Page 113 of Into The Light

“I’m gonna stay here for a little while. I’m pretty interested in learning all about this culture, and there’s a light-tight cave close to here I can crash in for the day. Isn’t that right, Catrain?”

She rolled her eyes and shrugged. “He won’t leave.”

We all exchanged a glance and choked down our laughs.

“Well, I guess you stay and have fun here,” Aiden finally said. “We’ll see you at home... whenever that is.” He raised a playful eyebrow.

“I’ll catch up eventually.” Thorne smiled and turned to Catrain. “Want to show me where that cave is?”

“Not really, but if you insist.” She turned and twitched her head gesturing for him to follow.

“Bye, Thorne!” I called after him. “And thank you again. Both of you! And thank your mother!”

Catrain looked over her shoulder and gave me a nod. Thorne looked back and threw us all a mischievous wink. Even Lothaire chuckled as they sauntered off together.

“Well, we’ll see you when you get back,” Lothaire said, turning to Aiden and then to me. “Take care of him, Emilia.”

Lothaire’s voice dripped with emotion. A plea and a warning all rolled into one. This time I didn’t shrink from his intense stare. Tossing my arms around his neck, I kissed him on the cheek. “I will. I promise.”

After I slid back to the ground, he met me with an appreciative nod and a smile.

“Oh, and tell Mark we’ll be home soon so not to leave and go chasing after Ryan Gosling until after we get back,” I added.

“He’s gonna have to fight me for him. I’ve got dibs on Gosling.” Annella smiled and winked. With a flash, they disappeared, and Aiden and I stood alone in the center of the small village.

“Well, it looks like Thorne will have his hands full for a while,” I said.

“That is if he has hands when she’s done with him. I have a feeling if he tries to make a move, she’ll more than likely remove them.”

We exchanged a glance and a laugh.

“I’m glad you and your brother patched things up. I’m excited to be part of your family. I don’t have one anymore.”

“You do now. You have all of us. We’re your family now.”

Just a month ago I had been alone. Now I had Aiden and Mark, a sister, and brothers. My heart swelled at the thought of being part of a family again. It nearly exploded with the realization I had an eternity with Aiden awaiting me.

“I have an idea,” he said, pulling me from my thoughts.

“What’s that?”

A playful grin lifted his lips. “Are you ready to see what you can do?” He reached out a hand and held it waiting.

I narrowed my eyes and mirrored his grin. With a flash I appeared at his side, our fingers tangled together.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Ready.”

We bolted across the village and out into the woods. When we hit top speed it felt like time stood still... like the world around us had frozen. He looked over at me and smiled. The wind whipped through my hair and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I marveled at my reflexes while we darted through the woods, and flew through the fields, hands held tight as I stayed at his side. It felt natural, like I had been doing it for years. I wondered if this was how Mark felt when he changed... so invigorated and alive.

We ran through the fields and dashed around the island, laughing and playing as I tried to catch him, missing by inches each time. He gave me a wink and raced onto the beach, flying into the water. I surged after him, slowing when I saw the droplets of water in his wake spraying up around us. When I turned to look at them, they appeared frozen, like I could reach out and pluck one from the air. The soft glow of the orange strip of the rising sun flickered within them. The incredible sight stunned me so much that I tumbled over my own feet. With a shriek, I flew forward, but Aiden caught me in his sturdy arms before I plunged into the waves.

We tumbled onto the sand, our laughs carrying across the water while we collapsed beside each other on the beach.

“Oops.” I giggled. “I guess I need some practice. Thanks for the save. I almost got a face full of water.”

“I’m always here to catch you.” He sat up and pulled me between his legs. I pressed my back into his chest and inhaled a deep breath while he wrapped his arms around me.