Aiden and I begin to run towards the park where we used to play when we were kids. The ground is a sheet of ash and the remaining trees are charred. Vampire cries echo all around us, but I can’t seem to spot a damn one. It’s like we’re running for hours and, although I don’t grow tired, I start to get impatient.
Aiden is the complete opposite; he seems content as he easily runs while taking even strides. He’s also more confident and less afraid of the world. It makes me question if he’s glad he chose not to stay human, even after all his negativity directed towards the choice. Maybe now that he’s tasted what it’s like, he’s glad he did it and regrets that he didn’t do it sooner. Or maybe it merely changed him enough that he lost who he was before he became a Day Taker.
After running for what seems like an eternity, we finally slow down when it feels like we’re a safe distance away from the hideout and cells., just outside of the city limits where abandoned buildings stretch toward the smoky sky. As I turn and look at the building, which looks like a little dot now in the distance, my eyes scan the terrain and I relax when I don’t see any movement. We’re not being followed. Good. But why?
I look away back to Aiden. He still hasn’t answered my question either, like what the hell happened that he deiced to become one of us.
“What?” he asks, his eyes locked on the terrain where fires crackle and smoke rises to the sky. “Why are you staring at me?”
“Because you never answered my question,” I say, crossing my arms. “Why did you change?”
He’s silent for forever, either avoiding my question or considering it; it’s hard to tell because his new demeanor is hard to read. Finally, he sighs. “Do you really not know the answer to that already?” He slants his head to the side and our gazes meet. His expression is intense. His eyes are burning with passion. It kind of throws me off a little, enough that I step back. “It was for you, Juniper.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. You hated that I chose to become a Day Taker myself. You said that I wasn’t me anymore—wasn’t even human,” I remind him. “Why would you want to throw all your beliefs away because of me?”
“Because of Maci.” Maci is the little girl who was throw out of The Colony with me during The Gathering and she just happens to be able to see the future, although she never gives specific details just hints, which can get frustrating.
He hesitates then moves to the side, getting close to me, and then he reaches for my hand, lacing our fingers together. Despite my initial reaction to jerk back, I just stand there, confused.
“When Tristan told us that you were captured, Maci said you were going to die, and so would the world. I told you earlier that I’d always be there for you. And I meant it. Whatever it takes, I’ll be there for you; even if it means turning into my own worst enemy.”
I can tell that he wants to kiss me, and before I can do anything about it, he pulls me into him. As he leans in, I battle with my confliction. Part of me wants to kiss him, for reasons I can’t even process at the moment; however, the other part of me knows it’s wrong. I’m about to lean away, listening to my final thought, when the other side of me pushes through.
I want to kiss him. I want him more than anything else in the world. I want him more than Sylas. We belong together.
I blink, wondering where the thought came from.
Aiden reaches down and fixes a finger under my chin. He gently tilts my head up towards his with his fingertips, his eyes shutting as his lips inch towards mine. He's breathing raggedly, his chest colliding with mine. If I had a heartbeat, I’d bet it’d be racing.
My eyes remain open as I cup the back of Aiden’s neck, about to kiss him, but then I picture Sylas. His eyes, his cocky attitude that makes him annoying, yet at the same time, I can’t seem to stay away from him. Deep down, I know I want to be kissing him. What am I doing? What am I thinking? Why am I ready to kiss Aiden?
No, I want to kiss Aiden.
No Sylas.
Aiden.
Shit. I’m so confused.
It clicks what’s going on. Shaking my head, I remove my hand from Aiden’s neck and push him away. He jumps back, startled, and then stumbles ungracefully over his feet a little, clutching onto my hand for support. His eyelids lift open and confusion masks his expression. “What’s wrong Juniper?”
“Why did you just do that?” I ask, slipping my hand from his hold.
“What? Try to kiss you?” he asks, gaping at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Because I wanted to.”
“Well, don’t do that,” I tell him, swallowing hard.
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want you to. And stay out of my head.”
Shaking his head, he turns his back to me. “It would have been a great kiss if you wouldn’t have lost your damn mind and shoved me away.” He starts to stalk away, but I jump in front of him.
“Lost my mind? You were in my mind… you were manipulating my thoughts.” I push him, but this time he doesn’t stumble. “I could feel you inside my head. You were making me feel those things… like I wanted to kiss you—wanted to be with you.”
I shove him again, this time much harder, and the force launches him in the air much harder than I intended. I fold my arms across my chest and cringe as he crashes into a vehicle just behind us. Metal bends and concaves under his weight then ashes scatter and float in the air.
Aiden lands on the ground hard, asphalt debris shattering under his weight. He quickly gets to his feet, and with three long strides, he closes the distance between us. He leans into my face, anger burning in his eyes as he balls his fists. For a second, I think he is going to attack me, but I just stare at him, refusing to back away. Although, when he raises his fist, making me think he’s going to hit me, I turn to leave, not wanting to fight. Not right now. Not here. Not when there are other things I need to take care of.
He captures me by the elbow as I start to storm away, stopping me in my tracks. I turn my head and try to shrug him off. “Let go of me.”
Aiden’s eyes widen in shock. “Juniper, I’m not going to hurt you.”
I shake my head in disbelief as I glance at his hand on my arm, his fingertips digging into my skin. “You’re not?” I question with doubt.
He releases my arm and then rakes his fingers through his hair. “I would never hurt you. You have to believe me that I wouldn’t.”
I sigh because I can actually feel that he’s telling the truth. “I believe…” I trail off, my eyes wandering to my left at something heading towards us… something large.
Aiden follows my gaze and his eyes snap wide as the creature weaves in a fast pattern between the cars in the road. We take off at the same time, sprinting in the opposite direction as fast as our legs will carry us. Yet, I can hear the panting of the creature getting closer at the same time the ground cracks beneath its feet as it runs on all fours.
When I glance over my shoulder, I realize just how big of a problem we have. There’s not just one, there are many creatures chasing after us in a herd. Their fleshless bodies are a repulsive sight to behold, their fangs out, nipping as saliva drips from their mouths. It makes my guilt arise again because they’re the same creatures that bit Sylas. Or as Dominic called them, vampire abominations. It reminds me that Sylas could very easily be one of them.
Chapter 3
I speed up, my arms pumping, my feet moving so fast that they’re nearly gliding across the ground. Aiden stays right behind me, whether on purpose or not, I’m not sure.