by Urania Sarri
My eyes fell on his chest.
“You can’t look at me like that. And you can’t talk to me like that,” I said.
I stopped dancing, aware of the fact that the couples around us were watching. “Listen,” I went on, “you really don’t have to do this. I don’t care if the girls invited you and you feel you need to fix this, but I’m fine. I don’t need you. So, go hide wherever you’ve been hiding all these past three weeks.”
I heard him suck in a breath of air. “Madison, if you let me explain...”
I shook my head. “Just stop this.”
A pained expression crossed Jerome’s face, but he didn’t seem to give up. Grabbing my arm, he towed me away from the swaying couples, towards a dark corner. His hand cupped the back of my neck and his dark gaze met mine.
“Nobody invited me here. I crashed your birthday party because I’ve missed you. I’ve been a jerk, I know. But there was a reason I stayed away.”
I shook my head at his words. “No need to explain. We’re cool.”
“But…I, I really needed to see you. I needed to do this.”
His lips found mine. At first, I stiffened against him, but then my mouth molded against his, taking in his apology in a way he could never describe to me in words.
He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against mine.
“I’m sorry Madison. I shouldn’t have left you. I just didn’t know how to deal with my feelings for you.”
“Jerome...”
“Just give me a chance,” he muttered.
I pulled back, slightly lightheaded. I would be crazy to accept his apology, but his breath was too intoxicating to let me think clearly; my lips still burned with the heat of his kiss and his hands were moving on my body slowly, stopping on the sides of my hips in a distracting grip.
“I don’t understand what you want from me,” I heard myself say.
Jerome’s mouth widened in a broad smile.
“I only want to be the one who takes you home tonight.”
“We’ve already done that, remember?” I said.
He trailed soft kisses behind my ear. My heart stuttered.
“You look so ... breathtaking,” he said, nuzzling his nose against mine. “But that dress…You make such an easy target.”
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
He chuckled in my ear. “Why do you think I sent Connor to look after you?”
I tried to pull back in surprise, but Jerome pulled me back against him.
“No, you didn’t.”
“Did too.”
“Why?”
“We have to talk.” He tightened his grip on me. “Let’s get out of here.”
I looked at him, unable to decide if I wanted to accept his apology and give him another chance; not because I bore a grudge at him for ignoring me for three weeks. There was something else bothering me, something I could not define. Part of me wanted nothing to do with him; like he was a threat to me, a luring trap behind the most stunning face, ready to grip me, to steal something away from me. Was it my heart he was after? And then, there was this other part of me who told me I was invincible and I had nothing to be afraid of.
“Okay then. Take me home.” I had made up my mind.
Grabbing my arm, Jerome led me out of the club. I barely had time to watch Megan’s frowned face over my shoulder.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Seeing Is Believing
I wasn’t really into driving. I felt uncomfortable within the boundaries of a car, no matter the size or the model. My Harley was an entirely different thing. The freedom it ensued reminded me of my Warrior times; the infinite skies, the unbounded soaring above the world, the uninhibited relish of cosmic harmony and splendor. All those things that I was deprived of, deposed from my celestial duties and condemned to roam the human world for eternity. No longer worthy of the Warrior title. An Invalid.
At the moment, Jake’s Audi was as close as I could get to the illusion of freedom, under the circumstances. Besides, I had assumed Madison would be too well-dressed for my motorcycle.
“I didn’t know you had a car,” Madison said from the passenger seat.
“Actually, this is one of Jake’s cars. I prefer my motorcycle.”
“I know, I’ve heard the rumors.” She gave me a devious smile. “About you and your motorcycle? Just girls’ stuff.” She attempted an awkward giggle, but her eyes lingered on my face. I was doing the same; I could not take my eyes off her lips as they parted invitingly.
Nothing else mattered at that moment. The lurking shadows around us, the menace that threatened Madison’s life; I would deal with all those. If only I could feel her intoxicating power once more. A warm feeling overwhelmed me, and my heart leaped when I read the same longing in Madison’s flushed face.
I put my hand on the back of her head and leaned closer. My lips brushed hers softly, and then I pulled back slightly, savoring the pulsating tension that was building up between us. I winced at the thought that this was probably our last kiss before I told her the truth. Before the night was over, everything would change. How would she react when she found out that I had fooled her?
Next thing I knew, Madison’s fingers delved into my hair, pulling me hard towards her, our lips crashing in a relentless, suffocating kiss.
“Ready for what’s next?” I whispered against her mouth a few seconds later.
The only thing I cared about as soon as I parked outside Brassington Guesthouse was to take Madison inside her apartment and near her xifos. That would instantly turn her place into consecrated ground where she would be safe. I had seen what was about to happen if the Cthons got to her. An army of Snatchers was soon to be released in search of the Dormant Guardian. That was enough to bring me back. I had to keep Madison safe at all costs.
I couldn’t help casting her a stern look when she told me that she needed to check up on one of the girls on the first floor who had been sick and was the only one to miss the party.
“Just give me five minutes,” she said, misunderstanding my anxiety for making-out anticipation, which wasn’t totally out of my mind -once I made sure she was safe.
But we never got to that.
There was something in The Great Rhetra for Madison that night because that five-minute stop when I had to wait for her in the hallway may have saved our lives. A deafening explosion shook the whole building, making me duck instinctively. When Madison’s panicked face showed up as I barged into her friend’s apartment, I grabbed her arm and literally dragged her back to the car. I could feel her body hobble at first; then she tried to resist.
“Suzan is in there. We have to help her,” she mumbled, trying to break free from my grasp.
“GET IN THE CAR,” I barked as my eyes scanned the area for Snatchers. Steph, the newbie Watcher, should be on guard tonight. There was no way he hadn’t heard the explosion or seen the flames that were now bursting out from the window on the third floor. I didn’t need to look. I knew exactly whose apartment was on fire.
“GO, GO, GO!” Steph shouted behind me.
“There’s a girl inside. First floor!” I shouted back before closing door after I’d shoved Madison in the car.
“I’m on it,” Steph said and ran into the building.
“What the…? Jerome, what just happened?” Two huge emeralds were watching me as I sped off.
“All I know is we’re not safe here.”
“Shouldn’t we wait until the fire brigade shows up or... the police?”
“There is nothing we can do. Steph will take care of everything,” I said calmly, casting a side look at her.
“Madison? Breathe.”
I could see her whole body shaking. Soon she was going to ask the tough questions. I hated myself for what I was about to do, but there was no other way I could take her away from Brassington Hills without resistance. I invaded her mind, guiding her away from any thought of what she had just witnessed to the serene shelter of deep sleep.
I look
ed at my watch. We would be at the safe house within thirty minutes and I could only hope we would be able to make it there without any filthy Snatchers blocking our way. Madison should be safe next to me but, had I done things my way, I would have made this trip in broad daylight when the disgusting creatures hid in their caves. I had wasted so much time these past three weeks because of my weak human heart. I still had no idea how to deal with this mission. Once again, my human part had interfered, luring me into another mistake. Normally, I would have told Madison the truth so that whatever happened to us on the way to the safe house was less of a shock to her. So why do I keep putting this off? I asked myself. I didn’t have to answer. Still, keeping her in that blessed ignorance for long wasn’t going to help any of us.
I pulled over on the side of the road.
Madison stirred against my shoulder when my fingers touched her face. It was time to wake her up.
She blinked a couple of times. “Did I really fall asleep?”
I kissed her forehead. “Do you remember what happened?”
She nodded. “Where are we going? Why did you stop here?” she asked, sitting up.
I lifted her chin to look into her glazed eyes. “I’m taking you somewhere safe. Before we get there, I have to tell you a few things.”
“Like what?” she asked, looking outside where the headlights of the car lit the forest that surrounded us.
I took a minute to decide where I should start. “The fire at the guesthouse was no accident,” I said sternly.
Her gaze snapped back to me with surprise. “Really? Do you think someone did it on purpose?”
I nodded. “There was only damage in a specific apartment.”
Madison’s head tilted. I could tell she was beginning to figure out that something grave was about to come up.
“Whose apartment was that?” she asked in a faint voice.
“Yours,” I said grimly.
Her emerald eyes widened in fear. “Mine? Like mine and the girls’ apartment?”
“Exactly.”
I heard her gasp as she covered her mouth with her hand. I felt the strong urge to take her in my arms, tell her I wouldn’t let anything happen to her, but what was coming was much harder and touching her now would be a mistake.
“What happened?” Her voice was strained and she was looking at me with glassy eyes.
“Those who did it were after you. I have to tell you this because I don’t want you to freak out if something strange happens tonight.”
“What do you mean strange?”
“Like, these beings who are after you may find us. They may be on our trail right now. That’s why I took you away.”
I cursed inwardly for letting the word slip out. There was no way to take it back now. I watched as her beautiful green eyes narrowed trying to make sense of what I had just said.
“Beings? What do you mean beings?”
“I mean that whatever is after you is not exactly human.”
Madison’s lips curved into a smile that did not reach her eyes. “Is this a joke Jerome? Because if it is...”
I shook my head taking my eyes off her face, unable to cope with the stern look she cast me. Not looking at her made things easier. I decided it was time for more truth.
“It’s not a joke. It has to do with you and your amnesia. It’s all connected.”
Madison’s hands reached mine and only then did I notice how my hands were clenched in fists. I kept still because I knew it was the only way to keep them off her.
“Jerome… This is absurd. What is wrong with you? You are freaking me out.” Her voice cracked, making me gaze back at her face.
“Don’t you think I know? I’d never tell you this, but it’s what I have to do to protect you.”
I saw her study me, trying to find a way to deal with the information I’d given her. She didn’t look as terrified as I expected her to be. What I read in her face was concern for me. She had decided not to believe me.
“Madison, you have to listen to me. We are not exactly human, you and me. There’s more than meets the eye in this world.”
Never before had I found myself in such position; to have to reveal to a human -or partly human - what I really was. Obviously, I was not good at it. I knew I should try harder when I spoke again.
“What happened to you, Jerome? What did this to you?”
I pulled my hands away from hers. “What do you mean?”
“Jerome, look you’re so upset. You have to calm down.” She tried to touch my face, but my hands blocked her.
“I am calm,” I said a little louder than I should. I was losing my patience, and we were losing time. We were sitting ducks in the middle of the forest.
I shook my head in frustration. “I don’t believe this is happening to me,” I said behind gritted teeth.
“We’ll fix this, Jerome. I promise you. We just have to go back.”
She was trying to cajole me, probably thinking it’s the best way to deal with someone who sounded as insane as I did.
I put my hands on her shoulders and shook her hard.
“Madison, listen to me. WE. ARE. NOT. GOING. BACK. Not for a long time.”
She looked at me with confusion.
“But they will be looking for us, won’t they?”
“Nobody you know will be looking for us,” I said sternly.
“Why not?” she asked in a breathy voice.
I took my hands off her.
“Because they trust me. They know what I am, Madison.”
I heard her gasp once more as fear was now growing inside her.
“Jerome, you’re scaring me. Let’s go back before someone gets hurt.”
It had never crossed my mind that she would be afraid of me. Hate me? Yes. Not be able to trust me again? Sure. But to be afraid of me? When all I tried to do was to protect her from the evil predators? Okay, I had fed on her, and I would probably do it again soon, but I could control myself now. Besides, she wasn’t aware of this aspect of our relationship. She’s probably thinking that I’m some kind of a schizophrenic killer, I thought as I watched her shrink away from me.
“Are you afraid I might hurt you I? You know I’d never do that,” I said in a muffled voice.
“Of course I know, but what you’re saying ...just makes no sense.” She forced out a smile.
She looked like she was about to open the door and run away from me. This should never happen, I thought, deciding it was time to make her realize the danger she was in.
“Okay, Madison. Listen. I’m not the one you should be afraid of. You are in danger. Your life is in danger. There was an attempt to kill you tonight. Like, they were going to burn you alive?”
She looked at me like she was blaming me for what I had just said. Her beautiful face twisted in disbelief.
“Why would someone want to do that to me?”
I waited a few seconds before I answered, locking my eyes with hers.
“Because, according to them, that is the only way you can die.”
Several silent minutes went by before she spoke again.
“You’re talking about me like I’m supernatural or something,” she muttered.
My eyes still held hers.
“Well, you are.”
“Jerome!” She said my name, but this time there was no hint of adoration in her voice; only accusation and frustration, but who could blame her?
It took a huge effort to pretend that I ignored what I read on her face.
“We all are. Me you. The boys at the gym. Even your friends.”
“Are we back to the vampire subject again? Because if you tell me that you...”
I squeezed a bitter smile. “Evil comes in many forms, Madison. You will be surprised. But I assure you, we are the good guys.”
She looked outside, and I could only hope she was trying to put everything together. “So, what you’re saying is... I am in danger because someone wants to kill me for being like ...you?”
A warning
alarm made me think carefully before I answered. Some things should wait. No point in freaking her out more by telling her I was different from everyone else.
“More or less, yes,” I answered.
“It doesn’t make any sense. What exactly are you? And… Why me?”
She wasn’t going to make this any easier for me. So, I gave her a hint.
“Because you are important. Some kind of... special creature.”
“I’m not a creature!” She protested.
I brushed my hair back with my fingers, feeling helpless.
“I’m sorry. Poor choice of words. As for me… I have some powers…special powers.”
“Special like…superhuman?”
“Something like that. But don’t be afraid, please. I’m not dangerous.”
My voice faltered at the last word, and I hoped she didn’t notice.
I watched her as she chewed her lower lip and drummed her fingers on her lap.
“Show me,” she said eventually.
I blinked. “Show you what?”
“Show me what you are. Do you transform into something, like this Wolverine guy?”
“No, Madison.” I smiled sadly.
“There must be something you can do to prove you’re not crazy,” she challenged me.
That was totally unexpected. What could I do to convince her I was telling the truth and not freak her out?
“Are you seriously going to make me do this?” I asked.
She didn’t say anything, just arched a provoking brow at me.
“Get out,” I barked at her.
“I’m not going to...” she protested.
“Madison? Do you want me to show you? Get out!” I said before opening my door to get out of the car myself. I walked to the rear and waited for her. There was no sign of any evil presence around us yet, so I guessed it should be safe to let her out in the dark for a few more moments. I was going for a quick show of my basic skills. Because my true skills would make her run for the hills.
“Now what? Will you become a bat?” she said, standing next to me.
I touched the car with my index finger.
