A Demon Made Me Do It(93)

I weave through the trees, taking a short cut from my normal path. There’s no distinctive trail to follow, but I know the way. As I tip-toe along some rocks across a small stream, I replay my afternoon with Corinne. I remember a conversation with Kieron and how, when he asked me what I wanted to do with my life, I hated that I had no clue what to tell him. Slowly, an idea begins to form.

Despite Tatiana’s warnings, deep down I’d always assumed that my condition was only temporary, and that one day Lucky and I would wake up as one, reunited and back to our normal life, whatever that may be. And when that happened, I’d have the power to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.

But as months have turned into years, I’m beginning to think that maybe this is just how things are going to be. I will be an ordinary human for the rest of my life. Well, almost ordinary.

I need a new game plan. Instead of biding my time waiting to die, I need to find a way to do something with my life that makes me happy. Really happy. Like tutoring. Maybe one day I can even become a teacher. That might work—teachers only work during the day time, and I really like little kids. Since I’ll never be able to have any of my own, maybe teaching will be something I might like…something I can do.

I’m nearing the final bend, close to the cabin. Lost in happy thoughts for my future, I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear a sharp CRACK behind me. I freeze mid-step and spin around, searching...listening.

Nothing. Silence.

Must be an animal, I tell myself, and continue walking.

A few seconds later, I hear the sound again, louder...closer. Those were definitely footsteps. And no one is supposed to be out here. My heart races as I look in every direction.

“Hello?” I call out in a shaky voice. Maybe it’s poachers, looking for game. I don’t want to get shot by accident, and maybe if they know someone else is out here, they’ll leave. But after a few moments of silence I decide I’m just being paranoid. It’s probably just a deer, or maybe a large raccoon.

The sun is approaching its final bow in the hazy sky, and I estimate I have about half an hour left. I need to get home quickly and get some food in me, so I ignore the uneasy feeling in my gut and continue on my way. But after only a few steps the loud, distinctive crunching sounds again...right behind me.

I jump and turn around, adrenaline pumping through my veins. Then I freeze in disbelief, my eyes wide. Slowly, I bring one hand over my mouth, while the other reaches out to touch the person before me.

“Liora, I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to scare you.” His voice is as tender and melodic as I remember. He steps closer and wraps his arms around my waist.

“Kieron…is it really you? You’re back?” I ask stupidly, flinging my arms around his neck. “I thought you had gone away forever and I was never going to see you again…that you didn’t want me…” I climb up on my tip toes and bury my face in the scruff of his neck. He hasn’t shaved and his skin is coarse against my cheeks, but the musky scent is intoxicating. A mixture of earth and air.

He wraps his arms tighter around me, and I let myself melt in his embrace. I’ve imagined countless times how it would feel to see him again, but even my wildest fantasies hadn’t come close to the euphoria of this moment. I pull back enough to gaze at his gorgeous face.

“I’m sorry, I had to leave for a while…and...” His eyes glisten with hope.

He leans in and kisses me sweetly on my lips. They burn with desire for more.

******





“But where were you? Why were you gone for so long?” I ask after several kisses. As much as I love the feel of his mouth on mine, I need some answers. Fast.

“I had a job to do. A very important job…I’m sorry, it ended up taking a lot longer than I thought it would, and I wasn’t sure…” Stress and fatigue show on his face, and his normally crystal-blue eyes are bloodshot and weary.

“But you’re back now?” I can barely contain my elation.

“Sorta, the job isn’t exactly finished yet.” He sits down and pulls me beside him. “Liora, we need to talk.”

“Yeah, I know, but I don’t have much time left.” I glance at the darkening sky, trying not to be worried by his serious tone. After all, if he had wanted nothing more to do with me, why would he have come back? Would he return just to tell me we’re through?

“Liora…” He squeezes my hand. “Do you have any idea where I went? What I was doing?”

I shake my head. Of course I’d asked Tatiana if she knew anything, but getting information from her was like squeezing blood from a rock. I’d even gone so far as to write Lucky a note asking if she knew where Kieron had gone. She’d scribbled, “That lying, traitorous dirtbag is dead to us. Forget you ever knew him.” But I didn’t think I should mention that part to him just yet.