Emerge- The Betrayal

by Melissa A. Craven

  “That’s it,” Wendy praised, as she followed him through the difficult piece. “You nailed it that time.”

  “Thanks.” Aidan smiled, letting the music flow from his fingertips. He’d missed playing with Wendy. She was one of the rare few musicians who genuinely challenged him.

  “Thinking about her again?” Wendy teased, putting her bow away. She had her own quartet rehearsal to get to.

  “One of these days, you two have to meet,” Aidan said. “I have a feeling you’d be instant friends, ganging up on me together.”

  “She’s your muse. Think about her when you play and you’ll be brilliant.” She packed up her cello and turned to go. “Oh great, your other girlfriend is here.” She nodded toward the back of the practice room where Naomi waited. “That one definitely doesn’t like me.”

  “Naomi’s protective. We’ve been friend’s since I was a kid, but she’s not great with people.” Aidan gave a gruff laugh. “She and Allie are like oil and water.”

  “So, have you decided to stay yet?” Wendy asked the same question every time they met.

  “You know, Oberlin is also one of the finest conservatories in the world.” Aidan gave her his standard answer.

  “It’s all right.” She wrinkled her nose. “But they don’t have me. You can’t leave. You haven’t even experienced the real thing yet. That day camp program you did this summer was child’s play. You need to get your shit together and commit to at least a full year here before it’s too late.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Naomi said, as she stood with arms crossed and look on her face that said they weren’t through with this tired argument.

  “I know it sounds crazy, but this is my decision. And I’m ready to go home.”

  “I don’t think I like your girl too much for letting you do this,” Wendy said, as she turned to leave.

  “Allie knows my mind, and she knows this is my decision to make. She’s not asking me to come home. If anything, she’s on your side.” Aidan smirked at the annoyed look on Naomi’s face.

  “Same time next week. Don’t flake out on your practice time this weekend.” Wendy marched across the room, lugging her cello case over her shoulder.

  “I never flake out,” Aidan called to her retreating figure.

  “I’m liking her a lot more than I did,” Naomi said, a wry smile lifting the corner of her mouth.

  “Well, that’s something, I guess.” Aidan sighed.

  “Let’s go get food. You have to be starving by now.”

  “I’ll eat at home. I need to practice tonight.”

  “You have all night for that. We’re going to the Belgian Quarter where we’re going to drink strong German beer and order lots of great food. You need a night away from this music nonsense.”

  “It’s not nonsense, Naomi.” Aidan rolled his eyes, flinching when she slipped her hand into his as they headed across the campus to her car. It bothered him, the natural intimacy he still shared with Naomi. It was the ultimate betrayal of Allie, but at the same time, he was torn. He didn’t want to hurt Naomi’s feelings. He’d always cared for her and always would. Once upon a time, he thought they had a real chance at a relationship. But that was before Allie. Aidan waited a moment before he pulled his hand free of hers. He pretended not to see the hurt look on her face.

  Great, now I feel even worse.

  “You work harder at this than you do with training. It worries me, Aidan. You can’t let music come first. You are the most powerful Immortal of your generation, and you’re in danger of losing control.”

  “I’m maintaining,” Aidan insisted. He trained as often as his demanding schedule allowed, but she was right. It wasn’t nearly enough.

  “You are eighteen years old, you cannot afford to stay stagnant and maintain. You have to keep pushing yourself, or you’re going to wake up one day, and your power is going to surprise you with something you aren’t prepared for.”

  “I know, you’re right. But it’s only a few more months. Once we’re back home, I’ll get my shit together.”

  Naomi shook her head, her mouth set in a tight line like she held something back.

  “Go on. Say it,” Aidan said. “I know when you’re stewing about something, so you might as well tell me off about whatever it is I’ve done this time. And then we can go get food.” He shoved his violin in the backseat of her tiny German auto and slammed the door.

  “Fine.” Naomi slid into the driver’s seat. “Buckle up. We’ll talk when we get to the restaurant. I need a minute to figure out how to say this nicely.”

  “You don’t do nice.”

  “I know.” She turned to eye him as she made her way along the congested streets of old Cologne, heading toward the Belgian Quarter. “That should tell you how serious this is.” She squeezed the steering wheel with a white knuckled grip. “Have you even been to the Quarter or any of the museums?”

  Her question surprised him. “No, but—”

  “Have you tried to experience this wonderful city at all? I don’t think you’ve stepped foot off campus since you’ve been here.”

  “I’m not here to sightsee, Naomi. I’m here to soak up as much experience as I can before I go back home.”

  “You should be doing both. In fact…” She turned down a side street. “We’re going for a quick tour. I promise it won’t take long.

  Aidan didn’t argue. He gazed out the window as they approached the Hohenzollern Bridge stretching across the Rhine River. She had a point. The city was gorgeous, but he hadn’t given it much notice.

  “We’re taking the footpath across.” Naomi zipped into a nearby parking lot. “The bridge has the best views of the city.”

  “I don’t have much time for this, Naomi. But I do want to see it. Let’s not cross the whole way. Then you can show me the Belgian Quarter and we can talk over dinner. But then I have to get home to practice. Deal?”

  “Deal.” She hopped out of the car, her excitement overpowering her irritation.

  Aidan followed Naomi to the towering arched bridge. It reminded him of the Detroit Superior Bridge back home, but a much more European version of it. And it was three times the length.

  “The Cologne Cathedral is beautiful isn’t it?” Naomi pointed to the opposite bank in the distance. “It’s gothic, obviously, but the spires and flying buttresses are just breathtaking. The original structure dates back to the thirteenth century.”

  “Allie would love this.” He winced at the look on Naomi’s face. But the way Naomi talked about art and architecture always reminded him of Allie. They shared a common love of the subject.

  “Did you know the Cologne Cathedral has the highest gothic vaults in the world? You should visit the interior. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen.”

  “Before we leave for home, I want to see it,” Aidan said, pausing to take selfie with the cathedral in the background to send Allie. “And then you can show me what a gothic vault is and explain exactly what a flying buttress is while you’re at it.”

  “Didn’t you pay attention in Liam’s ancient history class last year? I gave several guest lectures on Gothic and Romanesque architecture.”

  Aidan shrugged, giving her a sheepish smile. “Sorry, I’ve never been the best student when it comes to studying these things from a text book. I’m much better in person. Promise.” Aidan resisted the urge to take her hand as they walked along the footpath over the Rhine. He didn’t want to feel that kind of intimacy with Naomi anymore. It wasn’t fair to her or Allie, but it still hit him from time to time. Somehow, even though he knew without a doubt Allie was his Complement, he still had strong feelings for Naomi. Feelings he didn’t understand or want.

  “What in the world is that?” Aidan pointed at the rusted grating along the walkway. “Are those padlocks?” They were everywhere, attached to the bridge wherever there was space available.

  “They’re love-locks,“ Naomi said simply.

  “What’s a love-lock?”

  “Lovers
stroll along the bridge at night to watch the city lights. It’s romantic. Couples place a padlock here and throw the key into the Rhine as a symbol of the permanence of their love.”

  “That’s … sweet.” Aidan smiled at the thought of Allie’s reaction. She would think it was super cheesy, but she’d secretly love it. He took another picture to show her with a promise they would come here someday to do the love-lock thing together.

  Aidan noticed the wistful look crossing Naomi’s face. His healing gift sensed the cloud of depression closing in on her. She wanted to share that kind of love with someone so much it was painful. For all her tough demeanor, Naomi was a sensitive person who felt more than most would ever know.

  “Dinner?” She turned to him with a forced smile.

  “I’m starving.”

  “I know a great little pub you’ll love.” She didn’t talk much on the drive into the Quarter, but Naomi pointed out all the sites and insisted he had to visit the Ludwig Museum with her soon.

  Naomi’s gruff demeanor returned as she slid into a parking spot right in front of an old pub.

  “Let’s sit outside. It’s not too crowded, so if I get shouty, we won’t have to worry about too many ears hearing things they shouldn’t.” She held the wrought-iron gate open for him.

  Open cafes and pubs lined the streets of the Belgisches Viertel—the Belgian Quarter, but the one Naomi chose was different. The alley between the buildings had been transformed into a garden complete with ivy creeping up the cracked brick walls.

  “Go on. Get a seat and order some Kölsch.”

  “What’s Kölsch?”

  “Seriously, you’ve been here for months and you’ve never had Kölsch? It’s a pale beer somewhere between ale and a lager. You’ll love it.”

  Aidan gave the waiter a sympathetic smile when Naomi told him to keep the drinks coming and not bother them otherwise. She also ordered Bavarian beer pork shanks and schnitzel for two.

  “So what’s on your mind? I know that look. You’re like a dog with a bone, so out with it.” Aidan sat back in his chair, taking a long gulp of the ice-cold beer. It was an unusually warm day, but for the first time in weeks, Aidan relaxed, letting the tension ease from his shoulders. Naomi was right; he needed to take a moment to appreciate where he was.

  “You’re a stupid boy. That’s what’s going on.”

  “Okay.” He chuckled. “Why is that?”

  “I’ve watched you since we arrived. You’re throwing everything you’ve got into these few months.”

  “That’s kind of the whole point, Naomi. It’s what’s expected.”

  “That’s not it. You’re trying to make this one semester count as the real thing when it’s not. This school was on your bucket list, Aidan. And you’re giving it up, just like that?”

  “How many times do I have to say it? Oberlin is just as prestigious as any other top conservatory.”

  “But it’s not what you wanted. You’re giving up your dreams for a girl.”

  Aidan glanced down at his beer. “That’s not fair.” He couldn’t explain it. The way it crushed his spirit to be so far away from the girl he loved. How the separation was constantly on his mind.

  “No, it’s not. It’s not fair to you.” Naomi reached for his hand. “You know how I feel about Allie, but I know you’re in love and you have blinders up with her.” She shook her head. “Doesn’t she realize what you’re giving up just to be near her?”

  “Well, Allie happens to believe me when I tell her I’m ready to go home. If you remember, she sees into my mind. She knows better than anyone how I feel about being this far away from her. It’s true. I once wanted this education more than I wanted air in my lungs. But things have changed. Music will always be important to me, but it is no longer the most important part of my life. I would think, as my friend, you’d be happy for me.”

  “I am,” she said reluctantly. “It’s just difficult to watch you give up something that was once the only thing you ever wanted for yourself. You don’t see it, Aidan. You are such a selfless person, always looking out for those you love and rarely taking anything for yourself.”

  “I’m not giving it up. I’m just altering my dream to include the girl I love. She would do the same for me in a heartbeat, without even thinking about it.”

  “Would she?” Naomi scowled as the waiter brought their food and darted away as fast as he could.

  “I see her thoughts, too, Naomi. I know the real Allie. You have nothing to fear about her taking advantage of me. I can see it when she worries she’s pulling me away from a school I love. I can feel it when she misses me so much she cries herself to sleep. And I can see her feelings about you. How she doesn’t really care for you either, but yet she tries to understand the version of you I know and love. I know her mind, Naomi. She wants this for me as much as you do, but she knows how … lackluster all this is without her to share it with.”

  “But you love it here. I can see it in your face every time you pick up that violin.”

  “I do. I won’t deny that. But I love her so much more.”

  “If she loves you as much as you say she does, then she wouldn’t stand in your way if you really wanted to stay here.”

  “Of course, she wouldn’t.”

  “I want you to do one thing for me, Aidan. Just think about it. For one moment, think about what it would be like to stay in Cologne and finish your degree here.”

  “It would be wonderful. I’m not denying that. I would love to be right here at the heartbeat of the classical music world, learning from the greatest musicians of our time.”

  “Then why not do it? And don’t tell me it’s because you want to be with Allie. I want to know what you would do if you weren’t making such an important decision about your life based on proximity to your girlfriend.”

  “When you say it like that, it sounds ridiculous.” Aidan sipped the last of his warm beer as the waiter brought them another round.

  “It is ridiculous, but what would you do if she wasn’t in the picture?”

  “I’d be here. No doubt about it.” Aidan crossed his arms over his chest. He was over this tired argument. He could put an end to it right now and just tell her what Allie truly meant to him. Once she understood Allie was it for him, she’d stop the endless questions. But the idea of telling Naomi something so deeply personal about Allie—something Allie didn’t even know about herself—just felt wrong.

  “You’re Immortal, Aidan. Your life with Allie can wait.”

  “Music can wait, too. I can always come here another time. Maybe after Allie is Proven, we’ll come here together.” When it’s safer for her to be out in the world. But Naomi didn’t know just how dangerous it was for Allie. Allie was an unknown. The child of prophecy and a direct descendant of the royals of Indriell. Her identity needed to remain a carefully guarded secret. Kelleys Island was still the safest place for her. Hell, it wasn’t exactly smart for him to be living abroad either. Aidan was also a powerful unknown.

  “If you wait too long, you’ll never be able to come back, Aidan. Not in the way you want to be here. We both know in a few more years, you’ll have nothing to left to learn here. You have to do this while you still have something to learn from these mortals. You’ve got one chance to reach your true potential musically. Before you know it, that chance will vanish forever. Does Allie know that?”

  “No.” Aidan sighed, hating that yet again, Naomi had a point.

  “So she thinks you can just go to Oberlin now and in a few decades you can come back here and do it all over again? Do you think she’ll ever forgive you when she finds out that won’t happen?”

  “Probably not.” Aidan hung his head.

  “Then what are you going to do about it?”

  “I’ll talk to her. I won’t change my mind, but you’re right. She needs to know what this really means.”

  “I guess that’s something.” Naomi leaned back in her seat, slicing off a hunk of pork with a smile. “She’s goi
ng to tear your face off isn’t she?”

  “Probably.” Aidan set his fork down, not really hungry anymore. “Do you know what it’s like?” He shook his head. “To miss someone so much you’d go to the ends of the earth just to be with them?”

  “I do.” Naomi glanced down at her plate. “Why do you think I’m here?”

  Chapter Four

  Allie

  Cleveland, October

  “Ouch.” Allie waved her hand in the air to dispel the sting of hot wax on her thumb.

  How many times are you going to do that? Aidan’s thoughts were still hazy with sleep. It was early morning in Germany and the middle of the night for Allie. Do you have any idea what it’s like to wake up from a sound sleep thinking you’ve set yourself on fire?

  Sorry. Allie tapped the surface of her wax sculpture with the hot needle of her wood-burning tool. I didn’t mean to disturb you. She usually kept better track of the time for both of them. It was hard work, trying not to interrupt Aidan at important moments with the six-hour time difference to consider. Since he’d left for school, they’d honed their ability to shut each other out to perfection. Now their thoughts only mingled when they wanted them to.

  I’m never sad about losing a little sleep if it means I get to talk to you. What are you making, babe? And why hot wax? You trying to tell me you’re into that?

  You wish. She snorted. She loved flirty, sleepy Aidan the most. It’s a model of a dragon for a bronze casting.

  So, you’re making a bronze sculpture with wax? Why? Their mental connection allowed her to see the adorable frown creasing his brow, and she wanted to run her fingers through his sleep-tousled hair. In moments like this, their telepathic link made the miles disappear, allowing them to really see each other in their mind’s eye.

  Well, I’m making it out of wax first, putting all the detail into each scale and claw. And then I’ll spend at least two weeks dipping it in slurry—a thin plaster kind of mixture to build up a shell around it until every nook and cranny is covered in a thick casing of hard plaster. But before I do that, I have to create vents using tubes of wax.