A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2)(53)
Author: Suzanne Young

“I can bring on the Need.”

Monroe smiles then, something small and private. He stands with effort, steadying himself on the table as he passes. “I have to go see Marceline. I think I have a plan.” He pauses to look back at me. “But, sweetheart,” he says sadly, “this always ends the same way. You know that, right?”

My lips part with the start of an argument, but I say nothing. Not now. Not after everything I’ve seen. The Shadows are awful, and if I can stop them, won’t it be worth it?

“What does that mean?” Harlin asks, coming to sit next to me. “I know you’re not suggesting she sacrifice herself again, because that’s not going to happen.”

“Harlin, friend,” Monroe says. “She’s not of this earth. She can’t stay, not when she isn’t meant to.”

“Maybe that’s why she’s back,” he challenges. “She not like the other Forgotten. You don’t know what her destiny is.”

I stare down into my lap, grief enveloping me. I don’t want to give up my life, but I’m not sure there’s another way. Harlin begins to argue with Monroe. His harsh tone becomes raspy with the strain of his words. He threatens to leave—to take me with him.

When I finally lift my head, Monroe gazes over at me with a pleading expression. “Talk to him,” he murmurs, standing at the door. “Get some rest and call me when you wake. I believe Onika will be waiting for you.” He turns. “It’s nearly time.”

CHAPTER 27

I watch Monroe cross the parking lot to his rental car. When I turn, Harlin is standing close by with his shoulders slumped. He’s torn, probably debating whether or not to kidnap me and run far away. I wish we could.

I close the door, leaning against it as I throw the lock. I’m no longer weak from my run-in with Abe; instead a buzz hums under my skin, my memories strong and clear. I know who and what I am. And I know what it means for me and Harlin. No matter what, there was never a chance for us—the universe didn’t allow it.

“This is probably our last day,” I tell him. When he doesn’t raise his head, I move to put my fingers on his bare chest. His heart beats wildly beneath them, and I know it’s breaking. I can’t say good-bye like this. “Tell me you love me,” I whisper.

Harlin raises his head and slides his hand along my waist to pull me closer. His hazel eyes search my every feature. “I love you,” he says in his low voice. “And I’ll never lie to you again.” Harlin runs his thumb over my lips. “Which is probably why I should tell you that I have no intention of letting you sacrifice yourself. Now kiss me.”

I press my mouth to his, hot and desperate. I can’t focus on anything but being with him, about the fire between us. We stumble back toward the bed as Harlin pulls at my clothes, murmuring that he loves me. That he’ll die without me.

His hands are gentle on my skin as my fingers thread through his hair. Soon my words blur into whispered promises. I tell him that I love him, have always loved him.

And I promise that I’ll never leave him again.

I stretch my arms over my head as I wake, a little sore, but otherwise okay. I hear the shower going in the bathroom and smile to myself, thinking about Harlin. I barely have time to sit up before my phone vibrates on the side table.

“Hey, kid,” my father says when I answer. I immediately remember my sister, and there’s a sinking in my gut. We’ll never truly be a family again. How can we be? Lucy handed me over to Abe last night, an obvious sign of her darkening intentions. She might be dangerous to my father. At that thought, I brace myself.

“Dad,” I say. “I need you to stay away from Lucy.”

He chuckles. “Uh, well, that’s kind of difficult seeing that she’s here right now. She surprised me with breakfast this morning. Sorry about yesterday, not sure how I fell asleep at my desk.” He pauses. “Hold on. Here’s your sister right now.” My breath catches in my throat.

“Hi, Elise,” Lucy says brightly. “I went by the house and you weren’t home. Where are you?”

Dread spreads through my body. “What are you doing?” I ask quietly.

“Spending time with our father. That’s what matters now, right? Time.”

“Are you going to hurt him?”

Lucy chokes out a laugh. “What? Why in the world would you think that? Elise . . . have you been drinking?”

“Drinking?” I hear my father say off-line, concern in his voice.

“Please don’t harm him, Lucy,” I whisper. “He doesn’t—”

There’s a loud click as the line goes dead. At that moment, the shower shuts off in the bathroom. My body trembles as I set the phone aside.

My sister has the power to tempt my father into doing anything. It doesn’t mean my dad will, but sometimes those whispers blot out the sense of things. Sometimes the whispers become our thoughts, driving us to do things we wouldn’t normally do.

Harlin walks out wrapped in a towel, drops of water still clinging to his skin. He smiles at me broadly, but soon his expression clears when he realizes that something is wrong.

I tell him we should find Monroe, and he quietly agrees before going to get dressed. I sit there a minute longer, looking out the slightly open curtain to the hazy parking lot. The Need hums under my skin, and my heart is full of love and regret. I don’t know what’s to come, but I’m glad I won’t face it alone.

The sun is shrouded with clouds as we head to Marceline’s to meet Monroe. We’re riding down Main Street past Santo’s when a sudden gust of wind blows by us. It’s so unexpected that Harlin swerves after having overcorrected and we nearly spin out.

Harlin quickly lets off the gas and puts down his boots, skidding us to a stop. He curses, and then asks if I’m okay. I nod, my heart pounding in my chest as I start to climb off the bike.

I feel a cold prickle over my cheeks, the bridge of my nose—like someone is watching me. My body stills because I recognize the feeling.

Standing in the middle of Main Street is Abe, wearing a black suit, his hair slicked smooth. Smiling. The fear that strikes me is so acute, I’m not sure I can move.

Santo’s Restaurant is on my right, the lights inside burning bright even though there doesn’t appear to be anyone inside—the CLOSED sign illuminated in the widow. A tumbleweed rolls by me and travels down the road past Abe.

The motorcycle engine cuts out and then Harlin is next to me, his hand sliding into mine. When it does, I feel myself relax slightly, my bravery returning.