POWERS OF NATURE Book 1 - Into the Storm

Chapter 27

Inside, Stephanie screamed. She put her hands over her head, and screamed. She could feel the satisfaction her talent got from killing Michael, and while she herself felt a small sense of relief that he was gone, she hadn't wanted it done in such a cold and callous way.

Michael's mouth fell open, his borrowed power leaving his body in a flash of light, as he dropped to the ground. She sat on her haunches, still holding the dagger, and Aiden watched as she seemed to pull all the energy and power into her. He'd never admit it, but at that moment he felt more afraid of the woman in front of him than he ever had of his father.

As if sensing him staring, she turned around and walked slowly over to him, indecision on her face. For a split second, Aiden wondered if he would die anyway. The storm was still raging on around them, the barn now nothing but a pile of wooden beams and roof tiles, but as She hunkered down in front of him, the air was calm as if they sat in the eye of the storm.

"So," She began, the dagger still in her palm, "you two,She motioned between him and Matt, "are the cause of all this control this host thinks she has?" She looked at him thoughtfully. While he looked like her beloved, She knew he was just a copy, just like this host was. "Maybe its time to cut that out, don't you think?"

Aidan frowned at her, his tired mind battling to understand why She thought he had any affect on Stephanie's want for control over the talent. He could understand the talent not wanting to be controlled, but Stephanie was with Matt, he was encouraging and inspiring her to have control. She loved his brother and didn't want to hurt him by losing control, so why was the talent implying he had the same effect on Stephanie?

And then it hit him - she loved him too. And his eyes widened before he briefly closed them as the knowledge that the girl he loved actually loved him back even though she shouldn't, and it spread through him like a warm fire. When he opened his eyes, he met her stare with one of his own. "Go ahead then, Gaia. Kill me. Then she won't need control, and she can be free."

Stephanie looked at Aiden though her alien eyes, and she knew he had figured out that she loved him too. She herself didn't know when she had realised that she did love him, but at some point, when she was fighting for both their lives, it had hit her. And here he was, this arrogant and cold man, willing to give up his life for her, again. Shaking her head, she pulled on her strength and fought for control. She wouldn't let him do that, because without him in her life, she couldn't really live. Stephanie knew she needed Aiden in her life, no matter how complicated things might be between the three of them, she needed him.

Aiden saw her black eyes open wide, the glow from the dagger illuminating her face as slowly the black swirled into Stephanie's hazel eyes. His wide eyed stare matched hers, as she began gasping for breathe.
"Help me." Stephanie whispered as, with a roar, her talent ripped the control back. When she opened her eyes, there was no mistaking the red flashes of fury in her black eyes. "You definitely need to go." She snapped, pulling her arm back. As She brought the dagger towards Aiden, She felt the resistance from inside and blinked in surprise.

Aiden, seeing her distraction, quickly grabbed her face in between his hands, and when She met his gaze he gave her a small smile. "I love you." He said, pressing his lips against hers. He held her tight as She resisted, before surprising him by collapsing against him, the kiss deepening and her arms winding around his neck.

When he pulled back, her eyes were closed and she was breathing heavy. "Steph?" He spoke softly, his heart racing in his chest, leaning his forehead against hers.

"Thank you." Stephanie replied, opening her eyes and meeting his grey gaze with her hazel one. Aiden visibly sagged in relief.

"Thank the stars." He sighed, bringing her into his arms, hugging her against him. "I meant it." He added, almost as an after thought. She nodded against his chest, pulled back and, turning to Matt's still unconscious form, stood up.