Violet Midnight (Violet Night Trilogy) (12 page)

“I knew it was too good to be true,” Emma screamed at the trees around her as she sprinted away from Jake’s house. The wind tore through Emma’s hair. How could Jake do this? What was all that talk about being connected and meant for each other? He’d even convinced her.

Her bag pounded her back, and her arm throbbed.

“Bag home,” she yelled, not caring who saw. Relieved of the annoyance, she slowed to a jog. Her lungs burned, and she tasted iron in her mouth. She didn’t even know how long she’d been running.

Didn’t care.

The dorms were the last place she wanted to be, so she ran through the wooded path toward the mall. As far away from the campus and Jake as she could get. She had to think, but the last words from Jake’s mouth replayed on a constant loop in her brain.
I don’t want you to come back.

Slowing herself to a turtle’s pace, she wiped the tears streaking a steamy path down her face. “Think, Emma. Something happened. Scared him. Something big.” She hugged her arms around her chest and slouched, trying to catch her breath.

It’s not what you think, Emma
. A voice whispered in her ear.

Or was it a thought?

She searched the area for the source of the words but saw nothing, other than a bench off to her right. Weak legs carried her across the street, and she fell onto the hard seat. She leaned forward and rubbed her hands over her face. As her fingers met her hair, she fisted strands until her scalp stung.

Emma, it’s not what you think.
The voice reminded her of Gabriel’s.

“Oh yeah? Then what is it?”

She didn’t bother looking up. She knew he wasn’t there. Her mind had finally cracked. It had to happen eventually, with everything she’d seen in the past three years. Jake was the last straw.

Have faith.

“What do you think I’ve been having all these years?” Finally, she looked up.

Tears blurred her vision, yet she swore she saw Gabriel standing before her. The car zooming by on the road slowed and blurred out of focus. A couple, holding hands, walking behind Gabriel’s image, slowed and fell out of focus as well.

Emma bolted to her feet and edged to the side of the bench, scanning the area.

Everything stopped. Noise ceased, except the sound of her heart pulverizing her ribcage.

“Gabriel?”

He had the same brown eyes and buzzed chestnut hair. Only his skin was brighter. Glowing.

A smile she’d seen hundreds of times filled his face. The same flicker of peace rippled the air around him. “Hi, Em.”

“You’re not real.” She inched back, clutching her throat. “You’re not real.” After his death, she’d seen him many times in her broken mind. Each time, she relived the agony of his death. His murder.

He sat on the bench and motioned her to sit beside him. Dressed in jeans and a snug, white t-shirt, he seemed as real as any random guy walking the street. Except not. No one had a glow like that. But even more strange, the gut-wrenching-pain of loss didn’t engulf her like it used to when she saw him after he died.

“That’s because you’re much stronger now, Em. You’ve found your way.”

“So, you’re an angel? A mind-reading angel?” She analyzed the statue-like world frozen in place. “What’s happening?”

“A little trick I learned.” The side of his mouth tilted upward.

She remembered that smirk.

“Am I dead? Did a Vamp get me or something?”

He laughed and caught her gaze. “Always the attitude and jokes. I’ve missed that.”

Emma wasn’t really sure what to say to that. She was talking to a ghost—er—angel. That probably merited admission to a mental institution.

“Em. You’re right where you need to be. You’re going to face many things very soon.”

Emma sagged onto the bench. “Why?”

“Because you’re chosen to.”

“Why?”

“Who else but you?” His gaze bore a hole through her. “You’ve experienced much pain, I know.”

“I’ve been all alone.” She spoke through clenched teeth. “I can’t do it anymore, Gabriel. I’m tired.”

“I taught you how.”

“Not enough. You figured out I was a Hunter. Taught me to fight, but never truly figured out why. Why I became this…well, what I am now. Why my parents had to die. Why…”

“Go on.” He reached out and placed his hand over Emma’s. “Say it.”

She didn’t want to, but needed to. “Why I fell in love with you, only to lose you the way I did.”

“I’m sorry for that, Em. Truly.” He retracted his hand. “I didn’t intend for that to happen. You took me by surprise.”

“Surprise? You weren’t supposed to be with me, were you?”

“Only to guide you. We met because of the Divine Plan, yes, but I fell for you, Em.”

“You were an angel back then?” Emma sat straight.

“No. Plain old human, but one very open to Fate. When I first saw you use your powers in that hospital room, I knew my job was to help you. Train you.”

“How’d you know?”

“Fate speaks to those who are willing to listen. Have open minds.”

Emma jammed her fingers into her hair. “What am I,
really
? Now that you’re an angel, you must have answers.”

“You’re a tool to defeat those who choose darkness. And just because I might have all the answers doesn’t mean I can give them.” He smiled. “I’m allowed to be here now, to talk with you, because you’ve made your choice.”

“Jake.”

He smiled. “I’m here to let you know you’re on the right path. Keep on it.”

“You healed me in that pool, didn’t you?”

“I did.”

She slouched. “Why me?”

“Why not?”

“Enough with the rhetoric. I looked through most of your stuff. You never found anything on me other than my mark.” She flipped her wrist over. The arrow glared back at her. “I’m a Hunter.”

“Yes.”

“Are there others like me?”

“No. You are unique. The first.”

“I’d rather be the second so someone could tell me what to do. What they did.”

“Years ago, you found love with me. You’ve found it again. Chose to risk your heart for it. Trust that, Em.”

“Jake’s different. Like me.”

“Yes. Very.”

“What should I do?”

“Choose Love.”

She leaned forward and palmed her face. “How? What do I do?” she asked, her voice muffled from her hands. “I don’t know what to do, Gabriel.”

Silence echoed around her.

“Gabriel?” she said, as she lifted her head.

Emptiness filled the space next to her, where he’d been sitting. Emma flopped her head back into her palms and groaned. Had she imagined it all? Finally hit her breaking point?

Faith, Em
. Gabriel’s voice rang in her ears.

She leaned back and faced skyward.

Faith in Jake.

“What do you mean?”

“Are you all right, dear?” a rattling voice asked.

Emma looked up. Big worried eyes, nestled in a face deeply etched with a long life, peered down at her.

Emma straightened and slid her fingers beneath her leaking eyes. “Yes, ma’am. I’m okay.”

“Are you sure, dear? You don’t look like you’re doing too well.”

She nodded. Her voice lost to a lump the size of a cantaloupe in her throat.

“I could call someone for help.”

“No.” Emma sniffed. “I’ll be fine.”

“Okay, dear.”

The blue-haired woman hobbled away. She wore white shoes and carried small purple weights in her hands. Surveying the area, Emma realized she sat on a bench near the outskirts of the mall, and the trees now cast long shadows over her. She checked her watch.

Five o’clock?

She leaned back.

Think, think, think
.

She shot up from the bench and paced, gnawing at her nails. Had she done something wrong? Scared Jake somehow? Or was it because she’d said no to sleeping with him? No. None of that felt right. It was something bigger. Deeper.

“Em? What are you doing here?” Ava’s voice rang out.

Emma whirled around. “Oh my gosh, Ava.”

“What’s wrong? What happened?” Ava said, as she hurried toward Emma.

“Nothing. You scared the crap out of me.”

“Like hell nothing happened. Look at your arm.”

Crap. Forgot about the Pit Bull.

“Oh, that. Ran into a dog earlier. I’m fine.”

Ava dropped her bags and reached for Emma’s arm. “That does
not
look fine, Em.”

It did hurt, but not as much as what Jake had said. She’d welcome fifteen bites on her arm instead of a bleeding heart.

“What are you even doing here? You despise the mall.”

“I know. I ran away, I—”

“Wait a minute. You’ve been crying. Are you sure you’re okay? We should go to health services. You could have rabies. I don’t want you to go nuts on me later tonight in our room and strangle me.” Ava clasped Emma’s hand and bent over to pick up the bags she’d dropped. “Come on.”

“No, the dog had its shots. I found the owner,” she lied.

“Let’s go home, Em. I’ll fix you up. And then you’re going to tell me everything.”

It might be time for Emma to do just that.

“You’re a what?” Ava sagged onto her bed, holding the last of the gauze she’d been using to dress Emma’s wound. “Hunter? Vamps? I—”

“Relax, Ava. Breathe.” So Ava wasn’t taking it very well after all. Sure felt good to vent everything, though.

“And Jake all of a sudden told you to scram, even though he’s a Hunter, too?” She eased back from Emma. “Vampires? Really?”

Emma leaned in. What was one more mind-wipe, right?

She captured Ava’s gaze, and said, “Thanks for helping me decide what to get for Jake for the birthday party tomorrow. I’m heading out for a jog. You won’t remember anything about Vamps, Hunters, or my super powers.”

Ava offered Emma a half smile and a blank stare.

Within minutes, Emma burst out from the stale air of the dorms. She vaulted into a sprint and didn’t slow down for nearly an hour. A run was a good idea. Her chest heaved, sucking in clarifying air with each breath. Her nerves settled, and her shoulders relaxed. Telling Ava had helped, too, in a weird sort of way. Just to talk about it openly with her best friend for once.

If only she could let Ava remember.

The paved trail curved, and Emma followed it around the church toward her spot. She’d settle down on her rock and meditate for a while, then go find Jake. They’d work this out.

Someone sat on her rock, legs tucked close to his body. Her wrist remained silent, but that didn’t keep her nerves from spiking into full alert mode.

She stopped and squinted. It was Jake.

His gaze met hers.

He could see her from that far away?

She stopped moving.

Go to him, Em.

She forced herself to remember how to walk. Each step toward him sent her heart pounding faster. It’d break through her chest by the time she made it to him, for sure.

He shifted his weight and released his legs, letting his feet dangle over the edge of the rock. She looked through the confusion at his dark eyes, swaying hair, and smooth pale skin. Thick, long sleeves covered his sculpted arms, but she remembered how wonderful they felt wrapped around her, holding her tight.

So desperately, she wanted to run into his strong, warm embrace. He was the only link she had to feeling warmth. To another Hunter. But to push her away, then show up here? It didn’t make sense.

Have faith, Emma.

She shivered. Uncertainty paralyzed her five feet from him.

“Are you okay?” He eyed Ava’s attempt at nursing.

“Fine. Just a little bite.”

He raised his right eyebrow.

“Don’t worry, I got him.”

He flinched.

She inched closer, eyeing him for signs of retreating again. “You okay?”

He didn’t answer. He faced skyward, and his broad chest expanded with a big breath. Muscles along his jaw fired.

What do I do?
“What’s happened, Jake?”

He pounded his fist against his thigh and jumped down. “It’s not fair. I just found you. We’re—”

“We’re what?” she asked. “Jake, say it.”

“No. I can’t. We can’t. We can’t be together like I thought.”

“Tell me why. What changed in a matter of hours? Is it because of the no-sex thing?”

“I
wish
it were as simple as that.”

“Don’t even say the ‘It’s not you, it’s me’ shit or so help me, I’ll deck you, Jake. Seriously.”

“It’s complicated. It’s—”

“You said—” She choked on the lump in her throat.

He raked his hands through his hair.

“You said—”

“I know what I said, damn it! I can’t believe this is happening. It’s got to be a mistake.”

“Tell me!” Emma screamed. Her voice echoed against the distant trees around them. Anger pulsed through her like a raging fire.

He tensed.

A twinge, then the glow ignited in her wrist. “No. Not now, damn it.”

Jake’s attention shot up and over her shoulder. He raised his hands and darted around her. “No. Don’t. I’ll go. Just wait a second.”

She whirled around. Three Vamps crept in from the trees toward Jake. Two more sets of red eyes dotted the darkness from the other side of the stream.

Was Jake talking to the Vamps? Why weren’t they attacking?

“Cross bow.” It came to her in a blink.

Click. Click.

Two arrows whizzed through the air at those across the stream, which prompted growls from the three still approaching.

She pivoted to face them and yelled, “Jake, get behind me.”

He didn’t move. She raised her crossbow aiming over his shoulder. “Jake, now.”

He jumped as if being snapped from a daze and scurried toward her.

Click. Click. Click.

“I missed one.”

The sole survivor advanced. He leapt, hands outstretched and teeth bared. A growl rattled her eardrums. She spun and buried her boot in his chest. The creature veered and crashed into the rock. He tumbled toward her, and she hurdled him.

He positioned himself between her and Jake, his back to Jake. She jolted to the left. The Vamp mirrored her movement. What was he doing?

“Jake. Back away.”

He didn’t move.

Behind her back she held her hand open.
Dagger.

The steel blade landed in her palm while she held the creature’s wicked gaze. With one fluid motion, Emma flung the dagger, and it cracked through his ribs.

She scanned the area. All was dark. Wrist was dim.

“Jake. Why didn’t you run? Or fight or something?” She straightened from her fight stance.

“Your wrist isn’t glowing anymore.” His voice was flat, distant.

“Killed them, remember? Dies out when they’re dusted.”

“But—” He swallowed. “I thought I—”

“Jake, what?” She touched her pulsing jaw. “Tell me.”

“He wouldn’t have hurt me.”

She stepped toward him. He stood at the edge of the grass, nearly on the pathway and glanced over his shoulder as if ready to take off.

“Of course he would have hurt you, Jake.”

“He was only protecting me.” Jake fixed his attention to the ground and shifted his weight from heel to toe.

“Protecting you?”

He faced her. Tears rimmed his eyes. “Emma. Tomorrow night, when I turn twenty-five—” He slouched. “I’ll be the one triggering your wrist.”