Masquerade (Heven and Hell #1)(80)
Author: Cambria Hebert

I understand. But then I had a thought. Sam? If China thought this was all a myth, then she must have never experienced this or known anyone who has either…who’s to say the stuff she told you is true?

Sam took my hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the tips of my fingers. I guess I can’t be sure. But so far everything else she told me has been true. I guess this Mindbond/bleeding thing will be something that we figure out together.

I liked that.

He smiled then turned away, but I pulled him back.

You feel that much anticipation at seeing China?

Anticipation to remove the threat she poses to you.

Stay.

I’ll be back.

I’ll miss you.

He tapped my forehead with his finger and smiled. We can still talk.

I’m the only one that you can do this with?

His grin was quick and devastating. The one and only.

I could get use to this Mindbond stuff.

If you need me…

You’ll know.

“Yeah,” he whispered and pulled me close for a quick kiss. Then he disappeared out my window.

You forgot your shirt! I told him, wanting to see if it really worked when he wasn’t in the same room.

Keep it.

I picked it up from where it lay on the floor and raised it to my nose. It smelled just like him, spicy and masculine. After hugging the cotton to my chest I tucked it beneath my pillow. With any luck the scent of him would still be there later when I wore his shirt to bed.

Sunlight filtered in from every window downstairs. As I walked through the living room my eyes stung more and more until they watered. I hurried over to my book bag and found my sunglasses. Thankfully the dark lenses gave me a semblance of relief. Grandma was in the kitchen, moving around. I could smell fresh coffee and muffins. The big windows next to the table were uncovered with sun streaming through them, and I had to squint when I entered the kitchen. I bolted for the coffee pot, turning my back on the sun to pour the brew into a giant white mug.

“Good morning!” Grandma called. “Did you sleep well?”

Taking a breath I turned around, leaning against the counter.

“What’s the matter?” she gasped, looking at my glasses.

“I have a headache,” I murmured, taking a sip of coffee. Which really wasn’t a lie, the sun was so bright it was starting to hurt my head.

She hurried over to a cabinet and pulled out a bottle to shake two pills out into her hand. “Here, this will help.”

I took the pills and swallowed them with my coffee. “Thank you.” On my way to the table, I snagged a banana muffin and then sat with my back to the window. I blinked a couple of times trying to clear my vision, which was slightly blurry.

You doing okay? Sam’s raspy voice floated through my head.

I’m fine. The light still hurts, though.

I’ll be there soon.

Okay. I really wanted to tell him to hurry and that I missed him terribly but he already felt an extreme obligation to protect me, why make it worse? Besides shouldn’t I deal with my own problems myself?

“I spoke to the insurance company; the car was destroyed completely from the fire but is completely covered. I should receive a check very soon to buy a new one.”

“That’s great. I’m so sorry about the accident.”

“Hush, I know it was an accident. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

If only she knew.

I concentrated on my muffin. It was good, and I found myself wishing that it was somehow magical and healed whatever was wrong with my eyes. Grandma ‘tsked’ at my silence and walked over to the window above the sink. “I’ll lower the blinds, maybe it will help your headache.”

“Thank you.” The room darkened just slightly when the shade was down because the windows at my back were the biggest. Still the little change in light seemed to make my eyes worse. It seemed like my eyes were trying awfully hard to adjust to their surroundings, and the slightest bit of variation in light made them work even harder. I stared hard at Grandma as she refilled her coffee mug; she was so blurry I could hardly make her out. I squeezed my eyes shut hard and took a deep breath. When I looked up she was watching me, frowning.

“Here let me get the other shades.” She jolted forward, and her burst of movement caused something in my brain to snap.

Intense, bright color exploded around me.

I have to get out.

I have to get out.

The mantra pounded through me. Something was so wrong with me. My head pounded and even though my eyes were closed, blindingly bright color swam in front of me. I worked really hard not to show my alarm. After several long seconds during which I only tried to breathe, I managed to thank her for lowering the shades. She didn’t seem to notice that I was suddenly overwhelmed, and for that I was thankful.

“You should take it easy today. Yesterday took a lot out of you.”

“I plan on it,” I answered. Should I open my eyes? Would everything be normal, or worse? My stomach twisted in panic as I fretted about what to do. What if I opened my eyes and I couldn’t see anything? What if I could see, but everything was so blurry I couldn’t make my way out of the kitchen without bumping into everything?

There was a knock on the door, and I heard Grandma open it. “Sam,” she said.

“I thought I would come and see how Heven was feeling after the accident.”

I fought not to slump with relief. Something’s wrong.

I know. Breathe.

“Well come on in. Let me get you a muffin and some coffee.”

“Thank you.”

I felt him drawing closer. His scent reached me, and I wanted to cry. From right before me he spoke, “Hey, Hev. How are you feeling today?”

“Except for this headache, I’m good.” Bright colors are everywhere.

Close your eyes.

They are closed!

“I like those glasses.” I knew he was smiling for the benefit of Gran. Except I felt robbed of his smile. I wanted to see it too. Oh God, what if I couldn’t see his beautiful face?

Open your eyes; focus on me.

I opened my eyes. For a few seconds bright blotches of color obscured my vision, and I panicked, reaching out to grasp Sam’s hand. But then, slowly the blotches faded away and my vision became clear. Sam was squatting before me, staring hard, worry on his face.

You’re so beautiful. I couldn’t help but think.

He smiled but not enough for the worry in his eyes to disappear. Does the light hurt your eyes?

Not too bad. It was actually better than before.

“Here you go.” Gran set a plate and mug next to him on the table. I looked up at her and gasped, jumping in my chair.