The Secret Trinity Unearth (19 page)

My mood was beginning to brighten. This reminded me of getting ready together in the dorm room, when we went to our first house party. I clung to the feeling of those simpler days, which ironically had seemed complicated at the time. I did not even know what complicated meant until last night.

I scanned us all dressed up and looking confident. A touch of excitement crept through me, and I decided to try and forget our paranormal problems for tonight. They would still be waiting for me when I woke up in the morning. Tonight I was going to let myself have a little fun. I was going to share a New Year’s kiss with the man I love, a magical moment that had been a romantic fantasy of mine for a long time. I could not wait to fulfill it.

Adam got up from the couch, “Wow, ladies, you look gorgeous,” he said it to all of us but his eyes lingered on Kayla.

A knock at the door broke the silence. Adam straightened his stance pulling his eyes from Kayla to answer the door. Liam was on the other side of the door looking debonair as always. He looked like he had on our first date except he had opted for a fitted button up vest and jeans instead of the black suit.

“I am a lucky man,” Liam said to me raising his eyebrows. While he rolled up the cuffs of his crisp collared shirt, I adjusted his tie. Butterflies returned, thinking about how close we came to going all the way last night.

“We should go. Hoards of people are making their way downtown. It is going to be crazy,” Liam said, and he took my hand leading us all out the door.

As we walked Liam gave a short lecture on safety, which included never going anywhere alone and telling him if anything seemed off. I didn’t really understand it, but he said that we could sense our kind, that we had special instincts which I would be more tuned into after I began my training.

When we got to the main downtown area, groups just like us, dressed up and ready for a good time, lined the streets. People wore sparkling New Year’s hats and beads, buoyantly shouting and blowing on noise makers. The body heat radiated from the crowds, congesting the street, making me glad I opted out of a coat.

Liam and Adam led the way into a pub, parting the crowds so the girls and I could squeeze through. It felt like Liam had taken on a new role in my life, boyfriend and now bodyguard. I didn’t mind. Whenever Liam was around I felt safe.

Adam went to the bar to get us some champagne and when he came back Shannon was with him. Her face had the same sour expression, and it was a shame, because otherwise she looked pretty in her gold sparkling cocktail dress.

We all made a toast and worked our way toward the area where the band was playing. It was too packed to see the band over all of the bodies since they were playing in the back corner of the pub, but the music still boomed over the chatter of the crowd with ease. The music was a fun mixture of some traditional Irish instruments with upbeat rock, perfect for dancing.

We clumped in a circle and bounced around to the rhythm while sipping on champagne. Liam had his arms wrapped around my waist most of the night and I couldn’t wait to give him a passionate midnight kiss. When I needed to use the restroom he reluctantly stripped his hands from my waist. He insisted that I not go alone so I took Morgan and Kayla along with me as Adam waited outside the door.

“This is so much fun!” Kayla said with exuberance from one of the bathroom stalls.

“I know. I wish our first college party had been like this,” I agreed while I washed my hands in the sink.

“Did you see the cute carrot top base player checking out Morgan,” Kayla continued. She came out of the stall joining me at the sink with a huge smile.

“He was not checking me out,” Morgan insisted.

“Oh yes he was. I think he even winked at you,” Kayla corrected.

“Shoot, if I were only a few inches taller! I couldn’t see any of that,” I said cursing my petite stature. We left the restroom and went back to our group.

Liam gave me a quick kiss and went toward the bar to get a drink. Shannon was nowhere to be seen. Adam was the only one left with us girls. I still couldn’t see the band, so I jumped up once to get a look at Morgan’s romantic prospect. I only got a peek of his red hair, and if I tried again I thought I might break my ankle in these heels, but I trusted Kayla’s instincts so I played along.

“Ooh, he is cute Morgan. You should go talk to him after this set.” I said playfully nudging her side, and Kayla nodded in agreement with an obnoxious amount of enthusiasm.

“Yeah right, that’s going to happen,” Morgan grumbled sarcastically. Someone tapped my shoulder and when I turned around it was Shannon, holding a stack of clear plastic cups in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other.

“Hey,” she said smiling. “Hey,” was all I could think to say back. She had hardly said a word all night and had caught me off guard. We all looked at each other bewildered.

“I just want to apologize. Liam told me that you guys don’t think I like you, and that is not true at all. I do like you, and I hope we can be friends.” She smiled big enough to actually flash some teeth, and then held out the small cups.

I didn’t know what to say, “Ah, I would like that too,” I answered. I took a cup from the stack and Morgan and Kayla did the same. Shannon poured us each a glass and then raised hers in the air.

“Happy New Year,” her Irish accent rang over the crowd and we all tapped glasses and drank. Shannon went over to Adam and he put his arm around her, patting her shoulder. I guess he was happy that she was getting over her jealousy. Liam returned shortly after holding a fresh drink.

“So, you missed something pretty interesting,” I said flirtatiously. “Oh, what’s that?” Liam countered bringing his mouth inches from mine, pretending he didn’t know already.

“You didn’t have to tell Shannon to make nice with us,” I said in his ear. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” though the playfulness in his tone said otherwise. He brushed his nose along my jaw until our mouths were touching and gave me a deep soft kiss. There was a harsh ring through the speakers that pierced my eardrums, and I instantly released from Liam’s lips flying my hands up to cover them.

“What was that?” I asked facing Kayla. “I think the lead singer hit a sharp note on his guitar,” she answered.

I took another sip from my glass of champagne and looked over at Shannon to give her a smile and “Cheers” for her nice gesture. She looked at me giving the “Cheers” back, but she did not take a sip and her eyes were again cold. I guessed the earlier gesture was only for appearances to please the guys. Oh well, I don’t need any more fake friends. I had enough of those snotty brats back in high school.

“Where is your other friend…Chad?” I asked Liam trying to shake off Shannon’s sudden mood swing.

“Yeah Chad, he is going to meet up with us later,” Liam answered taking my hand. I was grateful for the extra stability because I was starting to feel a little dizzy. No more champagne for me.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be taking a short break, and the countdown to the New Year will begin in five minutes,” a low but silky voice rumbled from the microphone sending a shiver down my spine. I still could not see a thing, but a fresh tizzy of excitement buzzed though the mob from the announcement. Kayla tapped my shoulder pulling me back from my distraction.

“I am going introduce Morgan to that carrot top cutie before they start playing again.” She smiled, hooking her arm through Morgan’s trying to pull her toward the band on the other side of the room.

“Noooo,” Morgan groaned reaching for my hand to pull her back. I shook my head and put my free hand behind my back where she couldn’t get to it.

They disappeared through a mass of people and I leaned against Liam for support. He put his arm around me, rocking me slowly back and forth while I closed my eyes for a minute. That was a bad idea. Closing my eyes had only made me dizzier, and I was starting to feel nauseous.

“Liam, I need some fresh air. It is so hot in here,” I complained, not wanting him to know that the real reason was I drank too much.

“Okay let’s go,” he said. “No!” I shouted too loud. The thought of Liam watching me get sick was too humiliating.

“Ari, are you okay?” he asked looking at me suspiciously now. “Yeah I’m fine. I think I had too much champagne,” I confessed. “I just need some room to breathe for a minute.” I was feeling woozier by the second.

“Let me take her,” Shannon said, holding my arm. “Thanks,” I said, and transferred my weight onto her from Liam.

“I really think I should go with you,” Liam said sternly. “She will be fine. We will be right back,” Shannon answered, just as stubbornly.

I nodded in agreement and started moving toward the door. I was feeling claustrophobic. It felt as if the walls were very literally closing in on me. A minute later we broke free and I took in the icy air with relief. People were everywhere, filling the street from end to end, but at least I had some fresh air to breathe.

“I just need a minute,” I told Shannon who was practically holding me up now. I don’t know what happened. I’ve only had a few glasses of champagne all night.

“We don’t want to miss the big New Year’s kiss with our guys,” I said as cheerfully as I could. She did not even look at me, just swallowed hard and kept walking.

I stopped short and took my weight off of Shannon. I bent over, putting my hands on my knees attempting to steady myself and stop the dizziness. I took a few more deep breaths letting the night air cool me down, watching the breath steam from my mouth. After a few minutes I was ready to stand upright and go back inside.

“Okay, I think I’m ready.” As I said this, I realized Shannon was gone. I spun in a circle almost stumbling over. I scanned the faces around me but they were all strangers. She was nowhere in sight.

I started walking, trying to navigate through the people, but everyone was bumping into me and I could hardly keep my balance. My vision was becoming blurry. I thought I was going to pass out. Someone grabbed my elbow and whirled me around to face them. The quick turn threw off my equilibrium completely and I tripped, falling right into a hard chest. I wanted to look up, but I could not even support the weight of my own head.

“Ari, Ari wake up!” The voice sounded distant. I could not open my eyes. His heartbeat hammered in my ear, drowning out the sound of his voice.

“Ari!” he pleaded, but I couldn’t fight it anymore.

“Ten!…nine!…eight!,” the chanting of the crowd became quieter with each count as I began to pass out. “Seven...si…” was the last thing I heard, and then nothing.

Chapter 26: Two-Faced

“Ari…” I heard my name, but it sounded a hundred miles away. “Ari… can you hear me?” I tried to open my eyes, but the weight of my eyelids refused to obey.

“Ari…” he whispered closer, and his warm breath flushed my cheek. I slowly began to open my eyes. Everything was blurry. I could only see his outline at first, hovering over me like a dark halo. I struggled to focus as the lines became clear. He was studying my face with deep intensity when our eyes locked.

The clear, sky blue color of his eyes reminded me of a cloudless summer day, unlike anything I had ever seen before. The crystal clear beauty of them mesmerized me. Something about this felt so familiar. I realized tingling electricity was coursing down my spine, and my heart started pounding so hard I grabbed my chest, afraid I was having an attack. I stared at his icy blue eyes, completely hypnotized as the rest of his face became clear.

My brain finally registered that the dark flaming halo was his jet black hair, instantly snapping me out of my trance. I flew upright almost knocking heads with him. Having him hovering over me that way felt like I had traveled through time. I was back in the river six years ago as he watched me dying.

“I will never be your slave. You will have to kill me before I join your side!” I yelled, feeling hatred and resentment course through me.

His sky colored eyes narrowed into slits, “You don’t know what you are talking about, Ari,” he said darkly, and I gulped trying to be brave.

“I know you are an Eartha Fae, and that I will die before I help you hurt the people I love.” I replied low and harsh.

He clenched his mouth tightly causing the muscles of his distinct jaw line to jut out as he took a deep breath. I just now realized we were sitting on the sofa of my apartment. I leapt up, frantically looking around for my escape.

“Listen to me, that filthy creature is not Fae. It is all a lie. You and I are on the same side, Eartha and Aira are allies. Liam is Famorii, not Fae. He is repulsive and evil, the closest thing to hell!” his voice boomed against the walls, laden with disgust. I scrambled to the window throwing it open until I remembered how far the drop was. I turned looking for another way out.

He ignored my feeble attempts at escape, “Ari, I cannot let you go. It is too difficult to protect you from afar in Ireland. I told you not to come here!” He threw up his hands frustrated that I refused to believe one grubby lie coming from his mouth.

He stood up and took a step toward me, “Stop saying you are protecting me!” I screamed it so loud I thought the room shook, or was he doing that?

His eyes became frantic, “Ari, get away from the window!” He commanded, but I had already turned to look outside. Right there, up to the window sill, a hill of ice was against the wall, perfectly formed. It was sloping downward like a slide to Liam’s open car door.

“Ari, come on!” I heard Liam yell from inside the car, and without a second thought I jumped out the window sliding down the icy luge. The Eartha was right behind me and I slammed the car door shut just in time. His body crushed hard against my door causing it to indent toward me. I jumped closer to Liam shocked that a person could cause that much damage. Then I remembered he’s not human.

None of us were, and I yelled, “Go! Go! GO!” at the top of my lungs. Liam’s tires screeched loudly as he spun out and the Eartha bounced up to run after us. Looking in the passenger mirror I saw him reach out his hand. The road began to furiously shake beneath the car. The street started to crack in front of us and I was bouncing so high in the seat my head almost hit the ceiling.