He doesn’t love me. He just thinks he does.
That proved true.
“So what’s the story with you?” he asked, interrupting my thoughts.
“What?” I chuckled.
“Your story,” he questioned, slightly raising his voice. “Who exactly are you?”
“You expect me to unburden myself to you?”
He laughed. “I’m helping you. I figure I should know what cause I'm assisting.”
I shook my head. “Ah, Rudy,” I murmured. “So like you.”
“So…you gunna tell me?”
I inhaled slowly. “I grew up with an uptight dad and a crazy mom. They were also stolen from me at a young age.”
“You mean—”
“Murdered,” I interrupted. “I came to the only person who could help me—Abraham. I came into The Sevren, believing they were the family I needed. I grew close to them simply because I had nobody else. Understand?”
He nodded. “Sort of.”
“I grew with them, and I grew with their traditions and beliefs.”
“So, you are still one of them?”
“I am not. But it isn’t easy to reject something you have believed for so long. These people were all I had, and what they believed is what I was taught. I knew very little of anything else.” I could feel Rudy’s stare burning into my face.
“I understand,” he said. “It’s frightening in a way.”
“Is it?”
“Because you weren’t even aware that what you were doing was wrong.”
“Well, I was eventually,” I answered. “That’s why I ran away.”
“I can’t hate you for it.”
I laughed. “Oh, well, thanks so much, Rudy.”
He chuckled. “You know what I mean.”
“I do.”
“Thanks,” he said.
“For what?”
“Telling me. Letting me in a bit.”
I nodded. “Sure, Rudy.”
It felt good to tell him what I was all about, just to sort of clear the air for us. I didn’t return the question though. Not only was I uninterested, but I didn’t trust myself not to slip up and say something about Walter. He didn’t seem to notice.
The air seemed to clear up more than I expected, and by the time we came to the edge of the woods, the humidity was less distasteful.
“Listen to me,” I said to Rudy. “You know about this place. You have to promise me you won’t act like it.”
He just nodded.
“Follow me, and keep quiet.”
I slowly crept through the deeper parts of the woods, not even noticing my surroundings. The moss stuck to my hair, but I took little notice. The clearing was empty—almost. I peered around cautiously, just trying to make sure we were alone. Rudy instantly rushed past me and knelt beside who must have been Ethan strapped to the boulder. His chin was scraped from resting against the stone, and his wrists were bleeding. Rudy removed the blindfold, but Ethan’s whimpering didn’t stop.
“Mr. Callahan?” he questioned.
Ethan tried to mutter something, but neither of us understood.
“Oh,” Rudy said, “you don’t have your glasses. It’s me, Rudy Thompson from three houses down.”
His whimpering became slightly quieter.
“What are…?” His voice trailed off.
“We came to help you,” Rudy said, answering his unasked question.
“Where is Jane?”
“Jane is safe,” Rudy said. “We rescued her and took her home.”
“Rescued her?” he choked. “From who?”
Rudy, you idiot!
“Not important,” he said. “She’s safe.”
I took a few steps toward them and opened my mouth to speak, but a voice interrupted me.
“Ah!” he said, emerging from behind the trees. “What other place would James be besides the one place he shouldn’t be?”
“I am not in a tolerable mood right now, David.”
“Oh, nor am I,” he replied, leaning against a tree, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “But I see you brought the boy.”
“I brought nobody for you.”
“You know, James, killing Abraham was a foolish move on your part.”
I didn’t answer. I just stood there fuming. I had no idea how to get him away in time to save Ethan before the others showed up.
“Bastard,” I seethed between clenched teeth. I was unsure he heard me, but I thought I saw a thin smile spread across his lips, pulling wrinkles into his cheeks.
“You know I can’t let you take him,” he said, almost with cheer in his voice.
“You also can’t stop me,” I hissed back.
Rudy was silent. At least he was doing something right.
“Really, James,” David started, shifting his balance from the tree back to his feet. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
That was a lie if there ever was one.
“Oh, David, I would just love to hurt you.”
I was Abraham’s son. I was taught to fight better than anyone for the very reason he wanted me alive, and yet David still wanted to challenge me after my obvious murder of Abraham and Jason? So be it!
He smiled then, finally showing his crooked teeth, and took a step toward me.
“Get back, Rudy,” I murmured.
“But Ethan,” he whined.
“We will deal with it in a second, Rudy,” I snarled, not taking my eyes off David as he slowly approached me. I waited until he was closer to even draw out my weapon. I knew him; taunting was his favorite thing to do.
Don’t let him distract you, I thought.
He knew exactly what to say to make me angry. He had done it before, hoping I would go blind with rage and take un-aimed thrusts at him. I wouldn’t let that work on me.
Focus on your knife, James.
“I really will enjoy killing you,” he said, stepping closer, “the way you killed the Callahan boy.”
Beads of sweat rimmed my brow as I fought back the irritation of his words.
“It would be fun, you know,” he continued, “to watch you die with you knowing it’s because of you that the girl you love will suffer mercilessly.” He chuckled in a way that promised his seriousness.
The thoughts of him even looking at Jane made me sick. I knew if he were given the chance to touch her, he would be relentless. My body was quivering with anger, and I was almost consumed by the urge to hurl myself toward him in a fit of rage and slice him into ribbons. I fought almost painfully to remain composed, not giving in to what he wanted.
Don’t let him distract you, James. Don’t listen to him, James!
He could tell I was seething. He smiled at me and drew his knife, taking another step forward. I took a step back, not in retreat but in an attempt to lead him as far away from Ethan as I could get. He followed willingly farther into the trees, out of the clearing.
“Oh, little James,” he mocked. “Always Daddy’s favorite. Are you actually giving up already? At least entertain me for a few moments.” He laughed again, this time more in actual amusement.
I drew out my knife and let him continue to advance.
David pulled out his heavy, long parrying dagger. “Are you going to take all day?” he said with a laugh.
“Think of it as a chance to practice patience,” I taunted back.
A flash of reflection danced down the lengths of the blade, casting an uncomfortable light straight into my eyes.
“You really want me to make you squirm, David?”
“We'll see who’s squirming soon enough.” He fell into his fighting stance, his upper body straight and taut, with one leg positioned behind the other. I moved to my left, even farther away from Ethan. David pivoted rapidly after me.
I'll wait, I thought. No need for haste. I’ll let him wear himself out with all his ramblings.
I barely caught sight of his fist coming in time to pull back. I growled deep in my throat and lunged toward him. There was an outbrea
k of quick movements as David dove in toward me. I caught his advance with my blade, spinning to my left, feeling the hard resistance of his body as the knife sliced his rib cage. He howled, but it sounded more from anger than pain.
David lunged again, coming up behind me, driving his blade toward my chest. With a twist of my wrist, I caught his knife with mine. With a loud clink, they crashed together as though we were fencing. I moved around him and hit him from behind, driving my knife across the other side of his ribs, then moving a few steps back with my blade held tightly in front of me. He turned around, facing me with sheer fury in his eyes. I couldn’t fight the smile my triumph forced into my features, but I had to keep in mind I had not yet won.
His movements became inept and clumsy. Drawing a deep breath that brought obvious looks of pain into his face, he attacked. His moves were quick enough to keep me occupied and focused on keeping him away rather than disabling him anymore.
Leaping back, I hid myself behind a tree in a quick movement I was sure David hadn’t noticed, and I came up behind him again, slicing through the shirt on his back, drawing a spray of blood.
David’s brown eyes grew wide as I moved back and lunged toward him with a cry. I knocked him to the ground and straddled him, shoving my blade into his chest, not yet even feeling the cuts and shallow stab wounds that were scattered across my skin. My breathing was quick and heavy as I sighed and got off of him, standing to my feet. He was still breathing, but moments later, I heard his shallow breath silence.
I immediately turned toward the clearing and walked back to where Ethan was. Rudy was still beside Ethan, but his eyes were full and terrified, and his mouth was hanging open.
“It’s all right,” I told him. “David is dead. You can relax.”
He nodded, but I could see the discomfort in his eyes. “Let’s get Ethan,” he said. “Please.”
I nodded and handed him my blade. He took the knife and stared at it in disgust.
“Um…sorry,” I said, realizing I hadn’t taken the time to clean David’s blood off.
He wiped the blood on his brown T-shirt and sliced through the ropes around Ethan’s wrists and ankles.
“Thank you,” Ethan stammered out.
Rudy nodded.
“Let’s get you home,” I said.
Rudy and I helped him stumble to the car and drove in complete silence until we came to his house.
“I don’t know what to say to you,” Ethan started as we stepped inside. “I don’t know what is going on or why those strange people took me, but…either way, you saved my life.” He pressed his fingers to his eyelids.
I smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“We have to go get Jane,” Rudy announced.
“Let me come with you!” Ethan shouted.
I shook my head. “She’s fine, Mr. Callahan. I promise. We are just going to get her and bring her home. Please stay here and take care of yourself.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” I said. “She’s fine.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s staying with a friend of mine.”
“You didn’t happen to find my glasses, did you?”
Rudy chuckled and reached into his pocket. “I did actually.” He handed them to Ethan.
“Err...thanks,” he answered, noticing the crack across the left lens.
Rudy shrugged. “Better than nothing.”
“Take care of yourself, Mr. Callahan,” I called, walking toward the door.
“We should get him to a doctor,” Rudy whispered as we stepped outside.
I chuckled lightly. “He is a doctor.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Where are we going?” Rudy spat. “We have to go get Jane.”
I shook my head, stepping harder on the gas pedal. “Not yet. We need to get back to the clearing. The others know full well of all the murders I have committed.”
“And that would make you return why?”
“Because a friend of mine may take the punishment for it. I need to take care of Dorian.”
“You mean kill him?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
I stopped the car. “STAY here!”
He put his hand up. “I did my part. Just don’t make me drive this damn car home by myself.” He smirked.
“Thanks for the concern.”
The air was moist and humid as usual. The trees were cluttered with moss and vines. I stepped into the clearing just in time to see Mike pinned against a tree just as I expected. Arthur turned to look at me.
“Ah, James,” he said. “Come to join your partner?”
I didn’t know how to respond. Arthur was a friend of Mike’s and of mine.
“What did he do, Arthur?” I demanded, stepping closer to him. “Let him go.”
“I can’t let him go!” he snapped. “He lied to me. He lied to us all. About you, James. He lied about you!”
“This has nothing to do with him,” I spat. “If it is me you want, come take me!”
He shook his head mechanically. “Get out of here, James,” he choked. I could see then he was crying. “Escape while you can. It’s too late for me. Run before Dorian returns.”
“Arthur—”
“Just go!” he demanded.
I kept my eyes locked on Mike. He didn’t say a word to me, and his face was blank—calm. It was almost like he knew what was going to happen and was all right with it. I knew Arthur was right. It was too late for him, but me—I could still start a new life away from The Sevren. What was I doing standing in the clearing when Dorian could show up at any moment? I had to run. That would be logical. It was more difficult than I would have otherwise expected to turn my back on Mike. Arthur was going to kill him, and there was nothing I could do to stop him. It was clearly my fault too. That I knew for sure. I forced Mike to keep my secrets for me, and now he was paying the price. It hardly seemed fair. The Sevren were still hurting me even after I was no longer a part of them. I couldn’t stay. There was nothing for me here, nothing but peril.
I walked slowly through the trees. My sadness was obvious, and I was hoping Rudy wouldn’t say anything. Wishful thinking, of course. I knew him too well to think he was capable of keeping anything to himself.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as soon as I opened the door to the car.
I sighed. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing.” He chuckled. “You look like a kid who just lost his dog. What happened?”
“Rudy…” I murmured, raising my hands, “I don’t want to talk about it, all right?”
“Okay. I get it.”
I started the car and slammed my foot on the gas.
“Really?” Rudy shouted.
I smirked and slowed down. “Sorry.” I chuckled.
“Uh huh. We’re going to get Jane now, right?”
“Yes. Would you relax?”
“Sure, sure.”
It was just past dawn when we finally arrived at Luna’s. The air was moist, and fog had rolled in.
“Rudy,” I started, “I need you to do something for me.”
He nodded but narrowed his eyes.
“Get Jane for me.”
“What about you?”
I shook my head. “Don’t tell her anything. If she asks, just tell her you don’t know.”
I knew I had to return to the clearing and wait for Dorian. I turned away but was only able to take a few steps before turning back to glance at the doorway of the house. Jane was in Rudy’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn’t stand to see her that way. I promised her I would come back. I told her I would see her again. If I returned to the clearing, there was a good chance I would break that promise. I tried to turn away, but it was like the first day I met her all over again. I couldn’t look away from her, couldn’t bring myself to not speak to her.
“Jane?”
She instantly pulled away from Rudy and raced through the grass. She looked so beautiful running through the fog, almo
st like a dream. Her hair whipped behind her, and her body moved so elegantly. Her legs lagged behind her body, but she kept pushing until she was in my arms. I embraced her, feeling the need to hold her so close I could hide her within my arms. I felt her bury her fingers in my thick hair and softly kiss my neck.
“I thought you were dead,” she said, sobbing.
“I promised you I’d come back, didn’t I?”
She moved away from me, and I forced myself to smile.
Jane gasped and whipped around to look at Rudy.
“The blood isn’t his,” I said.
“You’re both okay?”
I nodded.
“And Ethan?” She peered behind me.
“I convinced him to wait for you at home. He’ll be there.”
I smiled and wiped the tears from her soft cheeks. “We’re all okay—”
A rustling behind me cut my sentence short. My muscles ached, and my senses were blaring in my head. My nerves felt that familiar tug, and I whirled around, peering behind me.
“Aidan?” Jane whispered.
This wasn’t quite over after all.
“Oh God,” I whispered. My voice swelled and exploded in a scream. “Luna!”
Luna ran into the house, frantic yet competent.
“Hurry!” I called. “Jane! Jane, go to Rudy!”
“What?”
“Go!” I demanded. “Now! Run to him!”
She obeyed and started running back toward the house. I wanted to follow her, but I had something I needed to do now. I felt a hard strike into my back, and before I could move an inch, he held me by my hair. He yanked my head back until I started coughing. Damn sadistic fiend.
It was Dorian. I should have realized he’d follow me. I tried to swallow the cry of sudden fear he forced into me, but Jane must have heard because she froze in her steps and turned to look at me.
“When will you learn to do as you’re told?” Dorian spat.
“I will kill you first,” I choked out. “I swear.”
“Oh, will you now?”
Jane didn’t move. God damn it. Why wasn’t she listening?
“Run!” I called.
Her expression shifted, and she looked almost furious. “Why don’t you just admit it’s me you want?” she called.
Summers' Shadow (Hunters Trilogy Book 2) Page 20