Nothing, he hedged.
An eyebrow arched. I thought you werent going to lie to me anymore.
Aden rubbed his temples and considered his options. He could admit the truth, but at this rate, Dr. Gray would never stop questioning him and hed never be able to steer the conversation back to Mary Ann. And what if he was whisked away before he even got the chance?
The thought of being whisked away was what finally propelled him into action.
Now or never. Youre most curious about Eve, he said. Well, she can time travel into younger versions of me. If youd check my file, youd see that Ive disappeared a few times. From locked rooms. Youll see Ive reappeared in places I shouldnt have been able to get inside of. The doctors treating me at the time claimed I was just a great lock picker, that I liked confusing people. The truth is, I traveled into a younger version of myself, like I said, and accidentally changed the future.
Dr. Gray blinked at him. I know I told you I wanted you to open up, but I meant I wanted honesty. I believe I mentioned that, as well.
And thats what Im giving you. The ability I mentioned is how a sixteen-year-old boy is sitting in front of you now, rather than an eleven-year-old. Its how a sixteen-year-old who knows your
Aden. Thats enough.
He gulped, but once again, he didnt allow the doctor to deter him. You didnt let me finish. Im really a sixteen-year-old boy who knows your daughter, Mary Ann. We
Aden! Dr. Gray pinched the bridge of his nose. You have to stop this. Its not helping your case.
Just listen to me. What could he say to make this man believe him? More than time travel, I can raise the dead. Take me to a cemetery and Ill prove it. Just dont bring Mary Ann. She negates my abilities. Corpses will rise. Youll see.
For the last time, enough! Dr. Gray was pale, blue veins throbbing under the surface of his skin. He cleared his throat in an effort to collect himself. I shouldnt have indulged your question about my daughter earlier. I wont tolerate a patient, even a child, dragging my family into a session. Do you understand me?
If you wont take me out of this building, fine. I can prove it another way. The words left him in a desperate rush. Mary Ann has a best friend named Penny. One day she will date a boy named Tucker. Maybe telling the doctor about the future would change it as irrevocably as altering the past. But he was already on this path and couldnt stop himself. Tuckers a jerk, by the way, and you should put a stop to that before it ever starts. Or maybe shes supposed to date him. I dont know. She will
Okay. Ive had it. I want you to leave, Aden. Right now. Dr. Gray pointed to the door. Clearly youve been through my personal files. Clearly youre trying to compare your life to hers. Well, its not going to work. I want you out of this office before I do something Ill regret.
Compare his life to whose? Mary Anns? Or someone elses? Someone equally close to the doctor? I dont understand. Who are you talking about?
I told you to go.
Aden pushed to his feet. His legs were shaky, but he didnt tumble back into his seat. Tell me who you meant and I will. Youll never have to meet with me again. Well, not here. Please.
Before the doctor could reply, Adens mind began fading to black. No. No, no, no. He wasnt ready, had more to say, more to hear. His struggles increased. For Gods sake, just tell
Too late.
The tunnel sucked him back in, spinning him round and round, downdown
The last thought to drift through his mind was a question. Would Mary Ann still be a part of his life when he returned?
Were about to find out, Elijah said grimly.
CHAPTER 15
Aden. Aden, wake up!
Oh, thank God, hes here.
He popped out of nowhere. Didnt he? Did I imagine that?
Aden, can you hear me?
Aden fought his way out of that long, dark tunnel a second time, afraid of what hed find. His temples throbbed and blood rushed through his veins too quickly. His muscles were stiff, heavy. At least his companions were quiet as they, too, struggled to orient themselves.
He pried his lashes apart. Muted sunlight streamed in from a large bay window, throwing spots in his line of vision. Subdued though that light was, it still proved to be too bright and his eyes teared.
Give him space, a deep male voice said. Riley.
Riley was still part of his life, then. That had to mean Victoria was, as well. Please, please let it mean that she was.
Two sets of footsteps shuffled. A girl said, I cant, then white-hot, trembling hands pressed to his cheeks. He turned his head, sinking into the heat. Victoria loomed over him, dark ponytail falling over her shoulder and tickling his neck.
Thank God.
Hey you, she said gently. Soft fingers smoothed the hair from his brow.
Hey. How long was I gone? He wasnt sure why he didnt just reappear secondsor even the very momentafter he disappeared, as if hed never left at all. But no, he didnt. He didnt know why new memories didnt seep into his head, if he had indeed changed his past. But again, no. Time travel and its intricacies simply baffled him. How long? he repeated.
A few hours.
Not good. He tried to pull himself into a sitting position. Is Mary Ann A sharp pain sliced through his head, and he groaned.
Gently, Victoria said.
When he was up, he dragged his knees to his chest and rested his forehead against them. He was panting. Is Mary Ann here?
I am. What happened? shed asked, concern dripping from the words.
All of his friendsplus Rileywere accounted for. Never had he been more relieved. If hed had the energy, he would have leapt up and hugged them all. I need a minute to think.
Everything was fuzzy. From more than just traveling back to the present, he suspected. A return had never left him this groggy.
Okay, so. What had happened? Obviously, hed changed the past. Hed told Dr. Gray things he hadnt told him before. Dr. Gray had flipped, just as Elijah had predicted. Since Aden had still met Mary Ann, Dr. Gray had later taken an interest in him. Which meant one of the souls would soon be freed.
His lips lifted in a slow grin. Theyd done it, then. Theyd really done it.
Had anything else changed?
Do I live at the D and M with Dan Reeves? he asked Mary Ann.
You dont remember?
Do I? he insisted.
Yes. You do. Mary Ann rubbed her arms. Youre scaring me, Aden.
You will cease scaring her immediately, Riley snapped. So much for his seeming concern about Aden.
Tell us what happened, Victoria pleaded.
He sighed. I went back in time, to a therapy session I had when I was eleven. He raised his head, fought the dizziness as he pinned Mary Ann with a tortured gaze. It was with your father.
She blinked in confusion. My father? I dont understand.
He was my doctor for a time, in one of the institutions I stayed at. I dont remember which one. And I didnt realize he was your dad until today. He was nice, truly listened to me. I liked him. I, well, I told him what had happened, that I lived here and you were my friend. That you had dated Tucker. He kind of freaked out, tried to throw me out of his office.
She was shaking her head before he finished. That doesnt sound like my dad. He would have considered you delusional, but he would never throw a patient out.
Aden let that go, knowing it would do no good to insist or tarnish her image of her father. Does he keep records of his patients? he asked, though he already knew the answer. All doctors did.
Of course.
Then hell have a record of me. Id like to read his thoughts about me.
She crossed her arms over her chest. Thats not only illegal, its unethical. He would never give the files to me.
Aden met her stare, unwavering. I didnt want you to ask for them.
Her mouth floundered open, closed. That would be stealing.
Victorias hand traveled the length of his spine, up, then down, a soothing caress meant to comfort him. Actually, that would be helping a friend in need.
Mary Ann licked her lips and gazed up at Riley, perhaps searching for support. He just shrugged. As innocent as she was and as uneventful a life as shed probably led, the thought of stealing must frighten her.
Please, Mary Ann, he said. Get those files. Something I said caused your dad to compare me to someone else and I want to know who it was. And, because of my confession to him, I could have changed something here in the present. Maybe it was only his mind. His thoughts. But theres only one way to find out.
Still she was silent.
He tried another approach. Did he ever ask you about a boy named Aden?
She thought for a moment, gasped. Not by name, no, but once, right after I introduced him to Tucker, he sat me down and asked about my friends, if I had any new ones and if one liked to talk to himself. At the time, I didnt think anything of it. I thought it was a joke. She scrubbed a hand down her face. Ill do it, she said in a soft whisper.
Thank you. His relief was palpable, he was sure.
Itll be hard, though, she added. His old files are in storage. And those hes actually put in his computer are in password-protected archives.
All I ask is that you try. He pushed to his feet, his legs a bit unsteady. Victoria kept her arm around his waist. He didnt need to, not to remain standing, but he leaned against her. What time is it?
Seven-eighteen, Victoria said.
PM? He almost moaned. I need to get back. Dan said my chores and homework had to be done before bed. Otherwise, Ill never be allowed to go anywhere after school again.
Ill go with you, Victoria said. Ill change his mind.
Riley sighed, flicked a regretful glance to Mary Ann. That means I have to go, too.
Victoria gazed at him pleadingly. Ill be fine. Promise. Besides, you need to look after the human.
With another look to Mary Ann, Riley shifted from one foot to the other, popped his jaw, then finally nodded. Fine. Youve got one hour to return for me.
Thank you, she said and ushered Aden forward. Hurry, before he changes his mind.
They quickly reached the line of trees that separated neighborhood from forest. This far away, even someone with Rileys supercharged hearing couldnt detect their words.
Thank God he stayed behind.
I know, Victoria said, grinning. I expected him to balk. As he is charged with my protection, if something were to happen to me, he would be executed. Without breaking her graceful glide, she bent down and picked up several fallen acorns. He must like Mary Ann more than I realized.
For the first time, Aden was glad about that.
Victoria glanced around. We have an hour before I have to return. Want to spend it here?
Dan
Dont worry. Ill take care of him.
All right.
She stopped, the acorns balanced perfectly in her hand, not even rolling. Aden stopped, too, facing her. Waning sunlight filtered through the treetops, a haze of pink, violet and gold that worshipped her pale skin.
Skin that couldnt be cut, he recalled. What could happen to you that would cause Riley to get into trouble?
I can be kidnapped, she said, dropping one of the acorns. Held for ransom by someone who dislikes my father. Another acorn fell. And I can be hurt. The rest slammed into the ground, forming a pile.
He didnt like the sound of that and found himself skimming his gaze through the surrounding area, searching for any threat that might be lurking nearby. But as usual, even the insects were quiet, perhaps sensing he and Victoria were more than human and thereby dangerous.
I want to know how you can be hurt. That way, he, too, could learn to protect her from harm.
She backed away from him to lean against a tree trunk. Telling anyone of a vampires weakness is punishable by death, for both the vampire who tells and the one she confides in. That is why my mother was left in Romania. She spilled our secrets to a human and is now locked away until my father decides how best to slay her. There at the end, her voice trembled.
Im sorry about your mom. I dont want anything like that to happen to you, so please dont tell me. He didnt fear for himself, but for her. Hed find out some other way. Through Riley, maybe. They had their moments of civility.
Strangely enough, his companions didnt react to her pronouncement. Theyd been silent since hed woken up in this new present, actually. Yes, they normally remained silent after a trip into the past, but not for long. By now, they should have been back to their normal selves.
He could feel them, so he knew they were in there. Why werent they talking?
Victoria peered down at her feet. The slipper shoes were gone, exposing her black-painted toenails. Black. Huh. She enjoyed colors; he remembered her wistful smile while shed gazed around Mary Anns home. He wondered if colored polish was against vampire rules. If so, had she gotten in trouble for dyeing sections of her hair blue?
I didnt tell you the punishment for sharing vampire secrets to scare you, she said, only to warn you what can happen to us if you tell anyone else. Even Mary Ann.
Seriously. You dont have to tell me.
I want to. Deep breath in, out. Vampires are vulnerable in our eyes and inside our ears, her hand moved to each place as she spoke, two places our hardened skin cannot protect. Now she held out that hand to him. Let me see one of your daggers.
No way. I dont want a demonstration.
A laugh bubbled from her. Silly human. Im not going to poke out one of my own eyes.
Then what was she going to do? His arm was shaky as he handed her the blade.
Watch. Gaze never leaving his, she raised the weapon and struck herself in the chest.
No! he shouted, grabbing for her wrist and jerking it back. He was too late, and he expected to see blood. All he saw was a torn T-shirt. The skin underneath bore not a scratch. Didnt matter to his nervous system, though. His heart was racing uncontrollably, and sweat was beading on his skin. Dont ever do that again, Victoria. Im serious.
Another of her carefree laughs drifted between them. You are sweet. But there can be no stake through the heart for one such as me, so worry not. A blade such as this is nothing to me. She held it up and he saw that the middle was bent. To kill us, though, to burn through our skin and reach our sensitive organs, all an enemy needs is this. She dropped the knife and lifted her hand, the opal ring she always wore glinting.
Keeping her palm flat, she slid her thumb over the jewel, pushing the opal over the gold and revealing a small tumbler filled with a thick, bright blue paste.
Je la nune, she said. This iswell, I guess the best way to describe it is to say that it is fire dipped in acid then wrapped in poison and sprinkled with radiation. Never touch it.
The warning was unnecessary. Hed already backed up a step. So why do you carry it around?
Not all vampires follow my father. There are rebels out there who would love nothing more than to hurt me. This way, I can hurt them.
If its so corrosive, how does the ring hold it?
Just as there are fire-resistant safes for human valuables, there are je la nune resistant metals. Not many, but a few. My nails are painted with one of those melted metals to keep them from burning off.
She dipped a long, square-shaped nail into it, closed it, then raised her other arm and slashed her wrist. Flesh sizzled and blood instantly sprang free, trickling down her arm. She was grimacing, pressing her lips together to silence her moans.
Why did you do that? he snapped. I told you I didnt need a demonstration.
A moment passed before she was able to speak, panting as she was. I wanted you to see. To understand its power.
He wrapped his fingers around her wrist, holding her arm steady for her. Will you heal?
Yes.
He could still hear the pain in her voice. The skin remained broken and torn, the blood still leaking. That blood was redder than any hed ever seen, brighter, with what looked to be tiny little crystals that caught the fading sunlight and sparkled. When?
Soon. Her eyes closedbut not before hed seen her gaze stray once more to the pulse hammering in his neck. Her teeth clenched together, sharpened.
Still she continued to bleed, to pant. Why wouldRealization hit and he scowled. Shed never planned to tell him. Would have just suffered until they separated. Youll heal when you drink, wont you?
She nodded, lids slowly opening, gaze finding his, locking. A shuddering gasp left her. The force of her hunger was like a living thing between them. Thankfully, her resistance was crumbling; he knew it was. Finally.
He released her arm to cup her cheeks. Drink from me, then. Please. I want you to.
Those sharpened teeth sank into her lower lip. Dont worry. I can feed later tonight. Ill be fine.
I want to be the one to help you. To heal you the way you healed my lip that night.
Her hands tangled in his hair, her expression tortured. What if you hate me for feeding from you? What if I disgust you? What if I become addicted to your blood and try to take from you every day?
Oh, yes. She was crumbling. He leaned down, slowly, so slowly she could stop him at any moment, and pressed his lips against hers. I could never hate you. You could never disgust me. And Id love to see you every day. Ive told you that already.
Her lashes, so impossibly long, fused together as her lids dropped to half-mast. Aden, she breathed, and then kissed him. Her beautiful lips parted and her tongue flicked out. He opened his mouth, welcoming her inside, then met her tongue with his own.
She tasted of the honeysuckle she smelled like, sweet and floral. Her arms wound around him, holding him close. It was a strong grip, bruising, and he loved it. His hands slid into her hair, one gripping, the other angling her for deeper contact. His first kiss, and it was with the girl hed dreamed about, wanted for so long, would perhaps want forever.
It was everything hed craved, yet so much more. She was so soft against him, soft where he was hard, the little moans in the back of her throat so sweet. The rest of the world faded until only she mattered. Until she became his world, his anchor in this increasingly wild storm.
Everything Elijah had predicted was coming true. First his meeting with Victoria, then this soul-shattering kiss. He knew what would follow, was expecting it, but nothing could have prepared him for the wondrous moment when she pulled from his lips, lowered her head to his neck and sank her teeth deep. There was a sharp sting, but it was fleeting, an intoxicating warmth soon replacing it, as if she were pumping drugs straight into his vein while she drank from him.
Im fine, he told her, in case she worried. He didnt want her to stop. Even when dizziness swirled in his mind, his body becoming weightless, he didnt want her to stop. He stroked her hair, urging her to continue.
Her hands tangled in his hair, massaging his scalp. Her tongue pushed against his flesh, urging the blood to flow straight into her mouth. Distantly, he could hear her swallowing. Finally, though, she pulled back, panting.
He moaned at the loss of her. You shouldnt have feared that, he said. Had he gotten drunk and walked into a tunnel? His words were slurred and he sounded far away. I loved it. Didnt think you were an animal at all, promise.
Aden? she said, horror in her tone. It was the last thing he heard before his knees gave out and he collapsed onto the ground.
CHAPTER 16
Mary Ann picked at her dinner, Chinese takeout her dad had brought home. Hed only been home for half an hour, and Riley had stayed with her until the very last second possible, having returned after hed escorted Victoria to their home. Shed wanted to invite him to eat with them, to introduce him to her dad, but she had let him change into his wolf form and jump out her window because she wasnt sure her dad was ready for him. Her dad would have thought the study session had been nothing more than a make-out session.
But she missed Riley already. His intensity, his protectiveness. She valued his opinion and needed a sounding board for what she was considering. She could wait and try to sneak her fathers files as Aden had suggestedsomething she hated doing only because it involved stealing from her dad, her best friend, the man who loved her more than anything and never did things like that to heror she could ask her father directly, something that could cause him to hide the files Aden wanted just to keep her away from them.
One was unethical, one was just plain risky.
So which path should she take?
The others considered her a bit of a goody-goody, she suspected, but her dads well-being was just as important to her as Adens. There had to be a way to please them both.
Not hungry? He scooped a small mountain of noodles onto his plate. I thought orange chicken and beef lo mein could tempt you even if you were full of junk.
Sighing, she pushed her plate away. Im justpreoccupied.
His fork paused midair, noodles dangling from the prongs. Anything you want to talk about?
Yes. No. Another sigh. I dont know.
He laughed and dropped his fork. Well, which is it?
I need to talk to you, but I dont want to.
His smile faded into a frown. Okay, that sounds serious.
He had no idea. Otherwise, hed be glaring at her, lecturing her, or perhaps grounding her for life. I Slow and easy. I have a question.
He reached across the table and patted her hand. You know you can ask me anything.
They would soon seeIts about one of your patients.
Now his expression hardened and he shook his head. Anything except that. Patients trust me to keep their secrets, Mar. Not only that, talking about them would be illegal.
I know, I know. Shed expected him to say that and didnt let it derail her. The thing is, a few weeks ago, I met a boy. Weve become really good friends.
Silence.
Her dad leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his middle. Okay. Why am I just now hearing about him and what does Tucker think of your friendship with another guy?
What Tucker thinks doesnt matter. He and I officially broke up.
Instantly, he shifted from Interrogation Dad to Im Here For You Dad. Oh, honey. Are you okay about the breakup? I know I wasnt always supportive of your relationship with him. I mean, there isnt a boy out there whos good enough for you. But I stopped complaining about him because I wanted you happy.
Im okay. Im the one who severed ties. He was cheating on me. Admitting it out loud was easier than shed thought it would be. Still embarrassing, but not soul-crushing.
Im so sorry. Once again he leaned forward and patted her hand. I counsel couples dealing with infidelity all the time, and the most common response for the victim, and thats what you are, is a feeling of inadequacy. Of being disposable.
Even though she hadnt wanted Tucker anymore, thats exactly what shed felt. It had even colored her desire to be with Riley, she realized. Shed automatically assumed hed think she was too boring for him.
Sometimes its just a one-time lapse and the culprit learns a valuable lesson, her dad continued, that what he or she has at home is more precious than any momentary pleasure. Most dont, though they pretend they do so they can have what they think is the best of both worlds.
Tuckers a pretender for sure. She had no doubts about that. He was a demon, after all. That still shocked her. Shed meant to question Riley about what exactly being a demon entailed, but then Aden had vanished and theyd spent the next few hours searching her house and the forest for him. Riley had even changed into wolf form and raced to the D and M. With his enhanced sense of smell, tracking came easily to him, hed said, but even he had found no trace.
Then, when theyd been alone, theyd spent their time getting to know each other. Hed asked about her childhood, about her favorite foods, and listened to her fifteen-year plan without rancor. Hed seemed impressed with her goals.
Its important to know that everyone battles attraction for other people, but its what they do with those feelings that shows the truth of their character, her dad said. Did you know the girl he was seeing on the sly?
Mary Ann nodded but didnt want to admit who it was, so she said, Thank you for the advice. Pennys parents may not know about her pregnancy and Mary Ann still loved her enough to protect her privacy. Thats actually why I wanted to talk to you about this other boy. Hes had a troubled past and is dealing with some things that no one his age should have to deal with.
Her dad tapped a finger against his chin. I see where youre going with this.
Wait. What? You do?
You want me to talk to him, help him.
No. I want you totell me about him.
His brow furrowed with confusion. I dont understand. Hes your friend. What could I possibly know about him?
I thinkI think he was once a patient of yours. Here goes. Just do it, say it. His name is Aden Stone.
First, her fathers breath hitched. Then the color drained from his face. Then he stiffened ever so slightly. She wouldnt have noticed it if she hadnt been studying him so intently. Her stomach twisted into sharp, jagged knots, the points cutting her every time she inhaled.
You do know him, was all she said.
He looked away from her, a muscle ticking in his jaw. Once.
Did you kick him out of your office?
Rather than answer, he pushed to his feet. The chair skidded loudly against the kitchen tiles. Its late. There was no emotion in his tone, only distance, as if his thoughts were already someplace else. You should shower, get some sleep.
Id rather talk to you. Aden needs help, Dad. Not the kind youre thinking, though, so please dont tell me never to see him again. I love him like a brother and want to see him happy. And the only way hell ever truly be happy is if we find a way to free the people
Enough! He slammed a fist against the table, rattling the dishes. Fire burned in his eyes. They werent flames of fury or exasperation but of hopelessness. It was a look shed seen only once. The day her mother died and hed had to be the one to break it to her. Enough, he repeated flatly. Were not going to talk about this.
Startled, she froze in place, unable even to breathe. What was he thinking? What had started that fire? But he told you we would someday meet, that he would be my friend. Even you cant deny that he wasnt a crazy little boy but a
I said thats enough. You need to go to your room. That isnt a suggestion but an order. With that, he turned on his heel and stalked away. Down the hall, a door slammed. The door to his office, she knew. Never before had he shut her out.
Her dad remembered Aden. That was clear. But what did he remember? What had changed her normally mild-mannered father into that distant, snarling beast?
ADEN CAME AWAKE with a jolt, sitting upright, panting. Sweat covered his body, soaking his shirt to his chest. His wild gaze roved his surroundingshe was in his bedroom, he realized, frowning. What time was it? Through the window he could see the crescent moon, so it was late at night. The silence of the house caused his ears to ring. Everyone was asleep.
He was home, yet he didnt remember getting here. He hadnt done his chores, hadnt spoken to Dan. Last thing he remembered was standing in the woods with Victoria, her teeth in his neck.
His head jerked left and right. Where was
Shh. Victoria was suddenly sitting beside him, pressing a finger against his lips. Youre all right. You have nothing to worry about. I took care of everything. I cleaned the barn and fed the horses, though the animals werent happy to see me. I convinced Dan and the others that you came home when you were supposed to. Dan even thinks the two of you had a nice long chat about your study session.
Slowly his muscles loosened their vice-grip on his bones. He eased back down, now noticing the ache in his neck. He reached up, but there were no puncture wounds. She must have healed him. By licking his neck as shed done to his lip?