Chapter Two
Austin picked Nicole up at four in the afternoon the following Friday. They’d decided to make a date out of visiting Elizabeth, including ice cream and a movie. Nicole showed him the ice cream parlor where Toby had brought her several months earlier. They chatted easily, talking about Tarians and school and what they’d do with their time if they passed the tests and graduated early.
“You’ll be out of college almost a year before me,” Nicole said, taking a sip of her milk shake.
Austin nodded. “That’s if I pass the tests.” His eyes were warm on her and Nicole could tell his thoughts were only partially on the conversation. His gaze drifted to her lips, then back to her eyes. His hand twitched, resting on the table a few inches from hers.
Nicole sighed. “You’re making this so much harder than it needs to be, you know.” They were still having to be careful that they didn’t accidentally touch. They couldn’t risk having the Great Ones realize they were together.
He gave a look of mock surprise. “What am I making more difficult?”
Nicole was tempted to throw her purse at him. “Us. But you already knew that.” She sighed. “Only a little more to go before we can be a real couple again.”
“We aren’t already? Lots of people have relationships that don’t revolve around physical affection.”
“I know.” Nicole didn’t say anything else at first. She’d never thought she would end up being one of those people. “It makes me appreciate many things that I took for granted before.”
Austin’s eyes dropped to her hand. “Like simple hand-holding.”
“Yes.”
His eyes rose to her lips. “And a kiss.”
Nicole bit the inside of her cheek, feeling a sudden urge to cry. And no wonder—she’d been under so much pressure the past several months. If she made it through this without a billion scars, there wouldn’t be anything good or wonderful she wouldn’t savor and appreciate. Especially Austin.
“Have you picked a major yet?” Austin asked, probably trying to diffuse the tension.
Nicole shook her head. “I know I want it to revolve around my powers . . . but I don’t know what, beyond that.”
“Your native Wind ability is silencing sound. You could work in technology—find better ways to quiet things. Gun silencers, stuff like that.”
“I’ve considered it.” Nicole leaned back in her chair, studying Austin’s face. “You’ve decided on your major, then?”
He nodded. “Business with an emphasis in agriculture, focusing on my natural Arete abilities. I know my dad wants me to take over his ranches someday.”
“And you’d like that?”
“I would. I enjoy being alone under Montana’s incredible skies.”
Nicole’s eyes dropped. “But not too alone.”
“Look at me.”
Nicole looked back. His hand was only an inch from hers, and she realized he’d almost grabbed her to get her attention.
“You will always be in my plans, Nicole. Being away from you for several months was torture. I feel complete—whole—when we’re together. I can’t imagine my future without you in it. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. You are and forever will be the only woman for me.”
The happiness that swelled up in Nicole’s chest made it difficult for her to breathe. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard in a long time, Austin.”
“So . . . you feel the same?”
Wishing she could hold him—show him how she felt—Nicole instead put as much love into her gaze as possible. “Yes.”
Austin relaxed in his chair. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She grinned at him. “But if you feel whole with me, you’d better not leave my side or you’ll fall apart.”
He returned the smile. “You know that’s not what I meant.” His gaze told her exactly how he felt, and again, Nicole struggled with breathing, she was so content. Austin so rarely shared his innermost feelings that when he did, it was something precious. She wished she knew how to gently provoke more moments like these out of him.
“We’d better get going,” Austin said, motioning to their now-empty cups. “Elizabeth isn’t going to contact herself.”
Nicole chuckled. “Probably not.”
The drive to Britnell Manor was quiet, yet comfortable. The sun pierced through the clouds and trees, leaving patterns on the road in front of them. The windows were down, letting in the fresh breeze, and Nicole leaned toward them, breathing it in. She was really enjoying this time of year in Seattle.
Austin parked in front of the manor and reached across Nicole to open her door. He hesitated before pulling back, his gaze lingering on her mouth again, before looking her in the eye.
“I miss you,” he said, then got out of the car.
Nicole took a breath. “I miss you too,” she whispered.
They met where they knew Elizabeth had been buried.
“I wish there was an easier way to contact her,” Nicole said. “I don’t mind driving out here, but it isn’t practical if we ever need to get a hold of her in an emergency.”
Austin nodded, but didn’t respond. He squatted and held his hand over the grass.
“Wait,” Nicole said, nearly touching his shoulder, but pulling back at the last moment. “Can I try?”
Austin got up. “Sure. Do you know how?”
She shook her head. “I’d love you to teach me, though.”
“Okay. I always use my hand. Coolidge says I don’t need to, but it makes it feel more real.”
Nicole crouched next to the grave and put her hand over it, then looked up at Austin. “Now what?”
“Concentrate on the dirt. Sift down until you find her remains. Then give them a slight nudge while thinking about her and her name—what she looks like, all of that. Envision her meeting us here.”
Nicole turned back to the grass and closed her eyes. She hadn’t had many opportunities yet to mess around with Earth abilities, outside of wood, and the print of dirt and grass was weird on her mind. She focused harder on the soil below the grass, willing her mind to recognize the different materials that made it up.
She wasn’t able to go very far and finally, mind exhausted, got to her feet. “I’ve never tried using actual dirt before. I think I need more practice.”
Austin nodded. “The first time I worked with soil, I had to separate it into different components. Sand in one place, wood fragments in another, like that. We’ll do that later. It’ll be easier than starting with everything mixed together.”
Austin took her place and whispered, “Elizabeth, please come. We need to talk to you.”
He rose, wiping his hands on his jeans, even though he hadn’t actually touched the dirt.
Moments later, Elizabeth shimmered into view in front of them. Instead of her usual black dress, she wore a white one that still made her look stunning. Her vibrant red hair was pinned away from one ear while spilling forward in thick waves on the other side.
“Yes?” she asked, looking at Austin, a scowl on her otherwise beautiful face.
He didn’t flinch from her cranky gaze. “We need you to start talking to deceased Aretes—gathering those who are interested in helping fight against the Tarians.”
“That’s it?” She flipped her hair behind her shoulder. “Son, what do you think I’ve been doing? Why you had to call me back here—wasting my precious magic—to tell me to do something I’m already doing is beyond me.”
Nicole raised her hand, drawing Elizabeth’s gaze. “We’d like to know if you’d be able to keep in contact with Anna Morse. We’re finding it’s easier for Aretes who’ve passed on to be in that dimension than this, for some reason.”
“Of course it is.”
“Why is that?”
Elizabeth ignored her question. “And continue following Rebecca? Don’t you know any other dead Aretes?”
Austin rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, yes. Your husband . . .”
Elizabe
th scoffed. “Don’t even think about asking him—the lazy drunk sits around all day and does nothing.” She folded her arms. “Anyone else?”
Nicole nodded. “Lizzie came across one named Helen once.”
Elizabeth immediately shook her head. “I know of Lizzie’s experience with her. That woman is insane. No one dares approach her—she destroys them when they do.”
Austin whistled. “Powerful Arete?”
“Incredibly so.”
Nicole asked, “Is there anyone you trust who could help?”
Elizabeth didn’t respond for a moment as she thought over the question. “A few, I suppose . . . I’ll contact them, then I’ll send a message through your Anna Morse. I need to conserve my energy.” She glared at both of them, arms still folded. “Don’t contact me again. I’ll get in touch with you.”
She disappeared, and Nicole and Austin returned to the car.
“She’s so cranky all the time,” Nicole said.
Austin chuckled. “I think I would be too, if I’d died under similar circumstances.”
“I’ve got the feeling she was like this before her death.”
Austin nodded, pulling away from the house.
“Should we try to contact Helen?” Nicole asked.
He shook his head. “Not a chance. I’m with Elizabeth on this one—insane Aretes are much more than we can handle. We’d end up fighting them and the Tarians. It wouldn’t be worth it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Avoid crazy Aretes.” Nicole’s eyes strayed to Austin and she noticed his hair again. “You’ve got more gray in your hair.”
“Yeah. I’ve been focusing a lot on Wind powers. Can’t have my girlfriend passing me up, now can I?” He smiled at her, a twinkle in his eyes.
Nicole snorted. “You’re lightyears ahead of me, Austin. Chances are high that I’ll never catch up with you.”
“Don’t doubt yourself—even without the elixir, you’re an exceptionally powerful Arete.” He glanced over at her. “You’ve seen how much you’ve progressed, and in such a short time. Not all of that is because of the elixir.”
“I guess not.” Nicole wasn’t really sure, though. She still felt the elixir granting her power. Not for the first time, she wondered how it would be once the thing was gone. She’d been carrying it for six, almost seven months now.
“And speaking of hair,” Austin said. “Yours is starting to gray too. Or haven’t you noticed?”
Nicole gasped, pulling down the visor in the car. Her mouth dropped when she saw that Austin was right. She’d been so distracted lately, she hadn’t noticed! Silver weaved in through her usual color, with her blond locks partially disguising it. “That’s it. Time for a visit to the old beauty parlor.”
Austin looked stricken. “Please don’t. I love the proof of your hard work and effort.”
Nicole smiled at him. “One of us needs to look nineteen. And since your birthday was in December and mine in February, I get to be the lucky one.”
“Fair enough.” He chuckled, then glanced at her. “How about you pick the movie this time, as a late birthday present?”
“Sounds great.”
***
Nicole pulled out chips and dip, letting Austin find and set up the movie. Once ready, they sat on the couch, leaving a full seat between them.
Halfway through the movie, when they’d eaten all the salsa and chips they could take, Austin paused the show and stood. “I have an idea.”
He picked up a large blanket that was folded in the corner of the room and indicated for Nicole to get to her feet as well. He proceeded to wrap her in several layers, then he sat down and piled pillows around and on him. Then he tucked her against him on the couch, the padding between them, and his arm around her. “See? We can touch while not touching.”
“Genius!” Nicole cuddled up to him, feeling comfortable for the first time in forever.
Austin pushed play again and they relaxed into each other and finished the movie. After it ended, they talked until long after Lizzie had gotten home from work and gone to bed. Austin told Nicole more about growing up on several ranches, his time being split between Missoula and Billings. Nicole answered his questions about her family dynamics—a mother who was afraid of her and a father who was indifferent.
“If it weren’t for my brothers, Chase and Derek, I would probably be a lot more messed up than I am.”
Austin didn’t respond for a while. Nicole could feel him breathing deeply and wondered if he’d fallen asleep. Suddenly, he traced a finger along her arm. Even though she was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, her skin tingled under his touch.
“Was that okay?” he asked.
Nicole nodded. She didn’t trust herself to speak—half of her wanted to beg him to continue, but the other half knew that if he did, they’d likely end up coming into actual physical contact. But even while recognizing the possibility, she had a hard time remembering the reasons for the strict rules.
Nicole shifted until her back rested on the pillows on his lap and she could look into his face and see his expression.
Austin closed his eyes, and she felt him playing with her hair that had spilled across his arm.
“We should be careful,” she whispered.
He nodded, glancing down at her. His gaze drifted to her mouth, then back to her eyes again, and the desire she saw there made her heart ache. She understood his turmoil all too well.
Nicole blinked, trying to defog her mind, trying to see reason. “The blocker is really strong, isn’t it? Like, really, really strong?”
Austin cleared his throat. “Yes.” His voice was husky. His lips parted and the expression he gave her made her burn. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” he asked.
“Probably. Only one way to know what we can and can’t do.”
Austin didn’t need any more encouragement than that. He bent over her, his lips meeting hers, gently, questioningly.
He ended the kiss and looked at her, eyebrow raised.
She smiled in response and Austin hungrily kissed her again, pressing her into the pillows.
Nicole almost gasped at the intensity behind his actions. She threaded her hands behind his head, holding him close.
After a moment, and with some difficulty, Austin unwound Nicole from the blanket, flinging it and the pillows away from them. Once again, his mouth found hers as he pulled her tightly to himself, eagerly exploring her face with his lips.
Nicole responded just as energetically. She couldn’t believe they were finally kissing after so many long, long months! Oh, how she’d missed this. How she’d longed to feel his arms around her again, his lips against hers.
And it didn’t take her long to realize something.
The contact wasn’t affecting her. The Great Ones had no idea who she was with!
Nicole pulled away from Austin, grinning at him. “They don’t know.”
Austin groaned, cupping her face with his hands. “I love you, Nicole.”
“I love you too.”
He spread kisses along her forehead, over her eyes, and down one cheek and then up the other. Nicole melted into his arms, feeling tears of joy pricking the back of her eyes.
A sudden dullness of her senses overwhelmed her and she kissed him harder, willing the excitement to return. Instead, a headache began building at the base of her skull.
She froze.
The nausea hit her like a tsunami. Crashed over her. Spread through every cell of her body.
Almost without warning, chips and dip sprayed out of Nicole’s mouth. She barely turned away in time, puking all over the living room floor instead of all over her boyfriend.
Austin’s reaction was fast. He laid her to the side and jumped off the couch, pressing himself against the wall opposite her.
Nicole was barely aware of what he’d done. Bout after bout of vomit spilled itself onto the carpet.
But that wasn’t the end of the torture. The vomit was soon accompanied by visions, stronger, worse th
an before. The room was full of creatures. Several of them climbed all over her, their tentacled arms and legs snagging her skin and clothes. The huge worm from before crawled across her legs, its weight heavy against her thighs. Thousands of legs from other creatures trailed along her arms and across her neck and chest.
Nicole was aware of pounding in the background—of doors opening and closing. She vomited again then screamed, trying to fight back as red-eyed demons beat their wings against her face, scratching her cheeks and forehead.
At some point, Nicole realized Austin had left—his magical print gone—and Lizzie had joined her. She heard Lizzie calling her name. She couldn’t respond.
Creatures from every nightmare Nicole had ever had taunted her, growling and hitting her. She vomited several more times, recognizing that nothing was coming up now but bile.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the visions gradually slowed, then stopped.
Nicole found herself in Lizzie’s arms, a big bowl nearby. Lizzie was rocking her, shushing her, singing lullabies. Nicole was sobbing. She clung to her best friend, bawling.
The smell of throw up wasn’t nearly as strong as she’d expected, and she realized Lizzie had cleaned everything up while she’d been hallucinating. Even Nicole’s clothes had been changed.
They sat that way for what felt like hours. Nicole refused to be alone, and the two friends ended up moving to Lizzie’s room and cuddling on her queen-sized bed. Around five a.m., Nicole finally drifted to sleep.
***
Nicole opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling fixture. Light played into the room from Lizzie’s open window, and a soft breeze tickled her hair against her face. She looked over—Lizzie’s side of the bed was empty. Nicole groaned, pressing her palms into her eyes. What a horrible, horrible night!
“Hey, you’re awake,” Lizzie said from the doorway.
Reclaim, Mosaic Chronicles Book Five Page 2