understand a portion of what she saw. The decisions she'd made that changed the future she'd seen in her dreams was done on instinct. That was the best she would ever be able to do. The future wasn't set in stone. The future was like a river, changing its course over time. But as small things were set into motion, the effects they had on the future could be monumental. All she could do was watch and see what she saw. Sometimes she would be able to act in ways that might alter the things she witnessed in her visions. And sometimes she would have to let nature take its course. Neither she nor her gift were infallible. She had to come to terms with that and accept the outcome of the choices she made.
When it was Allie’s turn, she still wasn’t sure what she could do for Ming Lao. She had very little talent for anything peaceful or serene.
Do whatever moves you in the moment, Lex. There is no wrong way to offer a gift.
As she stepped up to the coffins, she let out a sigh of relief. Graham had placed his gift here already. Dozens of mechanical butterflies with intricate stained glass wings, perched all over the coffins. Their wings fluttered as the moving parts of his creations brought them to life.
Allie took one of the dainty butterflies, cupping it in the palm of her hand and let her solar energy pour into each of them. Graham had linked them together like a hive, in preparation for Allie’s addition. She gave them the energy they needed to power their solar batteries. Once charged, they would continue to draw from Emma’s sunshine, so they would always fly.
The crowd gasped when the butterflies took to the air and Allie smiled through her tears, knowing Ming Lao would have loved it. As she turned, Chloe and Jin waited for her. Their grief was palpable and she couldn’t fathom the enormity of their loss.
When Chloe took her hands and squeezed them gently, Allie lost it. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry. I should have—”
Chloe and Jin wrapped their arms around her. “She would be proud of you, Allie,” Jin said. “She would never want you to blame yourself for what happened. You did everything in your power to keep this family safe and you helped bring Quinn home. She would have gladly sacrificed herself to see that happen.”
Allie nodded. She would never forgive herself for Ming’s death, but this day was about Chloe and Jin and honoring their grief.
As she stood, holding Jin’s hand, she could feel how drained he was. He could barely stand on his own. Without a thought, Allie called on her own strength and gave it all to him, bolstering him for the difficult days ahead.
With a grateful nod, Jin stepped up to offer his final gift to his Complement. He reached into his pocket and brought out an ancient-looking fur slipper, crumbling with age.
Sasha let out a strangled sob as he placed it at the base of her obsidian coffin. “That’s the shoe he lost the day they met.”
As Jin knelt, he touched the ground, bringing forth a spring that circled the three coffins, creating a little island for them.
It was Chloe’s turn last and Allie had no idea what she might offer her mother and grandparents. Silent tears streamed down Chloe’s face as she knelt beside the new spring her father had created for her mother. She placed her palms against the surface of the water and began to sing in Chinese. Her voice was melodic and sounded so much like her mother’s Allie closed her eyes and smiled. She could almost hear Ming Lao’s laughter, like bells.
Sasha nudged her so she wouldn’t miss what Chloe did next. As she sat, sing
ing and trailing her fingers through the water, a figure emerged from the surface. As it mingled with her tears, it took shape and began to whirl around the coffins.
“A Chinese dragon,” Santi whispered.
Chloe made three of them, each distinct. Although made of water, they each had an ornate design representing the fallen of her family.
Allie’s mind whirled with images. Random snatches of things to come, and things that might never be. In every instance, she saw Chloe, sometimes at her side, but at others she stood in opposition. Regardless, she was an equal in every possible way. Chloe was a sweet-tempered girl now, but she would grow into a formidable, powerful, and respected woman. The death of her mother would have an extreme impact on Chloe’s life. It would make her stronger, but if she didn’t allow herself to fully mourn her loss and deal with her grief, it would send her down the wrong path.
“We should never, ever, ever, ever underestimate that girl,” Allie said softly.
~~~
CHAPTER
THIRTY-SIX
Three weeks later
Allie heard Aidan’s light step on her balcony below. She put the finishing touches on the new mural she was painting in her studio at the top of her tower. She didn’t spend as much time there as she originally thought she would when they first moved to Kelleys Island, but it was still one of her favorite places to brood.
“I’m up here,” she called.
“Are you hiding up here doing homework, Lex?” His boots a familiar echo on the stairs. “We’re still on winter break for another week.” Aidan flopped down on a chair and thumbed through the portfolio she’d been working on all afternoon. Things were finally starting to calm down in the weeks since Ming’s death and Quinn’s return. Life was taking on a new normal, as it always did whenever things changed.
“We only have a few months until high school is over. I’ve been accepted to most of my top-pick schools, but I still have to apply to the art programs. Portfolio reviews will be due in a few weeks and I have to be ready.”
“Have you decided where you want to go?”
“I’d like to go to Kent State, but it’s an hour away and I’m not sure I want to deal with the constant driving back and forth for training. It will probably be easiest if Sasha and I go to the same school so we can just train there.”
“Um … I have some news. I’m pretty excited about it. Can we go sit downstairs?”
“Uh-oh, this sounds ominous.” Allie wiped her hands and followed him down the narrow steps to her room below.
“Come here, babe.” He pulled her down on his lap as they sat in her armchair near the tall windows by the balcony.
“Aidan you’re scaring me. I can’t tell what you’re thinking.” Ever since she’d bonded with Darius, Aidan had kept his feelings about it carefully guarded. She didn’t like being shut out. It made her feel ten times worse about all the months she’d locked him out. She vowed never to do it again.
“I’m leaving, Lex.”
“What? When?” Panic rose in her chest. This had always been her deepest fear. Since the moment they met, she’d resisted loving him because she knew she would just lose him.
“It’s just for a few months.”
“Okay.” She nodded, feeling the tightness in her chest relax enough so she could breathe.
“Where are you going?”
“Germany.” He smiled. “Mom and Dad never wanted to let me go to the Music Conservatory there. At least not before I finished high school. But they’ve recently agreed to a compromise. I was accepted into their introductory program for musically gifted teens. I’ll finish high school there while I get an amazing start to my college education. Then I’ll come back here at the end of the summer and continue at Oberlin in the fall so we can be close.”
“That’s eight months,” Allie whispered. So much could happen in eight months.
“It will fly by. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Allie nodded, trying to smile for his sake. She knew he wanted this more than anything and she wasn’t going to stand in his way.
“I’ll come see you this summer,” she managed through a tight smile.
“Yes, I want you to spend the whole summer with me, Lex. This won’t be so bad if we have that to look forward to.”
“I’ll miss you.” She clasped his hands. “But I’m really excited for you too.”
“I knew you would understand.” He hugged her close and Allie sank into him, laying her head on his shoulder. The late afternoon sun streamed through the window as he absently ran his fingers through her hair.
“How long until you leave?” she finally said.
“Tomorrow.” His voice faltered. “I just found out I was accepted for next semester.”
Allie curled her arms around him tightly as if she could hold him here by sheer physical will. There was something he wasn’t telling her. Like he was trying to spare her feelings. She wiped furiously at the tears that slipped down her cheeks. She would not be selfish. This was his dream.
“I’m proud of you, Aidan. I want you to go there and soak it all in. Don’t worry about me.” Her words weren’t quite as believable, considering the way her chin trembled and her voice warbled and she wasn't even sure he could discern her words as English.
“I love you, Allie. That will never change. No matter where I go, no matter what I do. I will always come back to you. Nothing will ever part us for long.”
Allie nodded, trying not to choke on the tears burning her eyes and throat.
“Take this time to be with Darius.”
She gave him a baffled look.
“Not like that, Lex.” He rolled his eyes. “Take this time to focus on the amazing connection you two have. I know how confused you are right now.” He laced his fingers through hers. “And don’t think I haven’t noticed how you pull a disappearing act whenever we’re all in the same room together.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just awkward. My mortal brain can’t deal.”
“Well, with me gone, it will be easier for you to come to terms with this relationship, to let it develop naturally. I understand it better now. I know how much you mean to each other and I know it’s all very innocent. Dad let me see some of his memories of your mom so I could really feel how difficult it was for them in the beginning.”
“You saw her?” Gregg had never shown Allie any of his memories of her mother and she’d never asked. She wasn’t ready for that yet.
“Yes. She was incredible. You look a lot like her, but you’re very different. You're more like your father. I saw how important it was for my dad and your mom to spend some time exploring what the Syntrophos bond really meant for them. As much as I hate to admit it, you and Darius need that too. A few months is probably not nearly enough time, but it’s a start. And it’s the longest I can fathom being away from you.”
It was a good plan. It meant so much to Allie that he was trying so hard to understand and accept her connection with Darius.
“I just wish you weren’t leaving so soon.” Allie sighed. “We still have tonight, don’t we?”
“Yes, Lex. We still have tonight.” Aidan’s lips brushed hers and she pulled him close. Saying goodbye was going to break her heart.
Did you forget we still have this?
Allie burst out laughing. Yeah, I kinda forgot this still works with an ocean between us.
As long as we have this, I will never be more than a thought away. “We’re just going to have to figure out the time difference,” Aidan said.
“Well, we’ve gotten better at blocking each other, so it shouldn’t be too bad. I’ll just miss this.” Allie sighed, running her palms along his shoulders.
“That is the really crappy part. But let’s not think about that tonight. I’d like to commit to memory every single inch of you.” Aidan dragged her up from the armchair.
Allie smiled as he swept her up in his arms. They could survive this short separation. But as she gazed up at him, tracing the lines of his
face with her fingertips, Allie saw what they faced and there was nothing she could do about it. He didn't know it yet, but Aidan was going to cut her out of his life and permanently block her from his mind. This wouldn’t be months. This would be years.
Allie's heart shattered into a million pieces as they said their goodbyes.
~~~
EPILOGUE
Four Months Later
Allie left the crypt in disgust, marching down the hall to the stone stairs leading up to the common room.
“She is the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met! It’s like arguing with a pile of bricks!”
“Allie, your sister is making progress,” Liam called from behind.
Allie whirled around irritably. “You call that progress? Did you hear what she just said to me?”
“Slow progress.” Liam smiled. “You do seem to bring out the worst in her.”
“How can you stand spending so much time down here with that awful woman?”
“Have you asked Quinn about his experiences with Livia?”
Her real name was Alivia, the name their parents gave her, but she did not care for it … at all. They’d all learned really quickly not to use it in her presence.
“No. He’s doing so much better now. He’s hashed everything out with his teachers so many times, I think he’s needed us to just … let him be. I haven’t wanted to push him.”
“You should ask him. He can give you a lot of insight into how she’s become the woman she is. She isn’t all bad. There is a spark of goodness in her.”
“I doubt it.”
“Tiny spark.” Liam gestured with his thumb and forefinger.
“She just makes me so crazy, and she’s so mean. I know you guys think she can be rehabilitated or whatever, but I don’t think it’s working. And I don’t know how long we can just keep her locked up like this. Eventually her father is going to come looking for her.”
“Sisters fight, little one. It’s only natural that you two would butt heads.”
Emerge: The Judgment: (Book 2) Page 29
