by Jamie Magee
Chapter Fifteen
I felt someone gently squeezing my knee. I leisurely opened my eyes and began to stretch. Sunlight was spilling into the room from the wide windows. I looked to my side to find Draven and his guitar gone. Kneeling in front of me was Aden, smiling curiously. I slowly reached my hand out and let my fingertips touch one of his dimples.
“Those are adorable,” I said, tilting my head and smiling a sleepy smile.
“I know,” he said as he tried not laugh.
My hand rested beside me on the couch. It was still warm. I knew Draven hadn’t been gone long.
“He’s taking a shower,” Aden said, moving to sit on the other side of me.
I stared forward and let last night rush through my memory. I smiled at first as the blissful memory of my father came to me, but then I remembered everything else I’d learned.
“You really aren’t afraid of anything, are you?” Aden said, resting his arm along the back of the couch.
I glanced to him. I was afraid I had just shown him everything. That he knew what I was about to do. “Are you seeing me now?” I asked in a hoarse voice.
His eyes filled with sympathy as they danced across my face. “There’s only one person that’s ever been able to see you clearly and right now, he’s blind to this.”
“It’s wicked bad Aden,” I winced. “What feeds on the darkness isn’t too happy we’ve jacked with its reserves.”
“We knew this, at least assumed.”
“There are two kinds of knowing.”
“I may not be able to see you, but I can read Madison like a book. She’s pretty positive we have a hard road ahead.”
I pulled myself forward and leaned on my knees. “I don’t think she’s wrong.”
“This shield,” he said, waving his hand all around me. “It will only take you so far.”
“I know. I’m gonna go freshen up. When I come back, will you show me the beat you think will go with my song? If you want to help me, help make it stronger in my mind.”
He nodded.
In the bathroom I splashed water on my face to wash away the salty tears that had dried across my skin. I stretched, then leaned forward and stared at my reflection. Flashes of all the dark souls I’d saved exploded before my eyes. Each one made me stronger, they promised me I’d already proven the impossible possible.
When I opened the door Draven was walking by. His hair was still wet from his shower, and he smelled so good that I almost couldn’t stand it. He grinned as he reached his arms around my waist.
“Good morning,” he whispered against my lips.
“Morning,” I said, stealing another kiss.
Drums erupted through the air like a powerful thunder.
“He’s trying to make my song stronger, finish it,” I said, grinning faintly as I watched Draven listen like the music was a magic whispering to him.
Draven chucked his chin up as he gave his attention back to me. “You wanna talk about last night?”
“Not yet,” I said keeping everything sealed up. I didn’t think Britain was a good guy, but I didn’t think he was my enemy. The moment Draven knew what went down it would not matter what Britain was, he’d never want me near him. I’d rather not be put in a position that would test the turbulence we were sailing through. I had to decide how I was going to approach Britain before I showed my cards to Draven.
Anger flashed in his eyes, his hands held me a little tighter, but then I was sure he convinced himself to give me at least the day before he came at me again. His hand captured mine then pulled me toward the studio.
Aden didn’t stop his beat as we walked in; he just grinned at us. Draven walked over and picked up his guitar, then brought it to me and slid the strap over my shoulder. I felt the weight of it and the power it seemed to give me. I walked over to the couch and sat down, slowly adjusting my fingers around the strings. Then I began to play, and I played perfectly.
A grin spread across my face as I felt the music flow from my fingertips. Draven’s eyes studied me carefully as he nodded along with the music. We played it over and over again until I couldn’t stand the strain in my fingers anymore.
Aden slowed his beat then ended with a bang. “I knew I had it,” he said, twirling his sticks.
“Good job,” I agreed.
“You’re brilliant,” he said, pointing his sticks at me.
“That, she is,” Draven said, staring at me and trying to mask his frustration with me.
I looked back and forth between them, feeling a confidence rise inside of me. “I think I need to go. My mom will be home in a few hours. I want a shower and stuff.”
“Yeah, I’m your ride,” Draven said reaching for my guitar.
We were almost home before I said, “You’re going to be around tonight, right?”
“Don’t you wanna spend time with your mom. To play for her?”
“Is that a serious question?”
“You’re not using me to get out of it,” he sounded serious as hell but I heard the tease between his words. “Do it while you have the chance.”
The tension of leaving with Austin or not, what it would mean hung in the air.
From the road, I could see that the water in the creek had risen to the base of the bridge. Draven rolled his window down so he could judge how safe it was. The wood squeaked in protest as we drove over.
Draven turned down the radio as he circled behind my house. I could feel the tension between us begin to rise again. I didn’t give him a chance to ask me again to tell him what was wrong. Once he put the Hummer in park, I leaned across the seat and kissed his lips. He pulled me close and held me so tight, it almost hurt. I didn’t think he was going to let me go, but he did after a minute or so.
“I’ll see you in a little bit,” I said, stealing one more kiss before I grabbed my bag and opened the door to leave.
He watched me go, daring to say something, but he didn’t.
I was surprised not to find Kara in the kitchen when I came in. I called her name as I walked through the house, rocking my head to the sound of the guitar.
“Coming,” she said as I started to climb the stairs.
I walked back down as I saw her come out of her room.
“Hey,” Kara said as her eyes looked up and down me. ”Are you all right? Nana sounded a little uneasy when she called last night.”
“Yeah, we worked through it together.”
“Did you?” she said in a doubtful tone as she walked over to the step I was on and took a seat.
“What did Nana say?” I asked as I sat down next to her.
“She said she helped you remember the party, that it was hard, and you were scared.”
“Yeah, that was the highlight of it all.”
“With what happened that night?” she asked quietly.
“I’m gonna take a shower, then go to Brits and figure out what my next play needs to be.”
“What? Wait! Go where?” she asked, baffled.
“He bought a house here.”
“You’re not going over there. No way. I’m hours away from showing Mom that you’re not only safe and sound, but healthier than before.”
“Face-to-face is the only way to do this,” I said, confident in my words.
“I’m going with you.”
“No,” I said, standing with her. “I’m going to take Madison,” I said, pulling out my phone to send her a text. I had two unread ones. I cleared them and texted: “Can I get you to go with me somewhere??”
“I don’t like this. This is bad. I can feel it. Why don’t we try a restraining order? That’ll work,” Kara said as her face flushed with fear.
“Seriously? A restraining order on a demon? And I thought I was crazy,” I said, shaking my head at her absurdity.
“You’re crazy! You’re the one playing with demons,” Kara said.
“I’m not playing with anyone. Free will, Kara. They have to obey that. My doors are locked shut.”
&nb
sp; “Maybe you don’t remember that party,” Kara said, looking over me.
“I do. I remember every cold, agonizing second of it.” I tapped my temple. “I have a shield.” I said, looking down to read the text that just came in.
When – where?
An hour – you don’t want to know, I texted back.
“She’s coming. No worries.”
“You better not drink or eat anything. I mean, don’t put your fingers in your eyes or mouth. This is bad.”
“It’ll be over before you know it, then we’ll have dinner with mom. I’ll play for her, and everything will balance for the first time ever.”
She eyed me knowing I didn’t believe a damn word I just said. I took off before doubt could crash through the state of shock that was empowering me.
I plugged my phone in, knowing it was almost dead. It was already one in the afternoon. I only had two hours before my mom’s plane landed.
I took the fastest shower of my life then towel-dried my hair, before racing through the rest of my routine.
Madison texted um I’m downstairs getting lectured. Let’s go. Like now.
I raced down the stairs, listening to the rhythm of the guitar—committing every chord to memory. I could see Madison sitting at the table with her legs and arms crossed, looking totally bored. Kara was pacing in front of her, mumbling.
“There she is,” Madison said, exaggerating a sigh.
Kara turned to look at me. “I want that address. I want to know where to send the SWAT team if you aren’t in and out in ten minutes.”
“Fifteen,” I said slyly, trying to show her I wasn’t scared.
“I’m serious, Charlie,” Kara said sternly.
I pulled my phone out of my bag and showed her the text. She took the phone and forwarded it to herself.
Madison stood. “All right, let’s go break some hearts,” she said boldly.
“Madison,” Kara said.
“I know, I know. No food. No drink. Hands out of mouth and eyes,” Madison said, looping her arm through mine.
I kissed Kara on the cheek. “See you in a bit. No worries,” I said as Madison pulled me to the door.
Once I stepped out on the back steps I studied the shadows carefully as Madison made her way to my car. Once she reached the passenger’s side, she glanced at me. “I already helped everyone here. There were like a hundred.”
I raised my brow, doubting her count. I knew my memory was weak, but I could never remember a time when one of us could help so many in such a short amount of time.
“OK, maybe like eighty, but it was still a lot,” she said, as she opened the door and climbed in.
When I climbed in, I looked across at her. “Eighty? Seriously?”
“Seriously. I’ve gotten really good at it over the last few days. It’s never been this loud.”
Yep. I’d brought the curse of me here. What she was dealing with was what had knocked me off balance for months.
“It’s quiet where we’re going,” I said as I put my key in and fastened my belt.
I stopped at the edge of my driveway and typed in the address on the GPS. It said it was forty-five minutes away. I made a face, frustrated it was so far away, but I did like the fact that I had distance.
I plugged in my phone and turned the music to Draven’s track. As he began to sing, I felt any anxieties about doing this wash away.
I glanced at Madison as I drove. “So, any more dreams?”
“No. Just forget it, K. What is your plan anyway? I’m not saying I can’t deal but I would like to point out the twins are not in the backseat.”
I drew my shoulders back. “I just gotta see the battle lines up close.”
“And if we both land in the ER?”
“I think they’re shaken up.”
“Are you delusional?”
“Something protected me that night. They didn’t even think it was possible it was real.”
“Your dad, Charlie. He protected you.”
My soul seized as my clarity fogged up. “My dad is a ghost. They know ghosts exist. This was something else.”
“Let me know when you believe that.”
I swayed my head willing the deep thoughts away. I was in react mode. Had to stay there.
“Let me do this my way.” I argued.
The closer we got to Britain’s, the harder it got for me to breath. I felt pressure on my chest, and my stomach was tying in knots. My anxiety didn’t go unnoticed. I could feel the concerned gaze of Madison and her struggling to find the words to say to give me courage.