Page 31 of Shattered Heir
“I like Sam, but I like Aiden, too. I think I have a huge crush, and I need help.”
“I will do what I can,” I said, taking one last look at Aiden, then turning us away from him. It was silent between us for a time. “You wanna go shopping sometime?” I asked, changing the topic .
“Um, yes!”
“Good, because I need help also. I am going with a new look,” I said, watching Ash smile, but as I looked to Ash again, instead of Aiden this time, I saw that she was watching the very people I wanted to avoid that morning. I froze on the spot when I saw Ryker and Shad walk through the parking lot. My melody sang so loud, and I started to hum Shad’s melody in my head, missing it so much.
Seeing Shad caused the monster inside of me to roar to life, making my melody shrink down. I was used to the hollow feeling by that time, even though I hated it. Hate fueled my rage for Cade, and I would see him pay, and I would take back Shad's melody, no matter what I had to do to get it. I walked toward the boys and felt that Ash was still beside me. I needed Shad in my life, still, because regardless of what anyone else thought about soulless, I knew that he still felt something for me: in that forest, in that hotel, in that back seat, and in that darkened hallway. I hung onto those memories; they were my hope.
“Good morning,” I said to Ryker, first. He was easier to face.
Coward.I pushed that thought away.
“Morning, Em. How does it feel being back?”
“Terrible,” I answered, under my breath.
He laughed and embraced me. I pulled away.
“I was just reminding Shad about all the good things in high school.”
“Hey, Shad, how are you?” I asked with a weakness in my voice that made me cringe. As I awaited his answer, I looked him over. He wore a blue button-down shirt with a navy blue blazer, and matching navy blue slacks. They fit him so well and accentuated all his muscles in all the right ways. I gulped, trying to look away, but it was difficult as I recalled all the moments when I had leaned against those strong arms and that powerful chest, resting my head on his shoulder, those arms grasping me, and him calling my name, speaking my name like a reverent prayer. It was hard to forget the kisses that he trailed down my jaw, and the kisses that I trailed down his. I felt a sharp poke in my side and looked up to see Ash, her eyes wide.
“Emma?” she questioned me, looking at Shad. Shad stood there with confusion in his black eyes.
“Oh, sorry, I was remembering something,” I responded, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Ryker said we have math together?” Shad asked as he slung his backpack on one shoulder. It seemed that he might be anicesoulless for the day. I tried not to look at him so that I wouldn’t become distracted again, wondering how I would ever get his eyes back to where they had that one speck of gold in them, like they had when he was in the hallway with me.
How would it feel if he called me, ‘my darling,’ right now?
“Yes,” I said softly, proud of myself for the single word.
“Great, see you then, Emma.”
I looked at him as he nodded and walked with Ryker, away from us.
“Are you okay?” Ash asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.
“No, and I will never be okay again until he has his soul back.”
“Emma, I know it’s hard, but soulless can't get their souls back.”
I glared at her.
“Please, don't be like Ryker. I have heard that enough.” I closed my eyes and was able to contain the monster within as the anger rose like bile within me. Was Keil the only one who thought I stood a chance of restoring Shad?
“I mean, it’s known that once a soul is taken, it is lost,” she continued, but at least, she had the decency to look sad for me.
“I know what is normal; however, Shad told me that he knew a way, that there was a chance that I could save him.”
Ash looked to the ground.
“What?” I asked, softly, kicking her foot to get her attention.
“Nothing, Emma. I will help in whatever way I can. I just don't want you to have false hope.”
“Shad wouldn’t leave me, Ash. I need him. He knows that; he would have left a way.”
