Starcrossed: Perigee - A paranormal romance trilogy (12 page)

Aric threw the sandwiches on the back seat of the car, and jumped behind the wheel. "Get in - hurry!"

I turned to hug my friends, but Aric called again from the car: "Get in the damned car Lucy!"

I dived into the passenger seat. Aric was trying to start the engine. The battery clicked; the motor whirred and died. He tried again, throwing desperate looks at the car moving closer along the drive.

Jenny's head appeared at the window. "We'll give you a push - pop the clutch!"

They pushed the car and Aric shoved the clutch in with a crunch. The engine sputtered to life. Jenny and Steven cheered, and I waved to them as Aric drove down the drive at a sedate pace.

"What are you doing? You're heading right towards them!"

He shifted gears and the car bumped over the drive. "Put your head right down. We can't outrun them in this thing. I have to drive right past and hope they think I'm just a visitor."

I crouched down as low as I could in the foot well. Amy's jeans felt like they were cutting me in half. My heart pounded with fear as the big car rolled past. I wondered if they'd seen me.

"We've passed them," said Aric. "The driver checked us out. I don't think he saw anything." He checked his rear view mirror. "They're heading to the house."

He put his foot down on the gas pedal and the old car lurched forward with a creak of protest.

"Can I sit up now?" I asked. I felt like a pretzel.

"Yeah, but if we see any cars, get out of sight again. At least until we're right out of this area. We don't want anyone spotting you in this car and putting the details about."

Unfurling my legs with some effort, I shifted onto the seat, and breathed a great gulp of air. Aric rubbed the top of my hand.

"Are you all right?"

I pushed my hair back and put on a brave face. "As well as can be expected."

"Good." Aric let go of my hand and rubbed his eyes, then returned his hand to mine. I realized he'd been asking if I was okay all day, but I hadn't once enquired about him. He looked terribly tired.

"Are you okay?"

He was forcing his smile. "I'm fine. You should probably get some sleep."

"Are you shielding now?"

"Yes."

"Do you think you'll make it to Newtown without falling asleep?"

"I have to."

We reached the end of the drive and turned right on to the road. If we headed right instead of left, we could avoid Craigsville and get on to the highway further west. The car was making strange spluttering noises, backfiring occasionally and startling us, priming our senses. I hoped the car would last all the way to Newtown, but I doubted it would last the eight hour drive.

I looked at the road ahead. The car settled into a droning rumble. The fence posts were almost hypnotic as we passed them. One, two, three... I resolved to stay awake as long as Aric did, at the least to nudge him awake if he began to wane. I wished I was better at shielding so I could take over and let him sleep, but I was a beginner, and we both knew it was a pointless risk for me to try. Blinking my gritty eyes, I watched the road ahead. My mind was closing shop; the rhythm of the fence posts as we drove by was rocking me to sleep. Thirty eight, thirty nine, forty... I felt my eyelids growing heavier, and I could no longer stay awake.

* * * * *

Ch
apter Five

"Lucy... Lucy, wake up!"

I groaned and turned my head, my forehead meeting the cold hard glass of the car window. Aric was shaking my shoulder. I opened my eyes - they felt like lead weights.

It was dark, and the car was roaring along the highway. A few cars passed us in the opposite direction. In the distance, the lights of a truck stop pierced the darkness.

"What time is it? How long have I been asleep?"

"It's nearly eight. You've slept a few hours."

I sat up in my seat and stretched. "Well, the car's made it further than I thought it would," I noted. "Is that a truck stop up there? Can we make a pit stop?"

"We have a problem." Aric peered into the rear-view mirror.

I looked behind us. There was a bright pair of headlights traveling some distance behind us.

"That's the black car. They've found us. They probably read Jenny and Steven's minds. They've been following us for a while, and they're gaining on us." he said. Butterflies appeared in my stomach.

"What are we going to do? Will they let the Innaki know where we are?" I peered out anxiously at the night sky. There were no strange lights.

"No. They're not on their side."

"You said they were the bad guys."

"They are."

I was confused. "Whose side are they on then?"

"Another side. A side that wants to know what the Innaki see in you."

"Oh god." I groaned. I had enemies on all sides.

"I'm going to pull in at the truck stop - we've more chance of escaping them if we're among other people."

I wondered how we were going to escape from a truck stop in the middle of nowhere.

Aric pressed the gas pedal to the floor and the little car's motor screamed in protest. By the time we reached the truck stop, it had returned to its spluttering and backfiring, with an added shake. Aric pulled the car quickly around the back of the building, and we headed to the door of the diner, just as the big black car was turning into the drive.

The place was nearly empty. A middle aged couple were busily downing the last of their coffee; the man folded up a well-worn map.

Aric pulled me into a booth near the counter. The door opened, and the suited men stepped inside. They looked straight at us, and took a booth close to the front door.

Aric leaned close and took my hands in his. "When that couple leave, I want you to follow them and ask for a lift outside. Stay with them - they're going to Newtown. They have an RV in the car park. You need to get in it."

I stole a look at the couple. "How do you know?" And then I realized - he'd read their minds. It was a handy skill to have sometimes.

The waitress approached and Aric ordered coffee. I was facing away from the suited men, but I sensed their gaze on my back. I started to shake. Aric squeezed my hands again.

"Look at me Lucy." His eyes caught mine, and I couldn't look away. His voice took on a smooth, beguiling quality again. "You've been really brave. I'm proud of you. You're going to get through this. Don't be frightened."

I could feel my heartbeat slowing down, and my body ceased shaking. I didn't want him to stop speaking - his words were like a soothing massage - rolling over my soul, easing out any thought of trouble; all that mattered was being able to look into those two blue pools, and listen to his gentle voice.

The spell was broken by a sound resembling a machine gun. I jumped in my seat, ready to dive down under the table. A large group of bikers rode into the car park, their motorcycle engines roaring. Aric grinned at me. I could see his mind incorporating them into his plans.

The bikers strode into the cafe, and the atmosphere instantly transformed from quiet and strained to noisy and bustling. The middle aged couple, disturbed by the new arrivals, packed up their things, left a tip on the table, and headed for the door.

"Go," said Aric.

"But I... "

Aric pushed my hands away. "Go, quickly - you must go with them. Don't wait for me."

"What about you?"

"I have to deal with those two."

"But..."

"Lucy, go, trust me okay?"

I blinked back tears and made for the door. The couple were already outside and heading for their RV, parked in a corner of the car park. I tried to ignore the two men sitting near the door, and walked quickly outside, throwing one last look back at Aric. But he wasn't there. Turning around in a panic, my eyes searched the booths. I spotted him at the counter next to a couple of bikers. The two suited men were getting up out of the booth.

Go, get to the RV - hurry!
Aric's voice was in my mind.

I ran after the couple.

"Excuse me!" I called. They stopped and waited for me to catch up. I arrived breathing harder than I should.

"Hi!" I said as cheerily as I could. "You wouldn't be going to Newtown would you?"

An ambiguous look passed between them.

"Why, yes... yes we are," said the man.

"I was wondering if you could give me a lift. I'm on my way there, but my car died..." I shrugged my shoulders and smiled sweetly, hoping they'd have sympathy with my plight. A crash of broken glass came from the cafe. The suited men had yet to emerge into the car park.

The lady looked back at the cafe.

"Yes, of course dear. You don't want to stay in this awful place too long."

I smiled through gritted teeth, and followed them to the RV. A heavy ball of dread was weighing down my stomach. Another crash of glass shattered the night air.

The couple pointed to a seat in the RV, and I perched on the edge, pushing the curtain aside for a view of the cafe. I could make out all sorts of movement through its windows, but there was still no sign of the suited men, or Aric. I felt like I was going to be sick.

"Let's get out of here," said the man, and the RV's engine roared into life. As we pulled out of the car park and headed on down the highway, tears rolled down my face. The kindly woman left her husband to drive, and sat down beside me. She put her arm about my shoulders. Placing a box of Kleenex on to my lap, she threw her husband a worried look.

"There now," she said, patting my hand. "Things can't be all that bad, can they?"

I burst into sobs, my shoulders heaving... "Oh yes, they can.

* * * * *

For a while I felt nothing but utter despair. Aric was back in the cafe and I was on my own, in an RV with strangers, going to a town where I knew no one. A chilling thought crossed my mind - if Aric wasn't here, then I wouldn't be shielded, and the Innaki would be on their way. Drying my eyes, I threw the woman an apologetic look, and peered out the window. The sky was empty. I breathed deeply and turned back to the woman.

"I'm sorry. I'm sure you don't want to deal with some distraught random stranger." I gave her a watery smile and held out my hand. "I'm Lucy. Thanks for giving me a lift."

The woman looked a little more reassured. She took my hand. "My name's Mary Sharp, and that's my husband Warren." Warren put up a hand in silent greeting.

She looked at me closer. "Are you sure you're all right? Can I get you anything? We have some crackers in the cupboard... maybe a soda?"

I shook my head. I needed time to think. "If you don't mind, I'd like to sleep for a while. It's been a long day."

"Of course." She moved to sit in the passenger seat at the front of the RV.

I leaned my head against the curtain, peeking out to study the night sky. I wondered what was happening to Aric right now; a tear rolled down my cheek. Would I ever see him again?

I dashed the tear away angrily. What was wrong with me? I'd always been an independent person - I'd spent a lifetime making sure I never had to depend on anyone, and here I was crying like a baby when I should be looking after myself. I pushed thoughts of Aric's predicament to the back of my mind - there was nothing I could do for him. The fact was, I needed to protect myself. I needed to try to shield myself, even if I was an amateur. It was better than waiting here like a sitting duck for the Innaki to come get me. I wondered what I was going to do when I got to Newtown. Aric said he had friends there who would help me. How would I find them? In the crisis he'd forgotten to tell me an address to head to. I closed my eyes and decided to concentrate on one issue at a time. The most important thing right now was to not fall into the hands of the Innaki - I would deal with finding the others when I got to Newtown and hope that Aric was okay and eventually find me again. Inhaling deeply, I pushed all thoughts out of my head, other than the big black circle which represented my head. In my mind, I drew a strong white line around the circle, and concentrated on keeping it secure. That was all it took to shield - the hard part was believing it would work, and keeping it up. My brain hurt, but I ignored the pain. After five minutes of it I was exhausted, but I kept it going.

I was concentrating so hard on the circle I didn't notice Mary approach me.

"Are you all right dear? You're shaking like a leaf!"

The circle disappeared, and I looked at her in surprise.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine, thanks." I grew anxious because my shield was gone. I expected to see the blinding flashes of white light heralding the arrival of the Innaki around the RV at any time.

"I just need to sleep."

Mary patted my shoulder. "I'll get you a blanket then."

She stood up and hobbled to the back towards the bed.

There was a screech of brakes.

"What the hell!" Warren yelled. He was stomping on the brakes, the RV's tires squealing as the heavy vehicle came to an awkward stop.

I was thrown forward towards the back of the driver's seat. Mary went flying the full length of the RV, heading for the windshield, just managing to save herself by clutching at the fridge handle as she flew by. The fridge door opened and closed with a thump, and the rattle of bottles rang through the air.

I pulled myself upright, and helped Mary to her feet. Thankfully, she was uninjured. Warren was out of his seat, and heading for the door.

"What the hell are you doing standing in the middle of the road at night like that!"

Mary and I crept towards the front window and peered at the figure on the road, lit up by the RV's lights.

I screamed. "Aric!'

Pushing past Warren, I ran to Aric and threw myself at him. Laughing and crying at the same time, I wrapped him in a bear hug. He held me tightly.

I held his face in my hands and kissed him quickly. "Are you okay? What happened?"

He wiped the wetness from my cheeks. "I'll tell you later," he whispered, and looked over my head at the Sharps.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen. I thought you might not see me in the dark if I waved you down from the side of the road."

Aric kept his arm around me, and we moved closer to the couple.