Emanare (Destined, #1) (17 page)

Sam concentrated on the truth, attempting to talk her mind into seeing only what she knew was real. First she looked at the forest behind her and then tried to envision the house. Nothing. She only saw the illusion Evrik had created. Evrik—he was it. When she had blocked false information, it had been because she was thinking of him.

Sam concentrated again, this time focusing only on Evrik. She sharpened her stare on the fake forest behind her and centered her thoughts to visualize what was real—the house. She imagined the magnificent spread Evrik had prepared the first night he introduced her to Malachi and Alea, and Evrik’s comforting embrace the night she woke next to the flickering warmth of the fireplace—and it appeared. The house was still there; it hadn’t disappeared. Nothing real had disappeared. Her memories of Evrik were as vivid as the moments they’d occurred, and so was the house. 

Then she looked out into the distance, at the second house, the illusion Evrik had created. She studied the house, trying to focus on the trees she knew were real. Sam also imagined her time with Evrik, refusing to let anything be a delusion. She remembered the wind blowing through her hair and the smell of hay and cornstalk in the fall, and Evrik cradling her in his arms on their rock. Out in the distance, the house disappeared. Everything was as it should be; the trees had returned.

Evrik began to strain. His face appeared tense and his glowing silver eyes turned an ashy charcoal color. “You did it.” He could barely speak. “I can feel your mind discarding my illusions.” It was difficult to understand him with the stress in his voice.

“Are you okay? Should I stop?” Sam asked.

“No—no, keep it up. I need to practice holding my concentration. My mind can feel your mind rejecting the illusions. The leader may have the same ability. I need to be able to fight it or our plan won’t work. I’ll also be fighting while I’m concentrating. I’ll have to be prepared to multitask.” Wow—a guy multitasking—unheard of. He’s definitely not human, she thought.

Evrik’s hands balled into fists and his legs twitched, but he kept his feet planted firmly on the ground. Sam could see the veins in his neck protrude from the strain his mind placed on his body, as if his mind were lifting really heavy weights, but every part of him was affected. He stood firmly; his breaths were rapid and shallow. Sam wanted to relieve the tension, but she knew this exercise would make him stronger.

They stood in the same position for an hour. Sam checked her watch every fifteen minutes. Evrik began to move his feet, loosening his ankles rolling them in circles, one by one. He moved his neck from side to side, shook his arms out, wiggled his fingers, and stretched his legs, loosening his muscles after the strenuous workout.

“That was difficult. How was it so easy for you to keep my illusions blocked?” he asked. “I had to use every bit of strength to keep them clear through your resistance.” He took in slow, deep breaths and exhaled through his mouth. If Sam hadn’t been standing there the whole time, she would have sworn he had just run a marathon.

“I think of you and what I know is true. After picturing you, it’s easy. Once I’m able to find us within my mind, nothing can break through my consciousness.” It was corny, but it was true. This revelation confirmed her belief that there was something bigger than the two of them. Something powerful had brought them together.

Sam opened her eyes. Fumbling for her clock on her night stand, she realized she had been asleep for almost an hour.

There was a knock at the door.

Sam placed Evrik’s book on her desk and crossed the room to answer the door. “Hi,” she said unsurely. He had come to her door again, so maybe he wasn’t really that mad at her after all.

CHAPTER 20

“I missed you. Sorry for leaving so abruptly last night.”

“I’m the one who should be sorry. I should’ve told you about Chase.” Sam opened the door to let Evrik in.

“I can’t stay. I just wanted to tell you that we have more pressing matters to deal with than who you kiss.” People exited the elevator. Evrik lowered his voice. “Cale is still after you. He knows you can’t be protected right now.”

“And if I make it and change?” Tears filled Sam’s eyes.

Evrik slid his arms around her, holding her tightly. She cried into his chest. “Then you will leave this earth,” he choked. “I love you, Sam.” She heard his voice crack.

“The fear of never seeing you again makes my heart break and my insides scream.”

He pulled back and nodded. “I know how you feel.”

“And I love my book.” Sam broke Evrik’s hold and walked over to retrieve the book from her desk. Evrik followed her in, closing the door behind him. “It is the most special gift I’ve ever received. Thank you.”

“I’m glad you like it. I hoped it would help with your memory.” An optimistic longing trickled off his words.

“It was perfect.” Sam smiled. “And I did remember more about our time together.”

“When?”

“Just now, before you came. I fell asleep. I remembered us in a dream.” Sam led Evrik over to her bed to sit down. “Can you please stay for a little bit?”

“Of course. If that’s what you want.”

“It’s what I want.” Sam patted the bed for him to join her.

“What was your memory about? Were you able to understand it?” he asked, sitting down next to her.

“Luckily, you told me about the Kavari and their attack at your home.” She laughed in frustration. “It would help if my memories came back in chronological order, but unfortunately that’s not the case. While I was dreaming, I remembered the preparation for the attack. I was helping you hold your illusions. You created the illusion of your house in the distance and the illusion of trees in place of where your house was. I remember being quite impressed by your ability.”

“Thanks, but your ability to block my visions was more impressive. Now we know why you were able to block my illusions. Even though you hadn’t started to ‘officially’ change, you had already started to develop your abilities.” Evrik chuckled. “Before, we just thought you were a remarkable human.”

“Either that, or I was weird.”

“That thought crossed my mind, too.” Evrik laughed. “Seriously, how is your mom doing? When I dropped the book off this morning, Lauren told me you went to the hospital last night.”

“I’ve got to call and check on her, but as of this morning, she was doing better. She has a lot of healing to do. I just can’t stop feeling like there was something more to that fall than simply slipping on the steps.”

“What makes you think that?”

“My mom somehow found out that I was chosen. I think whoever caused her fall told her I was changing. I wasn’t supposed to be gifted. It was supposed to skip my generation, but it didn’t, and she had the sudden urgency to tell me about that last night. There had to be a reason. Evrik…she seemed pained, and not just physically. There was something so emotional about her demeanor and her words. And at many points in our conversation, I felt as though she was holding something back.” Sam shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“We’ll figure it out. I promise. I’ll be here for whatever you need,” Evrik assured. Sam placed her head on his chest, taking comfort in him. She drew in a hopeful breath.

CHAPTER 21

Sam joined the Lightwarriors at their home later that day. They stood around the kitchen staring at each other. Sam moved her hand over the smooth granite and picked out the burnt-orange flecks of polished stone with her eyes. Draylan sliced an apple pie in half and placed one of the halves on a plate. “Excuse you.” He nudged Sam with his hip, indicating he wanted her to move so he could get a fork. “So you’re a Seraph. That’s bitchin’.”

“Yeah,” Sam answered uncomfortably. He talked like he’d just caught a wave, only the beach was three hours away, and the waves weren’t big enough for surfing.

“Why don’t we go out to the great room, where it’s more comfortable,” Alea suggested.

Sam and Evrik chose the couch. Draylan and Malachi stood, and Alea took a seat on the chaise lounge. “How long have you known each other?” Sam asked.

Malachi chuckled and said, “Well, Evrik and I have known each other since he was born. I’m a week older and wiser, of course. Our parents were best friends, which gave us no choice but to be together. We grew up as brothers, competing for everything.”

Malachi looked over at Draylan, who was shoveling an entire piece of apple pie into his mouth. “Evrik and I met Draylan when we were five. Draylan was bigger than everyone else, as you can imagine. He felt that because he was bigger he could take whatever he wanted from anyone—until he met me and Evrik.” Malachi smiled proudly.

“Hey, you suck.” Draylan interjected, punching Malachi in the arm. “You both ganged up on me. Otherwise, I would’ve taken you down.”

Evrik jumped into the playful argument, looking at Sam to explain. “Malachi and I were outside playing soccer one afternoon. Draylan decided he was going to join our game. We let him play, but shortly found out he had a problem with sharing.”

Malachi pushed Draylan teasingly. “You see, Sam, Draylan had just figured out how to use his ability to move objects with his mind. What he didn’t know was that Evrik and I had abilities of our own. Your boy has many abilities when it comes to mind control, one of which is to create visions that aren’t really there, kind of like hallucinations. Evrik is also able to change how the mind perceives certain situations.”

“Like Evrik creating the fake house when the Kavari were attacking?” Sam asked.

“Yes,” Alea said, pleasantly surprised.

“I remembered earlier,” Sam explained.

“Well, your boy,” Malachi continued, “he would create the illusion that we were coming at the ball from one angle, when we were really coming from the other side.” Malachi laughed. “We would ambush him from the other direction.” Everyone joined Malachi in full-out laughter except for Draylan, who sucked in too much air and choked on a mouthful of pie.

“That’s bullshit. You guys messed me up. I was backward for a week, constantly second-guessing everything I did,” Draylan complained. He circled the sofa and plopped his massive body down next to Evrik.

Evrik looped his arm around Draylan. “Ever since then we’ve been best friends. We were the only Lightwarriors who were a match for him.”

“What about Alea? When did you meet the guys?” Sam asked.

Alea gave Malachi a loving smile. “We were nine. I moved from England to the small community of Lightwarriors who lived in California, and I didn’t know anyone. The other children didn’t really accept me as a newcomer. I enjoyed practicing magic. Children were discouraged from playing with magical elixirs. If something went wrong, there could be terrible consequences. My mother was very gifted in the magical craft and taught me how to mix safely. The magical arts were my passion, so I ignored the other children and did what I wanted. I guess it made me somewhat of an outcast.”

Malachi joined Alea on the chaise. He rested his hand on her leg. “We noticed the new girl was always by herself.” Malachi’s nose wrinkled. “We thought she was cute, so we decided to introduce ourselves. We’ve been together ever since.”

Alea crossed her arms. “Sam, I wish we could figure out who took your memory."

“And how to get it back,” Sam added.

“We know it wasn’t the
sanguis
demon,” Malachi said, finally dropping the frown.

“Cale Ember,” Sam mumbled. Malachi nodded.

“I’ve been trying to create an elixir to retrieve your missing memories, but whoever took them is very powerful. I don’t know what else to do,” Alea thwarted.

“We’ll figure something out.” Evrik gave Alea a bolstering smile.

“It doesn’t matter now. I’m slowly getting my memories back on my own, and soon it won’t be an issue. I’ll be gone. Dead because of Cale or up with the angels.”

“Cale won’t be able to kill you. I saw you last night. You’re getting stronger. You were glowing…literally,” Evrik said.

“She was what?” Draylan peered up from behind his hand-held video game. A flaky piece of pie crust stuck to his cheek.

“She’s a Seraph, Dray,” Alea remarked.

“Oh, yeah, the wicked ‘burst into flames if you look at me’ Seraph light. That’s awesome.”

Alea drew out a long exhale. “Yes, Dray, that would be the light.”

***

Evrik idled in the semi-circle outside Sam’s dorm. She ran her fingers up and down his forearm, trying to figure out how to ask him more specifics about his ability.

He recognized her curious expression. “Go ahead.”

“Can you change people’s thoughts and make them believe what you want them to believe? I know you can create illusions, but can you actually plant thoughts into people’s heads?”

“That night at the party, when we first met, I tried to make you believe you didn’t see me throw that frat guy across the lawn. As you know, it didn’t work. You picked up on what I was doing."

Sam sank into Evrik’s soft leather seat. It conformed perfectly to her body. “So I’m right. You can totally control the mind, change people’s thoughts. Like at the bar Friday night. You controlled that couple’s minds. Made them move so we could pass.” Sam turned to face Evrik, biting back laughter. “That brunette was totally into you. What was her name, Angie?”

Evrik chuckled, slightly blushing. “Yes, I can do anything with the mind, except retrieve memories that have already been taken." He paused. “And Angie was into me because I planted some really interesting thoughts in her head.”

“You’re terrible,” Sam smacked Evrik’s arm. “I thought her boyfriend was going to kick your ass.”

“He wasn’t going to do anything. I planted some really interesting thoughts in his head, too. I hope he’s still interested in women.”

 “You didn’t,” Sam said, shocked.

“He’ll be fine,” Evrik dismissed. Sam didn’t speak. “I’m just joking, Sam.”

“I know what you meant. And as for your mind-control ability, don’t worry; you may not be able to change my thoughts, but I’m realizing you have many effects on me physically.”

“Don’t tempt me. I may not leave.” He laughed and twirled her ponytail with his fingers. She loved it when he did that.

“Evrik—”

“Yes.”

“Why aren’t you angry with me for what I did with Cale and Chase?” Sam gazed out the passenger-side window, too ashamed to meet his loyal eyes.

“Please look at me.” Sam shifted her glance. His irises were their usual lush green. “I only have weeks left with you, if that, at the rate you’re changing. I want to make our time meaningful. You’re going through a lot right now. I’ve been around long enough to know not to sweat the small stuff. You are what’s important.” He tapped her nose and formed an incredibly adorable smile.

Evrik exited the Beemer, circled the rear of the car, and opened the passenger door for her. He lifted her upright and pulled her into his chest, wrapping his muscular arms around her.

“Is this okay?”

She nodded in response to whatever he was saying. Her only focus was on his lips. They looked so soft and warm. She imagined what it would be like to kiss him outside of her dreams and sporadic memories.

After a quiet pause he cupped her chin in his hand and whispered, “Please be careful.” He bent down to find her lips. His lips fit perfectly on hers. Their tongues touched, igniting a frenzy of sweetness within her mouth. She wanted to grab him and never let go. They moved in perfect rhythm, his lips pleasingly tickling hers. The world spun around them, like they were the center of everything, in the midst of a centrifuge. Their kiss was more intimate than Sam could have ever imagined, making the built-up anticipation even more rewarding. Her new memories were wonderful, but the real thing was mind-blowing.

Sam arrived back in her room and didn’t see Lauren. She figured Lauren had gone out with Ryan. Sam called her mom before she went to bed, who assured her she was doing fine and reminded Sam to be careful for the millionth time.

The next morning Sam woke to a knock on the bathroom door, meaning it was Ann or Vicky. “Hey Sam, Lauren, can I come in?” Sam was relieved to hear Ann’s upbeat voice.

“Come on in.” Sam yawned. Ann burst through the door like a ray of sunshine. Her curly red hair bounced around her shoulders.

“Have you seen Lauren?” Ann asked.

“She hasn’t been home since yesterday. I figured she was with Ryan.” She didn’t know why, but she suddenly felt something was off.

“We usually walk to Biology together, and she wasn’t downstairs. I thought she might still be getting ready.”

“Maybe she walked to class with Ryan.” Sam’s words shook. An uneasy feeling crawled underneath her skin. Sam knew Lauren was most likely with Ryan, but she felt a grave danger thinking about Lauren. The feeling was strong and gripped at her. She felt it deep in her bones.

“Call Ryan.” Sam swung her legs over the side of the bed to retrieve her phone. "I'll try Lauren."

As she feared, Lauren's phone went straight to voicemail.

“I have his number in my phone.” Ann scrolled through her address book. “Hi, Ryan, it’s Ann. Are you with Lauren?” She paused, listening to Ryan speak. “If you see her, please tell her I waited for her outside the dorm.” She paused again. “Okay, thanks, Ryan.”

“What did he say?” Sam feared Ann’s answer.

“He hasn’t seen her since yesterday, after lunch.”

“I’ll try to find her. You go to class and I’ll let you know what I find out later,” Sam insisted.

“Okay, but if you need me, I’ll keep my phone on vibrate during class.”

“I’ll call you when I find out where she is. I’m sure she’s fine.” Sam jumped up, pushed Ann out the door, and immediately called Chase and Evrik. Something was very wrong.