Fire and Ice

Chapter 9- Soul Mates

Chapter 9: Soul Mates

  I find Casey on the field with her brothers Max, Jayden and Rory. They are of course all werewolves and are like family to me.

  “Case!” I screech running over to her all bouncy like and happy.

  “What!?” They all say in unison. Not one of them have seen me this happy in years.

  “You guys know how Seth is my lab partner?” They all nod. “Well last night he came over and uhhh we kind of kissed.” I was being all nervous! No guy has done this to me before! Damn Seth!

  “Oh my god!” Casey screeches and the guys look at me shocked.

  “Oh and one other thing. I looked on the internet last night and all the signs point to one thing.” I am even more nervous now.

  “Ash what is it?” Casey is all of a sudden wary.

  “Umm. We’re soul mates.” I choke out and the shock on their faces has me running away to hide in my favourite place: the library.

  The library has always been one of my favourite places. I have always loved books that is why I love it so much. My father used to read to me when I was little, and that is probably why I love them so much. They remind me of him. Or is it because whenever I read I get taken off to another world? Well either way I love books.

  When I get there I hide in the corner away from anyone and everyone. The librarian doesn’t mind if I skip class. She and all of the other teachers here know that I am going through a tough time. They all think I have an older sister who takes care of me though. So they don’t really know what I am going through. Or the fact that I am a paranormal. Or the fact that I am in love with a demon.

  I read one of the many books in this library that I love. I lose myself completely in one and skip all of my classes for the rest of the day. I just manage to remember to eat lunch round lunch time. I get cranky if I don’t eat.

  Once the final bell rings I put the book away and head off to find Seth.

  He’s leaning against the car scanning the area looking a little worried. The minute he spots me relief floods his eyes.

  “I thought you had skipped. I haven’t seen you all day.” He says still a little worried.

  “I just had to escape from school and my life for a little while. Whenever I disappear like that I hide in the library reading.” Uh oh. I just told him where he can find me if I go missing.

  “Well at least nothing bad happened to you.” He gives me a shaky smile and runs a hand through his hair.

  All of his muscles beneath his shirt flex and I have to pull my gaze away with a lot of force. He silently opens my door for me and I get in.

  He closes the door before making his way to his side.

  Again we ride in complete silence.

  Once we are at my house I unlock the door and we sit silently in the living room staring at each other.

  “I can’t take it anymore!” He says running a hand through his hair again. “Ash, there is clearly something you want to tell me. You wanted me to come over for some reason and we both know it’s not because of the science project!” He looks frustrated.

  I sigh. “I have to tell you something but I’m not sure how.”

  “Just come out and say it Ash. I won’t mind.”

  “We’re soul mates.” I blurt out.

  Silence follows and I spear a glance at him. He looks shocked and is raking his hands down his face. I look at him sadly. He’s not rejecting me is he? I’ve heard about this. Once you are rejected you are officially lost in a void and cannot find your way out.

  “I knew there was a reason why I couldn’t stay away from you. I just knew it.” He says softly. He then looks at me. I know I look sad and hopeful. I’m sitting on the floor while he is on the couch. He stares at me with kindness and sympathy. He comes to sit cross legged in front of me. I look down. “Ash, look at me. I won’t hurt you.” I continue to stare at the floor. He then cups his hands under my chin and brings my face up so I am looking straight into his deep blue eyes. “Ash, I’m not going to reject you. I won’t just as long as you don’t reject me.” I look at him in disbelief. “I love you Ash. No matter how hard you find it to believe. I, Seth Blackthorn, a half demon, half fire element hybrid have fallen in love with Ashley Barker, a half angel, half water element hybrid.”

  I stare into his eyes for a few moments before uttering “I love you to Seth.” And I kiss him.

  We melt into the kiss again. Only this time it is more passionate. The first kiss after the realisation of finding your soul mate. It is amazing. It is electrifying. It is pure. Yes demons don’t really share pure kisses, but he is only half demon, so anything is possible.

  Knocking on my door sends us jumping apart.

  “Uhhh. I’ll be right back.” I reassure him with a smile and he smiles back with pure love in his eyes.

  I practically skip towards the door. I unbolt it and open it to reveal Casey standing there.

  “Case?” I ask disbelief in my voice.

  “Hey Ash. I’m sorry about earlier we didn’t mean to upset you.  It just surprised us that’s all. Forgive me?” She holds out her arms hoping for a hug.

  “Of course Case. Just as long as you don’t mind that the hot demon happens to be my soul mate and not yours.” I hug her back and we both laugh.

  She then stops laughing all of a sudden and looks at me with an odd expression on her face. I’m suddenly scared. “Ash, you smell weird.”

  Uh oh. She’s going to find out about Seth being in my house. “Umm...”

  “Oh my god! He’s here!?” She asks all mega girly girl again.

  “Ummm...” Damn I’m tongue tied! Seth happens to do that even if we are just talking about him!

  “Wait he accepted you?” She’s serious all of a sudden.

  I nod, embarrassed.

  She gasps. “Oh my god Ash! You have a soul mate! He accepted you and you him!  Do you know what that means!?” She squeals really loudly and I can hear Seth move just behind the door. Casey notices to because she grins at me.

  “No.”

  “It means that you are no longer alone! It also means that you can be claimed which means that you can no longer be afraid!”

  “I’m not afraid.” I object crossing my arms over my chest. Seth is intently listening to our conversation.

  “Admit it Ash. Why do you always bury yourself in a book? Why do you always bolt the doors and windows? Why do you always hide from everyone?”

  I open my mouth to object. But she was right. I have been hiding all of my life because I have been afraid of what others thought of me and what they would do to me. Seth could change all of that. The minute he claims me I will be fully protected, nobody will be able to hurt me and nobody will be able to scare me without me knowing I have someone there for me, always.

  The only problem was, I was afraid to be claimed by a demon I was deeply in love with.