by Sara Mack
“Definitely.”
He steps out of the car and I follow, tilting my head back to get the whole picture. I didn’t know houses like this existed where I live. We’re such a small Midwestern town. Soft light shines through most of the windows on the first floor leading my eye to the oversize main door. It looks heavy and made of a dark wood. A gorgeous light fixture hangs above the entrance appearing to be centuries old and three large circular steps made of stone radiate out from the porch.
We tentatively make our way up the stairs and find the doorbell. I almost expect a butler to answer, but instead we get James.
“Where’s the dungeon?” I joke when he opens the door.
“Funny.” He smiles. “It’s actually a torture chamber.”
“Let me guess,” I step inside as he holds the door wide, “you’re referring to the new gym?”
“Absolutely.” His smile fades a little when he notices Dane is with me. “Hey.”
“Hey,” Dane says and explains his presence. “I’m playing chauffeur today.”
James turns to me. “Something wrong with your car?”
I shake my head. “He stopped by as I was leaving to shop. We went together.”
I can tell James is displeased that I brought a guest. To change the subject I look around the room. “Wow. Do we get a tour?”
“Tour first or practice?” he asks.
“Practice,” Madeline answers for me, appearing from nowhere. She smiles and waves for us to follow her.
James, Dane, and I exit the foyer and pass under a balcony of sorts which is flanked on each end by a staircase. We walk through a great room that combines the living area and kitchen and pass a formal dining area off by itself, a game room, and what I assume is a guest bath. Madeline leads us to a closed door which she opens to reveal stairs. We follow her down to the basement where, when we turn the corner, I’m shocked. This place could rival any training facility in the United States.
“Are you kidding?” I look at Mad and James wide-eyed. All they do is smile.
I wander through the equipment running my hand over some of the machines. Treadmills, rowers, bikes, steppers, ellipticals, weight benches and free weights all fill the area. Further in I find a trampoline and then stop short when I see the entire back of the room has been transformed into a climbing wall with harnesses and ropes dangling from the ceiling. My mind registers the sound of dull thuds, and I turn to see Ash pounding away on a punching bag. He stops for a second to wave a gloved hand at me.
“Let me show you this.” James grasps my wrist and leads me over a large open area of mats that I assume are for our training and meditation. Medicine balls, jump ropes, gloves, and other accessories line the walls we pass. James pulls me into another room which might have been a large bathroom or in home spa at one point.
“A hot tub?” I ask in awe.
“For aching muscles.” He winks at me. “There’s another one upstairs on the deck. Here’s the sauna,” he opens a cedar door, “and then there are two shower stalls around the corner.”
“How did you guys do all of this in four days?” Dane asks skeptically.
“This room was pretty much like you see it,” James says. “The bathroom was here, the tub, the sauna. All Ash added were the lockers.”
He leads us further and we come across about ten lockers next to open shelves stacked with towels. James opens the door at the end. “This one is yours,” he says to me. It’s fully stocked.
I step forward and examine the contents. A stack of workout clothes sits neatly folded on the shelf and a pair of running shoes sits at the bottom. Everything has tags.
“Where did you get this?” I ask. “How much do I owe you?”
“They’re from me and Ash,” Madeline says from behind us. “I saved the receipts in case something doesn’t fit.”
I turn toward her. “Thanks, but you shouldn’t have. Please let me pay you.” Why are they buying me things? This feels awkward.
She smiles reading my mind. “You’re one of us and we take care of each other. We want you to feel comfortable here.”
“I’d feel comfortable regardless,” I assure her. What could I possibly give them in return? Should I buy them Christmas gifts?
Madeline reaches out and takes my hand. “No,” she says reading my thoughts again. “Your decision to participate in our way of life is gift enough for us.”
I’m confused for a second. “I didn’t think I had a choice.”
“You always have a choice,” she says. “You’re Gifted, remember?” She taps the amulet at my wrist. “You take this off and your abilities go with it.”
I did know that. I guess I pushed it to the back of my mind since I was enjoying my new talents so much, not to mention taking the bracelet off will bring me physical pain. “Well, it’s still awfully generous of you,” I tell her. “I will find a way to reciprocate.” Maybe I can make them dinner.
She laughs and releases my hand as Dane asks, “So, are you expecting company?” He eyes the other lockers. “This is a lot of equipment for the four of you.”
“There’s no gym membership,” Ash surprises us from the doorway. “You’re welcome to join us anytime.”
My eyes jump to James, and I notice his jaw tense.
“Actually, we do have some friends in the area,” Madeline says. “One of them helped us find this place. We may have some visitors from time to time.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Do you plan to live here permanently?”
“We’re considering it,” Ash says. “We have several homes; our main residence is in Hope Mills. When you’re alive for one hundred-plus years it’s nice to change up the scenery once and awhile.”
I can’t even fathom how wealthy they must be to keep up this lifestyle. “Are your houses all this big?” Suddenly, I feel terrible about them staying with me in my tiny apartment at Western. How crappy must that have been? Ash sleeping on the couch and Madeline sharing a bed with me.
“Not all of them, maybe two,” Madeline says like it’s no big deal.
“Are we going to practice or are we going to talk all night?” James asks, impatient. He nods toward my locker. “Get changed. We have some time to make up for.”
“That’s right.” I cross my arms. “We wouldn’t want your skills to get rusty now would we?”
He rolls his eyes as he follows Ash and Dane out into the main room.
“If you’d rather you can dress around the corner,” Madeline says. “There’s a stall next to the showers.”
Of course they’d have a changing room too. “Did you guys think of everything?” I ask as I take off my coat.
“We were lucky with the setup down here. The previous owner designed the basement for her elderly mother-in-law who needed the open space to get around. The spa and sauna were for her physical therapy. That’s why there’s a separate entrance and a small kitchen off the other end.”
A small kitchen? It must have been behind me when I came down the stairs.
“I can’t imagine what a place like this costs,” I say as I untie my shoes. “What do you…?” I stop myself. I was about to ask her what they do for money. Nosey much?
She laughs. “The Charmed look out for one another. I said the realtor was a friend? The owner of this place is too. We’re all Larvatus. We’re actually staying here for free.”
I frown. “Why did I think you were renting?”
She shrugs. “Natural assumption?”
“I guess.”
Madeline smiles. “To answer your question, we live by connections, odd jobs, and investments. Some of us manage to have inconspicuous careers, but most of us move from job to job. When you work at the same organization for years and haven’t aged much rumors really start to fly around the office.”
“I bet.” I select a set of clothes and close the locker door. “Okay, I’ll be out in a sec.”
“Emma.” She rests her hand on my arm. “Ash and I want you to know that you’re more than wel
come to stay here with us if you ever need to. We have more than enough space.”
Her offer makes me feel all mushy inside like a Hallmark card. Who am I to make them care about me so much? “Thanks,” I tell her sincerely. “I’m enjoying my time with my family, but I’ll keep that in mind.”
She smiles again and turns to leave. “I’m glad. I’ll meet you out there.”
It’s nearly ten o’clock when we finish, and I’m leaning against the wall chugging bottles of water like I’ve been stuck in the Mojave for a week. Practice was great; it felt so good to move and stretch again. James and I managed to stay on an even keel tonight; neither of us can claim victory over the other due to the type of exercises Ash was having us perform.
“Next time Donohue,” James threatens me.
“Whatever Davis.” I brush him off with a smile.
I peel myself away from the wall and walk over to where Dane has been patiently observing us for the last four hours. “Do you want to check this out?” I ask him and present my anlace.
He eyes it warily and then runs his fingers across the blade.
“You can hold it.” I push it toward him.
He takes it by the handle, testing the weight, and then gives it back to me. “Nice.”
“All you have to say is nice?”
He looks up at me and widens his eyes. I hear his thoughts.
“This worries me on so many levels.”
Before I can ask him why, James appears behind my shoulder. “Ready for your tour?”
“Give me ten minutes to change.”
I jump under the shower, wash off my sweat, and jump out in record time. Once I dress and rejoin everyone, we head up the stairs. When we get to the top it hits me.
“You have to work tomorrow!”
Dane turns to me. “Yeah. So?”
Talk about selfish. “It’s late,” I say. “Why didn’t you say something? What time do have to be there?”
“Eight.”
I look apologetically at The Larvatus and James. “Can we take a rain check on the tour? Dane needs to get home.”
Dane frowns at me. “What am I, twelve? We can take the tour.”
I push him toward the door. “I will not be responsible for your being late and or grumpy.” I look at James. “Same time tomorrow?”
He nods, but looks disappointed.
“Really, Emma, it’s not a big deal,” Dane protests.
I continue to lead him to the door. “Don’t make me carry you. You know I can.”
He shoots me an exasperated look.
“I’ll see you at six,” I say to my friends as I open the door. “Thanks for everything. Tomorrow I’ll bring snacks.”
“I like chocolate,” Ash says and it makes me laugh.
Madeline pipes up. “I like cheesecake.”
“Chocolate cheesecake it is then.”
Once we’re inside his car Dane turns to me. “Why did you do that?”
I buckle my seatbelt. “I’ve taken up all your time tonight and you have an early morning. It’s not fair.”
He starts the engine. “And here I thought you wanted me all to yourself.” He backs up the car and then turns us around. He pauses before he hits the gas. “It doesn’t matter what time it is as long as I’m with you.”
I give his hand a squeeze.
We make it to the end of the long drive and turn out on to the road. “What did you mean by you’re worried on so many levels?” I ask.
He clutches the steering wheel. “I’ve never seen you fight before. And with a weapon no less. It’s disturbing.”
“Why? I’m good at it.”
“Extremely good,” he says. “I just hate to think of someone really trying to hurt you. It scares the hell out of me.”
I don’t know what to say. I don’t want anyone attacking me either, but I’m confident in my abilities. It must look weird watching me wrestle James. Wait.
“This is about more than my fighting isn’t it?”
He sighs. “You’re right. Your boyfriend is a whole other level of worry.”
Silence.
“Care to elaborate?”
“You’re going to be spending a lot of time over there. He has his own space, a hot tub, and his hands all over you. Yeah, I’m concerned.”
Does he think I’d throw caution to the wind and take up with James just because? “What do you think this is? Girls Gone Wild? I’m not going over there to go hot tubbing!”
Dane shoots me a look. “You know what I mean.”
“That’s why we have rules. Do you think I would break them?”
“I know I want you to break them with me. I’m sure he’s thinking the exact same thing.”
We sit in silence the rest of the way to my house which gives me time to think. When he pulls into the driveway and parks, I unfasten my belt and give him an apologetic look. “Listen, I’m sorry I worry you. It’s not my intent, and I don’t want to fight.”
“Are we fighting?” he asks. “I thought we were having an honest discussion.”
I give him a tiny smile of relief. “If you think it’s better we don’t hang out until this Kellan business is over I’d understand. I’m sure if the situation were reversed I wouldn’t want you wrestling with Teagan.”
He smirks. “Who says we won’t be? Her dad’s office is pretty big.”
I give him an uncertain look and he makes a face. “Scratch that comment. It wasn’t even remotely funny.”
“No,” I say. “What you choose to do with her is your business. I have no hold over you.”
He leans across the console and looks into my eyes. When he moves closer, we end up kissing until I’m winded.
“When are you going to realize that’s not true?” he whispers.
I bite my lip. “That kiss was pretty convincing.”
“Was it?” He smiles. “Then we’re making progress. I’m not giving up any of my time with you.”
Chapter 14
“Ready?”
I nod and close my eyes. This will be my second manifestation. The first was three days ago, when The Larvatus helped transport me outside their house and on to the lawn. As Ash takes my right hand and Madeline my left, I concentrate on feeling weightless like they taught me. Today we’re going somewhere new.
An effervescent tingle begins at my fingertips and travels up my arms toward my chest. It spreads throughout my body, making its way through my veins and causing them to feel like they’re carbonated. The sensation builds and builds until suddenly it’s gone. That’s when I know we’ve arrived.
I open my eyes to find myself standing on an outcropping of rock that juts precariously from a tall bluff. A cool wind blows and tosses my hair around my face. As I tuck the strands behind my ears, I look out over a mountainous valley forested by trees that have lost their leaves for the winter season. Multiple shades of brown, tan, and evergreen pine interrupt the sprinkling of snow that covers the ground. The dreary colors contrast with the bright blue sky, and it’s as if I can see forever in any direction. The sun decides to peek out from behind a random cloud and the view takes my breath away.
“Where are we?”
“Hawksbill Crag,” Ash answers.
When I give him a questioning look he clarifies. “The Ozark Mountains.”
The only thing I can think to say is “Get out!” I’m so eloquent.
Madeline’s melodic laugh echoes around us. “The view is beautiful even in December.”
“Amazing,” I agree. I walk as far as I dare toward the edge of the rock and peer over the side. It’s a long way down. I take a deep breath of fresh air and then exhale slowly. “Is this what you do for fun? Manifest yourselves around the globe?”
“And sometimes beyond.”
Right. Despite knowing the purpose of the journey I’m still curious to see the Intermediate.
I wrap my arms around my body against the wind. Even though the view is pretty, it’s cold up here. I turn to find Ash crouched down with o
ne knee set against the rock, his elbow resting on the other, and his chin between his forefinger and thumb. He stares at the horizon deep in thought. “Jack said Garrett was looking rough,” I say quietly. “How much time do you think we have?”
“Less than two weeks,” he responds.
He sounds so sure I avert my gaze and stare at my shoes. Less than two weeks. On one hand, I’m excited to finally do this. Let’s rescue some Guardians and put Kellan in his place already! But, I’d be lying if I said the thought of someone getting hurt or dying hadn’t crossed my mind. If something happens to James, Madeline, or Ash how could I not bear some of the responsibility? And what if I’m the one who ends up mortally wounded? There’s no coming back from death a second time.
Madeline either reads my mind or senses my concern because she’s next to me in two strides. “You’re ready,” she says with confidence. “Any further practice is icing on the cake.”
“Cheesecake?” I smile. I was true to my word and brought dessert that second night of training. For a little thing she sure can eat; although, I’m one to talk lately. My appetite has been insane which hasn’t gone unnoticed. My mother actually cornered me yesterday to make sure I wasn’t pregnant. Talk about awkward.
Madeline flushes. “My one and only weakness.”
“I beg to differ,” Ash chuckles and stands. He approaches Madeline and wraps his arms around her from behind. “I’d like to think I make you go weak in the knees.”
She rolls her eyes and pats his arm. “Okay, I have two weaknesses.”
He kisses her temple and it makes me smile. They love each other so much.
The wind picks up again, and I hold myself. Madeline notices. “Let’s go back,” she says to Ash. “Emma’s cold.”
“Sorry.” I shrug. “I came unprepared. I didn’t think to bring a man to keep me warm.”
Ash snickers and Madeline elbows him.
“What?” I ask defensively.