Being Grey (Beings Trilogy) (29 page)

“I keep thinking back to that story
Adrian
told. There’ll come a time when we all go our separate ways. We’ll get married, some may die young. Who knows? But I can’t think of anything worse than being lonely. Than everything I love being taken away from me and being utterly alone. I couldn’t do that Stefan. Please believe me. I won’t let him do that to us.”

“I know babe.” He squeezes my hand. “Let’s go chat with
Adrian
.”

Robbie is at my house with Poppy and Luke is in school so it’s just the three of us.

“How are you
Alice
?”
Adrian
asks as he places tea and biscuits on the table.

“Miserable. The same as everyone else. We can’t hole up in my house forever
Adrian
.”

“I agree. I’ve arranged for Lisa to be surrounded by ‘Gifted’ ones as well as Glen. While I believe we shouldn’t travel alone for now, I think the sentry duty must come to an end.”

“Thank goodness.” Stefan and I breathe out at the same time.

“I think we’ll have a little trouble convincing Robbie but I’ll be glad to get rid of her.” Stefan pokes me in the ribs teasing. This is the first time I’ve seen him joke in days and I realize how much I’ve missed it.

“Oh thanks
Adrian
.” I jump up and hug him.

Adrian
is not the most demonstrative person but he hugs me back and I feel so relieved it’s not true.

“However, you must make a promise to me now that if you see Ian again you must tell all of us immediately. If I ever find out you’re withholding from the group again I will have no choice to cut all communication with you. This is serious
Alice
. The choice will not be yours to make if you put any of us in harms way and then don’t prepare us.”

“Never. I swear. Please believe me, both of you, it was just so embarrassing. I’m seventeen and I had a killer crush. With the most evil
Being
I’ve ever encountered. And I can’t take back the fact that he is bloody gorgeous. Stefan, if Angelina Jolie came on to you and she had a damned
Being
what would you do?”

Stefan goes a purplish scarlet and tries to stammer a response. “Well, you know, I’d, well, OK, I’d have to kiss her I suppose. If the boys found out I hadn’t I’d never live it down.”

Adrian
starts laughing first, that brilliant laughter that starts somewhere in his stomach before bursting out of his lips. Stefan is sniggering like a teenager, before doing a thigh slapping guffaw. I’m giggling and nodding. Yea, now you get it.

Stefan and I laugh all the way home. Scarlett Johansson the Jonas brothers and everyone in between get a ‘would you or wouldn’t you’ comparison. Would you kiss and tell?

We run in the front door giggling and proceed to tell Poppy and Robbie. Poppy immediately gets the silliness of it all and comes up with her own list while Robbie just looks as if we’re stupid. We’re all laughing together again.

Chapter Fifty Five

“We told you, I don’t need a babysitter anymore.”

I’m in bed and Robbie is in the chair in the corner. Poppy and Stefan have gone out to watch a movie.

“Look at me, sleepy, going to sleep.”

“It’s not that I think you’re going to run off and see him Alice. I’m more worried about him coming here.” Robbie says.

“He is not some vampire who’s going to miraculously fly through my window Robbie. Besides, it’s locked. And the alarm is set. So please reset when you leave. I’m safe and tired so please?”

He comes and sits on the bed. “I’m worried about you? Is that so bad?”

I know he’s really worried about Luke and I don’t blame him. Luke is a great kid. “You must be missing Luke. Why don’t you head home so you’re there in the morning when he gets up?” I try.

“
Adrian
is with him, he’ll be fine. But you do look exhausted.” He smiles at me. “So you’ve decided to go tomorrow?”

I sit up, I know he’s not leaving anytime soon and if he wants to talk that’s OK with me. I owe all of them that. “Yes. The service is at ten and I’m not going to the wake after. Jason has already said he’ll drive me straight home.”

“That’s good then. Everything OK with you and Jason?”

It feels weird talking to Robbie about this but he’s the first one to ask. He really does care about Jason after he saw the way he protected Luke at the party.

“It’s OK. We saved him, anyone can see that. His Being is back to the pale grey it used to be when he was twelve. But do I love him? No. In time, I imagine he’ll do what David is doing. He’ll decide to move on. I’ll miss him but,” I shrug, “it just wasn’t meant to be.” I lie back down. It’s sad. His friends die, others move away and he’ll realize I don’t love him. Not a good year for Jason.

“One day
Alice
you’ll find the right person.” Robbie has lain down beside me and looks so comfortable around my
Being
. “You deserve to be happy but promise me it’ll be with one of the good guys?”

I laugh. “Only if you promise me the same thing?”

“Deal.”

“Robbie? Will you hug me?” I say, drifting off but rolling over.

“Sure. Now go to sleep.” He puts his arms around me.

“I’ll never let him hurt you.” Are the words I fall asleep to.

Chapter Fifty Six

Jason collects me at 9:30. The drive to the church is quiet. Not much to say on the way to a funeral. We get there a little before 10 and Adam’s parents are stood near the door.

Jason hugs them both and murmurs something in their ears.

“I’m very sorry for your loss. I’ll always have fond memories of Adam.” I say, biting my own tongue. Should have followed mums golden rule, ‘
If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.’

We sit down and the service begins. No matter what your thoughts of the deceased are, funerals are a time for respect and fond memories. But I can’t help it, I have neither for Adam.

I can hear people crying softly in the pews ahead of us. I wonder how many funerals I will cause in my lifetime. How much heartbreak will be my fault? I suddenly want to get out of here. I’m feeling claustrophobic and I’m worried I’m going to stand up and say ‘I killed him but it wasn’t my fault. He deserved to die.’

What if the next funeral I attend is Poppy’s or a family member? I couldn’t live with myself.

People get up and tell stories. Funny stories. I wonder are we at the right funeral. I see Jason laughing at a couple of the things said. I guess he has fond memories of his own.

A little after 10:30 it’s all over. Jason pays his respects to a few more people and I stay silent. We’re making our way back to the car.

“Still can’t believe it. Nineteen years old. Whole life ahead of him.” Jason says.

“Mm.” What else do I say?

We get in the car and turn our mobile’s back on. I have a message from Poppy ‘Everything OK? Text when you need kettle on.’ I smile and am about to reply when Jason speaks, breaking the silence.

“We have to make a quick stop. I just got a message from Ian. He didn’t even know. He was out of the country. He’s at my place waiting.”

No. He knew. He was just patiently waiting for the right time. He knew I’d go with Jason to the funeral. My head is screaming a trap.

“Jason, this has really upset me. Can you drop me off home first?” I try.

He looks at me impatiently. “Alice, one of my mates just found out we buried a friend today. Can you not wait five minutes to go running off to your friends?”

“Sorry, I’m just,” I let out a fake sob, “what if that had been one of my friends? I want to see them Jason please? And I think you should talk to Ian alone anyway. You’re his friend, and he’ll need you.”

He holds my hand. “I’m sorry too. I’ll drop you off.”

I wave as I run to the front door. I’d text Poppy and she flings the door open.

“Oh you’re safe. Phew.”

“Close though. Ian is at Jason’s. Jason tried to get me to go over there but I made some excuse and got him to drop me off first.” I pant.

“Wow, honesty. Refreshing change.” Poppy says but then smiles. “Wanna go over and kick some butt?”

“Yes, but I don’t want Jason caught up in all of this.”

Poppy says, “I think he already is.”

“Yes, but I don’t think me killing his last friend in
London
in front of him is a nice thing to do. It would be crazy. Nice try Ian, but you’ll have to try a little harder than that.” I say.

“That’s my girl. Tea and we’ll phone
Adrian
? I guess Ian will want your answer soon so the wait’s almost over.”

Chapter Fifty Seven

Jason called today. We’re going to meet in the park and try to have a more successful picnic than last time.

“I’m going to tell him though.” I tell Poppy.

“I know sweetheart, but it’s for the best. Better to break up with someone if you’re not in love. You’ve done the right thing. His
Being
is lighter. He’ll find a nice girl and you’ll remain friends.”

“I hope so. I do like him but if I don’t love him what’s the point?”

“There isn’t one. Now go and have a nice day and don’t forget lasagne tonight so don’t eat too much.” And with that she heads to the shop to get the ingredients.

I haven’t seen Jason since the funeral. It’s only been a few days and I was a little worried for him after he had met with Ian, but it appears Ian kept his promise. No one has died since. I’m surprised I haven’t heard from Ian to be honest and maybe a little disappointed also.

I head out to the park early. It’s a beautiful day, one of those days where you need to be outside. As it’s a school day, the park is not crowded and I guiltily play on the swings killing time. With ten minutes to spare I head over to the benches where we’re going to meet.

I can see a couple on the lake and can hear their laughter carried on the wind. I feel a little awkward about breaking up with Jason today. Should we have the picnic first or do I just get it over with. It’s almost five past two when I get the text.

‘Something came up, I’ll be 15 minutes late. Wait for me
J
?’

I smile at my phone. No problem. Have I got time to play on the swings for ten more minutes?

I swing around from the bench and there
He
is.

“What are you doing here?” I back away. Don’t come anywhere near me.

“Jason told me he was meeting you but I desperately needed him to replace my flat tire so I guess he’ll be a little late.” He shrugs. “This gives us just enough time to have a little chat. Please, sit back down.”

I look around hoping to find a ‘Gifted’, a pure
Being
anyone. But of course there’s no one close by. And what would I do if there were? Scream evil person? So I sit.

“Do you know there was once a ‘Gifted’ that fell in love with a dark ‘Taker’?” He begins.

“Heard it. All ended very badly. That won’t happen here. Because I’m not in love with you Ian. I’m in love with Jason.” OK, it’s a lie but maybe…

“That’s very disappointing. So I guess I have my answer. We’re not going to live happily ever after?” He chuckles. Damn. Still very sexy.

“You didn’t really believe we would, did you? Right from the beginning this was all just a game to you. Find the weakest of the group, target me, make me doubt my ability. Confuse me. Well, it’s quiet today.” I stand up. “Besides, no one gets involved these days over two people arguing in public. So get up and fight me right now. Let’s finish this once and for all.” I mean this with all my heart.