Free The Soul's Mark: HUNTED by Ashley Stoyanoff Page B

brighter.  Eric’s heartbeat sped up.  It reminded him of the movies, and he could almost hear someone say, walk into the light.   He peered into it, letting his eyes gradually adjust.  In the center, a shadow materialized.  Megan, was the first thing that popped into his mind.  Maybe she traveled in the light?  Spirits did that, right?
    The shadow moved closer, filling out and taking substance.  Eric blinked.  Standing in front of him was Mitchell, looking straight at him, with such an intensity it was as if he was looking through him.  Eric’s jaw dropped, literally.  Why would he dream of Mitchell?
    “Mitchell,” a girl yelled from behind him, and Eric spun around just in time to see Amelia launch herself at him, her face glowing with a huge smile.
    Eric didn’t have time to react, and in that second he knew Amelia was going to jump on him, but then, she didn’t.  One second she was flying through the air at him and the next she was passing right through him.
    “What’s wrong, love,” Mitchell said.
    Eric pivoted around, and he gasped.  “How the hell did you do that?”  he asked, taking a giant step back.  They didn’t even glance at him.
    “I can’t believe I found you,” Amelia cried, clinging onto Mitchell for all she was worth.  “I’ve been looking for days.”
    Mitchell stroked her fiery red hair and kissed the top of her head.  “I’ve only been out a few hours, Amelia.”
    Eric didn’t know what to do.  His throat felt tight and uncomfortable as he watched the intimate moment between his father and Amelia, but he couldn’t seem to turn away.  Why was he dreaming of Amelia and Mitchell?
    And then something occurred to him.  Amelia’s hair was brown.  This wasn’t Amelia.  This was…
    “Who’s Amelia?”
    Eric rocketed up, his feet landing on the floor with a thud and his blankets dropping to his feet.  He kicked them away and ran to his bedroom door.  “Millie,” he hollered, throwing it open and running to the media room next door.  “Millie, where’s Mitch?”
     

CHAPTER 8
     
     
    Amelia was working hard to swallow the lump in her throat, but it was the size of an apple, and it seemed to be growing bigger by the second.  She tried to remind herself that she had chosen a horror flick to keep her mind off Mitchell’s rejection, but her bulging eyes and thumping heart didn’t seem to want to remember.
    Suddenly, the floor beneath her shuddered as if it was about to give way, and she nearly jumped out of her skin.  Before she fully stood up, a frantic and rumpled looking Eric was charging in.  “Millie, where’s Mitch?” he yelled, eyes crimson and sharp, glistening fangs extended.
    Amelia cast an involuntary terrified look at him.  “I’m…I’m not sure,” she stammered and retreated back a few paces.
    “Well find him,” Eric growled.  The look he gave her was savage, and he advanced on her like a stealthy jungle cat, stalking its unsuspecting prey.  “Find him now!”
    Eric smashed his fist against the wall; it vibrated from the force of his blow, and Amelia scampered back further, suddenly feeling like a trapped and frantic little mouse.
    Amelia hesitated for a few seconds, feeling the building energy course through her veins.  Her heart was racing, and her whole body shook, but the last thing she wanted to do was attack him.  Something was wrong.  He wasn’t thinking and she was absolutely sure he would not, under any circumstances, hurt her.  It wasn’t until Eric leapt at her that she realized he had completely lost his mind.  In a split second, she tossed up a shield, and he crashed into it, bouncing back across the room.
    He was back up in seconds and growled.  The manic look in his eyes intensified as he stalked towards her.
    “Eric, what’s wrong with you?” she screeched, as he started to pound against the shield.  It sagged and strained against his blows.  Beads of sweat trickled over Amelia’s brow as she fought