by Andy Lewter
I nodded.
"I meant it. Valens don't age quickly. Once you've turned, you'll appear young for many years. I'm twenty-two — but I look like I'm eighteen, don't I?"
"What? You're twenty-two?" I never would have guessed it.
He nodded. "The age rule doesn't apply to Valens. So don't worry — it's not statutory rape if you want me." He grinned.
"Oh please." I rolled my eyes. "So how old does that make Navi?" I asked curiously.
Miles grew thoughtful. "In human years, she's one hundred fifty-one years old. Valens years are different. She's considered an Elder Elite Valens. We don't go by number of years. We go by half centuries for age. You and I are Young Elite Valens. So if someone is newly turned with an ordinary gift, they would just be called Young Valens. Around the end of the first fifty years is when Young Valens become Mid Valens, and then when that first century and a half comes around, Valens turn into Elder Valens. We usually live for about two hundred years in human time, give or take a few decades." He shrugged.
I was starting to think he enjoyed taking me off guard. "Okay, so where does your family come in the story about protecting us? And what are you protecting us from?"
Miles blinked. "Uh… your father and mine were best friends growing up. Your father went into hiding, married your mother, and before they both knew it you and your sister were on your way. The second he found out your mother was with child, your father made mine promise that he'd always protect your family."
"I assume that he was protecting us from knowledge of Valens, and also so other Valens wouldn't know of our existence, correct?"
"You're catching on…" He nodded, a hint of approval in his voice.
"But you still didn't answer one question. What are you protecting us from?" I pressed.
He hesitated for a moment and nervously raked his hair with his fingers. "Remember how I said that there are two parties of Valens?" he asked quietly.
I got the impression that he didn't want to tell me this part.
I nodded impatiently.
"Well, the other party is pushing to become leaders of the humans, just like we talked about. Everetts have a great name from a great leader — that's why Navi said Valens from around the world will look to you for guidance. Without a living Everett, Valens are almost lost. Your existence alone will bring joy and hope to the people in our world. If the other party knows you or your sister exist, it can get ugly fast. Either they'll try and convert you, or they'll try and kill you." He paused for a second and considered something. "Chances are high that they'll just try and kill you." He watched me with cautious eyes.
I'm not sure what expression I held on my face, but he instantly looked concerned.
"We've kept you safe and undetected for this long — I see no reason why things would change." He reached for my hand and gave me an assuring smile. His hand was big and warm. It felt good — but nothing compared to Nicholas’ touch.
Nicholas…
"You keep saying 'the other party' — what are their names?"
"Emerson and Kayla Ludovic. There was a rumor they had a child, but that hasn't been verified. There are many following them but they are the most Elite for their side, which makes them the leader," he stated matter of fact.
"Ludovic. I think I'm going to be sick…"
My stomach churned — tears were threatening to pour out.
I need to get out of here.
"Abbs, everything is going to be fine. I promise. No one but us knows about you or your family. You're safe. I swear I would never let anything happen to you." He squeezed my hand and securely wrapped his free arm around my body to comfort me.
I pulled away from him and hunched forward, clutching my torso to ease the unbearable ache that ripped open in my chest.
Ludovic. Nicholas Ludovic. That was why he left as soon as he figured out who I was — why he had to think things through before we could be together.
It was because his family wants me dead.
I heard a wicked thunderhead crash hard overhead. Strong pouring rain came down an instant later. The clouds were so dark that it appeared to be night. Lightning flashed quick and bright, one after the other.
"Take me home, Miles."
Without a moment's hesitation, he threw the truck into first gear and turned toward the direction of my house.
Chapter 12
Miles opened the front door of my house, carrying me in his strong arms. We were both sodden from the pouring rain. The storm that had hit wasn't easing up — it was getting worse. Thunder roared and lightening cracked — wind whipped fiercely around the house and hail hammered on the rooftop.
I didn't notice any of it, though. Every time I blinked I saw Nicholas behind my lids.
"I will do everything I can to get through this so we can be together."
"And you can't tell anyone you met me. Your mom knows me now, but maybe she won't say anything — I don't think she knows about me."
His words repeated over and over in my mind.
The dull ache I was trying to avoid ripped my chest at full force. I wrapped my arms around myself as hard as I could. It was the only way I could keep from falling apart.
I suddenly recognized the comforting scent and familiar feel of my sheets from my bed. I heard frantic footsteps running up the stairs between the thunder crashes.
"Abby! What happened, Miles?" my mother shrieked. She sounded close, but I couldn't look up. All my senses were numb.
"She'll be okay, Ms. Everett. Come with me," Miles beckoned. I distantly heard my bedroom door click and the tiny muffled whispers of them talking in the hallway.
I buried my face deep in my sheets. I didn't have the slightest interest in what they were saying about me behind my door.
A few moments later, I heard my door creak open and felt the sheets pull away from my face. A big warm hand wiped tears away that I hadn't known escaped. I felt fingers gently brush through my hair in attempt to comfort me.
"Don't touch me," I snapped.
"Abbs… My family and I would never let anything happen to you, you know that, right? You're safe. You've always been safe."
I realized that he assumed this was my reaction to finding out the Ludovics wanted me dead.
Well, he could continue thinking that, I decided.
"Navi can see other Valens' auras from miles away. That's how she watched your turning. Remember the light she talked about? The second there were visitors in town, we would know. You're safe… you're okay," he assured me soothingly.
"Let me be…"
He took in a deep, frustrated breath. A moment later, I heard his heavy footsteps fade away down the stairs and out the front door. I pulled the sheets back up over my face and was surprised I could still see the lightning flashes through the blanket heap.
I was still for a very long time. I relived every last detail with Nicholas while I desperately clutched my torso to ease the pain. Miles said that we attract each other — that must have been how Ray and Nicholas found me in the park.
Eventually, my thoughts moved onto the conversation with Navi and Miles. Nicholas and Ray were here when Navi was away with Miles and his family, so that makes sense why she didn't see them here. I thought about my Great Grandfather — about how strong of a leader he must have been to resist temptation and lead Valens to choose the right path for mankind. I thought about the struggles my grandpa must have gone through to follow in his father's footsteps.
I must have fallen asleep at some point because I fell into the sweetest memory I had of Nicholas. His warm, musky scent filled my lungs. His deep, attractive voice whispered in my ear.
"Abby," he said. "Abby — it's time to wake up."
I smiled.
"Abby my dear, you need to wake up. I'm here."
A sudden sensation came over me, an emotion burned into my core. My connection — our connection.
Nicholas…
Confused, I opened my eyes. The storm was strong as ever — the repeating lightning flashe
s lit up my bedroom brighter than the noonday sun. A thunderhead crashed furiously overhead, almost as if it was directly over the roof of the house.
Nicholas was here, but he wasn't alone. My eyes grew wide with fear as I observed the strangers that stared motionless at me in my bedroom.
I felt my breath catch as I noticed a woman standing at the foot of my bed — her eyes spitting hate and fury with lips turned in a sickening sneer. Her pointed pitch-black, chin-length hair matched the repulsed expression she held as she observed me, never removing her eyes from mine.
I shifted my attention to another figure that stood adjacent to her in my doorway. He was tall — really tall. I'd say six-seven. He held the same look of hatred and fury. Through the bright flashes that filled my bedroom, I noticed how his copper eyes stood out with the luminance of his skin, the dangerous glint in his eyes made him appear demonic.
I gulped as I realized who these strangers were. They were Nicholas’ parents.
And they were here to kill me.
"Take care of her Emerson, before she screams," the woman at the foot of my bed spat.
"Leave her alone! She'll come without hesitation — you don't have to do it!" Nicholas argued beside me.
I glanced back at Nicholas and recognized a familiar person I hadn't realized was standing behind him. Ray appeared distressed and concerned. He shook his head minutely, indicating that I shouldn't fight.
The tall man the woman referred to as Emerson kneeled down, inches from my face. A sudden numb feeling came over me — all I could see was his copper eyes.
"You're going to come with us you mindless piece of filth, and you're not going to put up a fight. You're going to tell your mother a believable story about why you're leaving, and you're going to tell her that she's never going to see you again." He sneered.
His words overcame my senses and everything he said made me cower to obey his command.
I rose from my bed and grabbed my school bag. In one smooth motion, I dumped all of the contents out onto the floor and threw in my purple notebook and a few articles of clothing I collected from my closet. I slung the bag carelessly over my shoulder and ran down the stairs.
"I'm leaving," I announced.
My mother was curled on the couch with a blanket by candlelight. The storm must have knocked the power out.
But I wasn't going to think about such nonsense.
"Oh, where are you going? Going to see Miles?" she asked, groggily.
"No. I'm leaving Newton. I hate this place. You brought us here on a whim because you panicked after dad died. My opinion never has mattered to you and Olivia has always been the one you cared about most. I'm tired of being second, and I'm tired of you. You're a horrible mother and I don't want to ever see you again!" I roared. I whipped my hair around as I turned toward the front door.
"Abigail! Please… let's talk about this. You're upset, don't do anything rash until you've calmed down. And — and there's a storm! You can't go anywhere with the weather like this," she pleaded, panicked.
I turned my face slowly back toward her with a sneer. "Why do you think I've been so distant the past few days? This isn't an irrational response. Farewell mother, you'll be much happier once you don't have to deal with me anymore." I opened the front door and slammed it behind me — the crashing thunder overhead drowned out the remnants of my dramatic exit.
I stepped onto the front porch and blinked in confusion. What just happened?
I saw a fast-moving figure coming toward me from the corner of my eye. I instinctively went on defense, squaring myself up with whatever was coming and prepared to attack. But the figure was too fast. A powerful fist struck the side of my head. I fell backwards off the porch and into a mud puddle.
And then I blacked out.
****
I saw the familiar house that I had seen every night, but I didn't feel like going in. Not right now. So instead I turned and walked toward the curb by the roadside and took a seat, crossing my arms against my knees so I could wait impatiently to wake up.
After a few moments, I heard foot scuffs behind me. I didn't have the patience to tolerate him in his drunken state. I decided it was best to ignore him.
He took a seat next to me on the curbside, mimicking my posture.
"You got yourself in a real pickle there, Abbs," he commented lightly.
I drew in an ungratifying sigh and pointedly looked in the opposite direction of where he sat.
"The woman’s name is Kayla. She comes off menacing, but if you find the right window of opportunity, she'll do anything you want. Her gift can be disorienting. You're strong — you'll be able to overpower her," he stated matter of fact.
I continued to look the other way stubbornly. Once he realized I wasn't going to respond, he continued.
"I'm sure you caught on that the man's name is Emerson. His gift is how he was able to convince you to act horribly toward your mother," he went on accusingly. "But don't worry, she'll forgive you. She's a great woman." He sniffed.
"Are you even real? You're just a figment of my imagination — a dream. You're nothing."
I hesitated a moment before turning toward him, but once I did I was taken back. He was dressed casually and looked like an entirely new person. His hair was clean and stood up every which way. He smelled like aftershave with a hint of cologne. Not a trace of whiskey was on his breath. The usual bags under his eyes were gone, making him appear much younger. I narrowed my eyes as I realized something — his skin put out a distinct luminance that was familiar to me now.
"You're Valens," I noted out loud.
"Through the mind, the possibilities are endless… remember?" He raised his eyebrows eagerly awaiting my response.
"But — but Miles said you never turned!"
"It was a life my father wished I'd never have, or I you. But that's not important. We've got to get you safe. You see that?" He pointed across the street where a red-brick house usually sat. Instead, I saw an opening in a dense rainforest with trees so tall I had to crane my neck to see the tops. It was eerily hazy with a thick mist resting on the edges by the trunks of the trees.
"What am I looking at?" I didn't like the look of the place one bit.
"Remember what you see. Always remember. Don't ever take these visions lightly…" he warned.
"What does that mean?"
"It means that you should never be closed-minded. Any glimpse you receive can potentially save yours or someone else's life. Never forget that."
"I'm so confused…"
"There's no time to waste. You must wake up. Go, Abby — Go!"
I shifted back into consciousness, feeling something cold as ice resting against my head, accompanied by a headache that could make a grown man weep.
My eyes fluttered open and I found Nicholas peering down at me, watching me with anxious eyes.
"Abby — you're awake! I'm so sorry. They weren't supposed to hurt you. I won't let them ever touch you again, I'll make sure of it," he forced through his teeth.
"My head hurts like Hades…" I grimaced. I reached up and felt an icepack strategically placed between my head and the seat I sat in.
"Let me! I can help and you know it. She's in pain, look at her!" Ray gestured toward me from the seat in front of where Nicholas and I sat.
I suddenly realized that we were on a small plane, and we were in the air.
"Why are we on a plane?" I asked confused.
"Don't touch her! She's been through enough," Nicholas ordered.
"You're such a fool Nick," Ray remarked. He reached over the back of his chair and placed a heavy hand on my shoulder and leaned down to where a good amount of his body weight pushed me further into my seat.
"Get your hand off of her!" Nicholas spat, shoving Ray's shoulder as a warning.
I saw a faint flash of light behind my eyes and instinctively blinked it away. A sudden trickling, hot feeling followed. I felt the warmth pump through my body, down my arms and into my fingers, down my tor
so — all the way down to my toes. Everything turned black and I was preparing to pass out, but the incoherent feeling never came. Instead, I watched the light gradually brighten back into my eyesight.
"Hey…" I said after a moment, "My headache's gone. How did you—"
"I'm a healer." Ray beamed.
“A what?” I asked.
Next to me, I felt Nicholas readjust himself and touch the side of my head. "We are called Valens. You have very strong gifts that run in your bloodline. One is that you can read feelings, yes? But some have two. Your ancestors are known for their multiple gifts, and they were Kings. So that leaves you, their heir, with a royal title." He grinned crookedly. "Curious to see if you have more than one gift."
I bit down on my lip to keep from talking. I had a feeling I should keep the knowledge I had about Valens to myself.
There was sudden turbulence and a quick flash of lightening that poured in through the dark windows.
"Can you tone it down a little there, beast?" Ray smirked at Nicholas.
Nicholas glared at Ray for a moment, then his eyes unfocused in concentration for a brief second. The turbulence and lightning flashes abruptly stopped.
"Am I missing something here?" I asked, looking back and forth between the two.
"You haven't figured it out yet?" Ray smiled dauntingly at me, after averting his glare away from Nicholas.
"Nick is a weatherman — he controls the weather." He winked.
"You… What?" The storms, the sunsets… they were all him.
Nicholas smiled tightly. "It wasn't until I met you that I was able to start gaining control. It takes time mastering your gift, you know."
"But I thought you had the same gift as me… I thought…" I went back to the connection we shared, the emotion we felt together as one.
He leaned in close to me, wrapping an arm around my waist. I was consumed with the way his skin felt against mine — I nearly lost my train of thought.
"I have both," he whispered deeply in my ear.
"You… you have two gifts?" I stammered.
"I can read what people are feeling and change the weather," he stated matter of fact. He pulled away far enough to make eye contact. "The weather gift was hard for me to take control of. The forecast usually mimicked what mood I was in — it was frustrating." He chuckled.
