Amber Frost (40 page)

The responsibility was overwhelming. Everything he was telling me was just too much to take in, I couldn’t wrap my mind around it yet. I felt numb, like I was in shock and unable to properly react until I’d had time to process all of this information. There was no time.

“How many are there?” I asked quietly. He hesitated before answering.

“There were twelve Others. The last to join us was over three hundred years ago – there could be more now, though I doubt there would be many. The Others often fought amongst themselves, always wanting different things, never working together. I’m surprised they even managed to combine their wants clearly enough to change Walter, but obviously they have.”

“Obviously,” I echoed mutely. Sebastian looked at me sharply, hearing the glum, defeat in my voice.

“It’s going to be okay, Gracelynn. We’re together again, that’s all that matters. I will keep you safe,” he promised feverently.

“I know,” I assured him, and I did. I trusted him more than anyone or anything else. I could feel the bond between us – and not just the magical Bond that tied our souls together, and not the bond from our shared pain and loss, or the strange mirrored markings on our skin, but the bond of our friendship, of our love and faith in one another.

“Tell me what to do,” I instructed him, my voice coming out clearer and more confidently than I had expected. He quickly took my hand in his, raising it to his lips to briefly kiss the amber ring on my finger.

“We’re in grave danger. Our only hope is to run. We’ve got to leave today – now.” He squeezed my hand gently as he spoke, trying to soften the harsh fear lurking behind his words.

I closed my eyes, a dozen images flickering behind my lids. My home was here and all of my possessions. I was only two short weeks away from graduating high school. I’d be leaving all my friends, my mother, my memories behind. I nodded calmly. The brief moment of hesitation had already gone and passed. I was leaving nothing behind for everything I needed, everything I truly wanted was right here, in my hands. As incredulous as it all seemed, as terrifying and overwhelming and impossible, there was no choice, there was no other option for me. From the very moment I’d remembered Sebastian, the instant I’d realized how miserable and meaningless my life was without him, I’d known the only choice for me was to be with him, whatever that might entail.

I could sense the building urgency in every tensed muscle in his body as he silently waited for my response. Fear, uncertainty and mystery radiated from Sebastian and yet there was still the glowing sense of comfort, the promise of his love, the power of his commitment. My choice was made; there was no choice.

“Let’s go,” I agreed.

And so together, we ran, for our lives.

Suzi Davis is a British-born Canadian writer and artist and has been writing stories and poetry for as long as she can remember. Her current focus is on writing young adult novels whose genre allows her to explore the relationships between families, friends and young lovers. Interested in the paranormal, there is always an added element of magical fantasy to whatever tale she spins. Suzi lives on British Columbia's Vancouver Island with her husband and young son.

AMBER FROST
is her first novel. Find out more about her at authorsuzidavis.com