A Controller's Destiny (Unit Matched #3) (7 page)

Chapter 7

The Aftermath

I stretch my arms over my head and roll out of bed. I feel rested even though I know I have to face my friends today. I know they’re going to be more attentive to me, and it’s going to drive me insane. However, I’m glad that they know now.

Graham isn’t in the kitchen when I go down, but his truck is still here. I figure that he’s sleeping in. I decide to whip up some French toast. I’m sure that he’ll be up soon and go workout with the guys.

“What are you doing?”

I turn to see Graham, freshly showered and dressed staring at me as if I escaped a mental hospital.

“Um… cooking.” I’m unsure if this is a trick question since it is obvious I am cooking.

“Why?”

I scrunch my face at him. “Because I’m hungry and I’m sure that you are, too. We didn’t have dinner last night.”

“You shouldn’t be cooking.”

“Is there something wrong with our stove?” I quickly inspect it and it looks to be fine.

“No, I… you know…” he stammers.

“Graham,” I realize what he’s thinking. “Nothing is different.”

He tilts his head to the side. “How can you say that? It’s all different. It’s all changed.”

I turn the stove off and put his plate on the table.

“Graham, please. Let’s go on like we always do.” Even though I know that I would like to have more with him. I know that this is the best way. I want a normal life while I can have it.

“Why did you make so much food?”

On cue, the doorbell rings. I smile knowingly at him and head to the door. On the other side, stand my four friends with melancholy faces.

“Come in.” I let them walk past me.

Graham brings the large plate of French toast I made, along with a pitcher of orange juice. Without saying anything, we all sit at the table.

I can feel all the eyes on me. I hang my head, letting my dark hair become a curtain around me. I’m trying to keep my mind closed, but I can feel every emotion and it’s like a hot poker stabbing me.

“You all need to stop it.” I lift my head. Xaviera and Amaya look as if they had cried all night long. “I can feel everything and you’re pushing on my barrier. Please stop.”

“Oliver said you can read minds,” Amaya’s voice cracks.

I nod. “I can, but I’ve spent a lot of years closing that part of my brain off. I don’t like prying into people’s head. It makes me feel like an intruder.”

“Gia, why didn’t you tell us?” Xaviera’s voice is as sad as Amaya’s.

I shrug. “You can’t fight fate, right? If Mother Nature wants it to happen, it’s going to. It’ll be okay.”

Amaya slams her fist on the kitchen table. “Damn it. Stop with all the positive thoughts and martyr routine, Gia. How can you be so damn chipper about this?”

I take her hand and push away her anger. “I’m not chipper, I’m not. I thought that I would have more time. I didn’t realize that Zane was going to come this quickly. But, Amaya, death is inevitable for us all.”

“Not at twenty.” Xaviera sniffs, wiping her nose.

“You’re right, but I want to live right now. Until Zane attacks, I want us to keep living as normally as possible. Can you all promise me that?”

No one says anything.

“If you knew your time was up wouldn’t you want to live it to the fullest?”

They still remain quiet.

“Well, I do. That’s why I went to school, applied for jobs, and became Matched.” I clamp my mouth shut quickly and hang my head again. I can’t look at Graham.

“Why did you say you thought you had more time?” Thaddeus breaks the silence.

“My grandmother never said that the child wouldn’t be born. I assumed that Xaviera would have her son and Zane would wait until he was older. However, it seems the signs are pointing to before she gives birth.” I explain.

“What signs?” he asks.

“Well, not signs, per se, but more of a feeling. That note was from him; I knew it was.” I push my hand through my hair.

“All right,” Amaya wipes away her tears. “So, what’s the tattoo? Out of everyone at this table, who would have thought you were the bad ass?”

I laugh. Leave it to Amaya to be concerned about the small things. My face turns bright red. “It’s a vine.” I shift uncomfortably.

“Where is it? I’ve known you since birth and I’ve never seen it.”

“It’s starts at the top of my right thigh down to my knee.” I can’t look at anyone. I pick at my uneaten breakfast.

“Why are you so calm?”

I shake my head. “Looks can be deceiving. I’ve known since I was eight. I’ve had the breakdowns, the yelling matches with my mom, the depression, but, at the end of the day, it’s going to happen. I’ve accepted that. Even though I’m still sad at times.”

Amaya rubs her temples. “When the hell did we turn into some
Harry Potter
twisted movie?”

Xaviera gasps. “That’s it.”

“What?” the whole table says.

“In
Harry Potter,
his prophecy changed, remember. He couldn’t stay alive until he killed the Dark Lord. What if yours is that way? Once you kill Zane then you’ll live.” Xaviera’s face is bright.

I shake my head. “First, I’m not a wizard or a witch. Second, that’s not how it reads. Zane will kill me and that, in turn, saves you and your son. It never says Zane dies. It says that my soul will be given in exchange for both of your lives.”

“So, you could live.” Graham suddenly sounds hopeful.

“I can’t live without a soul. No one can. The prophecy reads that I will die.” I take his hand. It’s the first touch we’ve shared since yesterday. “Don’t try to twist the words. I will die, but in doing so, I will save Unit, Xaviera, and her son.” I drop my head in my hands. I’m starting to become overwhelmed again. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I’ve lived my life trying to not make this my first thought every morning.” I look back up at them. “Please. Until Zane comes knocking on that door, could we please just live?”

The tear slides down my cheek before I can stop it. I don’t want my last memories on this Earth to be sad. I want happiness. I want to try to get my Matched to love me. I want to teach math to a bunch of school girls. I want to live.

“What about New Orleans?” Thaddeus asks.

“We should cancel.” Oliver says and Graham nods.

“No, we’re not going to do that.” I shake my head. “It’s the one time I’ll be able to go.”

“I’m sorry; did you already forget about the crazed killer Royal after you,” Graham smarts off.

“Wait, I think Gia is right. We’re still going to go,” Xaviera says.

I smile at her. I knew she would have my back.

Thaddeus puts his hands up in surrender. He knows there’s no point in arguing.

“Okay, so what are doing today, Mrs. Centers?” Amaya grins at me.

“Um… I have a date with my kindle,” I tell her.

“Are you going to reread
Fifty Shades of Grey
?” she snickers at me. Xaviera snorts. I give her the evil eye, but my face is on fire from embarrassment.

“Amaya,” Graham growls.

“How about we have a spa day?” Xaviera suggest. “I know we had one last week but I could use another pedi and some relaxation.”

I shrug. “Sure, why not. You guys going to work out?” I look at them. Oliver and Thaddeus nod, but Graham remains still.

“We’ll go get ready and Amaya can drive today.” Xaviera stands. “See you in an hour.”

I smile and they all leave.

I start cleaning up the plates and food, but Graham still hasn’t moved from his chair. I leave him there and let him work through his emotions. I can feel that he’s confused, hurt, angry, and sad.

I scrape the plates and load the dishwasher when I hear Graham go upstairs. I wipe everything down and head to my room to shower and get ready for my girl day.

I abruptly stop when I reach my bedroom door. Graham is sitting on my bed.

“Hey.” I didn’t know what else to say. I can’t figure out why he’s in my room.

He looks up at me. I can only feel sadness from him. His eyes scream it at me.

“Graham.” My heart breaks seeing this strong Protector broken.

“Shorty, I don’t know…” he pauses. “I don’t know how to deal with this.” He hangs his head.

I bend down in front of him. I’m so short that I can see him even with his head that low.

“Every day we’re dying. Every single moment that passes, it takes us all one step closer to the end. But, we don’t stop living because of it. I’ve spent the last twelve years knowing my story was going to end sooner than most. Like I told everyone downstairs, please let’s not stop living.”

I take his hands. They are much larger than mine are, and I can almost hide them in his.

“I’m sorry you got Matched with me,” I mumble to him. “I’m sure that your next Matched will be better.” The pain in my heart is mixed with real hatred thinking of someone else with Graham.

“I don’t want anyone else, Shorty. We were meant to be together. You are my Matched. I will do everything in my powers to make sure the prophecy doesn’t come true.” The sadness leaves and I feel his determination over take him.

“I know you will, Graham. I’m glad that you know now. I’m glad that everyone knows now. I don’t have to hide my powers as much now.”

“You’re still shy,” he smirks.

It’s my turn to hide my face. “I’ve always been that way.”

His rough fingers skim my knuckles as we sit in silence.

“You said you wanted kids. Was that true?”

I nod. “Yes, it is. Nothing was ever mentioned that I would or wouldn’t. It was my wish.”

“Did you really want to be Matched?”

“Yes. I
do
want to be Matched and I’m glad it’s with you.” There’s no point in hiding my true feelings. I need to take my own advice and live. It’s possible that Zane breaks through the Unit walls tomorrow and kills me.

“I’ll let you get ready.” He stands and leaves me still kneeling on the floor.

~~~

The guys made it clear that they wouldn’t be far from us when we told them we were going into the city for girl time.

Amaya drove her BMW, and I sat in the back listening to the music float around me. My foot taps to the beat. Xaviera is discussing the baby’s room and how she wants to decorate from a pin that she saw on Pinterest. I can’t help the smile hearing that she’s planning for this baby boy. I know she’s going to be a great mother.

We park and I can tell that Amaya is on high alert. She’s scanning every person that passes and is keeping Xaviera and I close.

“Stop.” I whisper at her. “He’s not going to attack on a crowded street in the city.”

I see Amaya’s shoulders relax. When her nerves are on edge it makes me antsy, too, and I’ve had enough of that already today.

The pedicure is exactly what I need to have a few stress free moments. The hot water and foot rub bring a little serenity. The sound of the hand drill shaping my nails is hypnotic and keeps thoughts of Zane and prophecies away.

After I pay, Xaviera says that she’s craving ice cream, and we head over toward a small ice cream parlor.

“Only a pregnant woman would want ice cream in February.” Amaya shakes her head as we browse the menu that hangs high behind the counter.

“I’ll have rocky road.” I smile at the female employee. After she scoops it out and hands it to me, I find a small corner table for us.

Like always, Xaviera sits with her back to the corner of the building, Amaya on her right, and I’m on her left. I giggle at Xaviera’s large bowl of several different flavors of ice cream.

“I couldn’t decide,” she mumbles, taking a large spoonful.

“I thought you wanted salty stuff.” Amaya stares at her in disbelief.

“Not today.” She shovels another bite into her mouth.

“I meant to ask you both when you are having your ceremonies?” I am the only of us to actually have one.

“Thaddeus and I decided after the baby because I’m too fat to wear any nice dresses,” Xaviera informs around another spoonful of ice cream.

“You’re not fat,” I tell her.

“Oliver and I haven’t really talked about it. I mean it’s not like either one of us is going anywhere.” Amaya continues to swirl her vanilla-chocolate mixture until it’s a little soupy.

“Well, isn’t this nice, sitting around talking about ceremonies.”

The three of us turn to see an older man sitting at our table. He stares at me with his hazel eyes.

My mouth goes dry as I say his name aloud.

“Zane.”

Chapter 8

Daddy Dearest

Amaya and I instantly shield Xaviera with our arms.

He smirks. “You really think I’m going to do something this moment? I mean,” he chuckles with evil laced through it. “We’re in an ice cream shop.”

I study his face. His skin is tan and his hair is thick and peppered with gray at his temples. His eyes… look exactly like mine. I even have his heart-shaped face, too. He doesn’t seem to be very tall, but he’s sitting so I can’t really tell. He isn’t as muscular as I had pictured. In my mind, I have always thought him to be this very large monster.

However, in front of me right now, is my father. Moreover, he is wearing a black business suit.

He looks like a lawyer or business executive. Not the evil creature that I know he is.

“What are you doing here?” My voice is deadly, and it almost scares me. I don’t know where the courage is coming from, but I pray it doesn’t go away.

“Can’t a father visit his daughter?” His face actually scrunches as if in pain.

“Not when he wants her dead,” I snap back.

He laughs, throwing his head back. “My sweet, naive Gia.” He focuses on me. I can feel the evil coming from him. It’s making me feel dirty.

I wait for him to say something else, but he remains silent.

“I take the fact you don’t deny it, means it’s the truth,” I sneer at him.

“I’m here to have a friendly chat. Nothing more, nothing less.” He crosses his legs and relaxes his posture.

“I doubt that,” Amaya chips at him.

He keeps his eyes on me. “The King and Queen, are they well?” He flicks his view over to Xaviera.

“It’s all sunshine and rainbows in Unit, now what do you want?” the courage is still pumping through me and I’ve never been so thankful.

“I thought I told you; I just want to chat.” The deadly grin comes back across his lips.

“I don’t want to. You and I have nothing to say to each other.”

“Oh, Gia. I thought that maybe I could come and… enlighten you.” He quirks an eyebrow at me.

“About what?”

“This little
spat
that is set to take forth between us.”

“Spat?” I throw the word back at him. “You’re going to kill me. It’s far more than a
spat
.”

“See,” he shakes his finger in the air, as if he’s going to scold me. “Everyone has you believing all the wrong things about me.”

“You’re evil. You use your powers for breaking the law and hurting people.”

“Is that what you think?” He shakes his head, but the smirk remains. “I think of myself as an entrepreneur. Someone who has had to adapt as the world changes.”

“You’re a drug dealer. A thief. A murder.”

“A jack of all trades,” he cuts me off. “If someone is too wealthy, I help unload them of that
burden
. If someone is craving something, I help them
find
it. If someone is harming another, I
relieve
them of that horrible problem.”

My mouth drops. He really believes that. He thinks he’s helping others. “You’re crazy.”

“Gia, there’s more to me than you think, or you’ve been told.” He rolls his eyes. “I was proud to be a Unit citizen. I played by all those stupid rules. Then I realized that I was so much more than a Royal. Now, look at me.” He holds his arms out wide.

“Why are you here?” I don’t want to listen to his stories anymore.

“I want to talk to you. Is that so hard to believe?”

“Immensely.”

“Well, it’s true. I’ve been watching you a lot lately.” His evil hazel eyes change and I can suddenly sense his pride. “You’ve grown into a beautiful woman.”

“One that you’re going to kill.” I quickly shake away his emotions and continue to look at him. “When is that, by the way? I would like to make sure my funeral is properly planned.” I narrow my eyes at him.

Zane tilts his head. “You’ve read the timeline by now. You know when it is. Don’t you?”

“Timeline?” I shake my head. I have no clue what Zane’s talking about.

A full tooth smile appears with a bellowing laugh. “They haven’t told you. They’re keeping that for themselves.” He shakes his head. “And you think I’m evil?”

I glance at Amaya and Xaviera. They both look as confused as I am. “What do you mean?”

“Do me a favor?” he stands. “Go back to Unit, get the book, and have Amaya and Xaviera touch the book, and then read it.”

“Why?”

“When everything becomes
clear
then call this number and we can talk.” He lays a business card on the table. “It was really nice to meet you, Gia.”

I watch Zane leave the shop and walk over to a black Rolls Royce. I didn’t even notice the Protectors around the car.

I pick up the card and see a phone number on it.

I look at the girls, at my arm still covering Xaviera’s stomach. “Call the guys. We need to get to Unit.”

~~~

“You should have called us right away, Gia.” Graham’s anger is making me shake with fear. I know that he would never hurt me, but it’s a natural reaction.

“It’s not like I had a lot of time.” I push away the fear and call the courage back to the forefront. “Let’s figure this part out first.”

All three of the guy’s arms are crossed and they look like they are able to spit fire at any moment. We have told them everything that happened at the ice cream parlor, and none are pleased with us.

“Okay,” I sit the book in front of Xaviera and Amaya. “This is the book that my great-grandmother wrote the prophecy in.”

Everyone looks at the worn green book.

“What’s going to happen when we touch it?” Xaviera stares at it as if it’s a bomb.

“I hate to bring this up at the moment, however,” Amaya shifts in her chair. “Don’t you remember in
Harry Potter
when he touched Tom Riddle’s diary? He was pulled into it and had to relive a memory. So, is that what’s going to happen here? I mean are we going to be pulled into some bad acid trip of your great-granny’s memories?”

I shake my head. “This isn’t
Harry Potter
. This is real life. This is our lives. Now, I’ve touched this book a million times.” I flip it open. “Only the first few pages have words on them.”

“There are at least fifty more pages.” Oliver points at the small book.

“Should we even be considering this if the suggestion came from Zane?” Thaddeus pipes up.

“I don’t feel any evil on this book. I swear.” I look at the girls. “I think we should.”

Xaviera pales and Amaya rolls her eyes.

“Fine,” Amaya sighs. “But, if we get pulled into this book, I’m going to be very pissed off.”

I ignore her and shut the book and put my hand on it. Amaya places hers on it. We stare at Xaviera and wait. She finally closes her eyes and touches it.

The instant her fingers touch the cover, the book glows and the green fades to a beautiful golden color. We jerk our hands back as the pages flip on their own and words begin to appear. Once the pages are filled, the book moves from the center of the table to right in front of me.

I can’t breathe as the gold book stares at me.

“Gia,” Xaviera voice is low. “Open it.”

My fingers shake as I open it. The first few pages are the same, but the rest of the pages are filled.

“Gia, the pages are blank.” Xaviera points at the book.

“What?” I stare at her. “You can’t see it?” I glance at both the girls and they shake their heads. I hold it up for the guys. “Can you see it?” Thaddeus and Oliver shake their heads.

“I can.” Graham states, his dark eyes sad.

“Is it because you’re Matched?” Oliver asks.

I shrug. I have no clue why.

“Read it Gia. What does it say?” Amaya pushes.

I shake my head and focus on the gold book and the worn pages. I take a deep breath and read.

The betrayal of the Unit banished will leave the six on their own, but Mother Nature will be on their side.

The fight will commence at the edge of Unit woods where therein Mother Nature’s weapon lies. The sacrificed-one shall fight for her soul against the father to save the future leader of Unit.

She will inhale all the evil to take the magic away from the clan of the south, to ensure the richness of purity and balance is restored to all of Mother Nature’s children.

I flip the page and gasp.

“What is it?” they all ask.

“It’s our timelines. All six of us.” I flip the pages, “when we were born, when we started walking, all our accomplishments in school, when we were all Matched. It’s all here.”

I stop at the end of mine. I feel the color drain from my face.

“Gia?” Xaviera takes my hand.

“May fourteenth.” I tell them. “The battle will be May fourteenth.”

“Of course it is,” Thaddeus growls.

“What is that date?” I look up at him.

“My due date,” Xaviera explains to us.

I swallow back my tears and sadness. No child should be born in the middle of a battle. I look back down at the pages.

“Did you guys pick a name?” I smile, trying to remain positive.

Thaddeus and Xaviera shake their heads.

“It’s here if you want to know.”

“Our timelines go on?” Oliver looks stunned.

I nod. I smile at them. “I guess that makes me a fortune teller.” I nervously laugh.

“What is his name?” Xaviera whispers and tears stream down her face.

“Jarret Jax. It has JJ next to it.” I breeze through his timeline. “He’s going to be a great leader.” I have pride knowing that I’ll be the one to have had a small hand in it.

I can see Amaya’s and Oliver’s future. Poor Oliver, he’s going to be the only male in the family when Amaya has triplet girls in about two years. But, like Amaya, they’re going to be three strong Protectors and help JJ in uniting the clans.

I flip the next pages and see Graham’s. My heart drops. Right there in black and white is everything after May fourteenth. The tears burn my cheeks as I see when he receives a new Matched and has three boys, all Controllers. They, like the triplet girls, will help in uniting the clans.

“What is it Gia?” Amaya comes over to me and wraps her arms around me shoulders. “Tell us.”

I wipe my tears. “You guy are going to have an amazing future and some great kids.” I look at Xaviera. “JJ takes over when he’s eighteen.” I glance at everyone at the table. My family. My friends. “And all of your children help in uniting the clans with him.”

“What does yours say?” Graham’s voice cracks.

I shake my head. “Nothing, it ends on May fourteenth.”

Xaviera sobs on my shoulder.

“Hey, it’s okay.” I soothe her. “You guys don’t understand, but this is the greatest thing.”

“How can you say that?” Amaya cries next to me.

“Because I know what’s going to happen, now.” I pick up the book. “My death isn’t going to be in vain. It’s going to be a brand new beginning for Unit. You’re going to have some great lives and children. Graham’s going to be Matched again and the Unit will bring all the balance back into the world. And there will be peace.” I smile at them.

Graham leaps up from the table and bangs the chair in place. He bolts out of the room, up the stairs, and slams the bedroom door shut.

I ignore the hurt that still lingers in the room and keep everyone on the same track. “According to this, Thaddeus and Xaviera will be doing the ground work for JJ until he becomes ruler at eighteen. You do
a lot
in those years.” I flip those pages. “As does Oliver and Amaya, and Graham.”

“Does it say
how
many kids we’ll have?” Amaya peaks over my shoulder even though she can’t see anything.

I nod.

“Should we know this? I mean isn’t it like messing with fate.” Oliver looks a little scared.

I shrug. “I don’t know, but there’s a reason for it. I mean, I’ve known my story for the past twelve years.”

“Hey, let’s all just go home and try to process this through,” Thaddeus suggests. “I mean, I’m exhausted and Xaviera looks like she’s about to pass out.”

We all turn to her and she’s pale.

“Thaddeus is right.” I smile at her. “We can have brunch tomorrow. I’ll cook and we can discuss the rest of the prophecy. This way we’ll have a game plan.”

Everyone agrees and they leave. I remain at the kitchen table, flipping the pages of the book. I should be depressed seeing all their happiness on these pages, but I’m not.

I want to know they go on and have fantastic lives.

I want to know it’s because of something I helped with.