Love & Magic

Chapter Four - Second Chances

After our short trip to the Summer Court I was exhausted, both mentally and physically. So when I heard a knock at the door I groaned. But I found it strange, since I wasn't expecting company, and I rolled my eyes at the thought of yet another attempt on Sullivan's part to woo Max. Curious, I strolled over to the door and squinted through the peep hole. I cringed, and my heart pounded in my chest, anxiety overwhelming me until I thought I might hyperventilate. I turned and pressed my back against the door, closing my eyes and trying to wish Jack away from the opposite side.

I'd returned from the Summer Court three days ago, finding that the hours spent there had accumulated into almost two days in Iron World. Jack had called twice during that time and six more times since, and I had ignored every call, letting them go to voicemail. He was awake and on the mend. I expected anger, and I wasn't ready for the wrath of a vampire, especially knowing that I deserved every last bit of it for the things I'd done.

My palms were sweaty as I realized he already knew I was there. He could smell me through the door, so I couldn't ignore him. All I could do was try to get myself under control and take the step I'd been avoiding to face him.

With several deep breaths, I gathered my courage, wiped my damp palms on my jeans, and turned to open the door. I didn't say anything as I stared into Jack's face, which was still thin with hollowed cheeks and sunken eyes; even though he looked a hell of a lot better than he had the last time I'd seen him.

He didn't smile and didn't reach out to me, his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Hey," he said by way of greeting. "Can I come in?"

I couldn't think of a reason to say no, so I stepped aside to let him pass. So much for having time to work out what to say.

I couldn't look him in the eyes. No, that would undo me. He hesitantly stepped by me, standing halfway between the entryway and the kitchen. I closed the door and took a seat at the island.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

Jack glided over to me, gracefully but not as smoothly as he once did. There was something off in his movements. He didn't have the same swift and flawless mobility as he did before. He grabbed the edge of the bar stool I sat on and turned me around abruptly.

"Are you honestly going to sit there and talk to me like you barely know me?" he asked angrily. "Like nothing ever happened?"

I was forced to look into his face now. He looked tired, although his cheek bones weren't sticking out as much, and his hair was clean and perfectly styled. But there was still something missing. It was like the weeks he spent in that cell had damaged him so much he couldn't bounce back, at least, not as quickly as a vampire should.

"You would have no way of knowing this, but I haven't really been able to put myself back together since...since the war," I replied. "I find it hard to talk about what happened, to act normal around everyone. It just doesn't work anymore. I don't work anymore." I dropped my head, resting my gaze on my lap.

Jack sighed heavily and let go of my chair. He paced around to the other side and pulled up another to sit on and face me. We sat in silence for a while, me fidgeting with a strand of my hair, him restless while he searched for words.

"I'm sorry," Jack finally spoke.

I snapped my head up and gave him a look of confusion. "Why are you sorry?" I asked. "I'm the one who's sorry. I let you die."

"No, you didn't, I'm alive, Avery."

"No, you're not," I replied. This conversation was almost harder than the one I'd pictured. "You died on that battlefield, in my arms. I had to let you go, and a part of me died with you. I'm empty inside, have been ever since. And even having you back...sitting here in front of me...I'm still dead. I can't seem to breathe or think."