Hidden Wings (10 page)

He shook his head. That was a question he wasn’t going to answer. It was frustrating, but my brain started firing.

Why?
The worst thing I could ever remember doing was in the eighth grade. I lied to my parents, telling them that I was going to sleep over at a friend’s house, but ended up going to party instead. On the way home we were pulled over and taken down to the police station, because the driver didn’t have a license, and she’d taken her parents car without their permission.

The police called my mother, who came in hysterical and crying, and I was grounded for the rest of the year. That’s the worst I could think of, and I didn’t think it was a good enough reason for anyone to want to kill me.

“Why haven’t I ever seen, or heard of a Darkling before?”

“There’s a lot that goes on that most people are clueless about. There are reasons why humans don’t know about the Darkling. They are creatures of the dark and they never come out of hiding unless called. And, any human who’s ever had the misfortune to run into one… well… they don’t live to tell about it.”

“So, is the Darkling… the one that tried to kill me… dead?”

He paused.

“Yes,” he answered in an even tone.

“Did
you
kill him?” I breathed.

He looked at me with indecisive eyes.

“Yes.”

I exhaled, practically in shock. “Oh God,” I breathed.

I couldn’t picture Kade killing that thing. But better it than me. This was a total nightmare! “But, who sent it?” He hesitated and looked away, avoiding my gaze. “Kade, who sent it?”

“Now that’s something I’m definitely not at liberty to answer. It’s much too complicated, and there is just too much involved. It’s—” His head dropped, and he pressed his fingers against his temples, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Emma. I can’t. I’m sure that Alaine will tell you everything you need to know in the morning.”

My brain was now in overdrive. More than one person wanted me dead?

“Who would want me dead?” Tears welled in my eyes as I asked those critical words.

“I can’t Emma. I just can’t. I’m sorry,” he softly murmured.

“I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

“If I tell you, I’ll be banished for sure, and… and,” he paused, and looked up at me, “I wouldn’t be able to leave you,” he finally admitted. He slumped over burying his face in his hands.

There was complete silence in the room. I stared at him in total and complete surprise.

“I’m sorry.” I replied, giving in. “It’s just that I don’t think it’s fair that I have to wait to get answers. My life is at stake and I need to know why.”

He looked up and our eyes locked. His face was glowing, perfect. He looked nineteen, but yet there was something mysterious, something hidden deep within his beautiful hazel eyes. It was like looking into the eyes of someone much older, someone who had seen many things, things others were unable to see, and things which others could never bare to see.

This beautiful boy saved my life from that horrifying creature, risking his own, and yet… he was here…sitting in my room. My heart began to swell to the point of bursting. I’d never experienced feelings like this before, but then again, my feelings seemed to go out-of-whack whenever he was near. It felt like we were destined to find each other, and everything inside of us seemed to be confirming that fact.

But who was he, really? I knew absolutely nothing about him, and by the look of things, I obviously wasn’t going to find out anymore tonight. This whole day had felt like a horrible nightmare, like I was living in a haze, and I just couldn’t handle it anymore.

“Could you please just put me to sleep,” I finally said, getting up and walking over toward the bed. I pulled back the covers and crawled in.

“Emma—” he started.

“It’s alright. I really need to sleep. I can’t deal with everything in my head, and right now I’m way, way over my brain capacity. Please, just put me out and I’ll deal with it all tomorrow.”

He stood up off the foot of the bed. “Are you sure?” he asked sadly, giving in much too easily.

“I’m sure,” I said, mustering a fake smile. He came and sat on the edge of the bed, and tucked the covers around me. “Just promise me one thing.”

“And what’s that?” he asked.

“That none of those creatures will get me while I’m sleeping.”

“Emma, as long as I’m around and it’s within my power, you will be safe. I’ll be watching, and rest assured…nothing will harm you tonight,” he promised. His eyes steeled on mine. He was speaking the truth, and I could rest in that fact.

“Thank you,” I breathed.

“Thank you,” he said, returning a half-grin. I could tell he was happy that I’d finally stopped asking questions.

“No seriously… Thank you,” I whispered. He glanced at me with an inquisitive look. “For saving my life, even though you hardly know me.”

He laughed. “I know more about you than you know, Emma Wise,” he said with the cutest, crooked grin. My heart fluttered, and I felt that familiar blanket of warm tingles cover me. He leaned in, smelling so sweet, so intoxicating. He was close. Almost too close. His hazel eyes were bathed in warmth. “I promise you, that you’ll be safe here, and I’ll see you in the morning,” he whispered.

He raised his hand and gently placed it on my forehead. Electricity shot through me, and I fought the sudden urge to wrap my arms around his neck, pull him to me, and plant a kiss on his beautiful, full lips.

And then, he leaned in, inches away, his warm breath tickled my cheek. He smiled, and whispered that one, wonderful, magical word into my ear, “Sleep.”

My eyes instantly became heavy, and I couldn’t hold them open anymore. I felt his warm lips press against my forehead.

“Goodnight Emma. Sleep sweet.”

Those were the last words I heard before I faded into darkness.

Chapter 7:

I woke in foreign surroundings, dimly lit by a night-light plugged into a corner of the room. The air was chilled, so I pulled my blanket up, snuggling it closer to me. I glanced over to a little clock set on top the desk and its bright green numbers glowed 7:36am.

For a second I was bewildered about where I was, but it all came flooding back, like a tidal wave of terror. I’d really hoped these past days were merely a nightmare; that I’d wake-up in my own room back in California, my mother calling me down to breakfast, my father already sitting at the table eating his cereal and reading the morning paper. But instead, I was awake. The nightmare was real. I was still alive but alone in a distant land, in a huge mansion, with a relative I’d never even known about, and creatures that wanted to kill me.

My mind started stirring, so I decided to shake the sleep off. I stretched, rubbing my eyes, which was a little hard to do with the stupid cast. I twisted the colorful appendage and smiled at its quirky artwork, wondering how my best friends were doing back in L.A. I hoped they were missing me as much as I missed them. They’d be starting the new school year in a few days. Senior year… and I was going to miss it all. I was actually looking forward to this year, but not anymore. Homeschooled
. Ugh!

My broken arm didn’t seem nearly as achy as it had been the day before, and I wondered if there was any way the cast could come off sooner. It was so bulky and irritating, making my arm feel claustrophobic.

I stretched and twisted my body in different directions, assessing the rest of my recently battered self. My ribs were still a little tender, but not nearly as sore as they were last night. My stomach raced with acid at the thought of the creature and how it almost killed me. Someone had better give me answers today! I needed answers and today I’d get them… one way or another.

I decided to check the abrasions on my stomach and arms, and lifted my shirt to find that they were almost completely gone. I rubbed my finger against the scar on my face, but could barely feel it. Amazing. I’d never healed this quickly before.

I finally decided to peel from the warmth of the covers, and ambled towards the window. And then, I suddenly remembered my visit from Kade.

Was it real? Was he really in my room last night?
My heart began to race. I closed my eyes and pictured his gleaming eyes, inches from mine. And then I snapped myself back into reality.

I pulled back the curtain, surprised to see the same darkness that was there before I went to sleep. I mean…Hello! It was almost eight in the morning! Where was the sun? If I were in California, the sun would be out in full force, blinding the eyes of commuters.

Then I remembered something Jeremy mentioned during one of his informative speeches on the Alaska climate. During the winter season, Alaska had only a few hours of daylight. I think he said it was like four or five hours at most. It was almost November. Great. We still had a ways to go.

“Hello dark world. Goodbye sunshine,” I mumbled sorrowfully to myself, looking out over the endless expanse of spruce and birch trees. At least the remnants of autumn’s yellow and orange leaves brought some kind of color. Thinking about color, I doubt they had any tanning booths nearby. I doubted they had
anything
nearby.

I sighed and checked the window. It was locked. Kade must have locked it and exited through the main house. That was a gutsy move. I hope he didn’t get caught.

Where was my new home, anyway? Alaska was a humongous state. I could be in the interior, on the coast, near the North Pole or somewhere down south? I had no clue. I probably could have known if Malachi hadn’t done that sleeper thing on me. So rude! He was definitely going to hear it from me later on. And such was the story of my life. My
new
life anyhow.

I sighed, and finally decided to get ready and see what the new day would drag in for me. More questions, perhaps? It sure wasn’t offering a bright, cheerful morning.

I dug through my suitcase and found my favorite jeans, a long sleeved white shirt, and a purple sweater. I hoped it would be enough layering, as long as I didn’t step outside. Then, for sure I’d be a big purple popsicle in a matter of minutes.

I drug my tired body into the bathroom, and paused on my reflection. The scar on my cheek was almost completely healed. Maybe a bit of magic was rubbing off on me.

I quickly dressed and decided to head down to the kitchen because my stomach wouldn’t stop rumbling and felt a little acidy.

As soon as I stepped out the door…

“Hi!” a cheery voice called from across the hall. There in the hallway stood a cute girl, with bright blue eyes, long light brown hair that came down just past her shoulders, wearing a very large smile.

“Hi” I replied, returning the smile.

“You must be Emma,” she said bouncing towards me. She had on dark blue jeans and a light blue hoodie.

“Yes, and you must be…Courtney?”

“You know my name?” She had a look of thrill in her eyes, which made me giggle. She paused, cocked her head to the side, and placed a finger to her cheek like she was trying to think. “I’ll bet Kade told you about me, didn’t he?”

“Yes,” I said.

“Did he say good things about me, or did he say I was a brat? He always tells people that I’m a brat, but I’m really not.” Her eyes narrowed as she waited for my answer.

“He didn’t say much about you, but he definitely didn’t say you were a brat. He actually said you were pretty cool.”

“Really?” Her face lit up and she sighed in relief. “Well that’s good. I’m really, really glad you’re here! It’s been pretty lame not having any other girls around. I’m almost fourteen. Have you met Caleb yet? He’s my brother. He’s sixteen but he’s
super
boring and lazy. He doesn’t like to do anything fun. He just lies around most of the time, and reads or plays video games,” she said with an exaggerated, scrunched up face.

This girl was a talker. But I knew how to deal with talkers. Jeremy was a talker too, and I’d become accustomed to tuning him out and nodding like I was listening. I wasn’t too worried about Courtney.

“No, I haven’t met Caleb yet,” I answered.

“Well, he’s probably sleeping, anyway. Like I said… he’s lazy,” she said throwing her hands up in the air, rolling her eyes.

At least she was entertaining.

“So, are you going down for breakfast?” she asked with wide eyes.

“I guess.” I wasn’t sure what plans were in store for me. I wondered if my Aunt Alaine was up yet.

“Good. I’ll go down with you. Today is Thursday, and on Thursdays Miss Lilly makes chocolate chip pancakes. She’s the cook and her pancakes are to-die-for.”

So…this Courtney girl was hyper and animated and used her hands to accentuate her words. I could tell she was going to keep me very, very busy here, which might not be too much of a bad thing.

We made our way down the stairs and headed toward the kitchen. As soon as we turned down the hall, I could smell the sweet aroma of bacon beckoning us. When we entered the kitchen a stout, round woman, with dark hair tied up into a messy bun, turned and faced us.

“Ahhhh! Hello Courtney. How are ya’ this fine mornin’?” she said with a grin. She had some kind of accent, but I couldn’t tell which.

“Fine,” she chimed. “Miss Lilly, this is Emma. She’s living with us now.”

“Ya, I know,” she said with a warm smile. “Welcome Emma. It’s so nice ta finally meet cha.”

“You too,” I replied with a smile.

I wasn’t sure why everyone was so glad to have
finally
met me. It was like they knew of me for a while. How strange. Then Kade’s words rang through my mind…
I know more about you than you know, Emma Wise…
Did Alaine tell all of them? Did my mother keep in touch with her? Just more unanswered questions…

“Well, go on into the dining room, ya’ two. Breakfast is on the table,” she said, shooing us away.

“Thank you!” Courtney and I sang in unison. Courtney grabbed my arm and dragged me towards an adjoining room where echoes of voices and laughter rang out. As soon as we stepped through the doorway, the room fell silent.

“Yes. We know how to silence a room! Right, Emma?” Courtney announced sarcastically, prancing around to her seat at the far end of the table. She looked at me with wide eyes and patted the open chair next to her. I sucked in a deep breath and proceeded to my seat.