Interference: Book One

  Dr. Lee watched us from the window with a thoughtful expression. “Head back to your room and get some rest, Mercy.”

  . . .

  I took a long nap and woke eager to spend the evening with Drake. Since we had given in to our connection, my body craved him—needed him near. I showered, and for the first time in a while, took extra care shaving my legs and applying makeup. I wanted to feel beautiful for whatever he had planned. My wardrobe consisted mostly of jeans and cotton shirts, nothing fancy or pretty. So I called in backup, and Neela sorted me out. She loaned me a red ruffled top with black jeans and heels. I fell in love with the outfit and told her she’d been promoted to my personal stylist.

  “Seriously, Mercy. We have to update your closet. It looks as though a twenty-year-old guy lives here,” she grumbled while sorting through my clothes.

  “Thanks, Neela.”

  “I’m just saying.” She shook her head, a mortified expression on her pretty face.

  A few minutes before six, a note slid under my door, instructing me to walk to the rooftop. A smile broke across my face, and I left the room, eager to see what Drake had planned. As I opened the door, Ren and Sebastian stopped in their tracks at the sight of me.

  “Wow. You look hot, Mercy,” Ren called out. His gaze took me in from head to toe, and Sebastian slapped him on the back of the head.

  “Thanks, Ren. See you guys later.”

  I took the stairs to the roof, and as I opened the door, the sight took my breath away. He’d strung lights on all four corners of the roof, and soft music played from his cell on a table in the center. A white tablecloth, candles, flowers . . . it was all there. I couldn’t move. I’ve never considered myself a romantic before, but tears welled up in my eyes when I saw the effort he put into planning this. He strolled toward me as if I was a wild animal he’d frighten.

  “You like it?” he asked.

  “This is unbelievable. How did you manage it?”

  “I had some help. I wanted to actually take you out, but it’s too dangerous right now.”

  I smiled, still shocked at the effort. “This is perfect.”

  “Would you like to dance?” He held out his hand for mine.

  “I’m in shock, and I’m not sure if I can move.”

  He bent over, placing his shoulder against my stomach and stood, carrying me.

  “Drake! Put me down! I can walk! I can walk, please!” I screamed. “I’m too heavy, please put me down!”

  “You are perfect in every way.”

  He stopped at the table and slid me down the front of his body, grinning that adorable half-smile I loved so much. We danced, just the two of us, and the sound of traffic in the distance was the only thing that kept me grounded. I quickly realized that I’d never felt happier than I did at that moment with him.

  We ate take-out from an Italian restaurant next door, and he’d ordered a special dessert from Arin’s Bake Shop, giving full credit to Ren for the idea. We stood beside the brick wall, looking over into the crowded city. I felt his emotions swirl, and I don’t think he even realized how intense they were that night. Happiness, contentment, adoration, and fear. Terrified that something would tear us apart.

  I whirled to face him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I’m scared, too, you know.”

  His eyes narrowed on my face, knowing I’d read his feelings.

  I continued. “I don’t want anything to happen to us. I’ve never been this happy before.”

  He cracked a smile, then his mouth crashed down on mine, my back pressed against the rough brick wall. One hand protectively cupped my head, the other ran down over my hip and up my shirt, resting on the bare skin of my lower back. I didn’t want him to stop, I wanted him all over me.

  His mouth ran down my neck, and I pushed my body into him, needing the contact. His hands clung to me, touching and pulling me against him. I gripped his shirt in my fist, desiring everything I could get from him. When the connection became too intense, too close to crossing the line, Drake pulled back and took a deep breath, “I was wrong. My strongest gift is resisting you because that took everything I had.”

  “We don’t have to stop, we could stay up here away from everyone, just the two of us.”

  “It wouldn’t take much for them to find us with you moaning.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Moaning?”

  “You make little moaning noises when you’re happy. Eating dessert, reading, when I kiss you . . .”

  His eyes darkened, and I leaned into him, pushing those boundaries.

  “Mercy, I’m barely hanging on here, and I need you to help me. This is not an eighteen-year-old guy bringing a hot girl to the roof to make out, and I refuse to treat you that way. I’m going to take my time with you because that’s what you deserve. We have our entire future to be together, and more than anything, I want you to feel cherished for the first time in your life.”

  “Just being with you makes me feel that way.”

  “Glad to hear it, but I want to make sure it stays that way.” He kissed me once more, then rubbed my bottom lip with his thumb. “You look beautiful tonight. I hope you’ve had a good time.”

  I froze at the change in the air. My gaze searched the rooftop, but we were alone.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Something feels off—suspicious.” I tilted my head to the side and expanded my senses. “It’s like, I feel something dark, almost like evil intent.”

  We both turned and looked out around the building, searching for any sign of trouble.

  “I don’t see anything. Do you still sense it?” Drake asked.

  “No, it’s gone. Weird, right?”

  “Hopefully, it’s nothing. We’ve had a lot to deal with lately. Let’s talk about your mood earlier today. Tell me about the nightmare that wasn’t a nightmare.”

  “Long story short?” I asked.

  He nodded for me to continue.

  “Aadya paid me a visit while I slept last night in the form of two young red-haired girls. One sweet and innocent and the other evil, who happened to be coloring a picture of me dead.”

  Drake’s jaw clenched, and I could have sworn the brown of his eyes turned red. “Wait—two little girls? Why is that?”

  “Apparently, Aadya and my mother are twin sisters. ”

  He leaned back, meeting my eyes. “Please tell me this is some kind of sick joke.”

  “No, it’s not. Dr. Lee is trying to teach me to keep a subconscious guard so she can’t enter my thoughts. It is exhausting, I thought I might pass out from a headache earlier.”

  “Why didn’t you come to find me? I could have helped.”

  “Well, Sebastian walked by his office at the right time, so Dr. Lee asked him to step in.”

  His eyes narrowed on my face.

  “It really wasn’t a big deal, Drake.”

  “No? I’ve seen the way he looks at you. There’s a fascination there I don’t like. Plus, I want to be there for you. You want Cassie putting her hands on me?”

  I dipped my head and swallowed hard, the thought crawling under my skin and lighting a fire.

  “That’s what I thought,” he mumbled.

  I put my hands up, defensively. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think of it that way. I did offer to find you, but Dr. Lee insisted on Sebastian helping.”

  “So you’re saying I need to blame him, that you’re a helpless bystander?”

  “Exactly.” I smiled innocently and batted my eyes.

  “Don’t give me that look, Mercy.” He leaned into me once more, kissing the tip of my nose. “You are a lot to handle.”

  “You have no idea.”

  12

  ⥈

  “How do you know he’s the one?”

  I glanced over the top of my book while Neela waited patiently for my response. She chewed her pitiful fingernails as if the conversation was too much for her nerves.

  “What’s going on in that head of yours, Neela?” I closed the book, acc
epting the fact that between my lack of sleep and Neela’s love life, I wouldn’t accomplish anything.

  “Nothing. It’s nothing.” She opened her book, pretending to push the matter to the side, then closed it again, looking up at me.

  I waited.

  “Well, I guess I want to know what you’re feeling, you know? I remember the obvious connection the first time you met, and I want to know how you knew, despite your Allegato mark.”

  “Okay, well, I’m honestly not sure he is my forever,” I said.

  Her mouth fell open like I’d admitted murder.

  “Don’t get me wrong, I want to spend the rest of my life with him, but he hasn’t been forthcoming about his mark, and I think it’s for a reason. We obviously have someone out there we’re meant to be with, but our connection is too strong, and we’re tired of fighting it.”

  “What will you do when they show up?” Her eyes were sad, as if she knew this would be a problem one day.

  “Drake says he’ll fight for me, but I know that if he meets the one, I can’t force him to stay. I guess I’ll battle that heartache when the time comes.”

  Her eyes turned sad. “Just know how brave I think you are, fighting for something you want even when everything around you screams it probably won’t end well.”

  “I’ll take my temporary happiness while it’s here, Neela. I may never find it again.”

  She nodded at my reasoning, and a single tear escaped down her cheek. “Did you know my father and mother weren’t matches? They both have psychokinetic interference, and he wears an eye while she’s marked with water lines. They both wanted children and were never able to find their mate. So they left Seregalo, determined to leave it all behind. I think the concern will always be there, you know? If a mate shows up, will they be able to stay or will the connection be too strong. It’s always hovering over them, even now. Do you think the Allegato can be wrong?”

  “I wish I knew, Neela. I’d like to think so. I want to know that the person I share my life with is my choice.”

  “I got curious when I heard Sebastian had sensory power, with my mark being an eye, but there’s nothing, not even a small connection. He looks at me like a young, immature kid sometimes. Now, I definitely have a strong connection with Kellan. I think it’s more lust than anything. Did you know he asked me out?”

  “No, I didn’t. You gonna go?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. I’m so scared of messing up someone’s life. When my family comes back, I want to leave guilt-free, nothing holding me to Fremont. Long term, that’s the best thing, even if that man is fine.” Her attempt at joking was futile and did little to ease my sympathy for her. I knew she missed her family.

  “Tell me about them.” I hoped talking about them would bring her comfort.

  “My family?” The thought brought a smile to her pretty face. “I have two older, rambunctious brothers, Caleb and Colton, who treat me like a princess. It’s hard to believe they’ll turn twenty-one and twenty-five this year. Colton is the older, more mature sibling. If trouble is brewing, Caleb has something to do with it,” she chuckled. “I wonder about them, you know. Have they fallen in love? Are they even alive? The thought of losing my family . . . it’s unbearable.”

  “Don’t think like that, Neela. When did you see them last?”

  “Five years ago, when my parents dropped me off with Fitz. They wouldn’t tell me what happened, but they insisted I stay with him until they come back.” Her head lowered, trying to hide the loss of five years, as though all of this was perfectly normal.

  Something tormented me. Five years. Drake’s family died five years ago. I tried to push the thought aside, hoping it was a coincidence, but something inside said otherwise.

  “My brother’s were so protective, especially at school. I can’t imagine what you went through without anyone to have your back,” she said, softly.

  I sat up straight. “School? You had issues, too?”

  She nodded. “Dad said they knew we were different—special. He said the weak become jealous and defensive around the strong. I miss him so much.” She took a deep breath.

  “Have you asked Fitz for updates?” I asked.

  “I did the first couple of years, but then I tired of the disappointment, so I quit asking.” She closed her book with a hard bang.

  I glanced up to the fakest smile I’d ever seen. She leaned toward me and whispered, “Let’s sneak into the kitchen for ice cream.” Neela needed a distraction. Her emotions were all over the place.

  I smiled. “Sounds perfect.”

  “Are you talking about me again?” Drake leaned down and kissed my cheek.”

  “I’m sneaking into the kitchen for ice cream with Neela.”

  “I’m better than ice cream, you know. If you’d like to stay behind with me.”

  “Are you covered in whipped cream and cherries? Because if you aren’t, this conversation is over.”

  “I can be,” he whispered.

  I shook my head and walked out of the activities lounge—as Drake chuckled behind me.

  . . .

  That afternoon Drake and I ran for almost two hours, then sat on the rooftop staring out over the busy city. The orange glow of sunset dimmed as it hid behind the skyscrapers in front of us.

  Our situation was so different compared to most couples our age. In another world, we’d be dating, making dinner reservations, and showing up at parties. In a different time, he’d meet my parents, promising to have me home by midnight and my father would threaten him if he didn’t.

  We’d make out in his car, skipping school, and heading off to college to start our future together. But that wasn’t our world, and we were both realizing the misfortune of it. We craved normalcy.

  Needing a shower before dinner, I ran inside to clean up. I tossed on jeans and a black tank top, pulling my hair in a messy bun. I noticed Nora had already left, so I must have been running behind. Ren stood there waiting as I opened the door.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” I asked.

  He bowed. “I’m here to escort you to dinner.”

  “Escort me? When did Fremont become so formal?”

  He didn’t respond, but stared with the warm gaze I’d become accustomed to as he held out his arm. I played along, but rolled my eyes along the way.

  I leaned in toward him. “What is this about?”

  As we turned the corner into the dining hall, the lights flipped on, and everyone screamed, “Surprise! Happy Birthday!”

  My eighteenth birthday. I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten my birthday. Drake came toward me, grabbing the sides of my face and kissing me enthusiastically. I heard someone clear their throat, and I was almost certain it came from Sebastian.

  “Happy birthday,” he whispered, then kissed me again.

  I stared at all the faces around the room. “I can’t believe you did this.”

  He shrugged. “We all did.”

  My gaze traveled to the table behind him, covered with a variety of snack foods, and I instantly started salivating at the sight of the pink cake topped with strawberries.

  “What is that?” I shouted louder than necessary.

  “Isn’t it beautiful?” Neela asked. “Sebastian picked it out.”

  “Is that strawberry?” I asked.

  Sebastian chuckled, “Yes. Strawberry cream cheese.”

  “Did you know it is my all-time favorite? I’ve only had it at someone else’s party as a child, well, because I’ve never actually had a cake, but I loved it!”

  Sebastian’s hand swung out, halting the conversation, “Wait a minute, you’ve never had a birthday cake?”

  “No, I haven’t. This is amazing! Thank you all so much!”

  I couldn’t say for sure, but the undercurrent of anger rolling through the room felt as though it came from Sebastian. I knew the guy was temperamental, I saw it when he first arrived. But sometimes he seemed over the top.

  We devoured the cake, all except Cassie, who said
she still couldn’t eat, and Cyrus, who was allergic to strawberries. Kellan and I chatted about the latest tennis rankings when a sizable pink gift bag dropped in front of my face. Neela stood over me with a smirk.

  I stared at the gift bag in shock. “What is this?”

  She shimmied from side to side and grinned. “Happy Birthday, Mercy.”

  Again, my eyes darted from the bag to her face. “Why do I feel so nervous?”

  She chewed on her lip without answering.

  I dug into the bag, eager to find out what put that mischievous look on her face. “You didn’t!” I exclaimed.

  Neela clapped. “I did. It’s only a starter wardrobe, but you have at least three outfits.”

  I jumped from my chair, crashing into her with excitement. New clothes were rare for me, and I couldn’t wait to try them on.“Thank you so much!”

  Grateful seemed like such a petty word for what I felt. Nora gave me a journal, something to vent my emotions, and Ren brought a box of blueberry scones from Arin’s.

  “Here’s another.” Drake handed me a small box wrapped in teal paper.

  I ripped open the packaging with enthusiasm. A small gold chain lay inside, attached to an oval plate with a beautiful cursive M engraved on the front. Drake flipped it over to reveal an intricate design of an eye.

  He leaned forward and whispered, “One way or another, you’ll have my mark.”

  I took the necklace out of the box and held it at my neck while he clasped the back. I didn’t know what to say, and I almost feared I’d cry if I spoke. He kissed me on the side of the head and moved out of the way for Fitz.

  Fitz spoke quietly. “Mercy, this is something your parents wanted you to have.”

  “My parents?” I asked.

  He handed me a small white box, and my hands shook from nervous energy. I opened it to find a delicate gold band. The antique design held a combination of small round diamonds and an oval emerald in the center. It was gorgeous.

  “My birthstone,” I mumbled to myself.

  “Hers too,” Fitz whispered, referring to my mother. “When she was pregnant, the swelling forced her to remove it. Your father would wear it on a chain to keep it safe. Now, it’s yours.”