The Pull (The Emanation Saga Book 1)

by R. J. Lloyd

  She stood and walked over to Ian, wrapping her arm around his. “Yes. I'm Eva.”

  Kyle chuckled. “How long are you in town for?”

  Ian replied for her. “I was going to talk to you about that. I hope it is fine, but she is going to be staying with us permanently.”

  “Moving in already, huh?” Kyle quirked an eyebrow. “Well, I guess I can’t expect anything orthodox out of you two, can I?”

  “There's a lot that’s happened. I promise I’ll tell you, but not here.” Ian glanced around the room.

  Kyle shrugged. “Hey, I’m just trying not to put a whole lot of thought into the fact that you ran off suddenly because you were dreaming of some woman, and you came back with who is supposed to be that very woman on your arm and are moving her in. There'd better be a lot more to this story!”

  Ian nodded. “There is. I’d like to get whatever work that needs to be done, done. Then, we can go home, and I’ll fill you in.”

  “Sure thing.” Kyle headed for the office.

  “I’ll be right back.” Ian kissed Eva quickly before following his roommate.

  As they disappeared behind the counter, Eva picked up the book Ian had suggested, sat down and started reading. Something about being there was familiar and comfortable. The entire place had bits of Ian reflected in it, and wrapped her up in a quiet, peaceful cocoon. For the first time in a long time, Eva relaxed.

  “I am so sorry that took so long.”

  She blinked. “Huh?”

  He looked down at his watch. “Wow, it’s been two hours.”

  She glanced at the amount she’d read and held up the book. “I didn't even notice.”

  He saw how far she’d gotten in the book and laughed. “Looks like I’ve been replaced.”

  “It’s pretty good. You might have some strong competition here.”

  Ian took the book and tucked it under his arm. “I’ll just have to hide it when I want your attention then.”

  Kyle came up behind him. “Or if you can be easily replaced, I can…”

  Eva held a finger up to him. “No.”

  Kyle opened his mouth to speak.

  She shook her finger. “Nope.”

  He opened his mouth again.

  “Nope.”

  He pointed his thumb at her and smirked at Ian. “I like her.”

  “She doesn’t seem to like your first impression,” Ian replied.

  “I’ll grow on her.”

  She scoffed. “Like a fungus maybe.”

  “Just call me Morel.” Kyle winked.

  “Ian? As much as I love this place and could totally get lost in that book for another two hours, I think I’m ready to leave.” She grabbed the book back and shoved it in her purse.

  Kyle pointed at her newly gained reading material.

  She held a finger up. “No.”

  Ian roared with laughter. “It’s probably time to take you to see your new home, Eva.”

  Kyle opened his mouth to speak… again.

  It was Ian who interrupted that time. “No. You stay here. Give us a couple hours?”

  The roommate mock pouted. “Yeah, fine. I have a few things I should wrap up anyway. Eva, it was nice to finally meet you.”

  “It was nice to meet you, too, Kyle.” Eva smiled.

  Ian took Eva’s hand, and they left.

  “I actually really like this town so far. Walking, driving, sitting in your café, I’m content.” Eva tilted her head up to the sky and smiled.

  “Despite Kyle?” Ian asked.

  “Including Kyle,” she replied.

  Ian stopped short. “Don't tell me…”

  She turned to face him. “Don’t be ridiculous! He's funny. And he’s a part of your life. A major part. His flirting and comments don’t bother me. I know he's just playing.”

  He eyed her for a moment before starting to walk again. “Whew. Most women flock to him. I was worried for a second there.”

  She was a little offended. “You thought he might be more my type?”

  He smirked. “No. I thought you finally broke under the stress. I was trying to think of good therapists around here.”

  She shoved his shoulder. “You…”

  “I know. I'm awesome.”

  She quirked an eyebrow. “I love you.” Her voice was soft.

  “I love you, too,” he replied without missing a beat.

  As they walked, Ian pointed out various businesses and restaurants, continuing to do so as they drove the few blocks to the house. Eva was more than excited and curious about their surroundings, asking questions about the architecture and how long some of the businesses had been there. Ian was not only happy to answer her questions, but he was happy to finally have someone who wanted to know so he could flex his miscellaneous trivia muscles.

  Ian pulled into the driveway.

  Eva’s mouth dropped open.

  He laughed. “It’s not that awesome. I mean, it’s a nice house, but not a mansion or anything.”

  She shook herself out of awe. “It’s not that. I mean, yes. It’s great. I don’t know.”

  “You’re home.”

  She smiled. “Yeah. That.”

  He got out of the car and went around to her side, opening the door and holding a hand out. “Shall we? I can come back out for the bags later.”

  She took his hand as he led her into the house. She was not disappointed. The feeling of being home continued as she walked in and through each room of his tour. Of course, the whole feeling of Ian being next to her was a large part of it, but it was also the fact she could remember him telling her about his home in some of the dreams, casually. The thoughts made it feel much more comfortable and familiar.

  The last room… his bedroom.

  Eva entered and looked around. One wall was lined with bookshelves. Another held a chest of drawers. On it was a television, a dish for his wallet, key, watch and cell phone and a short stack of blue rays. On the third wall was a door to a large walk-in closet that had hardly anything in it, as well as a reading chair, end table with lamp and a foot stool. Then, on the fourth wall, sat a king-sized bed. The bedding was neat, and the headboard was plush. While it was undeniable that Ian was neat and orderly and quite possibly a bit OCD in cleaning, his décor revealed his masculine and stylish side. A shot of electric warmth shot through her as she compared it to her own dynamic back in her house with Michelle.

  Ian put a hand on her lower back. “Don't let this all fool you. We hire a maid to come in once a week and clean. She would have come while I was on the road with you.”

  Eva didn't respond with words. Instead, she turned to him, tossing her arms over his shoulders and landing her lips against his passionately and without abandon.

  The move, their mortal conditions, the death of the man she believed was her father, the other spirit following them, in love with her, leaving her best friend, losing her job… everything melted away with the feel of his hands on her. Materialized ghosts or not, Ian's touch made her feel alive. Truly alive. And his response to her passion was no less deep than her own for him.

  Ian wrapped one arm around her shoulders. Bending slightly, he snaked the other behind her knees, lifting her off the floor and placing her gently on the bed. She tilted her head back as he trailed his lips from her mouth down her jaw, her neck and onto her shoulder as he slid her shirt up and over her head. The clasp of her bra didn't fight as he flipped it apart easily, tossing the garment aside. Undressing the rest of the way eagerly, neither broke contact for one moment.

  Ian climbed up on the bed with her and took her in his arms, leaning over her without allowing his weight to come down fully. He paused, his arms planted on either side of her shoulders, then lowered down onto his elbows, his entire body lining the curves of hers.

  With his face inches form hers, their breath coming ragged, he swallowed. “Eva.”

  “Yes?”

  So many words swam through his mind as he held her, looking at her in that moment. He wasn't
sure why he stopped. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to say. But as she looked back at him, she knew all the millions of feelings he wanted to convey but couldn't put into words.

  And she smiled. “Yes.”

  He leaned back down to kiss her again.

  But Eva looked past him, seeing something out of the corner of her eye. She shoved Ian's shoulders to lift him off her as she struggled to sit up.

  “Eva?” Ian scrambled up, pulling the comforter, handing it to her and whipping around to look in the direction she was staring.

  Eva yanked the blanket up around herself. Her heart raced, and the pit of her stomach screamed out.

  But there was nobody there.

  “Eva?” Ian sat down next to her on the bed. “Eva?” he tried again.

  She didn't respond. She just stared across the room, eyes darting around. Panic layered over fear across her face.

  He gently shook her leg. “Eva?”

  “He was here,” she breathed.

  Ian scanned the room again. Not seeing anyone, he turned back to her. “Who? Who was here?”

  She looked into his eyes, something desperately pleading. “Mitchell. I swear I just saw him across the room. He looked furious. But when I pushed you up and looked again, he was gone.”

  “I’ll kill him,” Ian blurted out.

  A little of the tension of the moment slipped away from Eva as she let out a giggle. “Ian, he's already dead.”

  Ian got up and pulled the curtains closed, locking the bedroom door. “I’ll hurt him. I mean, who the hell does he think he is? You were naked! How is that okay in his mind to watch you like that?”

  She motioned for him to sit next to her. “You were naked, too. He probably got a far better view of your ass than anything of mine. And I doubt that was his goal. He looked pissed. I think popping in here and seeing us like that was a surprise to him. Obviously, not a good one.”

  Ian fought back a smile. “Doesn’t make it okay. Maybe it’ll make him think twice about continuing to show up like that.”

  She stifled a laugh. “You’re right. I was really freaked out. And, honestly, I can't say he really was here. It was such a fleeting glimpse that I might have imagined it. I mean, I do feel like I’m losing my mind sometimes.”

  He brushed a lock of hair back that had fallen in her face. “You’re under a lot of stress for sure. But I doubt you’ve reached any sort of hallucinating stage of mental psychosis or anything.”

  “Well, either I’m going insane, or Mitchell was just here.” She took in a breath. “And if he was here, he was not happy with what he saw.”

  “Good. Maybe that will keep him from just showing up whenever he feels like it.” Ian flexed his hands, releasing them from fists, ready for a fight. “So, what do we do now?”

  “Isn’t the car a rental?” she asked.

  He nodded. “Yes. We should probably return that today. There’s a location near the airport. I can call and transfer the drop-off location to that one, and we can pick up my actual car.” He glanced at the clock. “It’s six. We can get dressed and head down there.”

  Eva tossed the comforter aside and sauntered over to him. She slid her finger down his arm, a corner of her mouth quirking up. “Or…” She dragged out the word. “You can call and switch locations for a drop off tomorrow, and we can stay and finish what we started.”

  “That wouldn't be weird?”

  She kissed his shoulder. “What hasn’t been weird lately? I'm just as sick as you that this whole thing is running our lives. Right now, I just want to be in your arms again.”

  There was nothing more to say. She wasn’t just wanting to finish what they started. She needed him and his protection in the most intimate way. And he was happy to oblige.

  Eva crawled out from under Ian’s arm and looked at the clock. It was nine. Both of them had dozed off, but, thankfully, they hadn't been asleep long.

  He stirred and leaned up, kissing her on the cheek. “How was your nap?”

  “Much needed, it seems.” She got out of bed and went into his closet. Selecting one of his t-shirts, she pulled it on and came back in the room. “You might want to call the rental place before they close.”

  “Oh, crap. That’s right.” He dialed the number and informed them of the drop-off day and location change, verifying his information and the cost. Tossing his phone onto the nightstand, he tilted his head. “You hungry?”

  She patted her belly. “Famished.”

  “Mind if I cook?” he asked.

  Her eyes grew wide. “You cook, too?”

  He nodded as he got up and threw on some sweats. “A little.”

  “Are you sure we’re not dreaming? I mean, are you sure you're real?”

  He shrugged. “I can’t tell anymore, but I guess that doesn’t change that we’re hungry, and I’m about to cook us something to eat.”

  “I suppose if we are still dreaming, I might as well take full advantage of it,” she said.

  They went into the kitchen. Ian busied himself with assessing what they had in the fridge and pantry while Eva poured herself a glass of water and took a seat at the kitchen island.

  “It looks like Kyle has been hungry but has not felt the need to restock. So, I hope spaghetti will be alright.” He set out the ingredients on the counter.

  “Sounds great!”

  “Alright then.” He filled a pan with water and turned on the burner under it.

  Eva left the room and returned with one of the prepaid phones. “I need to call Michelle.”

  “Do you really think it's worth the risk?” Ian stirred some seasonings into another pot he’d emptied a couple cans of tomatoes into for sauce.

  She set the phone down. “Yes. First, she is still my best friend despite making a really bad decision. I mean, once Stanley or Marcus had caught wind we had met up, and they would have, who knows what they would have done. Plus, Michelle is probably completely freaking out by now.”

  “True,” he agreed. “On both accounts. I'm sorry.”

  She continued, “But aside from that, she’s my roommate. I need to tell her I’m not coming back. I know she makes enough money to afford our house on her own, but she deserves to hear from me that I’m moving out. Plus, I need to figure out how to get my things.”

  “I hadn't even thought about that.” Ian set down the bamboo spoon. “Crap. Going back there is a huge risk. Maybe we can hire movers? Do you think she would go with that?”

  Eva bit her lip. “Honestly? With as bad as she feels about what happened, she will probably go along with whatever we ask. But what if we hire movers on a day she can help, and we fly in and out in one day? Then I can make sure everything is done, and Michelle doesn’t have to have it all fall in her lap. Besides, she’s not efficient with things like that.”

  “That's not a bad plan.” He pursed his lips as he contemplated her proposal. “Risky still, but less so. We can be even more cautious if we don’t tell her. Just in case.”

  “You really are paranoid.” Eva picked the phone back up. “I think telling her is a lot less dangerous than the fact we may have someone psychically stalking us.”

  He put the pasta in the boiling water. “You have a point there. I’m not trying to be so paranoid. This whole thing just has us both a little freaked out.”

  “Yeah. It does. I get it.” She started dialing, but stopped. “Ian? Do you think Stanley is still going to be looking for us?”

  “I wouldn’t doubt it.” He seasoned the sauce.

  She watched as he moved on to stirring the meat in another skillet. “Do you really think Michelle is working with them?”

  He paused. “No.”

  She was puzzled. “Then why are you trying to keep such a distance between us and her?”

  He finished combining the meat in the sauce, and then stirred the pasta. Setting the spoon down, he placed his hands on the edge of the island across from her. “Frankly, it’s because she is the reason you were locked in that place. I know yo
u're right. Stanley and Marcus would have figured out our meeting at some point. But it could have been much worse, too. I guess I’m trying to minimize how much danger we put ourselves in the direct path of.”

  Eva took in what he said. She let his words roll around for a moment, looking at the phone. “You’re right. I guess I’m torn. I’m scared. I’m angry, but she’s really my only friend. And I know she meant well.”

  Her thumb hovered over the send button as she thought.

  Twenty-Two

  Making Moves

  Ian and Eva had agreed to wait another day or two before reaching out to Michelle more than a quick text to tell her Eva was fine. They shut down all of Eva’s non-essential accounts like her old cell phone, plus anything the two of them would have double of, like her movie and music streaming accounts. Ian shut down his cell phone account as well, and opened one with new phones for the two of them. Switching things around was a dual-purpose action for them since it disconnected them from previous accounts as well as combined their worlds officially.

  He walked in the door after having gone to the café to do some work and handed Eva a brand new cell phone. “You can go to Amazon and pick out a new case if you want. I logged my account into it to buy things easily.”

  She looked it over. “You didn't have to.”

  “Yes. I did,” he replied. “You need some semblance of normalcy, and you need a normal phone. Not some throw-away. Is it one you’d want?”

  She smiled and turned it on. “Yes. I do! It’s perfect. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He kissed her on the forehead as he headed to the back of the house where the office was. “I'm going to go hop on the computer and finish up some work. Do you want to call Michelle and arrange a day this week to go get your things?”

  “I thought we were going to keep her in the dark,” she inquired.

  He lifted a shoulder. “My reasons are more along the lines of having touched a hot burner and not wanting to get burned again rather than seeing an actual threat. You need to be able to see her and talk to her. I talked to Kyle, and everything is all set. I bought airline tickets to head down tomorrow and fly back the next day. The movers will be there to pack and load the next day, and will be up here about two days after that.”