Destiny Gift (The Everlast Trilogy) - By Juliana Haygert Page 0,18
I come with you?”
“I don’t know.” He retreated a step and extended his hand. “Want to come?”
I took his hand. “Of course.” I walked to his side, ready to go, but he remained in place, still staring at me, a pleased smile over his full lips. “What?” I asked. I liked when he stared at me like that, but I never could stop from blushing.
His fingers traced the skin over my nose. “I like these,” he said, probably referring to my faint freckles. “They are one of your many charms.” The heat on my cheeks increased. “I like when you blush too.” He chuckled and drew me closer. “I like everything about you.”
Oh, I was taken.
He ran his hand on my hair, and then leaned toward me. Oh God. We flirted and acted like boyfriend and girlfriend for over nine months, but he had never kissed me. Now he kept coming closer. I found myself standing on my toes, waiting for his lips to meet mine.
A blaring caw diverted my attention upward. The raven. In my vision?
“I don’t understand,” I said as I stared at the winged creature. The thrill of almost kissing him faded away.
“Yours?”
“No. But I saw a raven this morning, when I was going to class.”
“Is it the same one?”
“I don’t know.”
“Come.” He took my hand again. “Forget about the bird. Let’s go.”
It was almost impossible to pretend the raven wasn’t soaring near us, but I tried. I took his hand and Victor led the way.
“Do you know where you’re going?”
His brow creased for a moment. “Not exactly. I know the direction I have to go. I can feel it in here.” He touched his chest.
“Do you think this feeling has something to do with your purpose?”
“I hope it does.” He offered me an encouraging smile.
Side by side, we walked toward NYU’s north gate. In my visions, even the world outside the protective campus walls was clean, warm, and perfect. There were trees and flowerbeds, all alive and well. The people who strolled through the streets seemed happy and friendly. Pleased, I squeezed his hand.
“Where to?” I asked after we crossed the north gate.
“I feel as if I should go that way.” He pointed northeast.
We were crossing the street when Raisa’s voice cut through my vision. “Nadine.”
I looked around and found myself back in the now empty classroom, except for me and Raisa.
“Nadine, wake up!”
Damn it! Victor was showing me where he wanted to go, whatever that meant.
Wait. I took a deep breath. Why was the feeling Victor experienced—the one telling him where to go—now inside me?
Raisa shook me, making me focus on her. “Hi,” I said lamely.
“You were out.” She paced franticly from side to side. “Again!”
“Sorry.” It was the only thing I could say. I didn’t want to talk to her about this. I needed to be alone to follow this irresistible pull, to follow it in order to find Victor. But first I had to reassure Raisa all was well. “I guess class is over.”
She plopped her hands on her waist and shook her head. “For over five minutes now. You know, I promised you I wouldn’t worry about these episodes, but I’m not sure anymore.”
“Did the others notice?” I asked, worried I would soon hear rumors I was insane.
Well, wasn’t I?
“I don’t know. Some might have.” She threw her backpack over her shoulder.
I stood. “I’m sorry.”
“Whatever,” she mumbled as she accompanied me to the exit door. “I’m going to sociology now. See you at lunch?”
“Yeah.” I watched her walk down the corridor until she left the building, headed to her next class.
Instead of going to my chemistry class, I marched toward the exit that would lead me to the north gate. The feeling inside my chest, the odd sensation, threatened to explode if I didn’t follow its directions.
Outside, I stopped and looked skyward. Where was that damn raven? I waited a few moments for the bird to show up. Nothing. Had I imagined it before? Had it been an innocent bird just passing by? Had the raven appearing in my vision been a reflex from seeing one before?
I shrugged and started walking again. The chilly air of the dark exterior made me shiver. Thirty years ago, New York would have been sweltering this time of the year. Now I had to tighten my jacket and cross my arms over my tote bag to stop the persistent shivering.
It hadn’t been my intention, but I halted at the north gate.