by K. A Knight
Jason stands in nothing but some shorts. Not even his attractive body can distract me tonight. I make a noise, and he frowns. He steps in front of me and crouches. When I meet his concern filled, a sob bursts out of me.
I clasp my hand to my mouth to stop my strangled sob, but it’s too late. The tears stream down my face as if I opened a dam. He doesn’t say a word but scoops me up and sits down with me on his lap. He cradles me like I’m breakable, and maybe, I am.
I burrow into his neck and breathe in his scent as silent tears wet his skin. He doesn’t say anything just sits there offering me comfort which I gladly take.
Sometime later when my tears dry, I pull away from his neck.
“Sorry,” I mumble, embarrassed for him to witness my break down.
“I cried every night for two months when I lost my brother.” His voice is soft and honest.
“What?” Apparently, my tear-clouded brain isn’t the smartest.
“I tried to block it out, and it worked for a while.” He strokes my thigh as he talks. “I still miss him like crazy, and I have my moments of weakness. But I have my other brothers here, someone to lean on when I need to.” He goes quiet. “All I’m saying, Aurora, it’s okay to feel, to let someone in. To be upset and to hurt. To miss them. And if you let me, I will be the person you can lean on. I want to be.”
I don’t even fight myself as I nod, then cuddle back into him. We sit like that for hours, him content just to hold me, and I’m content to be held for once. Light filters in through the window as I’m cocooned in his embrace.
“I’m going to get dressed.” My voice breaks the silence.
“Okay.” He stands and pulls me up, keeping hold of my hand.
I follow him up the stairs and to my door, where he hesitates. When he turns to me, I fling myself into his arms and hug him. “Thank you, Jason,” I whisper.
He kisses the top of my head.
“Would you take me home when I’m dressed. I need a minute and to see Nev.” He nods against my head, and without looking at him, I step into my room.
By the time I dress, I open the door to find him leaning against the opposite wall, dressed as well. I run my eyes over him in appreciation, then back to his smiling face.
“C’mon,” he says sweetly and takes my hand.
When we walk outside the sun is just rising over the trees, the wind brushes against me in a greeting and wipes all my troubles away with it. For the first time since my nightmare, I take a deep breath and let it push the hurt that the memories caused away.
I stop for a second and tilt my head back appreciating nature. When I glance back down, Jason stares at me like I’m the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. His eyes are soft with something I don’t want to name. He walks towards me and pushes some hair behind my ear.
“I don’t know why we found you, Aurora, but I’m glad we did.”
26
- AURORA -
After Jason drops me off, I sit and cuddle with Nev for an hour, needing his strength and reassurance. There’s nothing like cuddling a dog—you could package it for how much it de-stresses you. Sometime while in Jason’s arms, a plan formed, and today is the day I’ll do it. With a sigh at leaving my cuddle buddy, I plop myself on the floor cross-legged.
Here’s hoping it works.
I close my eyes and allow my mind to clear, which is easier said than done. When my mind is blank, I bring up a memory of Mikael. He smiles at me from his chair. I don’t remember what we were talking about, but he looks happy. I concentrate on his face, then allow a small bit of my power to work through my body.
My intentions ring clear—find him. I repeat this like a mantra in my mind, then push my power out like I do when checking the surrounding area. I push farther and harder than ever, feeding it more and more power. Sweat builds on my brow. My arms shake, but I continue.
The map of the town appears in my eyes, with some buildings lit up and some dark. The guy’s house lights up like a Christmas tree from their power and mine, too. At the edge, I notice a small flicker of power. I hone in and follow it.
It’s like trying to spot something at the end of my nose. Look one way; it’s there. Look another; it disappears. I search with my eyes, but when it doesn’t work, I push my power out until I hit a wall. Darkness swirls in the wall; the same darkness I keep sensing.
I try to push through it, the strain like lifting a mental car. I come out the other side with a pop and see the flicker again, brighter and stronger this time. The darkness covered it but not now.
When I touch it with my power, it responds by sucking me in.
I come to a familiar room. Mikael still sits tied to the chair, but this time, I feel his almost non-existent power. I swallow my gasp; for a witch to lose his power, he loses his life. I step closer when a grating laugh rings out behind me.
“I wondered how long it would take you to come again.” Something pushes on my power, seeking entry.
I spin to see who it is, and in the corner of the room, a shadowed figure stands. The darkness curls around him like a lover, and I squint, trying to make it out. But it’s no use. It’s like staring into a pitch-black room. The same push at my magic comes again, and I harden my mental walls against it, feeding my powers into blocking whatever this creature is.
“But you are strong... untrained, but strong.”
I ignore the voice and peer around, memorising the room and the feel of it, trying to pinpoint the exact location. It’s like the veil lifted from it, allowing me to grasp at the location.
“Oh, I don’t think so.” A shove pushes me back into my mind until I’m once again outside of the darkness covering Mikael. I scream in frustration and hammer against it with all my power, trying to break back through.
Like a rubber band snapping, I’m hurled back into my body which is now on the floor a sweaty mess.
What in the ever-loving fuck was that?
Monkey’s piss flaps, that hurt. I grumble enough swear words to make a sailor blush before sitting up. Okay, so now, I just think about sailors. Shit, I mean shoot, concentrate, Aurora.
I rub my head and consider my next action, but I come up blank. Okay, so Mikael is here in town, somewhere to the north in the woods. I nibble on my bottom lip as I think. I see no alternative.
Great, this should be fun.
I grab my keys and head towards the guys.
27
- AURORA -
Staring at the floor and twisting my hands in my lap, I sit nervously between Ezra and Jason.
Jason cups them, making me look at him. “What’s wrong?”
I sigh and slump back. Where in the cat’s nipples do I start? Wait, is nipples considered a swear word? I lick my lips and launch into it before I chicken out.
“You have to understand I didn’t realise what was happening or who it was until it was too late. I considered telling you, but I didn’t really know you, and I have trust issues, and—”
“Kitten,” Alexander interrupts my rambling.
“Right, sorry.” Taking a deep breath, I meet his eyes. “I know who Mikael is.”
Insert metaphorical mic drop. Jason freezes next to me, and Ezra jumps up. Ben swears, but Alexander continues to hold my eyes.
“Explain.” The word is a sharp command.
“The other night when you told me I wasn’t in my body, well, it wasn’t the first time. I didn’t understand what was happening, and I thought it was a dream for a while. But every night I went back”
“Went back where?” His voice thaws a fraction, and it encourages me to carry on.
“To a stone room. There’s a guy tied to a chair. Mikael. I didn’t realise who he was at first. I thought it was a dream. But like I said, I went back every night. I begged him to let me save him, but he wouldn’t let me. So, I sat with him night after night. When I saw that photograph on the wall, I knew it was him, but I had to be sure.” My breath and all my tension whooshes out at my confession.
The room
is so silent I could hear a pin drop.
“Let me get this straight, you’ve been seeing Mikael in your dreams for weeks?” Alexander’s words sound hostile, but his voice is like honey.
I nod at Alex.
“Do you know where he is?”
I shake my head. He rubs his eyes in frustration.
“I tried a tracking spell. I thought I could find him, but something blocked me. As soon as it failed, I came here to tell you.”
Ezra leans down, and with a finger, he lifts my chin. His face is expressionless, and I’m not sure which scares me more—not knowing what they’re thinking or what is happening with my dream-walking.
“Did he tell you about us? About him?” His whisper sounds seductive, but I hear the barely controlled menace.
“Only little bits. He told me he had a family but nothing specific about any of you guys.”
Ezra drops his finger and looks at Alex.
“Do you think you could try the spell again?” Alexander asks; his voice is straight, to the point.
“Haven’t you tried?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“Yes, but we don’t even sense him. It’s like he’s... dead.”
“I can feel him, but it’s like there’s a covering over him,” I mutter.
“Will you try again?” Jason asks softly.
“Of course, I want to find him too,” I say confidently.
I look to Ben, who has been silent through this conversation to see him staring at the ground. I want to go to him and hug him, but I’m scared he will push me away. Instead, I sit frozen on the sofa.
“Will you try now?” Alexander asks.
I drag my gaze back to him and nod. I lean back on the sofa, and Jason moves away. I drop my head back and close my eyes. Ignoring my guilt and desperation, I push out my senses. It fizzles. I try again and again, getting angrier each time, only for the same thing to happen each time. Something wet runs down from my nose.
“Shit.”
My eyes slowly open as my head spins like I’m on a rollercoaster. Jason kneels in front of me concern etched on his face. He wipes my face, and the tissue comes away with blood.
“She’s too drained to try,” he says softly as he wipes my face again.
Ezra and Alexander intensely discuss the situation, and Ben is nowhere to be seen. Tears burn at my eyes. I failed them. Not only did I not trust them enough to tell them about their friend who was suffering, but I can’t even find him for them.
Jason leans forward and, with a soft smile, kisses my forehead. “It’s okay.”
A phone ringing interrupts the discussion, and the room falls silent once again. With an embarrassed noise, I realise it’s mine. I pull it from my pocket and answer it.
“Hey—” My words cut off at the sobs down the phone. I bolt upright and grab my forehead instantly when the world tilts.
“Lane?” I ask groggily.
The room finally stops spinning and little by little, energy comes back to me. More sobs greet me, and I tighten my hold on the phone.
“Lane, hun, is that you?” I ask softly.
“Y-yes...” Crying muffles her answer.
“What’s wrong?” It’s not like Lane to cry.
“Can you pick me up?” She sniffles.
I’m standing before I realise, and I almost fall back, only with sheer determination do I stay on my feet. I grab my keys from my back pocket.
“Where are you, sweetie?”
“Macroks’ toilets.” I nod and regret it straight away.
“I’ll be right there, okay?” I hang up and look at the guys. “I have to go.”
Alexander frowns, and Ezra crosses his arms.
“I know I said I would try, but I can’t do anything while I’m drained, and my friend needs me,” I plead.
They still don’t say anything, so I throw my arms in the air getting pissed at their cold shoulder. “Fine, be like that. I’m going to get Lane. She’s the closest thing to family I have, and if anything has happened to her, I’ll burn this world down. Then, I’ll come back here and kill myself all night searching for yours okay?” Not waiting for a reply, I rush out. No one stops me, and I don’t know if that’s a good or a bad thing.
I don’t even bother putting on music as I head to Macroks. Worry for my usually cheery best friend and guilt for the guys cloud my thoughts, and I almost don’t realise when I get there. Or that could be the grogginess I still feel. I scrub my face, then climb out of the car.
Macroks is a dive bar on the other side of town. Not Lane’s usual hang out, for sure. The local biker club owns it. I had a few good nights here with some prospects once—Brad helped fix their bikes, and they invited him over. It was hilarious how out of his depth he was. I head inside and ignore the catcalls and whistles. I stomp down the corridor and slam open the toilet door. I turn and lock it.
“Lane?” I ask, searching around. There’s only three stalls and two sinks in the tiny room.
“Aurora?” The whisper is quiet, but I follow it to the final stall.
I knock on the door. “Hun, it’s me.”
The door slowly unlocks, and I get a good look at my best friend. A red hand imprint on her left cheek has me wanting to burn this shit hole down. A murderous rage fills me. I have to take a deep breath, so I don’t storm out of here hell bent on killing some small-dicked asshole. Her eyes stream, and her makeup is ruined. Her leather miniskirt is crooked, and her halter top has stretch marks in it from where it has been obviously pulled.
“What happened?” I don’t bother hiding the fury in my words.
“I was on a date—”
“Here? You went out on a date to this shit hole?” My face must look as incredulous as I feel.
“Yeah, he seemed nice, ya know? Different from my usual type.”
“Not boring?” I raise my eyebrow.
She snorts out a laugh which calms me a little. I’m still going to fry some twats, though.
“No, the bad boy type. I know, I know, but I just couldn’t help it.” She sounds embarrassed.
“Babe, I don’t care if you fuck half of the city. In fact, I’ll help you do it. I’ll get a cheerleader outfit and everything. My point is, all I care about is you being happy.”
When she smiles at me, I know she’s going to be okay.
“Now, who the fuck did that to your face,” I growl, already plotting their death, which involves a frozen turkey leg and some rope.
“Can you just take me home?” She doesn’t look at me but rubs the toilet stall door.
I step closer to her. “Yes. But first you are going to tell me who did that to you, so I can kill them.”
She shakes her head. “You can’t kill him.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine, I’ll just maim him. It’s not a choice, Lane. I might not be the greatest friend, I’m crude, moody, and shit at all the girly stuff you love, but I would die before I let someone get away with hurting you.”
She peers at me through her wet lashes. “The guy I was on a date with, he followed me to the toilets and tried to have sex with me. He wouldn’t listen, just kept pulling at my clothes and pushing his tongue into my mouth. When I pushed him off, he called me a cock-tease, so I called him a pushy prick. Then, he slapped me.”
So many emotions war inside me—pride for her standing up for herself, deep burning anger at the prick that tried to force her, then abused her because she said no, and worry that she still looks sad. I wonder if I gave her his balls in a box she would be okay?
“You have the right to say no. You owe him nothing. Just because you agreed to a date and put on some revealing clothes, even drank with him doesn’t make you a cock-tease. And what he did to you? Grabbing you, ignoring your lack of consent? It makes him lower than scum. I don’t give a fuck if he was drunk, high, or stupid. No one, and I mean no one, should get away with that.” I hold myself back from asking for the guy’s name again. I really want to play smack a bitch.
“I know. I do. I just. I want go
home, okay?”
I nod. Grabbing her hand, I twine my fingers with hers. I pull her to me in a hug and hold her while she cries it out all the while my anger burns hotter than ever. She eventually pulls back and wipes her eyes before nodding at me.
I unlock the door and hesitate, taking her through the bar like this wouldn’t be good, and she would be embarrassed. I turn left and spot an emergency exit at the bottom of the hall. I pull her along as she protests. I open the door, and when no alarm goes off, I gently pull her through after me.
It leads to an alley behind the bar, and I follow it around to the parking lot out front. I lead her to my car, her heels clicking on the stone pavement. I open the car and urge her to sit in the passenger seat. When she’s comfy, I lean down. “I meant what I said, Lane. I will kill anyone who hurts you.” I go to stand up, and she grabs my arm.
“I know, and Aurora, you’re not a shitty friend, you’re the best. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
I wink at her and ignore the feelings her words create—now isn’t the time for warm fuzzies. Now is the time to kick some ass and take some names.
“Stay in the car. I’ll be back in five.” I shut the door on her shocked face. Did she really think I wouldn’t do anything to the giant dick turd who hurt her?
With determined steps, I head back to the bar. I open the door and scan the half-full crowd of older men, bikers, and low lives. I scan for him. My eyes catch a man laughing with a bunch of bikers. His hair is messy, and his clothes make him look like a typical bad boy. He leans back, putting his arm over the back of an empty chair where a cocktail sits.
Bingo! Only Lane would come to this sort of bar and order a cocktail.
A plan forms in my head, pulling an evil smirk from me.
I sashay over to him and his pals. They all stop talking when I stand next to them. A big, burly guy leans back and stares at me. With his grey hair cropped close to his head, he looks to be about forty. He’s big in the sense he would never have a six pack but has muscle. From the patch he wears, he’s the leader. When I was here last time, I saw them hassle some guy for trying to spike a drunk girl. I’m really hoping I’m not wrong about them or this could get ugly.