Part 16 (1/2)

”You're saying he deserved it?”

”I'm saying he's all right. You don't have to feel guilty.” He led me toward a stone bench that rested under one of the few trees in the garden. A tree that had lost all of its leaves and was now a skeletal remain of its former glory. ”We had to do it. Don't you get that? There was no alternative.”

I sank onto the cold, stone bench. Lewis settled beside me, his body warm and comforting. ”Did you try talking to him?”

He smiled, the kind of smile you give a child who believes in the Easter Bunny. ”You know we did.”

Of course I knew. But I still couldn't help but hope there would be another way out of this mess. What we were doing...what we had done...was wrong. Maddox was a man, a man not much older than me. A man whose memories, his life, had flashed through my mind as if his memories were my own. A man I'd made scream out in pain. A man I might have killed.

Lewis took my hand, his grip strong. ”He's a monster, Cam. The moment you underestimate him is the moment you're dead. He'll do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means killing us. Killing you.”

His words should have frightened me. Instead I felt an odd numbing sensation overtake any feelings. ”And we'll obviously do the same. So how does that make us any different?”

His face tensed, his grip on my hand tightening, although I didn't think he noticed. ”We are only protecting ourselves,” he snapped. ”They are attacking us.”

I was quiet, biting my tongue to keep from snapping back. He was angry at me and I didn't want him angry. He was one of the few allies I had. Besides, I didn't know enough about this situation to win the argument. Why even try? Instead, I stared up at the dark sky, those twinkling stars a familiar sight. The same stars I'd seen my entire life. The same stars I saw when I traveled in my mind. Was I out there, in the universe, when I was mind reading? For some reason it made me feel less alone.

”You won't be safe outside these walls.” Lewis rubbed his thumb over my knuckles. ”We've known for months they were hunting us and were desperate to protect you.”

I pulled my hand away from his. I couldn't think when he touched me. Instead I focused on the moon, bright and full, laughing down at us. ”Is that why you found me? You needed my ability?”

He was silent for a moment. ”Not the only reason. Aaron thought it was time to teach you to use your powers to your fullest.”

My sharp gaze dropped to him. ”But only because he suddenly needed me?”

”No.” He sighed, raking his hands through his hair. ”Your father wanted you involved. He wanted you to have this life. Aaron tried to keep you out as long as possible, but they were going to come for you.”

Did I believe him? I didn't dare look into his eyes, for fear he'd read my distrust. I needed time to think, time alone and I didn't want to be influenced by him or his gorgeous smile.

”Give me your hands,” he demanded.

I slid him a sidelong glance, but did as he told. ”Trust me.” He gripped both my hands in his and turned me so I was facing him. Those eyes were so intense that it was impossibly to look away.

”Stare into my eyes. Take in my thoughts, my memories.”

”No!” I tried to pull back, afraid I'd hurt him as I had Maddox, but his hands only tightened around me.

”I want you to.” His gaze was unwavering, his touch rea.s.suring. ”I'm going to open my mind. I want you to understand me, Cameron.”

I hesitated, feeling like I was invading his privacy, yet at the same time I did want to understand.

”Relax,” he whispered.

And I did. With the bitterly cold autumn wind tugging at my hair, whipping it across my face and stinging my skin, I closed my eyes and relaxed as they'd taught me.

”Focus on me,” his voice was a soft murmur. ”You won't have to dig because I'll be open.”

And it was so easy how his thoughts slipped into mine like the warm rays of the sun. I'd gone so long without hearing any thoughts, besides Maddox's, that for a moment I wasn't sure which were mine and which were from Lewis.

I hope she believes me.

I hope she understands why this is so important.

Please, don't leave. I need you here.

The words rushed through my mind, tangling with my own. Thoughts so emotional, so true, that my eyes stung with tears.

”Why,” I whispered. ”Why do you want me here? So you can use me?”

At first, but now because I think I might be in love with you.

My entire being froze. You couldn't stop your thoughts; you couldn't hesitate and think of the right words, they merely came unbidden. I wanted to open my eyes, I wanted to look at him, to know if his love was true, or if he was playing some mind game Aaron had taught him. But even I knew that a person could speak a lie, but their thoughts would remain true to what they believed.

Lewis might love me. My heart slammed erratically against my ribcage. Did I love him? I'd never been in love. How did I know if I was? But I didn't have time to dwell over my feelings, because seconds later pictures flashed through my mind...memories...his memories.

A tall man appeared before me, smiling. He had dark hair that glimmered in the sun as he leaned over and handed me...no Lewis...a baseball. We were outside, the day was beautiful, the gra.s.s cool and soft beneath my bare feet. A woman appeared wearing a pink dress. She had blonde hair and a brilliant smile. She wrapped her arm around her husband's waist and kissed his cheek, then knelt and pulled Lewis into a tight hug. She smelled like vanilla, as if she'd been baking. It was a wonderful scent full of motherly love and happiness.

An odd sensation of warmth and sadness swirled low in my gut. Then the memory changed and I was playing baseball, running the bases. I even felt his euphoria when he hit a homerun. Baseball was gone and I was standing behind a tree, a little girl was in front of me. She couldn't have been more than ten. She smiled shyly, her long, dark hair s.h.i.+mmering in the sunlight. She leaned forward, puckered her lips and closed her eyes. His first kiss.

I saw so many things...playing sports, going to the beach, going to school...all these memories flashed quickly through my mind in what seemed like a breathless moment. Then, his thoughts and memories slowed. The colors seemed more intense, the memories more detailed.

I was in a bedroom, the area dark...it was night. I was staring at the ceiling listening to voices argue. The fear tasted bitter in my mouth, but I was too afraid to move. My door creaked opened, and light splashed into the room.

Lewis, Lewis wake up, a woman called out.

I sat up in bed, my heart slamming wildly. I was afraid...or Lewis was afraid.

”What is it?” he asked.

”They're coming, Lewis. They're coming.” She pulled me out of bed and started digging through the dresser, tossing clothes across the room. I was trembling, I was so afraid, and it made it hard to dress.

Suddenly, she was back. Lewis's mother grasped my shoulders and shook me gently. Her face was pale, her eyes s.h.i.+mmering. ”You need to go.”

”What? Where?”

”Aaron will take care of you.”

Lewis grasped onto her arm as she tried to let go. ”I don't understand. Where are you going?”

”We have to separate, Lewis, it's the best thing for you...for all of us.” She tried to pry Lewis's hands away, but he wouldn't let go. ”Aaron will take you to your father's brother.”

”No, I'm not leaving you.”

”You must.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door, her other hand carried a suitcase. In the living room, Aaron was there, a little younger, sadder looking Aaron.

”I'll keep you safe,” he said, taking Lewis's hand.