Fighting Destiny (Central Coven) (16 page)

I scanned the room again.  Now I was anxious because I hadn’t seen Finn in a really long time.  “He’s been gone for a while now hasn’t he?” Grey asked.  “Yes,” I replied quickly.  “And this is unusual?”  “Yes,” I answered again.  “I suppose we had better find him,” Grey stated reluctantly.  “He would be the perfect target for Alexander.  Mostly unaware of what powers he possesses, and unable to control the ones he is aware of,” I pointed out.  “You are absolutely right.  I hadn’t thought about that,” Grey agreed, “we should hurry then.” 

We made our way through the party toward the back door.  He was nowhere to be found inside the house. Grey pointed toward the back of the dining area where people kept coming and going to get beer.  That was the most likely place to find him if he wasn’t inside.  I nodded my head and followed him through the people.

The keg was outside on the concrete patio and several people congregated around it.  So many people were inside the house that the sliding glass door was covered in steam.  It was the middle of October already, and the nights were chilly.  The people outside were dressed in leather jackets, sweatshirts, or long sleeved shirts.

I was afraid of what we might find once we got outside. We first noticed the people who were outside to smoke a cigarette. The gray haze hung in the air, with its swirling shapes choking out the fresh air of the fall night.  Then I saw Finn lounging casually against the wall talking to…Cynthia.

My hands balled into fists. There had to be an explanation, but he seemed to be relaxed and having fun.  He did not seem cornered or in any way as if he were trying to extract himself from this conversation.  Worst of all, he was not looking for me. 

I could feel the smugness rolling off of Grey as we stood there.  I could hear his thoughts, but I was too irritated to think about that too hard. He felt as if I had made the wrong choice.  He was thinking that he would never have left me alone to face those cretins while he talked to another woman; in fact,
he
didn’t.

My irritation bubbled to anger the longer I stood there and watched them converse.  I walked straight toward him, “There you are Finn.  I just wanted to make sure you were alright.  Anita and I ran into Grey inside and he said you could have been in trouble.  But I can see you are fine, so be careful.  Hello Cynthia.  Well, I will leave you alone.  I’m going back to the dorm. Good night.”  I stormed off, and Grey followed after me.  I did not go back into the house, however, but around the outside and out to the street.  Finn did not follow after me.

Grey caught up to me when I reached the street.  “You look very angry.”   My hands still in fists were threatening to expel a powerful burst of magical energy, but I was concentrating hard on preventing it.  “Chloë, breath.” I exhaled a strong gust of air.  “Good, now, lets get you back to your room.” And for the moment I was fine with letting him take care of everything.

My mind swirled in confusion.  I trusted Finn, I chose him.  I gave up Grey for him.  None of these things were easy for me.  Grey asked nothing of me.  Yet it seemed like every time I turned around Finn was either backing away from me, or pushing me away.  Why does he only want me when he can’t have me?

Trust was hard for me.  I’ve never had anyone to depend on.  My mother sent me away, or sent for me based on her needs, not mine.  None of my family had called me since I started school.  I never really had close friends.  I couldn’t,  because I went to many different schools. As a result, I’ve gotten used to being alone, closed off, and untrusting. 

“We are here,” Grey’s smooth voice whispered.  I must have worked myself into a trance during the five minutes it takes to drive from the party back to the dorm.  I looked around, and noticed he had carried me all the way up to my room.  “Now that is great service,” I joked.

“I’m sorry about your evening,” Grey said.  “Are you really?”  “Yes. I do not like to see you get hurt.  Even if it advances my cause.  Plus, if it were me, I would appreciate a chance to explain myself.”  “Why didn’t he follow me if there was an explanation?” I asked.  “That is not a question I can answer.  But I am going to leave now so you can get one.  Rest assured though, if it is not to your satisfaction, I will be back.”

“Why do you like me?” “Why wouldn’t I?  It isn’t just that you are beautiful, Chloë.  Even though you are the most stunning woman I have ever met.  You are also smart, funny, confident, and caring.  Plus you have that je ne sais quoi, that pulls me to you.
  I haven’t felt like this in hundreds of years.  I can wait for you to decide what you want.  Get your explanation sweetheart, you won’t be able to move past tonight without one.”

Grey launched himself out of the window.  I stood there staring, thinking, waiting, but for what I wasn’t sure.  Then I heard voices from down below.  One belonged to Grey, the other was a voice I had never heard before, and they were arguing.  Without thinking I levitated out of the window to assist Grey, as if he would need my help, and entered into a nightmare.

“Chloë, you should have stayed put,” Grey growled.  “I see that now,” I said tersely.  “Aah, the beautiful Chloë.  I have heard so much about you.  What plans Simone and I have for you!  Too bad you won’t appreciate them, really.” 

“And you must be Alexander.  I suppose it would be poor manners for me to set you on fire right now?  I’m supposed to pretend to be afraid, and ask who Simone is, right?  But, no because surely you know that I can ask my mother, don’t you?  Tsk, tsk, tsk, Alex.  Can I call you Alex?  You really shouldn’t have come here.  I know too much just by looking at you.  Now shoo.” 

I opened my palm and blasted Alexander with a jolt of electricity. It was stronger than was necessary, but I was still very angry and presented with the perfect object to release my frustration.  I pursed my lips and blew a gust of wind that sent him flying through the air.  Once he managed to get on his feet he took off as fast as he could in the opposite direction.

“What was that?” Grey asked.  “Was that wrong?” I inquired puzzled.  “No, quite the opposite.  He is rather formidable, and you really worked him over,” he answered with pride.  “Well I was still angry, and he provided me with a very satisfying outlet. I would like to have killed him, but there are too many potential witnesses here.” “How do you feel now?” “Not great but better.”  “Good, because I am actually leaving this time.  Have a better rest of your evening.” “I will, and thank you for tonight.”  Grey nodded and disappeared from sight.

It seemed too risky to levitate back into my window, so I went in through the back door.  I managed to avoid talking to any of the people who were milling about in the common room.  Then I noticed Finn walk in the front door with Cynthia.  My eyes narrowed.  So far I wasn’t liking the resolution.  Well if he wanted her he could have her, and all of the lies he would have to tell that went with it. 

I turned sharply and began to head upstairs.  “Chloë,” Cynthia called out, “did you have fun at the party?”  She wore a smug smile that suggested she thought she had something over me.  “Not really,” I replied blandly.  “That is too bad,”  Cynthia said with false interest.  I turned to leave again.  “So who was that guy you were with?  Did you say his name was Grey?  What an odd name.”

Finn’s jaw tightened.  “Yeah, his name is Grey.  He is a friend of Anita’s and mine.  He is helping us on a research project we are working on, and he had some information for us he thought would be important,” I said in code hoping my point would be understood.  Finn raised his eyebrows. 

“At a party?  Seriously you should learn to leave school work behind sometimes, Chloë,” Cynthia criticized.  “I guess, but the
dead
line is fast approaching, and I wanted to be prepared,” I said, again in code.  “Whatever, you are weird,” Cynthia said.  This time she didn’t stop me as I turned and walked away.

I opened the door to my room, using magic since I left my keys inside when I exited the window, and found Anita and Dean waiting for me.  “Well there you are!” exclaimed a worried Anita.  “Sorry, Finn pissed me off so I booked,” I answered apologetically.  “I kinda figured something like that. I saw him with Cynthia too.” “Me too,” Dean admitted embarrassed.  Anita hit him on the arm.

“Hey, I didn’t do it.  I was mad about it too.  I didn’t want to say anything in case you didn’t see him.  I was hoping there was a good excuse.  I still am hoping,” he explained. 

“Well, you can stop.  I just saw him down stairs with her.  They just came back,
together
.  She is all gloaty, and he didn’t even say one word to me.  Not even when I told her Grey and I were just friends and he is someone who is helping Anita and I on a research project that has a really close
dead
line.  But, they were out there before Grey and I went to look for him, so his attitude has nothing to do with seeing me talking to Grey.”

“He is so damn irritating, I mean yesterday everything was perfect.  And now?  I didn’t see it coming,” I confessed.  “He’s an idiot,” Anita answered simply.  “If he can’t see you are the absolute best thing for him, well he can take a flying leap,” she continued.  “Thanks. It still hurts, but thanks.”

“Why did Grey come back tonight?  I didn’t get a chance to thank him for saving us from those drunken idiots whose throats I almost ripped out,” Anita said.  “I want to thank him too,” Dean said.  “Oh, he came to warn us Alexander might be prowling the parties.  As it turned out he encountered him outside of our dorm right as he was leaving tonight.  I jumped out the window and  kicked his ass.” “You what?” Anita asked astounded.  “That was Grey’s reaction too.” I relayed the entire encounter to them, leaving nothing out.

“So what do you think is going to happen between you and Finn now?” Anita asked.  “I don’t know.  My knee jerk reaction is to run out and hurt him right back.  My pride is telling me to turn to someone who cares about me, so I can feel better about myself.  My heart is torn between waiting for an explanation and finding comfort where I can get it,” I responded.  “So what did that comfort tell you?” Anita asked.  “Huh, I’m confused,” Dean responded.

“Grey, keep up,” Anita said to Dean.  “It isn’t like that. I have feelings for him too.  I don’t know.  Maybe this is for the best after all.  I shouldn’t have started something with Finn when I do have feelings for someone else as well.  This whole thing is a mess.  But to answer your question, Grey said if it were him he would want the benefit of the doubt and the ability to explain himself.”  “Wow. I may have misjudged him.  That is…I mean, its just so…wow.  Why
did
you pick Finn?” 

I giggled, “Right now, I’m not sure.  Not that it matters it seems.”  “You know what I said about Cynthia being right and we should do a better job of blending in and going to parties, the whole college experience, etc.?  Well, to hell with that and to hell with her!” Anita proclaimed.  “Now where was this sensible, sane Anita earlier this evening?” As usual she picked up a pillow off her bed and threw it at me with vampiric speed.

Chapter Twenty

The next morning I woke up to insistent knocking on the door.  I glanced over at the other bed and noticed Anita was already gone.  It was only nine in the morning, and my first class was cancelled because the professor had a conference to attend that day.  I would have to catch up with Anita in theater.  I got up and answered the door.

Finn rushed in.  “We need to talk,” he said.  “I’m listening,” I said curtly.  “Dean had been going on all day yesterday about how well everything was going with the four of us.  He was saying we should all get a house together next year.  He kept saying you and I seemed pretty serious.  And, your eyes were still bright green.  You told me how strong you felt for me.  It isn’t that I didn’t feel the same way, but I freaked out.  I’m really sorry. I don’t know what I want.”

“I’ll make it easy for you. I can’t do this. I’m just as bad at this as you are, but I decided to try.  If I had freaked out I would have at least told you first, so I’m telling you now.  This is too much for me.  Just answer me one question.  Why Cynthia?”

“I don’t know.  We were just talking.  I’m not sure if I wanted to make you mad or jealous.  I’m very sorry.  I don’t want things to be over.  I’m just not ready for every thing to be so set in stone for us to be forever when that could be infinite.”

“Well, like I said, you don’t have to worry about it anymore, because I am out.  I don’t care what Dean said.  I’m sorry if I caused you to panic, but I’m not sure I’m the infinity type.  I really don’t have that kind of role model myself.  Hell my own parents only lasted as long as they felt like it.  My mother has never even been married.  I’m sorry if I gave you that impression.”

“Does this mean you got back together with Grey last night?” Finn asked hesitantly.  “No, actually.  I’m not sure what I am going to do.  I don’t think it would be fair to him if I rushed back to him on the rebound. 
If
, we start dating, it will be for the right reasons, completely removed from anything to do with you,” I replied.  “Isn’t there anything I can do?” he asked.  “No, not this time.  Finn, this is the second time you have done this to me. What I don’t understand is why didn’t I pick up on how you were feeling?” 

“Honestly everything was fine until yesterday.  I wasn’t confused.  I wasn’t panicked.  I knew what I wanted.  Even as we walked to the party I still felt possessive of you, and then we got there, and all of a sudden I felt the need to run, to get away.  It was a primal fear kind of feeling.  I saw Cynthia, and instead of seeing the usual nuisance sh
e is, I saw a giant exit sign. Then this morning I woke up feeling like an idiot who had made the biggest mistake of his life.  I can’t explain my behavior.  It must have made some sense to me last night, but I can’t figure out what that was today.”