Bound by Duty

Chapter Fifteen

That night, after the attack, I sent Aidan a text letting him know where his car was and that I'd put the keys under the mat. I wish I would have forced him to come to me for them, but it was three in the morning and I had struggled to even drive myself home as the after-effects of the fight sapped my energy. I was trembling, my legs barely holding me up as I walked into the apartment. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out cold. Aidan never responded, but the next day when I woke up, the car was gone.

It was all I could do to get out of bed later that morning. Every part of me hurt, I was exhausted and starving. I forced myself up and into semi-respectable clothes and made my way to the gym. My heart was racing triple time and I scanned every inch of the streets as I drove. I pushed my old Buick faster than it should have gone on the highway, not enjoying being alone after last night. I was certain that a big white van or black SUV was going to come careening around a corner, forcing me off the road to kidnap me at any moment.

I finally pulled up to the gym, shoved the car in park, and sprinted inside. Only when the door was closed behind me did I finally feel some of the panic recede.

As I approached, I heard Cole on the phone. "No, it's fine. I'm handling it. Her power is growing, but she's starting to control it." He paused and I assumed the other person was talking. "You don't have to do that. She's listening to me. She tells me everything and I'll make sure you know when I know."

I stood outside his door, just far enough that he couldn't see me through the glass. I leaned back against the wall, my eyes closed, hurt coursing through me. Not Cole.

He had always been my lifeline. Growing up, he was my protector. He was the one who dressed my skinned knees, ran the other kids off when they made fun of me, and helped make me feel like it would maybe, someday be okay. He was the only one who advocated for me coming to Brighton and I thought I could trust him. I couldn't do this today. Not after what I'd been through last night. Not after Aidan had run from me. I couldn't have my knees cut off today.

As I stood there, I felt that same dark energy emanating from my power. It spread through my deflated spirit and permeated my mind. I knew the moment Cole realized I was standing outside his door. He quickly hung up the phone and walked out to find me leaned against that wall. But, my posture was not defeated as it had been moments before, it was furious. Defiant. The energy that filled me tensed my muscles and fed my anger.

My arms were crossed, my stance defensive. He could see the pain in my eyes just as easily as the fierce look on my face. He tried to explain, "Ame, you don't understand. It's not what you—"

I didn't even let him finish, I flung my palms toward him and watched him get tossed down the hall. It shouldn't have felt as good as it did to hurt my brother. Something inside me recognized that, but it was squashed by my need for retaliation. He landed more gracefully than I had hoped and stood up. He held his hands up in surrender, speaking quietly, though I could tell he was having a hard time maintaining control himself. His own power was spring-boarding inside him, waiting for the all-clear to take off at me. A part of me wanted him to let it out — to make this a fair fight.

"Amelia, this is not what you think," he said. "I'm on your side. I've always been on your side. That was Rynna. We're just trying to work together to help you. We've always done this, I've always kept in touch with her to make sure you were okay. Now, it's just my turn. On Mom's life, Amelia, I swear."

I stood there in the hall, clenching my fists, trying to quiet the warring sides of my brain. I wanted to believe him. He never brought up our mom unless things were serious, but it seemed like no one was who they seemed to be lately and I wanted to force the truth from him. To wring it from him like a dirty washcloth at the sink.