“Lucas? What are you still doing here?” Samuel shifted in his spot next to Lucy.
Lucas had just walked into the room unannounced. His jacket was off and draped over his shoulder. It was clear no one had known he was still there.
“You cannot have her, Lucas; she’s not the Empress.” Lallielle spoke fiercely, marching to my side. Never mind that last week she had been sure that I was.
“I’m not here to take Abby,” he said, as if I were a piece of furniture he needed delivered. Without expression, he continued, pushing back his blond hair. “Brace explained the mission you’re to undertake. I want to assist.”
Josian leaned casually against the wall. “Why would you want to do that?”
I knew him well enough now: that was his suspicious voice.
Lucas shrugged. “This seems to be the way to repair First World.” He looked directly at me. “I would think that was my job more than anyone’s.”
I hated to say it; the unease was still there, but I couldn’t shake the slight curiosity. That didn’t mean I wanted him along on the journey. But I was interrupted as I opened my mouth to object.
“Are we getting this party started or what?” Francesca’s light-hearted words broke the tension. Surprisingly, she had a wicked sense of humor. She’d be enjoying the strain in the room.
“You knew this was going to happen, didn’t you, Frannie?” Lallielle glared at her. “So Aribella goes with Lucy, Samuel, Brace and Lucas? Is there anyone else about to join the group?”
Francesca shook her head, her mouth apparently too full of cake to speak.
When I looked out the window, the large glowing numbers in the sky told me it was eight minutes to midnight. Eight more minutes before I stopped being Abigail, Earthling, and my destiny as Aribella, First Worlder and Walker, kicked in.
Leaving the arguing group, I stepped outside. I needed a few minutes to walk, so I scooped up the train of my long dress and strode out onto the sand.
No one knew what to expect when I reached my power enlightenment. Josian had told me that full Walkers were born with their powers; they just develop further as they age. First Worlders’ powers kick in at maturity, which is twenty-eight. They assumed I would fall somewhere between this.
“You shouldn’t wander off by yourself, Red.”
Brace appeared at my side. He was as sneaky as Josian sometimes.
I was standing on the edge of the water line, allowing the cool water to wash over my aching feet. I mentally made plans to burn those heels the next day.
He too was barefoot, with just dress pants and his white shirt, the top two buttons free. “What are you thinking about?”
I glared at him. “You can’t actually expect me to share my thoughts with you, disappearing Chuck.”
He sighed, staring out into the horizon. “Actually, I’m almost hoping you don’t share too many of them. You already drive me crazy with your words. Thoughts are sure to be much worse.”
Did I really want to know what that was about?
Once again I found myself turning to leave the crazy tension he created. I’d never think of myself as a coward, but something about Brace scared me to death.
It didn’t matter, though. Brace captured my hand, preventing me from escaping.
I’d had enough. Using his bulk, I brought myself in close, lowering my shoulder, and flipped him cleanly over my back. I was lucky enough to have taken him by surprise. Yanking my dress up, I went to pin him down, but he was too fast. Within seconds he reversed our positions. I found myself on my back in the sand, staring up at him. He used his bulk to hold me down before bringing his face close to mine.
“You are important, Abby.” He was serious. “These events are much bigger than you and me.” His velvet brown eyes softened. “Despite the fact you constantly irritate me.” He leaned closer. “But I would take on anyone to keep you safe, by my side, where you belong.”
The last part was barely a whisper. I wasn’t sure if I would hear any more over the beating of my heart.
I sucked in a ragged breath. His lips were inches from mine.
He shook his head. “Why did it have to be you, Abigail ... all this time?” His thick sooty lashes framing those captivating eyes, his expression and body against mine was driving me insane.
And then he kissed me.
His full firm lips pressed into mine and I forgot everything.
His strange behavior.
The long absence.
My lips opened as the kiss deepened. He kept the bulk of his weight off me, as if he knew I would hate the loss of independence. All that touched were our lips. I could escape at any point – not that I wanted to.
He did bring one hand down to cup my face. Fireworks exploded behind my closed eyes. A fire burned through me.