Illuminate: Upper YA Paranormal Romance Page 5

  All the breath left his lungs as the man gripped him tighter. His voice seemed to penetrate him, coming from all around him, much the same as Merrin’s had.

  What are you? And why are you in Freckles’ house?

  A surge of anger flooded through him at the familiarity of the man. He roared and shoved all his weight into the man’s broad chest.

  A flash of white light blinded him, and then he was flying backwards. He landed with a thud against Merrin’s bookcase, sending the books spilling over his outstretched legs.

  Merrin’s voice was fuming as she rounded on the attacker. “You idiot! You broke my door and attacked my charge!”

  The man shrugged and jabbed a finger at him. “You were under his control. I came to rescue you.”

  Merrin scowled at him. “He’s one of us. I tracked him and illuminated him. He’s still recovering.”

  The muscled man stepped a little closer. And Tarquin pulled himself to standing, his limbs still warmer than usual.

  “He is not Luminary. He’s playing you. You’re too naïve to see it.”

  Merrin bristled, her warning lost amongst the rain as it fell heavier outside. Cold was edging in from the splintered door as she stepped in between them, her back to Tarquin. “He is my charge, and I decided to hold off bringing him to Evanswood.”

  The man scoffed and stepped to the side so he could glare at him. “You. Start talking.”

  Tarquin pulled his shoulders back. “Why should I? You just burst in here unannounced and wrecked the place. Not to mention flung me across the room.”

  The man glared harder. “Eh, the flinging part wasn’t me, half-light.”

  Tarquin’s breath caught in his chest at the name, and a memory stirred. In the recess of his mind, a flash of something flew before his eyes, and he grasped at it hungrily, desperate to find meaning.

  Half-light, half-light. Half a nothing.

  A moan escaped as he found Merrin had locked eyes with him. She was at his side in an instant. “What did you remember?”

  He swallowed against the pain thrumming in his skull. “It hurts.”

  She winced and nodded. “It will do. I’m sorry. Come sit down. Skylar, fix the door and make some spiced wine.”

  Skylar continued his hard glare, light sparking in his eyes as he scanned the room. Even in the mess created by his entrance, and even in the dark it was apparent it looked different.

  His eyes widened as he took everything in. “You got her to clean?”

  Tarquin managed a feeble nod before his knees buckled and he collapsed onto Merrin’s bed.

  Skylar gaped at him for a long moment before slowly shaking his head. “Can’t be all bad then. But still. I’ve got my eye on you.”

  Tarquin didn’t answer the blustering idiot who’d destroyed all his hard work, too intent on deciphering the meaning behind the taunting voices in his mind.

  Merrin’s voice was soothing as she settled in beside him and placed a blanket around his shoulders. “It’ll get easier. The first memories are always the hardest to come by.”

  Tarquin pulled the blanket closer, his body chilled through as though he’d bathed in ice water.

  A tremble shook his body, and Merrin shifted, so her arm was around his shoulders. “You’ll feel better soon. You’re starting to remember. It won’t take long now they’ve started to come back.”

  Tarquin allowed her to comfort him, clinging to the promise in her words. His teeth began to chatter as Skylar eyed him warily. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Freckles.”

  Merrin shooed him away. “Mend the door.”

  He fixed a pointed look on Tarquin then nodded. Without another word, he began to repair the damage he’d done.

  Merrin’s voice was soft and low as she spoke in his ear. “Did he hurt you?”

  Tarquin shook his head and reached for Merrin’s hand, relishing the warmth in her fingers. Heat began to travel up his arm; the shivers began to lessen as his body seemed to respond to the fire inside her.

  Her smile was shy as she met his gaze. “When you remember who you are, you won’t ever feel cold again.”

  A creeping disappointment he didn’t understand crept through him at the knowledge.

  If he could find his memories, he wouldn’t need her quite so much. If at all.

  ***

  Merrin eyed Tarquin as he slept, body blissfully free of the shivers that had her worried. Skylar perched on a chair, hands around a tankard of mulled wine, watching an exhausted Tarquin as though he was about to wake and attack them all.

  She huffed a breath and kept her voice low. “What did you mean by half-light?”

  Skylar yawned and stretched out his back, his voice a few shades above a whisper. “He’s not all light. Wherever he’s come from, he’s been in the dark a long time.”

  Merrin frowned at him. “How would that even happen?”

  He shrugged. “Onom’s ways are not our ways, Freckles.”

  Her frown twisted into a scowl at the dismissal she’d heard a dozen times before. Her mouth opened to ask him how he wasn’t more curious when a grin appeared. “He really got you to clean this place up? Will wonders never cease.”

  Merrin shook her head. “Be serious. I thought Luminary could only be light? Not both?”

  Skylar worked his jaw, his fingers tightening around his drink. “I don’t have the answer. I just know that he’s dangerous. He’s influencing you even if you think he isn’t.”

  She narrowed her gaze at the preposterous idea. “I am perfectly in control of myself.”

  Skylar chuckled and took a long pull of his drink. “Uh huh. That’s why you lied to me, let him take your bed and cleaned for him.”

  Merrin reached for her own tankard and waved her hand in dismissal. “I let all of them take my bed so they can sleep easier.”

  He grinned. “I know. I’m teasing you.”

  Merrin swallowed before casting a furtive look at Tarquin. “He’s strong, isn’t he? He’s had no training, and he held his own with you. I wouldn’t have been able to before I remembered.”

  Skylar’s forehead creased. “No, you wouldn’t have. Which is why it’s so disturbing. To be that strong, that amount of light…he’d be a force to be reckoned with.”

  His expression grew even more dire as he held her gaze. “You need to be careful. More careful than you’ve ever been.”

  Cold trickled along her spine. “You’re leaving me then?”

  Skylar sighed deeply and leant forward. “I don’t want to. There’s trouble brewing in Scarlett’s territory. Since Canden was taken, she’s struggling to keep her boundaries. That’s why I stopped by this afternoon, I wanted to float an idea before seeing the council.”

  Merrin’s breath escaped too rapidly. “You’re seeing the council?

  Skylar smiled easily. “Relax. By the time I get there, more of his memories will have come back. I’ll have to tell them you’re keeping him here until he’s strong enough. That’ll buy you a little time before he has to go to Evanswood. Just promise me you won’t go anywhere with him though?”

  Equal parts relief and concern filled her at the statement. That she’d be alone with her charge again was confusing at best, reckless at worst. “I don’t want to take him anywhere.”

  His eyes drifted to Tarquin again. “Where’d you track him to anyway?”

  Merrin stalled as long as she could before answering. “The temple ruins.”

  He gaped at her before he blew out a long sigh. “That’s pushing it, even for you. The Chief told us not to go anywhere near that place.”

  She shrugged lightly, her lips pursed as she struggled to hide her annoyance. “What could I do? You didn’t feel what I felt. He was so conflicted. He didn’t want to kill anymore. He was tired of hunting us.”

  Skylar nodded slowly. “Ah, wee Merrin. Always running into burning buildings when you should be running away. Whatever will we do with you?”

  Merrin covered her blush at the tender way
he said her name. “Let me do what I was called to do. I can handle myself. You know that to be true.”

  He chuckled again. “I wouldn’t be leaving you alone with him if I didn’t know you could handle the darkness inside him, Freckles. That’s not what the problem is here.”

  She cocked her head at him. “Then what is?”

  He grinned and winked at her before draining his wine. “The problem is that you like him a little more than your usual charges. And he’s much closer to your age. If he starts to figure out what he can access, you could end up in all kinds of trouble.”

  Merrin bristled as he eyed her as though she were incapable of making rational decisions. “I can take care of myself.”

  Skylar’s lips twitched as though ready for a smile. “Just promise me you won’t leave here? I’ll come back for you, and we’ll see the council together.”

  Merrin frowned at him, her stomach twisting in knots at the expression on his face. Of all the Luminary, he’d always been the kindest. The gentlest. Even in training, he’d never lost patience with her, even when she’d struggled. He had always been there, by her side, ready with an encouraging word and a smile that pushed her through the doubt.

  She swallowed thickly and dipped her chin to hide the crimson that always seemed to appear when he looked so boldly at her.

  As though he really saw her. Saw her failings and still liked her enough to spend time with her. “What was the idea you had?”

  His smile returned. “Ah. I wanted to talk to the council about pairing us up. No sense you staying here on your own, eh?”

  Her heart jumped at the look in his eye. A look she’d seen him give too many young women. Luminary or not. “The council will never agree to that. We’re stretched thin already.”

  He shrugged. “You don’t know that. The Luminary needs to understand the old ways are contributing to us dying out. We’re losing generations because of antiquated rules about living solitary lives dedicated to service. Why can’t two serve in the same area? Two Luminaries paired up. We can watch each other’s backs and make sure the other stays safe.”

  Her throat thickened, cheeks growing a shade hotter. “But we all took the oath?’

  He chuckled, low and throaty. “You never did like study that much, did you, Freckles?”

  She huffed a breath and rolled her eyes. “Please don’t start. The scripts were so dull. And I ran out of time.”

  His head shake made her ire rise even higher. “You can’t serve until you understand all the rules and regulations. They aren’t there just to bore you. They are there as protection for us. When I get back, we’ll start looking over them again; until then do not take him away from here. Even if he convinces you his life depends on it. Got it?”

  Her mouth slackened, but before she could protest as vehemently as she needed to, he was at the newly hung door. “Onom guide you, Freckles. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Merrin smiled at the official greeting of Luminary and extended her hand as she rose to see him off. “Onom light your way.”

  The door closed with a clunk, leaving the small hut a little less bright than when Skylar had been inside.

  With a despondent sigh, Merrin lay back down on her bedroll and tried to find the sleep her body so desperately needed.

  Though most of the night was gone, she was certain Tarquin would wake to find more memories returned.

  And without the agony wakeful remembrances brought to lost Luminaries.

  ***

  Tarquin’s eyes were gritty as he pulled himself from the throes of sleep. He groaned as he sat, pushing the blankets aside, his eyes dropping to where Merrin slept on the floor. Her red hair spilled over the blanket she was using as a pillow.

  His lips tugged into a smile at the peaceful expression on her face. The sunlight breaking through a crack in the curtains caused her to flip over in her sleep so he couldn’t see her.

  He sighed as he took in the damage from last night. Skylar was gone. Thankfully. But he’d left evidence of his short spell here.

  His cup left on the table along with Merrin’s. His eyes narrowed as he carefully stepped around Merrin and made for the kitchen to clean up the mess.

  He crept across the floor, toes bare on the floor, now covered in splintered wood that would need to be swept.

  Tarquin froze. Why did he care so much? It wasn’t even his home, and he was becoming increasingly fastidious about making sure it was as good as it could be.

  Why on earth did he care so much? There were far more important things to be worrying about than whether Merrin returned her cup to the kitchen.

  His brow furrowed as a tickle teased at the back of his mind. Distraction. Was that what this was? He was so focussed on something so inconsequential as cleaning that he was forgetting why he was here in the first place?

  Was that why he’d stayed compliant? All those years? Years. How many years?

  He frowned at the floor, his head aching dully as he tried to retrieve a memory. When nothing came but pain, he gave up and made for the door.

  The rain had ceased while he slept, but there was a tell-tale water stain growing on the exposed beams overhead that needed to be attended to.

  He paused to look at Merrin once more, and when she didn’t stir, he quietly unlocked the door and slipped outside.

  Heavy dew covered the ground, his bare feet feeling the cold. He peered upwards assessing what he could see of the roof. What he needed was a ladder. With his mind on his task, Tarquin skirted the hut and began searching for tools to inspect the slate roof.

  His toes were numb by the time he found a small shed to the side of the hut. The sounds of the stream gurgled in the background as he opened the door. The hinges squeaked, and dust blew out to meet him.

  He coughed and peered inside, searching for anything he could use.

  “What are you doing out here?”

  He whirled around and smashed his head against the door frame hard enough for stars to dart before his eyes.

  A curse escaped before he faced a glowering Merrin, still sleep-dazed, bottom lip protruding in a half pout as she shook her head. “You should have woken me.”

  She yawned and gestured to his feet. “Why are you out here with no shoes on?”

  Tarquin stared down at his blue toenails and rubbed at his head. Why hadn’t he put his shoes on?

  I don’t like wearing them. I can’t climb as easily with them on.

  His eyes popped open as he lifted a foot and examined the sole. He slammed his foot on the ground, excitement bubbling as he caught a memory.

  He grabbed Merrin, and a whoop of triumph escaped. “I don’t like them! Tartarean made me wear them, but whenever I got the chance, I’d go barefoot.”

  Merrin chuckled with him. “I’m so happy you remembered something. But please don’t go off on your own again.”

  He grinned at her, warmth spreading through him. The cold seeping into his toes barely bothered him. “I was looking for a ladder. I want to get up and have a look around.”

  She looked past him into the cluttered shed. “Sorry. Don’t think you’ll find one there.”

  He chewed his lip as he thought, his eyes drifting skywards and snagging on the nearest tree. His grin reappeared. “No matter. I just climb then jump across.”

  Merrin’s eyes widened, a frown marring her forehead. “Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t do that.”

  He waggled his eyebrows at her and was out of her reach before she could stop him. “Yes, actually I can.”

  ***

  Merrin gaped at Tarquin as he scrambled up the tree trunk, feet gripping, his hands pulling him up at an alarming speed.

  He was grinning, his eyes shining as he climbed higher until he was level with her roof. He paused to catch his breath before, in a heart-pounding moment, flung himself across the distance and landed gracefully on his feet.

  He planted himself more securely then grinned down at her. “See? I told you I could. I remembered.”
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  His light seemed to increase as he began checking the tiling. He crouched down to examine one closest to the front door, then wrenched it loose. “You have any spares in the shed? This one’s the problem. You’ve got a slow leak, a few more hours and you’d have a problem.”

  Merrin smiled up at him. “I’ll check. What else do you need?”

  He rattled off a few tools as though it were an everyday occurrence. For a hunter, he certainly had a lot of knowledge about things he shouldn’t do.

  More evidence he was slowly clawing back to being who he should be. If he was recovering at this rate….

  The thought stopped her in her tracks. If he recovered, he’d leave. She would be compelled to take him to face the council.

  Was he ready for that? Was she ready to face the reprimand of the council?

  She forced a smile as she returned with what he needed. He dropped to his knees, then his belly and extended his hand over the roof. “Hand them to me one at a time.”

  He seemed so confident, so sure of himself, she found herself gazing up at him, wondering just who and what he’d been before.

  His eyes narrowed as he took a rusted hammer from her outstretched fingers. “What?”

  She shrugged. “Nothing. I’ll go and make some tea.”

  Her heart snatched in her chest as he smiled lazily at her. “I’ll be right here.”

  Merrin faked a smile as she stepped inside, her mind tangled with too many thoughts she shouldn’t be entertaining. Not now. Not ever. And certainly not with a half-light.

  There was too much at stake to even contemplate any kind of future where he was part of her life here.

  Even if he was full Luminary, they all lived a solitary existence. Each tasked in areas where they were needed. Each skilled in different ways that served Onom’s purpose most efficiently.

  Merrin shook off the unwelcome thoughts and concentrated on finding what she needed. She ignored the slight shake to her hands and blinked away the foolish tears that were blurring her vision.

  By the time the small woodfire was lit and the water was boiling, she’d pulled herself together enough to face him. He sauntered inside and grinned. “All fixed. And I remembered something else while I was up there too.”