“You want to talk or hit something?” Darius asked, as he followed her into the large gym off the common room. She refused to step foot in Aidan’s office or the places where they trained together.
“Hit things. Definitely hit things.” Allie searched through her gym bag for her gloves.
“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about Aidan?”
“Nope.” She strapped her fingerless gloves on. “I’m fine.” She wasn’t. She wasn’t fine at all, but the moment she let herself talk about it or really feel it, she was going to lose it.
“All right, then, let’s break in this new punching bag, shall we?”
Allie ran through a sequence of kicks and punches to warm up. Anger fueled her strength as much as her bond with Darius did. Soon, the bag was swinging so hard it nearly swept Darius off his feet. As it came sailing back toward her, she prepared to catch it. Palms outstretched and ready for it, but the bag never reached her. It came to a dead stop in mid swing.
“That was weird,” Allie said. “What did you do?”
“That wasn’t me,” Darius said. “Try that again.” He gave the punching bag a shove, sending it swinging around in an arc. “Wait, let me give it another good push.”
As the bag circled around the room, Allie waited for it, paying attention this time. The warmth of her power rose to the surface, and she saw it then—a tiny tendril of something new branched away from her solar gift and she managed to grasp it before it vanished like smoke. This time as the bag came toward her, she followed her instincts and released a portion of her stored energy. The bag went limp, hanging from the ceiling like she’d never touched it.
“That’s definitely new.” Allie took a step back, looking to Darius for answers.
“I felt it that time, like a wall of energy. It’s like you’re moving the bag with your solar energy,” Darius said.
“Is that even possible?”
“Well, you just did it, so yeah, I think it is.”
“No, is it possible for solar energy—like the kind produced by regular solar panels, not a college freshman—to move things?”
“No idea.” He shrugged. “We’ll have to ask Graham. He would know. Try lifting the bag up this time and keep holding onto that righteous anger of yours. It has to have something to do with this.”
Allie closed her eyes, focusing on her power, searching for the telltale heat of her solar gift. Once upon a time, it was almost impossible for her to split that thread of her gift, to grasp hold of such a small facet of her ability that ultimately allowed her to use it as a weapon. That thread had grown into a stronger branch now. Darius had taught her how to do it then, and now here they were again, searching for a third facet of this gift that might grow into its own sturdy branch someday.
“Focus,” Darius coached. “Take your time and get a good grasp of it.”
Allie’s eyes snapped open as she felt the energy leave her this time. The bag trembled but didn’t move.
“Almost.”
“One more time.” She blew a strand of hair out of her sweaty face. This time she focused on her anger right before she latched onto the growing thread of her gift and held it tight as the energy blasted from her body. The punching bag lifted straight up to the stone ceiling.
“You got it, Red, nice job.” Darius clapped, just as eager to test this new toy as she was.
Allie grinned as she really grabbed hold of this new ability, tossing the heavy punching bag around the room until she ran out of steam.
“Whew!” She sank to the floor. “That really took it out of me.” She lay sprawled across the mat.
“We haven’t had much sunny weather lately; you’re probably just low on fuel.”
“I probably need to play around with this until I can do it without drying up the tank.” She panted, wiping the sweat from her brow. “Pretty cool trick, right?” Beaming, she couldn’t wait to tell Aidan.
And then she remembered she wouldn’t be sharing anything with Aidan anymore.
“Just don’t ever use that on me,” Darius said.
“You think I could do that? Use it on people?”
“You just tossed around that two hundred pound bag like it was air. I think you could easily add that as a defensive weapon to your arsenal.”
“Did you just do what I think you did?” Livia stuck her head in through the open doors.
The sight of her outside her cell always sent a chill down Allie’s spine. She was getting to know her sister in the dreamworld and they were building a tentative relationship, but she still had trust issues with Livia. Allie relaxed when she noticed the metal collar around her throat that blocked Livia from her power. Allie knew she frequently visited the Yard, just down the hall from the gym.
“You mean did I just kick this punching bag’s big butt? I sure did.” Allie grinned at her sister from her spot on the floor. “Now, I’m a pile of goo down here, but I did it.”
“That was the first time?” She leaned down to check Allie’s eyes and felt her pulse.
“Yeah. I’m okay, though. I won’t push it any more today.”
“That really took it out of you. You’re as weak as a kitten.” She scowled at Darius like it was his fault Allie had pushed herself so hard. “This kind of training is dangerous, Allie. Not every ability needs to be explored and split time and again. You are powerful, but you have limits. I don’t want to see you overwork yourself this way.”
“It kind of just happened, Liv, but yeah, food might be an emergency situation.” She tried to sit up, but her limbs felt like string cheese. “Uh oh.” She swiped at the blood oozing from her nose. “I guess I did overdo it.”
“Come on, Red, let’s get you into the kitchen.” Darius and Livia grabbed her under the arms and hauled her up.
“Good thing you stopped by,” Allie said.
“I was just visiting Navid,” Livia said. “Um, Liam’s regular babysitter wasn’t available, so I watched Kahlynn for him this morning.”
“You babysat?” Allie wrinkled her nose.
“With Navid,” Livia said. “The munchkin likes me.”
“You didn’t scare our niece to death did you?”
“She’s your niece, Allie. Liam is not my brother.”
“Oh right, I always forget that little detail.” Allie sank down onto the barstool, hoping she had the strength to keep herself perched on the edge.
“You got it?” Darius asked.
“I’m good. Just need some protein and carbs. A pizza would be perfect.”
“Nice try, kid. It’s a clean diet for you. Especially now.” Livia searched through the fridge and cabinets for ingredients. “You’re getting plain chicken and left over quinoa.”
“Put some Alfredo on there, and we might have a deal.”
“That sounds disgusting and way too much fat. You can have avocado slices. And for now, you’re getting a banana and peanut butter to hold you over while I cook.” She set a plate in front of Allie for her snack.
“You’re mean.” Allie shoveled the banana in her mouth just to get something in her stomach. She immediately felt better but still needed protein and lots of it.
“She’s right, Allie,” Naeemah said as she entered the kitchen. “I saw you carrying her from the gym. What happened?” Naeemah sat beside Allie, checking her vitals. Just the sight of Aidan’s mother brought tears to Allie’s eyes. She wanted to hurl herself into Naeemah’s arms and tell her everything, but she choked it back, deciding to focus on her huge accomplishment instead of her failed relationship.
“New ability with my solar gift,” Allie explained. “But I think I emptied the tank so I’m going to need a few bright sunny days before I try that again. And food?” Allie frowned at her sister. “Is food still happening?”
“I’m working on it,” Livia said.
“You got this, Naeemah?” Darius asked. “I need to go pick up the paint and floor stuff for the barn. I promised Liam I’d get it today.”
“I have training w
ith Chloe soon.” Naeemah glanced at the time on her phone. “But I’m just down the hall if you need me, Allie. I’ll leave my door open.”
“Sure, we’ve got this,” Livia said. “There are enough of you coming and going in this place to keep multiple eyes on Allie while we have a sister chat.”
“We’re good.” Allie nodded at their concerned looks.
“All right, you just call if you need anything. Both of you,” she added for Livia’s benefit. “Let me know if she doesn’t perk up after a good meal.”
“Behave.” Darius leaned in, pressing a kiss to Allie’s forehead. “Take it easy until I get back and then we’ll head home early. I promise I’ll feed you pizza later. Love you.” He took a hesitant step toward the door.
“Love you, too. And I’m fine everyone, just go so I can eat.” She shooed them out of the kitchen.
“Who knew you could cook?” Allie watched her sister buzz around the kitchen, putting different ingredients into a skillet.
“Just don’t tell Santi. I used to make her do all the cooking back at my apartment in Atlanta. She made the best spaghetti and meatballs.”
“That must be really strange being on the other side of the same situation with two of your former captives right here.”
“We’ll I must admit I have it easier than they ever did. Quinn has found a way to let it all go. I don’t know how he can be so forgiving, but even before he and Santi escaped, he saw through all my walls and realized I was just as much a captive as he was. In his mind, I’m not to blame for the things I did. Santi on the other hand … we’ll get there. I put her through more than her fair share of pain and suffering.”
“Quinn says you never had a choice.” Allie scooped up the last of the peanut butter on her plate and licked her fingers clean.
“He’s right. I had to do the things I did to protect everyone under my roof from a fate far worse. But it was still my choice to be there. For a long time I numbed myself to the things I did just so I could survive. I didn’t let myself feel. Anything. And then Quinn and Santi came into my home and I just never understood those two. They were so kind, to the Soma kids, and to each other—even in the midst of their suffering. I’d never seen that before, and it made me uncomfortable. It made me feel things again. I lashed out at them for it.”
“I guess you had to be hard, so you could do those things. I think you distanced yourself from the people around you to protect yourself. The woman who did those things … she’s not the same woman cooking me an emergency lunch right now.” Allie might not trust her sister, but she could see the change in her now.
“You sound like Dad.” She smiled. “I had a much harder time with Santi and Quinn because I actually liked and respected them.” Livia tossed a mound of seasoned chicken into a hot skillet, focusing on cooking rather than meeting Allie’s gaze. But they were really talking—like normal sisters. She didn’t want to jinx it.
“It all worked out for the best in the end. And look at what you got. A fabulous little sister and a real father—a mother, too, if we can ever reach her.”
Livia dropped her spatula, fumbling around on the floor for it.
“Okay, almost done.” Her voice sounded too high. She quickly sliced a whole avocado and fanned it out over diced chicken breast on a bed of quinoa.
“That actually looks delicious.” Allie shoveled a few bites in as fast as she could chew, oblivious of the temperature scorching her mouth.
“If you’re still not feeling well when you’re done with this, try a protein shake.” Livia turned for the door.
“Wait.” Allie used her new gift to slide the kitchen door shut. “What’s wrong, Liv? Did I upset you with talk about our family? I know you have your own mother, just like I have Lily. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around having two fathers I love, but you can never have too much family. We’ll find Kassandre some day.”
“I don’t deserve you.” Livia’s shoulders tensed, like she was terrified of this conversation.
“You’ve been through a lot, Liv. You deserve a chance at a new life. Don’t be afraid of the good things happening to you now. You’ve made so much progress since you’ve been here. I’m … proud of you.”
“Dammit, Allie.” Livia turned and leaned against the kitchen counter. “I didn’t want to care about you. I didn’t want a sister.”
“Well, now you have one. I’m not going anywhere. I know we’re still figuring things out, but we’re family. We’ll get there.”
“What has Navid told you of our… of Kassandre?” Livia closed her eyes.
“Not much. He doesn’t like to talk about her. But I remember her. Only vaguely.”
“Me too,” Livia whispered. “Just little snatches of memories.”
“I remember the last time I saw her,” Allie said. “I was just three years old. It was the day they left me with Lily and Carson for good. They visited me a lot before then, but I think they stopped once they thought I was old enough to remember them. It was only a few months later the Coalition attacked, and Navid and Kassandre faked their deaths. I don’t know what happened to her after that. I’ve always thought maybe they got her that night but Navid escaped. I’ve never been sure how Navid would react if I ask him about it. Maybe we should both ask him, come up with a plan to get her back.”
“Stop,” Livia hissed, her eyes turning molten silver. “Just stop talking for once in your life.”
“Okay. Sensitive subject? We can talk about it some other time.” Allie instinctively leaned away from her sister afraid she’d pushed her too far.
“No.” Livia did that thing where she seemed to turn to stone. Allie could almost see the concrete of her walls coming up to block her out. “Kassandre is dead,” Livia said, her tone lifeless.
“Dead? She can’t be dead if Dad is alive…” Allie’s voice died in her throat. There was only one way her father could survive if her mother was dead. “No.” She shook her head stubbornly. It wasn’t possible. Her sister would never use her gift against their parents.
“I killed our mother.” Livia’s icy voice was like a punch in the gut. After all this time, her own sister was the reason their family was torn apart.
The rage of Allie’s judgment gift rose swiftly inside her, itching for her sister’s immortality. For a single moment, she thought about releasing it. But Allie was not Livia. Her choices made her different.
“Go back to your cell,” Allie whispered. “I never want to see you again.”
Chapter Eighteen
Allie
Kelleys Island, January
Allie brushed a shimmery golden eye shadow across Chloe’s eyelids. The same golden hue of her dragon’s scales. The powerful sentry stood watch at Chloe’s side. Her obsidian eyes so like Ming Lao’s it brought a tear to Allie’s eye whenever she saw the mesmerizing dragon.
“Ming would be so proud of you,” Allie said.
“For what?” Chloe replied with a look of disdain. “Graduating high school before they could kick me out? You know I’m only graduating early because they want me gone.” Chloe was constantly in trouble at school and even Graham couldn’t seem to help her these days. None of them could. Allie was the only one Chloe even sort of got along with anymore.
Allie chose to ignore Chloe’s venom. She’d gotten really good at it in recent months.
“Hurry up. I’m ready to get this farce of a graduation over with.” Chloe’s shoulders slumped as Allie worked on her makeup. Only a handful of Cliffton Academy seniors were lucky enough to graduate early, but no matter her behavior, Chloe’s grades were outstanding.
“Have you picked a college yet?” Allie brushed a thin layer of blush across Chloe’s cheeks. “You know you’re welcome to come live at the cottage with us and wait to start school in the summer or fall.”
“Thanks, that’s just what I need, a house full of people trying to ‘help’ me get back to my stupid, happy Chloe self again.”
Allie turned Chloe’s chair closer to her and
leaned in. “Look at me.” She lifted Chloe’s defiant chin to meet her gaze. “You’re not that girl any more, Chlo. She died with your mother and that’s okay. Losing a strong mother like Ming Lao changes a girl. We all know that and we just want you to find some peace with who you are now.”
“Yeah, well tell that to Dad. All we do is fight about how I suck and he wishes I would go back to being the daughter he raised.”
Jin Jing wasn’t the same man either. Losing his Complement had shattered him and Allie didn’t think he’d ever recover. Navid tried to help him. He knew what it was like after all. Allie’s chest clenched with anger for Livia all over again. How had Navid ever survived Kassandre’s death? It defied logic and nature for a Complement to die and leave their other half behind to live on without them. And it was all her sister’s fault.
“Are you still thinking about majoring in fashion design?” Allie admired the white dress Chloe made for her graduation.
“I don’t think college is for me.” Chloe shrugged. “I just don’t care.”
Allie stared at her friend. She’d do anything to take her grief away. “Whatever you decide to do, you have my full support. I want you to find what makes you happy.” She ran a brush through Chloe’s long silky black hair. “You know, some people make it in the fashion industry on sheer talent alone. Maybe you don’t need college.” Chloe desperately needed to get away and find a new start somewhere else but the adults in her life wouldn’t hear of it. She was too young. “I know everyone expects you to be the same girl you always were,” Allie said carefully. “You’ve been through a terrible tragedy that has changed you. You’re about to begin a chapter of your life your mother will never be part of.”
“Don’t,” Chloe whispered. “I can’t cry any more, Allie. I just can’t. It’s been two years, and it still feels fresh because I’m stuck in this place where her presence is everywhere.” She shot a dark look at her dragon curled on the floor beside her like a contented cat.
Emerge- The Betrayal Page 18