Chrysalis: The Emergence of Emery (The Gifted Series Book 1) by Maria Macdonald Page A

he says, then running his hand down my side. He slips his fingers through mine and pulls me away. I glance over my shoulder and catch Zeit’s wink as I leave. The minute I turn back, I realize we’re running. Kade looks back at me, his eyes scan my face then he continues forward. I feel power coursing through me as my body keeps time with his. We slow then come to a stop. Kade pulls me in front of him and he searches my whole body.
    “I’m fine,” I tell him, but he ignores my words until he’s done his own assessment. “Kade…” I say softly and his eyes meet mine.
    “I felt your fear,” he growls and I nod.
    “Yes, but I knew he wasn’t going to hurt me. My fear came from the things he told me.”
    “What? What did he say?” Kade asks grabbing both my hands in his, and I wonder if he even realizes he’s holding them.
    “He said I’m dark.”
    Kade shakes his head. “Not possible.”
    I nod my own reply. “Yeah. Apparently Elijah and I have different mothers, Elijah just doesn’t realize that. The mother he thinks is his, is actually only mine. Zeit said historically, light and dark families don’t mix… like ever. And I’m the first mixed child to be born, which makes me super powerful and also capable of destroying everyone.” I sigh and look around realizing we’re now in a secluded area of a park.
    Pulling my hands from Kade’s I sink onto the grass and Kade paces back and forth. As I watch his movements I know that I could love this man so easily, I already feel it there, just waiting for me to accept it, so it can cover me. I can feel him, too. I know Elijah said that he can’t read Kade, something about him being able to block it, but I do get glimpses sometimes, like now. It’s strange, usually in those sparse moments that I can feel him, it’s power, strength, and ferocity that I feel. Today it’s fear. “Are you scared?” The words are out before I have a chance to stop them, and he halts looking down at me.
    “Fuck, yeah.” His answer is startling. “I don’t know what exactly you are, except that you’re my other half. We need to stay away from each other, but every time I try to keep away from you it kills me. The first time I saw you, Emery… you were eleven, I was thirteen. I accompanied Elijah on one of his many visits to check on you. The second I saw you my whole world slotted into place. I knew who you were instantly. For years, I’ve hoped you weren’t going to come into your power, that you’d never come into our world. You would remain safe, and I could watch you from a distance. My mistake was thinking that would ever be enough. I can’t ever be with you. I can’t allow myself to have a weakness, and Emery, you would be a weakness.”
    I feel my chest compress as pain crushes me inside. He kneels down next to me, lifting his hand up he cups my cheek and whispers, “Emery, no matter what, wherever you are, I promise I’ll always keep you safe.” I close my eyes and feel the pain inside me disappear… replaced by emptiness.

Chapter Ten
     

     
    “Emery.” Elijah’s tone is cold as I enter the hotel suite. He stares at me, his legs slightly apart and his arms across his chest. I can feel the tension in the room, it’s everywhere and emanating solely from him.
    “What?” I ask slinging my bag onto the sofa.
    “Don’t what me like this is some game,” he spits.
    “You tried to put me to sleep, it’s not my fault it backfired!” I shout as I catch Kade’s questioning gaze skim over me.
    “I shouldn’t have needed to even try. You should trust me enough to know whatever I do it’s for your own good,” he growls.
    I shake my head laughing hysterically, then throw it back for dramatic effect. Snapping it forward while ceasing the laughter, Elijah’s eyes momentarily widen. “I’ve known you for four days, Elijah. Four days!” I shout. “Don’t tell me I should trust you, I don’t even know you!” A flash of pain hits me in my stomach, and