Another knock on the glass made me jump. I didn’t even turn to see Adam glaring at me. I entered the café, my mind divided between warm thoughts of Micah and cold moments with Victor.
11
“I have an appointment with my advisor now,” I told Raisa after we left class. I hated summer semester. I was taking only three classes, but because of the intense workload, they seemed like eight. “I’ll meet you at home after my shift?”
“Yup,” she answered, returning to the gossiping Martha and Susan.
Shaking my head, I hurried toward the science building. Despite the craziness going on with my life, exams were coming up and I needed to study. Besides, keeping my mind busy helped a little in stopping my pervasive worry that I was a lunatic.
I was about to knock on the door of my advisor’s office when it opened and Victor emerged, startling me. He looked amazing in faded jeans and a dark blue NYU sweatshirt—sending my heart into overdrive—even if the look was too casual to match the Victor of my visions.
With my hand over my chest, trying to slow down my sudden irregular breathing pattern, I whispered, “What are you doing here?”
Frowning, he closed the door behind him. “It’s none of your business.”
Ouch. Okay, so maybe that was going too far. I opened my mouth to yell at him, frustrated with his constant cold shoulder, when I realized his green eyes were staring at me not only in anger but also in pain. “You’re hurting again, aren’t you?”
“Excuse me,” he muttered between gritted teeth. He pushed past me and marched away.
“Wait.” I followed him, keeping up with his fast pace and hoping the few students walking by didn’t notice our quarrel. “I can help. I think.”
“Just leave me alone.” His voice was strained, and he put his hand over his chest. “I need to go.”
“No,” I said, stepping right in front of him and preventing him from bolting.
With labored breathing, he leaned against the wall beside us. “Get out of my way,” he groaned. “I need to go now.”
I reached for him and he shoved my arm back, but this time I wasn’t going to let him boss me around. “Stop it. Let me help you before you pass out.”
Before I could reach for him again, he sank down to the cold floor, panting and trembling, his skin paler than usual.
Kneeling in front of him, I picked up his hand. His eyes went wide as a warm jolt built up behind my fingers and spread from my skin to his. Seconds later, his breathing was back to normal. His pulse had evened out. Slowly, he stood, smoothed his jeans, and ran a hand through his messy golden hair.
“Wh-what did you do?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know what it is. I just know what it does.”
“What are you?” He folded his arms, hands tucked in his armpits. “Are you some kind of witch? A druid?”
I couldn’t help laughing. “Really? Do you believe in that stuff?”
“Well, not really. But I don’t have another explanation for what you just did.”
“Welcome to the club. I have no idea how it works or what exactly it is.”
“But you knew my pain would go away if you touched me.” It wasn’t a question.
“I thought it would. You were the one who told me it had happened before.”
“I did,” he muttered.
With wary eyes, he kept staring at me. I wouldn’t get anywhere with him like this. He seemed ready to bolt. I wouldn’t be the one clinging to him and begging for him to listen to me. Besides, what could I tell him? That I knew all about him, and he wasn’t precisely as great as I wanted him to be? Crazy, huh?
I couldn’t believe I was about to walk away from him, but I knew I had to. I needed to test him, play hard-to-get, and see what his reaction would be. Besides, I remembered my meeting with my advisor.
“Well, I guess I need to get going.” I gestured toward the door of my advisor’s office a few feet behind us.
He frowned. “Yeah, right.”
I wanted to say goodbye, tell him to look for me every time he felt unwell, give him my cell phone number, and much more. But I didn’t.
After taking a deep breath, I turned and left.
Bright sunlight blinded me for a moment. When my eyes adjusted, I found myself once again on the crystal path, facing the omnipotent crystal palace. It had changed though. Dark clouds surrounded the tallest towers, and its shine wasn’t clear anymore—now it was a dull purple.
I followed the path, wondering what I would see this time.
Unafraid, I entered the palace. I doubted whoever was inside could see me. This vision felt like one of the ghostly type, similar to how it had felt the last time I’d been here, an eerie crawl in my skin and the sensation I was swimming among clouds.
I wasn’t afraid of being found, but I became scared and anxious once I saw the interior. The crystal thrones were still there but some were broken. The reflecting pool was almost empty, and the flowerbeds among the thrones held dead stems that added to the putrid stench filling the space.
I recognized Imha, with her too-long flowing black hair, sprawled over Levi’s throne, holding one of those poisonous sticks in one hand and her purple topped stave in the other. Behind her huge viscid, winged creatures stood nearby, their heads bent low, apparently waiting for her to do something.
Shortly she stood up and, spinning the dart on her fingers, strode menacingly toward the nasty creatures.
“You dare come back without her?” Her voice was thin and cruel. A chill ran down my spine.
The creatures shrieked. I guessed they weren’t capable of speaking.
“It isn’t entirely their fault,” Omi said, entering the room. Like before, he looked filthy and crass with his scruffy brown hair and goatee. His red-orbed stave shone brightly on his hand. “She’s smart and doesn’t remain in the same place for too long.” He halted before Imha and bowed.
Who the hell were they talking about? Who was she?
“I don’t care!” Imha bellowed. The palace shook. “She’s been hiding for thirty years! How is that possible?” Omi opened his mouth to speak, but she charged him, the dart in her hand poised to strike. Her stark stare gave me goose bumps.
“I don’t want to hear any more excuses,” she hissed. “Find her and kill her. Aren’t you the god of war? Prove it! Bring on the worst war the world has ever seen. Cause her to surrender. She won’t stand that. After all, she is the goddess of love and family. She can’t bear humans suffering.”
Imha let go of Omi and retreated.
“Why is she so important to you?” he asked. “She’s gone, and I doubt she wants to come back. Besides, the last time I confronted her, she seemed weaker. She’s no threat.”
“She’s planning something.” She sat back down on Levi’s throne. “I can feel it.”
He shrugged. “If you say so.”
“What are you waiting for?” she snapped, spitting rage with her words. “Go! Go find her! Kill her. Bring me her scepter.”
Omi bowed and left as Imha laughed—a hysterical laughter that made the hairs on my arms stand on end.
That was when the palace walls started melting and fading, along with everything else, taking away the surroundings and replacing them with my familiar room.
I was seated in my lilac armchair, quaking and dizzy, my biology book on my lap. I sucked in ragged breaths.
Holy hell, what was that? Gods wanting to kill other gods? My head was spinning, and I couldn’t think clearly.
What had been the meaning of that vision? If it had any meaning at all. I snapped the biology book shut. I was getting tired of this. I had to do something, to look for help. It was difficult for me to accept, but if I were hallucinating, it would be better for me and everyone around me if I sought assistance.
I stood, picked up my cell phone, and called Cheryl. She cared about me. She’d help. The phone rang, but nobody answered. I left a message for her to call me as soon as she could, then I got out my laptop to shoot her a
n email.
I was surprised to find one already sent by her in my inbox.
Hi, Nad. I had to go to Chicago to meet with some associates. I’ll be back soon. BTW, if you ever change your mind about talking to someone about your episodes, I left a business card in your nightstand drawer. Take care, XOXO. Cher.
I blew out a breath, disappointed. Cheryl traveled all the time, going to Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and other major cities, but she always took my calls or answered my emails. I knew I shouldn’t take her email personally, but I felt even more alone now than I had before.
My cell phone rang, and the caller ID identified Raisa. I took the call and heard her excited voice come over the line. “You have to come here right now! Olivia and I are at Washington Square. Victor is here with his friends.”
Against my wishes, my heart throbbed and my stomach knotted.
“The square is being set up for the carnival on Saturday,” Raisa continued. “Some are helping and some are watching.” She giggled, and I already understood what her part in it was.
I glanced toward my unopened drawer, where the card of someone who could help me with my insanity awaited me. Well, the card wouldn’t go anywhere. Victor, however, wouldn’t stay at the square for too long.
“Be right there,” I told her, excitement bubbling inside me. I disconnected, went to my closet to change into more suitable clothing, then left my apartment to see the man of my dreams.
12
I found Olivia and Raisa at the park, seated on a wooden bench, observing the commotion going on around them.
“You clean up nicely,” Raisa teased me.
I flushed and stuck my tongue out at her. I’d tried not to go overboard since we were only hanging out at the park. I’d chosen tight dark blue jeans, a thin white sweater, and matching beige boots and purse. Plus, I had combed my hair until it shone and applied black mascara to accentuate my dark green eyes.
I sat beside them. “What did I miss?”
“Nothing much,” Olivia answered. “The graduate students are running around like crazy setting up the stands and organizing the games. We’re laughing and gossiping.”
I rolled my eyes.
“He was there a few minutes ago.” Raisa pointed toward a white stand not too far from where we were. “I think it’s where you can donate blood.”
I nodded and remained quiet, my hands pressed hard against my thighs to stop their trembling from spreading through my whole body.
The girls fell into easy conversation—and gossip—while I scanned the surroundings looking for Victor.
Twenty minutes later there was still no sign of him.
“I guess he isn’t coming back,” I said, my spirit sinking. I turned to the girls. “Thanks, though, for calling me.”
“It’s okay, Nad.” Raisa patted my hand. “We know you would have done the same for us.”
I smiled. “Yeah, I sure would.”
“I’m glad to know that,” Olivia said. “But you shouldn’t move. He’s back, and he just saw you.” I froze. My heart flipped as she watched something past my shoulder with a smile. “Don’t turn yet. Keep talking to us as if you didn’t know he was here.”
“Okay,” I whispered, feeling my palms sweating. “At least tell me what he’s doing.”
“Staring at you,” Raisa said, pretending to scan around nonchalantly.
“He is?”
Olivia nodded. “Yeah. I think he’s trying to focus on helping out, but every few seconds he glances at you.”
“Oh God.” I was shaking. Raisa held my hand. “What do I do? Should I wave if our eyes meet?” I felt like I was thirteen again. Getting mushy over a guy. But this was Victor. Or at least the real-world equivalent of Victor.
“I dunno.” Olivia stood. “How is it when you two meet?”
“Good question. It is weird,” I said, hoping to deviate from the topic. “We’ve never had an actual conversation. Mostly, we snap at each other.”
“Really?” Her brows moved up. “’Cause the way he’s looking at you, I would say he’s at least curious about you.”
Curious might be the right word. After all, I could weirdly lessen his pain and dizzy spells with a simple touch. But curiosity wasn’t good enough.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have come.”
“No, stay here.” Olivia held her hand out to stop me. “I’m gonna go buy coffee for us. At least stay until I get back so Raisa won’t be alone.”
Raisa turned her hazel eyes to me, batting her lashes, and I laughed. I was crazy about coffee.
“All right,” I agreed, watching as Olivia rushed to the nearest coffee shop. “What’s he doing now?”
“Carrying and opening boxes.” Raisa smiled. “He just looked at you again.”
“Oh God,” I turned, relaxing against the back of the bench and looking for Victor.
There he was, with a utility knife in his hand, opening a large box. His head was lowered and his messy hair fell over his face. I was used to the Victor with non-messy hair, but I had to admit, the hair-over-the-eyes look was totally hot. In fact, he looked handsome in jeans, a burgundy polo, and a brown suede jacket.
And yet, he was oblivious to the many girls staring at him, crazy to have his attention—me included.
Raisa broke through my thoughts. “You’re doing that thing again.”
“What?”
“The thing with your hair.” She pointed her chin to me and, looking down, I found my index finger coiling a strand of my hair.
“Oh,” I muttered, untangling my finger and crossing my arms. Raisa laughed.
When I glanced at him, he was staring at me. My heart fluttered, but he averted his eyes. I felt like dying.
“I told you I shouldn’t have come.” I stood, feeling hurt tears surging up.
“Don’t be silly. Sit down and enjoy the view.”
“I don’t think I should.” I was ready to argue, but Olivia was coming with three steaming foam cups.
“So, what happened in my absence?” she asked, handing us our coffees. I tasted mine, pleased it was mochaccino, my favorite.
“He looked away from her when she looked at him,” Raisa related.
“Really?” Olivia put a hand on her hip. “What a fool.”
“Well, girls, I think I’m out.” I raised my cup toward Olivia. “Thanks for the coffee.”
“Stay, Nad,” said. “We’re going to grab a bite somewhere later. Come with us.”
“I need to study.” It wasn’t a lie.
“It’s okay, Raisa,” Olivia said. “If Nad thinks she needs to study, then let her go.”
Raisa raised her brows. “Why? She’ll get an A or a B+ even if she doesn’t study.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m off. Bye.”
They waved goodbye, and I walked back home, feeling even worse than before. Why did I have to come here? Why did the girls call me? I sighed. They were doing what any friend would. I was the one with such bad luck, or karma.
I was one block away from my building, at the exact same place Micah had saved me from the bats, when his voice called me.
“Nadine!”
With wide eyes, I spun around and found Victor running in my direction. Then, on instinct, I scanned our surroundings, making sure the bats weren’t hiding. I waited, and he came to a halt in front of me.
“H-hi,” I stuttered.
“Hey.” He ran his hand through his messy hair. I guessed that without the mousse or whatever kept dream-Victor’s hair intact he did that a lot. He kept glancing around. I wanted to ask what he needed, but I held my tongue.
A cold breeze blew and I hugged myself. I had gone out without a jacket, hoping the tight sweater I had put on would emphasize my thin waist, but now I regretted my decision.
What did he want? Was he going to be nice for once, or start one of our arguments? “Can I help you with anything? I mean, you didn’t come all this way to compliment my singing.”
Once more, he ran his hand over his
hair. It seemed so soft and shiny I wanted to touch it too.
“Well,” he said, then paused and looked around. “I wanted to ask for your touch,” he said in a rush of words. I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “I’ve been feeling rather nauseous since morning, and the pain has been building for the last hour. Do you mind?”
My hand was already extended toward him. He hesitated for a second then gripped it tight. The warmth wasn’t as strong as before, but it burned my skin, nonetheless. Like Micah, he tilted his head back, drinking in whatever it was I passed to him.
With a loud sigh, he let go of my hand.
“Are you better now?”
“Yes,” he said, frowning. “The nausea and the pain are gone. Thank you.”
Then why was he scowling? “You’re welcome.”
Victor cleared his throat. “I should get going.”
Ouch. What now? I was a disposable object? “Yes, of course.” I tried to hide the hurt in my voice, but didn’t think I was successful.
“Good night,” he said before marching back the way he had come.
Guess I had been used.
13
The day after the biology exam, I was in the chemistry lab, working on a project that was due in a few days. I didn’t think I’d failed the test, but I was certain I could have done better if Victor hadn’t been taking up ninety-nine percent of my mind. I moved to put away my experiment but bumped the edge of the desk and dropped the beaker. Acrid smoke irritated my eyes, and the scent of burning rubber clawed at my lungs.
I gasped and clutched the lab bench. The antiseptic-white walls of the lab loomed, threatening to close in on me. I gagged, then coughed, then berated myself. I couldn’t let things slip out of control. I had to get good grades—no, perfect grades—if I ever wanted to go to med school and provide a better future for my parents and my siblings.
But I wasn’t able to concentrate on anything.
I began tidying the mess I had made when his voice startled me.
“Can I come in?” Victor asked.
The Everlast Series Boxed Set Page 9