I DON’T MIND MY babysitters or my suspension this time around. I learned my lesson. I’m certain now that the only reason I’m still alive is because Arsen is toying with me for some reason. I was wide open for him to kill me once again, but he didn’t. He made me feel strange emotions instead. He even went so far as to hug me. I shudder from the warmth I remember in that moment. Those weren’t real feelings. Those weren’t my emotions. I can’t beat Arsen on my own, and I still have a long way to go before Fiona is going to let me go on any missions—especially now. I’m still an E-class hunter and my strength rating hasn’t improved much, but when I’m allowed to practice being a medium again, maybe my class will change. If I can help the hunters by using my sixth sense, I’ll be a more valuable member of the EEA. I just have to bide my time until then. I have to be patient.
I gaze at my heart-shaped black diamond and vow to my parents that I’ll bring them justice as soon as possible, but I’m not going to jump in prematurely again. I’m going to do this right.
I enter the base’s library and get on one of the computers. I skim through anything new about demons, but there’s nothing. I decide to look through the latest mission reports. I don’t see anything very interesting. That’s when I bring up the last mission Rynne went on with Gold Team. It seems the vampire they hunted was feeling chatty. She mentioned demons and even angels. I wonder why none of this was put into the database, like how she claimed a demon is what changed her into what she was. It must be because the EEA hasn’t proved any of this yet.
“Here again?” Rynne comments as he sits down at the computer next to me.
“It’s either research, meditation, or homework,” I tell him.
He smiles.
“Tell me what this is about.” I point to my computer screen.
He glances at my screen, but he doesn’t seem particularly interested. “Tell you what?”
“I was looking through this report, and it was noted that the vampire you all took care of said something about demons being the culprits for monsters. That makes sense, don’t you think?”
“Sure.”
“Do you know anything about that?”
“No. No hunter does. That’s why what she said hasn’t been uploaded into the demon files in the database.”
Just as I thought. I move on. “She also said something about angels. Specifically, she accused the hunters of letting one into their ranks. I didn’t think we had any angels among us—unless angels look just like humans. What do you think that’s about? Do you know anything about angels?”
He answers too quickly. “No.”
“The vampire was probably just trying to get a rise out of you guys, then? Angels have more important things to do than to stop the evil running around free down here anyway, right?” I say bitterly.
“Or maybe they just help in different ways.”
“Are you talking about holy water? Or maybe the Latin prayers exorcists use? Those spells have to come from angels or God, right?”
Rynne shrugs. “You’d know better than me. You practically live in the library.”
I sift through the information on my screen for a few more minutes. Then I sneak a peek at Rynne. He’s focused on his own screen at the moment, so that means I can get away with staring for now. He’s mysterious. I definitely think he knows more than he’s telling anyone. Under different circumstances, I might be angry at him for it, but he’s saved my life twice now. He’s been there for me when I’ve needed him, and he doesn’t seem like a different person from the one I got to know back when the world was normal. I’ve learned he’s a hunter, but as far as who he is, he hasn’t changed. Maybe that’s why I don’t pry deeper. If angels are real, maybe I don’t want to know. Especially if he’s somehow related to them. What would that mean for me and my feelings for him?
A rush of longing floods into my body the longer I look at him. Back before all of this began, I wanted to tell him how I feel about him. That was my biggest worry, but then I saw him kissing some girl. I was crushed after that. I didn’t think things could get any worse, but I was wrong. Things did get worse. My parents were murdered by a demon, and I had to leave Reverie. I can’t talk to Didi and Connor anymore either. In just a few months, my life has changed drastically. But here he is. Rynne is the one person that’s moved through this with me. Of course, Fiona’s always been there, and I love her dearly, but this is different. Since I’ve met Rynne, I’ve gotten to be close to him. Even now I get to be close to him. My feelings for him only grow and grow, and I feel like they’re going to burst.
Maybe I can still tell him how I feel, but I wonder if that’s even a good idea considering everything. I want to hug him again, to know that he’s real and right there next to me. I want to feel his light. Whenever he’s held me, I’ve felt so important, like I’m precious to him. It amazes me that he can make me feel something like that when I’ve been feeling so lost and angry so much of the time. When I’m close to Rynne, all of that goes away, even if it’s just for a little bit. With Didi and Connor out of contact, I’ve only been craving his attention more. He’s still here. But how long will that last? How long will it be before he leaves me, too?
“Rynne,” I say.
“Yes?” he replies, taking his eyes off his screen to look at me.
“Who was that girl you were kissing back at Reverie High?”
He stiffens and returns his eyes to the flat screen in front of him. “You saw that?”
“S-sorry,” I say. “I wasn’t trying to spy on you or anything. I just sort of…”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Well, it matters to me, but I guess I shouldn’t say things like that, so I won’t. “Sorry for bringing it up,” I say instead.
“It isn’t what you think,” he murmurs. “That kiss.”
“What do you mean?” I lower my voice to match his.
He meets my eyes, but I can’t read his expression. “It’s just not what you think. That kiss was a mistake. It never should have happened. I’m sorry if I… if I hurt you.”
“Hurt me?” I laugh nervously. “Why would that hurt me?”
He places his hand on top of mine. “I mean it.”
I melt into his gaze. I want to hug him right now, but then he’d probably know just how relieved his words make me feel. He cares what I thought about that kiss! That has to mean… something!
I clear my throat before I can make a complete fool of myself. Even though I don’t want to, I pull my hand out from under his, too. “So why are you in the library today, Rynne?”
The days go by quickly. It turns out those thralls that were set loose in Philadelphia weren’t too much trouble to hunt down, and so the city appears to be safe again for now. I sleep well at night and my mind is clearer than ever because I don’t feel Arsen’s eyes on me lately—and I keep myself busy. When I’m not studying or training in the gym, I’m spending time with Rynne, or teaching myself origami or other random crafts. We usually spend our time training or studying together, but there are times when we just take a break. Like on Christmas Day.
The base is emptier than usual on Christmas, but there are plenty of hunters without families. It’s not like Rynne and I are a rare case. So, naturally, we have a Christmas party at the base for all of us who don’t have family to spend it with. We even have a huge Christmas tree set up in the lobby. Its blinking lights are a welcome sight in the early morning. I enjoyed it last night during Christmas Eve, too.
I’m one of the first people awake. I see a bunch of presents under the tree, addressed to various hunters. I mostly see the names in passing, though. I don’t bother to look through the pile to see if there are any presents for me. I couldn’t really get anyone presents this year, with being grounded at the base and not having a job. I did help decorate the base though, and since I’ve had free time, I even got to decorate the tree with origami animals. I guess that’s as good as my present can be this year. I made about a hundred of them. Hopefully, any hunter who wants one will be able to have one. I didn’t make enough for all the hunters stationed here, but I’m only one person. It’s a small thing, but the fact that the hunters enjoy the decorations is enough for me. I should have helped for Thanksgiving too, but I was too stuck on Arsen.
Every few minutes, I glance around, hoping to see Rynne emerge from the hall leading to his room. I thought about waking him up when I got up, but it was early, and I didn’t think he’d appreciate me barging in. I watch for him longer this time, hoping he’ll pop up any minute, but I still don’t see him.
I glance at my cell phone and see that it’s 7:00 a.m. It’s not that early now. I see Fiona and Divya are busy with the other hunters. They’re always busy doing something. I haven’t made any friends here aside from Divya, not really. Donovan’s nice enough, but I don’t know him that well. Rynne is a lot like me in that way, I think. He’s been with Gold Team, but he doesn’t seem to be friendly with the members of the team.
I decide I don’t want to wait for him any longer.
I leave the lobby, enter the hall leading to Rynne’s room, and walk up to his door, still wearing the comfy sweats and t-shirt I slept in. I considered changing, but Christmas mornings are best spent in your pajamas. That’s how I always spent Christmas mornings with my parents.
My hand lingers on the doorknob as I think about my parents and how much I miss them. I wish they were here with me right now.
I flinch when the doorknob turns before I even touch it. Rynne stands at the doorway, a surprised look on his face.
“Good morning,” he says.
That’s when I notice he isn’t wearing a shirt. My cheeks flush and I turn my gaze away from him before I can commit the sight to memory.
“Morning,” I mumble.
Then I turn around and walk away like an idiot. I keep walking until I’m back in the lobby. I take a seat and bury my face in my hands. Why am I like this?
A few minutes later Rynne joins me. He’s wearing a shirt now. “In a hurry to open presents?” he asks.
“Not exactly,” I reply. I still can’t bring myself to look at him. I feel so embarrassed.
“Well, I got you one.”
“Y-you did?”
He takes my hand and places a small, beautifully wrapped present in my palm. The wrapping paper is a glittering silver and the present is topped off with a thin golden bow. It’s very elegant.
“Rynne, you shouldn’t have,” I say quietly. “I didn’t get you anything.”
“Yes, you did. You made something for everyone here.” He holds out one of my origami polar bears. “You’ve gotten really good.”
I bring my eyes back to the gift Rynne got me and keep them glued there. I still can’t look at his face. “The polar bears are my favorite,” I tell him.
“Mine, too.”
I steal a quick glance at him. He’s beaming at me. I’ve never seen such a radiant smile on his face. His smiles are always perfect and handsome, but they always feel calculated. This smile is genuine and imperfect, a smile without reserve. I want to see that more often.
“Open your present,” he says. He’s doing a poor job of hiding his excitement, too. I’ve never seen him act like this, but I like it. He isn’t putting on any pretenses.
I start by slipping off the gold ribbon. Instead of tearing into the wrapping paper next, like I used to as a child, I treat it reverently by finding the edges where it’s been taped down and then I carefully undo them. It seems like a shame to shred up such beautiful paper.
Rynne sits by me patiently, but I swear I can feel his excitement threatening to overpower him. When I’ve removed all of the paper, I hold a delicate white box in my hands. I look at him so I can gauge his reaction.
“It’s not like you to tease,” he remarks.
“I’ve never seen you so anxious about anything,” I reply. “I thought I could draw it out.”
“Open it.”
I pop the lid to see a white diamond. It’s shaped like a heart, and it’s the same size and shape as the black diamond I wear around my neck. It’s a beautiful, powerful gem. I can feel tears trying to escape my eyes, but I don’t want to cry right now. Today’s supposed to be happy.
“This is a beautiful present,” I tell him. “And too much! How much did this cost you?”
“Don’t worry about that,” Rynne says as he subtly wraps his right arm around my waist.
I take off my necklace and slip the heart-shaped diamond pendant onto the silver chain. It fits perfectly with the black diamond, and already I can feel their power working in harmony. It’s like they were made for each other. I’ve never felt anything like it. The crystal he gave me must be an amplifier. I smile as I wipe at the tears trying to escape my eyes.
“Thank you so much,” I say.
“Do you feel its power?” he asks.
“Definitely. It’s beautiful. Wonderful.”
I turn to look into his blue eyes, abnormally bright and lively. Even his eyes are smiling today. He doesn’t move his hand from my waist, so I take advantage by leaning into him. We sit together even as other hunters begin to gather around the Christmas tree. This is what I want. This moment. I want this moment forever.
“The food is wonderful!” I exclaim as I dig into my mixed-berry pie desert.
“Thanks,” Divya grins. “Seeing people eat the food I helped prepare with such a ravenous appetite is the best kind of reward.”
“Everything is excellent,” Rynne agrees, though he hasn’t forgotten his manners like I have.
The other hunters close enough to hear our conversation, mostly Gold Team, also express their agreement.
“Tasia, Rynne,” Fiona regards us both, “I’ve decided it’s time for the two of you to get involved again. Starting tomorrow. You’ve both been working hard, and I think you’ve earned a second chance.”
“Really?” I ask as my heart leaps in my chest.
“Really.”
I stop eating my pie so I can give Fiona my full attention and respect. “Thank you so much. You won’t be disappointed.” I hope she can see how sincere I am.
“We’ll do our best,” Rynne agrees.
Fiona smiles. “That’s all I ask for.”
“Welcome back, Rynne!” Donovan says, slapping a big hand on Rynne’s back and almost causing him to spit out the bite of pie he just took.
Rynne coughs into a napkin. “Thanks,” he replies once he’s composed him.
Donovan laughs heartily, while Miguel only glances at us, and Sherri ignores the transaction altogether. I wonder if Rynne likes being on Gold Team. He never talks about it.
I take another bite of pie.
“You ready to get back to work, Tasia?” Divya asks.
I swallow the food in my mouth and say, “Yes, and I’ll do it right this time.”