Angel Of Mercy (Cambions #3) (30 page)

I’d texted my mom the night before that I was staying at Maggie’s. She’d been slated to work, but I’d covered my tracks anyway when we’d headed to get married. I’d even given Maggie explicit warnings to cover me if my mom called.

Of course, Maggie wanted to know why. I promised to tell her later. That turned out to be a good choice because in this scheme I wasn’t allowed to tell Maggie the truth of things. Not right away at least.

Luke talked to Flynn on the phone while I watched TV trying my best not to hear what was said. I really didn’t want to hear if they were bargaining over what activities Flynn and I could or couldn’t do like I was some object. It was all too bizarre, even in this crazy life I lived.

Instead, I thought about Sebastian again. Had he done all those things he said as my friend and protector or just to gain my affection? What was his end game? Why risk his father’s wrath for me? Was my mother right? Had I put the whammy on him like I did with Paul? For that matter, had I done the same to Luke and Flynn?

“You ready?” Luke’s voice snapped me out of my musing.

“Yeah,” I said, getting up. I’d already showered and changed. Luke had taken me to get my car last night and followed me home to get a change of clothes before we returned to his house. Yawning, I thought about all we done again, how much our relationship had changed. I was a bit sore and tried not to show it. He wrapped an arm around me and walked me out of his room. He hadn’t made his bed, which still held our impressions in the pillows. I thought about how it would be for him when he returned home without me, knowing I’d be in his best friend’s arms soon after.

At the door of his house before we exited, he kissed me with so much fire I didn’t think we could ever extinguish the flames.

“So,” said a female voice. We broke apart. My face took on the cadence of one that had been burned. I stared into his mother’s hard eyes. “It seems you’ve finally achieved what you wanted.”

I wasn’t sure who she was speaking to. It could have gone either way depending on her meaning. “Mom, I thought you were out of town.”

“I was until this morning.” She eyed us suspiciously. Those eyes of hers found my hand. “Is that what I think it is?”

“Mom, let it go,” Luke warned.

Today, I found his mother more frightening than a hellhound. “Is she worth it? You are starting a war with your father by doing this.”

“I’m living my own life,” Luke explained.

“I know better than most that you were thrust into a world not of your making. And I sympathize with her. She didn’t ask to be demon anymore than you asked to be angel. But there are things that are unchangeable and unfair. This can only bring you harm.” She clasped a hand over her mouth after the last of her strangled words let her mouth. All the wrath left her body when she cried out and fell to her knees. Luke gave my hand a quick squeeze before he rushed over to her to take her in his arms. She looked so tiny and vulnerable next to him. “You are my only son. And I don’t want to lose you.” It seemed that there was a lot of that sentiment going around.

“You won’t,” he promised.

“But I already have. I’ve lost you to her.”  She pointed at me like I was the monster in the room. And I supposed she was right.

He followed the straight line of her finger like a bull’s eye directly to me. He mouthed
I’m sorry
. And I steeled myself for the next words.

“What will you do if they find you?” Her question didn’t make sense. I paid very close attention to Luke’s reply.

“They won’t. And I was just telling her goodbye. We know we can’t be together. We just wanted one night. Please,” he begged, “don’t tell Dad.”

His words cut only because they had so easily dropped from his mouth. Were they truly lies or was there some truth in them? Adding to the illusion that he was crafting, I left the house. There wasn’t any need to stay and hear any more. I got in my car and headed to school. There would be no more kisses between us. His mother was home. He’d set the stage. I didn’t want to hear whatever else he would tell her to explain away my presence.

At school, I parked and snagged my backpack out of the passenger seat where I’d tossed it in my haste to leave. Maggie was flagging me down by the flagpole no less. She stood hand in hand with Brent. Tom stood off to the side talking to a girl whose back was too me. I rarely saw Tom with a girl, so that was puzzling as I stood for a minute longer trying to figure out who she was.

After I began moving, I hadn’t paid attention. I found myself next to Flynn’s Hummer. He reached out and maneuvered me so that my back was up against his SUV and he was plastered to me. “What are you doing?” I gritted out.

“The plan starts now,” he said before kissing the hell out of me. I was unable stop him from gripping my waist and pressing me flush to him. I felt the power transference and stopped fighting for just a second. He needed this, I told myself. Still, he was doing this in front of the whole school. I bit his lip shortly after and he pulled away.

“Mercy,” an anguished voice called out.

Flynn’s head turned but his weight kept me prisoner against the car. I saw Luke’s pain-filled eyes meet mine and my heart sank. “Luke, it’s not what you think.” I blurted.

“It isn’t?” his voice broke.

“No!” I cried. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized that everyone nearby was watching. I looked around to see all eyes on us. It should have hit me like a semi tracker trailer. But this wasn’t how I imagined it happening.

“Because it looks like you’re all over my best friend.” He spit. Blue eyes suddenly inflamed, he turned to Flynn. “And what are you doing?” Flynn pulled away from me them, shoulder back and fists at his side, he didn’t flinch when Luke got in his face. “What kind of friend are you?” This was no longer my Luke. “She was mine. And you couldn’t stay away from her.” His hands slammed against Flynn’s chest. Flynn only took a step back before they were nose to nose again. As much as my conscience screamed that was an act, I couldn’t ignore the fact that something about this scene was too real.

“I tried, don’t you think I tried?” Flynn growled.

“I’m sick and tired of always having to watch my girls around you?”

“When have I taken another one of your girls? Mercy wants me as much as I want her.”

They were inches from throwing their clenched fists, from grappling on the pavement and beating each other within inches of their lives. And the darkness in Luke told me he wanted it.

“I don’t have to fight you over her. You know who she really wants. We belong together,” Flynn bellowed. And that was an iron fist that had Luke staggering back with very real pain on his face. After a couple of moments, Luke could only stare at Flynn in a mixture of disbelief and hate. Flynn returned it with a smug grin before Luke turned to me.

“It’s over Mercy. I can’t do this anymore,” he said, resigned.                            

“No, please,” I called out in vain. But he only gave me his back as he strode away towards the school entrance. All eyes focused back on Flynn and me. For just a split second his smile faltered before it rose big on me again. I moved to slap him. He was faster, pinning my hands to my sides. “Don’t,” he warned.

“You are a grade A asshole,” I whispered.

“Better me than him. His plan would have the whole school thinking he was the bastard. It’s better this way.”

Well, that answered something. This hadn’t been Luke’s idea. Still, that thought scared me more. Had he believed? This was all so messed up. His pain looked so real.

“Let me go,” I wriggled until Flynn freed me then stormed towards Maggie. She stood as stunned as everyone else until she broke into action.

“Hey people, this isn’t reality TV, mind your business.” She’d let go of Brent and met me halfway. “I’m so sorry Eme,” she crooned in my ear taking me into her embrace. “You’ll work this out. I’m not sure how. But Luke loves you. He will forgive you… eventually.”

It had looked convincing, then. I wanted to tell her the truth, but we had to make sure Nina bought the lies before I did. Maggie’s reactions needed to be realistic. “No, he won’t,” I whispered.

Pulling back, she tucked her arm around mine and walked over to pick up her backpack. Brent and Tom both eyed me suspiciously until I saw them look over my shoulder. Flynn was coming, I could feel it. “Let’s go, Maggie,” I said rushing her. I wasn’t ready for this next part.

Walking in through the heavy doors felt like a corked had just popped. Ahead was Luke, my boyfriend, my husband. In front of him with a comforting hand on his shoulder, gazing dreamily up into his eyes, was Nina.

“Let’s keep going,” Maggie murmured.

My feet had become tree trunks rooted to the ground. As fate would have it, Nina turned and looked at me. The hallway seemed to part so that her view of my pain was unimpeded. Then Luke looked at me with no emotion in his eyes. His features were hard and I wanted to tell him I knew
I couldn’t do
this
when a hand snaked around my waist.

I saw Luke’s eyes narrow at the person at my side. Turning away, he stalked off with Nina in tow. This was the plan, I told myself a million times as I crumbled inside. Sweeping hair off my shoulder, the kiss that was planted there uprooted my feet.

Yanking Maggie forward, I stormed off while Flynn laughed and everyone watched.

“Eme, you have a lot of explaining to do,” Maggie warned. “This better be good. And where is Sara anyway?” She asked while we made our way through the halls. What were they friends now? Or was she asking because she expected her to be the one comforting Luke rather than Nina.

“She won’t be back.” I felt dead inside. It might have been better if Sara had succeeded.

Maggie nodded. She knew when to press and when to wait for privacy to ask the questions she had about anything supernatural. However, she had that determined glint in her eye.

Bells rang out gifting me my freedom from explanation. I couldn’t do this now. I had to pull myself together if I was going to pull off this farce.

Maggie’s emerald eyes drilled through me. She pointed a finger at my nose. “We will talk.” And she headed off to class. Hers was much farther than mine. She would need to hurry if she wanted to beat the late bell.

The halls thinned but I remained at my locker, phone in hand. My fingers trembled and incorrect
autocorrect
caused too me to take too much time for me to type my text to Luke. If I didn’t hurry, he’d be tucked in class. Then it would be an entire period before I possibly got a response.

ME: That wasn’t what it looked like.

I counted the seconds like a drowning woman. I didn’t exhale until I receive a response.

HIM: I know. I’ll call you tonight. <3

I couldn’t have been more excited to see a less than symbol paired with the number 3 in my entire life. I almost pooled to the floor in relief.

ME: I love you

I didn’t bother with shortening the words. They were eight letters too precious to be chopped into text speech.

The bell rang and I walked to class on cloud nine. It was okay. It was all part of the plan. I could do this.

That was until lunchtime. Funny how everything miserable happened during lunch period. Smiling as I stood in line, I stood looking at my ring when someone deliberately brushed against me.

“Flynn could have done better.” I looked up to see Nina eying my ring. Little did she know. I caught the jealous look in her eye. I balled my fist waiting for what she’d say next. “I just want you to know that Luke doesn’t want you sitting at our table. I think it would be a bit awkward.” Cocking her head to the side, she added, “Don’t you?”

I hadn’t planned on sitting there. However, her saying so infuriated me because now she thought I was properly cowed. Yet, I had no choice. Getting fries and a Hawaiian Punch, I headed to my table. Maggie was already sitting there, thrumming her fingers on the table with a lifted brow.

“Spill,” she warned.

It was easier to stick to the truth. In hushed tones, I started with Flynn and what happened the full moon night. Her eyes become miniature full moons eclipsed by her green irises.  I explained the bond. Then I moved on to Sara and who she was to Sebastian. I explained how she’d been draining Flynn and that he was dying, slowly starving to death. Saying it only reminded me again that I could stop it. I pleaded with her to understand that Luke’s father didn’t want us together and how he threatened my mom. “Luke is better off without me, Maggs.”

She licked her lips. Her eyes traveled the space to the elite table. Flynn sat there with Brent.  Luke sat near Paul, which I found ironic. Luke and Flynn weren’t speaking from what I glimpsed before turning away. I told her just about all of it except the actual plan formed at Dewey, my marriage and night with Luke. I hated to lie to her. Giving her most of the truth made it easier to swallow.

“You know, I’m not going to be mad that you didn’t tell me about you and Flynn because I can see you’re hurting right now.”

I gave her a nod. “You have to know this is all really unbelievable. This sounds like something they’d make up for movies.”  She tapped her fingers. “So it’s do or die, huh?”

That was a simplistic way of looking at it. “Yeah, I guess.”

“I can’t say that being with Flynn is going to be some kind of hardship. “ Her eyes drifted back over to him. “He is some piece of eye candy.”

“It is when you’re hurting the person you love,” I said, softly.

She looked at me and squinted a bit. “But you love Flynn too, Eme. Isn’t that how the bond works?”

In my explanation, I’d over simplified things to her. I didn’t have time to give her every detail.  Just when I was about to tell her how I thought this had something to do with me being different, a shadow fell over our table.

“Red,” a familiar voice snapped. “Come on doll, we need to talk.”

Maggie’s face turned to a smirk. I looked up at Flynn and noticed for the first time that he wore a pink shirt. He’d had a black jacket on this morning. Being pressed to him like glue hadn’t afforded me a view of what lay underneath it.

But there it was a bubble gum pink shirt that fit his chiseled body as if destined to do so. The words written on it however made me sneer. It read,
Don’t Laugh At My Pink Shirt; It’s Your Girlfriend’s
. I sprung up like a jack in the box, I took my tray and stormed out of the room. I didn’t go outside because, like everyone else, the sky was raining on my parade. 

Flynn took his time but found me fuming not too far outside the door. I wasn’t going to do this here. After he spotted me, I took a couple of turns and ended up at the far end of the building tucked into an alcove famous for make-out scenes. Why I’d chosen that spot, staring at him now, I wasn’t sure.

“We may have to pretend to like each other, but just remember it’s pretend,” I scoffed.

Caging me in as he liked to do so often, I tried not to be affected by his close proximity. “No one likes this situation. Who wants to be with a girl who hates your guts? But if you are going to save my soul, and you’re not going to have sex with me—” He paused.

“Damn right,” I vowed.

“Says the girl who jumped me when she had the chance in a dream.” He smirked.

“I thought you were Luke,” I spat.

For a second he looked properly chastised. “Like I said. To save my sorry ass, you’ll have to kiss me and kiss me often. And doing it that way will take longer for me to get better. We might as well start now.”

Head dipping, his lips were hesitant on mine. It was different then all the other times he’d kissed me. It had always been rushed, feverish, manic even. This time, he was hovering as if waiting for invitation. Two weeks to save Flynn’s life. I’d kissed him before to save his life. My lips parted and he took his time.

I chanted Luke’s name in my head, trying my hardest not to feel anything. His hand found my hip and glided up to my waist. Then it headed for the hills and stopped just shy of the base of them. In that time, my internal temperature began to rise. I could feel him taking my essence from me. I also felt the wall I’d erected around my heart begin to crumble.
I am married
, I told myself to fortify the stone he’d so easily broken through. I pitied the other girls that came before me. Flynn turned out to be a master at making a girl feel wanted.

His lips left mine and traveled to my ear.  “There is an easier way and we don’t have to do this so often.”

I closed my eye recalling the dream and his touch. It had only been a dream, but I remembered. It was nothing like my night with Luke, still Flynn’s image burned inside me and I hated myself for it.

“No,” I said making the mistake of touching him. My palm met the hard plains of his chest and the feeling seared into me. Wild eyed I looked up at him wondering if he was manipulating me in any way.

He must have felt my change in emotion because he stepped back, his face shut down. “I’ll see you after school then… babe.” And he walked away. Spoken in a harsh tone,
Babe
wasn’t a term of endearment. It sounded more like a curse. I was undone. I had no clue how I was going to handle this. I loved Luke yet there was no denying the connection between Flynn and me any longer.