Breathless

by Heather C. Hudak

  My grandmother stopped pacing and looked up at me then. I knew she was done relaying her folkloric tale.

  “That’s a great story grandma, but I’m not sure how this relates to Chaseyn,” I said quizzically.

  “Honey, don’t you see? You’re the only other crimson-haired beauty to be born into this family line,” she said as if it should answer the question.

  “And?”

  “And Chaseyn … well, he’s the hunter. Chaseyn is Alexei.”

  My heart stopped, and for a minute, I forgot to breathe. Then, I heard a rattling as the doorknob twisted open.

  “Did you guys have fun today,” my mom asked, a huge smile inching across her face as she marched into the room.

  Chapter 19 - Answers

  “Can I be excused,” I asked, avoiding my grandmother’s apologetic gaze. I didn’t wait for an answer before running out of the room at top speed.

  “Lia,” my mom called after me. “Honey?”

  I could hear my grandma telling her that I hadn’t been feeling well. At least the woman had the good sense to cover for me during my inevitable meltdown. All the way up the stairs, I could only concentrate on one thing—Google.

  Tossing my homework to the floor, I slumped over my keyboard and began typing, searching for answers. I was hitting the keys feverishly, trying to narrow down the terms to elicit a precise response. My efforts were futile. Aside from a flattering news story in a community paper about a boy with an incredibly astute ability to decipher scientific code, the name Chaseyn Lear evoked no information about the immortal beings. Baron Vladimir Strigoy conjured even fewer hits. I would need to dig deep if I was going to get to the bottom of this ridiculous legend that was threatening to ruin my happiness.

  Then, I saw something that tugged at my interest.

  Origin of the name Chaseyn

  Hastily, I clicked the link. One word followed the colon after his name.

  Hunter

  Coincidence. I was sure that it was pure coincidence that Chaseyn would be named for the very thing my grandma said he was. It was ridiculous to think that this beautiful being was anything more than that, a teenage boy who was born 17 years, nine months, three weeks, and four days ago in London, England. An impossibly beautiful, exceptionally intelligent, wonderfully mysterious teenage boy who seemed to be drawn to me like a magnet from the moment he stepped foot in Evergreen. Still, it didn’t mean anything; nothing conclusive, anyway. I pushed the memory of my grandmother’s strange tale from my head, and began sifting through my closet for something appropriate to wear on our double date to ring in the New Year.

  It was nearly 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, and I knew Chaseyn would be arriving any minute. Chaseyn and I had been seeing each other most nights for nearly two months. It was difficult to be apart from him, and when he wasn’t with me physically, we were connected in other ways. Even now, I was half-expecting an IM to pop up on my screen, knowing he would see me online. I was somewhat surprised that he hadn’t taken the opportunity to remind me that tonight was a very special night. Something he had been telling me all week. I wasn’t sure why, and I had no idea what he had planned, but I knew it would be spectacular. He never did anything halfway.

  Chaseyn had instructed me to dress warm. Though, he didn’t tell me anything more. It was a cool December night. Dark clouds were rolling overhead as wind swirled soft snow in circles on the ground. It would be a cruel joke if he was planning to keep me outdoors in the brisk air on a night like tonight. I held my breath for a moment, letting it back out slowly in an attempt to clear my head. I wasn’t sure how I would face him with all of these inane thoughts running through my head. And, I certainly did not want to raise his alarm about my family’s shortcomings by revealing the details of my grandma’s quirky tale. He would know in an instant something was wrong. He had an eerie sense about these things, especially when it came to my thoughts and feelings. Until I had a chance to talk to my grandma and do more background research, I would just have to hide my thoughts. Tonight would be great, I told myself.

  Suddenly, the smell of fried chicken wafted through the open door of my room, and I realized my mom had been carrying a bucket in her arms when I pressed past her on my way up the stairs. Now, a scent that would normally have my mouth watering was leaving me in extreme anguish. I was sure I was going to be sick, and I only had moments for it to pass or risk raising Chaseyn’s suspicions that something was wrong.

  With that, I heard the front door creak and the heavy stomp of masculine feet. My mom had given Chaseyn an open invitation to virtually come and go as he pleased. Few girls my age were so lucky. I flew down the stairs to greet him, hoping to keep my grandma’s prying eyes away from analyzing his every move. I started to wrap my arms around his waist in a massive embrace, but the cold emanating from his rugged leather jacket cut through me like an icy dagger.

  “You’re cold,” I said shivering.

  “If only you knew,” he muttered so low I could barely make out the words.

  “Come warm up by the fire,” I said, tugging at his hand, but he stood frozen in place.

  “Yes, Chaseyn, why don’t you come stand by the fire,” my grandma added as she walked into the room, a chiding tone in her voice. “You look like your blood could use a bit of a warming.”

  It was obvious that my grandma was goading Chaseyn on, and despite his earlier disinterest, he winked at me and took a step forward, stretching his hands out in front of him to warm them in the glow of the fire. The look on my grandma’s face was one of disappointment. She claimed to like Chaseyn, but her actions suggested otherwise.

  So many possibilities swirled through my head that I felt dizzy. Given my grandma's history with paranormal experiences—she'd once held a seance for her dead cat—I questioned the sanity behind her latest revelation. For this one night, I would push these thoughts from my head—tomorrow was a new year, a new beginning. I would sort through it then. Chaseyn and Rob had been secretly scheming for weeks to plan the perfect event for this most-magical evening, and I wasn't about to let some reckless fairytale ruin the entire affair. Besides, Addie would hold a grudge forever if I skipped out, and that was the last thing I wanted. That girl was ridiculously stubborn and unrelenting when things didn't work out in her favor. To be on the receiving end of her wrath was a less-than-desirable position to occupy.

  “So Chaseyn, how do you plan on entertaining my granddaugher tonight,” my grandma asked in a taunting voice.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Vanderwold, but I’m not at liberty to say,” he said and winked at me. My grandma’s shoulders arched back, forcing her to sit a little taller. It was rare for anyone to speak to her in this way. Chaseyn held firm despite her threatening glare. Surely, her sudden change in affection for him hadn't gone unnoticed. Until now, her interactions with Chaseyn had gone swimmingly well. As my mom entered the room, my grandma's shoulder relaxed. It was evident that she didn't want to raise suspicion amongst the unsuspecting.

  “I assure you, Mrs. Vanderwold, Cordelia's mother is well informed of our plans and is able to reach us in the event of an emergency.”

  He was curt, almost smug, in his tone, an unusual quality in his otherwise gentle nature. Only when he said my name did the hard edges of his words soften. The way it rolled off his tongue still sent chills rushing through every inch of my body, even after all this time.

  My mom nodded in agreement, clearly oblivious to the thick fog of tension encircling our captive trio.

  “No curfew, Lia, but use good judgement,” she reiterated, looking more at Chaseyn than at me. He winked at me again and flashed an enormous grin at my mom, who seemed giddy with anticipation. Her excitement was piquing my curiosity, but a part of me was still focussed on the day’s earlier events. I shook my head in an effort to rid the thought from my mind. Chaseyn grabbed my hand then, as if aware of my internal angst, and in his most soothing voice suggested we begin our evening.

  “We had better get Addie and Rob before she
kicks up a tantrum bigger than a category five hurricane,” he said, only half laughing. He'd spent enough time with Addie to know patience was not one of her many virtues.

  “Mom, are you and Kevin staying in with grandma,” I asked, slightly embarrassed that I had forgotten to ask about her plans.

  “Grandma and I are introducing Kevin to our long-standing tradition,” she said wryly.

  I had been privy to that tradition for the past 16 years. It entailed ordering Chinese food and watching the ball drop on Times Square at 10 p.m. our time. I was happy to have alternate plans this year, but she seemed content enough with the same old. I just shrugged and turned to grab my coat.

  “Have fun,” my mom shouted as we made our way through the heavy door and into the blustery darkness.

  I saw my grandma scowl. Did she really think I was going to simply succumb to the fear instilled by her cryptic story and break all intimate connections with Chaseyn before completely investigating the details.

  As I sat beside Chaseyn in the warmth of his conspicuously remodelled sportster, I felt something unusual course through my veins. Typically, I felt only happiness and security when we were alone together, but tonight, I struggled to find a word to match my abnormally anxious state. Finally, I realized what it was. Trepidation.

  I didn't fear Chaseyn—I was entirely certain he would not harm me. Almost. Now, a possibility boiled in the back of my mind—albeit a small possibility, but it surged none-the-less. Did Chaseyn have an ulterior motive for being with me?

  My changed behavior did not go unnoticed. As we slowed to a stop in front of Addie's house—palace, really—Chaseyn took both of my hands in his and stared deep into my eyes. Using his most serious, gentle voice, he whispered four words to me that did as much to quell my nerves as they did to raise my curiosity—and heart rate.

  “Everything will work out.”

  What could he possibly mean?

  Addie and I had been anticipating this night for weeks. Well, perhaps she had been a little more expectant than I. She was prone to strong emotional reactions, while I was considerably more restrained. Not to mention that she had come to the conclusion that this would be the night that she gave herself to Rob—mind, body, and soul. Sealing their commitment with the ultimate act of intimacy had been a long time coming, and I was surprised they had waited this long. Of course, there is strength in numbers, so in an effort to convince herself that she was, in fact, making the right decision, Addie had suggested I offer Chaseyn the same level of commitment.

  Though the thought was tempting, and I gave it serious consideration—even going so far as to purchase a frilly black lingerie set—I came to the realization that we needed to explore all of the avenues of our relationship before delving into carnal lust. There was no doubt that I loved Chaseyn, but I felt we owed it to ourselves to know each other better on a mental and emotional level first—no sense in rushing. I was certain—even at this early stage—that we would have the rest of our lives together to explore the physical.

  At Addie's, we parked Chaseyn's Mustang in the front drive and transferred to a waiting car, complete with driver. Addie would be impressed. Being the eve of such an important annual event, one may have expected a limousine, but with Chaseyn, I had learned that he was nothing if not completely unique and original. Addie, shivering with anxiety, not cold, I was sure, was already seated in the back of the massive Hummer H3, Rob clinging to her side. He had no idea that she was planning to cap the night with a surprise of her own. Chaseyn had been fully informed, and he gave my hand a knowing squeeze when he took in the wide-eyed look on Addie's innocent face. Innocent...for now.

  When I told Chaseyn of Addie's plan, I had expected him to inquire about our own union. But again, Chaseyn could not be held to the same standards as other boys our age. He made no such suggestion—not even a hint of expectation sounded from his lips. Instead, he simply smiled and stated that Addie had to make the choices that were best for her. At that moment, my internal struggle came to a crashing halt, and I knew it was right for us to wait. Even now as I thought back to that moment, it made me tingle. I snuggled into Chaseyn's side, my arms wrapped tightly around his.

  What happened next was completely unexpected. Simultaneously, both Chaseyn and Rob pulled a little black scarf from their coat pockets. They instructed us to lean forward so they could position the dark cloth over our eyes, tying it securely at the back. Given the earlier events of my day, this seemingly innocent gesture now had me slightly on edge. Being devoid of this one important sense left me feeling moderately helpless. Though I took some comfort in the fact that Chaseyn and I were not alone. Despite the fact that my grandma's story seemed utterly impossible on the surface, I knew she had no reason to expose such information and risk my affections for her if she didn't fully believe in its truth. This knowledge, combined with my deep emotional connection to Chaseyn, left me feeling entirely obscure—conflicted. For this one night, I would try to conceal my emotions. Though I was fairly certain Chaseyn had caught on that something was affecting me other than his grand plan for the evening. Addie, though she had known me longer—was oblivious.

  In the darkness—complete darkness, thanks to the silky fabric robbing me of even the slightest shadows—I could feel the rocky surface of the path we were following, tossing our bodies about the vehicle like ragdolls. Curiosity flooded my mind. So did visions of Alexei and Lorelei.

  As the vehicle slowed to a halt, I could feel Chaseyn shift his weight toward Rob. The motion was followed by the sound of their mumbling voices, kept low so as not to spoil the surprise. The creaking of the car door signalled the end of our brief journey, and a blast of cold air stung the parts of my face that were not shielded by the makeshift blindfold. Someone, presumably Chaseyn, pulled the collar of my parka up high around my neck and then gently wrapped something heavy around my back, forcing my body forward gently as he took great care to cover my arms and shoulders thoroughly. A gentle tug of my hand was Chaseyn's wordless signal that it was time to exit the vehicle. I slid my body across the seat in the direction he guided and braced myself against the cold night air. Chaseyn lifted me gracefully to the ground when I reached the doorway and ensured my feet were securely planted on the earth before directing me to take a step forward. Rob, though well-intentioned, lacked Chaseyn's poise and grace. Strength was not his forte, and though I was certain he must have intended to mimic Chaseyn's thoughtful acts, I heard a thud and then a low yelp from Addie.

  “She's okay,” Chaseyn said so quietly that only I could hear. He chuckled lightly before continuing. “She just hit the top of her head on the door frame.”

  I laughed a little. Rob had always been the ultimate catch. Now, Rob’s numerous flaws were exceptionally evident. At one time, like every other girl in Evergreen I pined after Rob's affections. True, his skills on the field, court, or diamond were unparalleled. And, his impeccable style and boyish good looks had been second to none, until Chaseyn came along. When Chaseyn arrived nearly three months ago, I realized little, if any of those qualities mattered.

  When Addie and I were standing side-by-side, our hands firmly locked together—my left with her right—Chaseyn loosened the knot at the back of the cloth that had been keeping me temporarily blinded, letting it slip down around the base of my neck. More darkness greeted my eyes as they struggled to focus. In the blackness, I began to make out silhouettes of indescribable objects. Rob stumbled as he struggled to shift in front of Addie. Chaseyn, however, glided effortlessly into my view. With his face just inches from my own, my body tensed with anticipation—would his lips lock with mine? Or maybe, his teeth would clench the throbbing pulse in my neck? I felt his warm breath in a steady flow against my skin. My heartbeat raced, and the blood coursed through my body at lightning speed, warming me to the core.

  “Turn around,” he whispered, the edges of his lips brushing against my earlobe as he said the words in a thick, husky voice.

  With both hands braced lightly on
my shoulders, he twisted me slightly to the right-away from Addie. Rob made an effort to guide Addie in a similar fashion, but their feet tangled as they turned. Blocking their clumsy interaction from my mind, I focussed solely on the location Chaseyn indicated. Sucking in an enormous breath, I let out a huge gasp as I laid eyes upon the intended surprise. In that instant, I wished it were just the two of us there. Addie would find Rob's role in this most elaborate event unbelievable incredible, and truthfully, so would I. Only Chaseyn was capable of engineering such an elaborately grandiose gesture, but I was certain he had so skilfully included Rob that the poor guy actually believed he had a hand in the details. It was a kind act on Chaseyn's behalf.

  An ornate wooden gazebo was nestled between ancient fir trees in a small outcropping at the top of one of the foothills. This area was not known to me, and judging by the rough ride to the location, there had been to pre-cut trail.

  “Chaseyn, "I said exasperated. “How did you do this?”

  “We,” he corrected, and I knew Addie must have been within earshot "came up with the idea a few weeks ago."