Her rage surged within him again, giving him strength. She was fighting her anger, refusing to let it win.
Let it go, Allie. He took a shuddering breath as she threw her head back, her fists clenched at her sides. An otherworldly screech ripped from her throat. Blood oozed from her nose and eyes and her hands dripped crimson drops onto the grass at her feet. She was glorious in her wrath. An ethereal green glow surrounded her as she unleashed her judgment.
Aidan coughed; blood oozing from his mouth. His injuries were deep, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Allie.
Her raptor gaze zeroed in on the man who held Aidan’s future in his hands. Allie eyes filled with blood and she roared in outrage. Her anger hit him like a shock wave, but Aidan only felt the intensity of her love, and the euphoric realization he saw reflected in her gaze. She knew … Allie knew they were Complements.
Golden green light flashed across the sky and dead silence fell around those who’d witnessed Allie’s judgment. The strength drained from his attacker’s grip and he slumped to the ground beside Aidan. In the moment before his father’s arms wrapped around him, dragging him to safety, Aidan realized what she’d done. For him. The man before him now was mortal. Allie had stripped him of his immortality to save Aidan from a life without the ability that defined him.
The girl he loved had just saved his life.
As her frightened eyes met his, he poured all the love he had for her into that gaze, willing her to understand she was still the same Allie he’d always loved. He saw the way his father looked at her, shocked and afraid of what she’d just done. This terrifying gift of hers would carry a heavy weight. Aidan needed her to know she was not evil.
A sob tore from her throat and Aidan wanted nothing more than to comfort her, but his legs wouldn’t obey him. His vision grew dark as his blood continued to seep into the ground beneath him.
“Come Aidan,” Gregg lifted him onto his feet. “I’ve got you.” He draped Aidan’s arm around his shoulder.
“Allie,” Aidan said, willing his father to take him to her. The forest swirled around him and he feared he wouldn’t remain conscious much longer.
“Aye, she’s okay, son. She just needs a moment.” Gregg guided him back down the pathway to the orchard.
Allie’s sorrowful wails pierced Aidan’s heart and her raw screams echoed in the growing darkness. “Please, Dad?” He coughed, wincing at the coppery taste of blood on his lips.
“Liam will see to her. We must go, you’re in bad shape, son. Stay with me.” But Aidan couldn’t fight it any more. His last conscious thought was of Allie. His Complement.
Fresh tears burned Aidan’s eyes. He couldn’t take much more of this. He was so sure of it that night in the orchard. So certain that Allie had experienced the same revelation. It was a devastating blow when he’d realized that same night, she still had no idea they were Complements. Now, barely a week later and Aidan knew he couldn’t live like this. He was a selfish asshole, but he couldn’t live with the pain of her not knowing. Allie was currently dealing with the enormity of her new judgment gift as well as her confusing relationship with Darius. She needed Aidan to be in her corner right now. But Aidan didn’t have the strength to sit back and watch the way she lit up whenever Darius was around. The agony of his jealousy would destroy them. Hiding it would destroy him.
Aidan paced the hallway outside Emma’s office in the underground, working up the courage to knock. It wasn’t fair to bother her when her family was dealing with Ming Lao’s death and Quinn’s return.
“Are you going to wear a hole in the floor?” Emma opened the door, her tired eyes filling with concern as Aidan furiously wiped his eyes. “Come in.” She held the door open for him.
“I’m sorry. I know you’re busy. I can come back.”
“Oh you poor thing. How long have you known?” She pulled him into the room and guided him to a chair.
“A week.” He sighed, relieved her gift could sense why he was there.
“You should have come to me right away.” She took the seat opposite him.
“It only just occurred to me an hour ago that you’ve known all along. I forgot your gift allows you to see the Complement bond even before it forms.”
“It’s no picnic keeping so many secrets. Part of me is thrilled you finally know because I can’t imagine two people more perfect for each other than you and Allie. But with the whole Syntrophos thing happening with Darius, you must be dying inside.”
“I can’t take it, Emma.” Aidan’s eyes burned and his throat tightened. “How is anyone supposed to do this?” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “It’s only been a few days and I already know I can’t keep this up. I know this monumental, life-altering thing about the girl I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. And I can’t tell her.”
“Of course you can’t. You know very well if she’s not ready to see it, she’s not ready to hear it either. Telling her will only cause you more pain, and it will drive a wedge between you.”
“I would never cheat her out of such an amazing moment.” To tell a Complement before they were ready to see it on their own was the ultimate betrayal. He wouldn’t do that to Allie.
“When did you see it?” Emma asked.
“In the middle of the battle,” Aidan said. “While I was getting my ass handed to me, I was caught up in the most incredible moment of my life.” Aidan smiled at the memory. “And I thought I saw the same realization come over her.”
“I’m so sorry, Aidan.” Emma reached for his hand.
“I don’t know what to do.” Aidan squeezed Emma’s hand, grateful for her support.
“You’re going to have to leave. You need time to come to terms with what you know.”
Aidan shook his head. “No. I can’t leave her.”
“Aidan, you are only seventeen years old.”
“Almost eighteen,” he mumbled, staring down at his lap.
“And Allie just turned seventeen a month ago. It could take her years to catch up to you. You are not equipped to handle this on your own. And that’s okay.” She leaned forward, tilting his chin up to meet her gaze. “Immortals hundreds of years older than you have struggled with the physical and emotional pain of such a secret. As much as you love Allie, you have to take care of yourself right now. And that means taking some time away from her.”
“It’s the worst thing I could do to her. Do you know why it took her so long to admit she loves me?”
“Because she’s the most stubborn young woman on the planet?” Emma smiled.
“Truth.” Aidan returned her smile. “But she’s also scared. When she first came to Kelleys Island neither of us knew what it was like to have a real friend. For the first time we each had a person who wasn’t intimidated by our power or felt the natural inclination to defer to us. We finally had a chance to just be ourselves, together. She’s resisted loving me all this time because she was so scared we were going to ruin that friendship. That somehow, by loving me she was going to lose me. We are finally in a good place, Emma. We’re together and happy, despite all the shitty things happening around us. If I leave, she’s going to think her fears were right all along.”
“Maybe they were,” Emma said. “She’s clairvoyant, Aidan. It’s entirely possible that in some way her gift warned her this would happen.”
“I can’t leave her. I can’t.” Just the thought of not seeing her every day had his heart racing in his chest.
“But you can’t be with her either. It will destroy you, watching her go about her life, believing she’s nothing more than your high school sweetheart and Darius is her lifelong Syntrophos. And what happens if you inadvertently force it on her before she is ready?”
“Can that really happen by accident?” Aidan’s eyes widened in alarm. To force a Complement bond when one partner wasn’t ready was akin to rape. He’d never forgive himself.
“You’re young. You’re both Unproven. You’re in an intimate relationship with your girlfriend you
happen to share a telepathic connection with. It’s highly possible you could subconsciously coerce her. It’s time you learn how to block Allie fully from your mind. For both your sakes.
Aidan’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “Where would I even go?”
“Don’t you have a standing offer at the Cologne Conservatory of Music in Germany?”
“Yes, but Mom and Dad want me to go to Oberlin right here at home.”
“They have a preparatory program for high school students, don’t they?”
Aidan nodded. “They do.”
“So why not go there for a few months? Do you really think Allie wouldn’t be thrilled for you to take such a once in a lifetime opportunity? That she wouldn’t support you?”
“Well, yeah, she would understand.” The tension in Aidan’s body began to relax.
“I’m not telling you to break up with her,” Emma said. “Just put a little distance between you for now and give yourself the distraction of music to occupy your mind for a time. You just need a little break to prepare for what living with Allie not knowing will mean for you.”
“I think … I could live with that. But what about my parents? They’ve always been dead set against me leaving for school abroad. They’d never consider letting me leave before I even graduate.”
“You’ve got more than enough on your plate, Aidan. You let me handle your parents,” Emma said, a smile playing at the corner of her mouth.
Part II: Ten Months Later
Chapter Two
Allie
Cleveland, September
“Your freshman students are a terrifying bunch of idiots.” Allie dropped a pile of art history papers on the side table beside her chair and stretched her limbs after a long night of grading.
“Seriously, Allie?” Greyson darted back into the hall.
“Oops.” She caught a glimpse of his naked back as he ducked into his bedroom, clutching the towel at his waist.
“You stayed all night? Again?” He called down the hallway.
“Didn’t think you’d mind.” Allie thumbed through Greyson’s lecture notes for his morning classes, making sure they were in order before placing them in his briefcase.
“Of course I mind.” Greyson shuffled back into his living room, now fully dressed and drying his long hair with the towel he’d had loosely draped around his hips just a moment before. “You’re my intern, you shouldn’t spend so much time at my house.”
“It’s quiet here. I get more done.” Allie shrugged. “I thought about crashing in Naomi’s room, but I doubt your daughter would be too happy about that. I guess I lost track of time grading this epic stupidity.”
Greyson sighed as he walked to the kitchen on bare feet. “Don’t ever become a professor, Allie. Your students will hate you.” He fussed around in the kitchen, returning with a cup of hot tea for two. “I’d offer you a biscotti, but you ate all of my cookies. Again.”
She shot him a scathing look, setting the non-coffee aside. “Sorry, I haven’t had a decent snack in weeks. Naeemah hasn’t gotten to your house yet.”
“Is that why you’re always here? Better snacks?” Greyson flipped through the pile of papers. ”Man, you are way harsh. These students aren’t art history majors, Allie. Survey of Art History is supposed to be an easy class.” He frowned at the big red F on the top paper. “Let my mortal students get their feet wet before you murder them in a sea of red ink. And why are you grading freshman papers anyway? You are a freshman.”
“Did I mention they were idiots? Anyone could grade that garbage.”
“Come on, this one can’t be that bad.” He leaned over her shoulder, pointing to the girl’s name on the top. “She had a decent contribution to the last lecture.”
“Are you kidding? I was there; she’s the worst of the bunch. Half that class is in love with you, and that’s the only reason you have more students than the other art history professors combined.”
“Ouch, and here I thought it was because I’m a damn good teacher.” He bopped her over the head with the stack of papers, as he sat down on the couch opposite her.
“You are. You can’t help it you have nothing to work with in this class.”
“Go home, Allie. You have to stop spending the night. It’s not good for my reputation.”
“Whatever. No one cares what I do. I’m just a freshman intern.” Greyson created the position for her when she’d landed a coveted spot in his summer accelerated program that ultimately earned Allie a scholarship to Cleveland Institute of Art.
“He’s right, Red,” Darius said as he came through the front door bearing coffee and donuts. “It is not okay to spend the night at your professor’s house. People will talk.”
“About what?” She frowned at him as he waggled his eyebrows. “Ew, gross. That’s disgusting, Greyson’s a million years old.”
“I have shoes older than you, but again, ouch. I’ll have you know appropriately aged women find me very attractive,” Greyson said, lacing up his boots. “But even they don’t spend the night at my house.”
Allie made retching noises. “Ugh, can we stop talking about Greyson’s sex life now? No one in their right mind is going to think we’re together. That’s insane.”
“Stop. Spending. The night. Here.” Darius tossed a duffle bag in her lap. “I brought your clothes. Go get ready for class. Sasha’s meeting us for breakfast in twenty minutes.”
“I gotta shower first.” Allie grabbed a donut raced into Greyson’s room.
“Allie, I have a guest bathroom,” Greyson growled.
“I like your shampoo. I’ll be quick, promise.”
“You’re going to get me fired.” Greyson said, a note of humor in his voice.
“It’s your fault for making her an intern,” Darius said.
“I heard that!” Allie leaned back into the hall. “Greyson, don’t forget you have that faculty meeting at ten.”
“What faculty meeting?”
“The one about the fall bronze casting pour. Remember we talked about setting up a Japanese anagama kiln and getting the whole university involved. You’re running the meeting.”
“That’s today?”
“I made notes for you. They’re in your bag.”
“Right. That’s why I hired you.”
Chapter Three
Aidan
Cologne, Germany, September
“That sounded like a third grader picking up a violin for the first time.” Wendy stared at Aidan with her bow poised over her cello. She was the epitome of a classically trained musician. Always had been, even when they were students at Cliffton Academy together a lifetime ago.
“Sorry, my head’s not in it today.” The vibration of the strings under his fingers felt slightly off, not enough for most people to notice, but Wendy wasn’t most people. She had nearly two years of concentrated study on him now.
“You don’t get to have days like that here,” she said.
She was right. As a student of the Cologne Conservatory of Music, Aidan needed to be perfect. This was his dream, after all. Since he was a child prodigy, he’d wanted to attend one of the great European academies of music, but his parents wanted him to attend Oberlin Conservatory of Music back home in Ohio—also an incredible school for a budding musician. Once upon a time, Aidan had wanted anything but that—until Allie came into his life. Now, he wanted nothing more than to get back home to be with her. The last ten months had completely changed his perspective.
Knowing he would spend the rest of his life with Allie was a comfort to him now, but those first few days after the realization were the worst moments of his life. He’d spent the summer at the conservatory, but ultimately decided he needed more time, taking one more semester abroad to get his head on straight. Aidan loved every minute of his educational experience here, but living on the other side of the world was torture. Now, with only two months left, Aidan was finally ready to face a life of loving Allie in whatever way he could. She would see him for what he
truly was when she was ready.
“Start again,” Wendy said. “Get your mind off your distractions and back on Thaïs: Méditation.”
“Sorry, I’ve got this.” Aidan adjusted the strings of his practice violin. He preferred playing his Stradivarius. This one was fine, better than most, but he couldn’t waltz into school as an eighteen-year-old freshman with a genuine, privately owned Stradivarius that probably belonged in a museum somewhere.
“When is your next rehearsal with your quartet?” Wendy asked. In high school, she was the most gifted cellist he’d ever met, but her time here had turned her into one of the finest musicians at their school. And she’d made the time to mentor him, knowing he planned to transfer at the end of the semester. Most wouldn’t waste their time. He was lucky to have her.
“Tomorrow evening.” Aidan said. “And I’m not ready.”
“You’ll be ready. It’s a rehearsal but it’s important. You need to be thinking about the final symphony this semester. I don’t need to tell you how stressful it is to compete at this level for a spot in the final production.”
“It’s two months away, Wendy. I can do this.”
“You’re overthinking it. Your technique is perfect when you aren’t trying too hard so get your shit together, McBrien.”
“You’re right. One more time.” Aidan nodded for her to begin. Lifting bow to stings, Aidan closed his eyes and thought of Allie, letting muscle memory take over. Missing her had become a constant, like breathing. When he’d left almost ten months ago, they’d planned for Allie to spend the summer in Germany. Then Allie was invited to join the summer program at the Cleveland Institute of Art, and he knew how much she’d wanted to go. It was a rare opportunity for a recent high school graduate and it ultimately earned her a full ride to CIA. Logically, he knew it was good for them both to pursue the things they loved, but on days like today, it just didn’t seem worth it.
Emerge- The Betrayal Page 2
