Eminence (Wattpad Edition)

Note 17 - A Messy Summer Night

Theo had been wandering the streets of downtown to pass the time. It was almost two in the morning when he finally checked his watch, but there was nowhere he needed to be. Earlier that day, he had visited Emanon. She'd texted asking if he could bring her clothes for the weekend, said she wanted to spend his money for once, not Jack's or Warren's. That small request had made him smile. If it made her happy, he didn't care. He never expected to see her again after all these years. Not like this.

Seeing her so thin, so pale, still recovering from the blood loss, it made his blood boil. It had taken everything in him not to act on that rage. He knew it was wrong to use a blood trap. He did. But at the time, all he could think was: whatever it takes. If it meant saving her, then he would do anything.

He still didn't know Jack and Warren had no real connection to Jonathon. He had assumed the worst, that she was being used or hurt. He had promised her mother he would take care of her. So how did it come to this? How had she slipped so far from him?

They used to be so close. Sometimes, she reminded him of the girl she used to be. Her stubbornness. Her smile. The way she teased. But she wasn't Eminence anymore, not the same woman he once said goodbye to. Maybe Eminence really was gone. And maybe all he had left were memories. A bond. Emanon.

He wasn't sure he could ever let go of what they had, but he decided, at least for now, to make peace with it. He would cooperate. Play along. If keeping up the illusion meant staying close to her, then he would do it. It was the only thing he could still control.

"Come on, my place is just over there. You can sleep there; my bed is soft and warm."

Theo glanced over, catching a tense exchange between two men.

"I said I wasn't tired. Let go of me!" the younger one shouted.

"There you are. I've been looking all over for you..." Theo interjected, stepping in and pulling the younger man away. The older man clicked his tongue and walked off with a grumble.

"That could've gone bad. Are you okay?" Theo asked, letting the man go.

"I'm fine. Didn't need your help..." he muttered and turned around.

Theo stared in disbelief. "Jack?"

Jack's expression darkened. "Oh. It's you." He turned and began walking away.

"Wait! Jack, you're tipsy. Don't go alone. I'll walk with you."

"Don't wanna. Go away."

"Jack, please! I won't let anything happen to you."

"Oh yeah?" Jack whipped around. "Will you hurt me then? Like you hurt Warren?"

Theo stopped. Of course. Of course he hated him. Emanon hadn't said anything outright, but the way she tensed when his name came up, it made sense. And Theo had seen it himself. Anger had blinded him.

"...I'm sorry," Theo said.

Jack scoffed. "Why are you apologizing to me?"

"Because I hurt someone you care about. And I scared you, too. I was wrong. I'm sorry. Please... just don't wander off alone like this. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

Jack froze in place, back still turned. Then he sighed, heavily.

"Fine. But you're buying me drinks."

Theo managed a small smile. "Deal. I've got money to burn."

For the next half hour, they bar-hopped while places were still open. By the end, Jack could barely walk, even clinging to Theo's side. Both were drunk, but Theo's apartment was nearby. He helped Jack inside and flicked on the lights.