Page 1 of Black Wave

Prologue

Sitting in my designated alphabetized seating, I barely pay attention to the valedictorian's speech. I hear words carried away in the stifling breeze, along with my hopes and dreams. At this point, that’s precisely what they are. I vaguely hear about the promise of a brighter future because I now live in an all-encompassing eternal darkness.

That’s right. I was once a cheerleader, a daughter, and a sister. I look to my side, expecting to see anything but an empty seat. The chair should have been occupied by Evie, my twin sister. I touch the tattoo we had inked on our birthday. Something special for us both, a reminder that we would forever be tied together in this life.

What once was a bright future was taken from us in what the police are calling a horrific, unfortunate accident. Now left alone, I am as dark as the man who tries to imprison me. He thinks he is all I have left in this world. Only his to toy with, to manipulate, to fear.

He may have taken everything from me, but he will regret the day he tried to kill my spirit. I will see him dead, if it's the last thing I do. It will mimic the already dead look in my eyes. I have to play the part, play along with the ruse.

The commencement speeches come to a close. We toss our caps in the air in a final good-bye to our last year of high school. I walk away, not bothering to retrieve my cap from the ground.

A hand reaches for me and tugs me backward. Goose bumps on my arms rise in recognition ofhistouch—every nerve-ending screams in protest. I fight the urge to recoil or pull away. I instantly calm my features in a well-practiced act, until I turn around to meet his dark-colored eyes. Julian.

He looks down at me with a wicked grin. I can’t believe I never saw it before.

“Emma. How are you holding up?”

The false concern in his voice unsettles me. An average person wouldn’t detect this, but I know Julian.

I give him my best attempt at a smile. “Better than I thought on a day like this.” I shrug, trying to downplay my tempestuous feelings.

He pulls me into a hug.

I feel the bile rise in my throat as I fight the revulsion his mere presence brings about. I lift my hands mechanically and return his embrace.

He kisses my forehead as any dotting boyfriend would in the public eye.

I sigh. “At least I have you.” I get these words out in one forced breath, disguising each spoken word’s bite.

My words appear to please him.

He stares down at me and grabs my chin more roughly than I anticipated, lifting it so I am forced to look straight up at his tall stature.

“You will always have me, Emma.”

I swallow hard as I verbalize this known truth from my lips. “I know, Julian.”

He grabs my arm and drags me to a black SUV with equally dark tinted windows. A man exits the driver’s seat to open the back door for us. I get in without hesitation.

What can I do at this point? Not a damn thing.

He gets in after me, and we drive off. There is no one waiting for me. No one I’m leaving behind. I look out the window, seeing the greenery and scattering of bluebonnets along the roadside. I say a silent good-bye to my previous life.

I won’t be coming back. Not now. That girl died along with her family that night. Yet, a stronger woman rose from those battered waves, breathing in a new life. The gale force winds gathered all my broken pieces and rearranged them into a stronger and more punishing life-force.

I am waiting on a black wave, biding my time. Until a powerful wave rises in the aftermath of a storm, unexpectedly leaving casualties in its wake, ensuring I will once again be free.

CHAPTER 1

Emma

ONE MONTH BEFORE GRADUATION

Iglance at the clock for the third time this hour in anticipation of hanging out with Evie. I never get a chance to see her anymore. In thirty minutes, I am officially off the clock for the rest of the day. She made us a special appointment for our birthday. She thinks I don’t know what it is, but I have my suspicions. She’s always been terrible at keeping secrets, while I am the master of secrecy. I’ve been racking them up like crippling debt over the past few months.

I have her present in my bag, and I can’t wait to give it to her. Thinking about it makes me smile. I can’t wait to see her face when she opens the gift. Another trip around the sun with my sister always by my side. Nineteen, to be exact, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I am all grins when the door chimes alert me to the arrival of a customer. I turn around. “Hi, what can I…” I trail off mid-sentence as I stare into the blackest eyes. I try to keep the smile from leaving my face as I hide the disappointment at what his visit could only mean.

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