Page 169 of Fangs
Still, the heavy, crushing loneliness felt farther away.
“Darlin’, open your eyes.”
Trey’s warm brown eyes greeted me. I stared at him, my lips parting in surprise.
“Look around us,” he murmured.
I turned my head, staring at the dark, shadowy shapes of the trees surrounding us. We stood in the woods at night, arms around each other, swaying as though we were dancing. But what caught my attention were the tiny golden lights drifting around us.
“Fireflies,” he whispered.
I gasped, watching them flit around us like glimmering magic. Eventually, I realized I didn’t know where we were. My brow furrowed in confusion. How did we get here?
“It’s alright, darlin’,” he said, his voice soft. “I just wanted to see you.”
Something flitted on the edge of my mind, and I tried to pull away. His arms tightened around me, pain flashing through his eyes.
“Please, Em. Stay with me?”
I stopped pulling away. Our feet continued to move, turning us slowly in a circle, but the pain didn’t leave his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothin’.” He smiled, but it looked forced. “Just missin’ you.”
I frowned and opened my mouth to ask why he was missing me if I was right here, but the memory of his bloodied face suddenly hit me like a fist. I came to an abrupt stop, horrified.
“You died. You’re dead.” My voice shook.
“Em—”
“How are you here?” Anger swiftly filled me, burning with savage, painful fury. “Why can’t I ever feel you when Ineedyou?”
His eyes closed, long lashes sweeping across his cheeks, and his throat bobbed. “I’m sorry.”
I jerked away, and this time, he let me go. His hands fell to his sides, and the pain in his face speared through me, but I wasn’t done.
“I can’t keep doin’ this. I can’t get you back for little moments just to lose you again.” Tears rolled down my face. “I tried telling you, but you still don’t get it. I can’t…I can’t keep puttin’ myself back together. This is killin’ me?—”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” His voice came out harsh and desperate. “If only you knew how sorry I am.”
“Why can’t I feel you?” I meant to sound angry, but my voice broke.
“It’s complicated,” he whispered, still frozen where I left him. “I shouldn’t be here, but I can’t help myself.”
His handsome face blurred as tears filled my eyes. “Can you come back? If I can see you here, does that mean you can come back? Can my powers…can I bring you back?”
The pain that filled his face was a tangible thing, and I knew the answer before he shook his head. Grief rushed over me, filling my lungs and bringing me to my knees. He crouched beside me, resting a gentle, almost hesitant hand on my back.
“Then take me with you,” I begged through the sobs. “Don’t leave me here. Please, Trey, I can’t—I can’t?—”
He gathered me into his arms, pressing a kiss into my hair. “I’m so sorry, love.”
I went still, my heart leaping into my throat. For a few seconds, I remained frozen, my mind spinning, and then I abruptly pulled away, staring wide-eyed, my chest heaving with breaths that didn’t bring me any air.
Only one person had ever called me that.
Only one.
