I grow sorrier each time she screams and have to look away.
“What happened?” Roseland asks. His low voice is daunting, matching his expression.
Cutting off Nathan, Taylor steps forward with Justin on her flank. She runs through our journey from my house to our travel through the dark tunnel halls. It’s not easy for her to repeat what happened when she saw Justin and her brother. Her scattered story leaves out the ways I helped, and she goes silent when she can tell no more. She looks to Nathan for help.
Nathan and I didn’t want anyone to know about us being bound, considering how his mother had reacted.
Nathan steps forward, body still bruised and bloody. “I’m not sure of the extent of what happened, but I can confirm when I came to, thanks to Tracey, Taylor was pinned behind a desk, unconscious. Tracey was near death with shattered bones all over her body. And our father was standing over her, preparing to kill her. I did that to him.” He nods toward the ash. “For trying to kill Taylor, Justin, and me, but mostly Tracey. This morning, I spoke with him when I had arrived home. Some things have happened to Tracey you all aren’t aware of that involved him. I warned him if he tried to kill her, that was it.” He looks over to his mother. “I’m sorry, Mom, but enough was enough. What happened here shouldn’t have had to.”
Little Nathan steps forward, his face blank as a new canvas, but his voice is thick with anguish. “What happened to Rose?”
Nathan lifts an inquisitive brow, questioning if I want to tell.
I don’t, but I may as well treat them like family. I step up, taking the hand Nathan offers. “That was me.” I don’t speak loudly, but high enough for them to hear without the room echoing. I swipe the sticky hair from my face, and everyone gasps. Following their gaze to my arm, I notice the vines haven’t disappeared yet—still in battle mode. I push my arm behind my back, continuing, “Once they had Taylor down, and I had done all I could to help Nathan, I fought your father, and Rose attacked me from behind.” I open my still-black palm, letting a new snake of fire slither from it. It protectively circles around Nathan and me. “I let it fight Rose for me while I had a few rounds with your father. The last time I looked at them, it had slithered inside her through her mouth. Minutes later, she glowed red and. . .” I pause, wanting to use a less harsh word, but nothing comes to mind. “. . . Exploded.” I open my hand, welcoming the fire snake back into me. It quickly re-enters.
“None of this is Tracey’s fault.” Taylor steps up again. “She was trying to save us, and being new to this, she did a damn good job. She possesses abilities that are new to her, and she learned to use them quickly.” She looks at me with thankful eyes. “Honestly, I’m proud of her, and I thank her for what she’s done.”
Roseland steps to Nathan, looking him over. “She healed your face, but not the rest of you? Are you not in pain?”
“I am,” Nathan says. “I didn’t want Tracey to see me as I was, but we haven’t had the chance for a complete healing session yet.”
“You’re still bleeding.”
Nathan looks himself over. “I’ll be fine.”
Justin joins them, Taylor glued to his hip. “Nathan is stronger than I thought.” He pats Nathan’s shoulder. “I’m glad you pulled through.”
I turn my attention to their mother. Mild-faced, Little Nathan helps her up. Natalia’s face has reddened, and her eyes are beyond puffy. He leads her to the nearest chair, dusting the ash off her hands and knees.
“Would either of you care to tell us what happened before the girls arrived?” Roseland asks, propping his hands on his sides.
“No. It’s an event that doesn’t need retelling.” Nathan glances at me, knowing I’m going to protest. “Just know your father was beyond successful in his attempt to kill Justin and me, and possibly Taylor, and he would’ve succeeded if it weren’t for Tracey. I never thought Rose was involved until I saw her cut me herself.”
“Did she say anything at all?”
Nathan digresses, gaze fixed on his mom. “Not now, Roseland. We’ll talk later. I have to do something.” Nathan moves, and I move with him. He stops midway to his mom. “Tracey, stop my wounds from bleeding? I don’t want to freak her out.”
I run my hands over the wounds on his moist body and the flesh-baring abrasions showing bone or tissue seal. The minor scratches I ignore for now. “Okay. You’re all set.”
“Thanks,” he utters, pulling me to him and kissing my forehead.
We cross the ground to her. Natalia’s gaze lifts to Nathan and an ocean of tears fall from her eyes.
“Tracey, give me a minute,” Nathan tells me.
I shake my head.
“He’ll be okay,” Little Nathan assures, stepping to my side. “Everyone’s here, and she definitely won’t hurt him.” He gives me a tight smile with dancing brows.
Reluctantly, I let Nathan’s hand go and take a couple of steps back with Little Nathan retracting with me.
He punches my arm. “You are really dirty.”
I look myself over, turning up my nose. “Yeah, I guess you’re right, huh?”
Giving me a one-arm hug from the side, he says, “Thanks for saving my brother.” He lets me go as if nothing happened.
I smile and lightly punch his arm. “You’re welcome.”
“Yeah, I’m upset about my sister and all, but we kind of knew something was going on. And everyone knew”―His voice lowers―“You know who”―He goes back to his original level―“Wanted to kill them. That was no secret. But it’s killing my mom.”
“That’s the part that’s killing me.” I look at my arm to make sure the ugly vines have disappeared before crossing both arms behind my back. “Rose’s husband, he’s. . .” I hold the word.
“Yeah, that’s how we knew something was going on. Roseland got the sense to come here after we’d searched a few other areas. This is one of our father’s hideaway spots.” He kicks his foot, making small rocks scatter across the ground. “Don’t feel bad,” he continues after a long pause. “You did what you had to do for your mate. And he did what he had to do for you. My mother will understand that. Plus, she knew this was coming after he’d tried to kill Taylor and Justin a week ago.” He moves a little closer, whispering, “Taylor would never let that go unhandled.”
“I can believe that,” I say, touching the black blood drying against my skin. “I need a shower.”
“Yeah, you do. I’m going to ask you a question that may make you uncomfortable.”
“Shoot.” I face him, full-bodied.
“If you and Nathan are bound, why haven’t you accepted our family?”
“Why do you think Nathan and I are bound?”
Pursing his lips, he gives me an insulted leer. “You’re a human with a pet snake made of fire that escapes your hand.” He gestures toward me. “What other proof do I need?”
I sway my head side-to-side and laugh bashfully. “I can see where you’re going with that.” I take a pause and suck in an even breath. “We’ve talked about it. I just wasn’t sure when your father sent someone to use me against Nathan. Well, something like that. I’m still somewhat unsure of what happened that night. But I’m working on the accepting the family thing.”
“So what he said was true, our father had been doing things to you?”
“We suspected, but couldn’t prove it.”
“Same difference. When you know, you know.” He shrugs and heads back over to Nathan and his mom.
Natalia stands to hug Nathan. He’s like a bear standing in front of her. He picks her up and stands her on the chair. She laughs, and they hug a mother and son embrace, both content with whatever came from their conversation.
Little Nathan points to them with his elbow. “See, told ya.”
They pull away from each other and her shirt sticks to his chest. “Sorry, Mom.”
“No worries,” she responds, letting him help her down from the chair. “Okay!” she exclaims. “Everyone, let us leave this place. Those of us who ca
n, burn it down. I would prefer to never see it again.” She doesn’t look at the black liquid or the pile of ash.
I take Nathan’s side.
“Thank you, Tracey, for saving my son. Now understanding you two are bound, I think it’s way too early, but that’s yours and Nathan’s business.” She raises her hands, palms facing me.
“I love you, Mom,” he says low.
She gives him a kind smile. “I love you too, son. Be good and do right by Tracey. She’s a good girl and put her wellbeing aside for you tonight.”
“Thank you, Mom,” I respond with a grin.
Nathan’s eyes widen, and a smile lifts Natalia’s high cheekbones. “What are you saying, Tracey?” She sounds like her son. “I like how that sounds from you.”
“I want you to accept me into your family. I’m not ready to move in right away or anything, but one step at a time,” I say more to Nathan than his mother.
Nathan’s mom turns me to her, hugging me close. “That makes me so happy, Tracey.”
I return her hug, proud of my decision.
Part II
certainty
It’s going on nine o’clock when we make it to Nathan’s house. Taylor, Justin, Nathan and I sit in their kitchen eating a meal Nathan prepares.
“You were supposed to meet Tracey’s parents tonight?” Taylor asks out of the blue.
Nathan’s fork drops on his plate, and he leans back in his chair, wiping his mouth with a paper towel. “Tracey, I am so sorry.”
I shrug a shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not like you blew me off. We’ll reschedule. Maybe you can come by for breakfast tomorrow before my parents leave for their mini-vacation.”
“When I drop you off tonight, I’ll talk to your dad about that. But, before we go, washing my hands and arms isn’t enough. I need a shower, and you do too.”
“And put on what? She doesn’t have any clothes,” Taylor snorts.
“Yes, she does, and stay out of our business,” Nathan teases, pulling me from the table.
“What? Nathan!” Taylor yells behind us as we rush from the kitchen.
I laugh at them, running up the stairs behind Nathan.
His room is nice and cool, welcoming me differently than before. It feels more like home than my room.
Nathan goes to the bathroom and cuts on the shower. I go to my designated drawers. He comes up behind me as I’m pushing around clothes and pulls me away from the drawer to the bathroom with him. His positive energy is rolling off him, and his happiness makes me joyful. I can feel how much of a relief it is to no longer have the worry of his father’s dislike and threats burdening him. That hate he had to deal with his entire life has taken a negative toll on him, and I’m happy to be experiencing this freedom with him.
Nathan peels off my sticky clothes and pulls back the shower curtain for me to step in. I stand under the hot water and Rose’s black blood washes off me. I scrub my hair and my body until I’m clean and satisfied. Nathan helps clean off my back. I leave the water on for him when I finish.
“Don’t get out yet,” Nathan says. He steps in, under the sprayer.
The slimy, black blood and sweat slowly roll off him, revealing more wounds I couldn’t see before.
He pinches his lips to the side and looks at me with innocent, boyish eyes. “Can you heal me?”
I nod, watching the water roll down his face and drip from his chin and eyelashes. I squeeze the soap in my hand and clean him off first, starting with his front. He winces from the soap cleansing his abrasions. I try not to be rough. He turns his back to me and before sealing every cut made by the pearl tool that he couldn’t heal on his own. I make sure he’s clear of dirt and old blood. There are so many gashes. It eats at me.
My tears fall, seeing the degree of his injuries, unable to imagine what he must’ve experienced.
He can sense me crying, but he says nothing as I keep it under control. That is until he turns around. The bullet holes and slashes cause my sobs to break loose against my will.
Nathan grabs my face in his hands and wipes his thumbs across my eyes.
I glide the tip of my fingers over the wounds, and they seal.
“You’ll have to dig them out,” he tells me when I try to heal the bullet holes and they don’t close.
I clear my throat and stuff my finger into the first hole.
Nathan cringes, hissing. “Shit, that hurts.”
“I’m sorry.” I scoop out the half-bullet with my thumb and index finger, and from its gash, more black blood glistening with shards of pearl gushes out before I’m able to heal the hole. I do the same to the other three.
“Thank you, Tracey.” He kisses the tears under my eyes. “Don’t cry.” Hugging me, I break down, crying in his chest.
My tears are of joy, happy he’s okay, proud of what I did, and relieved we made it out alive. Tonight was the most I’ve ever been challenged, and I feel stronger now than I did this morning. I pull away from him a little, and he takes my chin between his thumb and index finger. “Let me finish up. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Kay.” I step out of the shower, avoiding looking at our dark clothes lying on the floor. I scurry past them as if walking by slowly would allow them to grab my legs. Snatching two towels from the rack by the door in the bathroom, I wrap one around me and use the other to dry my hair.
I go back to the opened dresser drawer and pull out a pair of jeans, a long-sleeve T-shirt, undies, and a pair of socks―quickly dressing.
A knock sounds against the door.
I crack it open. “Why, hello, Tracey,” Mrs. Waturstrom greets with a kind grin.
I open the door wider, returning her smile. “Hi, Mrs. Waturstrom. How have you been?”
“I’m well.” She rises on her toes and looks past my shoulder. “Is my nephew around?”
“Yes, ma’am. He’s in the shower, though.”
She looks me over. “I assume you just got out of the shower.”
I lamely point to my wet hair. “I did.”
“You rescued him tonight,” she says with a tight-lipped smile. Her voice raises an octave. “I’m grateful for that. It was brave of you.”
“Thank you. I had no choice. I can’t live without him. He holds my heart in his chest.” I look down, not wanting to talk about what happened tonight anymore.
“I understand. Most think badly of Nathan because of his past, but he is a good person on the inside. He’s genuine and loving when he wants to be.”
With a smile, I nod.
Mrs. Waturstrom grabs me to her before I can blink, scaring the crap out of me. I let out a breath of relief, realizing it’s an embrace. Breaking away, she holds me by my shoulders. “I’m elated to hear you’ve accepted our family. You make our Nathan happy, and he never has been, not even as a child. Knowing he has someone at his side who cares more about him than themselves, says a lot about the future you two will have.” She hugs me again. “Thank you for choosing my nephew and thank you again, Tracey, for saving his life.”
I hug her. “It was my pleasure.”
She pulls away from me and heads down a long hallway I haven’t explored yet.
“Hey, Tracey,” Nathan calls from behind me.
I smile, turning around. He’s clean and smooth, towel wrapped around his waist. I close the door and make my way over to him quicker than I expected.
“Yes?” I touch his shoulders as he leans down, wrapping me in his arms. He picks me up, and I hold his gaze. “You look so much better.”
He licks his lips. “Thanks to you.”
I wrap my arms and legs around him. “I had no choice.”
“Hmm, yeah. I think I heard something about you waiting for me in Hell if you didn’t see me in Heaven.”
I hitch a brow, admitting, “Yeah, something like that.”
“I couldn’t have that.”
“I couldn’t have me living without you.” I pause. “In life or in death.”
He lowers me to my feet
and stares at me for a long time. “You fought for me. You were about to die for me. You lost control for me. You killed my sister and tried to kill my father for me. And you’re accepting my family?” His eyes swirl, shifting through colors.
“I love you, Nathan,” I declare. “What else can I say?”
“There are no words, Tracey. I don’t know what to say because thank you . . . for what you did isn’t enough.” He walks around me to his closet.
Someone knocks on the door all too lightly.
“Come in!” he calls from the closet.
A heavy-set woman with the biggest hair bun I’ve ever seen enters. She smiles at me. “Hi, I’m Pailen,” she greets with a foreign accent I can’t place.
Finally! Pailen! “Hi, I’m Tracey, Nathan’s girlfriend.”
As she passes, she whispers, “I think you’re a little more than that, my dear.” A strawberry scent follows behind her. Flapping open a black garbage bag, she enters the bathroom and takes to the ruined clothes.
“Nathan, what are you doing?” I singsong, leaning against the wall next to the closet door.
He rustles around with something. “It’s getting late. You need to be in the house by eleven, right?”
“Yeah, when my dad’s home.”
“Is your dad home?” he asks mockingly.
“Yes.”
“Then you have to be in your house by eleven.” He pauses, and there’s shuffling. “Would you like to know what time it is?”
Not when you say it like that. “Yes,” I sing cautiously.
“Ten-fifty.”
“Are you serious?” I shriek. Dad isn’t nearly as lenient as Mom is. “We’re over thirty minutes from my house!”
“Yep.” Nathan comes out of the closet with a bag on his shoulder. “You ready to go? I don’t think we can make it there in five minutes if we drive.”
“Yeah, let’s go. How will we get there any quicker if we don’t drive?”
“Pailen, can you close this window before you leave?”
“Window?”
Pailen sticks a waving hand out of the bathroom door, acknowledging him.
Nathan swoops me up and jumps out of the window. “Oh my gosh.” My stomach drops to my butt, and I squeeze him tight. He runs us to my house, and we make it with time to spare. “That was super cool,” I say, pulling my hair up into a knot. I wait at the front door for Nathan to return from dropping off his bag in my room.
Plight: A Dark Paranormal Romance (The Sephlem Trials Book 1) Page 31