Judgment: Immortals of Indriell, #2

CHAPTER ONE

The prophecy’s about you, Red…

Those words had haunted Allie all summer. For four long months, they’d echoed through her mind, setting her heart racing and her blood boiling. Everything she thought she knew about herself was a lie … again.

You two do know there’s a cozy little inside shelter on this tugboat? Aidan called across the ferryboat deck.

Allie watched the choppy waves of Lake Erie bobbing up and down along the horizon. She hadn’t noticed the thunder or the rain. Neither had Sasha. Allie glanced at her friend on the bench beside her, lost in her own thoughts. They hadn’t seen much of each other in the last few months. Sasha had a rough summer working for the Senate and refused to talk about it since her return.

Neither girl felt quite like themselves after the horrible events the night of the Springtime Ball. Allie had to live with the gravity of her mistakes—her hesitations that led to Quinn’s capture by the Coalition and so many months on the move. She’d almost cost her and her friends the home they loved. And Sasha … just wasn’t Sasha without Quinn.

Come on, you two. Aidan stood over them, his blue-black hair growing darker in the rain. You’re looking a little crazy out here in this drizzle. Let’s get inside where it’s dry. We’re almost home. He grabbed Allie’s hand, urging her to release her clenched fist. Stop doing that.

Allie relaxed her hands and winced at the sight of blood on her palms. The tiny crescent-moon cuts were already healing, and the rain washed away the blood. She stood, smoothing her palms over her jeans.

Sasha? You coming? Aidan asked.

Leave her alone. Allie turned and left her friends to their thoughts.

She caught a glimpse of Kelleys Island looming on the horizon, and her spirits lifted. After so much time abroad, hiding out in Agra first and then later among the remote Portuguese islands of the Azores, she was eager to get home, now that Gregg finally deemed it safe enough to return.

Home. A strange concept for Allie. After a lifetime of moving from one place to the next with her mortal family, Kelleys Island was part of her now, and she was happy to be back. And she felt guilty for being happy when it looked as though Quinn might never come home.

Don’t feel bad because you’re happy to be back, Lex, Aidan said, sitting beside her inside the covered shelter.

I have to work on my facial expressions if I’m that easy to read. She still had him blocked. It took a monumental effort to achieve it, but there were things she just wasn’t ready to share with Aidan. When you had a telepathic connection with your best friend, privacy and secrets were a luxury.

I don't like the way you've shut me out. But I can still get a sense of what's going through your mind, even if I don't know exactly what you're thinking.

I was beginning to think we’d never see this place again, Allie said. She couldn’t wait to get to her tower bedroom for some much-needed peace and quiet. She’d spent the summer surrounded by people nearly every minute of every day. And now, she was returning to an empty house while her parents lingered for a few more days in Bali with her older sister, Joss, and her new fiancé.

Beach date tonight? Or sleep? She was looking forward to relaxing in her own bed for a change, but the dreams—she could do without the dreams.

Sleep. Definitely sleep. Aidan rubbed his bleary eyes.

Allie nodded. He’d spent the last few days in the Azores soaking up as much fun with Naomi as he possibly could, and it had left Allie just as exhausted.

Yours or mine? She knew she couldn’t last another night without sleeping, and when she gave in, the dreams would come. She needed Aidan to keep her sleep restful. When they were together, the dreams no longer tormented them. It was like putting a Band-Aid on an open wound, but it was the only thing that worked.

Meet me in the underground later. We'll spend the night in my studio, Aidan said.

I’m allowed to enter your most sacred domain? She arched her brow in surprise. Aidan shared just about everything with her, but his music studio and his private room in the underground were off-limits.

We share a brain and a bed, so why not?

I’ll meet you there around one. She was anxious to see Vince. Her mortal boyfriend had spent several weeks with her in the Azores, and it was just the distraction she’d needed. Like always, it was easy being with him in their no-pressure relationship. But just before Chloe’s Awakening, Naeemah sent him home. After a hot and heavy summer together, Allie hadn’t seen her boyfriend in nearly a month.

After Vince leaves?

Stop doing that! It drove her crazy that he could still pick up on her thoughts even when she was actively blocking him.

I can’t help it. I hear what I hear. Remember, I’m not the one trying to block you. What the hell happened in that room, Allie?

Allie threw up her strongest mental walls against Aidan, visualizing everything she didn’t want him to know sealed up in a big box with chains around it and a sign that said, Don’t open till Christmas—especially if your name is Aidan.

I hate that damned box, Allie. It’s like I’m haunted by some perversion of my very own Pandora’s box. It’s always there, but we never talk about it.

Then, do us both a favor and ignore it. She would tell him when she was ready, but for now, she couldn’t face it. Not until she got some answers. But Aidan’s father had disappeared months ago, right after his startling revelation about her biological parents. When she saw him next … Greggory McBrien had never seen anger in all of his two-thousand-plus years, but he was about to. He had to come home eventually.

Lex, you’re so angry. All the time. You try to stuff it all in that box, but you can’t hide it from me. Not for long anyway. That box is going to explode, and when it does, it’s going to be messy. But I’m here whenever you’re ready to crack that baby open.

Aidan, please. Change the subject. She was dangerously close to losing her temper, and that made it even more difficult to control the power swarming inside her.

Come find me in the underground when Vince leaves. We both need a good sleep tonight.

Allie nodded as she leaned back against the bench. The cool lake breeze smelled like home. She absently smoothed her hair over her right shoulder to hide the scar that ran along her jawline to her throat and down her shoulder. The scar was a side effect of her gunshot wound—a memento of the night she’d escaped her captors. Immortals didn’t react well to the magnetic poisoning from Coalition bullets, but the scar was a massive improvement from just a few months ago. It faded as her wound slowly healed, but the thin rope of tissue still throbbed and ached. It was just one more thing she’d struggled with over the last months.

Don't let it define you, Lex, Aidan said softly. It's just a scar.

I know.

Mortals can't see it, and to us, these scars are a badge of honor, he reminded her.

She'd spent the summer learning to influence the way the mortal world saw her—an ability most Immortals her age didn’t need to learn yet. But it was important that she blend in, only allowing them to see what she wanted them to see. Even so, it didn’t matter who could see the scars and who couldn’t. She knew they were there.

CHAPTER TWO

The prophecy’s about you, Red, Gregg’s earth-shattering declaration echoed through Allie’s mind like a song stuck on repeat. She couldn’t escape it.

She leaped from the Adirondack chair to pace the length of her rooftop deck, as if she could somehow outrun her thoughts. Frustrated, she leaned against the parapet overlooking the lake, but she didn’t see the last rays of the beautiful sunset. Her thoughts were in turmoil, crashing from one thing to another. Her biological parents and that stupid prophecy.

She’d always known her father, Ashar, as Navid. He’d been part of her life since before she could remember, but only as a family friend. He was a telepath, like her, but she couldn’t seem to reach him now. The last she’d heard from him was a warning to keep his existence a secret since their world believed he and her mother were dead.

What am I supposed to do with that? She shouted into the wind, her voice dying on the breeze. How was she supposed to deal with such a revelation? Gregg and Navid had completely abandoned her after that horrible night, and she had no one to confide in. She knew she could trust Aidan with the knowledge, but she was afraid he would look at her differently when he knew who she really was. How would he react when he knew she was technically … royalty?

Allie turned and fled down the steps to the beach just below her tower. This was the point when she usually threw herself into some sort of distraction to avoid that ridiculous word. It didn’t mean anything anymore. Maybe ten thousand years ago when her ancestors ruled Indriell, she would have been seen as royal, but not now. Surely people wouldn’t think of her as First Princess of Indriell millennia after the kingdom collapsed.

She waded into the shallow waters of Lake Erie and let the waves lap at her knees. The water was always cool here, even in summer. The air still smelled odd to her with the absence of the salty ocean breeze she missed, but this place was home now, and she loved it.

She heard footsteps echoing behind her, and her anger flashed hot and sudden as memories of that night came back to haunt her. Strong arms captured her from behind, and she reacted instantly with an elbow to her assailant’s ribs.

Jeez, Allie! What was that? Vince groaned as he backed away.

She whirled around, stumbling out of the shallow water to his side. Crap—Vin, are you okay? Her words came out in a tumble. She could have broken bones if she’d given it all she had.

I’m good. He laughed, rubbing his tender ribs. I should know better than to sneak up on someone who was recently mugged and completely traumatized by it. Not my smartest move.

Allie winced at the reminder that his memories of that night were gone and replaced with false ones that simplified everything to a run-of-the-mill mugging.

How about this move? He smiled as he took her in his arms. Hey, you.

Hi. She gave him a shy smile, enjoying the way his mere presence chased all thoughts of the prophecy far from her mind. She sensed his resistance to her touch, more than she had in a long time. The distance over the last month had sent them back to square one. He was aware of the strength of her power, like most mortals, but he never let it affect their relationship.

I missed the crap out of you. He squeezed her tight, shrugging off the last of his hesitation in the way that made her fall for him nearly a year ago.

Let’s go swimming like we did in Ponta Delgada. Allie tugged him toward the water’s edge.

He shrugged as he lifted his shirt over his head. Their clothes littered the beach, and he grabbed her hand as they ran into the chilly lake together. They swam into the deeper waters until the shore began to slope down into a rocky ledge and Allie could feel the tug of the strong current just beyond them.

That’s far enough. Vince pulled her back against his bare chest. Don’t want you to get swept away.

I missed you. She turned in his arms. His smile and the ease of their relationship was like a balm to her tormented mind. And then, her eyes drifted to the scar on his chest.

How’re you doing lately? She frowned, remembering how close she had come to losing him. It was her fault he was shot, and he didn't even know it. Having Allie for a girlfriend came with a price, and if he really understood what that price was, she didn't think he would be willing to pay it.

Almost back to normal. I’ve hit physical therapy pretty hard since I got home, and I should be cleared for football by the time the season starts. You need to stop worrying, Allie. I’m fine. ‘Gunshot wound to the chest’ sounds way worse than it actually was. I was lucky the bullet didn’t do much damage and I’m a super-fast healer. He splashed her and gave her a cocky grin as he swam circles around her.

They had Aidan to thank for his quick recovery. He’d worked his butt off to get Vince on the mend so his doctors would clear him for travel.

Vince brushed the damp curls from Allie’s face and leaned in for a kiss, his lips warm against hers. She responded to his slow, confident kiss, pressing her body against him as his hands wandered over her curves in a familiar way.

It seems like forever since we’ve been alone like this, he murmured, trailing kisses of fire down the column of her throat.

It’s been way too long. Her hands moved like they had a mind of their own, tracing the lines of his shoulders with her fingertips.

Allie? Vince eyed her as her hands slid lower. Not here. His voice came out in a rasp.

Then, let’s go to my room.

He hesitated, taking a deep breath. Are you sure?

Positive. She pulled him close, the heat rising between them.

He was always so careful not to let it go too far, but she was ready and confident in her decision. He was the right guy. They loved each other, and they’d waited nearly a year. Vince ticked all the right boxes.

He held her as they drifted with the gentle current back toward the shore. She was nervous but excited … everything she should feel.

I totally won the boyfriend lottery. Her heart thudded in her chest as her power stirred hot within her core.

I love you, Allie, he whispered against her ear, his voice a rasp of desire.

I love you too. She gasped as he draped her legs around his hips, heading closer to shore. His lips covered her mouth, and she trembled at the feel of his body against hers, his hands sliding down her back.

She felt the warmth rising within her, unable to resist the urge to let her power flood her body. Her fingertips danced across the scar on his chest, and a pang of regret shot through her for the pain she’d caused him.

You are so beautiful, he whispered. You sure about this, Allie? I want you to be certain. He laced his fingers through hers, brushing a kiss across her fingertips. We can stop.

I’m ready.

No, you aren’t. Not here anyway. He kissed down to her collarbone, his breath hot against her chilled skin. Let’s get out of this water.

Vin. She gasped at the foreign sensation as his kisses trailed lower. Her hands slid through his damp hair. She arched into him, heat radiating from her core, her power surging in response to her desire. She moaned, her control slipping away from her for a brief moment.

The sandy lake bottom brushed against her back as they washed up on the beach. Vince pulled away, and she ran her hands up his chest, eager to continue exploring such new territory with him, but she was trembling, fighting against the power that wanted to flame hot within her.

With a soft moan, Vince slumped over, clutching his chest.

Vin?

He wasn’t breathing.

No! Vince. Please, no! She rolled him onto his back and dragged him out of the water onto the dry grass along the beach.

Aidan!

Allie, what the hell? What’s wrong?

She flooded him with the details in an instant, begging him to come help. She stared down at Vince, unsure what to do. His lips were turning blue, and she cursed herself for never learning CPR.

Please, Vince. Just breathe. She scrambled to pull her shirt back on just before Aidan came charging up the beach from the grotto.

Help him please! she sobbed. He’s not breathing.

What happened?

I think it’s his heart. One minute, he was fine. We were swimming. And then, he just collapsed.

Aidan placed his hands over Vince’s chest, his jaw clenched in frustration, his eyes bright with hurt. She knew seeing them half-dressed like this was killing him.

What did you do, Allie? His voice was low and filled with frustration.

N-nothing.

Did you lose control?

Maybe for a second. Please. Just help him, she whispered, hanging her head in shame. Not for what had passed between her and her boyfriend, but for the pain she caused Aidan. She knew what it felt like when the situation was reversed.

She watched as Aidan’s eyes flashed golden, focusing his healing gift on Vince’s still form. Aidan was young, and some things were beyond his ability, but she knew he wouldn’t let him die. Not like this. Not if he could help it.

He’ll be fine. Aidan finally let out a breath, swiping at the trickle of blood oozing from his nose.

Vince’s chest lifted and fell, but he didn’t open his eyes.

He’s breathing now, Lex. I just had to get his heart rhythm back to normal.

I wasn’t thinking. I-I didn’t know. I-I wasn’t prepared.

Well, rein it in. Your eyes are blazing like green fire. Get it under control before you give the poor sap a heart attack.

Aidan, how did this happen?

I don’t know. At most, it should have just weakened him, but if you unleashed your full power on him … that could have unpredictable consequences. You and I have to be more careful in these situations.

I could have killed him.

I’m sorry; it just never occurred to me to warn you. He ran his hands through his hair, the way he did when he was really frustrated. I didn't actually think you'd have sex with him, Allie.

We were kissing, that’s all. She shifted anxiously on her feet, watching Vince for signs of improvement. He’s so pale. Should we take him to the hospital? He's not waking up. Allie chewed her lip, worrying there was something wrong with him that Aidan might not be strong enough to fix.

He's just resting. Let’s get him inside.

Allie grabbed the rest of their clothes and helped Aidan move Vince up the lawn and into the house. She fussed with the pillows, making sure he was comfortable on the couch, grateful her parents weren’t home yet.

Allie? Vince groaned, his eyelids fluttering.

I’m here, Vin. It’s okay.

What happened? His eyes snapped open, glaring at Aidan. Why's he here?

It’s okay, you just passed out for a minute. Allie eased him back on the couch as the lie came to her far too easily. She was so sick of the lies.

Call Daniel, she whispered miserably.

Already texted him.

I just keep hurting him. She paced anxiously across the living room.

I’m fine, Allie, Vince said, but his color didn’t look good. Your eyes? What happened? We were swimming … right?

Allie's glance fell to the floor. Could he really see the power in her eyes?

It’ll be all right. He’ll forget, Allie. Just let him ramble till Daniel gets here, Aidan said.

I can’t believe I let this happen. Allie brushed her hand across Vince’s cheek. He flinched, and she could see the accusation and fear in his eyes. He may not have understood what happened, but he could sense it was her fault. She had to end this. She wasn’t mortal, and it was time she stopped pretending with Vince. She loved him, but she was using him. Time to face reality, Allie. She gave herself a mental pep talk.

What’s going on here? Daniel called from the kitchen garden.

In here, Aidan said. Allie lost control. Vince had a little episode with his heart and passed out. I revived him, but he needs to not remember any of this happened. And if you could do the same for me, that’d be great.

His heart? That’s, er … extreme. Daniel avoided looking anywhere but at Allie in her half-dressed state.

Make him forget? Allie begged. Please, Daniel, make him forget everything.

Of course, sweetheart. It’ll be okay. He won't remember any of this.

No, she whispered. Make him forget me.

CHAPTER THREE

Y ou want me to what? Daniel stared at her.

Make him forget we were ever together, Allie said.

Allie, wait! What are you saying? Vince protested, confusion written all over his face.

Shhh, Vin. It’ll be over soon. She held his hand as she crouched beside him.

Allie, you’re upset. There’s no need to do anything so rash as that. Go get dressed, and I'll take care of this, Daniel said.

Allie turned and stumbled to the bathroom, grabbing her shorts and shoes as she went.

She slammed the powder room door behind her and collapsed on the vanity bench, resting her head on the cool concrete countertop. Daniel didn’t get it. She’d never thought more clearly than she did right then. She'd known it all summer. The guilt she felt for Vince’s injury was with her every day. She'd tried to compensate for that guilt by convincing herself that they were happy and she wasn’t using him. But she was—and not in a bad way, because she knew she loved him, but she was using him as an escape, and it was selfish of her to keep putting him at risk simply because she didn't want to face the reality of her life as an Immortal. She had to stop keeping one foot stubbornly rooted in the mortal world. It wasn’t worth risking her boyfriend’s life.

Aidan, can you give us a minute? I’d like to speak to Daniel privately, she asked when she returned, fully clothed and her eyes dry. Vince lay sleeping where she'd left him. He looked so peaceful.

Gladly. Aidan practically ran for the door. She could feel just how much this whole situation tormented him, and it ripped her apart. She was constantly stuck between staying true to what she knew was right for her and hurting the most important person in her life.

It didn't happen, Aidan. It never went that far. I-I think I was trying to talk myself into taking the next logical step with him. Like I could force this relationship to work just because I wanted it to.

His only response was a feeling of relief.

Am I still welcome in your sanctuary?

Always.

I’ll meet you there soon.

It is not safe for him to be with me anymore, Daniel. Allie squared her shoulders, firm in her resolve. I’ve hurt him enough, and the next time could be worse. I can’t keep doing this.

I won't do it, Allie. Especially not like this. Vince won't remember what happened tonight. I’ll take him home, and he’ll sleep it off. He will remember your reunion up to a certain point, and then he will remember going home. There's no harm done here. You can move on from this and be happy with the boy you love, but you must be more careful. You cannot lose control like that again. Not with anyone.

There won’t be a next time. I don’t feel right about this anymore. It’s done, we’re done. Whether you help me make it easier for him or not. She sat on the edge of the armchair near the wall of glass overlooking the garden and stared at the late-blooming flowers. After the summer we've had—it's been better than ever between us—he's never going to understand.

I will not remove his memories of your entire relationship. That crosses a line I will not breach, Daniel said. It wouldn’t hurt him, but it wouldn’t be fair to either of you to deny you both the experience of a difficult breakup simply to spare his feelings. You must find a way to do this on your own.

Can't you make him think we’re just friends? That we broke up months ago for some stupid reason? Anything to make this easier? I just … can't break his heart.

I won’t do that either, sweetheart. My gift is a tool, meant to help preserve the secrecy of our world. It is not to be used to ease a wounded heart. We just got back. Let things settle down first. And think about it long and hard before you make any decisions.

I don’t need to think about it. I should have done this months ago.

Then, take some time to find a way to end your relationship amicably. This is a good experience for you, Allie. Next time, you will carefully consider what it means to date a mortal. It’s not something you should feel you cannot do, but it never seems to end well for us or the mortals we love. We will discuss this further during our training session next week. Until then, don’t make any rash decisions.

Allie nodded, but she knew she wouldn’t change her mind. She was done with Vince. She would not interfere in his life any longer.

Allie slipped out of the house and across the garden to the small shed. She fumbled with the hidden latch in the floorboards that concealed the much more sophisticated entrance to the tunnels below. Punching in her code on the digital pad, she climbed down the long ladder, closing the entrance behind her. She hated this part. She could see in the darkness, but Allie didn't like the confines of the deep shaft that allowed her access to the natural caves and tunnels that sprawled out like a maze below the island.

The underground was like home to her now. As she ran along the tunnel leading to the common room, Allie wished she could run fast enough to escape what she’d done.

I almost killed him. She opened her thoughts to Aidan. This time, it wouldn’t have been an errant bullet to the chest—it would have been by her own hand.

It’s not your fault, Lex.

She pushed him away again, unable to bear the unerring confidence of his thoughts. The way he saw her never ceased to make her feel inadequate, but right now she wanted nothing more than to forget this whole night ever happened and just get back to her normal routine.

Allie tugged on the enormous carved door that led to the common room across the great stone hall where all the Kelleys Island tunnels converged. The fan-vaulted ceilings, once so impressive, barely registered with her now, even after all the months away. Allie made her way on autopilot through the tangle of hallways to Aidan’s office.

You have got to chill, babe, Aidan said in amusement. You’re making me tense.

Sorry, she muttered.

It was an accident. Put it behind you. Now, how about a drink? It’s been a long night, and I raided Dare’s stash.

Allie smiled to herself, grateful that she could trust him to know she did not want to talk about what happened. Cheers to that.

She flopped into the armchair by the cold fireplace. She watched as he crossed the span of his office to pour her a glass of wine and himself a tumbler of Scotch he’d pilfered from somewhere when his brother wasn’t looking. He looked tired and his dark, shaggy hair was a mess. In that moment, she knew they both felt a thousand years old.

Her thoughts drifted back to Vince. They weren’t right for each other. She’d done everything she could to convince herself they were. She just hadn’t been ready to let him go … until now.

So, ten months then, not one. Aidan's dry humor echoed in her mind, and she couldn’t help but laugh. He'd expected her to come to this realization months ago. He'd pushed in his impatience for her to accept this life and move on with him at her side. Of course, it blew up in his face, culminating in the worst argument they'd ever had and weeks of not talking to each other. She hadn't been ready—still wasn't ready for what he was offering.

You will be, someday.

She could feel his hopes rising, and the thought of dashing them again filled her with anxiety. He meant the world to her, and the last thing she ever wanted was to cause him pain, but it seemed that was all she ever did.

Aidan, I … don’t know if I’ll ever be the girl you want me to be. She was doing marginally better as she approached her first full year after her Awakening, but she still wasn’t there yet. And she knew she could never be the vision of sheer perfection Aidan saw when he looked