Mesmerized (10 page)

"We'll see." Jake squeezed her hand. He leaned his head back against the seat and closed his eyes. 

Chapter Twelve

“Wow,” Lily whispered. “This is beautiful.” 

Jake had opened the curtains in his living room exposing the amazing view of the ocean. The sand was white, almost like the snow they had just left, and the ocean was clear. 

“Haven’t you been to the ocean before?”

“Yes, many times, but this is gorgeous.”

“They call it the Emerald Coast.”

She turned and wandered around the condo. It had two bedrooms, a full kitchen, living room, and bathroom. It wasn’t cozy like the cabin. It was more of a summer vacation home. She loved it just as much as the cabin, but in a different way. Smiling to herself, she thought that she could definitely get used to living like this. Although, it would be nicer if they weren't on the run. 

That night, they lay with the windows open, so the roar of the ocean would lull them to sleep. Lily curled up in Jake’s arms and he caressed her body, which tingled with every touch. Jake was in only a pair of boxers, and Lily ran her fingers up and down his smooth chest. 

The power inside of her was rising. She wanted to be close to him. She needed to be with him again. It was a desire so strong she couldn’t hold back. She kissed his chest and then made her way up to his neck. She brushed her lips against his. 

He pressed his lips back against hers. Then he pulled off her nightgown and ran his hands down her arm. “You’re so beautiful,” he said.

“Make love to me again...please, Jake?”

How could he resist that? He grinned at her and took her in his arms. 

***

In the morning, Lily sipped a glass of orange juice while sitting on the balcony. Even though it was early December, it wasn’t too chilly to enjoy the morning outside. She had tossed and turned a lot of the night, worried about Jake’s troubles. She loved him, she knew that without a doubt, and she had to fix the problem so they could be together. She’d have to call her mother. 

Peeking in the bedroom again, she made sure Jake was still sleeping. He looked so peaceful, she really only wanted to crawl back in bed with him. No. She had to figure things out. Not wanting to wake him up, she decided to find a phone on her own. She grabbed his wallet out of his pants that were lying on the floor and took out some money. Then she left a note in the kitchen promising to be back soon.

Lily asked the woman at the front desk where she could get a prepaid phone. Since it was a tourist area, there were a lot of shops around. She walked down to a store and bought one of the disposable phones that Jake had showed her. 

She walked until she found a quiet area. Being that it was off-season, there weren’t too many people around. She found a nearby bench and sat down. She dialed her mother’s number.

“Hello?”

“Hi.”

“Oh, Lily,” her mother sighed. “Are you okay? Where are you?”

“I’m fine, Mom.” She purposely didn’t answer the second question. “Is there news?”

“We are up in New York right now. The boy is the same, but we have taken care of the police. It’s okay. You can come home now. Dad and I think it would be best if maybe we just homeschool you instead. We’ll be leaving here tomorrow.”

Lily rolled her eyes. “Thanks for taking care of it. Are you really sure everything is okay?”

“Yes. We can explain more later. Where are you?” she asked again.

“I’m fine.”

“Lily! Did something else happen? The school told us there’s a boy missing, a Jake O’Connor. Did you do something to him, too?”

“No, Mom. Jake is with me. I haven't hurt him.”

“Lily! That’s too dangerous.”

“It’s not, Mom. But, you have to listen. We need you.”

“What is it?”

“I can’t hurt Jake. He can’t die. And…we love each other.”

Her mother was silent for the first time in her life. “You’re only seventeen. You’re too young to love somebody. And what do you mean, you ‘can't hurt him’?”

“You always told me that age didn’t matter,” Lily answered annoyed that her mom thought she was too young for love.

“I meant that in a different context. Seventeen is too young.”

Lily sighed. “Mom, please listen. There are people after Jake because of what he is. We need your help so they stop chasing him.”

"I don't like the sound of this. What do you mean ‘what he is’?"

Lily told her mother the story about the curse and the family that had been chasing him.

"Oh Lily, leave it to you to find a boy that is cursed. I'm going to have to think this over, and decide the best route to go. I have to contact some people. Can you call me back tomorrow at the same time?"

"I can try. Thank you, Mom. I miss you."

"We miss you too, honey. The house is not the same without you. Oh, your friend Hannah has called several times. She is very concerned about you."

Lily felt horrible about not telling Hannah where she was going. "Can you call her and tell her I'm okay? Make something up."

"Okay. Don't forget to call me tomorrow. I love you."

"Love you, too." Lily hung up the phone. When she looked up, Jake was standing in front of her and staring at her. He didn't look pleased.

"Lily. What are you doing out here? You know it's not safe," he said in a hushed tone.

"I had to call my mom. She thinks she can help us. I didn't want you to talk me out of it." She crossed her arms over her chest. 

"You don't understand how evil these people are. Please don't leave again without letting me know. If anything happened to you, I'd lose it."

Lily looked down at the ground. "Okay. She wants me to call her back tomorrow."

"Fine, but you'll call from the room, with me there." Jake took a couple of steps towards her, and Lily stood up to fling her arms around him. 

"I almost forgot to tell you. My mom took care of the police, and says I can go back now."

Jake stiffened under her hug. "I can't go back to that school."

"I know, Jake, we’ll get this sorted out. Don't worry I'm not going anywhere you aren’t."

His body relaxed. "Good. I would be worried sick."

They walked back into the condo. Jake poured them both a bowl of cereal. “Sorry it’s not more,” he said. 

“This is perfect,” Lily responded as she scooped a big bite and smiled. 

 When she finished, she excused herself to take a shower. Thankfully, Jake had both shampoo and conditioner. Lily pilled her hair high up on her head.

“Your turn,” she said, walking out of the bathroom. 

He grinned and went in to take his shower. He stepped out, only his bottom half wrapped in a towel. “How about we take a walk on the beach after the sun goes down?”

“That sounds romantic.” She stared at his half-naked body. She couldn’t stay away. Before she knew it, her hands were all over his chest and his back, kissing him. He was still warm from the shower and smelled clean. She liked that. 

“Oh, Lily,” he whispered, leaning in to kiss her neck. 

She began to back him into the bedroom, but he stopped her.

“Lily, that’s enough. I don’t want our relationship to be purely physical. I understand it’s a huge part of who you are, but we need to be more than that. I need more than that.”

Lily frowned. “I’m sorry. I can’t seem to control myself around you. I want to have a normal relationship too. I want to go on dates and enjoy your company. I never thought I’d find someone that I couldn’t harm.”

“That’s just it, Lily. I don’t want you to be with me because I can satisfy your craving as a succubus. I want you to care about me for who I am, not what I am, a cursed seventeen-year-old.”

“I do care about you, Jake. I thought that was obvious. It’s not exactly easy to be normal when we’re on the run.”

Jake wrapped his arms around her. “Let’s order room service and watch a mindless TV show.” 

***

That night when the sun went down, Lily and Jake took a walk on the beach. Lily had taken off her shoes and was enjoying letting the cold waves touch her toes every now and then. She didn’t mind the temperature of the water one bit and loved the feel of the sand between her toes.

Jake held Lily’s hand tightly. He smiled at her youthfulness. She enjoyed simple things like this as well as the expensive things in life, and he could give her both, if he could just get rid of the people who wanted him. She didn't deserve a life on the run. He wondered if her mother really could help, but he didn’t dare get his hopes up. 

Jake and Lily walked into the dark condo. Before Jake could turn on the lights, something was thrown over his head. Lily screamed. He struggled to free himself and get to her, but something hit him on the head, and he lost consciousness. 

Lily could hear the voices of two men as they tied her hands together. She knew they had knocked Jake out, because she would have been able to hear him fighting back. These had to be the people who have been after Jake. If she could get the thing off her head and get these men to look at her, then maybe they’d have a chance. 

The man who had her by the elbow shoved her into a car. Then he yelled out, “Throw the boy in the trunk. We can't trust that one.”

The men got in the front seat and Lily felt the car start. She could move her hands a little bit and was able to pull out the cell phone still in her pocket. She shoved it in the seat cushion. She knew one thing for sure, if she didn’t call her parents tomorrow to check in, they’d come looking for her. She wasn’t sure that disposable phones could be traced, but if they could, her parents would. 

Lily tried to stay alert enough to figure out how far they were going and what her other senses could tell her. 

“Did ya see the girl?” one of the guys asked. “Pretty hot.”

“Yeah. Maybe we should play around with that.”

Lily’s stomach churned. The only man she wanted touching her was Jake.  Just the thought of those men touching her pissed her off. Something was nagging her—like there was an answer in front of her face and she was missing it. It had something to do with her powers and she couldn’t put a finger on it. Something her mother had told her. Lily leaned her head against the seat and tried to remember.

Chapter Thirteen

The car finally rolled to a stop. Lily heard the doors open and then slam shut. Her stomach was in knots when her door opened. A pair of rough, calloused hands dragged her out and tossed her on the ground. She was so disoriented with the blindfold on. 

"Careful with that one. The boss will want to see her unharmed. Hopefully, he'll pass her on to us." The man’s voice was gruff.

The other one laughed. "I have a feeling Boss will want to keep this one to himself." Lily could feel his hot breath on her neck. He traced his finger down her face and she wanted to throw up. Her mind was racing. Why hadn't they said anything about Jake? 

"Watch out when you get that one out of the trunk. The boss says he's dangerous."

"He looks like a kid to me. But, I never underestimate what the boss says. If he says he's dangerous, he probably is."

Lily heard the trunk pop open. She desperately wished she could see Jake to know he was okay. 

Suddenly Lily was pushed forward and she tripped over her own feet. "You're going to regret this," she spat.

"Shut up or we'll gag you too." 

Lily clamped her mouth shut. 

She was led into a building and down a set of stairs. The hair on her neck stood up. They were taking her to a basement? The further down they went, the colder she felt. 

"We brought you a special treat, Boss." 

Lily could sense another presence in the room. 

"Indeed you have. Take off the blindfold." A deep smooth voice replied. Lily's heart accelerated. 

When the blindfold came off she was met with a bright fluorescent light in her eyes. She blinked, trying to focus, but it wasn't working. She racked her brain trying to think of what to say to get out of this mess. There were at least three of them, and there could be others. Perhaps it was best to just play along for now and use her power when it was most needed. Lily wished she could touch her necklace for comfort.

She finally got a good look at the boss. He was an older man, graying at the temples. He looked rather distinguished—as if he was born with a silver spoon. He approached her, looking her up and down. “Very nice,” he said with a sickening smile on his face. “She was with the boy?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent. Not only a treat, but leverage as well.”

Lily shuddered. 

“What’s your name?” the boss asked.

Lily stayed quiet. She wasn’t giving this guy any information about herself. 

The boss ran his hand down her side and let it linger at her waist. "You will talk, believe me." He turned to his men. “Throw her in the closet.”

“Sure thing, Boss.” The two men yanked her by the arms, opened the door, and tossed her in. 

Lily fell to the ground. She was able to sit up and back against the wall. It was cold and damp. A tiny bit of light came in from under the door. She could still hear them talking. 

“Bring me the boy!” the boss demanded. 

She heard the men leave and began fidgeting with the rope around her wrists. A few minutes later, she heard footsteps on the stairs. She heard Jake groan, and her heart felt heavy. 

“We meet again, Jake.”

“Where is she?” Jake demanded.

The boss ignored him. “How many years has it been since I last saw you? Eight?”

“Where is she?” Jake repeated.

She heard a sigh and then the door opened. “She’s right there. She’s fine...for now.”

“Lily, you okay?”

So much for not giving out her name. “I’m fine, Jake.”

The door slammed closed. She heard Jake’s voice again. “If anything happens to her, I’ll kill you. That's a promise.”

The boss laughed. “I don’t think you’re in the position to be threatening me. How about this? You tell me what I want to know, and she’ll stay alive.”

“I’ve told you a million times, I don’t know what you want to know!” Jake raised his voice.