Destiny Gift (The Everlast Trilogy) - By Juliana Haygert Page 0,20
to me, his sly grin adorning his flawless face. “I want to hold your hand.” He extended his hand, and I scowled at it. “Just for one second. Please.”
His cryptic black eyes pleaded in a way I couldn’t resist. I gave my hand to him and, as our skin met, the same cold shock from the other night stung me. My gaze flew to Micah’s face. He stood still with his eyes closed and both hands over mine, then took a deep, soothing breath. I battled the urge to yelp and pull back after I saw his intensity.
Five seconds later, he released my hand, and maybe it was only me, but his stance seemed more relaxed.
“Care to explain?” I asked, afraid he would suck my soul out through my hands.
He shrugged. “I don’t think there is an explanation.” He smiled, then bowed and walked away.
I remained there for a few more minutes, gaping at his receding figure.
“Lady?” I glanced over my shoulder and saw the gate guard looking at me. “Three minutes until the next period. If you have a class, better hurry.”
“Shit,” I cursed under my breath. “Thanks,” I yelled as I ran past him, headed toward my math class.
Ten feet from the classroom door, I skidded to a stop. Wait. Hadn’t I gone outside and skipped class to follow the path Victor told me about? But then Micah showed up and swept me off my feet, causing me to forget about my intention—again!
I pivoted. I’d follow my original idea—skip class and follow the pull that invaded me when I’d woken from the vision. I had to find out where Victor wanted to go, but the interior pull was gone. The sensation that would lead the way had disappeared.
My breath came in short, quick gasps. Dizzy, I lowered my head and clung to my knees.
No, no, this had not happened. Once more, a vision tried to tell me something, to show me something, and I had been prevented from going after it.
How the heck would I find out what it was now?
Chapter Seven
“Nadine.”
I turned and found Cheryl crossing the street to where I stood on the sidewalk outside the university café.
“Nad, how are you?”
“Good, I think,” I mumbled, unsure of what to say. I glanced at my watch. I had six minutes before my shift started.
“You know, I was thinking about what happened at the bookstore that other day. You never explained to me what that was,” she said, then hesitated, probably expecting I would snap at her and not elaborate. Cheryl had seen me tune out a few times, and I always pretended nothing happened. “Should I be worried?”
“It’s nothing.” I forced a smile. “You don’t need to worry about these episodes. Probably low blood sugar.”
“Come on.” Cheryl placed a hand on my back and pushed me into the café. Inside, she sat at her usual spot. “Tell me the truth, how are you?”
“I’m fine.” I stepped toward the door that led to the back.
“Nadine,” Cheryl called after me.
I guess after years as a therapist, Cheryl had learned a few tricks about how to know when someone was lying.
I took a deep breath before turning back to glance at her.
“About your episode, I may know someone who can help. I have his card right here.” She opened her purse and rummaged through the contents.
I shook my head. “It’s nothing, Cheryl. Don’t worry. I don’t need any help.”
She extended the card. “Just take it, in case you change your mind.”
I pushed it away and gave her my back, ashamed for not being able to break through whatever held me back and trust my friend.
My gaze ended up outside the café where a large black raven perched on a tree branch. It had a scar over one eye. With goose bumps running up my spine, I ran to the back of the café.
***
For the fourth consecutive day, I visited NYU’s north gate before the start of my classes, hoping the feeling would come back. Nothing. I dared to cross the street the last two times, but that had not helped either. Perhaps that weird tug inside me hadn’t meant anything.
I was about to head back inside the campus when a taxi passed me with a number painted on its side: 816. The light radiating from the number eight was strong and pure.
I approached the guard at the gate. “Do you see anything unusual about that cab? On its number?” I asked, pointing toward the passing taxi.