Seconds Before Sunrise (The Timely Death Trilogy), page 23
She let go of Jonathon’s hand to grab mine. “Are you alright?”
“I’m alive if that counts for anything.”
“That counts for everything,” she said, tugging on my hand lightly. She didn’t want to hurt my stitches, but she wanted me to kiss her, and I didn’t know if I could. I had just lost everything. I didn’t feel like I deserved to have her.
When I didn’t move, her eyes became misty. “I’m sorry,” she blurted out, and I didn’t have to ask to know what she was talking about.
“Don’t be,” I said, kneeling down to touch her face. Her skin sizzled with all of the energy Camille left behind. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“But Camille—”
“She knew what she was doing,” I pointed out before she could dwell on something none of us could change.
“That doesn’t make it any better,” she argued stubbornly.
“No, it doesn’t,” I agreed. “But she died doing what she thought was right, and for that, we have to respect it.”
Jessica blinked her tears away. “You won’t mourn her?”
“Of course I will.” I already am. “But there’s been enough death tonight. We need rest.”
“I agree,” Jonathon said, looking directly at Jessica. “It’d probably be best if you stayed away from the shelter for a while.”
His words almost started a new kind of fight. “So she can be an easy target?” I asked, using my words instead of my fists.
“She’s an easy target here,” he said it, and everyone knew what he meant. If one shade believed Darthon would die if Jessica did, she was in trouble.
“I can defend myself,” Jessica interrupting, placing a hand on my chest.
I looked at her like she had agreed to kill Pierce if need be.
“I’d have to,” she clarified, and I turned away, knowing I couldn’t argue. She wasn’t safe anywhere − not from our kind − and the only one who could protect her was the man I should’ve killed tonight.
“Then, she stays,” Jonathon changed his mind, silencing as he stood up. No one wanted to discuss it. Even I had to admit there was a chance it was.
We didn’t talk again until the door opened, and my father stepped inside. “How are you kids holding up?”
“I’m not in pieces yet,” Jonathon joked, but no one laughed. He rubbed the back of his head and stared at the wall. I knew what he was thinking. Camille would’ve slapped him for making fun of a dark situation.
“We should get everyone out of here,” my father continued, ignoring Jonathon’s reaction. “And I’d prefer if you stayed at our house tonight, Jess − until we are positive Darthon’s given up.”
“Yes, sir,” she mumbled, knowing her parents would have an illusion spell put on them if it hadn’t happened already.
“Do you have enough power to transport?” my father asked, and I shook my head.
“I do,” Jessica said. Despite being in the Light realm, she hadn’t suffered physically at all. It was her emotional pain I worried about.
“Come in five minutes,” my father instructed, slowly disappearing. “I have to talk to Mindy.” When he was fully gone, I wondered if my stepmother would be placed under a spell, too.
“Are you going to be okay, Jonathon?” Jessica asked him, and I wished I knew when he had exposed his identity to her.
“I’ll be fine,” he promised. “Brenthan stayed home,” he said to me.
“Good,” I said, feeling my first bit of relief, even though I knew three girls who wouldn’t be getting their father back. I could only hope Ida had survived. “Let’s go now,” I said to Jessica, not wanting to voice my thoughts.
She nodded, and we were in my house before I realized she had done it. I hadn’t even seen smoke or felt the transport. It was too smooth.
I gaped at her as her shoulders lifted in a half-shrug. “I think my powers enhanced,” she whispered just as my bedroom door flew open.
Mindy was in tears. “You’re okay,” she said, crossing the room to embrace us both. I struggled beneath her hold and froze when I saw my father in the doorway. He was still a shade.
“What—”
“I’ve always had a feeling something wasn’t right,” she explained, pulling back as she wiped tears away. “It’s okay now.”
But it wasn’t. It was too easy, and I was looking from my father to her, wanting a better explanation. “How could you accept this so easily?” I asked.
Mindy tilted her face to the side. “I love you guys,” she said it like she was actually my mother, and I hated to admit that I wished she was.
“I have more explaining to do,” my father muttered, falling into his human form. Mindy’s eyes got big, and she giggled like she was experiencing magic instead of everything that caused her family pain.
“I’ll have to adjust to that,” she said.
My father took her hand. “Let’s leave them alone,” he said, and she waved as he directed her out.
My knees buckled beneath me, and Jessica grabbing me was the only reason I didn’t fall. She sat me on my bed and crawled up next to me. “It’s okay,” she said, and I realized I was crying − sobbing like the child I had never been allowed to be.
“She’s human,” I gasped, and Jessica’s fingertips brushed across my cheek. “Humans exist.” And it felt unfair that I would never be one.
“Look at yourself,” Jessica said, only grabbing my hand to lift it. The skin was burnt on one, and the other one was still bleeding. “You’re human, too, and you’re a brave one.”
The tears stopped. “I gave up,” I admitted, thinking of how easily my life could’ve been taken. “I gave up.”
“What do you mean—”
“I gave up because you were going to die if I killed him.” I knew it was wrong even when I did it. “There was no reason to live after that.”
She slapped the back of my head. “What are you talking about?” she asked. “The Dark needs you—”
“And I need you,” I interrupted, turning my torso to meet eyes with the girl I had always loved, with the one who finally remembered me. “You don’t know how hard it was without you here.”
She was silent, and it was the last sound I wanted to hear.
“I have something for you,” I said, jumping to my feet to cross the room. I could feel her eyes on me as I opened up my dresser drawer and pulled out the black box my father gifted me. My legs shook as I sat down next to her. I opened it before I could stop myself.
Inside was the one thing my mother had left behind − her wedding ring. It was silver, and it glittered without light. The sides twinkled as they spun out like two wings, curling down the ends. Between the twists, two sapphires intertwined as if they were one jewel, and a single diamond sat above them.
She scooted away. “Eric—”
“It’s not an engagement ring if you don’t want it to be,” I explained before she could deny it. “It can be more like a promise if you want.”
She wasn’t breathing, and I was about to hyperventilate.
“I know this is a lot to be asking, but—” I grabbed her hands and put the box in her palms. She was shaking. “I knew I had to do this − even months ago, I knew I wanted this,” I explained, wanting to make sure she understood I wasn’t doing it as a reaction of the night. “Life is short, and I want to spend it with you.”
Her fingers skimmed the jewels, but she was looking at me. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Very.”
She stared at it for the first time, and I swore I could see the sapphires reflecting in her gaze.
“It was my mother’s,” I managed, and she squeaked. “She left it for me because she knew I’d find you.”
“I—I—” She wasn’t answering, and she dropped the box in her lap, so she could rub her forehead. “I’m really tired, Eric,” she said, but I didn’t give up. I wasn’t capable of giving up on her.
“Did I do something wrong?” I asked, touching her arm.
She leaned into me, placing her head on my shoulder, and I half-expected her to pass out.
“If this is too soon—”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” she whispered, and I laid my arm around her torso. “It’s perfect. It’s just—” She hesitated.
I pulled her back to lift her chin up. I wanted to look at her. “What is it?” I asked. “Just tell me.”
“I don’t deserve this.” Her insecurity broke me more than her rejection. “Not right now.”
“You’ve always deserved it,” I argued, grabbing the box from her lap. She didn’t even fight me. “I’ll prove it to you,” I said, and she started to speak, but I kissed her to prevent it. When we broke apart, I asked one last question, “Can I take you somewhere tomorrow?”
I leaned over to put the ring on my desk before she nodded. “I’m sorry—” she started, but I lifted the blankets on my bed.
“I don’t like it when you say that,” I said.
She bit her lip.
“Get in,” I instructed, pointing to the covers.
She crawled in without arguing. I only followed her when she stopped squirming. Her nervous movements were oddly endearing, and I wrapped my arm around her side, surprised that her hair still smelt like shampoo.
“Good night, Jessica.”
“Do you believe him?” she asked.
I had practically proposed to her, and she was still focused on Darthon. I sighed, more upset at myself than her hesitation.
“Do you?” she repeated, and I knew she was wondering about her death bringing his.
“I’d never hurt you,” I answered, and she tensed. It was an indirect response, but it said everything she asked to hear. I believed him. “What do you believe?” I asked.
“I don’t know.”
I threaded my fingers through her curls. “Can I say one last thing?”
She flipped around, and her forehead pressed against mine. “I can’t really stop you.”
“I love you,” I said.
She smiled for the first time that evening. “I love you, too,” she said, and for once, I felt like I had won everything − all because we were able to express our love without being forced to stop it.
Jessica
I woke up before him, and I managed to get out of his bed without waking him. It felt like a bigger accomplishment than being alive, but I didn’t feel very alive. My entire body felt drained, and I struggled to walk down the hallway to the kitchen.
“Morning, Jess.” His father was chipper, and Mindy bounced around like she hadn’t just learned of another world’s existence. I stared, unable to comprehend their nonchalant attitudes, and they only looked up when I didn’t respond.
“Are you okay?” Mindy asked, crossing the room.
I waved, hoping she would keep her distance. “Still shook up,” I admitted.
Eric’s father put a mug of steaming liquid on the table. “Hot tea,” he said, and I thanked the older replication of Eric. I wondered if all biological kids resembled their parents as much as he did.
I took a sip as Noah bounced down the hallway. “What’s going on in here?” he asked, rubbing his eyes, and I wondered if he would be told about the Dark one day, too. When he saw me, he stopped. “What are you doing here?”
“Noah,” Mindy’s tone was a harsh warning, and he straightened up. “Your breakfast is almost ready.” This time, she sounded kind, and I was startled by how quickly she could change it.
“Thanks, Mom,” he mumbled, crawling into the nearest chair. I stared at Eric’s stepbrother, taking in the changes he had gone through. He was growing, and the sudden change was startling. “How have you been?” he asked, eyeing me as if I had checked him out.
“Good,” I said.
He opened his mouth as Eric’s bedroom door shot open. The wood cracked against the wall, splitting the conversation.
“Where’s—” He stopped when his tired eyes landed on me. “Jessica. You’re still here.”
“Of course I am,” I squeaked.
He sighed and laid a hand on his chest as if the night before had slammed into him.
“Why don’t we all sit down and—”
“Jessica and I have to go somewhere,” he said, but his father held up a hand.
“Relax, Eric,” he said, looking from his son to me. He knew something happened. “Get some good food in you first.”
“Fine.” He plopped into a seat at the table. “But then we’re leaving.”
Noah’s nose scrunched up. “You might want to shower first,” he said, and Eric’s eyes darted to his stepbrother. “You smell like hell.”
“Sorry, kid,” Eric said, laying his hand on Noah’s head. “I got in a fight with it last night.”
Noah pushed him away, but he was smiling. “You’re weird,” he said, and Eric shrugged as Mindy dropped breakfast on the table.
“Eat up,” she said. “You’ll need your strength.”
….
Eric’s father cleaned up the dishes as Eric showered. Noah disappeared to his room, and Mindy eyed the sweater she let me borrow. I shifted beneath the scratchy wool and wondered how she always wore things like it.
“It’s a little big,” she said, and I wrapped my arms around my torso. “But it should keep you warm.”
“Thank you,” I said, knowing she didn’t have to give me clothes to wear. Mine weren’t even ruined, but I doubted I could ever wear them again. The memory of the battle would be too much.
“I can check to see if I have a coat,” she said, and I didn’t bother stopping her. She wouldn’t listen anyway.
“She has a big heart,” Mr. Welborn said, but he had broken a law by telling a human about the Dark. He had also done what was necessary. He needed to know who − or what − she was, now that our identities were revealed.
“Where’s Eric taking you?” he asked a question I couldn’t answer.
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
The shower turned off in the hallway bathroom. Eric would be out any minute, and I expected his father to ask me something − anything really − but he didn’t.
“Here, Jess,” Mindy said, rushing back in the room. She had me turned around and wrapped me in a fluffy coat before I could even respond. “It’s cold out today.”
“And it will be all winter,” Eric’s father said.
Mindy laughed as if he had actually said a joke. “This fits perfectly,” she continued, and my body heat escalated. I would get too hot if I didn’t get outside soon.
“Hey, Mindy—” Eric started talking as he opened the door, drying his hair with a towel. When he looked up, he stopped to look at me. “Oh, good. You’re already dressed.”
“Yeah.” I tried to keep my eyes off of his chest. He wasn’t. He was only in a towel.
“We probably won’t be back for a while,” Eric spoke over his shoulder as he went to his room. “I’ll take my phone, but I always have this.” He leaned out, pointed to his head, and then ducked back in his room.
His father rolled his eyes as Mindy’s brow rose. “Why wouldn’t he have his head?” she asked.
“Telepathy,” his father said. “Remember?”
She slapped her forehead. “I should take notes.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Don’t write anything down,” she repeated an apparent rule he had given her. “I remember now.” Mindy beamed as Eric came out. “You two have fun,” she said.
Eric stopped next to me. I waited for him to touch me, but he didn’t. “Bye,” he said, but his father sat his mug of tea on the table.
“Wait,” he said. “There’s something I wanted to discuss with you two.”
Eric’s shoulders rose at his tone. “About?”
“Just be safe.”
“We will be,” I said.
“Not about Darthon.” His father groaned. “About, you know, what teenagers do.”
“Dad,” Eric’s voice was sharp. “You can stop now.”
“We don’t need a pregnancy on top of all of this,” his father continued anyway, and my face burned. “I know it’s fun and all, but you two have responsibilities.”
“We aren’t sleeping together,” Eric responded because I couldn’t.
“But—” His father couldn’t believe it. “You two are acting weird. I figured—”
“Nothing happened,” he said, grabbing my arm as he dragged me downstairs.
His father’s confusion turned into a chuckle. “Wait.”
Eric grabbed the doorknob but turned his torso around. “We’re leaving.”
“You’re forgetting something,” his father said, reaching into his shirt pocket. He pulled out a set of keys and tossed it across the room. “Have fun.”
Jessica
We stood in the driveway and stared at Eric’s present. A black car − just like the one Eric had crashed − was parked in front of us, somehow untouched by the snow.
“That man is unbelievable,” Eric muttered.
“You have a really good dad,” I admitted, unsure of when Eric’s father had morphed from an uncaring parent to an involved one.
“I know,” Eric agreed, glancing over at me. “Your hair looks black when it’s wet.”
I touched my hair, knowing it curled and frizzed as it dried. “I didn’t have a blow-dryer.”
“Noah broke Mindy’s doing a project last week,” he said, reaching inside his jacket. He pulled out a beanie, stepped forward, and tugged it over my head. “Ready?”
“Yeah,” I managed, and we got in his car.
He backed out of the driveway. We were silent as the car flew through town. News vans littered the streets, and I had to hold myself back from asking him what the Dark’s excuse was. I didn’t think he would know anyway.
We drove past them, and I pressed my head against the cold glass of the passenger window. The streets turned to fields, and the fields stretched for longer than I had expected. I only recognized it because Crystal had driven me through it.
“We’re here,” he said, shifting his car into park. He got out before I could even open the door. When I got out, he was halfway over the fence, and I let him help me over even though I didn’t need it.
