At Last
––––––––
It's strange. Ever since we moved to the city, I've thought of our old house as huge. Almost a mansion. Now that I'm standing in front of it, it's obvious it's the definition of normal: a split level, two-car garage, with a generous backyard. The neighbors are spread further apart here, unlike at our loft in the city, where they're practically on top of you.
Now, here I am, standing in the driveway, staring up at a house that's no longer mine.
"Remember, Jemma. If Balen's out of the picture, the trees are just trees. With him? They become almost human in their thinking and can channel his magick. Try and stay in the open, don't let him lead you out of the clearing."
"Fine, and what are you—" But when I glance back, I find Owen's already hidden. Somehow this makes me feel lonely. Even lonelier than the day Molly disappeared.
The lights are out in the house. The full moon hanging low over the property bathes it in a halo of creepiness. Should I ring the doorbell? Warn the people living here now? No, they're probably better off not knowing, not being involved in the drama that dominated the life of the girl who once lived in their home.
Grass crunches under my sneakers as I make my way around the side of the house. Locating the concrete steps, I limp up the ten steps to the top of the hill and walk to the entrance to the woods that border our property. I press my clammy palms onto the outside of my jeans.
Part of me is jumpy, excited. I'm going to see Balen. The one who's watched me for so many years. The one who's waited for me. Yeah, he's a messed up tree guardian or whatever the hell he is, but still I've dreamed of this moment.
Now those same feelings are jumbled up in a mixture of terror and confusion. Why is he doing this? Why did he take Shaz? What does he want with me? Does he just want my blood? Want my life?
"Jemma. At last."
Chills slam through me as I turn to find Balen beside me. Where'd he come from? He's exactly as I remember him, only older. Now my age. He's even dressed the same way I am, in jeans and a sweater, though it's tough to make out the color in the dark. Green? The moonlight glimmers off of his golden hair. His skin is pale, flawless. He's beautiful.
No. I'm not going to let him get inside my head again. I'm done letting boys think they can control me. "Where's Shaz?" I try and make my voice sound firm, like the ice running through Owen's veins.
"Oh, that childish friend of yours? I don't have her. It was rather ingenious of me to make you think I did, wasn't it? And here we are at last."
Crap. Why didn't Shaz pick-up when I called? Still, I shake with relief. She's okay. Shaz is okay. She's not Molly.
"This is what I've wanted all along, anyway. To have you—by my side." He says the last three words as though they're an oversight.
Where is Owen? I search the trees, but can't make out any distinguishable shapes. Stalling seems like the way to go. "And what do you want with me?" I hold my head high. No way am I letting him see my fear.
"When you were a child, you worried about me. You left me food and provisions, tried to find me, to help. You showed compassion. I've never forgotten such kindness." Something flickers in his eyes. "Thank you."
Huh. "Well, you're welcome."
"Ever since, I've wanted to be in your company. I spent a decade frozen, unable to move my body. My mind, on the other hand, could think freely. It imagined the young woman you would become." He steps closer. It doesn't feel the same as with Owen. It's like he's trying to cage me. "Now, I see what a beauty you are." He strokes my cheek, his fingers coarse sandpaper against my skin.
Where the hell is Owen? I sneak a glance behind me.
"Are you looking for the other one? I know he's here. He's not for you. He's cold, Jem. I can make your body burn." Balen's voice smolders, compelling me to meet his gaze. "Imagine the passion we will create, the life we will have."
I may have just puked in my own mouth.
I don't want him to know the thoughts barreling through my mind. What if Owen doesn't come? Will I survive this? I may never see my friends or family again. "You said you were imprisoned. Frozen."
He lets his hand drop, then thankfully takes a small step back. A small one, but it's better than nothing. "Yes. You'll be pleased to know I destroyed many of my enemies before they were able to imprison me. Their powers are not what they once were."
Anger shoots through me. That's Owen's family Balen's talking about. "You're responsible for their deaths?"
His expression changes and in an instant he seems contrite. "Something I regret every day, dearest Jem. Family matters do have a way of escalating. It's also not as if I didn't warn them." For all of his magick and his old ways, Balen seems more like a politician. A big fat phony.
But then my brain latches on to something he said. "Family matters. What are you talking about?"
"He's talking about how he destroyed his own flesh and blood for power. How he's destroyed his own family, generations of their children for this, whatever it is." Owen's voice cuts into the clearing.
Thank God. It's about time he showed up.
"Come on, Jem. Don't tell me you can't see the family resemblance?" Owen asks.
I remember how I'd mistaken Owen for Balen that first day in the coffee shop, then dismissed it. "Your eyes." My voice sounds weak.
So the boy I've been trusting this entire time...the boy I kissed like a maniac...the boy who's my only chance at a rescue, is related to the creature who killed my best friend.
If that's not messed up, I don't know what is.
"I thought you had the same eyes as—as him." Now that I know Balen's name, I don't want to use it.
"That's where the similarity ends. Not all of the Augustines are power-hungry monsters. Actually, I can only think of one." Owen jabs a finger in Balen's direction.
Balen seems completely comfortable with this accusation. "Come with me Jemma. Be mine." He reaches for me and the sensation of ants running across my skin overwhelms me.
Get out. Get out of the woods, Jemma, before it's too late. Molly's warning from long-ago sounds in my head like a fourth person in our group.
"No." I step back. "You killed my friend. You're taking blood. From kids. Killing them."
Balen laughs. "And you think this is what I want? What I would have chosen for myself? It's the price I've been forced to pay for power."
"But they're children. Wouldn't you rather do anything other than hurt them?" I ask. Tears sting my eyes. I blink them away. I will not cry.
"Why? Do you presume these children are more important than me?" He scowls. "Besides, do their parents really want them? The children are abused. They come to me."
"Only because you compel them too." I whisper the words, though he still seems to hear me just fine. "They want love and attention. But your promises aren’t real."
He takes another step in my direction. I can almost feel Owen tense beside me. "Foolish little girls should stay away from strangers in the woods. Of course, damaged little girls are extremely easy to convince. Just throw an offer of friendship their way and..." Balen grins.
My face heats. So all this time I've been thinking about Balen, dreaming about him, and this is how he sees me. This is how he's seen all of us.