Sleep Tight, page 28
Rael suddenly looked worried. “Will you leave now? Are you going to run away from home?”
I opened my mouth to tell her this wasn’t my home but stopped. Technically it was my home. My family’s home. And I had nowhere else to go. And I would be lying to her and myself if I told her I was not going to run away. The moment the council told me I had to marry Kenji there was a small part of me that was already thinking of running.
And thinking that made me feel incredibly guilty. And ashamed. And weak.
But how could I go through with marrying someone I didn’t love just because a group of strangers told me its tradition. Screw tradition.
Rael was staring at me, so worried. Aidan was looking at me too, his little face on the verge of tears just at the mention of me leaving. They were the future. They would grow up in this secret society with its rules. And as I realized this another thought came to me—if I wanted to be a part of their world, I had to marry Kenji.
I would marry Kenji.
There it was. I made my decision. My heart fell and fell and fell. It wasn’t stopping and I was on the verge of tears. But I would do this for Rael. For Aidan. For everyone in this world. I could change things here. I needed to change things here. Shape a better future for everyone. Change rules. Change the traditions my family set long ago.
I grabbed each of their hands in mine. “I am not going anywhere. I pinkie swear.”
The lights to her room turned off.
Many of the visitors here for the ball we’re staying at the house tonight. After what they did to Ava, I suggested that they be left out in the dark to rot but my suggestion was ignored.
I turned away from Ava’s window and started my second walk around the perimeter. I couldn’t sleep. My anger was still building up, threatening to boil over any minute now.
Offering to stay up and be a part of the night patrol was stupid. I thought it would help me relax but I was only more agitated, my body was restless. Walking around was only giving me more time to think. To think about how I was shoved away from Ava, and how she was pulled away from me.
How they started to drag her around the room, each person having no consideration for her wellbeing, only thinking about themselves and the prospect of their status rising. She looked so small in that crowd of selfish brats. I shoved and knocked down whoever was in my way to get to her.
Woman and man, I didn’t care. They sure didn’t care about treating Ava like a doll, so I was more than happy to repay them that treatment.
And the way Riku spoke about her. Like she was just some object. They picked a future husband for her with no care about what she thought. And the worst part was that it was Kenji. He knew about this. He knew all along and he said nothing.
My fists curled. I knew too and I said nothing to her. Avoiding her was the only way I wouldn't blurt it out to her. It hurt to keep that a secret from her, and I knew I should have just told her. I made a huge mistake and was no better than Kenji.
Thirty minutes later and I was back at her window. The lights still off. If Olivia wasn’t with her, I would sneak into her room to talk to her. But I had to be patient. She deserved space to think, and she deserved space from me.
There was a slight chill in the air. Moon light glowed for a second in my hands warming up my body. I jammed my hands in my coat pockets and turned to do another walk around when I caught sight of something.
A small shadow figure walking down the path from the house. They turned left and disappeared around the house. Thinking it was a possible intruder I quickly followed. I turned the corner they had just turned into and nearly knocked Ava over. She was standing in front of me with black sweats and boots, the hoodie of her black jacket lifted.
She shrieked and stepped back, her hoodie falling off her head. The night breeze pushed her light brown waves into her face. Her cheeks and nose were pink from the cold already and her eyes were glowing.
Her hands lifted pushing the hair out of her face impatiently. “Jesus Elijah, what are you doing?”
She somehow looked even more beautiful right now in her sweats and jacket and it took me a moment to respond.
“Me? What are you doing out here at this time?” I glanced at my phone. “It’s almost two in the morning.”
“What are you doing out here at this time?” She countered back.
“Alright,” I smiled slightly. “I’m on night patrol. Now what’s your excuse?”
She looked down at her feet and shuffled a little. “I couldn’t sleep. I thought a quick walk would help clear my head.”
“I get that. But I don’t think it’s safe for you to be out here alone.”
“Technically I’m not alone. You are on night patrol, so I’ll be fine,” she started to walk away from me.
“Seriously?” I muttered under my breath. I let her walk a few more steps before I started following her. She turned and glared at me but kept walking.
“Don’t follow me.” Her voice floated back to me.
“I won’t leave you alone out here, so I’ll just be your shadow. You won’t even know I’m here.”
She said nothing else and just kept walking. So, I made my steps extra light so she really wouldn’t hear me. She needed her space, I get that. But I was also not going to have her wandering around at night alone. There were other patrols out here and she was probably right and would be fine, but I couldn’t risk it.
Her boots were worn down from years of use, they were small and adorable. I found everything about her adorable. Her short legs were trying their best to take wide steps, trying to get further away from me. Her hands were stuffed deeply in her pockets, and there was a slight swing to her body with each step she took.
She started to slow her steps before stopping completely. When she finally spoke, she was still turned away from me.
“You should know something,” her voice was muffled, and I had strain to hear her. “I’ve made a very serious decision and I don’t know how you will take it.”
“Ava,” I stepped closer to her. “Is it what I think it’s about?”
She finally turned to face me. “I’m going to marry Kenji.”
The world stopped right then. The breeze that was just gently blowing her hair suddenly stopped as if it too was taken by surprise.
Her face was flat and devoid of emotion, but her eyes couldn’t hide what she was feeling so well.
“Why? I thought you were going to fight this. I would have fought alongside you; I will fight alongside you. You are not alone in this if that’s the problem,” my words rushed out. “We are all on your side. We won’t let the council get their way.”
She shook her head. “I have to do this.”
I moved closer until we were toe to toe. “Why? Why do you have to do this?”
She didn’t answer, instead she glanced down at her boots. I wanted to shake her and hug her. Instead, I put a finger under her small, rounded chin and lifted her head. “Talk to me. Please.”
She took a shaky breath. “Don’t make this any harder. You won’t change my mind.”
“I’m making this hard?”
“You should be happy!” Her sudden outburst took me by surprise. “You were there. You heard the council. If I marry Kenji, there's a possibility my powers could show and the Luna lineage would keep growing, a guarantee that you would keep your power.”
I paused at her words. “Is that what this is about? Is that why you decided to marry him!”
“Among other reasons but yes that’s one of them!”
Our conversation was turning into a screaming match. Both of us angry for different reasons.
I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. “How could you make such a stupid decision?”
“Oh, I’m stupid?”
“No, don’t do that. I said your decision is stupid.”
“To me that’s the same thing,” her mouth clenched. “Plus, I’m still mad at you. You made the decision to not tell me about the arranged marriage I was going to be forced into. I’m not the only one making stupid decisions.”
“And I’m sorry about that, truly sorry,” I rubbed my eyes. “I wanted to tell you so bad. But my parents asked me not to and I can’t help but be loyal to them. I love them and would do anything for them.” But my loyalty towards anyone is quickly changing with you around, was what I wanted to say but the words stayed with me.
She scoffed. “You know what whatever Elijah. Do what you think is right but don’t get mad at me for trying to do the same thing.”
“You think marrying Kenji is the right thing to do?” Now I scoffed at her. “You are so frustrating!”
She lifted her hands in the air. “I’m frustrating? You are the most frustrating person I’ve ever met! Since I’ve meet you all you have said was how I am nothing but a job to you. And you made it clear how much you need either me or my brothers to stay alive. It doesn’t matter which one of us as long as you don't lose your power, right?”
I paused. “Yes, you’re right.”
Her eyes widened in surprise and hurt. She took a step back while I took two forward. She was going to hear what I had to say. Apparently, I was not clear enough when I danced with her.
“You’re right,” I began. “You were just a job to me. You and your brothers. I just needed you guys to stay alive so I wouldn’t lose what I was most afraid of losing. My power. But I knew once I got to know you, I would fall for you. I would care for you. And I avoided you as much as I could, but it didn’t work. You got to me. You got under my skin. All I think about is you. The moment I enter a room my eyes look for you. And damn it that scares me.”
She didn’t move. She didn’t speak. She just stared at me, her eyes round with shock. I stayed quiet letting my words process through her mind. I wish I knew what that mind of hers was thinking. Would she reject me? Would she confess her own feelings? Feelings I hoped to the moon and back she had for me were the same as mines.
She finally spoke, her voice small and vulnerable. “My eyes always look for you too.”
That was enough for me.
My hands brushed into her hair and before I could think about it more, my mouth landed on hers. Soft lips and silk hair was the only things that existed right now in this world. She didn’t hesitate like I thought she would. Both of us leaning into each other as if we both had been waiting for this moment to happen all along. Her lips moved over mine softly at first and then the kiss grew.
I couldn’t get enough of her. My lips moved faster over hers, my fingers digging deeper into her long hair. My breath was running out, but I didn’t care. She could drown me in this kiss if that’s what she wanted. Her hands moved up my stomach before landing on my chest and staying there. Her touch soft, warm, and right.
She pulled away first, her breathing was fast and so was mine. Both of us trying to catch our breaths after being pulled under. My hands were still deep in her hair, and I let my fingers comb through her warm brown strands. The feel of her soft hair against my rough hands confirming that this was real. She was real, here in my arms. And she had been on her tippy toes this whole time. Could she be any cuter?
“Don’t marry him.” My voice came out low. The thought of Kenji touching her like this... no I couldn’t take it. She couldn’t marry him.
“I don’t want to think about him right now,” she breathed.
“Trust me I don’t want you thinking about him right now either.” I kissed her forehead. It felt so right doing that.
“Let's just be in this moment. Together even if it’s just for tonight.”
I groaned. “Don’t say that. Please. I don’t want just tonight with you anymore.”
She started to pull away. “Maybe we shouldn't have done this. It will only make everything harder.”
“Ava don’t---”
The alarm blared. It’s scream warning us that someone was intruding. The tree line to our right started to shake. So, it wasn’t just someone. It was many. The alarm was loud, but you could still make out the distinct sounds of low hums and whispers.
“Elijah, what's happening?” Ava yelled over the alarm.
I shook my head and kept my eye on the moving tree line. There were already others waking up from their sleep and running out to see what was happening.
A hundred shadows began forming, creeping out from the forest. Some flying, others walking. That’s when I saw Pax, casually walking towards us. Ava gasped confirming she saw him too. They came closer and closer. More guests from the ball were coming out of the house. This was an ambush.
Pax hollered into the air as they got closer. “Damn it’s good to see you, Ava. Where are your coward brothers?”
Grabbing Ava’s arm, I pushed her behind me. “Don’t say a word to him Ava.”
More men were walking out with Pax. It had to be at least thirty or more, some of the faces behind Pax looked familiar. My teeth clenched as I recognized them. The same guys that followed Ava and the girls. They were right behind Pax, grinning at us.
More Kryps flew out of the trees, their dark long shadows hovering just above the men. And there was even more Kryps slithering on the floor in between them. Others were long figures hunched over. Man and Kryp. Working together.
Impossible.
Never had something like this been done. How was this happening? It made no sense.
Pax grinned at our surprise. “That look on your faces was worth the wait. Oh, and Ava. Your mom has been a lot of fun to have around.”
“No.” Ava’s voice cracked.
Before anyone had a chance to react the swarm of nightmares and man rushed towards us. The Leki’s who were already outside rushed forward meeting them with a clash of light. The shadows raised their fists into the air and slammed down on the Leki’s.
I pushed Ava back towards the house. “Hide in the basement and don’t come out until I come for you.”
She pushed me back. “No, I’m not going to run and hide. Pax is right there. He knows where my mom is. We have to get him.”
“And we will get him but I’m not risking your life. I won’t let him get away.”
“Elijah! Ava!” Ethan and Blake ran toward us, both still in their sleeping clothes.
“What’s happening?” Blake looked ahead at the scene before us. His eyes taking in the men and woman fighting against man and shadow. The realization of what was happening slowly forming in his eyes.
“It can’t be....”
“We have to get Ava out of here,” I turned to Ethan. “Get her to the basement for me.”
“No!” She pushed away from us. “I told you I’m not going.”
“Ava! Stop being so stubborn. I can’t have you up---”
“Where are the girls?” Blake looked around frantically. “Has anyone seen Priya or Olivia?”
“What about Sky?” Ethan glanced at Ava. “Have you seen them?”
She shook her head rapidly. “No, we haven’t seen any of them. But I need to find Jesse and Daniel. I have to make sure they are safe.”
She turned to Blake and Ethan. “You guys go ahead and look for the girls and make sure they are safe.”
They nodded and without hesitation ran off. Kenji was now running toward us.
“Ava are you alright?” His breathing was labored. “I was worried.”
“She’s fine. She’s with me.” I stared down Kenji hoping he got my true meaning behind those words.
“Is she?” He glared at me and moved closer.
“Oh, for god's sake,” Ava pushed between us. “This is not the time!”
“Then tell him to back off.” I said, my eyes still on Kenji.
“Tell me yourself.”
“Okay I will. Back. Off.”
Ava shrieked as she was thrown to the side. She was on the floor face down with a small Kryp on her back. It was shaped like a baby, its front hands had claws digging into her back. She cried out in pain.
I grabbed its head with both hands, my light bursting out. It howled in pain, pain I hoped was far greater than what it just made Ava feel, and then vanished, its black ashes falling onto Ava’s back.
I helped Ava up grabbing one side of her while Kenji grabbed the other.
I reached for her face. “Ava are you---”
“Are you serious?” Jesse’s voice rang out. “Because of your childish arguing Ava was attacked. You guys weren’t even watching her, too busy staring into each other's eyes instead.”
“Jesse.” Ava shook both of us off her. “Where’s Daniel?”
“I don’t know, I was hoping he was with you.”
“We have to look for him.”
“We’ll go with you guys.” Kenji offered.
Jesse held up his hand. “No thanks, you guys are too distracted with each other to be of any help.”
“Let us help you. We made a mistake and won’t do it again.” He was right, we should have been paying attention.
A high-pitched scream had us all turning. It was Clarissa. She was being lifted over the shoulder of one of the men who came with the Kryps. Another man was bounding her hands while a third was holding her legs still.
She was fighting with all she had but even with all her training she was no match for those men. They were too big. To strong. And she was outnumbered and alone, everyone else to busy fighting for their own lives against man and monster.
“You guys have to go help her.” Ava’s eyes widened with worry. Even though Clarissa had been nothing but mean to Ava since she’d arrived, that didn’t matter to her. She couldn’t stand to see Clarissa hurt.
This world didn’t deserve her.
“I’ll go with Ava to find Daniel. You and Kenji go and help Clarissa.” Before we could argue Jesse and Ava were already running off.
Kenji and I both gave a grunt of irritation at the same time. We glared at each other for another second and then we were both off, sprinting to get to Clarissa. The men had already tied her up and she was thrashing in their arms, fighting so hard that they all needed to hold her as they struggled to keep her contained.
Kenji wrapped his arms around the neck of one and squeezed so hard the man's neck cracked under the pressure. I kicked into the back knee of the one holding Clarissa’s legs. He cried out and fell forward onto his knees. Walking up behind him before he had a chance to recover, I grabbed his head and twisted it, the bone snapping.
