Gateway (The Gateway Trilogy, Book 1), page 15
We agreed and Kat went to stand at the edge of the stage, while I took a seat on an amplifier not in use.
Once again I concentrated solely on the music. I wondered what it would be like to kiss someone while I was this focused. I closed my eyes and imagined Taren's lips touching mine and having that be all I could feel, every part of me surrendering to him. The image was so real it was like he was there, touching my shoulder, his warm breath on my neck. His hand slid from my shoulder and clamped against my mouth.
My eyes flew open, darting wildly. Out of the corner of my eye I saw who had a hold of me. A man, wearing dark sunglasses. I clawed at him, kicking furiously, but to no avail. I was no match for the strength of a Red. He pulled me backward, the last thing I saw before darkness engulfed me, was Kat staring transfixed at the stage.
My eyes adjusted quickly. We were in a storage room. Extra chairs stacked atop each other, a large broom and a mop bucket in the corner. My eyes dimmed again, but this time it was because I was losing consciousness. One of my attacker's hands was still clamped firmly on my mouth while the other encircled my throat, thumb pressed deep into my carotid artery. My feet drummed weakly against the floor.
From far away I heard the door bang open and I was dropped to the floor. Air rushed into my lungs and I welcomed the pain of it, taking huge gulps. My vision cleared and I looked up to see Taren fighting the Red with a short blade. The Red's eyes glowed like fire, his sunglasses now on the floor. He was also armed with a blade, and the two sparred. For all of the Red's strength, his skill was outmatched. Within a minute, Taren knocked the knife from his hand and pinned him to the cold cement. Without hesitation he plunged his blade into the Red's chest sending a spurt of blood into the air. The Red gurgled and blood streamed from his mouth before its head lolled to the side, the unnatural light in his eyes winking out.
I shook uncontrollably. I'd never seen anyone die before. I knew he… it had been about to kill me, but it was still too much.
Kat hurdled into the room, coming to a halt and taking in the scene.
“What happened? Are you OK?' She rushed to kneel by my side.
I was still too stunned to respond. Kat probed tenderly at my neck.
“Guess we'll be heading back to the thrift store,” she said, forcing a smile. “We're going to need to get you some scarves to cover the bruising.”
“Scarves?” Taren said, wiping his blade on the dead man's pants. “You almost get her killed and you're worried about her wardrobe?”
He rose, and he'd never looked so dangerous, not even while killing the Red. Kat stared at the floor.
“Well, Katrina, what have you got to say for yourself?”
“Nothing,” Kat said. “There's no excuse. I'm so sorry, Ember.”
I opened my mouth but didn't get the chance to speak.
“Sorry doesn't keep her alive,” Taren said, his anger showing no signs of abating.
I wanted desperately to diffuse this powder keg. “It happened so fast. One second—”
“Which is why she shouldn't have taken her eyes off of you,” he said. “Because a lot can happen in a second. Annys will not be pleased.”
“Annys?” Kat said, rising to her feet. “You're going to report me?”
“You haven't left me much choice. Ember needs a Guardian who is more committed to taking care of her than lusting after some—”
“Hey! Lay off, Taren.” No longer abashed, Kat now crossed her arms across her chest. “Don't forget, I've saved your ass a time or two. You're not always so perfect.”
“This is different,” he said. “She's different.”
Because I was a Daemon.
For a moment, while he’d been battling the Red, I’d let myself believe differently—that he was fighting for my life because he cared about me. But he was just worried what it would mean to his cause if I died.
“Do you have any idea what would happen if—”
I didn't let him finish.
“What are you even doing here, anyway?” I asked, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. “Shouldn't you be sucking up to Annys so you get your job back?”
My words hung in the air.
“Kat, guard the door.” Taren's voice was all the more commanding for its quietness.
Kat looked to me, and didn't move until I gave a slight nod. She shut the door behind her.
When she had, Taren paced a moment before speaking. “You have no idea—”
“I have every idea,” I said, standing. “I know what I am, and I know what I'm expected to do. You've made it very clear that your concern for me is strictly professional. I’ll ask you again, what are you doing here?”
He stood in front of me, a pained expression on his face. “Ember, if anything happened to you…”
“I mean it, Taren. I'm over it. Don't pretend—”
And then he was kissing me. One hand gripping the back of my neck, the other at my waist, pulling me closer. I melted into him, leaving no space between us. Every atom of my being came alive and mingled with his. My hands, firm against his back, then gripping the muscles of his arms. Our mouths pressed together urgently, then slowed and became soft, fluttering against each other, until we were still, lips barely touching, breathing each other’s breath.
“Not completely over it, I guess.” I was delightfully dizzy, torn between wanting to kiss him further and wanting to bask in the moment just as it was.
“Good,” he said, his fingertips tracing my jaw.
“I thought…” but I couldn’t say it.
“I know what you thought,” he said, “because it's what I wanted you to think. I thought it would be easier.”
“Easier than what?” I asked, searching his eyes.
“Everything OK in there?” came Kat's voice from the other side of the door.
Taren released me and went to open it. “Yeah, Kat, we're fine. I'm sorry I was a jerk.”
She took in the scene—Taren now calm, me flushed—and smiled. “No, problem. Glad it all worked out. Except for him, of course.”
Taren and I followed her gaze to the body lying on the floor. The most romantic kiss of my life had just taken place next to a corpse.
“We should go,” Taren said. “There's no way for me to get him out of here without being seen, and I want us long gone by the time he's discovered.”
We exited the storeroom and walked back toward the stage. Taren's hand was on the small of my back, sending shivers of the nicest kind up my spine.
What was easier about pushing me away? I had a feeling it wasn't just some guy thing. I was torn between wanting to know, and not wanting to spoil the feeling that hung between us. I scanned the crowd. I felt safe with both Kat and Taren protecting me, but I couldn't help wondering if more than one Red had been sent after me. They were rumored to work alone, but they were also rumored to avoid crowds, so it seemed all bets were off.
Instead of stopping in the wings, Kat continued down the steps into the audience.
“Hey, don't you want to wait for Magda?” I had to shout over the din.
“Ember, I almost got you killed tonight because I was distracted. I'll just text her that something came up.” She turned and continued toward the door.
Once out front of the club Taren said, “We need someplace with a lot of people. Well-lit, even at this time of night. Cameras would be good.”
“City Walk?” I hated to be the one to suggest it, but it did fit the bill.
Kat groaned. Universal City Walk, perched atop a hill overlooking Universal Studios, was filled with theme restaurants, souvenir shops, a mega-plex theatre and a bowling alley. From open to close it was crammed with tourists snapping photos, and locals who like all of their chain restaurants in one location. It was a place I wouldn't normally be caught dead in, but since it seemed the most likely place to keep me alive, I was willing.
“Perfect,” Taren said. “I'm parked just down the street.”
We left Kat's car where it was and piled into Taren's. Kat made a point to take the backseat, leaving me to sit up front.
“So, why do you think the Red came after me in such a crowded place like that?” I asked once we were underway.
“I don't know,” Taren said, “and until I do we're going to have to be on high alert.”
I wanted to ask if it was because the Demon had finally realized I couldn't be won over to Its side and with me being able to influence the Gateway I was too much of a liability, but Kat didn't know those details, so I held my tongue. Besides, there was something that tugged at me about what Taren had just said. We had to be careful…
“That's what I heard the Voice say, just before the attack—that I had to be careful. Why would It warn me like that?
“You heard it say be careful?” Taren said. “And you're sure it was the voice you always hear?”
“Positive. It's very distinctive.”
“Maybe there's some kind of discord among the demon races,” Kat said, “or some wires got crossed.”
“Maybe,” Taren said, but I could tell he was as troubled as I.
We drove up a steep hill and entered the Curious George lot. The parking garages at City Walk were named after cartoon characters and actors.
When we stepped out of the elevator our ears were assaulted. I could listen to loud music with no problem, but the sound of 90's pop hits from one establishment mixing with a mariachi band from Camacho’s, interwoven with the screams of excited children up way past their bedtimes was collectively too much. The three of us recoiled.
“Come on,” Taren said, “it's exactly what we need.”
He was right, and it had been my idea. Kat and I followed without protest.
Over a side of fries, Taren asked when my curfew was. Kat and I shared a look.
“It's kind of fluid tonight,” I said. “My mom stopped taking her medicine so it's crazy central right now. We're kind of hoping to wait it out. I'm thinking three-ish?”
“Perfect,” Taren said. “We've got plenty of time for a game.”
I followed his gaze upstairs to Lucky Strike.
“Bowling?” I hadn't been bowling since I was seven.
“What else are we going to do?” he asked.
He had a point—we still had a few hours to kill.
***
The lanes were brightly lit and Taren chose one smack in the middle. He stood confidently at the line, poised to release the ball. And then he did—right into the gutter.
“Wow,” Kat said when his second ball did the same, “that's going to be hard to top.”
I stood up to take my turn, which also resulted in a gutter ball. On my follow-up I managed to take down two pins, but only after adopting the stand-with-wide-legs-and-roll-it-with-two-hands stance all the kids were doing. I took a bow all the same.
Kat jumped up and grabbed a hot pink ball, which she then held overhead while she twirled around, releasing it almost directly into the gutter.
“Maybe we should ask for bumper rails,” I said.
“Or… we could score on style points,” Kat said. “I think that last effort was worth at least six.”
She plucked her ball as it emerged from the machine and strutted like a supermodel down a catwalk. She turned, struck a fierce pose, and released the ball through her legs backward. From then on, bowling got way more fun. Taren was fond of air-guitaring, while I was more comfortable with interpretive performances. At the end of our first game we realized we'd been too busy laughing to keep score, but that didn't keep us from starting a second one. Kat went up to the snack bar to grab us some soda leaving Taren and me alone for the first time since we'd kissed.
“How are you doing?” he asked. “That was a pretty close call you had earlier.”
I nodded. “I was freaked at first, but… I kind of need to get used to it, right? Until the Gateway is locked it probably isn't safe for me to leave the Institute again.”
“They should have never let you leave in the first place,” Taren said, his eyes darkening.
“Annys and Master Dogan were doing me a favor to let me come home. They couldn't have known I’d be in any danger.”
The set of Taren's jaw made me think he was holding something back. I probed further.
“What happened, anyway?” I asked. “Why did you fight with Annys? And how long are you suspended for?”
“I wish I knew. Once she cut me I didn't stick around to find out. As to why… I guess it's because Annys is being Annys. Which is usually a good thing, but lately we haven't seen eye to eye on much.”
I thought about going up against Annys and knew I'd probably never manage it. Remembering how dangerous Taren had looked when confronting Kat, I believed he had.
“Heads up,” Kat said. She was balancing three sodas and a bag of chips.
I jumped up to help her, disappointed that I hadn't gotten the chance to learn more before she'd returned.
***
Lucky Strike closed at two, and by the time we got to the car and made it back to where Kat was parked at the club, we were on track for our three a.m. target. I prayed my mom had finished her frenzy and was asleep. Taren pulled up beside Kat's car and let the engine idle.
“I'm going to follow you home,” he said, “just to make sure you get there safe. After that, your mother's detail can take over.”
“Em, would you mind riding with Taren,” Kat said as she opened her door. “I'm going to give Magda a call and I could use some privacy.”
The move was transparent and I didn't help matters by responding, “sure,” just a little too quickly.
Once Kat was safely in her car, Taren and I pulled away. We rode in silence until I couldn't stand it anymore, the words coming out in a rush.
“Why would it be easier if I thought you didn't like me?” I asked.
His brow furrowed.
“Because I'm afraid one of us is going to get hurt,” he said, “and I don't want that to happen.”
“Why would one of us get hurt?” I asked, sensing he meant more than just typical guy-girl stuff.
“Because there are things going on,” he said, “things I can't talk with you about. Not yet.”
He came to a stop in front of my apartment building. I wished we still had longer to drive.
“Why not? I haven't blabbed any of the other million secrets I'm keeping.”
“It's not you I don't trust,” he said.
“Then what—”
“Please, Ember, can we just leave it for now?” His voice was pleading and he put his hand to my cheek. “I'm not sorry I kissed you. I wish I'd done it sooner. But I need you to trust me. Can you do that for just a little while longer?”
I responded by leaning in and touching my lips to his. A spark of electricity passed between us and I don't think I was the only one who trembled.
She'll never forgive me.
I pulled back with a start. It wasn't the Demon.
“What?” Taren said. “What is it?”
I shook my head to clear it. “I-I don't know, I heard something when we kissed. It wasn't the Demon, it was… something else.”
“Maybe you're starting to hear the other demonic voices,” he said. “What did it say?”
“It said, 'She'll never forgive me.'“
Taren's eyes widened briefly but his voice was calm when he said, “I'm sure it was nothing. All kinds of weird things run through my brain.”
I wasn't convinced. It hadn't sounded like an errant thought, it had sounded like a voice speaking inside my mind. Maybe he was right and I was beginning to hear the other demons now. It was an unsettling thought.
By this time Kat had parked and was waiting in the driveway.
“I should go,” I said and opened the door. “And to answer your question, yes, I can trust you a while longer.”
I smiled at him, and he smiled back, but it seemed forced, like his mind was already on something else.
“Get some sleep if you can,” he said, “and I'll see you back at the Institute tomorrow afternoon. Annys and I have some things to discuss.”
***
Kat and I paused at my front door. The lights were off and all was quiet. I breathed a sigh of relief as I pulled my keys from my purse. Once inside, I left the lights off. Kat grabbed her blanket from the sofa and began to follow me upstairs.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
“I'm sleeping on the floor of your bedroom. If anything happens, I'm going to be there this time.”
The glint in her eye told me not to argue, and I had to admit, it would make me feel safer.
“Thanks,” I said.
We crept upstairs together.
Chapter 20
The next morning I woke before Kat did. In truth I hadn't really slept, more like dozed. Whether shaken because of the attack or the new demon popping into my head, I felt more comfortable being awake enough to not be caught off guard, by an intruder or a voice.
I stepped carefully over Kat and made my way downstairs. No coffee smell this morning. I wasn't surprised, just sad. I pulled the grounds from the freezer and brewed a pot in the now immaculate coffee maker. The whole place was spotless. The grout gleamed, the stove sparkled, and a faint smell of bleach hung in the air. I entered the living room to find that the furniture had been rearranged. I liked it. I picked up a pillow and gave it a shake—no cloud of dust this time. I set it back down, making sure to leave it as perfectly placed as I'd found it. I went to the pathos plant in the corner. She'd wiped down each one of the leaves and trimmed the yellow ones. Small wonder she was still sleeping.
Back in the kitchen I made myself some cereal. I didn't want to wait any longer for coffee so I held my mug underneath the stream and let it fill before setting the pot back in its place.
Once again I concentrated solely on the music. I wondered what it would be like to kiss someone while I was this focused. I closed my eyes and imagined Taren's lips touching mine and having that be all I could feel, every part of me surrendering to him. The image was so real it was like he was there, touching my shoulder, his warm breath on my neck. His hand slid from my shoulder and clamped against my mouth.
My eyes flew open, darting wildly. Out of the corner of my eye I saw who had a hold of me. A man, wearing dark sunglasses. I clawed at him, kicking furiously, but to no avail. I was no match for the strength of a Red. He pulled me backward, the last thing I saw before darkness engulfed me, was Kat staring transfixed at the stage.
My eyes adjusted quickly. We were in a storage room. Extra chairs stacked atop each other, a large broom and a mop bucket in the corner. My eyes dimmed again, but this time it was because I was losing consciousness. One of my attacker's hands was still clamped firmly on my mouth while the other encircled my throat, thumb pressed deep into my carotid artery. My feet drummed weakly against the floor.
From far away I heard the door bang open and I was dropped to the floor. Air rushed into my lungs and I welcomed the pain of it, taking huge gulps. My vision cleared and I looked up to see Taren fighting the Red with a short blade. The Red's eyes glowed like fire, his sunglasses now on the floor. He was also armed with a blade, and the two sparred. For all of the Red's strength, his skill was outmatched. Within a minute, Taren knocked the knife from his hand and pinned him to the cold cement. Without hesitation he plunged his blade into the Red's chest sending a spurt of blood into the air. The Red gurgled and blood streamed from his mouth before its head lolled to the side, the unnatural light in his eyes winking out.
I shook uncontrollably. I'd never seen anyone die before. I knew he… it had been about to kill me, but it was still too much.
Kat hurdled into the room, coming to a halt and taking in the scene.
“What happened? Are you OK?' She rushed to kneel by my side.
I was still too stunned to respond. Kat probed tenderly at my neck.
“Guess we'll be heading back to the thrift store,” she said, forcing a smile. “We're going to need to get you some scarves to cover the bruising.”
“Scarves?” Taren said, wiping his blade on the dead man's pants. “You almost get her killed and you're worried about her wardrobe?”
He rose, and he'd never looked so dangerous, not even while killing the Red. Kat stared at the floor.
“Well, Katrina, what have you got to say for yourself?”
“Nothing,” Kat said. “There's no excuse. I'm so sorry, Ember.”
I opened my mouth but didn't get the chance to speak.
“Sorry doesn't keep her alive,” Taren said, his anger showing no signs of abating.
I wanted desperately to diffuse this powder keg. “It happened so fast. One second—”
“Which is why she shouldn't have taken her eyes off of you,” he said. “Because a lot can happen in a second. Annys will not be pleased.”
“Annys?” Kat said, rising to her feet. “You're going to report me?”
“You haven't left me much choice. Ember needs a Guardian who is more committed to taking care of her than lusting after some—”
“Hey! Lay off, Taren.” No longer abashed, Kat now crossed her arms across her chest. “Don't forget, I've saved your ass a time or two. You're not always so perfect.”
“This is different,” he said. “She's different.”
Because I was a Daemon.
For a moment, while he’d been battling the Red, I’d let myself believe differently—that he was fighting for my life because he cared about me. But he was just worried what it would mean to his cause if I died.
“Do you have any idea what would happen if—”
I didn't let him finish.
“What are you even doing here, anyway?” I asked, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. “Shouldn't you be sucking up to Annys so you get your job back?”
My words hung in the air.
“Kat, guard the door.” Taren's voice was all the more commanding for its quietness.
Kat looked to me, and didn't move until I gave a slight nod. She shut the door behind her.
When she had, Taren paced a moment before speaking. “You have no idea—”
“I have every idea,” I said, standing. “I know what I am, and I know what I'm expected to do. You've made it very clear that your concern for me is strictly professional. I’ll ask you again, what are you doing here?”
He stood in front of me, a pained expression on his face. “Ember, if anything happened to you…”
“I mean it, Taren. I'm over it. Don't pretend—”
And then he was kissing me. One hand gripping the back of my neck, the other at my waist, pulling me closer. I melted into him, leaving no space between us. Every atom of my being came alive and mingled with his. My hands, firm against his back, then gripping the muscles of his arms. Our mouths pressed together urgently, then slowed and became soft, fluttering against each other, until we were still, lips barely touching, breathing each other’s breath.
“Not completely over it, I guess.” I was delightfully dizzy, torn between wanting to kiss him further and wanting to bask in the moment just as it was.
“Good,” he said, his fingertips tracing my jaw.
“I thought…” but I couldn’t say it.
“I know what you thought,” he said, “because it's what I wanted you to think. I thought it would be easier.”
“Easier than what?” I asked, searching his eyes.
“Everything OK in there?” came Kat's voice from the other side of the door.
Taren released me and went to open it. “Yeah, Kat, we're fine. I'm sorry I was a jerk.”
She took in the scene—Taren now calm, me flushed—and smiled. “No, problem. Glad it all worked out. Except for him, of course.”
Taren and I followed her gaze to the body lying on the floor. The most romantic kiss of my life had just taken place next to a corpse.
“We should go,” Taren said. “There's no way for me to get him out of here without being seen, and I want us long gone by the time he's discovered.”
We exited the storeroom and walked back toward the stage. Taren's hand was on the small of my back, sending shivers of the nicest kind up my spine.
What was easier about pushing me away? I had a feeling it wasn't just some guy thing. I was torn between wanting to know, and not wanting to spoil the feeling that hung between us. I scanned the crowd. I felt safe with both Kat and Taren protecting me, but I couldn't help wondering if more than one Red had been sent after me. They were rumored to work alone, but they were also rumored to avoid crowds, so it seemed all bets were off.
Instead of stopping in the wings, Kat continued down the steps into the audience.
“Hey, don't you want to wait for Magda?” I had to shout over the din.
“Ember, I almost got you killed tonight because I was distracted. I'll just text her that something came up.” She turned and continued toward the door.
Once out front of the club Taren said, “We need someplace with a lot of people. Well-lit, even at this time of night. Cameras would be good.”
“City Walk?” I hated to be the one to suggest it, but it did fit the bill.
Kat groaned. Universal City Walk, perched atop a hill overlooking Universal Studios, was filled with theme restaurants, souvenir shops, a mega-plex theatre and a bowling alley. From open to close it was crammed with tourists snapping photos, and locals who like all of their chain restaurants in one location. It was a place I wouldn't normally be caught dead in, but since it seemed the most likely place to keep me alive, I was willing.
“Perfect,” Taren said. “I'm parked just down the street.”
We left Kat's car where it was and piled into Taren's. Kat made a point to take the backseat, leaving me to sit up front.
“So, why do you think the Red came after me in such a crowded place like that?” I asked once we were underway.
“I don't know,” Taren said, “and until I do we're going to have to be on high alert.”
I wanted to ask if it was because the Demon had finally realized I couldn't be won over to Its side and with me being able to influence the Gateway I was too much of a liability, but Kat didn't know those details, so I held my tongue. Besides, there was something that tugged at me about what Taren had just said. We had to be careful…
“That's what I heard the Voice say, just before the attack—that I had to be careful. Why would It warn me like that?
“You heard it say be careful?” Taren said. “And you're sure it was the voice you always hear?”
“Positive. It's very distinctive.”
“Maybe there's some kind of discord among the demon races,” Kat said, “or some wires got crossed.”
“Maybe,” Taren said, but I could tell he was as troubled as I.
We drove up a steep hill and entered the Curious George lot. The parking garages at City Walk were named after cartoon characters and actors.
When we stepped out of the elevator our ears were assaulted. I could listen to loud music with no problem, but the sound of 90's pop hits from one establishment mixing with a mariachi band from Camacho’s, interwoven with the screams of excited children up way past their bedtimes was collectively too much. The three of us recoiled.
“Come on,” Taren said, “it's exactly what we need.”
He was right, and it had been my idea. Kat and I followed without protest.
Over a side of fries, Taren asked when my curfew was. Kat and I shared a look.
“It's kind of fluid tonight,” I said. “My mom stopped taking her medicine so it's crazy central right now. We're kind of hoping to wait it out. I'm thinking three-ish?”
“Perfect,” Taren said. “We've got plenty of time for a game.”
I followed his gaze upstairs to Lucky Strike.
“Bowling?” I hadn't been bowling since I was seven.
“What else are we going to do?” he asked.
He had a point—we still had a few hours to kill.
***
The lanes were brightly lit and Taren chose one smack in the middle. He stood confidently at the line, poised to release the ball. And then he did—right into the gutter.
“Wow,” Kat said when his second ball did the same, “that's going to be hard to top.”
I stood up to take my turn, which also resulted in a gutter ball. On my follow-up I managed to take down two pins, but only after adopting the stand-with-wide-legs-and-roll-it-with-two-hands stance all the kids were doing. I took a bow all the same.
Kat jumped up and grabbed a hot pink ball, which she then held overhead while she twirled around, releasing it almost directly into the gutter.
“Maybe we should ask for bumper rails,” I said.
“Or… we could score on style points,” Kat said. “I think that last effort was worth at least six.”
She plucked her ball as it emerged from the machine and strutted like a supermodel down a catwalk. She turned, struck a fierce pose, and released the ball through her legs backward. From then on, bowling got way more fun. Taren was fond of air-guitaring, while I was more comfortable with interpretive performances. At the end of our first game we realized we'd been too busy laughing to keep score, but that didn't keep us from starting a second one. Kat went up to the snack bar to grab us some soda leaving Taren and me alone for the first time since we'd kissed.
“How are you doing?” he asked. “That was a pretty close call you had earlier.”
I nodded. “I was freaked at first, but… I kind of need to get used to it, right? Until the Gateway is locked it probably isn't safe for me to leave the Institute again.”
“They should have never let you leave in the first place,” Taren said, his eyes darkening.
“Annys and Master Dogan were doing me a favor to let me come home. They couldn't have known I’d be in any danger.”
The set of Taren's jaw made me think he was holding something back. I probed further.
“What happened, anyway?” I asked. “Why did you fight with Annys? And how long are you suspended for?”
“I wish I knew. Once she cut me I didn't stick around to find out. As to why… I guess it's because Annys is being Annys. Which is usually a good thing, but lately we haven't seen eye to eye on much.”
I thought about going up against Annys and knew I'd probably never manage it. Remembering how dangerous Taren had looked when confronting Kat, I believed he had.
“Heads up,” Kat said. She was balancing three sodas and a bag of chips.
I jumped up to help her, disappointed that I hadn't gotten the chance to learn more before she'd returned.
***
Lucky Strike closed at two, and by the time we got to the car and made it back to where Kat was parked at the club, we were on track for our three a.m. target. I prayed my mom had finished her frenzy and was asleep. Taren pulled up beside Kat's car and let the engine idle.
“I'm going to follow you home,” he said, “just to make sure you get there safe. After that, your mother's detail can take over.”
“Em, would you mind riding with Taren,” Kat said as she opened her door. “I'm going to give Magda a call and I could use some privacy.”
The move was transparent and I didn't help matters by responding, “sure,” just a little too quickly.
Once Kat was safely in her car, Taren and I pulled away. We rode in silence until I couldn't stand it anymore, the words coming out in a rush.
“Why would it be easier if I thought you didn't like me?” I asked.
His brow furrowed.
“Because I'm afraid one of us is going to get hurt,” he said, “and I don't want that to happen.”
“Why would one of us get hurt?” I asked, sensing he meant more than just typical guy-girl stuff.
“Because there are things going on,” he said, “things I can't talk with you about. Not yet.”
He came to a stop in front of my apartment building. I wished we still had longer to drive.
“Why not? I haven't blabbed any of the other million secrets I'm keeping.”
“It's not you I don't trust,” he said.
“Then what—”
“Please, Ember, can we just leave it for now?” His voice was pleading and he put his hand to my cheek. “I'm not sorry I kissed you. I wish I'd done it sooner. But I need you to trust me. Can you do that for just a little while longer?”
I responded by leaning in and touching my lips to his. A spark of electricity passed between us and I don't think I was the only one who trembled.
She'll never forgive me.
I pulled back with a start. It wasn't the Demon.
“What?” Taren said. “What is it?”
I shook my head to clear it. “I-I don't know, I heard something when we kissed. It wasn't the Demon, it was… something else.”
“Maybe you're starting to hear the other demonic voices,” he said. “What did it say?”
“It said, 'She'll never forgive me.'“
Taren's eyes widened briefly but his voice was calm when he said, “I'm sure it was nothing. All kinds of weird things run through my brain.”
I wasn't convinced. It hadn't sounded like an errant thought, it had sounded like a voice speaking inside my mind. Maybe he was right and I was beginning to hear the other demons now. It was an unsettling thought.
By this time Kat had parked and was waiting in the driveway.
“I should go,” I said and opened the door. “And to answer your question, yes, I can trust you a while longer.”
I smiled at him, and he smiled back, but it seemed forced, like his mind was already on something else.
“Get some sleep if you can,” he said, “and I'll see you back at the Institute tomorrow afternoon. Annys and I have some things to discuss.”
***
Kat and I paused at my front door. The lights were off and all was quiet. I breathed a sigh of relief as I pulled my keys from my purse. Once inside, I left the lights off. Kat grabbed her blanket from the sofa and began to follow me upstairs.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
“I'm sleeping on the floor of your bedroom. If anything happens, I'm going to be there this time.”
The glint in her eye told me not to argue, and I had to admit, it would make me feel safer.
“Thanks,” I said.
We crept upstairs together.
Chapter 20
The next morning I woke before Kat did. In truth I hadn't really slept, more like dozed. Whether shaken because of the attack or the new demon popping into my head, I felt more comfortable being awake enough to not be caught off guard, by an intruder or a voice.
I stepped carefully over Kat and made my way downstairs. No coffee smell this morning. I wasn't surprised, just sad. I pulled the grounds from the freezer and brewed a pot in the now immaculate coffee maker. The whole place was spotless. The grout gleamed, the stove sparkled, and a faint smell of bleach hung in the air. I entered the living room to find that the furniture had been rearranged. I liked it. I picked up a pillow and gave it a shake—no cloud of dust this time. I set it back down, making sure to leave it as perfectly placed as I'd found it. I went to the pathos plant in the corner. She'd wiped down each one of the leaves and trimmed the yellow ones. Small wonder she was still sleeping.
Back in the kitchen I made myself some cereal. I didn't want to wait any longer for coffee so I held my mug underneath the stream and let it fill before setting the pot back in its place.
