by H G Lynch
Ember tried not to scowl. But she was done with this pretending; pretending like she didn’t know exactly why her mother had brought Owen along, pretending like she hadn’t tried to set Ember up with him, just because she didn’t like Reid.
“Mum, don’t play games with me,” she snapped. “I know why you brought Owen, and I don’t appreciate being set up with some guy I used to know. Especially when I have a perfectly amazing boyfriend already.”
Her mother produced an expression of appropriate shock, which only pissed Ember off more. “What are you talking about? Ember, you are so paranoid all the time. I told you, Owen just wanted to come and make up with you. He’s really changed. And I’m not going to argue with you about your choice in boyfriends right now,” Mrs. Jennings said, pressing her lips together in an angry line. God, this woman was so difficult!
Ember struggled not to grit her teeth as she said, “Stop lying to me. I know you don’t like Reid but you promised to give him a chance and–” Ember started, grinding out her words, but her mother shut her up with a glower.
“I don’t like the boy because he’s hiding something Ember. I can feel it. There’s just something about that boy, something he’s not telling you. Or maybe it’s just something you aren’t telling me. Ember, the boy is no good. Whatever he’s hiding is a dangerous secret and I don’t want you being a part of it. I’ve heard a lot of stories from a lot of people about that boy. I had a chat with the headmaster about it, and he admits there are a lot of bad things surrounding the boy. I refuse to let you go down that path, whether it’s drugs or gangs or whatever, you are not getting involved–”
The last of Ember’s patience ran out right then. “I am not a child anymore!” she yelled, angry and exasperated. Carol opened her mouth to protest, and lash back, but Ember didn’t give her the chance. “And he’s not ‘that boy’! His name is Reid, and he’s my boyfriend! He’s not into drugs or gangs or any of that, and neither am I! He isn’t hiding anything from me, and you can’t stop me being a part of ‘it’ because I already am–” Ember immediately slapped her hand to her mouth, knowing she’d said too much. Shit, she really hadn’t meant to say that.
Mrs. Jennings’ expression darkened further, reminding Ember of a storm cloud ready to lash ice and sleet down on those caught outside. Her green eyes took on a steely glint, and her mouth was pressed into a hard line. Ember waited for the mother-cloud to burst and gush out rains of fury. Instead, when she spoke, Carol’s voice was as steady and steely as her eyes. “What do you mean, you are already a part of it?”
Ember shrunk back from the coldness in her mother’s voice and clamped her teeth together. Okay, so she could stand up to her mother most of the time, and she should’ve been able to stand up to her now…but she was still a teenager, and every teenager is afraid of their parents being angry at them on some level.
“Ember, answer me. What have you gotten yourself into? What has this boy gotten you into?” Carol spoke again, every word sounding clipped, like its own violent sentence. Ah, bugger! Ember thought. Maybe now would be a good time to start with the mind-mashing. She’d tried to reason with her mother, but it was beyond her.
Ember held out her hands as if in surrender, and let out her breath slowly. She ignored her mother’s sharp voice still nagging at her, and focused only on finding that invisible magic limb inside her that appeared to have a hundred uses. She felt herself relax, and she could imagine the invisi-limb uncurling from around her brain, and seeping out of her skull. It stretched lazily like a wisp of steam toward her frantically hissing mother and hesitated. Ember frowned internally, feeling the unusual barrier around her mother’s brain. Damn woman was too stubborn and angry. Ember couldn’t get in.
Then Carol spat Ember’s name and lurched forward, grabbing Ember’s wrists, and the sudden contact jerked the invisi-limb into the woman’s mind. Whoa. The inside of Carol Jennings’ mind was a strange mix of beauty and coldness. Like a child’s play park in the middle of a city. There were swirls of green and orange, mixed with the red sparks of her anger, and the greys and whites of her city-loving personality. It was so weird.
With a soundless sigh, Ember reached with her mind-limb and began doing what she’d come here to do. The swirls and puffs of all colours slowed to a crawl as the invisi-limb wrapped round them, and Ember mentally inserted words into her mother’s mind.
“Carol, you will not remember bringing Owen Thorne with you to see your daughter. You will remember Owen as the boy he was four years ago. You will forget any and all suspicions you have about Reid Ashton, and you will accept that he is good for your daughter in many ways. You will not remember arguing with Ember today, and you will believe that she came to you for outfit advice instead. You love her deeply, but you must leave and head home tomorrow because you miss your husband.”
Ember sniffled and pulled back on her mind-limb, feeling it release the swirling smoke of her mother’s mind and dissolve into atoms. With a sigh, Ember rubbed the tears from her eyes, unsure why she was upset. She forced herself to smile brightly as her mother blinked, and her green eyes focused on the real world once again.
“Ember?” She frowned, confusion passing over her face for a second. Then she blinked again and broke into a smile. “Oh, did you take my advice on that outfit?” Mrs. Jennings asked cheerfully. Clearly the Compulsion had worked. Ember just wished she hadn’t had to do it.
“Yeah, Mum. You were right, too. The black boots work better with those jeans than the brown ones.” Ember grinned and hugged her mother tightly. Carol hugged her back.
“Oh, well…that’s good then. Honey, I’m sorry but I need to get packing. I think I’m going to go home tomorrow. I miss your father, and I’m sure Josh will be needing me. Goodness knows the last time he had a bath.”
Ember smiled thinly, stepping out of her mother’s arms. “Yeah, tell Dad I miss him too. And I suppose you could tell Josh I miss him, even though I really don’t.” Truthfully, she did miss her brother. Just a little bit.
Her mother gave her a knowing look. “Now, now, you know you miss him really. I know he misses you. But you’ll see them both at Christmas, when you come home.”
Ember nodded and, hugging her mother once more, left the room. On the other side of the door, she paused and took a deep breath. I am never doing that again, she thought, ever.
** Sherry **
Sherry sat with Ricky, Reid and Ember in her room, curled against Ricky’s warm chest as they all watched the horror movies Ember had made her promise to watch. She should have been happy – after all, she’d survived the witches, and they were all safe now – but there was something haunting her mind, and as much as she tried to ignore it, it was impossible to deny; her mortality. Yeah, there was nothing wrong with being human. It was just who she was, who she’d always been. But she couldn’t help but think that if she’d just been that little bit stronger, that little bit faster, she wouldn’t have needed Ember to save her. She could’ve helped Ember take down the witches and Owen.
Being the only human in a group of beautiful, smart, strong vampires was…well, it made her feel more than a little weak and average. Ricky was so protective of her, but he wouldn’t need to be if she was as strong as he was. Reid was so confident in himself, so quick-witted and brave, and Ember…well, her friend had always been tough, but with her new powers Ember was amazing and ferocious. And that just left Sherry as…human. Weak and dull and unsure.
Of course, she’d never tell Ember that. She just didn’t think Ember would really understand. Eventually, she might mention it to Ricky, but she knew he wouldn’t approve of Turning her. He loved her as she was, and she tried to seek comfort from that fact. But one day soon, her pathetic humanity was going to cause trouble for the lot of them.
Then he’d have no choice but to turn her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
** Ember **
Sunday was different. After saying goodbye to her mother in the morning, Ember headed back to her r
oom, hoping she could spend the day in her bed since it was the final day of the October Holiday. Maybe she’d sleep until some ridiculous time, like six in the evening. That would be nice. Or maybe she’d order some new books online – she hadn’t picked up a book in weeks, and now that she wanted to, she discovered she’d already read all the ones on her bookcase. If she was lucky, she could even take a bubble bath.
But, of course, Ember had all the luck of a leprechaun without a pot of gold. So when she woke up from a nap at around two in the afternoon, she shouldn’t have been surprised to see a grinning, hot blonde boy kneeling by her bed. Ember groaned and scowled at Reid, who simply chuckled.
“Go ’way. ’Mh sleeping,” she mumbled as she pulled her duvet over her head and snuggled into its warmth and darkness. Unfortunately, Reid had other ideas.
“Nuh-uh. You are not sleeping all day. I’ve got a surprise for you.” Reid’s voice, sounding amused, filtered mutedly through the thick duvet, and Ember pretended she didn’t hear him.
Reid sighed in exasperation. She didn’t hear him move, though, so she yelped in surprise when he suddenly grabbed the end of her duvet and yanked it off her. Ember was glad she’d chosen to sleep in her comfy shorts last night instead of that little nightie that always ended up around her waist when she slept.
She hissed at Reid, brushing her messy hair out of her face. Reid laughed and snatched her duvet away when she reached for it. She was a complete, lazy mess and she knew it. Her camisole was askew, twisted and showing part of her flat belly, her hair was tangled and ruffled, and her shorts were really, really short – which, Reid took notice of very quickly. His blue eyes traced her legs, making her blush, and she crossed them, tugging her camisole to straighten it. She sat on the end of her bed and folded her arms, sulking.
“Nice shorts. Kind of wish you’d slept in your underwear though.” He smiled a wicked, two hundred watt grin, and tossed down her duvet. When she jerked forward, hoping to snag it, he simply sat down on top of it. Ember groaned and flopped back, resting one arm over her eyes.
“You are such a pain. I am so not in the mood for your games today. So unless your surprise involves a lot of caffeine and doesn’t include me having to get dressed, go away,” she muttered, not bothering to look at him.
Reid was silent for a moment, and Ember was beginning to think he really had left, when there was suddenly a warm, solid body hovering over hers. She flinched and moved her arm so she could glare up into smouldering blue eyes. His blonde hair swept across his forehead, and a mischievous smile curved his mouth.
“Unfortunately, my surprise does include you getting dressed…but I promise it’ll be worth it,” Reid murmured, rolling to lie beside her as she glared. Ember made to shove him off the bed, but he caught her wrist. “Please, Emz. I promise you’ll like the surprise,” he pleaded. His azure eyes glittered, and only the tiniest of smiles touched his lips.
Ember sighed. There was no resisting him when he looked at her like that. “Fine,” she said, giving in. “Just what should I wear for this surprise?” Ember asked wearily, reluctantly siding off the bed.
Reid beamed. He bounced off the bed after her, boyishly excited.
“Doesn’t matter what you wear,” he said, “You look good no matter what.”
Blushing at his compliment, Ember went to her wardrobe and yanked out a pair of jeans and a cute, beige jumper from the wardrobe, and went to the bathroom to change.
Once she was dressed, hair brushed, teeth brushed and make-up done, Ember pulled on her brown boots and a tan leather jacket. Then she turned to Reid and put her hands on her hips, raising her brows expectantly. “There. Do I get to know where you’re taking me now?” she asked.
He grinned at her. “Nope. You’ll have to wait and see,” he said, holding out his hand and she twined her fingers through his as he led her out the door.
*
“Ready to go?” Reid asked. Ember nodded, and led Sasha from her stable. Apparently, his surprise was a trip to the stables where they’d had their first sort-of date. Ember grinned, excited, as Reid tossed her a velvet-covered riding helmet. She pulled it on before sticking her foot in the stirrup and swinging herself up into the saddle.
Reid was leading a gorgeous palomino. He patted the horse’s neck and said, “This is Butterscotch. Hopefully, he’ll be able to keep up with Sasha.” He swung onto the horse, and she noticed he wasn’t wearing a helmet.
She scowled at him. “Why do I have to wear a helmet and you don’t?”
“Because I am a full-blooded vampire with super reflexes and awesome healing abilities…and you are prone to danger. It’s like you just attract danger,” he said.
“I do not,” she replied indignantly.
Reid looked at her for a long moment, and then waved a hand, gesturing to himself. “You attracted me. In fact, I find you very, very attractive. And if I’m not dangerous enough for you, what the hell is?”
Ember opened her mouth, and then closed it. He had a point. Reid grinned, knowing he’d won the argument. Stubbornly, she unclipped her helmet and pulled it off. “I’m still not wearing the helmet.”
*
They rode out along the same dirt path they’d followed the first time he’d taken her out here, and Ember wasn’t sure which memories gave her most pleasure; the ones of her and Reid last time they did this, or the ones of her old riding school that had practically been her second home for three years. She recalled Reid kissing her impulsively the last time they were here, and bit her lip on a grin.
“Earth to Ember?” Reid’s voice broke into her reverie, and she looked over at him, only to realise he was several paces ahead of her, grinning at her over his shoulder. “You were the one who kept telling me to focus on riding last time we did this, and now you’re staring into space,” he pointed out, pulling Butterscotch back to fall in step with Sasha.
Ember lifted her chin. “You do have to focus because you’re less experienced than I am,” she said, and immediately regretted her choice of words. Reid’s eyes lit up and wicked smile curled his lips, and her heart stumbled over itself. She hurried to clarify herself. “I meant at horse riding. Not…you know what I meant.” She waved a hand at him.
He nodded, not taking his eyes off her. “I do,” he admitted.
She felt heat crawling up her face, and an uncomfortable fluttering in her stomach. She looked away from him. “Then stop looking at me like that,” she murmured.
“Like what?” he asked, the mischievous tilt to his mouth telling her he knew exactly what she was talking about.
She swallowed, shifting in the saddle. “Like…just, stop it.”
His grin widened. “Why?”
“Reid–”
“Why should I stop looking at you, Emz?” he repeated, teasing her. He pulled his horse closer to hers, so close his leg brushed hers, and she bit her tongue. “Come on, Firefly. Why do I need to–”
She broke. “Because when you look at me like that, it feels like you’re looking at me naked, and it makes me…nervous.” She blew out a breath, feeling Reid’s surprised stare on the side of her head. She closed her eyes, regardless of the horse under her still walking. She licked her lips. “Just quit it. Please,” she breathed.
Reid was silent for a moment, leaving only the sounds of the horses’ hooves on the dirt track and the faint twittering of birds high in the trees…and the noise of her heart beating hard in her chest. She pried open her eyes and glanced at him, and saw he wasn’t looking at her anymore. He was looking at his horse’s withers, his expression unreadable. And then he said quietly, “Now you know how I feel every time you look at me. It drives me nuts.”
She blinked. That wasn’t what she’d expected him to say. Reid didn’t even look at her, but she saw him tense, and he said softly, “You’re doing it right now. I can feel it.”
Biting her lip, Ember looked away from him, trying to hide her smile. She couldn’t help being flattered – and a little embarrassed too. It was jus
t sort of nice to know she had that effect on him.
Reid pointed ahead, to where the path split in two – he was pointing at the trial to the right. “We’re going down that way this time. It’s a longer route,” he said, nudging his horse toward the tributary path. Ember followed behind him and Butterscotch, squeezing Sasha on with her thighs as the pony slowed.
The little pathway was only wide enough for one horse at a time, so Ember stayed a pony-length behind Butterscotch, watching the muscles in Reid’s back shift as he adjusted his reins, rolling his shoulders. It was only then that she realised he was wearing only a thin, grey t-shirt with his stylishly well-fitted jeans and brown jodhpur-boots. Distantly, she had to admit it – he looked really, really good in tight jeans.
Refocusing her mind, she asked, “Aren’t you cold? It’s October and you’re just wearing a t-shirt.” When she thought about it, she realised he didn’t often wear a jacket. Sometimes he wore a hoodie, but at this time of year, most people were going around in thick fleece jackets and scarves.
He glanced back at her with a distracted look on his, and she wondered what he’d been thinking about before she spoke. “Huh? Oh.I don’t feel the cold much, remember? Why, are you cold?” he asked. Ember shook her head. Reid continued to stare at her for a second, as if he was about to say something, but then he sighed to himself and turned back around.
Ember looked around, admiring the amber and crimson leaves trickling to the ground, dusting the pathway and the spaces around the pines. There were only a handful of deciduous trees mixed with the conifers but they appeared to give off waves of endless, crisp autumn leaves. The scent of the chilled air swirling with the damp Christmas-tree smell, and the moist aroma of the soil and bark mingled together to make an exquisite perfume of natural fragrances.
The light that filtered through the trees was light, and seemed tinted with yellow, as if the golden leaves were acting as stained-glass sun-catchers. The gold-tainted light shone on Reid’s blonde hair, giving him a glow like an improbable halo. The pale shadows shifted and swayed across his figure and the fair coat of the palomino horse, catching the liquid movement of the animal, and the supple line of Reid’s lilting shoulders.