Kimber (19 page)

“How?”
I mutter as I manage to stand and  back away from his touch.

“A
perk of pure blood.” He smiles but it’s empty. “If you’re going to make a
choice, Lena’s right, you shouldn’t do it blind.”

“But
if I have a diluted bloodline what choice is there? Aren’t I already in?”

 “Thousands
of people have diluted blood and they’ll never know. Your case is different
because of me. I won’t run away again, so distance isn’t a solution. If we’re
going to be in proximity of one another—”

“Wait.
Let me process. The last time I remember seeing you.” I pause. The last time I
remember seeing him I hadn’t felt much at all. I broke things off between us
and everyday that went by the distance grew. I’d broken a part of him by not
trusting the strength of our relationship. I left him emotionally long before
he left me physically. I look at him now and see it all written on his face.
The memory is just as fresh for him. “You left because of me.” 

“No.
But I did keep my promise. I hoped Marie’s memory would trump mine.”

“Then
why’d you leave?”

“Lena
told you there was a dark presence around you. I’m part of those who watch. I
worked for the Grigori. I couldn’t interfere. They said I was compromised.” His
hands clinch into fists. “I did as they asked but when they refused my request
to return, I decided to cut ties with them.”

“The
Grigori?”

“They’re
a group of Nephilim, members of the First Nine. Their old and purer than any of
us. They lead us as Watchers. Still even their bloodlines aren’t as pure as
they were a thousand years ago. But we heal fast, we’re stronger and faster and
special in our own ways.”

I
sit back down and swallow all this new information. It’s obvious Leo is
different. Even the air around him vibrates with a different energy.

The
stories my mother told of God’s special men were always the same. When evil
would tempt us, God’s Watchers would save us. The older I got the less she told
the story. Maybe it was because we weren’t all that religious. I’d been
baptized when I was little but I couldn’t tell you who my Godmother or Godfather
is. Now that I think about it the most religious person I know is Robin. But
that only happened after her parent’s old house became haunted.

“Knowing
this just means you’re aware of it. It’s a whole different world with real
danger.” The sound of Leo’s warning sparks a desire. Nothing can be as dark as
the world I’m coming from.

“I’m
game.”

I’M
SURE IT isn’t because of her impeccable timing that has Lena arriving shortly
after I’ve committed to the Nephilim side of me. Leo assures her I’ve been
briefed though she doesn’t seem to believe him. My decision however makes her
very pleased.

 “Soon,
you’ll understand what your reason is.” She says beaming at me.

So
there still is a chance that my Nephilim ancestors won’t let me down. Looks
like I’ll have a forte after all. 

“Since
you’re here, you’ll need to stay for a few days.” Leo says very matter of fact.

“Why?”

“Because
I’m asking you to.”

 “Doesn’t
sound like asking.” I fold my arms against my chest. I don’t remember agreeing
to be his do girl.

He
looks to Lena for help and thankfully she doesn’t’ give it. “I need to track
what Lena sees. I can’t do that with you there.”

 “But
I thought you left so that the Grigori could take care of it?”

“Well
it doesn’t seem like they did and I don’t have the privilege of just asking ‘em
anymore.”

“Why
me?”

“The
aftermath of death is unpredictable. People are weak in times like that.”

 I’d
been weak and out of his reach for help. Whatever the dark presence is, I
unknowingly allowed it in.

 “I
want in on this.” Though I’m not a hundred percent sure what
this
entails.

“It
doesn’t work like that. It’s attached to you by something.” 

“You
asked me accept the risk. I am. I want to help.”

“And
you can do that by keeping yourself safe.” Lena interjects.

 Great,
two on one. Just as I’m about to state my case and list what I know are no good
reasons, Leo takes my hands in his. A rush of warmth spreads through me. I
could lose myself in his touch. His hands are warm and gentle.

“This
is why I used to lie. There were no family reunions or doctor appointments.
You’ve known about this for twenty minutes and you’re already thinking
destructive. Who or whatever is behind this wants something from you. Let’s not
make it so easy to get.” 

“I’m
just saying, if I opened a receptive part of myself to this thing—”

“Stop!”
Leo interjects. He runs his fingers through his hair in an aggravated manner.
“Can you please talk some sense into her?”

“Kimber,
Leo knows what he’s talking about. Why don’t you stay for a day or two?” Lena
asks trying to defuse the situation.

“I
know you’re not crazy Lena so don’t take it personally but a mini vaca at an
insane asylum really isn’t my thing.”

Leo
glairs at me before shaking his head and storming off.

Lena
and I walk back up to and through the facility in silence. I know she’d rather
I stay. Besides if it were life or death Lena would say something. She wouldn’t
risk my life just to teach me a lesson. I know there is more to all this than a
simple, stay put because I said so
,
explanation. My intuition tells me
to jump on my hunch.

“What’s
the real reason Lena? Why is Leo acting like this?” 

Lena
takes me by the arm, leading me back down the extended hallway, away from the
front desk.

“Leo
and I don’t see eye to eye on everything. What I’m going to tell you I only
tell you because you come first to me.”

I
nod 

“It
all goes back to Luke.” My heart drops. “Luke isn’t a full blooded Nephilim
like Leo but now a days the Grigori are desperate to have anyone they can. They
told Leo to leave and in his place, they put Luke. Leo was furious. They swore
to protect you. He never would have left if he knew what they intended.”

“So
it was all a lie. There is no darkness?”

“Not
exactly. A Nephilims true nature is destructive. Mastering control, dominating
urges takes discipline and sometimes crude force. Grigori recruits are trained
that way from birth. And for Pures, with the Awakening it’s even more
important.”

“Awakening?”

“A
near death experience that awakens the supernatural element in a Pure, giving
them access to their Angel side. Leo’s family controls one of the highest
councils. It won’t look good once they learn that he’s left the Grigori and
there’s no telling what extremes they’ll go to in order to set him straight.
The Grigori will assume he’s gone rogue.”

“What
does any of that have to do with me?”

Her
lips twist into a somber smile. “He loves you.”

And
then it all makes sense.

 “But
they don’t see me as being good enough. He’s Pure and I’m just diluted. I broke
things off and they used that as a way to conform him.”   

“Or
a way to use you as leverage. But until we know for sure we have to focus on
the here and now. Leo is walking a very tight rope. There’s no room for error. If
you insist on going back, stay close to Leo. No matter what he says, you’re
safe nowhere else but with him.” I nod, hug her tightly and start my journey
back down to Florida without Leo by my side.   

By
the time I land in Florida my mind is warped. I’ve accepted Leo and the
consequences of being associated with him. I’ve grown a new dislike for Luke. I
don’t blame him for being the Grigoris puppet but he signed my warrant.

I
don’t know how big or bad this darkness that chases me is or what I can do to
stop it. I don’t understand why Leo told me everything he did if I have nothing
to contribute. What was it he wanted, my approval? No. Everything with Leo
leads to a dead end and now the Grigori is hell bent on my destruction. Knowing
what Leo is might help in understanding his actions. On the other hand, maybe
being left in the dark wasn’t such a bad thing.

Every
logical thought I’ve had in the past twelve hours dissipates at the sight of
Leo sitting on the trunk of my car in the airport parking lot. The shadows of
night form worried circles under his eyes. His dirty blond hair is tousled. His
elbows rest on his knees as he leans forward, scrolling through his phone. As I
walk over, his eyes peek up from under his brow and he slides off the car.

 “Three
conditions.” He says as I come to stand in front of him. “One: Never, at any
point, are you alone with him.” I nod, knowing that he’s referring to Luke.
“Two: You can’t question anything I say. You  must take my direction without
hesitation.” I nod. “Three, if he takes, touches or threatens you, I won’t
hesitate. I
will
kill him.” He pauses, giving it time for his words to
sink in. “There are no exceptions to these conditions. If at any point in time
you try to argue, I’ll take matters into my own hands. I won’t risk your safety
even if you feel there’s no threat. If you want to do this, we do it my way.”
He folds his arms across his chest. His lips pressed into a hard line yet still
so delectably tempting.

“I
promise.”

I’m
not sure what he means by taking things into his own hands. I’m sure some sort
of mind tweaking is what he has in store for me. If the tables were turned, I
would be as careful and disciplined as Leo. He will not risk my life just as I
would not risk his.

He
walks around to the passenger side of my car and opens the door. I try to hold
back my smile but I just can’t. I don’t feel like I’ve won anything but I do
feel like I’m not so alone anymore.

IT’S
LATE BY the time Leo and I arrive at my condo. Being home doesn’t comfort the
dread of uncertainty I feel. This time when Leo offers to walk me up I accept.

The
elevator up to my condo seems to take forever. With every passing moment I
become increasingly aware of Leo, the soft exhale of his breath, his broad
shoulders, and how the push of one button and two minutes could elevate so much
tension. I feel like a loaded spring in need of his touch to uncoil.  He shifts
uncomfortably rubbing the back of his neck where, incidentally, my eyes had
been locked as I daydreamed.

By
the time we reach my front door I’m longing for the softness of my bed and the
feather feeling of my down pillows. I fumble with my keys until Leo kindly
takes them from me to open the door.

As
I step into my living room I’m welcomed by the smell of lilac candles that line
the entertainment center. I commend myself for such a smart buy and inhale the
calming sent.

“Mind
if I grab a drink?” Leo asks stepping into the kitchen.

“Help
yourself.”

            I think
I’ll soak in bubble bath and afterward slip into my favorite pink cotton
pajamas.

I
grab the knob of my bedroom door and twist it. Before I can push, I’m quickly yanked
inward. I stumble forward, finding just enough time to brace myself for impact.
Except it’s not the floor or the door my hands meet. The darkness of my room
masks the warmth, the firmness against my hands. The quick jerk of a shallow
gasp pushes the assailants chest against my hands.

And
the burning begins.

 It
steals my air, spreading through me with the efficiency of lava. Making sure
parts of me are dead and charred before rolling further through my body.

            The
intruder reaches for me but fails as I stumble backwards into the light of the
living room. Eyes wide, I look down to the source of the fire blazing inside of
me. A wooden handle, no longer than three inches, protrudes out from just below
my sternum. I recognize the hilt from the set I keep in my kitchen.

My
hands quiver, like a tweaking addict going through detox, as I raise them to my
chest. The question of pull or not to pull presents itself.
Don’t pull
,
my mind warns.

 I
feel my eyes grow wide as I try to keep them open but my body has relinquished
control. My knees go first as I melt onto the floor.

It
all happens fast but in my mind it plays out in slow motion. Even the blood, as
it stains my shirt and pools beneath me, moves at a turtle’s pace. 

The
knife becomes the center of my being and with every shallow gasp, I am punished
with a pain so deep that colors flash before my eyes.

I
hear Leo scream out my name. He runs towards me unaffected by the sluggish
motion surrounding me. The panic on Leo’s face is the last thing I see before a
puff of pale green smoke engulfs the room. I hear the thud of a limp body hitting
the floor. As the smoke clears Leo’s unconscious body is revealed.

            I taste the
metal tang of blood in the back of my throat. I pray for shock to take me but I
know I’m not that lucky. I dare to take a breath and suffer the penetrating
shockwaves of agony as if my muscles contract against the knife pushing it
deeper. A whimper escapes past my lips.