Breathing Air Read online

  “How about I teach you a fun trick instead?” he asks with a smirk. My heart picks up as he sticks his hands in his pocket and pulls out a penny. He wants to play with me. This could be a great way to get to know each other better. He holds his palm out. “Watch,” he instructs and dutifully, I look at the penny in his hand. It slowly begins to become shinier. The copper color fades, changing into a brighter metallic color, and finally into gold.

  “Did you seriously just make gold in front of me?” I can’t help but smile.

  “Oldest trick in the Alchemist book,” he answers, grinning down at me. He’s taller than Kevin and Nolan, who are both a couple inches taller than me. He at least has me by a foot and I’m 5’ 4”. I haven’t really taken his height into account before this.

  “How did you do it?” I ask, still surprised by his trick.

  “I just will it to happen,” he tells me with sincerity. “Just trust that you have the ability Adaline, every Alchemist does. Your powers are the strongest when you have complete faith in them.” His dark, black eyes feel like he’s trying to penetrate my soul as he stares into mine. I’m having a hard time trying to look away. “Now a penny works because it’s made up of common base metals; copper, and zinc. We can turn any base metal into gold. Here.” He pulls another penny out of his pocket and hands it to me. “We have a pile of money that people arrived with just sitting around. We obviously don’t have a need for it, so we teach the kids with them. Take it and try it out. Now promise you won’t get frustrated with it if it doesn’t work out the first time.” I take the penny from him and look at it, unsure of how to start.

  “How long did it take you?” I ask, genuinely wanting to know more about him..

  “Well, I, of course, got it on the first try,” he boasts, I lightly slap at his chest and shake my head. He just laughs at me. “Fine. It took me quite a few times before I got the hang of it.” He touches my hand with his and pulls it towards his mouth. He gives it a quick peck before I hastily pull my hand away.

  I clear my throat. “So how did it go telling everyone our plans?”

  He lets out a soft sigh before he starts talking. “Most of them are actually for it, which surprised me. All this time, I figured that most of them just wanted to stay here and be away from it all, but they actually miss Earth. They seem happy to finally be able to fight. There are only a few still thinking on it.”

  “Well that’s great isn’t it? We can change the Alchemist society. Make it where everyone can finally get along, well enough where there isn’t any actual fighting.”

  He begins to rub his neck and gives me a weird expression. “Look, Adaline, maybe we should talk about everything. I really want this but I feel like I may have pushed you into something you’re not ready for because its something I want.”

  “What do you mean?” My confusion is clear in my tone.

  “My father was killed because of Thomas. He sent some of his officers after him when he found out my father wasn’t going to go against Osiris. I thought of nothing but him and those people for twenty years. When you talked about going after Horus to get Naomi back, I thought that this could be my opportunity to get the revenge I desperately need.”

  “So you really don’t want to get to know me at all?” I demand, hurt by his admission. “You just want to use me to what, kill everybody? It’s a big deal what we’re doing. Everybody will be putting their lives at risk.”

  He places both his hands on my shoulders and shakes me. “Don’t you think I know that?” His voice is shaky. “Do you know why it’s taken me twenty years to even consider doing this? I’ve always thought about everybody else first. I’m responsible for all these people, I don’t want to be the reason they are doing this.” He lets go of my shoulders as his face becomes defeated. “If we do things this way, it can be about them, about what they’ve always wanted. Finally having peace. And I can finally make my father’s death mean something. I’m sorry I’ve used you Adaline and, if things were different, believe me, I would want to belong to you. You’re everything that could make me happy.”

  Taking his right hand with my left, I give it a squeeze. His eyes return to mind. “Why can’t you do both? We could be together and you could still go after Horus. Nothing would change.”

  He squeezes back but shakes his head at me. “If I was with you, I would be worried about you the whole time, I wouldn’t be able to focus, and I already have to worry about hundreds here. For once, I just want to worry about myself, about what I want and not worry about how my death would affect someone if that happened. If I was with you, I wouldn’t be able to be all in. You deserve someone who’s all in, like Nolan.” His words are sad, but determined.

  Shaking my head in frustration, I realize I have to try to change his mind. I grab his face and pull him towards me. Closing my eyes, I kiss his luscious lips lightly, just a quick peck. I pull back slightly and look into his inky eyes. “I’m not asking for all of you,” I whisper against his lips. “I’m just asking for a chance to see what can be.”

  “Adaline,” he breathes out.

  “Don’t think, just this once,” I plead. Pressing my lips back to his soft ones, I ask for more with my actions. He sighs, wrapping his strong arms around me. I take advantage and trace my tongue along his lips. He opens for me and we explore each other’s mouths. A gust of wind whips around us, rustling my hair. My arms wrap around his neck and he lifts me up. Emmanuel breaks the kiss, but doesn’t go far. His lips trace along my jaw to my neck where he nibbles and suckles. A moan escapes me as he finds my ear. His warm breath raises goosebumps on my exposed arms. As my stomach dips, he stops suddenly and pulls his head from my neck. The swirling wind dies down with his actions.

  “If we do this, I won’t be able to quit you, Adaline.” His face silently pleads with me to let him go. I step back from his embrace and nod my head. Sadness fills me as I watch him walk away from me for a second time.

  I’ll give him today. But there’s no way I’m done breathing in his Air.

  What the actual fuck am I doing? I thought being around her was supposed to help control my elemental powers. Yes, I’m stronger but my control on this whole situation is slipping. She seems to have some kind of gravitational pull that I can’t get away from. It took every ounce of willpower I had to break away from sucking on that gorgeous neck of hers. It’s hard when only one thought keeps crossing my mind. Why not just give in and be with her?

  Letting out a deep breath, I rub my neck. I had to tell her why I used her and the crazy thing is, she didn’t care. She just seemed to accept it. The hold she already has on my heart is strong and I don’t think I can continue to stay away from her, not as understanding as she is. The honest truth is I don’t really want to. I’ve always thought that my father would have lived if he had found his nucleus and partners. I thought it would never happen for me, so I have only ever been focused on seeking revenge, determined to follow through, even if it brings me to my death. But with Adaline in the mix, maybe my death isn't so possible. Maybe, just maybe, I could give this a chance.

  I let out a sigh as I lay down in the field and stare at the cloudless, green sky. As I try to continue to clear my head, one thought still lingers. If I continue to fight this, when I finally give in, will she still have me?

  “How long does it take to walk back home?” I complain, fatigue overwhelming me. “Golly, I don’t remember walking this far when we left this morning.”

  Nolan’s face grows concerned. “Did you eat anything at all when you came back to the pavilion? You know you're supposed to eat after you practice manipulating your powers, Adaline.” He pulls one of my arms around his shoulder so I can lean on him for support. After Emmanuel left, I went to find Mrs. Georgie and Nolan. As soon as I sat down with them, my only focus for the rest of the night was the bottle of oacrean alcohol that was being poured. I thought a good buzz is exactly what I needed before I head off to meet the parents I’ve never known tomorrow.

  “I’m g
lad I have you, Nolan,” I murmur, snuggling into his chest. “I’m going to sex you up good tonight.”

  He turns his head towards me shooting me a weird grin, like he might be trying to hold in a laugh. “I’m glad I got you too.”

  “Hey!” I shout excited by an idea. “Do you think we can talk Kevin into a three-way? I feel like all his anger could use an outlet. And I was completely turned on when you were holding him this morning.” Just the memory has butterflies taking flight in my belly.

  A chuckle escapes him this time. “Well, you could ask him but I don’t see him being in the mood for it this evening.”

  I can’t keep the smirk off my face as I try to waggle my eyebrows at him. “So you would be up for a three-way then?”

  He places a kiss on my cheek as we continue walking, giving my side a squeeze where he has his hand resting. “I’ve actually never had a three-way but, no, I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”

  Just that he isn’t opposed to a three-way has me stopping in my tracks. My sudden stop catches Nolan off guard and he stumbles. Man, this is so hot. I need to know how far he’ll go. “So would you kiss him?”

  He leans down to whisper in my ear. “Do you want me to kiss him?” Shivers of heat run up my spine.

  “Only if you do it in front of me,” I blurt out.

  He catches my chin with his fingers and turns my head so he can kiss me. A nice, quick kiss. “If he’s into it and then I get to play with you. I’d definitely give it a go. But why don’t we worry about getting back first.”

  “Okay,” Following his advice, I set a quick pace and he manages to keep up with me. This is freaking awesome. Maybe there’s a chance we can get Kevin in the mood tonight.

  Finally, our cottage finally comes into view. I have to admit, the view is spectacular this evening. The green sky almost looks black except around the moon where there is a huge cluster of stars surrounding it. The lilac grass already has some dew on it. I try to take in the quietness of it all. I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere on Earth that is as quiet and peaceful as this place. They don’t have street lamps or satellites in the sky that take away from this beauty. I turn towards the house but stop and wrap my arms around Nolan.

  “Kiss me here and now,” I exclaim louder than I intended.

  He lets out a low laugh and pulls me into him. My mouth meets his and I the familiar shocks run all throughout my body. I can’t tell for sure if it’s the normal shocks I feel around him or if it’s the alcohol running through my body, but it’s magnificent. His tongue dances around mine and warmness spread throughout me before the kiss is broken. “How about we finish this inside?” he whispers to me as our mouths slowly move away from each other.

  Taking his hand, I pull and drag him behind me towards the front door. I twist the handle, seeing if Kevin has left it unlocked for us. When the door opens, all I see is darkness. I guess Kevin must already be asleep so I continue to pull Nolan behind me as we make our way towards our bedroom. I open the door slowly trying not to make a noise and I try to see if I can make out Kevin laying in the bed. But I swear I can’t see any lumps under the covers. I turn the light switch on quickly.

  “Adaline, turn it off. You might wake Kevin,” Nolan says in a quiet voice before he walks in the room behind me.

  “Kevin’s not here.” I make my way into the hallway and head towards the kitchen.

  I slowly turn on each of the lights but I can’t find him anywhere. All I see is the orange notepad that’s been sitting on the counter since we got here. Nolan’s footsteps come in behind me.

  “He’s not in the front room. Do you think he went out looking for us since we’ve been out so late?” I pick up the notebook on the counter and sit down slowly on the floor with my back dragging against the counter on the way down as I read the note left on it.

  “He didn’t go looking for us,” I whisper softly.

  Adaline and Nolan,

  I met up with Tobias today and asked him if he would be able to take me to Earth. Apparently, Parker’s been itching to get back as well. I’m not going to stay here and wait for months to go after Naomi, Lincoln, and Cooper. We will figure things out on our own.

  I expected you to help, we’re supposed to be family and put each other first before anything else. Maybe you think you’re helping but my sister has always been there for me and I can’t betray her by standing by and doing nothing. We will get her out and start over somewhere else, away from all of this crap. Maybe I can convince our parents to come with us.

  When you finally come to your senses come find me before we disappear for good.

  - Kevin

  My heart cracks as I pass the note over to Nolan. I try to control my breathing, but I can’t seem to even be able to catch my breath. Ever since we came to this planet, things have just been getting shittier and shittier. When I agreed to go after Horus as a whole, I was still thinking about getting Naomi back, it just was going to take some time. Apparently, it’s going to take too much time. Oh God, I hope he’s okay.

  Nolan gets up suddenly and pulls me up with him. “Let’s go find Emmanuel. He can get us into Tobias’ house here. Maybe they left more of an idea of what they’re going to do. Or better yet, maybe they haven’t left yet.”

  I knock a couple times on my dad’s door. But it’s pointless. They’re already gone. Emmanuel unlocks the door and we follow in behind him. The boys hurry from room to room in the house as I stay in the front room. I start to just sit down on the couch when a picture he has on the wall catches my eyes. It’s me when I was younger maybe five or six. That was the age where I wore that green sundress everywhere. It’s me standing in a field of yellow flowers, bent over and picking a few. My hair was huge and in tangles, and my face was beet red from running a few minutes before the picture was taken. I remember that day. That’s when we were moving to Pennsylvania, it took like six hours to drive to that little town from Ohio and every hour we would stop somewhere and pick something to do. That stop was when it was my turn to pick.

  How did we get here? The father I thought was so dependable when I was younger has disappeared again and this time with one of my partners. Did he even think about me at all when he decided to do this? Seeing that he still has a picture of me, should have made me a little happy. Right? All it does is make me wish that I was a little girl again that still had a father who just wanted my happiness.

  I am pulled out of my thoughts when the guys come back into the front room.

  Emmanuel looks the same as he always does. I bet he knew my father would do something like this. Does he know my father more than I do? At this point, I don’t think I know my father at all. So I would definitely bet on Emmanuel.

  Nolan sits down beside me looking defeated while Emmanuel plops down on a chair. “There’s nothing here,” Nolan informs me. “They’re gone. And we have no idea what their plans are, how do they think they will accomplish anything?”

  I shake my head. “Do you think they’ll just arrest him too? Is he going to be okay if he gets caught?”

  “Hadley’s not going to let anything happen to her kid,” Nolan rassures me. “He and Naomi are going to be fine.” He pulls me into him and wraps an arm around my shoulder before he continues. “So are we still up for visiting Osiris tomorrow?”

  I look up at him. “Doesn’t this change things? Shouldn’t we go after them and try and stop them?”

  Before he answers me, Emmanuel speaks up. “You two were not going to go there for a reason. Anything could happen, and if you go, there’s still a bigger possibility that you will be caught. This shouldn’t change anything, we need to go with the plan we already have.” My eyes fire daggers at him… if only.

  “I wasn’t talking to you,” I say pointedly. “You are not in this with us, you’ve made that much clear. You don’t decide anything.”

  He throws his hands up and gets off the sofa chair. “Whatever you decide affects everyone here. They’ve all decided to follow you and we need you to g
et back up from Osiris. If something happens to you, we won’t have enough support.”

  “He’s right, Adaline,” I roll my eyes and give Nolan a dirty look. “No, seriously. This was Kevin’s decision, not ours. I hate that we can’t help him but he’s doing this to himself. Now we have to focus on everything else. If he gets caught, which he probably will, we will get him back when we go after everyone. We need to head out tomorrow as planned. Unless you have an actual plan to help Kevin now.”

  “Augh,” I let out. “Of course I don’t have a plan!” I turn away from Nolan and cover my face with my hands. “He’s fucked and I can’t do anything about it.” Getting up, I pace the room, walking back and forth in front of the couch. I’ve been going along with a plan that has ruined my relationships and there is nothing else to do but continue with it. I stop in front of my two remaining partners.. “Fine. We are still going to Osiris in the morning.” I’ve completely fucked everything up and it only took me three days. Now I just have to follow through with the plan and fix it.

  “Okay, Parker stop talking,” Parker finally shuts his mouth after running it for what seems like hours. All the noise he’s been making has been ruining my concentration. Tobias transported us to Times Square and then he opened another portal and disappeared. Why did I think he was going to stick around and help us? He runs and hides, of course he won’t show himself to Horus. Now I’m trying to figure out how close we can get to the main safe house in New York without being spotted. If we can get to the abandoned building down the street from it, we can watch the building and devise a plan from there. I was planning to get Tobias to come with us so we could portal out of whatever room they are being held in, but that plan’s now a bust.