Chapter 59: Bound By Power
Despite my attempt to fake normal, I knew I still looked pretty pale from what I'd overheard. Alison confirmed it by getting to her feet and offering her hand in an instinctive gesture.
"Syd?" She had genuine concern on her face and I cursed inwardly at my lack of control. "Are you okay?"
Which, of course, meant everyone had to make a big fuss over me. I took some deep breaths, very grateful when my demon offered her support without me having to ask.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," I tried to reassure them. "Really. Just tired all of a sudden. I'm sorry, I have to go home."
There were regretful murmurs, but no one seemed pissed and even Blood had a look of understanding on his made-up face so I didn't feel so bad.
"Thanks for everything," I said, throwing my coat on and grabbing my purse.
"We didn't get to presents!" Alison shoved a small box into the top of my purse. "And at least let one of us drive you home!"
I knew the fresh air would do me good.
"I'm okay, really. I just have my stupid family thing, I didn't realize it was so late." I hated lying to them but it was after six thirty and I wanted time to talk to Mom thoroughly before the ceremony. "The walk will do me good. Thanks."
Pain slipped an envelope into my purse and Blood gave his little wave. Simon handed me a small box and tried not to blush.
"Happy Birthday, Syd," he said.
I actually wished I could stay.
"Thanks again," was all I could offer before heading for the door.
I made it outside into the fresh air, head spinning and mind far away, when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around, distracted, to find Brad followed me outside.
"Hang on, Syd," he said. "Are you sure you don't want a ride?"
I shook my head. "Really, I need some air. I just felt weird all of a sudden. Must have been the pepperoni or something."
Yeah, yeah. Weak, I know. Still.
"I could walk you," he said and I actually had enough presence of mind to come back to the moment and focus on him. There was something more than getting me home safe on his mind.
"Seriously, Brad. I'm fine." How could I convince him to just leave me alone? Especially when part of me wanted to take him up on his offer despite knowing what a bad idea that was.
"Okay," he said, obviously disappointed. He fished into his front pocket and pulled out a box. "I wanted to give you this. And ask you something."
He acted awkward, very un-Brad like. "Okay." I opened the little black velvet box and gasped at the heart shaped necklace glittering with a diamond chip at its center.
"I'll help you put it on," he said as I looked up. "If you want."
"Brad!" I didn't know what to say. It was beautiful. And felt suddenly heavy. "It's too much."
"Not for my girlfriend," he said it so softly I almost missed it. "That is, if you want to. Be my girlfriend, I mean."
I stared at him open-mouthed for so long I think I worried him. He shifted from foot to foot, green eyes earnest.
"Syd, I... I really like you. I've never... I don't know how to explain it, but I feel different around you. Like, I matter to someone, you know? Outside of football and school, like I'm important. I'm not doing this right." He pushed one hand though his shining blond hair, blushing now.
Brad Peters was blushing over me? My heart melted and my knees weakened like they always did and I caved hard.
"You're doing great," I whispered. He looked up at me and smiled a little.
"Really?"
"Really," I said. "Can you help me?"
Brad eased the necklace out of the box and leaned close. I could smell the soap he used and the subtle hint of pepperoni and cheese as he breathed beside my cheek. It took him a moment to fasten the clasp. He leaned back, his fingers sliding down the chain to catch the heart and hold it up.
"Syd," he said softly. "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Despite what I knew, despite my fears he only liked me because of the draw of power, despite everything that happened and was happening in my crazy life, I could only think of one thing to say.
"Yes," I said.
A thread of power slid along his hand, through the necklace and into me. I felt it stretch and lock around the heart before dissipating, gone before I could look at it too closely. Whatever the magic was, it was done and I had a sudden moment of panic when I realized I had no idea exactly what that meant.
Brad didn't notice. He leaned toward me in my moment of frozen reaction and kissed me.
Brad had the softest lips, full and firm. I tasted diet cola and pizza as he parted them just a little bit. I know I would have slid bonelessly to the ground if his hands hadn't settled on my upper arms and held me up. It was only the second time he kissed me, the drunken beer kiss not making it to my official count, but my hormonal reaction was exactly the same.
He leaned back after what seemed like an eternity of bliss. I looked up into his clear green eyes and immediately started kicking myself for being an idiot. What the hell was I thinking?
"Are you sure I can't walk you home?" His voice sounded deeper than normal and I wondered how hard the power hit him or if it was just his own testosterone doing a number on his physiology.
"I'll be okay." I managed to breathe back. I took a step away from him, easily one of the hardest things I have ever done, and realized we had a very happily cheering audience on the other side of the diner's windows.
I made a face at Alison as Brad turned and grinned at our friends. I took the opportunity to escape.
My mind churned as I made my way down the quiet street. Like I didn't have enough to worry about without complicating my personal life at the same time. I fingered the heart as I walked, probing it a little to see if I could figure out what happened. I finally dropped the thing and let it go. There was nothing there. Whatever the power's intent, it was done and gone and I had bigger issues to worry about than the fact I agreed to be the football captain's girl.
I was halfway home before I realized I wasn't alone. Part of me felt a little pissy when I noticed the footfall of someone close behind me. If Brad was going to be so possessive he couldn't take the hint, the relationship was over before it even really started. I stopped in my tracks and turned to give him what for, only to come face-to-face with a total stranger.
For a moment, I blushed, embarrassed. It was just some guy walking in the same direction as me, nothing more. I sent a silent apology to Brad for thinking ill of him. Until I realized the strange man also stopped and smiled as if he knew me.
I suppressed a small thrill of fear. It wasn't like he posed much of a physical threat, after all. He was barely my height of five-foot-six, slim and compact with short white hair and clear, open blue eyes. His skin looked smooth and youthful but his hair said old guy. So did his suit and tie. I was getting weirded out more and more by the second as he just stood there and smiled at me like a happy little cherub.
I debating just turning around and walking away, but I had the feeling he had been following me for a reason and knew he would continue to if I didn't find out what he wanted. And somehow the prospect of him knowing where I lived gave me a serious case of the creepies.
"Can I help you with something?" I tried not to be too rude, but the guy was following me, after all.
"I hope I can help you," he said in his soft, gentle voice. It was the smoothest voice I ever heard, like a singer's, or someone who practiced really hard to not have an accent.
He held out one slim hand to me and I actually hesitated before taking it. But, it was just an innocent handshake, no power exchange, no probing that I could tell, so I relaxed a little.
"Demitrius Strong," he offered as way of an introduction. "It is a great pleasure to see you, Sydlynn."
My defenses went up again instantly. Yup, I was right. Creepy.
"Do I know you?" I didn't. Was I wrong? Had we met before? Was he from another coven, maybe?
"Unfortunately, no." There was a little musical laughter in his voice. "But I've been wanting to meet you for a very long time."
How nice for him. "How nice for you," my mouth spoke before my mind was ready. "Was there something or are you just into stalking teenage girls?"
I wasn't sure why my back was up, he certainly seemed pleasant enough, but the very music in his laugh, the twinkle in his eye, made me cringe and want to run.
"On the contrary," he said, cherubic face lit up with his humor. "I'm only interested in the very special ones."
"Well, nice to meet you. Got to go."
I didn't even know I decided to just get out before I turned to leave. My demon hummed angrily, as worked up as I was and not knowing why.
"I understand today is your birthday."
I turned around to face him again. His smile remained, perfect teeth glimmering just past his little boy lips, blue eyes so peaceful and near- angelic I felt a shudder run up my back. This guy would give a statue the creeps. Hello, horror movie.
"So?" How did he know so much about me? And what did he want?
"Being born on Beltane... you are a child of great power."
Okay, I was officially freaked. My ordinarily untrustworthy shield slammed up and vibrating in a heartbeat.
"Who are you?" I reached for Mom but still couldn't reach her and suddenly wondered if the man in front of me had something to do with that.
Paranoid.
"I told you," he said. "I am Demitrius Strong. Leader of the Chosen of the Light. And I am here for you, Sydlynn Hayle."
If it was a fight he wanted, I was so ready to blast his ass.
And yet there was nothing aggressive about him. Quite the opposite. He remained where he was, smiling benignly at me, sweet face calm and gentle.
"I'm here to guide you," he said. "To counsel you on your path. To lead you to the Light, if that is your choice. You are young enough, my dear, to still make a decision, to choose the Light."
I had no idea what he was talking about and really didn't want to.
"Thanks, but no thanks," I said. Why did he feel like some religious dude trying to convert me? I knew I had him pegged when he spoke again.
"The Chosen are always here to guide you," he told me. "If you want to talk. To see the misguided path you and your family are traveling and finally come to the Light."
It was pretty obvious he knew about the coven, but I refused to give an inch just in case.
"I have to go now," I said. "Nice talking to you."
He smiled deeper.
"I will visit you and your family again soon," he said. "I look forward to it."
With that, he turned and strolled away from me, back the way we came, as if he was out on a Sunday walk and not a creepy dude who knew about witches when he shouldn't.
Yup. Great. One more thing to worry about.
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