Flutter (The Discover Series) (43 page)

I took off running, jumping over anything and everything that got in my way. I didn’t know where I was running too, but I hoped it wouldn’t be long until I woke up. I was no longer intrigued by this dream anymore and waking up seemed like a fabulous idea, but it didn’t seem too matter that I was running so fast my legs felt like they were going to disintegrate at any moment, or that I was being torn apart by the branches and twigs that stuck out from the trees that lined my path. Nope, none of that was enough to force me back into reality and all I could do was continue running.

Wake up Sara! Please! Wake up!
I was begging myself, hoping if I screamed the command loud enough, I would finally do it, but unfortunately for me – I wasn’t listening.

Up until now I hadn’t heard anyone following, but to my ultimate dismay that was no longer the case and I could hear them closing in on me. Fast. I had no idea where I was going, but I hoped I would find some place to hide soon. I continued to fly by tree after tree with no hope of escape when I heard one of them yelling.

“Put it up!”

I made the mistake of letting that distract me and I looked behind me trying to see if I could see anyone, but there was nothing except the blur of darkness. I turned back around before I ended up tripping on something and that’s when I saw it.

What the hell!

I tried skidding to a halt, but I didn’t have enough room too completely stop and I slammed into the wall with my shoulder. Cursing, I grabbed my arm and gritted my teeth against the shooting pain that was raced through the muscle. I turned, pressing my back against the wall - that had appeared out of nowhere - and pleaded with my knees to not give out.

My eyes darted around, back and forth, searching franticly for the shadowed figures. I could still hear their foot steps as they fell hard against the ground, coming for me.

His eyes gave him away, the smoky grey tint shined noticeably against the night as he ran straight for me with no signs of slowing down.

I held up my hand, hoping to shield the hit and I felt the force explode from my palm. I heard him grunt as he was jolted in the chest by the blow and was sent flying backwards. I wasn’t expecting that to happen and I didn’t have time to catch myself from the aftermath, before I tripped over myself landing hard on my butt. I didn’t have time to recover from the fall before I was being attacked by one of the other two figures. Dark hands, hands made of the same black fog that plagued all of my dreams, reached out grabbing my thigh yanking me
toward
him. Focusing all of my fear and anger, I felt the energy building once again inside of my and I threw my hand
toward
him, throwing him into a tree.

Scrambling to my feet I ignored the spot on my thigh I could feel burning as I was branded with another mark. I took off running, aware that there was still one more out there, but I wasn’t going to stick around until he was ready to come after me.

I slipped easily through the trees this time, feeling more comfortable that I knew what I was doing and would be able to avoid any tragic falls. I could see light as dawn filtered through the tree and I pushed myself harder and faster, making it my goal to reach the edge of the light. As I got closer to the light I could see my surroundings out the corner of my eyes as it began to tremble and shake with each heavy step I took.

I realized then that the third figure was following me, and he was catching up fast. I ran faster wanting to get to the light before he could catch me, but that didn’t look like it was going to happen. Every time I turned around only distracted me and he was able to use that
toward
his advantage. He was right behind me, so close that I didn’t need to turn around again because I could hear his footsteps.

As I reached the end of the jungle I could see the same transparent wall, but I didn’t stop running. His hand shot out grabbing my arm briefly, but I managed to wrestle it free. Holding my breath, I ran through the wall and was glad when I was able to slip past it with no resistance. The light exploded against my face once I was on the other and I turning around, watching as it did the same thing the other wall had did, until there was nothing left including the figure. I slowed down trying to catch my breath as I realized I was back in my back yard again. Bending over, I rested my hands on my knees sucking in as much oxygen as I could.

Exhausted I fell backwards landing on my butt, I took several more deep breath before lying back on the grass. Eventually consciousness faded into sleep and there was nothing I could do about it.

I didn’t know how long I had been lying here, but I knew it had to have been awhile and when I finally managed open my eyes the sun was shining brightly on me. I always had a perfect spotlight whenever I was in contact with the sun and right now I glorified in it. I could feel the warm rays sinking into my skin, my body was absorbing the much needed vitamin D, and I felt like I was being rejuvenated after this morning sleep walking.

Sitting up, I looked around.

There were no more signs of invisible walls, dark shadowed figures and my hands didn’t seem to be shooting out anymore mystic swirls of light. As much as I wanted to continue to believe that I was sleep walking, that what I had experienced this morning was nothing more then an over active nightmare, I couldn’t ignore the two new black handprints tattooed on my thigh and upper arm. Nightmares didn’t leave physical impressions to be carried as a constant reminder of something you wanted to forget as soon as freakin possible.

Examining the two new imprints, they looked just like the one on my ankle. Squinting, I looked at the fabric on my pajama shorts and then inspected the elbow length sleeve on my top. Frowning, I touched the scorched edges around the handprint. It hand completely burned through the thin material to my skin, leaving a hand shaped hole in my top and bottoms. Rubbing my bare thighs, I tried to push away this new mystery.

I knew all of this had something to do with everything that had happened up in those mountains, I just didn’t know what, how or why, but I knew Andres would know. I thought about telling him, hoping that maybe he would finally tell me what was going on, but I was worried this would just be one more thing he would keep from me and I couldn’t handle that right now. I couldn’t handle anymore of his lies.

There was one other person who might know what these marking meant, someone who I was almost positive had been in those mountains with me.

Saving me, always saving me.

After last night, there was almost no doubt in my mind that Adan had been there, in my head. How? I didn’t know, but I planned on finding out today and hopefully he would be able to answer all of my questions. Everything Andres was hiding from me. There was still a little part of me that thought I was just going crazy and wanting desperately for Adan to be the one, but too many things were starting to add up and I didn’t feel like pushing them away anymore.

I looked back at the house, my doors were still opened, but it didn’t look like Andres was up yet and that was surprising after his warning last night about keeping our workout. Getting to my feet, I walked slowly back
toward
the house and into my room shutting and locking the doors behind me. With every step I took I could feel the dark invasions scorching my skin. It was painless sensation, but it made my skin crawl.

I had to be at work in a couple hours and I didn’t plan on sticking around here until then. I had to find Adan, there was so much I wanted to tell him and I wasn’t afraid to do it anymore. I also needed to find Scott too. He had left me last night with time to think about what I wanted and I didn’t need anymore time.

I had his answers

Flutter

Fourteen

Sparks
fly

I figured if I walked around long enough, he would eventually find me.

Adan seemed to always know where I was at all times
,
and since I didn’t have a clue where to start looking for him
,
I thought it was easier to let him come to me. He
had said he was staying at a hotel last night, but he didn’t mention the name of the hotel, and other then where he was staying I realized I had no clue what he did during the time he
wasn’t with me. I made a mental note to ask him.

After a quick shower, as quick as I could make it, I felt ten times worse after my sleepless night. I had felt like dead weight trying to get ready, I didn’t know it was this possible to be so tired
and still be able to function like a human being. I had gotten dressed at a snails pace, having to do one thing at a time and slowly. When it came time to figure out what I was going to wear, I made sure to pick out a top that would hide the unwanted mark on my arm. It was mostly cloudy out, but I had been able to see some sunlight shining through my window into my room, so I put on jeans and picked a thin green top with a thin sweater jacket. Slipping on my boots and green scarf, I slipped out of the house. I hadn’t heard anything from Andres and I was glad for the easy escape.

Driving into town had given me major butterflies when I thought about what I was going to say to Adan when I finally saw him. I had been so sure about my decision last night, but this morning I knew I couldn’t go through with it. I was equally nervous to talk to both Scott and Adan, but for two totally different reasons and I didn’t know how either one of them would react to what I wanted. It was going to be hard to say goodbye, but it was something I knew I had to do to be fair to everyone. No one deserved to have their heart played with and I certainly didn’t like being the one to carry that burden.

As I walked through town now, I took my time walking up and down the busy sidewalks, stopping every now and then to glance at some of the window displays that would catch my attention. Looking around, I had hoped to spot Adan
’s
face hidden within the crowd, but I came up empty every time I searched. I had been walking for almost an hour now and if I didn’t find him soon, I was going to have to wait until after I got off of work and I didn’t think I had that much will power. I had already been slowly losing my mind in anticipation over the last hour. Having to wait another eights hours would definitely kill me.

I always seemed to feel him when he was close to me or at least it felt like that. I was constantly aware of that flutter that hummed just beneath my skin, leaving my body continuously tingling and it always seemed to ignite to life when he was near or I was thinking about him. Even now I could feel it pulse with each beat of my heart, but it was faint.
I never paid much attention to it anymore, and the only thing was, I couldn't remember if it was something I had before the mountain
s
.

I figured maybe it was time to start paying attention.

Stepping off to the side so I didn’t get trampled, I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the silent purr. Nothing, that I could tell, was happening, so I took a deep breath and tried to focus harder. I felt the warm currents stronger in my chest, so I decided to put all of my attention there and that set off the kind of reaction I was looking for. I felt like my veins had been lined with gun powder and the sparks had set them off.

I could feel the buzz getting stronger and stronger with each breath I took and ribbons of electricity were spinning out of control inside my chest. I could feel something else, but I didn’t know what it was or how to describe it, but it was wonderful and it reminded me of Adan. My body was being drawn toward something and I couldn’t stop the pull it had on me so I moved with it. I was vaguely aware that some people were staring at me and I wondered what kind of expression I had on my face as a result of what was happening to me.

I followed the invisible line I was connected to down the street, and pass the busier part of town. It tugged me across the street and along the shops that usually went to lunch around this time so it was much quieter and there were a lot less people here.  I was feeling light headed, but my body was coursing with fire and adrenaline. I was being drowned in delicious white hot flames, but there was no pain, only an incredibly strong urge to find what I was looking for.

Adan
, I thought. My body was desperate to find Adan.

I was passing through a small alley way when an arm sneaked out, grabbing me by the waist, spinning me around so I was pressed up against the side of the building and Adan’s body was hovering over me.

The minute Adan had touched me, my body had erupted with sparks and I felt the satisfying relief that I was craving. One arm was still around my waist holding me close to him and the other rested against the wall holding his body over me. My hands were pressed against his chest and I could feel his skin through his shirt and it was sizzling under my palm. I looked up at him and tried to inhale some much needed air. My heart was beating so fast I couldn’t catch my breath to save my life.

Adan removed his hand from around me and I wanted to whimper in protest, but I couldn’t do anything that required oxygen.

“Shh,” he whispered seeing the panic in my eyes and sensing my objection at the loss of contact.

I needed to feel him close to me, he managed to calm the rampage I had started inside me and was currently no longer in control of. The minute he pulled away from me, the electric ribbons sparked uncontrollably and again I felt like I was suffocating.

His free hand came up and he rested it on my chest, pressing it firmly over the spot where my heart was pounding wildly. I could feel the warmth of his skin spreading over my body like molten liquid and signed when I felt the soothing energy he was giving off, slowing the chaos and bringing it back to the silent hum.

“Just breathe.” He instructed.

“How can I breathe when you look at me like that?”

He laughed and brushed the hair away from my
face before tucking it away behind my ear. When I was finally able to breath normally again, I looked at him, feeling totally consumed.

“Looking for me?” he asked innocently and I melted under his smile.

“I can’t believe it worked.” I breathed faintly. “What was that?” I asked dazed.

“You’re reaction to finding me?” He didn’t let me answer before he was talking again. “I was worried about you last night. I wanted to go back and check on you, but I knew you were upset. I wanted to go to your house, but I didn’t want to get you into anymore trouble with Andres.”

“Scott was upset,” I said remembering the look on his face.

“I don’t care if Scott was upset. I was only thinking about you, but I am sorry that fighting with him made you upset. I shouldn’t have provoked him.”

“I shouldn’t have, either.”

“I pushed you, too.”

“I’m a big girl Adan. I knew what I was doing.” I looked at him through my eyelashes.

“And what were you doing?” He asked.

“Playing with fire.” I professed.

“Me, being the fire?”

“You…being
my
fire.” I looked up at him coyly, waiting for his reaction.

I heard the low growl rumble through his chest, and his eyes blazed a stormy blue.

“You have no idea, how much I like the sound of that.”

I was all too aware that his hand was still lying on my chest and I could feel my heart speeding up again.

Looking at Adan now, I knew I was making the right choice and I couldn’t deny the intense feelings I had for him anymore and I really didn’t want to. Adan was my light at the end of the tunnel. If I was right about him, he was the one good thing to happen to me since I had woken up inside my coffin of ice. I was ready to tell him my secret and more then ready to learn his. I was getting excited just thinking about it.

“You’re beautiful.” He said interrupting my thoughts.

I blushed and I could feel the heat intensify under his hand. “Before you distract me, I wanted to tell you what happened with Scott after you left.” I took a deep breath.

“I’m listening. What did Scott say?”

Where did all my confidence from earlier go? I felt nervous trying to form the words.

“Am I distracting you again?” He teased when a full minute went by.

“Yes, actually you are.” I bit my lip.

“I guess were in the same boat. I don’t know about you, but I’m loving my distraction.” His grin was mischievous and oh so sexy.

Say it now before you lose you’re nerve!

“Scott said he could tell you liked me.” The words spilled out before I lost the nerve again.

“He did, did he? Scott’s a pretty smart guy.”

“He asked me a question.”

He didn’t say anything, so I continued.

“He asked me if I still wanted to be with him or if,” I avoided looking at him and took a deep breath, “if I liked you.” I rushed on not even giving him a chance to respond if he wanted too. “He gave me time to think about it and I know what I want, but first I have to ask you something.”

“Okay.” He said.

“How were you able to stop what was happening to me earlier?” It wasn’t originally what I was going to start with, but I was fascinated.

“I have magic hands?” He flipped them back and forth in front of me.

“I’m serious, Adan.”

“What exactly did I stop?”

I frowned. “You know what!” I said adamantly. “Your
still
doing it, I can feel it.” I said and covered his hand with mine, pressing it harder against me. “I can feel you.” I whispered looking up at him.

His eyes blazed and I could feel my body absorbing the sparks his body was creating.

“Can you honestly tell me you don’t feel that?” I challenged, searching his eyes for the truth.

“I can feel you.” He answered, avoiding what I was really asking him.

Was I going crazy? Was I really imagining all of this?

No
. How could I be when I could still feel my body shimmering from the aftershock?

“You know that’s not what I mean, Adan,” I said getting angry and pushing his hand away and he fell back a step.

The sudden loss of him was devastating and I felt my knees weaken under the pressure. My palms gripped the wall behind me and I used it to support my weight because I was no longer able too.

“Sara?” he asked concerned. He had taken a step closer to me, but didn’t touch me this time.

“You’re lying.” Him lying to me hurt ten times worse then Andres’ lies.

“Sara –“ he started, but I didn’t want to hear his excuses and I could tell by the tone of his voice that, that’s what was coming.

“Why did you call me spitfire last night?” I blurted out. This is not how I planned to bring this up, but it was out.

“What?” I could tell I had caught him off guard by my question.

“You heard me, but for argument sake, I’ll repeat the question.” I was angry and frustrated. “Why. Did. You. Call.
Me.
Spitfire?”

He didn’t answer me for the longest time - he just stared at me intently and I had seen the sadness settle into his intensely blue eyes before it vanished and I could no longer read his emotion, but I could feel them and what I felt terrified me.

             
“There was no reason behind it, Sara. I just said the first thing that reminded me of you.”

“I don’t believe you,” I was shaking my head in denial. “Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“Lying to me?! Of all people, you?” I accused.

“Sara I’m sorry-”

“Don’t! I’m so tired of hearing the ‘I’m sorry’ excuse like that’s supposed to make everything better. It doesn’t, it makes it worse.” I wrapped my arms around my stomach trying to stop the endless ache that was starting to form.

“I promise I’m not trying to make things worse,” he confessed softly. “I’ve already complicated your life more then I meant too. I thought I could control it, but you do something to me. I knew you had an affect on me, but I didn’t expect it to be this…this intense.”

“This was not how this was supposed to go.”

The ache continued to grow the more apparent it became how this was going to end. With each word spoken, the pain was settling deeper into the center of my heart.

“There was so much I wanted to tell you so many questions-” I stopped abruptly. What was the point in confessing that? “None of that matters. I came to tell you that I can’t see you anymore,” I lied.

I expected him to argue with me; I expected him to tell me that I was crazy and that, that was not going to happen; I expected him to tell me that he couldn’t not see me. What I didn’t expect was him saying nothing at all; I didn’t expect his silent agreement.