Beyond (20 page)

“
So…
.
”
Claudia poked Austin on his strong chest.
“
What parts of my amnesia are you not telling me about?
”
Her tone was autho ri ta t ive and serious.

“
What do you mean?
”

“
Don ’
t give me that innocent tone.
”

“
I don ’
t know what you ’
re talking about.
”
Austin walked away.

“
Austin!
”
Claudia ran after him.
“
Please stop. I didn ’
t mean to take it out on you. It ’
s just that I feel like a part of me is missing. A part of me feels empty and I can ’
t explain it. I…
.
”

Austin didn
’
t let Claudia finish her words. He already felt guilty about keeping her past from her. He lift ed her chin .
“
Hey…you ’
ll be okay. In time, everything will come together. You just need to give it a rest and let time heal.
”
He enveloped her in his embrace, holding her tightly, know ing that one day she would know the truth.
Knowing that one day, these special times together at Island of Eden would be no more. He felt his heart br eaking already . These times together were sur ely the best time s of his life, but he had to find a way to stop caring for her that way. One day, he would be one of the Twelve.
“
So , how did you escape?
”

“
He let me go ,”
she said, flashing her eyes on the ground, shuffling her feet.

Austin
had seen Michael dart in with Claudia . He wondered wh at Michael told her, but he deci ded it was best not to acknowledge he knew.

“
You should get some rest.
”

“
I ’
m not tired. Could you practice bow shooting with me?
”

“
You don ’
t need any practice. Your aim is perfect.
”

“
I…I…just felt so useless back there.
”
Claudia explained how frighten ed she was when she saw her friends all wrapped up and she couldn ’
t do anything to help.

“
Hey, ”
Austin lifted her chin to force her eyes on his.
“
It wasn ’
t your fault. And plus, if you had shot the dam n shadows, you would have shot right through us. It ’
s a good thing you didn ’
t try.
”
Austin winked , trying to lighten her mood , but it didn’t work.
“
Claudia , you okay?
”

“
I…you…I mean…I know I have selective memories and all, but are you my only friend? I mean…don ’
t get me wrong. I enjoy your company, but don ’
t I have friends that are…
girls ?”
Claudia asked, trying to be sensitive to his feelings.

The
gentl e breeze tossed Claudia ’
s hair. Austin lost himself for a sec ond, gazing at this being in front of him, t he person who had somehow captured his heart. He couldn ’
t quite understand what he was feeling, bu t he knew one thing for sure ; he would do just about anything for her. Austin broke out of his trance and chuckled as he placed strands of hair behind her ears.
“
Is that what ’
s bothering you?
Of course you have friends. I ’
ve been selfish, keeping you all to myself. Why don ’
t I call Holly ?
You two can hang out.
”

“
Just Holly ?”
she asked hesitantly.

“
No…Holly can gather the group of girls you hang out with.
”
Austin was trying his best not to lie.

“
Sure .”
Claudia sounded cheerful. Feeling excited , she wrapped her arms around Austin and gave him a peck on his cheek.
“
Thank you.
”

Austin lit a sly grin.
“
Why don ’
t you plant another one a little bit more to the right ?” he asked, referring to his lips.

Claudia giggle
d . Austin was always flirting with her. For sure, he always made her feel attractive. She had become attached to him in ways she had been afraid she would be . He was her guardian angel , and though falling in love was forbidden, she couldn ’
t help the human emotions inside her. Besides his goo d looks, he was sweet and caring . He made her feel special. To Claudia, Austin was her best friend, her confid a nt , and someone she could trust completely .

“
Forget what happened today, okay ?”
Austin suggested. He really wanted to say forget about the guy who saved you today.

“
Sure, ”
Claudia replied, but she only said it to be agreeable.

“
I ’
ll race you to the door.
”
Austin took off without giving her a chance to reply.

“
Hey…
.
”
Claudia laughed out loud. She ran just as fast, but her mind was suddenly occupied by the angel that smelled like honeysuckle. She could still feel herself inside his hold , where she felt so small, but safe.
F
eeling s she knew she shouldn ’
t have erupted throughout her body from the sound of his voice and from his tender touch ; from t he way he sang her name like it was a song he knew so well , and from the way he was there for her as if he was her guardian angel. He was her hero today, he was part of her past for sure , and she knew there was more to her life than just being a venator. She just had to find a way to remember.