Page 38 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
Ella turned to the girl.Herfingers itched to touch the girl’s chest and steal the light.Tosay the words.Whatwas wrong with her? “Whatdid you say?”
“I said people in town are talking about the handsome stranger that has been seen at all three deaths.”
“No, about your soul.”Ellacouldn’t tear her eyes away from the shimmering lines that held the glow in.Theyseemed to pulse with each breathKatetook.
Kate frowned. “Isaid nothing about my soul.Theywere all right about you.Youare odd.”
Kate returned to the other girls, whispering something to them.Theylooked atEllaand giggled.Sheturned away to be greeted with a sea of people.Someglowed, others did not.Menwho strolled with beautiful women.Womenwith children on their hips and another clinging to their skirts.Theglow called to her.Itscall made her head spin and mouth dry.Itwas louder than the band that had started adding to the noise.Sheneeded to get away from them.
She looked toWilliam, willing him to notice her.Buthe, like all the others around her, was enjoying himself.Shehad never been around this many people and this much noise.
She backed away fromWilliamand his friends.Shepushed her way through the crowd and the colors.Hersteps became panic-driven, and the crowd seemed to crush her.Someonehelp me, please.Ellascreamed to the stars that were blotted out by the bright light of the fair.
She pushed headfirst through the crowd, ignoring the people who called to her.Shecould see the edge of darkness.Theplace where she would be safe.Theplace she belonged.Shewas almost there when a hand grabbed her arm, pulling her back into the crowd.
“Ella.”
Ella whirled around, ready to lash out. “Mr.Garvey.”
“What’s wrong, my dear girl?Youlook flushed.WhereisWilliam?”
Ella looked to the darkness once more. “He… he is with friends.Iwas just…”Shetried to pull away from the older man. “Please,Ijust need some fresh air.”
“Nonsense.Youcannot be wandering around alone.Letme take you back toWilliam.”Mr.GarveytuggedEllafurther into the crowd.
“I don’t want to.”Panicclawed at her throat, and her skin burned under his touch.
“Ella?”
Ella froze at the sound of the cool voice cutting through the noise.Itwashed over her like a spring rain.Thane. “Please,Ican’t do this.”Shehadn’t realized she said the words untilMr.Garveystopped.
“I know, love.”Thanepulled her fromMr.Garvey’sgrip. “Younever did like crowds.”
She didn’t protest when he wrapped his arms around her, sheltering her from the crowd.Shedidn’t care whatMr.Garveysaid or what the others whispered.Sheclung toThane, not caring where he dragged her.Theystopped just outside the bright lights and laughter.
Thane ducked to meet her gaze. “Areyou alright?”
“Why are you here?”Ellawhispered.
“I wanted to see?—”
“Not right now.HereinRiverton.”Thetears fell fast.Hehad come twice when she had needed him. “Whoare you?”
“I can’t tell you.”Thanecaught a tear.Itshimmered on his fingers. “Youwill not hear the wordsIspeak.Youwill not hear the nameIcall you.”
“Please,Thane.Imust know.”Afear that this was it.Thelast moment for her to know the truth was slipping away.Ifhe left her here tonight, she would never know.
“I can only show you.ButonceIdo, everything will change.”Thanecupped her cheek. “Askme to kiss you.”
Ella stepped closer to him.Hissoft scent washed over her frayed nerves. “Thane, kiss me.”
Thane lowered his mouth closer to her. “Forgiveme.”
Ella closed her eyes asThanekissed her.Memoriesflooded back.Notjust pieces to stitch together, but the whole fabric of her life.Allthe happiness, desire, love, sadness, and betrayal all rushed back.Shepulled away fromThane, seeing him for the first time through her eyes.
“You bastard.”Shepulled away, punchingThanein the mouth. “Youbroke my heart.”
PARTII
