Blade POV

The sand feels like a pillow under me. I love little moments like this, the kind that you can get lost in. I'm so in the moment with Amaya that it scares me. I have never been so distracted in my life, I have always had my mind on my work until I met her. Now I can't seem to focus on anything but her. It's dangerous. Everything is perfect right now. The nerves inside me warn me that it can't stay that way forever. Things would inevitably change, but Amaya and I's love for each other was strong. Maybe we could withstand the chaos that was sure to ensue. If we couldn't, at least I know we would fight with everything in us. The thought brings me comfort but I hope it never comes to that. I never want to have to find out if our relationship would survive if it was challenged the way I'd been challenged my entire life.

"What are you thinking about?" Amaya's eyebrows come together in confusion.

I sit up on, using my hands as support. "Do you think this all too perfect?"

Her eyes bore into me, but I keep my gaze on the crashing waves in front of us. I think about the waves and how quickly they change their form entirely, flattening once they've hit their peak. Is that what's going to happen to Amaya and I? Are we at our peak that will be followed up by us flatlining? I don't want to freak her out or make it look like I have doubts, but the feeling of impending doom is overwhelming me.

"Too perfect? No, I think life has been unfair to us and now we're finally reaping the benefits." She touches my shoulder gently, making me turn to her. "We deserve to be happy." She whispers.

I want to believe Amaya, that this is the start of a new chapter in our lives, a better chapter, but I can't. It's hard to believe that things will just suddenly start working in my favor after years of a crazy back and forth just because I fell in love. After everything that's happened to me, all the stress and heartache, it's hard to process that it might be over. Amaya didn't live my past, there's things she doesn't know that would make her reconsider her confidence in a perfectly happy life for me. I'd always wished I could have a normal life, but I learned and accepted that it isn't my fate a long time ago.

"I'm never letting you go." I matched her low tone, meaning every word of what I was saying. "I'm sorry, I don't want to bring the mood down, I'm being skeptical." I look away from her, trying to hide my concern. "I believe in us." I squeeze her hand.

She leans her head on my shoulder. "Good, it's okay. We're new to this, but we'll learn together."

"Tell me about your family." I change the subject, having the sudden desire to learn everything about her life.

She lifts her head and looks at me. "My family is great. I'm an only child, like you, and my parents are awesome." She sighs and plays with the sand under her hands. I can tell she's trying to build the courage to say something and I'm very proud of her when she speaks. "I'm adopted."

My eyes grow wide, it hits me that there's a lot I don't know about her. I had no idea. "Really? I'm sorry, that must have been a hard thing to process growing up."

She instantly dismisses me. "It's okay, really. I've never felt like I was adopted, my childhood was very happy."

"If you don't mind me asking, do you know your biological parents?" I hoped I didn't go too far with my last question, I spoke before I thought it through. She relives my fears instantly when I see her calm expression.

Amaya shakes her head. "No, they insisted they never wanted to meet me or learn anything about each other. I tried to reach out but they rejected me. Everything about them is anonymous and confidential too so I know absolutely nothing about them, just like they wanted. I've accepted it, I'll never beg someone to be in my life."

I put my arm around her lower back. "They're missing out, knowing you has been the best thing to ever happen to me."

"Stop being cringey." She blushed. "What about you? Tell me about your family."

I smile, even though I was reliving the traumatic memories from my trial and stay at Clementine's . "We were close before I got admitted. Things got pretty ugly when I was accused. They didn't believe me about what I'd been experiencing. They thought I murdered someone. I'm not completely over it, but I'd like to have a relationship with them."

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I can't imagine what that must've been like. I hope you know that I will always believe you." My heart swelled hearing her say this. That's all I wanted, someone to believe me. Nothing makes you feel more helpless then when the people closest to you make you feel crazy. My family had no faith in me and it crushed my spirit.

As I look at Amaya. She develops a dark tint to her skin as the sun goes down. It reminds me that we all have a dark side, brought out by the demons that follow us. "That means so much to me. I want to move on, holding onto this anger is heavy and it's weighing me down." I stand up and reach out for her hand. "Let's swim."

She grins and grasps my hand. "Okay, let's go."

As we stand in the ocean I feel peaceful. Life is simple for a moment. I love Amaya and she loves me, that's all that I need to know. It doesn't matter what happened in the past or what will happen in the future, all that matters is right here beside me. Maybe she's right and life is finally being fair to us. Just as I start to think that we're out of the woods I see a strange girl staring at us, murderously. She looks angry and out of place in her fur coat and leggings, not at all like somebody who's here to enjoy the beach. I stand protectively behind Amaya to block her from the stranger's piercing eyes.

"I'll be right back." I whisper to Amaya.

She turns to me, confused. "Where are you going?"

I keep my eyes on the potential threat. "Don't freak out, but someone is watching us."

"What?!" She gasps and goes to turn around but I place my hand on her arm, stopping her.

I keep my voice low and steady. "It's okay, I'm going to go investigate, it may be nothing but it feels strange. She looks angry."

"She." Amaya asks, her voice nearly a whisper.

I nod. "Yeah, I've never seen her before."

"I want to come with you." She insists but I instantly shut her down.

I shake my head. "No, it's better if one of us hangs back in case something goes wrong. I want you to call Smasher and tell him what's going on so we have backup if we need it."

She hesitates, then pulls out her phone and starts dialing. I make my way towards the strange woman.

"Can I help you with something?" I say, keeping my voice as neutral as possible. "I noticed you watching us."

She looks surprised at first, then grins. "You're Blade right?"

"Yes." I say slowly. "How do you know me?"

She chuckles. "Be careful."

"What do you mean?" I persist even though I'm pretty sure she's not going to give me any answers.

She takes a step closer to me. "You're not the only one with special abilities."

My mouth hangs open. "You mean you can create things with your mind too?"

"No, my power is much different and I not even the only one. It's not me you should be worried about, you have enemies you don't even know exist."

My heart drops when I realize my intuition was right, Amaya and I are in danger. "How do I know I can trust you?"

She glances at Amaya, who is nervously talking on the phone. "If I wanted you dead you wouldn't be here."

I freeze, unsure of what to say. This was a lot to process. There were more people like me? All these years I thought I was alone. Of course the only group of people I'd fit in with want me gone. "Who's out to get me?"

"I've already said too much, I have to go." She turns on her heel to leave.

"Wait, why did you seem so angry?" I question her, my trust is hard to earn.

She shrugs. "I've had a long day, nothing personal." She pauses. "By the way, I wouldn't tell your little friend over there about our conversation unless you want to put her in more danger. The more she knows the more danger she's in."

I watch her walk away as I try to think of what to do or tell Amaya. I wasn't sure whether it was better to tell her everything and put her at risk or keep it from her and leave her in the dark.