I head for the bench in the center of the room, plopping onto it as I bury my face in my hands. What do I tell Sabine? I whisper, as Damen sits beside me, slipping an arm around me and easing my fears. I mean, its not like I can fake my own death. That crime-scene investigation stuffs a little more advanced than it was in your day.
Well deal with it when the time comes, he says. Im sorry, I shouldve mentioned this before.
But when I look into his eyes, I know it wouldnt have mattered. Wouldnt have made the least bit of difference. Remembering the day when he first presented the whole idea of immortality to me, how careful he was to explain that Id never cross the bridge, never be with my family again. But I went for it anyway. Pushed the thought right out of my way. Figuring Id find some kind of loophole, discover a way to work around all of thatwilling to convince myself of just about anything if it meant being with him for eternity. And its no different now.
And though I have no idea what Ill say to Sabine, or how Ill even begin to explain our sudden desertion to our friends, in the end, all I want is to be with him. Its the only way my life feels complete.
Well enjoy a good life, Ever, I promise you that. Youll never experience any lack, and youll never be bored again. Not after realizing the glorious possibilities of all that exists. Though aside from you and meall of our outside connections will be extremely short lived. Theres just no getting around it, no loophole like you think. Its a necessity, pure and simple.
I take a deep breath and nod, remembering when I first met him and how he said something about being bad at good-byes. But he just smiles, responding to my thoughts when he says, I know. Youd think itd get easier, right? But it never really does. I usually find it easier to just disappear and avoid them altogether.
Easier for you maybe, though Im not so sure about those youve left behind.
He nods, rising from the bench and pulling me up alongside him. Im a vain and selfish man, what can I say?
Thats not what I meant I shake my head. I just
Please. He looks at me. Theres no need to defend me. I know what I amor at least what I used to be.
He gets up, leading me away from the paintings he came here to see. Only Im not ready to go. Not yet. Anyone whos forfeited their greatest passion, just simply walked away like he has, deserves a second chance.
I let go of his hand and shut my eyes tightly, manifesting a large canvas, a wide selection of brushes, a comprehensive palette of paints, and whatever else he might need, before he can stop me.
Whats this? He gazes between the easel and me.
Wow, it really has been a long time if you cant even recognize the tools of the trade. I smile.
He peers at me, gaze intense, unwavering, but I meet it with equal strength.
I thought it might be nice for you to paint alongside your friends. I shrug, watching as he grabs a brush from the table, turning it over in the palm of his hand. You said we could do anything we want, right? That the normal rules no longer apply? Wasnt that the point of this trip?
He looks at me, expression wary but yielding.
And if thats the case, then I think you should paint something here. Create something beautiful, grand, everlasting, whatever you want. And as soon as youre finished, well mount it alongside your friends. Leaving it unsigned, of course.
Im far past the point of needing my work to be recognized, he says, looking at me, eyes filled with light.
Good. I nod, motioning toward the blank canvas. Then I expect to see a work of pure inspired genius with no ego involved. Hand on his shoulder, giving him a nudge when I add, You should probably get started though. Unlike us, this night is finite.
CHAPTER 24
I glance between the painting and Damen, palm pressed to my chest, at a complete loss for words. Knowing whatever I say could never describe whats before me. Absolutely no words will do.
Its so I pause, feeling small, undeserving, definitely not worthy of an image so grand. Its so beautifuland transcendentandI shake my headand no way is that me!
He laughs, eyes meeting mine when he says, Oh its you all right. Smiling as he takes it all in. In fact, its the embodiment of all your incarnations. A sort of compilation of the you of the last four hundred years. Your fiery hair and creamy skin hailing straight from your life in Amsterdam, your confidence and conviction from your Puritan days, your humility and inner strength taken from your difficult Parisian life, your elaborate dress and flirtatious gaze lifted straight from your London society days, while the eyes themselves He shrugs, turning toward me. They remain the same. Unchanging, eternal, no matter what guise you wear.
And now? I whisper, gaze focused on the canvas, taking in the most radiant, luminous, glorious, winged creaturea true goddess descending from the heavens above, eager to bestow the Earth with her gifts. Knowing its quite possibly the most beautiful image Ive ever seen, but still not getting how it could really be me. What part of me is taken from now? Other than the eyes, I mean.
He smiles. Why your gossamer wings, of course.
I turn, assuming hes joking until I see the serious expression marking his face.
Youre quite unaware of them, I know. He nods. But trust me, theyre there. Having you in my life is like a gift from above, a gift I surely dont deserve, but one I give thanks for every day.
Please. Im hardly that goodor kindor gloriousor even remotely angelic like you seem to think. I shake my head. Especially not lately, and you know it, I add, wishing I could hang it in my room where I could see it every day, but knowing its far more important to leave it right here.
You sure about this? He glances between his beautiful unsigned painting and those of his friends.
Absolutely. I nod. Imagine all the chaos thatll ensue when they find it professionally framed and mounted on this wall. And I mean the good kind of chaos, by the way. Besides, just think of all the people wholl be called upon to study it, trying to determine just where it came from, how it got here, and who couldve possibly created it.
He nods, glancing at it one last time before turning away. But I grab his hand and pull him back to me, saying, Hey, not so fast. Dont you think we should name it? You know, add a little bronze plaque like the other ones have?
He glances at his watch, more than a little distracted now. Ive never been much good at titling my work, always just went with the obvious. You know: Bowl of Fruit, or Red Tulips in a Blue Vase.
Well, its probably better not to name it Ever with Wings, Angelic Ever, or anything remotely like that. You know, just in case someone does recognize me. But how about something a little moreI dont knowstory like? Less literal, more figurative. I tilt my head and gaze at him, determined to make this work.
Any suggestions? He looks at me briefly, before his gaze begins to wander.
How aboutenchantmentor enchantedorI dont know, something like that? I press my lips tightly together.
Enchantment? He turns toward me.
Well, youre obviously under some kind of spell if you think that resembles me. I laugh, watching his eyes light up as he laughs along with me.
Enchantment it is. He nods, back to business again. But we need to make this plaque quickIm afraid we
I nod, closing my eyes and envisioning the plaque in my head, whispering, What should I use for the artistanonymous or unknown?
Either, he says, voice hurried, anxious, eager to move on
Choosing unknown because I like the sound of it, I lean forward to inspect my work, asking, What do you think?
I think we better run!
He grasps my hand and pulls me alongside him, moving so fast my feet never once touch the ground. Racing down the long series of halls, taking the stairs as though theyre not even there. The entry door just within view when the whole room goes bright and the alarm begins to sound.
Omigod! I cry, panic crowding my throat as he picks up the pace.
Voice hoarse and ragged when he says, I didnt plan on staying so longII didnt know Stopping as we reach the front door just as the steel cage descends.
I turn to him, heart crashing, skin slick with sweat, aware of the footsteps behind us, the shouts ringing out. Standing mutely beside him, unable to move, unable to scream, his eyes closed in deep concentration, urging the complex alarm system to go dormant again.
But its too late. Theyre already here. So I raise my arms in surrender, ready to accept my fate, when the steel cage ascends and Im yanked out the door and toward the blooming fields of Summerland.
Or at least I envisioned Summerland.
Damen envisioned us safely ensconced in his car, heading toward home.
And so we find ourselves in the middle of a busy highway insteada slew of speeding cars honking and skidding as we scramble to our feet and hurry to the side, gazing all around and catching our breath as we try to determine where we are.
I dont think this is Summerland, I say, glancing at Damen as he breaks into a laugh so contagious, it gets me going as well. The two of us huddled on the side of a litter-strewn highway, in some undetermined location, falling all over ourselves.
Hows that for breaking out of a rut? He gasps, shoulders shaking as we continue to laugh.
I almost had a heart attack back thereI thought for sure wed I catch my breath and shake my head.
Hey now. He pulls me near. Didnt I promise Id always look after you and keep you from harm?
I nod, remembering the words, but unfortunately the last few minutes are still etched on my brain. How about a car then? A car would be good about now, dont you think?
He closes his eyes, transferring the BMW from there to here, or maybe he manifested a brand new one instead, its impossible to tell since they both look the same.
Can you even imagine what those guards thought when first we and then the car disappeared? He holds the door open and ushers me in, adding, The security cameras! before closing his eyes and taking care of them too.
I watch as he pulls into traffic, a happy grin spread wide across his face. Realizing hes actually enjoying this. That those last few minutes of danger got him even more excited than the painting did.
Its been a while since I pushed it like that. He glances at me. But just so you know, Im holding you partly responsible. After all, youre the one who convinced me to linger.
I look at him, eyes grazing over his face, really taking him in. And even though my heartbeat may never return to normal again, its been far too long since Ive seen him like thisthishappythiscarefreethisdangerousin the way that first made him attractive to me.
So whats next? He slaloms through the traffic, hand on my knee.
Um, home? I look at him, wondering what could possibly top an outing like that.
He looks at me, clearly game for more. Are you sure? Because we can stay out as long as you like, I dont want you to get bored again.
I think I underestimated bored. I laugh. Im starting to see how it has its place.
Damen nods, leaning toward me and pressing his lips to my cheek, almost rear-ending an Escalade the second he takes his eyes off the road.
I laugh, pushing him back toward his seat. Really. I think we pushed our luck enough for one night.
As you wish. He smiles, squeezing my knee as he turns back toward the road, focused on home.
CHAPTER 25
Even though Id hoped to be long gone by the time Munoz swung by to pick up Sabine, the second I pull into my drive I glance at my rearview mirror only to find him right there behind me.
Early.
Ten minutes early in fact.
The same ten minutes Id earmarked for racing home from work and changing into something properly somber, before fleeing the scene and heading for Havens front yard where Charms memorial service will be held.
Ever? He climbs out of his shiny silver Prius, jangling his keys and squinting at me. What are you doing here? He tilts his head as he approaches, enveloping me in a cloud of Axe bodyspray.
I sling my bag over my shoulder, slamming my car door much harder than planned. Funny thing. IumI actually live here.
He looks at me, face so still Im not sure he heard until he shakes his head and repeats, You live here?
I nod, refusing to say anything more.
But He gazes around, taking in the stone façade, the front steps, the recently clipped lawn, the beds of flowers beginning to bloom. But this is Sabines houseisnt it?
I pause, tempted to tell him no, that this faux Tuscan, Laguna Beach McMansion isnt Sabines house at all. That hes obviously made some kind of mistake and ended up at my house instead.
But just as Im about to, Sabine pulls right up beside us. Jumping out of her car with way too much enthusiasm when she says, Oh! Paul! So sorry Im latethe office was crazy and every time I tried to leave something else got in the way She shakes her head, gazing up at him in a way thats far too flirtatious for a first date. But if you could just give me a minute, Ill run upstairs and change so we can get going. It shouldnt take long.
Paul?
I glance between them, noting her happy, lilting, singsongy tone, and not liking the sound of it, not liking it at all. Its too intimate. Too forward. She should be forced to call him Mr. Munoz like we do at school. At least until the end of tonight, after which, of course, theyll mutually decide to go their separate ways . . .
He smiles, raking his hand through his longish, wavy brown hair, like the worst kind of show-off. I mean, just because he has exceptionally cool hair for a teacher, doesnt mean he should flaunt it like that.
Im a few minutes early, he says, gaze locked on hers. So please, take as much time as you need. Im fine talking with Ever here.
So youve met? Sabine rests her overstuffed briefcase against her hip, glancing between us.
I shake my head, blurting, No! before I can stop. Unsure if Im saying no to her question, or to this whole situation. But still, there it is, an unequivocal no, and Ive no plans to rescind it. I mean, yeah, weve met and all butjust now. I pause, their eyes narrowed, as confused as I am as to where this is going. What I mean is, its not like we knew each other before or anything. I peer at them, knowing Ive only confused them more. Anyway, hes right. You should justumgo upstairs and get readyand I jab my thumb toward Munoz since theres no way Im calling him Paul, no way Im calling him anything. And well just hang here until youre ready. I smile, hoping to keep him outside, on the driveway, far from my den.