Free Breaking Away (The Man in the Shadows) by Erin M. Truesdale Page B

the last 24 hours? Before she could say anything in response, he said, “I think all the odd events we’ve gone through are my fault.”
    “What?” She brought her hand up to her temple and started to rub it. When he had confessed it was his fault, a sharp pain pierced her brain. “Oh, man...”
    “What’s wrong?” Concern.
    “Oh, nothing. My head just hurts a little bit.” Still rubbing her temple, wincing nominally she said, “Why would any of this be your fault?”
    “It’s... it’s a long story. But to make a long story short, I have...”
    A sharp click . Then a steady dial tone.
    “Ethan! Are you there?” She took the phone from her ear, an error message flashed saying ‘Call Lost’.
    “No fucking kidding,” she cursed and threw the phone across the room. “Stupid technology.”
    Walking back towards the window, she heard a whisper in her ear, like a breeze through tree branches. Child... it beckoned. You belong to me.
    Confused, she sat down slowly. The voice was not a friendly one, and it was not familiar. Not the man in the shadows, or her father. Why was an unfamiliar voice speaking to her? She shook her head and softly spoke to the dim, empty light of her apartment. “No, I don’t belong to you. I don’t even know who you are.” Her eyes darted around, to see if anything, or anyone, would reveal itself to her.
    I am your savior, your home. Soon, you will be with me, forever. You will save me.
    “What?” Her soft voice got louder, more hostile. “I don’t understand.”
    You don’t have to understand. All you must know is that in three days, you will be with me, forever.
    “Forever...” she repeated, her voice drifting. In three days time was finally the day she had been looking forward to all year, her 25th birthday. “No, I’m not supposed to save you, Dark Lord. He’s supposed to save me !” Jumping up from her seat and running outside, slapping herself in the face, she asked herself frantically, “What am I saying? Is someone in control of my words?!”
    Out of nowhere, her forward motion suspended, dissolving her legs so she fell to her knees. She felt complete peace when she hit the ground and her eyes closed. Fearlessness and intrepidity took over in this moment of terror. Those arms she longed for were around her now, and together they were falling, calmly falling into a lonely, yet comforting darkness. She allowed herself to be carried against his muscular body, effortlessly holding her up and preventing her from plummeting into the unknown depths. Her puzzle piece was with her again; she needn’t wonder any longer. An unlikely scenario, which she felt was just an illusion, loosing her sanity, was real. She felt his feet hit a solid surface, and a minute later her feet gently found a solid footing. Becoming more conscious of him, she realized she was holding his freehand in hers. She looked up, and to her delight she met his eyes of piercing blue ice.
    Smiling shyly, she asked, “What is your name?”
    Cupping her face in both of his hands, his deep, articulate voice answered, “I’ve been waiting a long time to formally introduce myself to you, Maika.” His hands burned like an open flame, and she leaned her cheek into his palm tenderly. “My name is James.”
    “James...” Beaming, she said his name, as if the act of saying it made him more and more concrete, authenticated. “James.”
    “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you... officially.” Bringing his face close to hers, their lips almost touching, he drew his face past hers, their lips brushing against one another, and rapidly plastered his cheek to hers. “You’re the reason I live.”
    Maika’s heart shot into her throat. Having no idea why this was happening, only knowing it was the one thing her life’s journey had been pushing her towards, she began her hands towards his neck, searching. Memories rushing back to her with his words, she remembered him saying the exact same thing back at the club.