The Vaga Read Free Page B

back briefly. ‘Oh, and that situation we were talking about earlier is something I want to come back to.’
    I throw him a curt nod and my shoulders slump as I watch him walk off. I shouldn’t have made my desire for more space so obvious.
    Phoebe winces. ‘Ouch! I think you hurt his feelings, E.’
    I put my hands over my eyes and groan. ‘I know. It’s just…’
    She takes another sip of her drink before asking, ‘What is it?’
    Just tell her and get it over with
.
    ‘I saw Julian today,’ I blurt out.
    She spits the Diet Coke all over the table. ‘What?! Where? Are you sure it was him?’ she all but yells.
    I look around, making sure that no one is watching us too closely. ‘Phoebs, calm down.’
    ‘Calm down!? Do you remember what he did to me? What he tried to do to you?’ She automatically reaches up to her face and traces her finger down the spot on her cheek where the scar has disappeared, but where the memory of that night remains.
    Of course I remember what he did. I will never be able to forget. Julian is the man who was sent to kill me four years ago, and he is the reason Phoebe still bears the emotional scar. In an attempt to lure me out into the open he kidnapped Phoebe, injuring her in the process. It’s my fault that she was hurt that day, and I carry the burden of it like a blemish on my soul.
    ‘I know, okay. I know what he did, or what he tried to do, I
know
!’ I say, frustration fueling my emotions.
    She balks at my words. ‘Then why are you angry at me and not him?’
    Crossing my arms defensively I shake my head. ‘I’m not angry at you, I just…’
    ‘What?’ she pushes.
    ‘I’m just sick of everyone telling me what to do, or what I should or shouldn’t feel, alright. I’m tired of it.’ I look towards the distant woodland, feeling a sudden urge to get up and run.
    We are silent for a moment. I can’t blame Phoebe for feeling those emotions. She doesn’t know about my dreams, or how the last few years have affected me in more ways than one. I’m not sure she would understand my feelings towards Julian. I’m not sure I’m ready to reveal those secrets just yet.
    ‘I’m sorry, Phoebs. Seeing him just sort of shocked me, that’s all.’
    She turns towards me quickly, ignoring my apology, lost in her own thoughts. ‘What does him being here mean? Are you in danger again? Is he going to try and hurt you?’ The colours of her aura surge with concern, anger, and fear all thrown into one.
    Shaking my head I say, ‘I don’t know. You’ve seen the letter, Phoebs. It doesn’t seem like he would be here if he wasn’t at least trying to warn me. I suppose we’ll have to wait and find out.’
    The bell tower strikes one o’clock, sounding out its vibrant call across the campus. Phoebe jumps at the sound. ‘Holy crap! Damn that stupid clock tower!’
    I reach over to grab her hand that is searing its way into the table top. ‘It’s going to be okay.’
    Her lip trembles as she squeezes my hand. ‘We need to be ready.’
    ‘We?’ I ask curiously.
    She looks me squarely in the eye, hardening her jaw. ‘You need to train me.’ She pulls her hand back and crosses her arms, her face deadpan serious.
    A short, sharp laugh escapes my lips. ‘What?’
    ‘You heard me. You need to train me.’
    ‘You know I can’t teach you magic, Phoebs.’
    ‘I know that numb nuts. I want you to train me physically. I want to do what you do.’
    I shake my head. ‘I’ve been training for years. I can’t teach you everything in such a short time. That would be impossible.’
    She grits her teeth in frustration. ‘I’m not saying I am going to be this…warrior, okay. I just need to know how to defend myself.’
    ‘Phoebs, this isn’t a game. You could get hurt and…I couldn’t deal with that. I’m sorry.’ I cast my eyes downwards, knowing my words will hurt her.
    A few seconds pass with neither one of us moving before she says, ‘Bullcrap.’
    My head whips up in