Surprise flickers. “You didn’t get my voice mail?”
“Yes, but I was already asleep.”
His lips turn down in annoyance. “I got dragged to a dinner with my parents and brother. We didn’t get back until late.”
“You uh, don’t sound too thrilled.”
“It was my dad’s way of trying to mend things with my brother, but then he said something that ticked Samson off and dinner turned into a tense deal. It’s like being home all over again.”
My heart twinges for him. “Maybe one day your dad will figure it out.”
“The man thinks all he has to do is show up with a credit card. He needs to forget the money and remember he has a heart.”
I wince. “That’s tough.”
Ethan shrugs. “I only went for my brother. Are you done avoiding me now?”
“I wasn’t avoiding—” When his eyebrows shoot up, I flip my hand. “I’m serious Ethan.”
“So am I.” He ignores the bell signaling time to head to class and takes a step closer until we’re almost chest to chest. “My memories about us have been coming back fast and furious. That’s what happens when you spend all your time wanting.”
The gruffness in his voice reminds me of the night we spent together. Strong emotions bubble up, and without conscious thought I lean a bit closer. The pull I feel for him grows stronger each time we’re together. It consumes my thoughts, takes over my body and makes me forget why I’m mad at him. I start to glance away, but he touches my chin, pulling my gaze back to his.
Has everything that happened between us come back to him? Panic sets in. I wasn’t ready for that. Not when I feel so vulnerable and insecure about Danielle. “What do you remember?”
“Enough to know by the way you’ve been acting that more happened between us than you’re sharing. What I don’t understand is why you won’t tell me?”
How am I supposed to tell you that we had some kind of epic connection in the coach’s closet, and oh, by the way, I’m pretty sure that’s the reason a white feather tattoo suddenly appeared on my back? “I—I’ve got to get to class.”
I start to walk away, but Ethan captures my arm. “Why, Nara?”
The steely confidence I’d seen in him during the dance is back, full force.
Apparently some memories are returning. “Because you lied to me about everything, about Danielle, where you went. How can I trust you or anything that comes out of your mouth?” I stiffen my spine. “At this point, I’m not even sure I want to know where you went yesterday.”
“For the record, you’re a terrible liar.” He sighs and his fingers ease a bit on my arm. “Remember when you kept trying to avoid your dad’s texts and I told you that if you have the opportunity to find out more about your powers, you should take it? That’s what I did, Nara. I went to find out more about what was happening to me. To understand what I’m becoming. If I’d told my brother the truth, he probably would’ve had me committed. And as much as I believe you would’ve understood, I know you. You would’ve tried to stop me from going.”
I open my mouth to deny it, but can’t. “You still should’ve told me. So that girl you rode off with yesterday is Danielle. I take it Samson still doesn’t know about her. Who is she and why did you continue to lie to me about being with her for a freaking month?”
“No, my brother doesn’t know Danielle’s here and I’d prefer to keep it that way. He definitely wouldn’t understand this.” He exhales heavily. “Danielle doesn’t matter, Nara. What she knows does. She had the answers and would only tell me if I went to her, alone. She doesn’t trust many people. That’s why I had to go.”
The feeling is definitely mutual. “Who is she?”
“She’s the one who posted on that forum asking a question about a black feather tattoo forming on one’s shoulder.”
A thick weight hits my stomach. I gave Ethan that information I’d found while researching about his tattoo. “Is she Corvus too?” I hate how my voice cracks. I couldn’t compete with that kind of connection.
“It’s not my place to say,” he says, glancing into the crowd behind me.
Hurt ripples through my chest all the way to my heart. “You’re not going to tell me?”
His deep blue gaze shifts back, full of determined challenge. “I will if you tell me about Drystan. I sense something’s different about him, and I think you know what it is.”
I can’t betray Drystan’s trust just because Ethan’s giving me an ultimatum. When I press my lips together, disappointment flickers across his features and his shoulders tense. “I’ll tell you everything else I know.” Glancing around, he tugs me through the nearest door, which happens to be the teacher’s lounge and thankfully is empty. Once the door closes, he says, “Danielle’s the one who trained me, Nara. She taught me how to kill demons like that one inside of Drake.”
“Demons?” My eyes widen and I shudder. “Before you just said they were pure evil. Somehow it seems so much worse now that they have a name that comes with all kinds of history. So Corvus keep balance by eliminating demons. Would’ve been nice if Fate had told me that. Do you remember everything now? How does she know how to kill demons? And where do Corvus come from?”
He shakes his head. “I haven’t remembered everything yet. Danielle has had special defense training. When I asked her about Corvus and realms, she explained that there are three realms: Celestial, Mortal, and Under and that Corvus is a spirit whose sole purpose is to maintain balance in the Mortal realm by sending demons back to the Under realm. She said that once the Corvus spirit merges with a human body, the Corvus’ purpose overrules the human’s fate. I guess we finally have an answer why Fate couldn’t see mine.”
My chest tightens. “You mean you no longer have control over your own path?”
He shrugs. “I’d like to think so, but the spirit’s instinct is strong. When I saw Harper attacking you, the driving need to kill her rose up in me. It’s instinctual, so the Corvus is definitely driving some of my reflexes. I told Danielle about Harper attacking us here, and that’s why she enrolled in the school. She said demons can change human bodies, so it may or may not be inside Harper the next time.”
My eyes widen with worry. “If Corvus can sense demons inside people, can demons also sense Corvus? Are you a target now?”
Ethan flashes a confident smile. “Corvus actually see the demon inside people, not just sense them. And no, demons can’t see us, because Corvus is always spirit, whereas demons are forced into a spirit form once they enter the Mortal realm. Demons can’t exist in corporeal form here. In the veil—a kind of safety zone that exists around the Mortal world—angels constantly battle demons in their physical forms, keeping the demons from entering, but sometimes demons break through. The moment they do, they become non-corporeal and will take over humans.”
Chill bumps rise on my arms despite the morning chaos and chatting going on just outside the door in the hall. Is that what I saw that day the sky appeared to rip apart while I was driving to school? Now it makes sense why that fast-spinning ball of smoke, fists, scales, feathers and blood vanished the moment it hit the top of that car, leaving the vehicle completely undamaged; the fighting angel and demon had changed to non-corporeal forms. Why could I see that when no one else could?
Could the demons really not see Corvus? That would definitely give Corvus the advantage. Harper might not have been a demon initially, but she had tugged my jacket and tried to look at my back when we were working together at the animal shelter. Not to mention that creepy guy’s reaction in the library when he saw the raven symbol I’d drawn in my journal. “But if a demon saw your sword tattoo or anything related to Corvus like the raven symbol on the sword, that would give you away, right?”
Ethan nods, his face suddenly tense. “That’s why I asked you not to research ravens anymore in that letter I left behind. You’ll draw the demons to you, Nara.”
That’s exactly what I’d done. I fold my arms against my chest and
try to ignore the sudden burn in my stomach. Guilt and worry for Ethan bubbles up and won’t subside. “Why don’t angels battle the demons in their spirit forms? Why are Corvus even part of the equation?”
“My understanding is that angels have the ability to manifest in their physical form in the Mortal realm, but they can’t hold it long enough to battle demons who’ve possessed humans. That’s where Corvus fit in. I’m pretty sure it’d be bad for PR in the Mortal world if angels went around taking over human bodies just so they can fight demons. They’re supposed to take the moral high road after all,” he finishes, smirking.
I shake my head, trying to absorb all this new information. As overwhelming as it is, at least it answers a lot of questions. Of course the researcher in me is astounded. “There is nothing about Corvus as a spirit in any research I’ve done, Ethan. Yes, ravens feature in many religions, even from a creationism perspective, but nothing like what you’re describing.”
He nods, his lips quirking. “How does that saying go…something about a ‘grain of truth’? I’m sure they all have pieces of the real story buried within them. Why else would ravens show up so prominently in drawings and many origin stories so far back?”
Now my aunt’s comment about Ethan being an “old soul” and Ethan telling me how he sometimes feels “so over stuff, like an old geezer” makes complete sense. The spirit inside him is ancient. I grip my books as worry washes through me. “But why does my boyfriend have to have the deadliest job unknown to man?”
“So you’re admitting I’m your boyfriend now.” His expression instantly brightens.
I roll my eyes. “You know what I mean.”
Ethan shrugs. “The Corvus is the best secret ‘unknown to man’ for a reason. Being that way has kept the human world balanced since the beginning of time.” He spreads his arms wide. “That’s the extent of my knowledge on the Corvus, Nara. Danielle wants to help me find Harper and find out about this raven book the demon is after, so until I’m fully retrained, she’ll be around. I know there’s tons more for me to learn about Corvus, but right now training is most important.”
I really don’t like the idea of Ethan spending any more time with Danielle than necessary. “Why don’t we contact the Order? Since they supposedly know all about the Corvus, they can tell us how they fit into the picture. They might also know why the demons want that raven book of Freddie’s.”
Ethan shakes his head and grips my shoulders. “No. We can’t go looking for the Order.”
I raise my shoulders. “Why not?”
“When I mentioned their name to Danielle, she flipped and said the Order had betrayed the Corvus in the past and I shouldn’t trust them.”
“But Fate said—”
“Why would you trust anything Fate says?” he asks, releasing me. “You’re his enemy number one, remember?”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him about Mr. Wicklow just to see his reaction, but instead I take a breath and hold his gaze. “How do you know you can trust Danielle?”
“I just do. She only cares about helping me embrace my destiny.”
“And what is that, Ethan? A couple days ago, it seemed like we agreed we were following the same path.”
Ethan expels a low sound of frustration before pinning me with an intense look. “You drive me crazy, you know that?” He thumps his chest, then gestures to mine, drawing a line between us. “We haven’t changed, Nara. I didn’t choose this Corvus life. The spirit chose me, but I refuse to let what I am redefine us. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything before, but I didn’t know what I was getting into until Danielle told me what I was. Once I learned my path involved very real, very deadly demons, I wanted to keep all of that as far away from you as possible. I want to keep you safe. The idea of you being attacked by another demon terrifies me.”
But you’re forgetting we’ve always been better together, Ethan. We’re intricately connected, through our dreams and the ravens. Why can’t you see that? Yes, his logic makes sense. It’s not like I’m strong enough to fight demons, but I didn’t like being shut out from helping where I can. It should be my choice. And really, did I have one? My path has led me here too. “I don’t want to be attacked by a demon either, believe me, but…wait…are the demons that were inside of Drake and Harper the same demons you’ve been seeing in your dreams? Are there that many demons residing inside of people?”
He shakes his head. “I think my nightmares were my mind trying to interpret what few demons I’d seen in random people in the past and then meshing those images with all the negative stuff I absorb on a daily basis brushing against people. Because I didn’t understand what I was seeing, it became mired and twisted in my dream world. When I explained how my mind had tried to decipher things, Danielle was amazed I hadn’t lost it already. That’s what happens to some people who can’t handle the Corvus inside them. They go crazy.”
“Thank goodness for your dragon tattoo.”
When he smiles and nods, my stomach pitches. Danielle must not know how I help him cope then. Ugh, had helped! I’m not sure how I feel about the fact that Ethan hasn’t shared our special connection with this girl. A part of me is glad he’s kept our bond a secret, but the jealous, possessive side wishes he had shared just a little. “Can you see the demons in people now when you look at them? You didn’t mention seeing the one in Harper.”
He slowly shakes his head, his brow creasing. “I have to really concentrate. It’s like my mind gets in the way of the Corvus, who should see the demon instantly through the human face its hiding behind. Danielle believes I was really close to embracing my Corvus before I left D.C., but now my mind is distracted because it’s working overtime trying to remember everything. Even calling my sword is painful, when it should be as smooth and natural as breathing.”
“Mr. Harris and Miss Collins. Would you care to join the rest of the students in class, please?” Mr. Wallum speaks to us from the open doorway.
Oops. Guess we weren’t as quiet as I thought we were. “Sorry, Mr. Wallum. We’re coming,” I say.
Ethan nods to the scowling principal and we exit the lounge, following slowly behind. Once our principal turns the corner, Ethan stops and steps into my personal space, his warmth and inviting smell enveloping me. “All I want is to hold you close and remind you how perfect we are for each other. You’re the one who took my wheels away, Nara.”
I don’t miss the irony that Danielle is the one who gave Ethan his wheels back, all shiny and purring to perfection. I start to speak, but he steps back. “Don’t say anything right now. Just think about us while I get through this training over the next couple of days. I think my memory will return sooner this way.”
As he walks off down the hall, I stare after his broad shoulders and want to scream, “Don’t trust her, Ethan!” But I can’t deny that Ethan needs this girl’s expertise to remember how to fight demons. I grit my teeth through the idea of them working together now, while I try not to think about the fact that they’ve spent this whole past month “training.” Trust, Nara. You’ve got to trust him, but there’s nothing stopping you from following your instincts and doing what you can to protect him.
Squaring my shoulders, I pull my phone from my pocket and glance over Lainey’s text.
Nara
After school, I drive into the Brick Café’s parking lot, my tires disturbing the thin layer of light snow coating the asphalt. Inside, Winter Wonderland is playing, and Lainey and Matt look all cozy huddled in a cushy corner booth drinking lattes and chatting.
As I approach, a pang of jealousy twinges; they look so into each other, as if nothing could tear them apart. I miss having that feeling of security with Ethan. “Hey guys,” I say, smiling despite my worried thoughts.
Lainey waves to the waitress to bring me the same drink she’s having, then pats the empty space next to her. “Where’s Ethan?”
I notice the sympathy in Lainey’s eyes and know she saw Danielle follow Ethan after school today. I
swallow the pang and make up an excuse. “Danielle knows classic car engines, and since his isn’t sounding quite right, she’s following him to his mechanic to get the glitches worked out.”
“That girl knows cars?” Matt’s eyes light up. “Wait’ll the guys hear—”
“Matt!” Lainey cuts him off, then turns to me, tension in her expression. “I figured you were in the library researching when I didn’t see you in study hall. What’d you find out?”
I nod and slide into the seat beside her. “The library computers are much easier to research on than my phone’s small screen.”
Matt glances at the smartphone clasped in my hand. “So, what’s the verdict on the new girl? She’s all the guys could talk about today.”
Wonderful. Not only is the football team bewitched, the basketball team is too? I swallow my grimace, then pull up the news video I’d found to share with Lainey. “I knew that man’s name looked familiar.” Turning the phone so Lainey and Matt can see it, I hit the play button.
As soon as the news announcer ends his story bit, I hit stop and Lainey snorts in annoyance. “She’s a freaking heiress? Well, this gets better and better!”
Matt laughs. “That just makes her even hotter.” When Lainey swats his arm, he sobers, but continues to chuckle. “Sorry, Lane, but it’ll be true for all the guys at school at least. Not that this information should surprise any of them. She did drive off in a Jaguar.”
“Did both of you miss the part where she’s only an heiress because she inherited this William guy’s entire estate when he died?”
Lainey shrugs and looks perturbed. “No, I got that.”
As the waitress sets my latte down, I scroll to a tabloid picture from three years ago of Danielle with William at a charity event. The title reads Rare photo of reclusive Billionaire William Gaston with his newly adopted daughter, Danielle. “He’s what, maybe eight years older than her in this picture. The article says he adopted ‘orphan Danielle’ when she was fifteen and became her legal guardian.”
Destiny, YA Paranormal Romance (Brightest Kind of Darkness Series, Book #3) Page 13