Intertwined Read online

Page 9

Page 9

 

  Either way, he wondered if Dan would call Killerman back and tell her that he changed his mind. And would Killerman follow through on her promise to set things into motion?

  Only time would tell.

  Now all Aden had to do was wait. That, and heal, he thought, as he and Dan hunched over and vomited. Great. His battle with the poison had finally begun.

  FOUR

  ADEN SPENT THE NEXT SIX DAYS in and out of consciousness. Several times he wanted to give up, just end it all and float away from the scalding mass of pain that was his body. But he didn’t. He fought. Fought harder than he’d ever fought for anything, one thought driving him: the peace that came with Mary Ann.

  A few times, he’d even hallucinated and thought he saw her hovering over him, that long dark hair tickling his chest. Or maybe Elijah’s ability was expanding and he’d had another non-death vision, catching glimpses of the future. Only, unlike in real life, her skin had been pale rather than sun kissed and as hot as a living flame. What’s more, her eyes had been bright blue rather than hazel.

  There were a few explanations for the differences. Either his visions had never been of Mary Ann and he still had yet to truly meet his brunette or, sick as he’d been, he’d simply gotten the details wrong this time.

  Both were entirely possible. He’d realized that while he had seen his brunette in the dark recesses of his mind too many times to count, he’d never really retained knowledge about her actual facial features.

  The face he’d seen this week, well, he would not be forgetting.

  “Sleep,” she’d said, fingertips gently coasting over his brow and leaving a trail of fire in their wake. “When you heal, there is much for us to discuss. ”

  “Like?” he’d managed to work past the rawness of his throat.

  “Like how you summoned my people. Like how I still feel the hum of you. Like how that hum stopped for a little bit of time. Like why you want us here. Like whether or not we’ll allow you to live. We will talk, though, when your blood smells less like the living dead. ”

  It was a conversation he couldn’t even begin to explain.

  Unlike his encounters with Mary Ann, he hadn’t wanted to run from this apparition, nor had he wanted to hug her as he would a sister. He hadn’t experienced that painful gust of wind, either. He’d wanted to tangle his hands in her hair, draw her close, so close, and drink in the scent of her. Honeysuckle and rose. He’d wanted to kiss her the way they’d kissed in the visions.

  Eventually, though, the fever faded, and the hallucinations ended. His sweating ebbed and his muscles stopped seizing, leaving him weak and hungry.

  Finally, Aden lumbered from his bed, his only clothing a pair of boxers that were sweat-dried to his skin. He’d hidden the worst of his pain, keeping his moans contained inside his head. Anything to avoid hospitals and doctors, pinching and poking and questions. God, the questions.

  He’d been excused from tutoring sessions and barn duty all week. Dan had kept tabs on him, though, flittering in and out of his room, expression concerned yet somewhat suspicious. If they’d had a heart-to-heart about what was going on, Aden didn’t remember it. Only thing he remembered was Dan asking if he knew anything about the desecration of the cemetery. Apparently several stations had blasted the story as he’d feared. He’d had the presence of mind to say no.

  He swiped up the peanut butter sandwich Dan had left him during his final visit this morning and downed it in three bites. Stomach calming, he quickly showered and changed into a pair of jeans and a plain gray T-shirt. Dan was taking him and Shannon shopping. That, too, he remembered. It was something the big guy had never done before and there was only one reason Aden could think of for such a trip: Dan was going to allow them to attend Crossroads High.

  His relief was palpable. So many things could have gone wrong. Ms. Killerman could have changed her mind and opted not to follow Dan’s recommendation. Dan could have chalked the “decision” to let Aden loose on the public school system up to a moment of insanity and canceled the paperwork.

  A hand slapped his open door frame, the loud boom jolting him, and then Shannon was peeking inside. His green eyes were devoid of emotion. “T-time to g-go. ” Without waiting for Aden’s response, he pivoted and stalked away. Down the hall, the main door slammed shut.

  One by one, the souls woke up, stretching and sighing. Great.

  What’s going on? Eve asked sleepily.

  “School shopping,” he muttered as he strode from his room. “So we’ll talk later. Okay?”

  Ozzie and Seth were standing in front of their bedroom door, arms crossed over their chests. Everyone had a roommate but Aden. No one wanted to share quarters with the schizo, and that was fine with him.

  “Talking to yourself again?” Seth said with a laugh. “Why? It’s not like you’re all that stimulating. ”

  Aden raised his chin and tried to move past them.

  Ozzie grabbed his arm, jerking him to a stop. “Where do you think you’re going, Crazy? You’ve been hiding from me lately, and we’ve got a few things to discuss. ”

  Aden whipped his attention to the boy, the urge to attack strong. He didn’t like being threatened like this. Too many times in too many institutions, he’d been held down and beaten up.

  You can’t afford to punch it out with Ozzie, Eve said.

  If Ozzie continued to push him like this, Aden wouldn’t be able to help himself. His patience was used up. He would attack. And he wouldn’t fight fair. Even now, his daggers were pressed against his ankles, waiting.

  “Let go,” he snarled.

  Ozzie blinked in surprise, but maintained his grip. “You better be talking to one of your invisible friends, freak, or I swear to God I’ll cut you to ribbons while you sleep. ”

  Seth snickered.

  Aden’s jaw clenched.

  I’m serious, Aden. Don’t engage him, Eve said on a trembling breath.

  Continue down this path and you might not make your first day of school, Elijah warned. And if you don’t make your first day, you won’t see the girl.

  He jerked free from Ozzie and strode away without another word.

  “Look at the little baby run,” Ozzie called.

  His cheeks heated but he didn’t turn around. Better to let them think poorly of him than to prove just how wrong they were. Because, in the proving, someone would be hurt and it wouldn’t be him. And, as Elijah had reminded him, Mary Ann and public school loomed on the horizon. He would have to be a good little robot, not make waves, and avoid trouble as if it were a cemetery.

  Outside, the brightness of the sun had his eyes watering. He blinked against it, searching for Dan’s truck. His gaze snagged on the line of trees beside the main house, zooming in, and his jaw dropped. There, in the shadows, stood the brunette. His brunette. The one from his visions.

  Only, she wasn’t Mary Ann. He realized it now beyond any doubt.

  This girl was taller, with a face that belonged in magazines. Those big blue eyes were framed by long black lashes. She had a small nose and heart-shaped lips that were bloodred. Her skin was as pale as snow. Her hair was long, hanging to her waist and curling slightly. Those curls were so black they seemed tinted with blue, and they swirled around her shoulders with every breeze.

  Was this a vision? he suddenly wondered. Or was she really there?

  A boy stood behind her, tall and menacing, his skin tanned, his body a powerhouse of muscle stacked upon muscle.

  Both wore black: The boy a T-shirt and slacks, the girl a robe of some sort. It draped one shoulder like a toga while leaving the other bare, was cinched in the middle by silver links and flowed down the rest of her to dance at her ankles.

  Both were staring at him. The boy with menace, the girl with curiosity.

  Not knowing what else to do, he waved.

  Neither reacted.

  “Aden,” Dan called. �
�Who’re you waving to? Let’s go. ”

  “But—” He turned, meaning to ask for a few more minutes. He had to know if the two were real. But Dan was motioning him to the truck, expression impatient in the hot, glaring sun. Shannon was already inside. Aden faced the line of trees in the distance once more, but the pair was gone. “Did you see them?” he whispered.

  Who? Eve asked. The witch and the angry he-man?

  They were real, then. He almost whooped in excitement. She was here. Finally she was here. Who was she? What was her name? What had brought her here? How had she found him? Why had she found him?

  When would he see her again?

  Elijah sighed. You know the bad feeling I got when you followed that girl last week? Well, I’ve got a worse feeling about these two. But yeah, I know where you’re going with this. She’s the one from the visions.

  We’ve had visions of her? Where was I? Because day-um. It’s official, Caleb said. I’m hot.

  Aden rolled his eyes.

  “Aden,” Dan called. “I’m drowning in my own sweat. I said let’s go. ”

  There was still no sign of them in the trees. No hint of that black dress or a lock of hair blowing in the wind. Where had they gone? Why had they gone?

  “Aden! Last chance before I leave without you. ”

  Though he wanted to stay, he forced himself to trudge to the truck, contenting himself with the knowledge that she would return. One day, they would kiss. Elijah had predicted her arrival, after all, and that had come true. The kiss would, as well. Aden’s lips lifted in a grin.

  “What?” Dan asked him.

  “Just excited,” he said, and it was the truth.

  “About shopping? What a g-girl,” Shannon muttered.

  He didn’t care. Nothing was going to ruin his good mood today.

  They made the twenty-five minute drive to Tri City in silence. Aden used every second to try and piece together what had happened. Since the girl, his girl, and the boy were indeed real, truly here, that meant the girl had come to him while he’d been sick. She’d cared for him. Had wanted to talk to him, have him answer some questions.

  She’d wanted to know how he…What had she said? Summoned her people? His brow furrowed. What people? He had summoned no one.

    Ecstasy in Darkness Read onlineEcstasy in DarknessFirstlife Read onlineFirstlifeCan't Hardly Breathe Read onlineCan't Hardly BreathePlaying With Fire Read onlinePlaying With FireThe Queen of Zombie Hearts Read onlineThe Queen of Zombie HeartsTwice as Hot Read onlineTwice as HotUnraveled Read onlineUnraveledThe Darkest Secret Read onlineThe Darkest SecretSeduce the Darkness Read onlineSeduce the DarknessLord of the Vampires Read onlineLord of the VampiresThe Darkest Surrender Read onlineThe Darkest SurrenderEnslave Me Sweetly Read onlineEnslave Me SweetlyThe Darkest Lie Read onlineThe Darkest LieIntertwined Read onlineIntertwinedInto The Dark Read onlineInto The DarkSavor Me Slowly Read onlineSavor Me SlowlyCan't Get Enough Read onlineCan't Get EnoughAnimal Instincts Read onlineAnimal InstinctsThe Harder You Fall Read onlineThe Harder You FallThe Darkest Promise Read onlineThe Darkest PromiseThe Closer You Come Read onlineThe Closer You ComeThe Pleasure Slave Read onlineThe Pleasure SlaveThe Darkest Warrior Read onlineThe Darkest WarriorOn the Hunt Read onlineOn the HuntThe Darkest Prison Read onlineThe Darkest PrisonBlack and Blue Read onlineBlack and BlueThe Amazon's Curse Read onlineThe Amazon's CurseWicked Nights Read onlineWicked NightsTwisted Read onlineTwistedBurning Dawn Read onlineBurning DawnThe Darkest Pleasure Read onlineThe Darkest PleasureThe One You Want Read onlineThe One You WantThe Darkest Night Read onlineThe Darkest NightThe Hotter You Burn Read onlineThe Hotter You BurnDark Swan Read onlineDark SwanThrough the Zombie Glass Read onlineThrough the Zombie GlassAlice in Zombieland Read onlineAlice in ZombielandRed Handed Read onlineRed HandedThe Darkest Assassin Read onlineThe Darkest AssassinAwaken Me Darkly Read onlineAwaken Me DarklyThe Darkest Fire Read onlineThe Darkest FireThe Darkest Seduction Read onlineThe Darkest SeductionBeauty Awakened Read onlineBeauty AwakenedThe Darkest Craving Read onlineThe Darkest CravingThe Darkest Kiss Read onlineThe Darkest KissJewel of Atlantis Read onlineJewel of AtlantisThe Darkest Angel Read onlineThe Darkest AngelThe Darkest Whisper Read onlineThe Darkest WhisperEverlife Trilogy Complete Collection: Firstlife ; Lifeblood ; Everlife Read onlineEverlife Trilogy Complete Collection: Firstlife ; Lifeblood ; EverlifeThe Darkest Passion Read onlineThe Darkest PassionPrince of Stone (Imperia) Read onlinePrince of Stone (Imperia)Heartless Read onlineHeartlessThe Stone Prince Read onlineThe Stone PrinceA Mad Zombie Party Read onlineA Mad Zombie PartyKat in Zombieland Read onlineKat in ZombielandAll Write Already: Year Of Your Book Read onlineAll Write Already: Year Of Your BookSecond Chance Read onlineSecond ChanceCan't Let Go Read onlineCan't Let GoLast Kiss Goodnight Read onlineLast Kiss GoodnightHeart of the Dragon Read onlineHeart of the DragonEverlife Read onlineEverlifeThe Darkest Touch Read onlineThe Darkest TouchThe Nymph King Read onlineThe Nymph KingHeart 0f The Dragon (Atlantis Book 1) Read onlineHeart 0f The Dragon (Atlantis Book 1)The Darkest Captive: A Lords of the Underworld Novella Read onlineThe Darkest Captive: A Lords of the Underworld NovellaLifeblood Read onlineLifebloodBlacklisted Read onlineBlacklistedPrince of Forever Read onlinePrince of ForeverForbidden Craving Read onlineForbidden CravingThe Warlord Read onlineThe WarlordThe Darkest Seduction lotu-10 Read onlineThe Darkest Seduction lotu-10Shadow and Ice (Gods of War) Read onlineShadow and Ice (Gods of War)Unraveled i-2 Read onlineUnraveled i-2The Darkest Captive Read onlineThe Darkest CaptiveThe Glass Queen Read onlineThe Glass QueenThe Evil Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil) Read onlineThe Evil Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil)Last Kiss Goodnight (Otherworld Assassin) Read onlineLast Kiss Goodnight (Otherworld Assassin)After Dark Read onlineAfter DarkOh My Goth Read onlineOh My GothBlack and Blue oa-2 Read onlineBlack and Blue oa-2Wicked Nights aotd-1 Read onlineWicked Nights aotd-1The Darkest Kiss lotu-3 Read onlineThe Darkest Kiss lotu-3The Darkest Assassin: A Lords of the Underworld Novella Read onlineThe Darkest Assassin: A Lords of the Underworld NovellaAlice in Zombieland wrc-1 Read onlineAlice in Zombieland wrc-1The White Rabbit Chronicles Read onlineThe White Rabbit ChroniclesThe Darkest Promise--A Dark, Demonic Paranormal Romance Read onlineThe Darkest Promise--A Dark, Demonic Paranormal RomanceRomancing the Gravestone Read onlineRomancing the GravestoneThe Pleasure Slave i-2 Read onlineThe Pleasure Slave i-2Can't Let Go--A Bad Boy Romance Read onlineCan't Let Go--A Bad Boy RomanceFirstlife (Everlife #1) Read onlineFirstlife (Everlife #1)The Stone Prince i-1 Read onlineThe Stone Prince i-1Playing With Fire (tales of an extra ordinary girl) Read onlinePlaying With Fire (tales of an extra ordinary girl)The Darkest King Read onlineThe Darkest KingThe Darkest Prison (lords of the underworld) Read onlineThe Darkest Prison (lords of the underworld)The Vampire's Bride--A Paranormal Romance Novel Read onlineThe Vampire's Bride--A Paranormal Romance NovelBeauty Awakened aotd-2 Read onlineBeauty Awakened aotd-2Twisted i-3 Read onlineTwisted i-3Dark Taste of Rapture Read onlineDark Taste of RaptureJewel of Atlantis a-2 Read onlineJewel of Atlantis a-2Atlantis Series Complete Collection Read onlineAtlantis Series Complete CollectionThe One You Want (Original Heartbreakers) Read onlineThe One You Want (Original Heartbreakers)Last Kiss Goodnight oa-1 Read onlineLast Kiss Goodnight oa-1Wicked Nights (Angels of the Dark) Read onlineWicked Nights (Angels of the Dark)The Vampire's Bride a-4 Read onlineThe Vampire's Bride a-4The Darkest Passion lotu-6 Read onlineThe Darkest Passion lotu-6Everlife (An Everlife Novel) Read onlineEverlife (An Everlife Novel)Ever Night Read onlineEver NightHeart of the Dragon a-1 Read onlineHeart of the Dragon a-1The Darkest Whisper lotu-5 Read onlineThe Darkest Whisper lotu-5The Nymph King a-3 Read onlineThe Nymph King a-3The Darkest Fire lotu-1 Read onlineThe Darkest Fire lotu-1The Darkest Surrender lotu-9 Read onlineThe Darkest Surrender lotu-9The Darkest Lie lotu-7 Read onlineThe Darkest Lie lotu-7Tempt Me Eternally Read onlineTempt Me EternallyLord of the Vampires and The Darkest Angel and The Amazon's Curse and The Darkest Prison Read onlineLord of the Vampires and The Darkest Angel and The Amazon's Curse and The Darkest PrisonMagic at Midnight Read onlineMagic at MidnightThe Darkest Night lotu-2 Read onlineThe Darkest Night lotu-2The Amazon's Curse (atlantis) Read onlineThe Amazon's Curse (atlantis)Catch a Mate Read onlineCatch a MateThe Darkest Secret (Lords of the Underworld Book 8) Read onlineThe Darkest Secret (Lords of the Underworld Book 8)Lord of the Vampires rhos-1 Read onlineLord of the Vampires rhos-1Shadow and Ice Read onlineShadow and IceBeauty Awakened (Angels of the Dark) Read onlineBeauty Awakened (Angels of the Dark)The Darkest Torment Read onlineThe Darkest TormentLords of the Underworld Bundle Read onlineLords of the Underworld BundleThe Darkest Craving lotu-11 Read onlineThe Darkest Craving lotu-11Temptation in Shadows Read onlineTemptation in ShadowsThe Darkest Surrender (Hqn) Read onlineThe Darkest Surrender (Hqn)The Alien Huntress Series Read onlineThe Alien Huntress SeriesThrough the Zombie Glass wrc-2 Read onlineThrough the Zombie Glass wrc-2Can't Get Enough (The Original Heartbreakers Book 6) Read onlineCan't Get Enough (The Original Heartbreakers Book 6)