Ignited

by Laurie Wetzel

  The dance floor is packed, but it parts enough for MJ to lead me and my friends to the center. Hannah comes up to me so we can wave at Dad on the stage. He gives us a big smile.

  “This is so awesome!” Hannah says, looking over the crowd.

  I know exactly what she means. We’ve only ever seen Dad’s band open for someone else. Tonight these people are here to see him and his band. The joy on their faces, the infectious laughter, and the packed dance floor are for him and his music. I can see why he loves this so much.

  Song after song, I dance with MJ, Hannah, and our friends. During slow songs, MJ and I are as close as we can possibly get. He tugs my arms up to his neck. Once I lace my fingers behind it, he wraps his arms around my waist. During fast songs, my hands are in the air and I’m jumping around. There are no thoughts in my head other than the lyrics to the songs I’ve heard Dad practice in the basement.

  No matter how many dates MJ takes me on in the future, this will always be my favorite.

  After ten songs, Dad and the band take a break, and we all head to a large table in the back. A minute later, a waitress arrives with everyone’s drinks. Most of us ordered virgin daiquiris. Everyone laughs as Mason gets a kiddie cocktail with a little umbrella.

  I lean back into MJ and kiss his jaw. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For being amazing.”

  Kelli gags. “Would you two just get a room already?” She waggles her brows at me, then sticks her tongue out before bursting into a fit of giggles.

  One by one my friends join in.

  MJ’s body shakes with laughter too. I smile, tilting my head back to look up at him.

  “What?” he asks.

  “I like hearing you laugh.”

  His smile widens, and he gives me a gentle squeeze. “It’s only possible because of you, minn hvatvetna.”

  I snuggle closer to him. “Good.”

  Dad’s band goes back on stage, and my friends rush back out to the dance floor.

  “Shall we join them?” MJ asks.

  I shake my head. “Not yet. I’m sick of sharing you.”

  His fingers link with mine across my belly. “I understand that. You did have fun at the mall, though, right?”

  “Yes. More than I expected to, actually. What did you do today?”

  “Missed you.”

  I snort. “That’s not what I meant—but I missed you too.”

  We snuggle in content silence for several moments before he says, “I returned to Immortal City with Alexander to pick up a few things, I bothered Tamitha and Sissy relentlessly to make sure you were having a good time, and then I got all the guys ready.”

  “It sounds like you were very busy.”

  “Yes.”

  “You are having fun, though, right?” I pose the same question back to him.

  “This is one of the best nights of my life. Seeing how stunning and happy you are . . . Only a handful of nights compete with this one for the label of perfection—and they all involve you too.”

  I close my eyes and absorb the love in his essence and his words. My heart beats stronger, sending warmth radiating through me. I sit up and stare into his shining hazel eyes. The sound of my father’s band and the hundreds of people around us disappear. We haven’t left, but it feels as if we have.

  The longer I gaze into his eyes, the more I feel this pull from him, urging me to say the words he’s said time and time again. He deserves to hear them. I want to say them. It’s the truth. I do love him. More than my next breath.

  “MJ, I . . .”

  He leans forward.

  “I . . . I need to use the bathroom.”

  His eyes shut, and he frowns before slouching backward.

  He’s disappointed.

  I am too.

  Without even looking at him, I break away. Pushing through the crowd, I head to the bathroom. I slide the lock into place on my stall door, then lean against the wall for support.

  What is wrong with me? Why can’t I say it? He’s not going to hurt me. He’s my everything too. I want a future with him. So why am I hiding like a coward in the bathroom?

  Maybe I need practice? The one and only time I’ve said those words was stolen from me—erased from Hannah’s memory. That won’t happen, though, if I say those words to him. MJ’s mind can’t be erased. He’ll always remember the first time I say it, just as I’ll always remember the first time he said it on the bridge last night.

  I take a deep, trembling breath and leave my stall. I slowly wash my hands, then stare at my reflection in the mirror.

  “I love you.”

  I wait and watch for something awful to happen.

  Nothing does.

  I say it again and again. After the fourth time, I add more.

  “I love you, MJ.”

  A smile spreads across my face, and my heart skips a beat. I say it again, and a rush of relief flows through me. This is right. This is the perfect moment to tell him. I can do this.

  As I reach out for a paper towel, my bracelet catches my eye. All the rainbow-colored stones have turned gray. MJ said a stone would turn black when a demon is near.

  What does gray mean?

  I have to find MJ. I turn to rush out the door, then stop in my tracks.

  Standing between me and my way to MJ—staring at me with those piercing black eyes I hoped I’d never see again—is Justin.

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  Justin

  I cover her mouth, stopping her scream, and grab her arm, careful not to touch the many scars that have marred her once-flawless skin. I push her up against the vanity—ignoring the pleasure growing inside me.

  My essence rips through her, calming the storm brewing inside her, making sure she won’t set the building on fire or do anything else to raise the alarm.

  Touch. That’s her weakness. The answer was right in front of me the whole time. She affects me—and I affect her—through touch. That’s why I could compel her Tuesday. I was touching her and linked to her. The only reason it didn’t take was that we were interrupted.

  Emerald eyes flash to the door, waiting and watching for MJ to come rushing in.

  I smirk. “He’s not coming, Mads,” I whisper, making sure even those with immortal abilities cannot hear me. “None of them are.”

  Her attention returns to me as she glares. My hand still covers her soft lips, but I can guess what she’d tell me if she could speak. My essence picks up a mix of defiance and fury inside her. There’s a little fear, though not as much as I would have expected. Her eyes once again dart to the door. She doesn’t believe me. She still thinks he’s coming to rescue her. Her faith and trust in him has reduced what little power I had over her.

  Pressing more of my body against her, I lift my hand, revealing my ring. “Do you see this?” I pause, waiting until she looks at it. “This ring is enchanted to hide my essence. The four Protectors have no idea I’m here.”

  Her eyes narrow, glaring at me again. She still doesn’t believe me. The anger inside her swells. Actually, it’s more like . . . annoyance.

  I shake my head, both frustrated and awed. I’m here, moments away from finally stealing her, yet instead of being scared, she’s pissed. Pissed I ruined her night. A night he created for her.

  The thought of him makes rage bubble up inside me, but I hold it back, not wanting to hurt her. It’s time she realizes that this—she and I together—was always going to happen.

  “I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to get you alone, all to myself. I’ve watched you almost nonstop since Wednesday morning. Remember the twigs snapping by the bridge that morning? Remember seeing me in the bathroom when you came out of the shower? Remember the ‘wind’ that pushed that worthless excuse of an angel over when she dared insult you?”

  Her eyes widen. And in their depths, I can tell she does remember.

  “I’ve hardly ever left your side for days. And none of them—including the legendary MJ himself—has know
n it. They can’t sense me. They won’t help you. They’ll have no idea where I’ve taken you.”

  Her body shakes, and she closes her eyes. The fear I’ve been waiting for, hoping to feel, builds inside her.

  She finally believes me.

  A tear clings to her lashes, but before it can fall and summon rain outside, I wipe it away with my thumb.

  As much as I want to relish this moment, I know I can’t. Even with my enchanted ring and my control over her abilities, I’m not foolish enough to believe I have unlimited time here.

  I push more of my essence into her. Her eyes pop open, questioning the change. I lock onto her gaze and connect to her mind, hoping this works.

  My essence comes back to me. Unlike the time at my house, I’m ready for the darkness that exists with her. Even though I now have total control over Maddy, I still cannot access her memories.

  I drop my hand from her mouth, confident she won’t scream anymore. Not unless I want her to.

  Mads’s eyes dull, becoming dazed. I speak even softer to her—making sure no one outside this room can hear us.

  “You and I are going on a little trip, Mads, but we need to make sure we’re not followed. From now on, your emotions will be suppressed. No matter what you’re feeling, you are not allowed to project it into the environment.”

  She nods. “Where are we going?” Her voice is flat, lacking her usual emotion.

  It’s working. I can’t resist the urge to smile.

  “The only place that makes sense: where it all began.”

  “Okay.”

  Again I smile at her flat tone.

  After what feels like an eternity of waiting, she’s mine.

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  MJ

  With a smirk, Alexander plops down into the chair beside me, causing the table to shake. “How can you be sulking in the corner while everyone else is having the time of their lives?”

  I rub my neck, hating that he’s right. “I know. But I thought she was going to say it. I could see it in her eyes, then she raced off to the bathroom.”

  His grin fades. “Look, you’re putting too much pressure on her. And yourself. She’ll say it when she’s ready. She just said it for the first time ever a couple days ago, and that was during a life-threatening situation,” he says, nodding toward Hannah on the dance floor. “You shouldn’t expect her to say it so soon to you. Plus, you have to know she loves you, right?”

  “I do, but—”

  “Then let that be enough for now. This is new for both of you. Stop racing to get to the finish line. Live in the moment. You’ve gone eight hundred years without any emotions, and now you’re demanding declarations of love from a girl you just met. You barely know each other. Love means acceptance.” He leans closer. “Have you truly accepted Maddy?”

  “Of course I have,” I reply immediately.

  “Even everything that’s still unexplainable about her? Or the secrets we know she’s still keeping—whether she’s compelled to keep them or not?”

  I lift my chin with certainty. “There is nothing she can do or say that will make me love her any less than I do at this very moment.”

  “Good. Now, what about her? Does she accept all of you?”

  My certainty wavers. While I know she loves me, there are parts of me she struggles with. All of them stem from my angelic side. There’s still so much she doesn’t know about me.

  Some of it I’m intentionally holding back. It’s not that I’m keeping it secret; I’m just waiting for the opportune moment. So far, I haven’t found the right time to share my age and history with her. She’s seen my death and even traveled back in time to my village, but I’m still nervous of her reaction when I explain it all.

  Alexander is right. How can I expect her to say she loves me when I haven’t given her a chance to truly know what loving me means?

  I stand and move away from the table.

  “Where are you going?” he asks.

  “To talk to her.”

  “Last time I checked, you don’t have the right equipment to enter a ladies’ room.”

  That’s right. She’s in the bathroom. I curse under my breath.

  Tamitha, I say using Cerebrallink. Even though the music is still blaring, I know she’ll hear me.

  Hey, MJ! she hollers back. Grab Maddy, and get your butt out on the dance floor! Tell Alexander to get back out here too.

  She and Alexander have danced together most the night. With them both filled with new emotions, something is brewing between them. I’m glad they’re happy. I’d love to join them, but grabbing Maddy is the part I need help with.

  She’s in the bathroom, I reply. I think I upset her. Can you go get her?

  What did you do? she asks.

  Just go.

  Fine.

  She discretely disappears from the group of dancers, using the Veil to travel the short distance to the bathroom. We take the traditional route and walk.

  As we reach the door, it opens. Tamitha’s brow is furrowed, and she’s frowning.

  “She’s not in there.”

  Alarm pulsing through me, I push past her, searching the small room myself. Both stalls are open.

  Maddy’s gone.

  Alexander places his hand on my shoulder. Standing there in shock, it takes me a few moments to realize he’s asking me a question.

  “I’m sorry—what?” I ask.

  “When did she come in here?” he repeats.

  Fear ripples through me. How am I supposed to think back? The only thought in my mind right now is that she’s gone.

  I close my eyes and shake my head. “I don’t know,” I say. “Maybe five minutes.”

  Was it really that long? Why didn’t I think to check on her? Why didn’t I follow her?

  I take a breath, trying to calm myself enough to search for her heartbeat. The pounding mixture of music and hundreds of racing hearts fills my ears. But in my fear, I can’t sort through them to find her.

  “Could she have come back out without you noticing?” Tamitha asks. “Maybe she went back out on the dance floor. I used the Veil to get here, so our paths wouldn’t have crossed.”

  I let her words sink in. Maybe. She could have come out of the bathroom and went to the dance floor while Alexander and I were talking.

  “Okay, well, don’t panic,” Alexander says. “Let’s go check—”

  Before he can even finish, I race out of the bathroom. I cling to this explanation, willing it to be true. I speed through the crowds, searching the happy faces of her friends for her. She’s not here.

  Her friends keep dancing around me—their minds absorbed in the great night. They’re all oblivious to my horror.

  Tamitha and Alexander arrive next to me, and Sissy is with them as well.

  “Did she go outside for air?” Sissy asks.

  I look at the three of them, desperately searching for any other explanation—any reason other than something terrible. And in that moment, I realize exactly what happened.

  My chest aches, my silent heart clenching in agony.

  “We let our guard down,” I begin.

  I feel their eyes on me, but I don’t stop.

  “There were four of us here, and that filled me with a false sense of security. I let Maddy go off on her own. I didn’t even think about the killer, the Acquisitioner, the female demon, Justin, the unknown spirit that’s watching her—who knows what else. I gave any one of them the opportunity to snatch her away in a building full of Protectors.”

  My heart sinks further. So many things are after her. And I left her alone—I upset her and sent her running to the bathroom. I failed her.

  Guilt and grief take hold of me, buckling my knees until I cave, unable to withstand the pressure any longer. I prepared for every scenario. I have dozens of weapons to keep her safe. And still I failed.

  “No,” Sissy says adamantly. “We were monitoring for essences. I didn’t feel any.”

  Tamitha and Alexander nod in
agreement. But all I can do is shake my head.

  “I never felt an essence when I knew there was a being in the woods Wednesday morning,” I say, voicing my thoughts. “None of us felt an essence when something attacked Sissy yesterday at school. And even though I sensed a demon this morning when Maddy was possessed, the Segrego stones didn’t react, so I did nothing.”

  “MJ,” Alexander says, shocked. “How can this be happening? Demons aren’t that powerful.”

  “Maybe the rules are changing as we move closer to war,” Tamitha says in a small voice.

  I dig my nails into my skin as my fists close. “And because of my arrogance, I just handed the woman I love to our enemies. They’ll use her to destroy everything we stand for. And in the process, they’ll destroy her too.”

  The hopelessness I feel is reflected in them. I turn away.

  No matter what happens next, no matter how long it takes, I will find Maddy.

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Maddy

  A quiet crackle sounds. It’s familiar, like logs popping in a fireplace. My other senses kick in as I listen to the muted sound. My back is pressed against a cool, smooth texture. It’s cushiony. Like a leather couch.

  I think I’ve been sleeping. My eyes are still closed as I contemplate waking. I could easily drift back to sleep here, but I feel as if I shouldn’t. Why not?

  Justin.

  My eyes open, and I fly off the couch. My gaze darts around the room. Where is he? Where did he take me?

  “You are awake!”

  That’s not Justin.

  I follow the airy voice to the masked demon as she exits the bedroom that’s an exact replica of mine. I’m in her living room. She must have brought my soul here and left my body behind with him.

  “I did not bring your soul here,” she says, responding to my thoughts. “My essence has to be inside you first, remember.”

  If she didn’t bring me here, then who did? I need to know. The days of being kept in the dark are over.