MAXIM: A New Type of Human (Oddily Series #2) (31 page)

“It is true baby. Now we can have a long and happy life together.”

Oddily released Maxim’s neck and went back to staring at her surroundings. “Isn’t it romantic and mysterious to be roaming around in this enchanted part of your property?”

Maxim agreed as he stared at the light and airy fabric of Oddily’s blouse showing her slender delicacy. “Aren’t you cold?” he asked.

“A little,” she confessed.

Maxim took off his sweatshirt and wrapped it around her shoulders.

Oddily grinned when she saw how silly she looked in it.

Maxim smiled too. He knew he was large compared to Oddily’s small stature, but to see his sweatshirt on her made him feel huge.

“Maybe you’ll grow into it,” he teased. “At least you will be warm.”

“What about you?” she inquired. “Aren’t you chilly?”

“Not if you let me join you inside that sweatshirt.”

“Don’t you dare!” she backed away, taunting him with a wide grin. Then, for a second time, she raced off into the woods with the sweatshirt flying from her shoulders.

As she bolted, a surprised Maxim made an initial attempt to grab her arm, missed, then bounded off after her with a delighted laugh as he chased her through the trees. They acted like a pair of schoolchildren, ducking and dodging whatever tried to slow them down.

Finally, Maxim managed to trap Oddily between two boulders and chuckled wickedly as they came to an impasse. Making a silly face in a defiant gesture, Oddily tried to dart past him, only to slip on wet moss and stumble. Maxim, pressing the advantage, leaped to her side and threw his arms around her, carrying her to the ground with his backside taking the fall. She ended up sprawled out on top of him.

While Oddily tried to catch her breath, her chest heaved against his. Maxim’s body was already responding to her closeness. He wanted to remove her clothes and make love to her, to explore every inch of her, but he couldn’t—not yet!

Abruptly, Maxim lifted Oddily off him and sat up, his heart still pounding with desire. “It’s time I get you home. It’s been a long day for both of us.”

“But I don’t think I can sleep,” she protested. “I’m not tired enough. Besides, I want to watch the sun come up. I need to drink in as much of it’s warmth as I can so I will always have the memory with me.”

Maxim’s lips twisted into a half smile. “You sound as if you plan on leaving.”

Oddily shook her head in denial and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You know what? I’m probably still scared because of what happened to me and what could happen if I fall asleep. Suppose I don’t wake up!”

Maxim kissed the top of her head. “I’m not going to lie and say I understand what you’re going through, because I don’t. All I can say is that the rollercoaster ride we’ve been on, isn’t the way it usually is around here. In fact, my life before you appeared was fairly peaceful and simple. I think you will be happier once things settle down, but meanwhile, I am here for you.”

“Then you will stay up with me?”

“Absolutely, but lets find a place with a better view…a spot where we can see the morning rise in its full glory.”

Maxim grabbed Oddily’s hand and headed off in a direction Oddily hadn’t ventured before. The unfamiliar terrain slopped upward at a steep incline, making the journey difficult; but finally, their perseverance paid off. They made it to a moonlit plateau overlooking Maxim’s property.

Oddily let go of Maxim’s hand and continued to move forward. She was trying to get a better view of the scenery down below, but it was still too dark.

“It won’t be much longer.” Maxim spoke softly as he contemplated Oddily’s unusual behavior. Was this a side affect caused by the foreign essence left inside her? And if so, would there be more changes to come?

How long had it been since Oddily stumbled into his life? She had gained confidence, lost inhibitions, and become bolder; and yet now, he worried about the essence left inside her.

“Look Maxim!” Oddily pointed to the forest below.

Maxim looked to where she pointed and couldn’t miss the two lights beaming through the leaves. “That’s strange! I believe it is the headlights of a vehicle.”

“Who do you think is down there?”

“It’s probably Paul!” he admitted.

“Oh my gosh Maxim! I completely forgot about him. I’ll call him right now!”

“No! Wait just a little bit longer. If you call him right now, you’ll miss the sunrise.”

Oddily agreed and, several minutes later, the sky began to lighten. Within moments, the sun peeked over the horizon to bathe them both in warm light. Oddily spread her arms in a welcoming gesture to the new day and then ran over to Maxim and jumped in his arms. With her legs wrapped around his waist, he laughed at her show of affection.

“Mmmm—you’re all mine!” He hugged her close.

Oddily whispered one word in response: “Always!”

35

Paul was lost within the confines of Maxim’s property. Caught inside a giant labyrinth of roadways, he gave up on finding his way to the main gates. Instead, he parked on one of the roads. While remaining inside his vehicle, he considered using his powers to transport himself home, but it was almost morning. The sun was already beginning to peak over the horizon so he decided to stay put.

While Paul waited for the sun to rise, unsettling questions began to pop up in his mind. He became fidgety and soon had to vacate his car to take a walk. He thought about Thor. Bumping into his father for the first time was bizarre, especially under the weird circumstances surrounding the encounter.

He knew nothing about the man other than what he overheard during a few whispered secrets between his mother and her brother Patrick. Thor was said to have swept his mother off her feet with one kiss. For Paul, he easily walked away from his absentee father.

Then, there was the shocking news of finding out that he had a twin sister. This new revelation was impossible to ignore—especially when he discovered his sister was Zaylyn. Of all females in the world, why did it have to be her?

He knew that this news would devastate his mother. There was no doubt about it! Just the idea of her finding out made him sick to his stomach; so he had to shrug off the notion and instead, focused his mind on something else.

Oddily! Just thinking her name caused an uncomfortable heaviness to settle in his chest. He had abandoned her! What kind of a person would leave their friend in the hands of a group of strange hybrids? Yes, it was true that he needed to get away from all the insanity; but, was that a fair enough excuse? No. In hindsight, he should have stayed. Now, because of his hasty departure, he had no idea what had become of the petite redhead.

The entity inhabiting Oddily’s body had announced the purification of her blood, but what did that mean exactly? Furthermore, in what way was Oddily’s recently cleansed body stabilized?

While Paul was absorbed in his thoughts, his cell phone began to ring. He assumed it would be his mom, so when he glanced at the caller ID, he was surprised to see Oddily’s name show up. To make sure it was no one else but her, Paul didn’t speak until he heard her sweet voice.

“Paul, are you there?”

“I’m here!” He replied. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, but I was wondering about something. Right before the sun came up, Maxim caught a glimpse of headlights below. Are you still here on his property?”

“Yeah, I got lost. Where are you? You guys must be somewhere high off the ground.”

“We were. Maxim and I had climbed to the top of a hill, and that’s where we spotted your car. We’re heading in your direction right now so stay put, okay?”

“Nah, don’t bother!”

“Why? I thought you said you were lost.”

“I am, but I’ve been on foot meandering through the woods for over twenty minutes.”

“
Ummm
…Maxim says to stay out in the open so he can spot your whereabouts on the surveillance cameras.”

“Okay, but before you hang up, there’s something I need to know. Has your body returned to normal?”

Oddily began to giggle. “You’ll have to wait until you see me.”

Paul smiled despite his frayed nerves. Obviously, Oddily had been healed because she sounded so happy; and yet, he still couldn’t ignore the undercurrent of doubt that plagued him.

* * * * * *

Paul didn’t have to wait long before he had company because Nero and Nexa showed up.

We saw you from the…!

…I know. The surveillance cameras, right?
Paul finished Nexa’s comment.

Yes, but how did you know?

Maxim told me. He and Oddily should be here soon.

If you want to leave now, I can take you to the front gates myself.
Nero volunteered.

Nah, that’s okay. I want to see Oddily before I go.

Oddily is fine now. Her limbs are even again, and the unnatural growth of her hair and fingernails has been resolved.

Thanks for telling me, but I still want to see the change for myself.

Nexa cocked her head.
Why don’t you leave Oddily’s welfare up to us?

Honestly, it’s because I don’t like what’s going on around here.

Are you insinuating that we do?
Nero countered.

Listen to me.
Paul showed a hint of anger.
After what I witnessed inside the lab, I know without a doubt that Oddily will never be safe in your world.

Nexa took offense to Paul’s statement.
You make it sound as though you’re not one of us.

I’m not! I wasn’t raised in seclusion like you and your brother. Damn! Do you even realize how much trouble you two have already caused Oddily and the people around her?

Just then, Maxim and Oddily pulled up in a small motorized vehicle.

Did you find Willa?
Maxim asked, unaware of the conversation taking place between Nero and Paul.

Yes, we found her.

Good…I’ll tell Oddily that she’s okay.

Maxim wait, there is more! Willa’s internal circuitry was exposed to extreme heat. This caused her system to overload and shut down. Furthermore, her DNA data has gone missing.

How can that be?
Maxim became serious.
No one knows their way around the cavern like she does. If there was a possible threat to her, she could have hidden anywhere. It doesn’t make sense.

Nero kept his suspicions to himself
. Relax son! I have a feeling that we will find out what happened to her soon enough.

While Nero and Maxim finished their discussion concerning Willa, Paul had his eyes solely on Oddily. She ran up to him with extended hands. “Look at my fingers Paul. The claws are gone.”