Back in the car with Emmett, the silence was total except for the soft hum of the heater blowing from the dashboard, giving her the air she'd been starved of ever since reading those pages at the front desk. She couldn't stop thinking about Luke, the conversation they'd had, and how completely senseless it all was.
—Stop. You're hurting yourself— he ordered, taking her hand as he noticed her biting the inside of her cheek until it bled.
She looked at him.
—I don't care.
—Well, I do.
His tone was gentle, but Nell knew he was holding himself back from being firmer. She took a deep breath and looked down. Their intertwined hands offered a sliver of peace, though the underlying restlessness was definitely still there.
—Trust was supposed to be unquestionable, you know?—she began, her eyes glued to their hands—My mom taught us that. She said siblings should stick together and trust each other. Now, I'm not so sure.—Her eyes welled with tears—If what I read is real, if that list is actually up to date, it means Steve lied to me. And I don't even want to think about the possibility that he...—She breathed in, feeling a lump form in her throat. —...that he's a...—She couldn't finish the sentence. She felt crushed, humiliated, betrayed.
Emmett reached a hand out to her cheek.
—Nell, look at me—he order gently. She did—We still don't know why your brother did what he did, or what's really going on, so let's not jump to conclusions.
Emmett was right, but even so, Nell couldn't deny the evidence. It was no longer a matter of simple speculation or random inconsistencies floating around. There were facts; there was proof. And that made her more sad than angry.
—I don't know who to trust anymore— she murmured, barely audible.
—You can trust me— he assured her.
Well, that was true. Emmett was special. A guy everyone wrote off as terrifying but who, in reality, was the sweetest person on the planet. Deep down, Nell wasn't sure she even deserved someone like him by her side-especially when all she did was constantly drag him into her family drama.
She went quiet for a moment, trying to find the right words.
—I'm sorry—She looked down at their hands—It feels like all I ever do is bring you trouble.
Emmett gave her an easygoing smile.
—Well, if there's one thing you don't know about me, angel, it's that I love trouble.— He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. —Especially when it comes with a pair of beautiful eyes just like the ones I'm looking at right now.
—You aren't even looking at them— she arged
—They're burned into my memory.
She shook her head, trying to fight back a laugh.
—Did I make you feel uncomfortable?
—No— she admitted, looking at him—You cheered me up.
Emmett didn't bother hiding his grin.
—Glad to hear it. And I'm also glad to know I'm still devastatingly charming.
—Oh, really?
He shrugged.
—It's one of the curses of my life.
She laughed. She couldn't help feeling more and more drawn to him, and not just because he was gorgeous or made her feel desirable. It was more about the natural, vibrant energy he radiated-to the point where she felt totally comfortable matching it, as if she were that way too. The fact that he had lived a life so completely different from hers, yet they understood and clicked with each other so well, gave their relationship a sense of familiarity that defied how little time they'd actually known each other.
—I don't want to go to school—she announced suddenly, wanting to avoid the bitterness at all costs.
—Good thing, because I wasn't planning on taking you.—Emmett put his hands on the steering wheel.
—Where to, then?
He turned to look at her with an enigmatic expression.
—You'll see.
●●●
Over the next few minutes, they drove down the highway, crossing the small bridge that separated the outskirts of Seattle from Port Angeles. The road widened to two lanes, and since it was a weekday, only about one car passed every twenty minutes, making it feel almost deserted.
The drive was peaceful, filled with easy conversation. Yet, there were moments when, much to her chagrin, it felt like the universe was conspiring against her. Like when he would look at her, glance down at her heart, and then look back at the road with a much wider grin than before. Maybe lying to someone with super-hearing was a lot harder than she'd thought.
—We're here— Emmett announced suddenly, cutting the engine.
He pulled into a large grassy clearing after turning down a gravel road. In the distance, towering pine trees blocked out the sun with their peaks.
—Where is 'here' exactly?—she asked again. For a moment, she just watched Emmett as he kept his eyes locked on the far side of the trees. Then, in the blink of an eye, he scooped her out of the jeep, set her on her feet, and said:
—Climb on my back.
—What?—She didn't know what caught her more off guard-the speed at which he'd gotten her out of the car, or what he'd just said.—So, wait, we are running part of the way?
—You won't be the one running.
—I'm gonna get dizzy.
—If you close your eyes, you'll be fine, I promise.
She crossed her arms, hesitating.
—Emmett...
—Come on. Get on.—he urged, having already crouched down.
In the end, she gave in. Emmett suppressed a smile when he heard her sigh.
—Don't forget to close your eyes.
Of course she didn't forget. Though she couldn't really tell if they were moving or not. She felt the sensation of flight rushing over her body, but the motion was so smooth she was tempted to peek just to see if they were actually flying through the pines. Still, she resisted; a massive wave of nausea wasn't worth the risk. Nell contented herself with feeling his steady, rhythmic breathing.
—You can open them now— he whispered. His cold breath brushed against her cheek, sending a jolt of electricity straight from her stomach through her entire body.—Did you get dizzy?—he asked.
She opened her eyes quickly.
—I'm fine— she said, letting go of him and pretending to fix her clothes. Then, she stared ahead in awe.
A faded, small Victorian mansion stood hidden among the massive pines. It looked like it had been there for well over a hundred years.
—This is what you wanted to show me?
—No. That's on the rooftop.
She looked at him instinctively.
—The rooftop?
For some reason, he laughed.
—Don't worry. This time, we're walking.— He took her hand and started leading the way.
The place was practically in ruins, with cracked columns and debris littering the floor. She wondered what it must have been like back in its prime. With that thought in mind, she dared to press her hand against the wall. It took only half a second to get her answer. She didn't just see it in images or impressions; she was there in the flesh: a polished ballroom lit by luxurious chandeliers; extravagant dresses adorned with pearls; servers weaving through the crowd with champagne flutes; laughter echoing and blending into the air.
Nell opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She was stunned.
—Based on your face, I'm guessing you saw something good—Emmett said, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.
—More than good.—She looked down at her hands, smiling—It was like being there in real-time. I didn't know I could do that.
—It's because you aren't afraid of it anymore.
Nell stopped, and he turned to face her.
—What do you mean?
—You aren't afraid to use your gift anymore.
There was something in his voice that made her think over his words.
—But I'm still afraid of myself— she countered at last.
—No. You think you're afraid because that's what everyone made you believe. Your dad, the people in your town. They were afraid of you, so you became afraid too.
Nell opened her mouth to argue, but there was really nothing to say. She had never considered that possibility. The answer cut deeper than it seemed.
—I don't know how you do it, but you always manage to surprise me— she confessed.
—In a good way?—he gave her a seductive look.
Nell smiled mockingly.
—Yeah, in a good way. Though I'm already taking it back.
—Too late— he replied, taking a step toward her. Nell locked eyes with him, feeling the tension build between them once again.
This time, Emmett didn't give her time to close her eyes, and Nell felt the dizziness rush through her even after they hit solid ground. He helped her catch her balance, and with a smile, looked ahead and said: —This is what I wanted to show you.
Eleanor turned and her jaw dropped. She struggled to find words but couldn't find any.
—From up here, you get a full view of Forks and Port Angeles—he continued, pointing it out—It's not spectacular because the view is almost always the same, just the ocean, water, and waves. But there's always something to see. There are always sailboats and yachts heading into the harbor; if you come at night, you can see the little groups of people gathered along the shore and hear the music.
—Do you come here often?—she managed to say.
—About twice a week. Whenever I want to be alone.
She leaned against the stone railing, unable to take her eyes off the view.
—It's incredible—she said softly.—Seriously, I don't know how you do it.
—I told you: extensive experience.
—Right. How could I forget?—she shot back sarcastically.
She saw Emmett turn toward her. He was very close, staring intently. She met his gaze without wavering. He took the ends of her hair, letting the waves slip through his fingers.
—I like you— Emmett said bluntly, paralyzing her.
She looked away.
—Emmett...
—I know it makes you uncomfortable to hear, but I couldn't leave here today without telling you how I feel. I like you, and not just because of who you are, but because of how you make me feel.
Nell knew she shouldn't let things go any further, but she couldn't break the spell his confession had cast over her.
—Emmett...—she repeated—I...
He shook his head.
—You don't have to say anything.
—But I want to.—She stepped closer to him, her eyes bright with an unfamiliar emotion—I won't deny that I feel the same way about you. But I know where this leads, and I don't want to hurt you.—She exhaled, trying to calm herself before speaking next—We're different, and I don't just mean our personalities. My life... is nothing but a blink compared to yours. How is this supposed to work?
—We'll find a way.
The way he said it made it sound like he was trying to convince himself more than her. Nell knew what the solution was, but she wasn't ready to say it out loud. She wasn't ready to make it a reality. For a few moments, neither of them said a word.
—Can we walk around a bit?—she suggested, trying to steer the conversation away from before—Before we head back?
Emmett gave her a small smile.
—I was wondering when your curiosity would kick in.
She took his hand to pull him along.
—I'll take that as a yes.
●●●
—Are you sure?—he asked once he'd dropped her off at her front door. It would be hours before Steve got back, so she planned to relax, take a bath, and, if possible, sketch out a diagram to make sense of the mysteries piling up around her. She couldn't just sit idly by anymore.—Rosalie won't be able to get here for another two hours—he continued—and there won't be anyone to watch over you.
—I appreciate the concern, but I'm a big girl. Besides, I'll be doing homework.
—And you expect me to believe that?
She stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek.
—Thanks for sticking with me today—she said, changing the subject, wanting to maintain the tiny bit of distance left between them.—And thanks for showing me that amazing view.
—Don't thank me. I'm pretty sure it doesn't compare to the one I have right now.
She put her hands on her hips, looking at him skeptically.
—Again?—She tried to mask her embarrassment with indignation.
Emmett simply shrugged.
—A man's got to seize the moment. It's my motto.
—Why am I not surprised?
At his knowing look, she fought back a sigh.
—I should go inside.
—Yeah, you should.
The silence stretched out. Emmett stared into her eyes, which were glowing almost hypnotically. Then, suddenly, the rain began to pour, breaking the spell of the moment.
—I think you really need to go inside now—Emmett suggested, trying to shield himself from the downpour just like she was.
Nell nodded.
—See ya, vampire boy— she said playfully.
He smiled.
—See ya, angel.
Then, just like every other time they said goodbye, he vanished.
Inside the house, Eleanor kicked off her shoes, shed her wet coat, and started up the stairs toward the bathroom. She wasn't just tired; she was anxious. What would she do when she saw her brother today? When she had to look at his face and he smiled at her like nothing had happened? Would she act the same way? Could she?
However, all those questions washed away the second the water hit her. She shampooed and rinsed her hair, then washed the rest of her body with a washcloth and moisturizing soap. She stayed in the bathroom longer than she needed to, finally stepping out of the shower and rubbing her hair with a towel.
She changed into sweat shorts, a beige t-shirt, and an old hoodie with pockets. She went back to towel-drying her hair, but the slam of the front door stopped her in her tracks. It was time.
She took a very slow breath, then walked down the stairs at a normal pace.
—You're home early? I thought you'd be...— She looked around, but the living room was empty and dark—...later.
She reached her arm out toward the light switch, panic pulsing beneath her ribs.
Then... nothing changed. The living room was still empty, the kitchen too; the windows and doors were all shut tight.
Nell took a deep breath to steady herself. She was wrong. She was seeing things. There hadn't been a slammed door, and no one had forced their way into her house. She was fine. Safe. In her sanctuary.
Suddenly, every light in the house flickered in unison, and went dead.