“Can you walk?” he asked.
His hands remained on my hips. The coolness of his fingertips ignited the skin beneath my nightgown’s thin material. Nodding, I continued upwards—each step felt as though I was stepping on nails. Boaz stayed by my side, guiding me out the door and up the steps.
“I can carry you, if you would like,” he said.
“No, but thank you.” I stopped. “Why did you come back?”
“I never left. I was exploring the grounds and the local wildlife.”
“This late?”
He raised his eyebrow, and I looked away, embarrassed.
“I’m glad I didn’t leave,” he said.
I forced my body up another step. “But how did you find us? Only a few people know of these lower levels.”
“I heard your screams. Are you sure I can’t carry you?”
“No. I’m fine. In fact, you can leave now. I appreciate your help, but I’ll be fine.” I didn’t want him to think I was vulnerable, an easy victim.
“Good. I need to talk with Erik.” He grasped my arm, and his fingers caressed my skin. Strangely, the pain in my foot dissipated. “I hope I will see you again.”
My gaze traveled up to his bicep peeking out from his black short-sleeved shirt. A red and black snake tattoo twisted around the large muscle. I met his gaze. “Not likely, but again, thank you for your help.”
As quickly as possible, I moved away, the pain returning the second his touch left me. I continued up the stairs, but when I didn’t hear his footsteps going back down, I glanced behind me. Boaz was gone, as if he’d evaporated.
When I reached the top of the stairs, Sable met me with a bowl of wet jasmine. “These are for you. Wrap them around your knee and your owie will be better by morning.”
“It’s my foot,” I clarified, but she was already walking in the opposite direction.
Once inside my bedroom, I collapsed into bed, gritting my teeth. I couldn’t ignore my parents’ abuse any longer. Not because it was much worse than anything else I’d endured, but because today was different; I was eighteen. I always knew when this day came, I would move out. I had no idea where to or how I’d make a living, but I needed to figure it out and soon.
Several minutes later, I withdrew a long jasmine vine from the basin and wrapped it around my foot. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to do this, as Sable hadn’t given any instructions, but it seemed the most likely way. I did the same with a few more vines and then pulled a long sock over the wet plants. Within a few minutes my foot was numb.
I didn’t sleep at all that night. I couldn’t stop thinking of my future, and, to my dismay, Boaz. I couldn’t understand the electrifying sensation that overcame me whenever he was near. It haunted me for hours, and I didn’t know if I was angrier with him or myself for thinking about him.
Because I couldn’t sleep, I rose early and wandered the grounds surrounding the mansion. As Sable had promised, the flesh and skin on my foot had healed. Thy sky was gray, and a light mist lingered in the trees.
Several cars were still parked in the driveway. It was only a matter of time before Erik kicked them out. He never could tolerate the presence of others for very long, including the company of his wife. I wondered every day why they bothered to marry, but more importantly, why they bothered to have a child. Together they were powerful enough. Why did they need me, and why were they so desperate for me to use my abilities?
I liked to think normal parents would’ve been happy with the way I turned out. I always did what they asked, often times going above and beyond, even if I wouldn’t give them the one thing they wanted most.
My powers only manifested when I felt fear, anger, or hatred, and I’d spent my entire life controlling these emotions, despite what Erik and Sable did to me. Boaz, however, had elicited those negative emotions in a single evening.
I moved quietly into the house, hoping to go unnoticed as usual, but today was not a usual day.
Sable called from the kitchen, “Eve, darling, come join us for breakfast.” She was using her sweet voice, which meant she wanted something.
Erik and Sable stood together, shoulder to shoulder, next to the dining room table. Their eyes followed me until I sat at the only chair with a place setting in front of it. I picked up a spoon and took a bite of cold oatmeal.
“Aren’t you going to say hello to your parents?” Sable asked.
“Is that what you want?” I never knew.
Erik’s left eye twitched, and his upper lip receded. “You better not mess this up.”
“Mess what up?”
“Your relationship with Boaz.”
“I don’t have a relationship with him nor will I.”
“Yes, you will. He made his intentions very clear last night. You and he will be an excellent match.”
“What is so special about Boaz?” I said, without thinking.