Lay Me Down

Excerpt From: Lay Me Down

Determination filled Syn Ash. She would get the mirror if it was the last thing she did. Swearing softly she reached further. Her fingertips barely brushed it.

“What ya doing?” a languid voice asked from behind her.
Screaming, Syn levitated off the floor and flung out her hands. The dresser she’d been reaching behind blew up, raining debris all over the room.

“Fuck!”” In dismay, she watched the falling pieces before turning in mid-air to confront the person who’d frightened her. “Look what you made me do.”

Jian Weiss laughed. “This has nothing to do with me. What were you doing? Why are you so jumpy?” As she spoke Jian waved her hand and the debris stilled in the air. She pushed her palm straight outward and the dresser slowly took shape, becoming whole again. Jian turned and regarded her with a raised eyebrow.

“I was trying to get the mirror from behind the dresser,” Syn explained reluctantly.

Jian immediately went to the dresser. Effortlessly she picked it up with one hand and lifted it out of the way, then still holding up the dresser, she bent and got the mirror. She put down the dresser with a thump. She turned and taped the mirror against her palm. Watching her, Syn shook her head.

Jian’s appearance was deceptive. She was very curvaceous, six feet tall and drop-dead gorgeous. Many men approached her trying to score, but Jian would have nothing to do with them. Jian raised a delicate honey-toned hand and pushed the end of her long ponytail over her shoulder to rest where it belonged.

“Why didn’t you do that yourself instead of fighting to reach behind it?” she questioned.

Syn shrugged. “I wanted to do it without using any powers.”

Jian sighed then crossed her arms under her full breast making her shirt stretch dangerously as it tried to contain them. “Why do you insist on acting human when you know you’re not?”

“I’m not acting human. I just like doing things without my powers,” Syn protested.

Jian look of disbelief clearly portrayed how she felt about that.
Syn glared at her. “Not all of us can be comfortable as you are.”

Jian laughed bitterly. “Comfortable. There is no such thing for me. I’ve just learned to accept who I am.”
She took a breath then continued in a softer voice. “I thought we both had accepted we’re different.”

Syn winced. “I’m sorry, Jian.”

Jian waved her off. “Forget it, miel. Are you going to stop hovering and come down anytime soon?”

Sheepishly, Syn floated back to the ground. “Sorry I didn’t realise I was still in the air.”

Jian shook her head. “Now is that a human thing to do? Levitate? So again I ask you, why are trying to act human?”

Syn lowered her head and shrugged, unwilling to admit the reasons. Jian walked up to her and grabbed her face. She looked at her intently. Syn tried to keep her expression blank.
Jian swore viciously. Her voice dropped to a deep growl. “Why are you letting that little fucker make you feel unworthy? I should have broken him when I had the chance.”

Afraid of what would happen if Jian changed, Syn grabbed her and hugged her tight. Rubbing Jian’s back, she felt her skin rippling as her beast fought to get out. She knew if Jian turned now while she was angry, she’d have one mission. To find and kill Jackson Adams.

At the thought of his name, Syn was filled with pain. She’d believed Jackson loved her. When she’d finally admitted the truth about her being a Ryian. He’d acted like he understood. A few hours later, she’d realised he hadn’t. She was almost killed. Thank God for her quick reflexes and Jian’s help. She’d never imagined he’d react like that. To want her dead for being who she was. His screams of her being an abomination to humanity still rang in her ears as the Sentinels had dragged him away. She’d been staying with Jian ever since. Jackson’s duplicity had affected Syn although she tried not to let Jian see it, still it had been almost two years and she still couldn’t get close to anyone.

“I’m okay,” Jian’s said, drawing Syn back from her thoughts.

Jian stepped back and Syn saw from the slump in her shoulders. Her friend looked tired but at least, the killing rage had left her. Still, the pain in her face took Syn’s breath away.

Jian paced back and forth. “We may be from different species, Syn, but I understand what you’re going through. You think it’s easy not knowing which being you are? Having magic one minute, then trying to shift in another, sprouting fangs or all the other shit I can do? There’s no comfort for me, but I accept what I am. Don’t let Jackson take away the confidence that drew me to you.

“When I met you I never imagined we’d become such good friends. I envied you being so accepting of who you are. I wished I could have half of your confidence. A scrap of your fearlessness. These last couple of years, seeing you withdraw into yourself has been painful for me to watch, but I have. I’ve stood by you but, no more Syn. Letting you hide has only hurt you.” Jian turned to her, a fierce look on her face. “No more. It stops now. I came in here to convince you to go to a club with me—”

“You in a club. Do you think that’s a good idea?” Syn interrupted. Disaster followed whenever Jian went to clubs.

Jian waved her hand. “This club is different, but that doesn’t matter. I need to go to the club.” She narrowed her eyes. “It’s up to you. Come with me or stay here as locked up as you’ve been since Jackson betrayed you.” She stalked back to the door, stopping just inside. Without turning around, she gave her parting shot. “If you keep hiding, he’s won by making you a shell of your former self.”