Tale of Life (Essence Series #2) (31 page)

Calloway felt his heart pound. The very reason why he and Weston weren’t together was because she claimed she couldn’t trust him. Now she didn’t have a reason to be wary of him. He was a member of the White Wing and committed to the same cause. “I’m going to tell her.”

“When?” Breccan smiled.

“As soon as I see her,” Calloway said firmly. He wasn’t going to wait any longer. She was the one he wanted and he knew she felt the same—she loved him. Calloway felt his heart accelerate in his chest as he turned to the hallway. People were filing out of the room. Older adults with gray hair walked past him and left the building. They wore long black robes that hid most of their frames from view. Only their hands were revealed. Marquan left the hallway, winking at Calloway as he walked by with another quorum member. He waited for Weston to appear, and when she finally did, Calloway advanced to her, unable to wait a few more seconds for her to reach him.

“Hey,” he said, smiling at her. His grin was so wide he couldn’t control it. He didn’t realize how happy he was until he saw her face, the most beautiful face he’d ever seen.

“Congratulations.” She smiled.

“Thank you,” he said. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly, letting himself drown in his own happiness. “I’m so glad that worked out.” His hands glided over her back, feeling the contours of her curved frame, and he felt elated at the feel of her in his arms. He never wanted to let her go—she was his.

“I am too,” she said. “I wasn’t sure how that trial was going to go. And thank you for not mentioning my prior knowledge—I appreciate it.”

“Of course,” he said. “I’ll always protect you.” He broke their touch then cupped her cheek, sliding his fingers into her hair, which was as soft as silk. Then he rested his hand on her neck. Weston flinched at his touch and Calloway noticed the slight movement. “I need to tell you something and I feel stupid for waiting so long.”

She averted her gaze. “No.”

Calloway stared at her, completely confused by her response. “Excuse me?”

“No,” she repeated. Her eyes were directed to his chest, avoiding the glaze of tears in his eyes. She didn’t pull his hand away but she didn’t reciprocate his touch. “I still can’t forgive you for what you did. I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I can’t—be that way with you.”

“What?” Calloway whispered. The sound of her words broke his heart. He thought everything was perfect between them. If the White Wing could accept him into their society, then so could she. Calloway didn’t understand what was happening—he didn’t want to believe it. “I proved I was trustworthy. I don’t understand.”

“But you clearly didn’t trust me,” she said. “You kept all of this hidden from me. How I can trust someone who would do that?” The tears were coating in her eyes even though she tried to hide it. She crossed her arms over her chest, avoiding contact with him. The sight broke his heart—shattering it into more pieces. “How do I know you won’t do it again? Our whole world hangs in the balance and I can’t waste my time with someone that I can’t trust implicitly.”

Calloway grabbed her hands and held them to his chest. “You can trust me,” he said desperately. “I promise I will tell you everything.” He would even tell her about his true lineage if she gave him her heart. There would be no secrets between them. “Please give me another chance.”

“I care about you very much,” she said quietly. The tears started to brim over her eyes. “But you risked my sister’s life—the only family I have left—and that is just unforgivable. I can’t believe you would do that.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “It won’t happen again.”

She shook her head. “No.”

Calloway took a deep breath and controlled his tears. “Please don’t do this. We belong together.”

Weston took her hand away. “We are friends—nothing more.”

Calloway took a deep breath. “Give us some time. I’ll win back your trust—I promise.”
              “I’m sorry, Calloway.”

Calloway ran his hands through his hair. “What do I have to do, Weston? I’ve done everything you wanted. Yes, I made some mistakes but I accept the responsibility and learned from those errors. I will do anything you ask of me—I’ve proven it. Why are you stalling? I feel like you’re teasing me—making excuses. Do you just want to avoid a commitment with me? If that’s the truth, then just tell me. I know of your reputation—that you’re a heartbreaker. Don’t break my heart over and over—I don’t deserve it. I’m different than those other guys that you’ve dated—nothing like them. You either want me or you don’t. Now make your decision.”

She stared at him for a moment, saying nothing. The tears were falling from her eyes and Calloway knew the emotion was a beacon of her love for him. He wasn’t sure why she was making this so complicated—why couldn’t they just be together? Even though Weston was reputed for flirting with guys, making them believe that she wanted them, and then turning away a moment later like she had no interest in them, Calloway knew she would never do that to him. Her love for him was genuine. He waited for her to confess her feelings for him—that she loved him.

“I’m sorry, Calloway,” she said. She turned away and left the building, leaving Calloway standing alone with his agonizing heartbreak. His friends came up to him and patted him on the shoulder, trying to comfort him silently. For the first time, Calloway was angry. He wanted to punch something. “Why is she doing this to me? Why can’t I have the one thing I want? I don’t get it. There’s no winning with her!”

Easton patted him on the shoulder. “You know how my sister is; just give her some time.”

“Or move on from her,” Breccan said. “She obviously has commitment issues. She might just be saying that to avoid a relationship. She likes being single but enjoys having a guy chase her constantly.”

“I can never move on from her,” Calloway said sadly.

“Then you’re just going to torture yourself,” Breccan said sadly.

“Just give her some time,” Easton repeated.

“It doesn’t look like I have a choice.” Calloway sighed. He couldn’t move on from Weston but he couldn’t chase her anymore either. He was done with this game. “Besides, we have more important things to worry about.”

“Yes, you’re right,” Easton agreed. “Now Weston will tell us how we can help.”

“Well, technically you aren’t in the society,” Calloway said. “And she’ll kill me if I take you into danger again.”

“It’s my decision, Calloway,” she snapped. “You better respect it. If Weston can risk her life on a daily basis, so can I.”

Calloway nodded. “I agree.”

Mr. Avey walked out of the room, smiling at Calloway, and approached him. “Welcome,” he said. “I’m sorry my quorum gave you so such a difficult time.”

Calloway smiled. “They were just being careful,” he said. “You don’t want scum in your organization, right?”

“You’re right,” Mr. Avey said. “Perhaps we should do a re-trial.”

Calloway shook his head vigorously. “No, thank you.”

Mr. Avey laughed. “I thought not.” He laid his hand on his shoulder. “Come with me, Calloway.” He steered him away from his friends and they left the building, walking toward the dormitory building across the way. “I’m sure you have many questions.”

“Why do you teach high school?”

Mr. Avey raised an eyebrow. “That’s your first question?”

“I’m curious.”

“I love it—that’s why.”

Calloway nodded. “And you’re the president of the university?”

“Yes.” Mr. Avey nodded. “And I have been for a very long time.”

“So you organized the White Wing?”

He nodded. “I needed help,” he said. “I can’t possibly fight the forces of evil on my own. I’m unnaturally gifted but there is only so much I can do.”

Calloway nodded. “So, why do you trust me? You heard everything that was said against me.”

Mr. Avey opened the dormitory door, allowing Calloway to enter first, and they walked down the hallway toward the rooms. “You don’t have a mean bone in your body, Calloway. It sounds like you’re just in an unfortunate situation.”

Calloway sighed. “It’s a relief to hear someone say that.”

“People have a hard time trusting you?”

He immediately thought of Weston. “Some people do.”

Mr. Avey stopped in front of a dorm room and opened the door. There were two beds on the opposite walls along with a small kitchen and a few bookshelves. “This is where you and Breccan will be staying. I assumed he would be your roommate of choice.”

Calloway walked into the room and sat on the bed. “I can’t think of anyone better.”

Mr. Avey sat on the bed across from him. “Did you receive your scholarship letter?”

“Yes,” Calloway said. “Thank you. If I just read the signature I would have known it was you.”

“It’s always better to have it as a surprise.” He smiled. “But I want you to know that you would have received that money either way. You earned it, Calloway. This wasn’t an act of favoritism.”

“Thank you,” he said. “It means a lot to me, as well as my aunt and uncle.”

“I know,” he said. “It was the reason why I admitted Breccan to the university and gave him the same scholarship.”

Calloway raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Mr. Avey sighed. “Your cousin’s grades were poor and his tests scores were even lower. If I didn’t admit him into this college, he wouldn’t have been accepted anywhere else. I also gave him the scholarship because I knew he would never afford the tuition. He was admitted solely based on his connection with you.”

“Does he know that?” Calloway asked.

“No,” he said. “I hope if he thinks he’s smart enough to attend this college it will empower him to learn and grow. You can tell him if you wish, but I suggest you don’t. It will definitely wound his pride.”

“I won’t say anything,” Calloway said. “I have no interest in doing so.”

Mr. Avey nodded. “Good choice.” He stared at Calloway for a moment then rubbed his hands together. “I know what you are, Calloway.”

Calloway’s heart froze as he listened to those words. They were so unexpected and random that Calloway felt afraid. He was cornered in a vacant building, unable to call for help if he needed it. Mr. Avey continued to stare at him, waiting for him to respond.

“What do you mean?” Calloway said, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Mr. Avey stared into Calloway’s eyes, looking directly into his empty soul. “I know you don’t have an essence.”

Calloway’s hands started tp shake. Now his secret was revealed to the Chief of the White Wing. He would be killed immediately and Weston would know the truth—that he was tainted with evil.

Mr. Avey continued to stare at Calloway, watching the sweat drip down his forehead. “I know you lack an essence—just like a Hara-Kir.”

This was the end. There no way to refute this allegation when his teacher seemed so convinced of its truth. “How did you know?” he whispered.

Mr. Avey pressed his hands together and was silent for a long moment. He averted his gaze from Calloway and stared at the contours of his hands, organizing his thoughts. He finally looked up and met Calloway’s gaze. “I’m a Hara-Kir.”

Calloway felt the shock spread through his body in waves, overcome with the unbelievable revelation that his teacher, mentor, father away from home, was the enemy, and had been the enemy the entire time. He wanted to reach for his knife but knew there was no way to grab it without being seen.

“Please don’t be afraid of me,” he said gently. “I mean you no harm.”

Calloway relaxed, but only slightly. “Then why are you leader the White Wing? Are you a spy?”

“No.” He laughed. “Actually, my goal is to save the Life, even if I don’t have one. I may be a Hara-Kir and come from the Anti-Life, but I don’t agree with anything they stand for. There is a purpose in life: love, friendship, passion, so many things that make life worth living. They just lost their way.”

“So, you are good?”

“I try to be,” he answered.

“Does anyone know?”

Mr. Avey shook his head. “You are the only one.”

“Are you going to tell them?”

“No,” Mr. Avey said. “They’ll kill me.”

“Even if you are good—not working with the Anti-Life?” Calloway asked. “You’ve done so much for their cause.”

Mr. Avey shrugged. “It’s understandable. Who knows if or when I’ll turn back to the forces of evil? I suggest you keep your situation a secret as well.”

“So, I am a Hara-Kir?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “According to your DNA, it’s impossible.”

“Then why don’t I have an essence?”

Mr. Avey shrugged. “It must have been taken.”

“But how am I alive, then?” Calloway asked. “I thought humans perished after their essence was taken, claiming their own lives or dying prematurely.”

“I don’t know that answer either,” Mr. Avey said. “But it must have been taken when you were a small child since you have no recollection of it. Since you were born of a natural birth by a human mother, I don’t see how you can be a Hara-Kir.”

“Perhaps they were both Hara-Kirs,” Calloway whispered.

“No,” Mr. Avey said. “One of them had to be human if you had a live birth.”