We jump up into the tunnel we arrived through a few weeks ago. Things are different this time. The darkness that surrounds us doesn't scare me like it did before. The destination ahead isn't what scares me. The truth of what I'm now a part of does. Fear for the Gypsies who have been targeted by the Wraiths angers me. Being held by the Shades against my will enrages me. Things have changed. I’ve changed.
“Do you ever wonder if what you're fighting for is right?” I ask as we stop below the portal.
Luka pulls me into his arms as my hands go around his waist. Air begins to circulate around us. Luka drops his forehead to mine his brown eyes open and warm.
“Hold your breath,” he whispers right before our feet leave the ground.
My eyes close as we drift to the surface. Once back in the park, we take off down a secluded path.
“I did.” Luka breaks the silence. “Right before my parents.” His voice cracks as he clears his throat. “They were always gone. When they’d come home they would speak of the fights and how many Wraiths were killed. I actually felt bad for them. The Wraiths. To constantly lose ones you care about. It’s not a life I’d want.”
“Then they took your parents from you,” I whisper.
“Yeah. I knew then that I had to fight. Just like them. I threw myself into training, it was all I did, it was all I had left. I promise you, Ela, if I wasn't one hundred percent positive we were doing what was right, that we were saving innocents from the Wraiths, then I wouldn't be here. And neither would you.” His fingers tighten around mine. “Now, do whatever it is you do to get your vision on course because we’re almost there.”
A familiar glimmer welcomes us as we turn the corner. A bright blue Gypsy caravan sits to our right as Luka pulls me behind it.
“Ready?” He glances over his shoulder at me.
With a nod we’re on the move. Once past the shield, we meet Alec and Kasik. Kasik is shouting orders at a group of men at his side. An endless row of brightly-colored caravans greets me on my other side as I watch a battle between the Shades and the Wraiths. The Wraiths have formed a barrier around a large section of the community as two Wraiths stand in front throwing fire and wind at any Shade that approaches.
Kasik’s long pony tail whips through the air as he turns to us. “You two, get in position on the other side of this van.” He points to a pretty purple one with bright red roses on it. “We need to get through their guards. They have the Gypsies holed up about four rows down.”
Quickly, Luka and I get into position. My back slides down one of the vans as I attempt to regulate my breathing. This fight is different. This isn't just the Shades versus the Wraiths. Tonight, we fight for the Gypsies. People I’ve never met. People who remind me of home, of my own family. I will protect them. Tonight, we will save them.
Exhale. My mind is quiet. Considering what’s at stake, I take that as a good sign. Inhale. A bright light catches my attention as a fireball soars above us and hits the van directly behind us. The van flies through the air in a flume of smoke and fire, landing a bit too close to Kasik and the other Shades. With a flick of her hand, Luna flies the van over my head and toward the Wraith who set it aflame in the first place. Hands on his hips, the Wraith next to him blows the van out of reach.
We seem to be at an interesting standoff. Whatever we throw at them they throw away, just as everything they toss at us we throw back at them.
“Hey.” Luka kneels down in front of me. “Do you see anything?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. For once everything is quiet.”
Luka rubs his hands up and down his face as he peeks over the van. “They’re confident. I don’t get it. We didn’t surprise them. They knew we’d be here. They were ready.”
Luna bounds over a spare tire and lands next to us. She is dressed in all black and her golden hair cascades out around her. She reminds me of a superhero. Perfect.
“Luka.” She joins him over the hood of the van. “We need to get closer. A lot closer. Their vans just arrived in the back of the community. They plan on loading the Gypsies up soon and getting them out of here. We need to intercept them.”
“Okay.” Luka drags his fingers through his blonde hair. “Give us a distraction. I’ll see how close we can get. Tell Kasik to send backup.” Brown eyes focus on me. “Ela, stay close. Let me know if you see anything.” He begins to scoot around the van. “Oh, get your knives out and keep them in front of you.”
I unstrap the knives attached to my ankles with shaky fingers. I pray I won't have to use them. Training on dummies and using them on a real person are two completely different things. My hands shake in front of me as I follow Luka around the community. Luna and the other Shades have waged a war against the two sentries guarding the Wraiths’ barrier. The two are focused on them and not us. We’re able to get a few yards from where the families are being held. I can see the women holding their children and the men standing guard in front. Other Wraiths are walking about but the men make no move to fight against them. I watch in wonder as one of the Wraiths actually stops and talks to one of the men standing guard. He pats him on the back with a laugh and continues his route.
“Hey,” Luka whispers. “Over there.” He points to an open area. “We can get them out there. Luna will give us a sign when our backup is ready.”
“A sign?”
Luka nods. “You’ll know it when you see it.”
The war behind us continues. The Wraiths are leaving their stations around the Gypsies to join in the fight which I hope means the Shades are winning. The vans the Wraiths brought for transportation inch closer to us. We need to hurry.
Lightning strikes the first van, causing it to explode in a gust of sparks. The van behind it crashes into it from behind, pushing it forward into a row of caravans. The Gypsies in front of us begin to run through the open space between us in a rush to get away from the fire that is now growing around us.
“That’s the sign. Come on, let’s get these people into our trucks.” Luka runs toward two Mack trucks I hadn't seen before.
Shades jump out of the front of the trucks and begin to usher the Gypsies into the backs of the trucks. Many fight them, thinking we’re the Wraiths trying to kidnap them. One of the Shades is able to subdue some of the more upset Gypsies and carry them into the trucks.
I run over to one of the trucks and begin to help lift the small children into the back. The women are crying as I hand them their children and they beg me to let them go. I try to reassure them that we're here to help them, but they're scared. I can only imagine what the Wraiths have put them through.
Once all the Gypsies are loaded, the Shades head out. I watch in amazement as the trucks disappear right before my eyes.
“Alec’s not the only one who can teleport,” Luka says with a raised eyebrow. “They will be taken care of. Promise.” Luka squeezes my hand. “Let’s head back and help the guys end this.”
Nodding, I turn to follow Luka just as a bolt of electricity shoots toward me. My eyes go wide as Luka slams into my side, effectively pushing me out of the way. My back hits the ground with a thud as I roll over in search of Luka. I see Luka a few feet away. Convulsions race through Luka’s body as he thrashes on the ground. I crawl over to him, scared to touch him.
“Luka. Oh god. Luka. Why’d you do that?”
My own body begins to shake as I take in Luka’s unconscious form. I didn't see this. This can't be right.
A healer is by Luka’s side almost immediately. My body trembles as Drina’s lifeless body flashes behind my eyes. I squeeze my eyes shut and will the image to go away. Luka isn’t Drina. My eyes open and do a quick scan. Luka is unresponsive but breathing. I jump at Alec’s touch on my shoulder, too wrapped up in Luka’s condition to hear him approach.
“The Wraiths are withdrawing. All the Gypsies are safe and back in Hollows Ground.” He assesses me with a cock of his head. “I was told to transport you and then Luka back to the hospital to be checked out.”
I nod. “You need to take Luka first.” I shiver at the thought of Luka hurt.
“Orders are to take you first. Luka is being treated by the healers now.” Alec holds his hand out toward me. “I will be back in a flash to get him. Promise.” He steps closer to me as he speaks.
Our hands clasp and I’m instantly pulled into Alec as we land with grace outside the hospital. With weak legs, I pull away from him.
“Just head in. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” Alec winks and disappears.
My head falls to the side and I watch as the moon ascends in the sky, casting a bright purple glow over the water. My feet move toward the heavy metal door that will take me into the hospital. Yanking it open, I walk in and gasp. Luka is already there and being treated by an army of nurses and doctors. He lies still on a white gurney as nurses hook him up to machines and fluids. They walk down the hall toward a room and I follow as close behind as I can.
Once situated in the room, the nurses leave and a doctor continues his assessment of Luka. I plop down in a chair by the window to keep from distracting the doctor. A bit of color has returned to Luka’s face and his muscles twitch as the doctor pokes and prods him. He has yet to open his eyes.
“He took one powerful hit,” the doctor addresses me. “I’m pretty confident he will be okay, but I’ll know more once he wakes up. Should be soon, just call for a nurse when he does.”
I nod to the doctor as he leaves the room, closing the door behind him. The beeping from the machine next to Luka is the only sound. A muscle twitch here and there is the only movement from Luka. I drag my chair over and sit next to him.
I grab his limp hand and squeeze. My tears fall in silent streams down my cheeks as I stare at Luka. Somewhere along the way, the nurses have cut off his clothes and dressed him in a white gown that opens in the front. Closing my eyes, I drop my forehead to the bed. Tonight had been close. It’s still close. Luka could have died. I could have died. And yet neither of our deaths were shown to me.
Luka’s fingers tighten around mine. Pulling my head up, I watch Luka’s long lashes flutter open and close again.
“Ela,” he gasps as he tightens his hand again.
“I’m right here.” I push the nurse’s call button on the side of his bed. “You're in the hospital.”
“I remember,” he whispers as his eyes drift open and closed again.
The door opens. “Is our guy awake?” a nurse asks as she flicks a flashlight on.
“Yes, he just opened his eyes. He even spoke,” I answer as my eyes stay glued on Luka.
“That’s wonderful. The doctor expected him to be awake soon. He’s going to be pretty tired the next few days and in quite a bit of pain,” she says as she checks his fluids.
“When can I go home?” Luka asks, his eyes still closed.
“Soon. I’ll let the doctor know you're awake and ready to leave.” She laughs. “Don’t let him out of this bed.” She points to me.
“No problem,” I mutter, astonished he wants to go anywhere.
“I’ll be fine.” Luka reopens his eyes and glances at me. “Not my first hit, not my last hit.”
“You shouldn't have done that. You could have been seriously hurt, or worse―”
“That's exactly why I did it,” he sighs. “I had to protect you.”
“Sacrifice the individual for the better good, or however you put it.” I shake my head.
“For once, the cause didn't even register. I saw the bolt and needed to protect you. Not because of your gift or the war but because of you.” His eyes drift close.
“I would’ve been alright and you wouldn't be stuck in this bed right now.”
“I’d still be here. Right where you are. I’m not sure I could handle seeing you hurt. You mean too much to me.” He breathes out.
“Without my ‘gift’ as you call it, I’d be no one. You wouldn't even know me,” I mutter as I drop my eyes to our tangled fingers.
Luka’s other hand pushes my eyes back to his as he holds my wet cheek in his hand. “I would have found you. I care for you, Ela, more than just this cause.”
I see the sincerity in his eyes, the fear he felt, the truth. And for the first time in my life I want to be closer to someone. Feel them. Know them. I lean toward Luka and his hand slips to my nape, tangling in my hair.
Slowly, my lips touch his. Just a feather, for just a moment. But I feel the connection, the pull, everywhere. I squeeze my eyes shut, unable to pull away. Luka’s sigh on my lips grabs my attention and I pull back, opening my eyes and meeting his.
“I know you’ve never been close to anyone. I know you're scared.” Luka’s hand falls from my neck and twists in my hair. “I won't hurt you. I won't rush you.”
The small moment comes crashing to a halt as the door slams open and the doctor walks in. “I hear you want to go home?” He raises an eyebrow at Luka and then me.
“Yes, sir.” Luka coughs. “The sooner the better.”
“Of course. But not today.” The doctor chuckles. “You’ll be staying right there in that bed for at least twenty-four hours. You were hit with one heck of a blast. We need to monitor you. If all goes well, and you do as you’re told, you can go home tomorrow.”
“Promise,” Luka answers immediately.
“Right.” He shakes his head and turns to me. “You should head home, get some sleep. You can bring some clothes and what not when you return.”
“Can I stay?” The idea of leaving Luka, of being alone, frightens me.
“Go home, Ela. Get some sleep. I’m not going anywhere. All you’ll do here is watch me sleep anyways.”
“I―”
“I can set up a teleporter for you if you’d like,” the doctor interrupts.
“I’d rather walk,” I mutter. “Get some air.” Think things over. Like that kiss.
The doctor nods and points to Luka. “Stay in bed. The nurse will be back in a bit to give you some more pain meds.”
“Looking forward to it.” Luka grimaces, in pain I’m sure.
With a smirk and a nod, the doctor leaves us alone again.
“Head home, Ela. I’ll be fine.” He twirls my hair around his finger. “Get some sleep.”
“Okay. I guess. Do you want me to bring you back anything?”
“Just a change of clothes and my toothbrush would be great.” He smiles, showing me his dimples as his eyes close. “I'm just going to get some sleep,” he whispers.
“Alright.” I squeeze his hand. “I’ll be back in a few hours.” Leaning over, I kiss the top of his head before letting go of his hand.
Two kisses now I’ve given him. Two more than anyone else. Centering myself, I head toward the door and down the hall. Once outside I take in the peacefulness of the water and the bright clear sky. This place is feeling more like home each day. Luka feels like home.
I head down the dirt path that leads back to the main part of the city in a daze. The sound of crying catches my attention and I veer off the dirt path and down another I’m unfamiliar with.
The further I walk, the more crying I hear. A bend in the path reveals the trucks from the fight with the Wraiths. I watch as Shades hurry the Gypsies out of the truck and into a building. Many of the Gypsies look upset, some even trying to get away. What is going on?
“What are you doing here?” An angry voice calls to me from behind me. A voice I know all too well.
“I heard crying.” I turn to face Luna.
“You shouldn't be out alone. Where’s Luka?”
“They’re keeping him in the hospital. I was just heading to his house to get some sleep―”
“When you decided to stick your nose where it doesn't belong.” She says with a sneer.
“What? No, I heard crying. What’s going on anyway? Aren't those the Gypsies we just saved?” I ask.
“This here is a safe house. We are protecting them from the Wraiths. Now run along.” She waves her hands at me.
“Sure thing.” I turn and head back up the path.
>
Something funny is going on. I can feel it. None of those people looked like they wanted to be here. They were crying and trying to get away. I think back to everything I witnessed at the fight. It didn’t look like the Wraiths were trying to hurt the Shades. It looked like they were protecting them. Encircling them. They were even laughing together.
What if it’s the Shades that are after the Gypsies? What if I just helped them kidnap them?
What just happened?
I head back to the hospital to see Luka. It’s only been a few hours since I last saw him. Since I ran into Luna. Shaking the memory away, I walk into Luka’s room. He, of course, is up and out of bed. He turns to me and flashes a bright smile.
“Hope you have some clothes for me in that bag.” He points to the blue backpack I have thrown over my shoulder.
Rummaging through his drawers was weird. I’d never really been in anyone else's private spaces and to be in Luka’s was almost intimate.
“Yup, and a toothbrush. Just as you ordered. However, you aren't supposed to be out of bed. I kinda remember the doctor telling me to make sure you stayed put.”
Luka eyebrows raise as he swaggers over to me. “I’ve been given the all clear. As soon as I’m dressed, I’m taking you somewhere.” He grabs the bag from my shoulder. His hand finds my chin as he tilts my head back, brown eyes glistening. “I want to talk to you about something.” Leaning down he quickly pecks my lips with his and backs up.
Three. Three more than anyone else. Luka disappears behind the door to his en-suite bathroom as I sink down into the chair overlooking the placid lake. Luka seems to be in a playful mood. I’ve only ever seen him serious, in training mode. The thought makes me smile.
“Ready?”
I look up just in time to see Luka pulling his shirt over his head. My hands grip the armrests of the chair tightly as my heart accelerates. Averting my eyes, I give him a nod. Luka has always seemed much more comfortable around me then I am with him, but his actions this morning seem to be more. Like whatever is going on between us now is more. More than training. More than the cause. Just more.
Second Sight (Hollows Ground Book 1) Page 9
