Hurry Home

By Angie Orozco and Mary

Seventeen years after Johnathon Parker murdered her mother, Emmalyn Evans, a hybrid witch, gets sick of her father’s overprotective and distant ways, so she runs away in search of adventures with her aunt and uncle. Along the way, she meets the ever so charming and handsome, Nik Baker, a dark warlock, who has a troubled past and harbors dark secrets. Together they embark on an adventure of their own and soon become close. But with Emmalyn’s homicidal grandfather and overprotective father on their tail, and Nik’s many secrets hanging over them, how can they enjoy their great adventure? And will Emmalyn make it back to her father in one piece, or is history doomed to repeat itself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary
• Release date: Jul 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781501403194

Book preview

Mary

Mary would like to dedicate this book to her friend and partner, Angie Curtis, without whom this story would've never came to life. And to her mother who never let her believe she couldn't be anything that she wanted to be.

Angie

I would love to dedicate this book to God, my mother, and Mary. God for life and always being there for me. My Mom because you always inspired me to write, write better, and to never settle for less than amazing. To Mary, for this amazing friendship. I love you with all my heart and then some. To an amazing future for the both of us.

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A story should have a beginning, middle, and end...

But not necessarily in that order.

-Jean Luc Godard

Three weeks after the birth of our daughter, Danika and I stand in a dark alley waiting for Johnathon Parker and the others from her coven to take Danika and do God only knew what to her.

You don't have to do this, Dani, I say as I stare into her beautiful eyes for what I fear is the last time. We can go to Virginia and lie low with Xander’s coven. He can protect you. There’s even a supernatural school where we can send Emmalyn. They can protect her.

No, Alex, we can't. Danika shakes her head and looks at the ground. I broke the laws of our coven by marrying you and giving birth to a hybrid. Not even Xander, as powerful as he is, can protect me from the consequences of those decisions. My father will never stop coming after us. If I don't face this now, we'll be running for the rest of our lives. I don't want our little girl to have to live like that.

Neither do I, but I don't want to lose you either, Dani, I argue.

I know, but we have to do what's right by Emmalyn, she says, brushing hair out of my eyes. She doesn't deserve to spend her life in hiding and on the run.

She doesn't deserve to spend her life without her mother, I say, pulling her to my chest.

That abomination doesn't deserve to have a life at all. A snarling voice comes from the shadows behind Danika.

Our daughter is not an abomination, I snarl as I pull Danika behind me and come face-to-face with Johnathon Parker and three of his lackeys.

I thought this was a surrender, Danika, Johnathon asks as he continues to approach us.

It is, Danika answers in a shaking voice. Alex is just having a hard time letting go. She steps out from behind me as I reach for her hand.

Dani, please, I beg. Let's just run.

Don't you think I want to, Alex? I have to protect my baby. And this is the only way to do that, she says, placing a gentle kiss on my hand. I tug her back to me before she can pull away. I lift her chin so our eyes meet, and, God forgive me, speak in a slow, calm tone.

There are other ways to protect her, even if we have to run. We can make sure she's always safe. There are schools all over the world that—

She jerks away with tears sparkling in her eyes.

I thought we promised never to use magic on each other?

I would do anything to save you, love, even if it meant breaking every promise I ever made to you. I push some loose hair behind her ear.

I know, but you have to let me go for the sake of our daughter, please.

As touching as this is, Johnathon's bored drawl interrupts, I have things to do and places to be. Can we get this over with?

I'm turning myself in. You can give me five minutes, Father, Danika snaps. I'm sorry, Alex, for everything. For fighting my feelings. For not giving you all the time you deserve. But mostly, I'm sorry for leaving you to raise our daughter alone. You are the greatest man I know, and you deserve so much more than what I gave you.

No, Dani. You're the one who deserves more than what loving me got you. I'm sorry I got you into this mess, and that I can't get you out of it.

I'm going to turn myself over now, she says as the tears begin to spill down her cheeks. The second I let go, I want you to walk away and don't look back, no matter what happens. Can you do that?

For you, Dani, I can do anything. I twine my fingers in her hair and pull her face to mine. Our lips meet, and we share our last kiss. It tastes of Danika and salt from the tears we were both shedding. In those last flashes of life, I remember everything, good and bad, that brought me to this moment and my heart breaks.

I know this has to be done, to protect us all, but I can't let go or break the kiss. All I can do is hold on to the women who saved me in so many ways and never let go. Danika is the one to break it, and when she does, she wraps her arms around me and buries her face in my neck.

I love you, Alex Evans, always, she whispers as she pulls away.

I love you more, Danika Evans.

She turns to go to her father, and I start to walk away as promised. Two more of Johnathon’s men step out of the shadows, blocking my exit.

Now, where would the fun be if I just let you walk away? Johnathon’s voice taunts from behind me.

You said on the phone that you would leave them if I came quietly, Danika says, and I can hear the sadness in her tone. I promised her I wouldn’t look back, though. If I couldn’t keep my promise to walk away, I wouldn’t watch whatever he was going to do to her. I should’ve known better. You’ve always been a lying bastard."

The sound of flesh meeting flesh followed by Danika’s cry of pain rings through the alley, and I can’t stop myself from turning around. Danika is on the ground, clutching her cheek. The alley is too dark to tell for sure, but I swear there are tears sparkling in her eyes.

I’m still your father, little girl. You will show me the respect I deserve, he growls, giving her a hard kick in the back. Danika let out a little gasp as I try to run to her. Johnathon’s other three men block my path as the other two grab me from behind. Ah, ah, ah, Alex, Johnathon says with a smirk. This is between my daughter and me. You are just here as a spectator.

Then do what you’re going to do to me and get it over with, Danika barks as she tries to push herself up from the ground.

Johnathon gives her another kick to her stomach. She falls back, gasping for air as I struggle against the men holding me. 

I don’t recall telling you to get up, he roars at her. And this is my show. I will end it when I’m ready.

Go to hell, Danika bellows from the ground. She makes a small motion with her and Johnathon's legs are no longer underneath him. He falls to the ground. He lands hard with a scream of pain and surprise. I can’t help but smile. She may have been surrendering, but she wasn’t going down without a fight.

You little bitch, he growls, grabbing her arm and yanking her toward him. You’ll pay for that.

He holds her arm tightly, muttering under his breath. She struggles against him, but he’s always been stronger than her. It’s what she hated most about her childhood. She had never been strong enough to keep him from hurting her or her sisters. The cracking of bone echoes through the alley, and Danika screams in agony.

Something in me snaps at the same time Danika’s arm does, and I manage to rip myself from the men holding me. I send the other two flying and race to the woman I love. Only she’s no longer on the ground when I get there. Instead, she’s on the other side of the alley. Johnathon has his fingers twined in her hair and a knife pressed to her throat. Her broken arm hangs limply at her side, but the other one tries to force the knife away from her neck.

I freeze on the spot, refusing to give him a reason to use it.

Good boy, Johnathon taunts. Now, don’t move. Just hold out your arm.

Two of his coven friends come over to me; one has a syringe in his hand.

Leave him alone, Danika yells as the man shoves the needle into my arm. The fluid is barely out of the syringe when I lose control of my body. I drop to my knees and can't even throw my arms out to break my fall. What did you do to him? Danika’s cry is followed by a gasp of pain. I can't lift my head to see what he did to her.

Just a simple potion. It paralyzes the victim when injected into the blood stream, Johnathon says in an amused tone. It'll wear off in a few hours. By then, I'll be finished with you and long gone.

And what exactly are you going to do to me? Danika asks, adopting a tone of absolute calm.

You didn't really think that marrying a hybrid and having his child wouldn't have severe consequences, did you? Johnathon asks, and I hear another gasp from Danika.

Then kill me. Just let Alex go, please, she begs.

Don't worry, Johnathon whispers. He'll be free to leave once the potion wears off, but I want him to watch. I want him to see how his love has destroyed you. I want him to watch you die and know there's nothing he can do to save you.

I want to laugh, but I hold it in. I don't think he realizes that I don’t have to be touching someone to heal them. Thanks to Mackie, my teacher for the last ten years, I don’t even have to speak or move. I simply have to concentrate. If he wants to kill her in front of me, then I'd let him. I’ll just bring her back when he's finished with her.

Michael, the vial please? he says to the man still at his side. Chris, Tim, hold him up and make sure he has a good view.

Someone grabs me by the hair and yanks me into a kneeling position. Danika is right in my view, and she looks as calm and composed as ever.

You're going to poison me? Danika asks. She doesn't sound very impressed with his methods, or even scared by them. She just sounds a little bored.

Something like that. Johnathon laughs, uncorking the vial. Drink it. Danika refuses, and Johnathon pushes the knife harder against her neck. He pours the vial down her throat as she gasps in pain. She coughs and sputters as she tries not to drink it.

Watch closely, boy, Johnathon snarls as he drags the knife across her throat. Blood spurts everywhere as he lets her fall to the ground.

Danika! I scream and will my body to fight its way to her. Nothing happens, and I watch helplessly for a moment before I begin the process of calling her spirit back to her body. I hit a wall, a wall that won't break down no matter what I do, or how hard I try. It remains firm and refuses to allow her spirit back into her body.

What did you do? I growl at Johnathon.

I created a potion that blocks the effects of most healing and resurrection spells. Johnathon smiles. You can't bring her back, and neither can that disgusting hybrid teacher of yours. She's gone, and there's nothing you can do to save her.

She was your daughter, you bastard, I yell.

I don’t have any children. Johnathon laughs as he walks over to his oldest child's body. Danika's blood runs in rivers along the cracks in the concrete as she lies motionless on the ground.

Don't touch her, I yell still trying to force movement from my unwilling body. Hysteria bubbles just below the surface, but I try to control it. I won’t break in front of these monsters.

I have no intention of doing that. I just need to get rid of the evidence. He pulls out a small bag of powder. He grabs a pinch of a dust-like substance out of it and sprinkles it on her body while chanting in Latin. Danika’s body decays into dust within a matter of seconds.

No! I yell again. Johnathon gets down on my level with an evil smirk across his face.

Now, I'm going to leave you for a while, he says, forcing me to look at him. I want you to dwell on this night for a long time. I want you to think about it every day, knowing you could've saved her if you had just stuck to your own kind. And I want you to have to explain to your daughter why she doesn't have a mother anymore. But I'll come back, and when I do, neither of you will survive it.

He kicks me in the stomach, and I fall to the ground gasping for air while he and his friends run away like the cowards they are.

I lay there, unable to move, wallowing in my own misery for a long time before the crying of a baby permeates the atmosphere. That’s not right. Emmalyn wasn’t anywhere near this place when her mother died. She was at home with her aunt.

I slowly open my eyes and realize that I am back in my room in the small, two-bedroom apartment Danika and I shared before that horrible night. The crying comes from the small radio beside me. Emmalyn is awake and needing something. I push myself out of bed and head up the hallway to find out what that something is.

Hey, baby girl. It’s okay, I whisper as I pick my angel up out of the crib. Daddy’s here, and I’m never gonna let anyone hurt you. Shh! I coo as I sway her in my arms. You’re okay. I carry her over to the rocking chair Danika bought for nights like this and slide down into it. She starts to quiet down as I gently rock her back and forth. Daddy will always be here for you, baby girl. Never forget that. I love you more than anything else in this world. I kiss her on the head and continue to rock her as she smiles up at me.

That smile is the only thing that has gotten me through this last week. Thoughts of my baby girl and her smile, so much like her mother’s, were what moved me out of that alley that night. I wanted nothing more than to die there, but Emmalyn needed me. I’m the only thing she has left. I have to be there for her. I know it’s that tiny smile that will get me through tomorrow morning.

A knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts. I look up to see my best friend/brother and vampire, Xander Mitchell, standing in the doorway. His hands are crossed over his chest. He looks tired with his shaggy blond hair falling into his eyes.

Is everything all right in here? he asks.

Yeah, I say, smiling down at my baby, who is already half asleep. Just a bad dream, I think. She should be all right in a few minutes.

Are you gonna be okay, though? Xander presses, making his way into the room. Alyssa and I could hear you all the way in the living room. Same dream?

I nod and swallow hard. I had been dreaming about that night all week, and it was starting to worry my friends, or rather my Band of Misfits, as we liked to call ourselves. They had all come to town when they had heard what happened and were taking turns staying with me until they were sure I’d be all right on my own. To be honest, I didn’t think I’d ever be okay on my own, but I had to keep going for the little angel in my arms.

Yeah, but I’ll be fine, I tell him. I have to be fine for her.

And we’ll help you. That’s why we are all here, man.

I know. I just need a couple minutes with my baby.

Okay. Alyssa and I are here if you need anything at all.

Thanks, man.

He leans over Emmalyn and gives her a tiny kiss on the forehead, and I can’t help but smile.

Xander can be a cold-hearted bastard most of the time, but for some reason, whenever he is near my daughter, he just melts. It’s nice to see that someone can do that for him.

He walks out the door, and I slowly get up to place the now-sleeping Emmalyn back into her crib. I know I should go back to bed. I’m going to need all the rest I can get for the service in the morning, but I can’t make myself leave her yet. Instead, I slide back into the rocking chair just to watch her as she sleeps.

She’s beautiful, isn’t she? A voice startles me, and I whip my head around. My heart stops as my eyes fall on a woman standing in the doorway. It’s impossible, but she’s standing there in the same blue tank top and dark-wash jeans she had worn on our last day together. Her blonde hair falls around her face in the way I so loved.

Dani? I ask in disbelief. Is that really you, or am I dreaming?

Maybe a little bit of both. I don’t know, she answers with a small smile. I was floating in this terrible blackness, but I felt your need to see me again, and I was suddenly in the doorway. She steps inside and walks over to the crib to join me in admiring the baby. I think it’s some weird life after death magic, or something. I don’t know.

I nod, but continue to stare at her. I had been wishing and hoping for a chance to see her again since that horrible night nearly a week ago. What made tonight so special?

So tell me what’s wrong? She lays a gentle hand on my shoulder. Aside from the obvious, of course.

I don’t think I can do this, Dani. Not without you. I tell her exactly what I’ve been thinking all week. Yes, Emmalyn has been the only thing keeping me from trying to join the woman I love, but that doesn’t mean I have what it takes to be a good father. The thoughts of having to raise my little angel all alone scare the hell out of me. I worry that I am going to screw it all up.

Of course you can, Alex. You took care of Jace when she needed you, and you took care of me when I needed you.

I snort and step away from the crib.

Jace was a teenager who was like a sister to me, not my baby. And I didn’t take care of you, Danika. I failed you.

Danika’s jaw drops.

No, Alex, you didn’t fail me, she says, taking my hand in hers. I knew the consequences of my decision. I knew the coven rules about having any kind of romantic relationship with an outsider and bearing a hybrid child, but I did it anyway.

But I should’ve been able to protect you from them. I should’ve been able to bring you back. My eyes fill with tears, and I choke back the sob that wants to escape. I would stay strong during this conversation, no matter how badly I wanted to break.

Oh, Alex. Danika shakes her head. I knew what I was doing when I married you and gave you a daughter, and I knew we couldn’t run forever. I didn’t care though, because I love you, and I wanted to give you those things.

But if I had fought harder for you, we could’ve...

No. She firmly cuts me off. If you had fought harder, you would’ve gotten killed and Emmalyn wouldn’t have any parents. She needs one of us, Alex, and that one has to be you. Don’t beat yourself up for what you couldn’t do for me. Remember she needs you and that’s why you’re still here. Protect her and love her for both of us. That’s the best way you can fight for me now. Fight for her, every day, as hard as you can.

That would be so much easier if you were still here, Dani, I say barely above a whisper.

I know, but I’m not, and you’re the only thing she—Danika looks back at our daughter in the crib—has in this life. You need to move forward and keep protecting her, because I have no doubt Johnathon will eventually come for her. Don’t let him get his hands on her.

Don’t worry, I reply, placing my hand on top of hers. Xander has already made it clear that if any witch or other supernatural creature harms her in any way, he’ll personally execute them. And even without his threat, there’s a line a mile long of people who would kill to protect her, and I’m first in that line.

Good. Danika slides onto my lap and wraps her arms around my neck. Now, I need you to promise me something.

Anything, I whisper, nuzzling her hair.

Promise that no matter what happens, you’ll stay strong for her and for me. Promise me that when moving forward gets difficult, you’ll remember her—she nods her head toward the crib—and how much she means to you. I can’t be your rock anymore, so promise me that our daughter will be from now on.

I can’t do that, Dani. I shake my head. I will always stay strong for our little girl. I will love and protect her and be everything she needs me to be, but you will always be my rock. My love for you is what will always keep me going.

She smiles slightly, then sighs.

What’s wrong? I ask.

I have to go, but remember, just because I can’t be here with you, doesn’t mean I won’t always be with you. I’ll always be watching. I love you, Alex Evans.

She leans forward to kiss me, but is gone long before our lips meet.

Not as much as I love you, Dani. I sigh as a single tear rolls down my cheek. Not as much as I love you. 

Alex, you need to wake up, Alyssa, Xander’s girlfriend, says as she gently shakes me. It’s time to get ready for the funeral.

––––––––

"Hey, Uncle Xander," I speak into the phone. He always calls me at 10:00 a.m. on the dot, which just happens to be my break between my first and second class.

Xander Mitchell is my favorite person in the whole wide world. He’s more of a father to me than the man whose sperm created me. There was a time when the two of us were inseparable, back before it was decided that I could use a change of scenery. Palm Springs is great, but there’s a lot of things I miss about Virginia, specifically my favorite uncle.

Hello Princess! I roll my eyes at the nickname he gave me before I was born. I’ve asked him I don’t know how many times to stop calling me that. I’m seventeen now, and I’m not anybody’s princess. How is that boy of yours? I sigh as I head toward my locker.

He’s fine, and he has a name, you know? I counter.

Yeah, I know. Kyle, right?

Kyle Thompson and I have been friends since a month after I moved to Palm Springs. I would go as far as to say that he’s my first real friend outside my father’s band of misfits that I’ve ever had. I don’t count Andria Sterling and Nycole Scott, two witches I grew up with, considering they lead a group of witches, shape shifters, and vampires in an attack that almost killed me. Andria, Nycole—and the other horrible kids at my supernatural school—is what caused my father, and even Uncle Xander, to decide that I needed to get away from Virginia.

You’d think a group that was constantly discriminated against by humans would be more willing to band together and fight the hatred. That’s not the case with supernaturals, though, especially witches.

There are three kinds of witches in my world: Lightheads, Darks, and Hybrids. Lightheads practice only magic that came from the lightest of places. There are no sacrifices in any of their spells or rituals, and they never try to hurt anyone with their magic. Darks are the exact opposite. Their magic comes from darkness. Their sort of magic never comes without a price. If you want to save someone’s life, you have to take the life of another person. They’re considered to be dark and twisted, but accepted as members of our society. You either had to be born a Lighthead or a Dark, and the closest you could come to crossing to the other side was becoming a Hybrid. 

In fact, there are two ways for a witch to become a Hybrid. The first is by choice. If a witch spends enough time practicing both kinds of magic, they’ll eventually become Hybrid. The second is to be born with mixed bloodlines. The latter doesn’t happen very often and is frowned upon in the world of witches. It also happens to be a perfect description of me.

My mother was a Lighthead before she died, and my father, though born a Lighthead, chose to become a Hybrid. They mixed their genes and created me—a Hybrid. In all honesty, a better term for what I am would be an outcast. Born Hybrids are considered disgusting; some even call us abominations. Witches, like many other supernatural groups, do not mix with those outside their clans and covens. It’s considered a perversion to do so.

For this reason, our race was given the ability to tell a Lighthead from a Dark or a Hybrid. Each faction has eyes unique to that faction. Lightheads have extremely light, almost translucent eyes, whereas Darks have a distinctly dark iris with a swirl of some other color inside. And Hybrids, they’re the easiest distinction to make. Our pupils are the shape of a five-pointed star.

This distinction usually doesn’t come out until puberty, which is what kept me safe for years in Virginia. Everyone knew my father was a Hybrid, but I never told anyone that my mother was a Lighthead. Father and I decided it was safer that way, until my eyes changed. When that happened, I was bullied relentlessly, and Uncle Xander had to beg my father to take me away from that horrid school after my classmates almost killed me.

We moved to Palm Springs, and Father decided it was best to send me to a human high school. Unfortunately, it isn’t much better than my supernatural school. Supernaturals have been out in the open for years before I was born, and they weren’t accepted well by humans. They were less cruel than my supernatural classmates, but no one went out of their way to be friendly with me, except Kyle.

We met when we were both in that awkward stage and hated by most of our classmates. Kyle grew out of it and became the star quarterback. I thought for sure he’d ditch me when that happened, but he didn’t. He stuck by my through it all, even though he was taunted and teased mercilessly for it. I would forever be grateful God sent him to me.

Uncle Xander, like a typical father figure, doesn’t like Kyle very much. He seems convinced that the boy is just trying to get into my pants. I’m starting to think that’s true, but I ignore the little hints as often as possible.

Your guessing skills are impressive, I tell Xander with a touch of sarcasm in my tone. I love my uncle very much and know he’s only trying to look out for me. I just wish everyone would stop doing that. I’m the most protected witch in the world, and I hate it.

Xander chuckles a little, but wisely changes the subject. So tell me, Princess, seeing as today is your last day of school, what are you planning to do for the next four days before you come out for the summer? My school runs into mid-June, but doesn’t start back until late September.

Well, I will pack and say goodbye to Kyle and Dad. Then it’s a summer with just you and me!

And Alyssa, he adds. I think he finds it funny how I can so easily forget her. I, like everyone else in my dad’s band of misfits, have given up on trying to figure out their relationship. There’s no doubt they love each other very much, but are often at each other’s throats for one reason or another. Besides, Alyssa usually leaves Xander and me alone during our visits. She seems to understand our relationship, and doesn’t want to get in the way of it.

No, it will be just you and me! I protest with a little laugh.

Okay, Princess whatever you say—

Boo! Kyle screams in my ear, scaring me half to death.

Kyle! I hiss, dramatically placing a hand over my now thudding heart. Sorry, Uncle Xander. Kyle just attacked me, I state.

I did not attack you! Kyle protests. He had heard enough stories in the last three years to know what Xander would do if Kyle ever did choose to attack me. He didn’t want to anger the vampire by accident. Can I talk to him?

No! I screech back.

Please, Em! he begs.

No! But he pulls the phone out of my hand with ease. He not only grew to a towering six feet tall, but he packed on a good eighty pounds of muscle since joining the football team. Stupid weight-lifting quarter back. I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him.

Hello, Xander! Kyle says in a chipper voice. Well, you have to get Em here to talk to her father. Oh dear God, not this again!

He had been on my case for weeks now about my father’s stubborn, overprotective ways. I suppose I can’t blame him, though. He’s the one who has to hear me rant and rave whenever my father introduces a stupid new rule.

Well, do you know why she told her father she didn’t want him to come on her summer trip? Kyle is going to die a slow death!

I was purposefully keeping my father’s attitude from Xander. I know how much trouble the blurred lines of our relationships causes his and Xander’s friendship. I didn’t want to make any more waves between them.  Well, maybe she hasn’t been honest with you. I am screwed. Here she is! I take the phone back, continuing to glare at Kyle.

Uncle Xander, I have been honest. I’ll explain everything in four days. I have to get to class. I love you. Bye. I rush through everything.

Bye. I love you! he calls just before I hang up. I shoot Kyle my best I-will-kill-you stare.

Are you always an ass? I ask.

Are you always a coward? he counters. I swear you have been complaining all year about how strict your dad’s rules have gotten. You were just telling me the other day how he won’t let you...

He trails off because not even he can remember all my father’s stupid rules. He tries really hard, though. He doesn’t want to be the reason we can’t hang out anymore. 

I can only hang out with you during the day, I recite, surprised at my own ability to remember them. If we want to hang out a night, it has to be at my house. 

See! That’s completely insane, Em! he exclaims. I’d love to take you to dinner and a movie, or even bowling. Something fun, but all we can do is sit around your place watching T.V., and that’s why you have to talk to him.

I sigh, ignoring the implications of his wanting to take me out. I had been suspecting for a while that Kyle wanted to be more than friends with me, but I doubted that I would ever see him as anything more than the brother that I always wanted.

You think I haven’t tried? I argue. He doesn’t listen to me, and it’s not like it would make a difference.

My dad and I have never been your typical daughter and father. Yes, he’s been trying harder to be a better father in the years since our move to Palm Springs, and that may be enough for our friends, but not me. He’s done too much damage for a few family dinners and movie nights to change. And he still fails to give me the two things I need most: my freedom, and knowing who my mother was.

Please just try tonight, Kyle begs, pushing a strand of loose hair behind my ear. I love spending time with you, but I would really like to be able to actually take you places.

Unable to deny him anything when he gave me his puppy dog look, I sigh. Okay, I’ll try again tonight.

How was your last day of school? my father asks as he shovels spaghetti onto his plate. Every Friday is spaghetti night. I don’t mind. I mean, the only thing better than spaghetti is pizza, but we usually only have that on nights when Kyle stays for dinner.

Kyle is the one thing I had to give my father credit for. He’s always so nice and welcoming to my friend, and he fought Mr. and Mrs. Thompson hard to allow me to be friends with their son. It is one of the few things I am grateful to my father for.

I swallow hard, wanting to keep my promise to Kyle, but not really knowing where to start. Like I said, I’ve tried to have the conversation with him so many times, but he never listens to what I have to say. I know Dad won’t let it go until I give him an answer. Yet, I can’t bring myself to state the truth so, with his green eyes boring into me, I give him a simple answer. Fine. I finished up my last finals. I just have to pack for my trip to Virginia.

Speaking of which, I bought a second plane ticket, he states casually. I want to join you for that first week just to make sure everything goes smoothly.

He cannot be serious. We fought about this for weeks. I’m seventeen now. It’s bad enough that I have to take my shape shifter bodyguards with me. Now, he’s telling me that he’s going to tag along. Why can’t he believe that I’ve grown up enough to get on and off a plane without anything bad happening? I doubt my grandfather is going to try anything in crowded airports.

Dad we talked about this! You said you would let me go—alone—to visit Uncle Xander. Nothing bad will happen to me, I argue as calmly and maturely as I can manage. I’m not going to get anywhere by acting like a fifteen-year-old brat.

You don’t know that. Your mother was killed by someone she should’ve been able to trust with her life. I’m not going to let you get on an airplane with strangers who could possibly be working with Johnathon Parker. 

Not every fucking person on this planet is working with my grandfather! I explode, slamming my fork on the plate. Besides, Mark and Brandon will be with me the whole time. You know they wouldn’t let anything happen to me. Please, don’t break this promise.

Language, Emmalyn. You are a young lady; act like one, he reprimands, wrapping spaghetti around his fork. As for the trip, your safety isn’t the only factor. I miss my best friend and would like to spend some time with him. I’m coming with you, and that’s final. Anger rages inside me.

Fine, I state, yanking my plate off of the table. I’m going to pack. I don’t think I can spend another minute with him right now.  All I wanted to do was grow up. Why was that too much to ask?

What’s wrong? He sighs like I’m being a drama queen.

Really? I ask, dropping my plate in the sink and returning to the dining room.

Just spit it out.

Will you listen? I ask.

Yes.

I take a deep breath. This isn’t exactly the way I wanted this conversation to go, and I need to reign in my anger. I won’t say anything out of anger, and I’d be as mature as possible. I need to prove to him that I was ready to be my own person.

I’d like you to relax some of your rules a little bit, I state. "And I’m not just talking about Virginia. I mean, my normal everyday rules.

Which ones?

I’d like you to cut my guard down to one, and let me go out with Kyle, I tell him, trying to sound diplomatic. Making demands won’t get me anywhere. I have to make requests. I want to be able to do things that normal seventeen-year-olds do. I want to go to Kyle’s games, try out for teams, and join clubs. I want to go to movies and parties. I want to make more friends, and date boys. I want to be able to fight with my friends about stupid stuff. I want to be me, Dad, I say, praying he’ll understand. And I can’t do that if I am always looking over my shoulder. Please, just believe that I will be okay, and let me live.

No, he states. It’s too dangerous. You have Kyle, Mark, and Brandon, me, your aunts, and your uncles. We can keep you safe, and that’s all you need right now.

No, it isn’t, I say, feeling my calm exterior begin to crack. I knew from the beginning that this was useless. Why did I even try? You aren’t listening to me. I feel like I’m being crushed here. I know you wanna keep me safe, but there has to be a better way. 

I understand how you feel, Emmalyn. I do, and I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want. He puts his fork down on his plate and finally looks up at me. You’re too young to completely understand what could happen if I give you the freedom you’re asking for. For the first time in a long time, I can see emotion blazing in his eyes. I just have no idea what those emotions are.

So let me learn, I plead.

No. I made that mistake with your mother, but I swore to her that I would do better for you.

Does doing better for me mean locking me away? Does that mean making it so I can’t fly? My emotions are finally starting to get the better of me, and I know I can’t play the mature card for much longer.

You’ll be able to fly when you’re safe.

When will that be? I question, letting some of my anger slip. When my grandfather is dead? When I’m dead?

You won’t die! my father growls. You’re not your mother.

Really? You say that to me, but you treat me like I’m glass because of her. You don’t even see me! You just see her! You got her killed, so now you have to kill my life, is that it?

Every bit of pent-up emotions from the last few months is coming out of me, and there is nothing I can do to stop it. I understand why he feels the need to protect me, but why can’t he understand that I need to be a seventeen-year-old. I need to live and love.

You’re walking on thin ice, Emmalyn. Watch it.

This is the most emotion I’ve been able to get out of him in a long time. I don’t want to let it go. He’s finally paying attention to me, and I’m going to let it go now. No matter how this conversation ends.

No, I want to talk about it, Dad! I want to talk about my mother and the stupid decisions the two of you made, I shout, getting closer to him as I speak. It’s taken far too long for this to happen, and I’m not about to back down now.  You two ruined my life! I scream, trying to force the tears back. I would not let him see me cry.

Without those stupid decisions, you wouldn’t be here right now, young lady,