by Tamara White
The only thing that made us hesitate was leaving Evie and Christian alone. Not for the sake of bonding, but we don’t really know what Christian’s capable of, so we have no idea if he could protect Evie if it came to it. Thankfully, Max volunteered to join them so they’d be safer, and he wanted to show off his gifts for the babies. A win-win situation for everyone.
“Mike, is it possible my dream was a vision? I know you said they stay the same method of revealing themselves, but something feels off. It feels like if I have tea today, I won’t see you again,” she says on the verge of tears.
“Hey, don’t cry. It could be a vision, but it’s very unlikely. If you want, we’ll only do half the room today, then join you in the garden, so you know nothing will happen with us there.” I suggest, pulling her close to me
“Really? You don’t think the others would mind?” Evie asks, sniffling against my shirt.
“Are you kidding me? If they know you’re worried, they won’t bother painting the room at all, they’ll just come outside. You know what, screw it. You go down to Christian and your dad, and I’ll get the others. We’ll have a picnic in the garden,” I say glad that its making her happy.
I don’t want her terrified of being out in the garden. We want her to feel safe here.
Christian
Max and I have been waiting for 10 minutes for Evie to come down to the garden. When she walks into the kitchen, it’s with a huge smile plastered across her face.
“The guys are going to do the paint trim for the nursery, then come outside and join us. I was wondering if you’d mind telling them the babies, genders while we’re out there?” she asks directing her question to me.
I’m glad the guys will be coming outside, it will give me a chance to get to know them better. I’ve been so shocked by the fact that I found my bonded, that I haven’t really focused on the fact that I’ll have to get to know her other bonded too. If I was in their shoes, I wouldn’t be letting her near me without knowing me well enough. The only reason I’ve gotten a lot of time with her so far is the fact that I’m a doctor, but I don’t want that to be the only reason they let me spend time with Evie. They should let me spend time with her because they trust that I want what’s best for Evie and the babies too. I don’t care if they aren’t mine I’ll still treat them as if they are.
“That’s a great idea, Evie. I’m happy they’ll spend some time with us.” I hug her to my side. “How about we get some tea and head out to the garden?”
“You guys go ahead and I’ll do the tea. I’ll bring it out in a minute. Before you go though, I got you something,” Max says holding a bag out to Evie.
“Aw, dad, you didn’t have to get me anything,” she says, blushing and taking the bag from her father.
“I wanted to. Now, go out to the garden and have a look. I’ll get some biscuits and tea,” Max says turning his back and grabbing cups and a teapot down from the cupboard.
Evie’s staring at the bag, so I steer her outside to the small garden area and sit down at the table. It’s probably not going to fit everyone, but we’ll move onto the grass when they come out, I suppose.
Opening the bag, Evie gasps and pulls out two baby outfits, one green and one yellow. There’s writing across the front of them saying ‘Grandad’s Favourite Grandchild.’
“They’re so cute!” Evie squeals, while I laugh.
Now, this is more like it. Evie should be happy about her babies and getting excited over their birth. Not getting all doom and gloom. Yes, she has many obstacles to face from what they’ve told me, but she should still get to enjoy the time before it happens.
“Tea’s ready,” Max say placing a tray onto the table in front of us. “So, did you like them?”
“I love them! I have no idea what gender they are yet, but Christian’s going to tell us when the guys get here. I’m so excited! Thank you dad,” Evie says, getting up and hugging him.
“Oh, it’s nothing. The first of many gifts for my grandchildren,” Max says grinning at her.
I pour Evie and I tea, while Max sips from his cup he brought down with him. He doesn’t drink tea, only coffee. I take a sip of tea before grabbing a biscuit from the tray. Man, they’re awesome!
“See, I told you nothing would happen,” I say to Evie.
She looks over at me, slightly pale, placing her cup on the table. Maybe she’s feeling sick? I move towards Evie, but it feels as if I’m moving in slow motion. What the hell?
“Evie?” I slur, watching her head fall to the table with a noticeable bang.
I look over to Max hoping he’s called the others for help, but he’s still in his seat smiling. I see two figures behind him, but I can’t see them properly. My eyes are blurry, and my head feels so heavy. All I want to do is lay down, but they’re heading straight for us, and Max is doing nothing to protect us. I will not let Evie be taken again. I grasp my power and push it out as much as I can. The flames take over me, and I crawl to Evie’s side as close as I can without hurting her.
“We can’t get close without him torching us. I may be fallen but I’m not invincible,” a voice says from behind me.
I push the fire out, creating a circle around us so if they want to get us, they’ll have to risk my fire first. I hope the guys get here soon, though, because I’m barely hanging on to consciousness. There must have been drugs in the tea, and it feels like a double dose. It’s the only thing that could affect me this quickly.
“Don’t worry his power will go out when he does, which should be any minute. He’s never been able to hold onto his power for long. He always bragged about training himself how to learn his powers, but he learnt barely anything. If you used all the powder in their tea, then they’ll be out for half a day at least,” a female voice says.
Why does that voice sound so familiar?
“See? I told you so,” she says smugly.
No, it can’t be!
Dane
Jimmy and the rest of us are painting the nursery as best we can. It took us longer than expected to move everything out and we’re trying to rush it so we can go out in the garden with Evie. She asked Mike if we could come out with her to help ease her fears, but we need this back wall done then we can go out.
“So, have you heard from Zach this morning, Jimmy?” Ky asks from across the room.
“Yeah, he sent me a text saying he should be here soon, but I don’t know. I tried calling him after and he didn’t answer. I was going to talk to Evie’s dad and see how he was acting before he left, so I could figure out why he took off,” Jimmy replies.
“Why would Max know? He didn’t get back to the house until we did,” Mikes asks, confused.
From what the guys said this morning, Max didn’t get back until just as they were coming inside, so why would Jimmy think Max would know?
“Oh, I thought Zach had told you. Max has been setting off the sensor for days. He keeps going out and buying Evie’s gifts. If it wasn’t a real alarm yesterday, it would have been Max,” Jimmy says to us.
Maybe I should have a quick chat with him? Find out what went on yesterday.
“No, we didn’t know. Are you guys alright here for a minute while I go ask Max? You shouldn’t need me for this last patch.”
The others look bewildered by what Jimmy’s saying, but so am I. Why would Max set off the sensors, when he can come and go as he pleases out the front gate? And why didn’t he tell the guys last night he’d seen Zach yesterday afternoon?
“Yeah, you go ahead we’ll catch up,” Mike says obviously a little worried about one of us not being with Evie.
I jog through the house feeling a sense of dread. Could Zach be the one that will betray her? Or Max? Things aren’t making sense, and after yesterday I’ve never been more worried that I’ve screwed up.
I walk around the side of the house and freeze in my tracks. Evie’s being carried away in Max’s arms, while Cristian is slung over another guy’s shoulder. A girl’s walking between them and she look
s so familiar. She has long black hair and swings it to the side giving me a glimpse of her face. It’s the fire Shaded who tried to take Evie when her powers released.
“Stop!” I shout causing them to halt in their tracks.
Guys, Shaded are here taking Evie. Her father is with them!
I send a quick message to the guys hoping we can stop them from leaving. The chick mists away in front of my eyes, while I look into Max’s eyes. There’s not an ounce of guilt telling me that he’s being forced.
A sharp pain in my chest has me gasping. What the hell?
I look down and see a sword sticking out of my chest. In the next moment, it disappears and I drop to the ground in agony.
The girl has appeared behind me. How’s that possible? When they misted out we thought Evie had destroyed them? How’s she doing this?
“I’m sorry, Dane, but you have to understand. You have your bonded, I don’t,” Max says before misting out, taking Evie with him. The others follow after him. Why would they take Christian too?
I need to tell the guys. Knowing I won’t survive, I need to make sure they’ll go after Evie.
Christian, Evie, gone.
Hey guys, just wanted to say thanks for reading book two in the Evelyn Storm series. It unfortunately shorter than expected but book 3 will be longer and a lot more will be happening. Book 3 doesn’t have a set release date yet but I’m aiming for mid-February at the latest.
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