6. Safer Apart-1
640 Words
6
Safer Apart
Jacob woke with a gasp. A fear that had nothing to do with himself gripped his lungs. He looked wildly around the room, searching for whatever had frightened him out of his sleep, but his room was empty. The only noise, his own ragged breaths. He felt another pang and knew what was wrong. “Emilia,” he gasped as he ran for the door.
He didn’t bother trying to be quiet as he tore through the house. Emilia’s door swung open before Jacob could reach for the knob. He ran into the room, prepared to fight whoever was harming Emilia. He saw Emilia on the bed, tears streaming down her face, before swinging around, searching for her attacker. But no one was there.
“Emi.” Jacob went to the bed and pulled her into his arms. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m fine.” Emilia pushed herself away from Jacob’s embrace and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“No you’re not. You were terrified. I felt it from my room. It woke me up. What happened?”
“I’m sorry I bothered you.” Emilia picked up her brush and tore it through her long black hair.
“I’m not. I’m glad you woke me up. If you’re scared, I want to be here.” Jacob paused. “Was it a nightmare?”
Emilia brushed her hair faster.
Jacob reached over and gently took Emilia’s hand, halting it mid-stroke.
“Am I weak?” Emilia whispered. “Am I contaminated, or broken, or crazy? I’m a mess. I’m scared all the time. Scared of what’s happening out there and scared they might come after us here. I freaked out in the woods with Molly. I’m terrified of what they might be doing to Larkin and Samuel. If they’re even alive. And I don’t know if I should hope they aren’t.” Fresh tears streamed down Emilia’s cheeks. “I can’t sleep. My magic isn’t working right.”
“I’m scared, too,” Jacob said quietly. “I’m scared of what’s coming, of what might happen to this family, to you.”
“But you sleep through the night―”
“Not always.” Jacob shook his head. “And after what they put you through―”
“Put me through? They locked me in a room. What that evil woman did to you, I can’t even imagine.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Jacob said. “Domina can’t hurt anyone anymore.”
Because I killed her.
“And then finally when you escaped, you tried to save me and ended up being tethered to me,” Emilia continued, her voice rising into a shriek.
“I don’t mind.” Jacob stared at the purple flowers on the rug, trying to keep his voice steady. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t matter? You saved me, and in return you ended up bound to me for the rest of our lives.”
“Is that so bad?” Jacob’s hands were the ones shaking now. “Is it so bad to be tethered to me? I mean, I know it’s not what either of us would have chosen, but you had to be joined to someone…” What if she would rather have been joined to Dexter?
Emilia took Jacob’s hands in hers. The pale golden streak on both of their left palms began to shimmer. “I’m glad it’s you. You’re my best friend. I trust you. If you hadn’t saved me, I would be trapped with those murderers and tethered to Dexter. But you, if you hadn’t come for me, you would be free.”
“If I hadn’t come for you, I would have lost the person who means the most to me in the whole world.” Jacob pressed his forehead to Emilia’s. “We’re in this together now, Emi.”
“Together.” She lay down at the head of her bed, curling up like a wounded kitten. Jacob lay at the foot of the bed, wishing he could reach across the foot of space between them. Wanting to hold Emilia close so he would know she was safe.
“Perluxeo,” Emilia murmured, and the room went black.
The only light left in the room was the golden gleam across both of their palms.
- Writer
