Showers have always been therapeutic for me, but this time it’s even more so. What comforts me so much is that if you're in there having a breakdown, you can’t feel the tears running down your face. Then the blazing hot water burns off all of the negativity that was clinging to your body, leaving you numb and refreshed.
My eyes are always puffy afterwards and usually I would go right to sleep after such an emotionally intense shower. But right now, as I finish getting dressed in my comfiest sweats and one of Evan’s tees, I can already hear our full living room. I know I look like a hot mess, but I could care less. That shower left me dazed and I just want to get through the plans so I can curl up under my sheets for a good sleep.
As I make my way down the hall, I can hear Mack talking about Syracuse. “I just don't know, y’all. Bein’ back here is odd.” She finishes what she was saying as I take a seat next to her.
Knowing she doesn't have a gift, I lay my head on her shoulder, seeking that skin to skin comfort I’ve been deprived of today. However, the moment my skin touches hers, I feel electricity sparking out of my fingertips. It’s weak, but it’s there.
“Whoa! Scar, how did you do that?” She asks, just as stunned as the rest of us. I can’t find any words to say, though. I'm so completely drained of energy from our earlier exercise in Eden that I don't even want to put a sentence together. Evan clears his throat, coming to the rescue.
“Well, today in Eden Scarlet acquired her gift from her angel side. She can take away anyone’s gift, if they have one. And by the looks of it, Mackenzie, you absorbed some of that moron’s electric gift.” I can tell he is as exhausted as I am because he is so blunt about it. But again, I have no energy to care.
“I. I. I. Have a gift?” Mack stutters, causing Derek to stand and come to her side. I lift my hand to hers to return her gift then sadly sit back without touching her now.
“Why don't we meet up in the morning and go over the scheduling crap.” Without waiting for an answer, he leads her into her room. Evan stands up from the couch and offers me his hand. We walk to my room and get into my bed in complete silence, ready to let sleep take us.
One of my favorite things about Evan is feeling his warm skin on mine, especially when we’re sleeping. Tonight will be so hard, knowing we can’t touch. Before I completely get lost in negativity, Evan places his hand on my hip, where there is no skin exposed.
“I know this is terrible timing, but would you like to go out with me tomorrow?” Without a second thought, I nod my answer.
As much as I need a distraction from life right now, I'm nervous about what tomorrow brings. Another day I can’t touch my Anima Partem. Another day of putting on a happy face when inside I'm a wreck. I can see the sad understanding in Evan’s eyes, but he looks happy that I said yes.
“Things will get better, love. I know they will.” And with that message, I fall into a void of deep sleep, hoping with every inch of my heart that I will have a dreamless and silent slumber.
Evan
I awoke extra early to make breakfast for everyone, by hand. I forgot how long the process of mixing and slicing things the mortal way takes. Maybe mortals have had it right all along, we’re the ones who have it easy.
I guess in materialistic ways, that is true. At least before the prophecy came to light, before the Dark Coven came into the picture. But when I think about Scarlet and all the fastballs being thrown her way right now, I know “easy” is far from what Casters have. As I mix the pancake mix and pour it onto the hot pan, I can see why Scar takes such comfort and pleasure in being in the kitchen.
If it wasn't for the inevitable mess that awaits after you create a delicious meal, I would cook the mortal way more often. When Dimitri gets better, I plan to request his time to help me get more in tune with my culinary skills and hopefully improve on them a bit. I can easily picture a happy life in the kitchen with Scarlet. We just need to get over this massive bump.
“What in the world are you doing?” Luke says, with a look of disbelief on his face.
All I can do is chuckle and shrug my shoulders. And all he can do in return is shake his head. He must be feeling pity for me because he grabs a bowl and tackles the eggs for me. It’s nice to see him getting back to his humble self, but I can tell being back here slightly set him back.
“So, whose idea was it to come back here?” He asks, as if reading my mind.
“Ava’s. She wants so badly for Scarlet to not lose herself. She thinks if she takes college away, Scar will drift from who she was before all this mess came into her life.” Nodding in understanding, Lucas confesses his plans.
“I’ll be here to help however I can, but I won’t be returning as a student. I can’t do it. It’s too soon. I’ll mostly just be demon hunting anyway.” Patting him on the shoulder, I try to show him how much I'm here for him without pushing him away.
“I get it. Thanks for being here. I’ll be hunting with you whenever I can.” Surprisingly, I miss the simplicity of hunting demons. Now so many arrive at once, we can’t even enjoy the kill. The kitchen doors slam open to reveal a very tired-looking Derek.
“Coffee!” Is the only word he says as he enters. Mack trails behind him, staring intensely at her hands.
“She has had me up all night trying to make the sparks come out of her hands. She is mostly mortal! Doesn't she need more sleep than we do?” As he complains, she ignores him completely. Amusingly I watch her continue to try over and over, until finally she squeals in amazement.
“I did it! Babe, look, I did it again!” She awaits Derek's reaction. As Lucas and I watch him give her the death look, we can't hold back our laughter.
“Imagine hearing that every twenty minutes.” I know he is out of it because he doesn't even ask Mack if she wants coffee. Ever since he got her back from the abduction, he has been on his toes trying to keep her happy.
“I cannot wait until we’re back at the Village, where she can tap into Lizzie for help.”
“I already miss the Village.” Mack chimes in. I feel sparks on my spine and know Scar is on the other side of that door.
Knowing this is the second time she’s overhearing Mack complain about being here, I'm slightly worried about what her mood will be when she enters. The second she does, Mack’s back straightens and she yells good morning to her best friend, then goes back to concentrating on her fingers. Looking only a little confused, Scar brings her attention to me.
“This looks delicious, Evan.”
Sadly, making sure not to touch her, I find my power and all my love for her and I ball it up to send to her. I watch her shiver as she receives my message. As I watch the bright smile form on her face, I am again reassured that as long as we’re together, we will be okay.
“So, after my much needed quiet sleep, I had a lot of time to think about how insane it is to come back here. Besides finding time to actually go to class and dealing with the fact that we are one short of our group, I just don't see how it can be safe that we’re here. We have a Fallen angel following us and we know Vincent is plotting something since we captured Julian. It’s been too quiet and there are too many potential mortal casualties here. I say we stay for the weekend to say our final goodbyes to this place, then go back to the Village.”
Surprising the four of us completely, we all look like deer caught in headlights. Mack is the first to speak and shrieks her answer.
“Yes! A million times.” At this moment, I can’t exactly tell if Scarlet is doing this for us due to the fact she has heard Mack speak of this twice or if she actually believes it’s not safe or smart to be here.
I will go wherever she does, because wherever she is I find my happiness... But could Ava be right? Will a piece of Scarlet fade once she closes the door on one of her last major connections to the mortal world and the place that first brought us together? All I know is that our date today is going to be part of our closure to Syracuse. And I know the perfect place.
Chapter 15
Date
Ambush
I make sure Scar knows this isn't going to be a dress up kind of date. Jeans and sneakers are perfect for a day of skating, since I decide we won’t be taking any vehicles. Scar’s eyes light up when I tell her to summon her board and, at this moment, I would bet my best fighting sword that she would be okay if we just skated around the campus all day.
But she deserves much more fun than that. Although, I'm staying with the skating theme because I know she hasn't gone to a skate park in a while. And this isn't just any skate park, it’s an underground casters skate park.
I’ve never been more eager to see her reaction to something that I know is going to blow her mind. The only other time I have been to this place was when it first opened in the early ‘70s. I had almost forgotten about it before I met Scar. I'm absolutely positive that even I’m going to be impressed by the updates they’ve made since then.
With all of the time that’s passed, I wonder what they have added and removed. When it first opened, it was like an underground carnival specifically for skaters. I have to admit, this date isn't only for her, I’ve been excited to go somewhere like this since our last date.
As I wait outside for Scarlet, I do a few kickflips to get back into the balance of skating. I’ve successfully landed all four, one after the other. Just as I'm about to land my fifth, my spine explodes into a satisfying warmth. Distracted because I know Scar is coming, I bail and land on my palms.
“Smooth.” Scarlet teases, as she expertly does a kickflip over me. Laughing, I run and jump onto my board and take the lead.
“Follow me, if you dare.”
I turn to see the look of utter thrill on her smile as she fervidly catches up to me, so I go faster. I haven't heard her laugh this carelessly since I first met her; it’s such a sweet sound. I’ve never wanted this war with the Dark Coven to be over more than I do now so we can live and love together, like we’re meant to. I guess I’m in my head too much because Scar passes me, even though she doesn't know where we’re going.
“Earth to Evan!” She says, waving her hands in front of me as she rides beside me.
“I was just thinking of what your face is going to look like when we get there.” I lie. And she knows it.
She rolls her eyes but does it in a teasing way, which is enough of a distraction for me. As I push to go faster, I skid around a dark corner into a long and narrow alleyway, and I don't slow down. Following my lead, Scarlet is right behind me. The further into the alleyway we go, the more narrow it gets.
“Evan.” Scarlet begins to worry as she sees ahead that the buildings in the alley connect in the center. With a chuckle, I bring my foot down to push even faster.
“Evan!” She shouts, but doesn't slow down.
With one last look back, I send her a wink and disappear directly into the center of the connecting buildings. Stopping hard the minute I feel the change in the balance of my equilibrium, I stare ahead in awe. Only to get knocked down as Scar crashes into my back.
I fall on my board and she falls on me. And still, all we can do is laugh. Until she catches sight of where we just entered. The entrance looks almost exactly the same as it did all those years ago when it opened.
Like the entrance of an old-time carnival, enormous white and red tents fill the space before us. A string of white lights illuminate the tops of the tents, brightening the blackness above. In large black bold lettering on a white background, the words SKATE CIRCUS run across the top of all the tents. A trail of red and white lights glow inside bubble-sized balls to light our way in as we walk slowly to the entrance of the center tent.
Tearing my eyes away from the huge entryway, I look over at Scarlet. I don't think she has let go of the breath she’s been holding since she collided with me. When we step through the threshold she finally lets out a breath and starts breathing normally again. I watch her eyes grow into big round circles and she’s having trouble forming words.
Now that I have witnessed her reaction, I can look around myself. It appears to be almost exactly the way it was opening day. Forming a complete circle around us, there are levels of skate parks filling every inch of the tents. To our left there is a silver dome, the top made of funhouse mirrors and the bottom is a solid concrete pool.
I can hear the music that’s playing inside the dome from where we’re standing. That is a new addition and I can imagine how much of a trip it must feel like in there. Next to that is a boardwalk with a wide strip of concrete working like a treadmill for people to just coast on their boards next to each other.
Straight ahead, a wide variety of half-pipes, full-pipes, and quarter-pipes of all sizes roar with the sound of wheels gliding along their flawless surfaces. To our right, on a lower level, handrails and sets of stairs twist and turn in a maze-like form, creating the ultimate challenge. In between these rinks are all sorts of carnival-like goods; an area for all deep-fried delicacies, a small area of dizzying rides, and another specifically to try your luck and win prizes.
“I. I. I... Have never seen anything so exciting. I don't know where to start.” Scarlet whispers next to me, still distracted with the exciting sights and sounds that are surrounding us.
“Well, love. Are you hungry? Or would you like to jump straight into skating?” I remember how good their food selection is here, so I was about to take the lead to the food area when Scar races towards the mirror dome.
“Food after. Let’s start from the beginning and work our way around the entire circus.” Knowing that would take days, I chuckle and follow behind her.
I don't think I’ve ever seen her look so carefree and alive. Not even at the Caster Matches. The look in her eyes right now is of pure delight and I will never forget it.
“Woo!”
Immediately Scarlet drops into the pool, riding to the sound of blaring music. She cleanly rides on the side to gain speed and the balance she needs for her trick. When she pops off to flip her board, she reaches high to touch a mirror pane with a little bit of her power, and the mirror begins to glow a neon orange.
The moment her board touches the pool floor again, the dome blacks out. With the one mirror still glowing orange, I see Scarlet push in the other direction to reach another mirror pane. When she touches that one, it glows green. As she makes her way around the dome, she lights the mirror panes with different neon colors.
With a cocky smirk, Scarlet rides her board right next to me and hops off. Snapping her fingers, I watch the colors of the mirrors flicker on and off and change from one pane to another, causing the dome to look like a laser show. The lights go along with the reggae rock sound of a Skindred song I haven't heard in years.
“Whoa.” Is the only word I can think of as I get lost in the hypnotizing light show.
I hear her giggle and race to the next skate course, which is the boardwalk. As I race after her, I stop at the ice cream stand just outside of the entry to the boardwalk. Scar is already on it, moving her skateboard in entrancing waves across the moving concrete.
I could watch her here in her element all day. But as I jump on the boardwalk and skate next to her, she happily takes the ice cream cone and goes to grab my hand. Worried her angel gift could come into play, I hesitate only for a second, but it is enough to remind her of everything still happening outside of our date.
“I'm sorry, love. I just didn't want your gift to sadden the date for you.” Feeling like an idiot, I lower my head.
“It’s okay, Evan. I understand. Let’s forget it happened and continue with this amazing day.”
With a small smile, I raise my cone to cheers with hers and ride side by side until our ice cream is all gone. I knew I wasn't going to be skating the way I used to, only because it has been so long since I did hardcore tricks. But Scarlet is in complete beast mode.
As we make our way through most of the circus, a small group of casters have been trailing us just to watch Scarlet do her thing. My attraction towards her multiplies, and I didn't think that was even possible. It must b
e clear on my face because, as she pops off of the handrail, she rides to be by me with rosy cheeks.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” She looks just as shy as she did when we first met and it takes everything in me not to pull her in for a steamy kiss. Also, that would probably be awkward with the group of casters watching us.
“You're just…everything I ever hoped for.” I simply explain. Even though it’s much more than that. Batting her eyelashes, she gets on her board and leads me to the deep-fried desserts.
“Let’s grab some to bring home for everyone before we go. I just got the biggest urge for a hot shower.” She says this slowly to make sure I understand she’s flirting. Even though I know we can’t touch, that fact is actually making the situation slightly hotter.
Ordering almost one of everything, we leave with our hands full of bags. Now that she has put the thought of what the rest of our night will consist of, I'm more eager to get home. I animatedly get on my board, showing her just how bad I want that shower.
When I almost lose my balance because of the bags, her giggling turns into full-on laughter. Snapping her fingers, she takes half of the bags and rides alongside me.
“Newbie needs a little help.” She teases me, almost causing me to fall again.
“I am NOT a newbie! I was here the day Skate Circus opened!” I quickly try to defend my clumsiness, but her snickering causes me to stop.
“Just wait until we get in that shower.” I taunt her, knowing that any second her cheeks will be bright red. And now that it’s my turn to laugh, she nudges me with her elbow, completely forgetting about her angel gift.
Scarlet stumbles off of her board, but catches herself so she doesn't drop the desserts. Her skateboard is still flying down the street. We hear a loud crash and run to see that the board hit an empty trashcan. For some reason, it made us laugh harder than we mean to.
Catching our breaths, I'm so caught up in the moment of our hysteria that I don't realize how much the air has shifted around us. Slowly coming out of my laughter, I cough to clear my throat from the thick fog that has suddenly enveloped our bodies. Thinking quickly, I snap my fingers, casting thin leather gloves onto Scarlet’s hands.
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