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Perhaps it would belong to someone who fills that missing hole in my soul.
No. I need to stop thinking like that. It’s ridiculous for me to even fathom aromancewith the Dark Elder, especially one I haven’t even properly met.
Talk about treason.
~ ~·~ ~
By the time I get home, Olivia is already in my bedroom. I slowly sit next to her on my bed, perplexed. “Uh…hey?”
She rolls her eyes at me impatiently. “Don’t act so surprised. What’s our plan?”
I’m taken aback, but I probably shouldn’t be. After last night, I’ll admit that a part of me expected Olivia to change her mind about helping me. In reality, maybe that’s only because Iwanther to. I want to be seen as some sort of misery, lending truth to the abusive thoughts I’ve been having about myself.
My initial shock turns to worry when I realize my door is still open. I quickly and quietly close it, making a motion for Olivia totalk quieter. “Okay, so here’s the thing.” I bite my lip, pausing for a moment, and then reach under my sheets to pull out the paper. I hand it to her, eyes on her face, trying to gauge her reaction.
At first she looks confused, and then surprised. She looks up at me, eyebrows raised. “Did…hesend this to you?”
I sigh and nod, lying flat on the bed with my legs dangling over the side. “Yeah. When I got back last night, I found it on my pillow.”
Confusion continues to mar her features. “I don’t understand. If he knew you were looking for him, why didn’t he just meet you? Also, how the hell does he know where you live?”
I shrug, holding my arms over my eyes to block out the light. “How the hell does he know anything about me? It’s all so fucking confusing.” I groan and sit up to look Olivia in the eyes imploringly. “I need to go. It’s the only way to get any answers.”
She holds my gaze, lips pursed, and it’s clear her earlier excitement is dwindling. After a while, she sighs and looks away. “I know. I want to know, too. But Amelia, be careful. This guy knows where you live. ThisDark Elderknows where you live. You never know what his intentions are.”
I bite my tongue to keep from telling her she sounds like my mother, and from saying that she was singing a different tune only moments before, because she’s right. I know she’s right. It doesn’t stop the feeling of agitation at someone else pointing it out, though. “I will. Promise. So…will you help me again tonight?” Before she can respond, I grab her hands. “It’s only for an hour, you know that. If I’m not back in time, don’t wait for me. Get to safety.”
This seems to worry her more than appease her, but she nods. “Of course, I’ll help. But seriously. Be careful. And you better tell me all the details.” A small smirk plays on her features, and I know she’s relenting.
I laugh and roll my eyes. “Obviously.”
She laughs as well, but then cringes. “I’m a bit…tired, though. Energy-wise. How the hell do you do spellcasting so frequently?”
I shrug. “It’s because I’ve done it so long now, so my energy replenishes quicker. It’s normal for you to be tired, so how about we only do forty-five minutes rather than the full hour? I can pick up slack, too, so don’t worry about using too much energy. Having you there last night helped me keep up my energy even better than I expected.”
She smiles and nods. “Sounds good. Glad to know I’m of any help, since I literally havenoidea what I’m doing.”
I grin at her and say, “Maybe you’re a natural, too.”
~ ~·~ ~
Olivia and I take the same route that night, feeling a bit more confident in our steps now that we’ve done it once before. By the time we get to the edge of the Society line and perform our spell, I’m starting to feel better about the whole thing.
Olivia gives me a tight hug, whispering in my ear, “Be careful. Be back in forty-five minutes,please.”
I hug her back and promise. When we let go, I take a deep breath and head out. This time the difference in air doesn’t faze me as much, however, my nerves are much worse than last night. There was something about being under the cover of the unknown that helped my fears before, something I don’t have now. Tonight, I know he’s waiting for me. He might even be there right now.
Butterflies fill my stomach at the thought. It’s odd, this mixture of fear and anticipation. Even though every rational part of me tells me to be afraid, to prepare for the worst, there’s something inside of me that makes my excitement dominate over every other emotion coursing through my body.
By the time I make it to the pathway, my heart is practically beating out of my chest. I blow out a breath and shake out my arms, and then begin heading down the road.
When I make it to the park, I suddenly have a feeling that I should be there. It’s like a tingle that courses through my body, keeping me from moving away. This must be what he meant.
There are no lights. Normally the darkness would grip me with fear, but at this moment I only feel…comfort. As if the obscurity were wrapping me in a warm, dark blanket. I am grateful for this bit of tranquility when I take a seat on the first bench I come across and wait.
I sit there for at least fifteen minutes before my anxiety switches to disappointment. There’s no sign of the Dark Elder. Maybe he’s not coming after all. I shake my head at myself, feeling dumb for playing into these childish fancies. How silly of me to think—
My heart stops when I see a dark figure approaching from the distance. I can’t fully make out who it is, though it is clearly a tall male. As he gets closer, though, it becomes clear.
