Discern (33 page)

“No, but I was hoping to meet him one day, and this makes it a little difficult,” he said disappointed.

“I’ll convince him otherwise.”

“You won’t have to, after this afternoon, I expect that this will be cleared up.”

“I see. Is Alec suspicious of our relationship?” I asked nervously.

“No, not yet, but we haven’t been around each other in his presence, so we’ll see if he can read your soul and sense my attachment to you.”

“What would he do then?”

“I’m fairly certain that he won’t care. He isn’t really fond of our parents either.”

“He wouldn’t tell the others, would he?” I asked.

“Hopefully not.”

“Would they hurt my father?” I swallowed hard.

“Yes, they would hurt everyone you cared about.”

 
“Maybe this isn’t a good idea,” I sighed heavily, holding back the tears.

“Haley, I’m not going to let them hurt you or your father.”

“You can’t guarantee that.”

“I can and I will.” His voice was unwavering.

“I can’t do this anymore,” I said. “I think it’s time for you to erase my memory. I can’t lose my father, too.”

“Haley, please don’t say that.” His voice dropped.

“Andrew, please,” I said softly.

“Erasing your memory isn’t an option.”

“I thought you said it was?”

“It isn’t,” he said stiffly.

“Why not?” I demanded.

“Haley, trust my judgment,” he said firmly. “It isn’t an option.”

“Why can’t you erase it?”

“It isn’t an option.” His voice was cold and his eyes were red. “Subject over.”

“Then I’ll just tell the whole world what you are,” I challenged.

“Then I guess I’ll just have to take that chance.”

We swerved into the driveway of Andrew’s house in town—the house where I had discovered his true identity. Both garage doors rolled open, and we pulled into one stall. Alec pulled into the other.

He placed his hand on top of mine. This time no sparks were felt, as I was too angry. “Wait until both doors are down before you get out,” he instructed flatly.

“Fine,” I glowered.

The garage filled with darkness as both doors hit the concrete. “Can I get out now?” I huffed.

He didn’t answer. He angrily flung open his door. I followed, assuming it was safe to do the same. Mr. Mitchell looked terrified. I quickly turned away. There was nothing I could do to change the outcome of the situation.

The heat from Alec’s body radiated onto my back, I picked up the pace as we entered the house.

They instructed Mr. Mitchell to walk upstairs, following close behind him.

“Stay down here, Haley,” Andrew instructed as he stopped and glared down from the top of the stairs.

“Why can’t I come?”

“Stay,” he commanded harshly.

A door slammed upstairs. Poor Mr. Mitchell was probably scared out of his mind. He should have minded his own business like Andrew had warned him days ago. Braden would be so upset if he knew his father was in harm’s way. He would be in the same danger though if he were here.

I flung myself on the couch, gritting my teeth and mashing my hands together in anger. The fairytale I believed I was living only hours ago had turned in to a nightmare. He was evil. He was a demon or whatever other creature that was bad. If I felt it was safe to leave, I would’ve bolted—but I knew he would find me. No matter how fast I ran, he would catch me.

This whole back and forth thing was beginning to get irritating. One moment, we are confessing how much we yearned to be near one another and the next minute he was frustrated.

This day couldn’t be any worse. Accidentally answering Braden’s call, my father believing I was hanging out with a serial killer, which was actually accurate, in a way, and now I’m in the middle of a big mess caused by Mr. Mitchell. I couldn’t even imagine what else might happen today. Maybe Alec would slaughter me, leaving Andrew emotionally scarred for the rest of his existence.

Although I felt irritated at the moment, it wouldn’t be long before I would begin sobbing like I always did when something wasn’t going right. And now was definitely one of those times.

After a few minutes, all three of them emerged. Mr. Mitchell appeared to be in one solid piece. His shoulders were slumped over, and his head hung low.

“Go tell her,” Andrew instructed, giving him a slight nudge.

Mr. Mitchell’s head rose. “I apologize for causing such a mess. I’ll clear this up with your father,” he said, emotionless.

“Are you okay?” I stood up and lightly touched his arm.

“I’m fine. Everything will be fine.”

Alec turned the knob on the front door, and it swung open. “Time to leave Tom, a car is waiting for you,” he said sternly.

Both of their eyes were slowly fading from red crystals back to green. But Alec’s were different. They were a soft green, not a deep green like Andrew’s. His eyes were also magnificent sparkling crystals.

Mr. Mitchell turned and exited out the front door. I walked over to the large window in the front room and peeked through the blinds. He slowly walked down the driveway and slide into a dark blue sedan. The car sped away.

The room suddenly got warmer, a great deal warmer. I spun around to see Andrew standing right behind me, and Alec not far behind. “You didn’t hurt him,” I said softly.

“I told you I wouldn’t.” Andrew’s voice was flat.

“Why not?”

“Lucky day for him,” he said, glancing over in Alec’s direction before returning his focus to me.

“Well, now that that’s all taken care of, I apologize for being so rude.” Alec’s voice was now smooth and alluring as he made his way over to me.

I turned, slightly frightened by his presence.

“I’m Alec, and it’s very nice to make your acquaintance,” he smiled, extending his large, muscular hand.

“Yes, same to you,” I smiled nervously, reaching my hand toward his.

Our hands touched. Alec’s face was suddenly pained as he attempted to withdraw his hand from mine. Bright orange and yellow flames blazed in between us. I screamed, not because the large ball of fire that burned before my eyes caused any pain, but I was completely terrified.

“It’s burning!” He shrieked.

Andrew snatched his arm, ripping it away from my hand. Alec ran to the kitchen.

“I-is he okay?” I stuttered.

I heard running water coming from the kitchen faucet.

“Are you hurt?” Andrew gasped, inspecting my hand.

“No.” I blinked rapidly as the light from the fire had been intense. “Is he okay?” I asked again.

Alec appeared before Andrew could answer my question. His hand was charred and black. Andrew walked over and grabbed Alec’s burnt hand. “Can you heal it?” Andrew asked.

“Yes, it’s healing now,” Alec replied, carefully holding his arm at the wrist.

His charred hand began rapidly healing. “Oh my!” I gasped.

Andrew rushed to my side. “It’s all right. That’s one of our abilities.”

“I gathered,” I murmured.

Andrew turned his attention back toward Alec, who just stood there in silence looking me over. “What happened?” Andrew asked, seemingly as confused as I.

“I’m not sure,” he said, his forehead furrowed. “What is she?” he asked, barely audible.

“Did yours burn, Haley?” Andrew looked down.

“No,” I said, still shaking my head. “I felt nothing.”

“What is she?” Alec asked again, aloud this time, focusing on Andrew.

Andrew’s eyes narrowed. “She’s just a simple mortal,” he said sternly.

“She appears to be just that, but why did my hand start on fire?” Alec asked baffled.

“I’m not sure, that’s why I brought you here. I was hoping you could answer why she can see through our façade—but things just got a little more complicated.” Andrew spoke with frustration.

“You say her soul is similar to
Alexandria
’s?”

This was an extremely uncomfortable situation.

“Yes, every aspect of her soul is the same.”

“Are you sure?” Alec asked.

“Yes.” Andrew gritted his teeth.

“If she’s truly the reincarnation of
Alexandria
, then her soul might have been somehow touched with your powers,” Alec mused.

“Mortals cannot possess immortal powers,” Andrew challenged.

“Their souls can’t reincarnate either,” Alec challenged back.

“Well, apparently they have,” Andrew huffed.

“Then apparently she has our powers,” Alec said.

“She doesn’t possess our powers or she’d have our abilities, and she doesn’t,” Andrew explained.

“None of our abilities?” Alec asked.

“None,” Andrew said firmly.

“Not even the abilities of one of our hybrids?”

“No, absolutely nothing, but being able to see our differences—and apparently start you on fire,” Andrew smirked.

“Has she ever burned you?” Alec scowled.

“No, never,” Andrew smiled smugly.

Alec’s brow arched. “Can you use your abilities on her?”

“From what I’ve tried, yes, but I haven’t really explored much.” Andrew’s voice lowered as he glanced down at me.

“Maybe you should try,” Alec suggested.

“No,” Andrew replied darkly. “Touch her again.”

I stood there horrified and speechless.

“I’m not sure I want to do that,” Alec replied uneasily.

“You must.”

Alec took a few steps in my direction. He extended his arm out once more. “Don’t touch me. I’ll touch you and see if the same thing happens,” he said, extending his arm.

I closed my eyes. Standing there motionless, I anticipated the same pain he had felt. His hand gently ran across my cheek. His hand was warm, but nothing out of the ordinary.

He screamed louder this time. My eyes quickly opened. Andrew grabbed Alec’s arm, prying it from my face. Alec bent over in pain, and his hand was again on fire. I screamed, realizing how close the fire had been to my face. Alec ran to the kitchen sink, extinguishing the fire.

“Did you feel the flames?” Andrew asked, lightly touching where Alec had.

“No,” I said, still shaken from the sight.

“Nothing?”

“I only felt his hand, no heat or flames.”

Andrew carefully looked me over and continued to run his finger along my cheek. “Do you feel the same sparks, as you did before?” he asked with a worried expression.

I closed my eyes. “Yes, I still feel them,” I breathed.

He retracted his hand. They both stood over me as I opened my eyes. There was a look of confusion on their faces—which definitely made me a little more nervous—if that was even possible.

Andrew and Alec paced around the kitchen. There was complete silence as I sat at the dining room table. Every few minutes they would stop, look at one another and shake their heads.

I could no longer bear the silence. “No answers?”

“We’re trying, but we can’t seem to figure it out,” Andrew replied.

“How is pacing around going to help?”

“We’re talking to each other. We can communicate telepathically,” he explained.

“Oh,” I said, surprised as to why they felt compelled to converse this way.

I crossed my arms and threw them on top the table, dropping my head into my arms—slightly irritated. Exclusion wasn’t the only irritating factor—it also had a lot to do with this new found ability to light his brother on fire. Another ability that would keep Andrew frustrated. I pinched my arm again to be sure I wasn’t dreaming. “Ouch,” I whispered in the hollow spot within my arms. I pinched a little too hard.

“You aren’t dreaming,” Andrew said with a large grin upon his face.

“Feels like it,” I muttered.

He casually walked over, leaned down and kissed the top of my head. This display of affection in front of his brother was shocking. “We’ll figure this out,” he whispered. “This isn’t a bad thing.” His breath blew softly in my ear.

I jerked my head up to look in to his eyes. “It isn’t?”

“This might just be the answer to all of our problems,” he smiled widely.

“Is that why you kissed me?”

“He knows and doesn’t care,” he winked.

“Okay.”

“I should try, shouldn’t I?” Alec asked, interrupting our whispers.

“Yes,” Andrew nodded.

“Try what?” I asked.

“Alec is going to try a few of his abilities out on you…”

I didn’t let Andrew finish. “What?!” I exclaimed.

“Haley, I wouldn’t allow him to do any harm to you, but it’s necessary to gauge your strength.”

“Like?” I questioned.

“We all have the ability to move objects with our mind, incapacitate our victims, read souls and many other things,” Andrew rambled a little.