My eyes land on the bracelet, knowing what MJ’s going to ask.
Yesterday it felt like a heavy chain tightening its hold on me, marking me as his for the world to see. Today I want it on my wrist so I can feel his love for me and know I’m safe.
MJ steps in front of my dresser and picks up my bracelet. “Before I give this back to you,” he says, “there’s something about it you need to know.”
He holds the bracelet out for me to see. “The gems aren’t the kind you find in stores. They’re used by Protectors. They represent the twelve types, or Castes, of demons. When they’re near, the corresponding stone turns black.”
I stare at the heavenly objects bound together by white-gold links. There’s so much about him and his world that I don’t know. I can’t deny the depth of my feelings for him, but how can I be in love with him already?
I don’t want to run. I want to learn everything I can about him—both his Protector life and his mortal one. And I want this . . . this beautiful, otherworldly gift he created to not only show me how he feels but also to keep me safe.
Suddenly I’m reminded of Elizabeth and the necklace Damien gave her. It was far too beautiful and expensive to be worn every day—especially just around the cabin—yet Damien compelled her. Was her necklace special in the same way my bracelet is?
“Please,” MJ whispers, moving closer to me.
His knuckles caress my cheek, and the movement echoes throughout my body. I lean closer to him, craving his touch, warmth, and security.
“They keep coming after you, trying to take you away . . . I can’t lose you. I won’t survive it.”
The scene I saw on the TV in Hell—him holding my vacant body—comes barreling back. I need to fight them off. I need to stop letting the demons use me. It tortures him. I want a future with MJ. If the bracelet helps me—helps us—fight them . . .
I nod and hold my arm out for him. Cool metal wraps around my wrist, and MJ secures the clasp. As he pulls his hands away, the bracelet feels different this time. It’s no longer a heavy, foreign object that causes everything in my body to go on alert. Now . . . I don’t know. It just feels right. As if it’s always been there.
“It’s beautiful, MJ. Thank you.”
He exhales, his shoulders lower, and muscles in his face loosen as he smiles. My wearing this means so much to him.
“This won’t repel demons, but at least now we can have a heads-up of when they’re coming.” He wraps his arms around me. “It’s time we head back to school. Remember, time will move faster as we catch up to the rest of the world. I’m glad time will go faster, because we have a special night ahead of us. That’s all I’m going to say for now—it’s a surprise.” He grins.
I wrap my arms around him too and smile as I anticipate this surprise. No matter what happens from this point on, I must hold on to MJ.
. . .
We need to return to our seats in math class before MJ will lift the Immotus. Walking the halls is like walking in one of my dreams. Every room is silent. Everyone’s frozen in the same position they were in when the Immotus was cast. A few students were in the process of grabbing things from their lockers. In the classrooms, teachers are motionless in front of stationary students. I’m used to this in my dreams from Elizabeth, but it’s creepy knowing this is real life.
I move through the rows of statue-students in math, most of who are staring straight ahead.
“You’re taking this better than I expected,” MJ says.
“This is how my dreams used to begin—with everyone frozen. Before they went crazy, that is.”
“Hmm . . .” he says, but doesn’t question me further.
I wave a hand in front of Kelli’s face, watching for a reaction, but there isn’t one. “This doesn’t affect them?”
“As I said before, people who are sensitive to the world around them may feel as if the day has dragged on, while others will feel nothing.”
I still hate how easy it is for them to mess with our lives and not care. Somehow, if I survive all this, I need to put an end to them treating us like pawns. It’s much more than this Immotus. I think about Duane and the others, putting those girls in harm’s way to protect me. I think about how Sissy—and even MJ—nearly killed me. They sacrifice us when it suits them. Demons and angels are equally at fault here.
I notice Tom as I take my seat. He’s staring under my desk at my legs. That’s disgusting. I shift this way and that, trying to find the best way to sit in this damn dress. But it doesn’t matter—he’ll still see way too much of me.
MJ growls in his seat beside me, glaring at Tom too. “The sooner this day is over, the better. I’m running out of patience with him.”
MJ’s beautiful hazel eyes are narrow slits, and his perfectly kissable lips are pressed together in a thin line. Even angry, he still manages to captivate me.
“He’s an idiot,” I reply. “Don’t waste your energy on him.” I tug at the hem. “I just can’t wait to get out of this dress she picked out.”
MJ shakes his head, removing the angry expression. “I know it’s not really your style—and I know it’s definitely not what you want to wear to school.” He leans across the aisle and places his hand on my bare knee. “But as your boyfriend, I must say you do look amazing in it.”
My breath catches, and my heart skips a beat. He holds his essence back. I’m acutely aware of him, his skin on mine. The callouses on his hands from years of fighting, the warmth of his touch spreading out on my skin—heating me both inside and out.
Everything but MJ falls away. His gaze darkens, and his lips part. I reach out, placing my hand on his smooth cheek. His eyes close, and he relaxes into my touch.
“Hvordan kom jeg så heldig?” MJ asks.
“What does that mean?” I ask in breathless wonder.
His eyes reopen, and he stares into mine. “How did I get so lucky? You are many things to me, Madison. You are my life force—my reason for being. No matter what happens in the future, whether we stay here or have to leave, you will always be my home.”
Then he shifts back into his chair, moving beyond my reach, and pulls his hand from my knee. “Ready?”
Oh, I’m ready. But not for school. I want to be anywhere else right now. I want to feel and taste him. I want to do more than we’ve done before. I want the world to feel the fire building inside me. I want to let it all burn.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but failing miserably.
“Are you ready?” he asks again.
I nod, not trusting my voice.
Instantly, life resumes. Everyone carries on as if nothing happened.