Hunting Shadows (Shadows 3)

“I’m fine,” I said reassuringly, smiling at her. “Just tired. It’s been a stressful few weeks.”

Sarah laughed. “You can say that again.”

I was saved from having to answer any more questions when the crowd starting cheering so loudly that I feared for the safety of my eardrums. Simon, Grant and Marcus filed onto the stage and Grant settled behind the drums as the other two picked up their guitars.

“I know we’ve been M.I.A. for a while,” Simon said into the microphone, grinning widely at the crowd. I sometimes forgot how charming and charismatic he could be on stage. I felt a tug of pride as I watched him.

“We’re lucky that we have such loyal fans and we’ve missed you as much as you’ve missed us.” Simon winked at the crowd as they cheered. “Let’s not go so long without seeing each other again.”

The Henchmen started playing one of their fast songs and the fans went wild. I was content just to sit back and watch and I felt a warmth run through me when Simon caught my eye and winked. In that moment, my feelings for Ryan seemed ridiculous and I was barely aware that he was sitting at the same table as me. My heart belonged to Simon and that would never change.

They played a long set and it was late by the time they were done. They were mobbed when they came out from backstage and after a while they were able to make their way to our table.

“Amazing, as always,” Sarah said as they sat down.

“You were awesome!” Jenny chimed in.

“And what did you think?” Simon asked as he sat down next to me and rested his arm around my chair. I wrinkled my nose.

“Passable, I suppose.” I ruined the effect of my disdain by laughing. “You know you were great. You don’t need me to tell you that.”

“But it means the most when you say it.”

My heart ached a little at his words and as I leaned forward to kiss him softly, I resolved to never give him any reason to doubt my loyalty to him. When I pulled back, his blue eyes were sparkling and he looked happier than he had in a long time.

We hung out for a while at the East End and although I had the most fun that I had in a while, I was also keenly aware that we were all paired off except Ryan. It didn’t seem to bother him, but I couldn’t forget the words I had thrown so coldly at him earlier. He had revealed enough of himself to me that I knew he didn’t relish a lonely life, but he seemed resigned to the fact that it was his destiny as a seer. He avoided looking at me and I wondered if he had finally accepted the fact that there would be nothing romantic between us. I hoped so because it would make it a lot easier to push aside my feelings for him.

Chapter Fourteen

The visions came back with a vengeance. The next couple of weeks were filled with countless visions of death while I slept, but instead of weakening me as they had done in the past, they strengthened me. Ryan and I settled into a somewhat comfortable relationship. We both seemed to want to ignore what had happened between us and connected simply as seers. He was invaluable in helping me recall details in my visions that I would have missed on my own. Simon was still distrustful of Ryan but he seemed to accept that we needed him to help me get stronger to defeat my father. Once I realized that Ryan seemed to accept that nothing would ever happen between us, I was able to relax around him.

With each vision came the tracking and surveillance of the potential victims. I took a different approach with each of them since the circumstances were so varied, but the inevitable stand-off was the same for all of them. I felt a growing sense of pride and confidence as I was able to destroy each vardoger and I began to learn the exact amount of energy I needed to channel to destroy them. My control over my powers became more honed and instead of fearing the encounters, I started to look forward to them.

Ryan was always beside me, guiding me in these moments but Simon was always there too. I felt a sense of safety with them around and I began to truly believe that I could fulfill my calling as a seer.

I couldn’t help wondering what my father was waiting for, why he wasn’t coming for me, but I decided to not question the gift of time I had been given and resolved to get as strong as I could.

I told Grant and Sarah minimal details about everything I was doing, not wanting to get them too involved, but it was still a burden to keep it a secret from Jenny and Marcus. I was relieved when winter break rolled around and everyone went home. Simon and I had decided to stay in Rochester despite his family being disappointed that we wouldn’t be coming to Connecticut for Christmas. Simon gave the excuse of taking a music seminar that Maxwell was offering over the break and fortunately his parents bought the excuse.

Ryan stayed with us as well, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he had anyone to call to make excuses to. It made me sad to think that he didn’t and I was reminded how alike we were in so many ways. I had no family to make excuses to either.

Christmas was interesting, to say the least. I decided to put on the works and make a full dinner on Christmas Eve even though it was just the three of us. It made me feel a little more normal and both Simon and Ryan seemed to appreciate the gesture. An uneasy truce had settled between them and they were able to put aside their differences to sit down to a civil dinner.

I woke up from a vision-less sleep on Christmas Day, my spirits lifting when I saw the sunlight streaming through the window. I turned around in bed and saw that Simon’s eyes were already open.

“How long have you been awake?” I asked softly.

“Just for a few minutes. I wanted to enjoy what little time we have alone.”

“I know Ryan being here isn’t your idea of an ideal Christmas. Thanks for putting up with it.”

Simon leaned over and kissed me gently. “You’re worth that and more.” He deepened the kiss and I pressed against him, reveling in the feel of his body against mine. He pulled back slightly and gazed at me. “Merry Christmas,” he whispered.

“Merry Christmas,” I whispered back and pulled him closer so his lips were against mine again. The slow heat began to burn hotter and I opened my mouth, making a sound of satisfaction when I felt his tongue caressing mine. I pressed against him harder but he broke the kiss.

“We need to stop now, or I’m not going to be able to stop at all,” he said, his breathing heavy.

“I don’t want you to stop.” I was tired of waiting. I didn’t want to wait for the perfect moment anymore because I had a feeling it would never come. It didn’t really matter. All that mattered was that Simon and I were together.