A Need So Beautiful (A Need So Beautiful #1)(67)

But even with that, I still stand there, my heart breaking because I don’t want to leave. I’m holding on to the cable, my body free of pain except for a faraway ache.

Then, the Need hits. Not the same way. Not like all the others. Over Onika’s power a wind blows through me. It’s love. It’s calm. It’s beyond me. My eyes set on Harlin’s and when they do, his expression changes. “What is it?” he asks.

I put my glove between my teeth and pull it off before reaching my golden hand to him.

“No!” Monroe yells, his voice cracking with the force of it. Onika laughs next to me.

But when Harlin steps forward to take my hand, I only bend down to get closer to him. I stay on the railing. His face is near mine as he examines me, his expression amazed.

“Everyone will forget I existed,” I whisper, taking my hand from his to touch his cheek. He closes his eyes and I feel all of my emotions, my love, fear, sadness, rush out of me and through him. He sees the Need. Everything I’ve done. And when I feel the last bit of me drain out, I let go. So relieved to be rid of it. So relieved to let him know.

My hand drops and he smiles through streaming tears. “You’re an angel.”

I shake my head. “I don’t know what I am. I just know that I love you. And that I don’t want to leave you.”

The sky is lighting up with flashing blue and red and I see the police cars turn onto the bridge, heading toward us.

“It’s time, Charlotte!” Monroe screams. “Go!”

But I stay, staring at Harlin. We watch each other, ignoring the rain, the sirens, my golden skin.

“Step down and no one will ever forget you,” Onika says, sounding a million miles away. Just then I reach into my pocket and my fingers touch something smooth. I smile, pulling out the guardian angel that Harlin had given me.

I squeeze my eyes shut as I put it to my lips and kiss it. Then I hold it out for Harlin to take. “And now I’ll watch over you,” I say.

“Charlotte Cassidy,” he whispers softly, taking the figurine from me. “I can promise one thing.” His voice cracks. “I remember every word I’ve ever told you, every second I’ve ever spent with you. And I will never, ever forget you.”

I don’t hide the choke of tears that come out. “I’m going to miss you so much,” I try to say. “I just love you so much.”

“I will keep you forever, Charlotte. I will never let you go.”

We look at each other one last second before he steps back from me, staring deep into my eyes with a love for me that only he can have. The love that tells me we are so much more than here and now. We are forever. We are complete.

Knowledge surges through me. Acceptance. The end. “Onika,” I say, but don’t bother looking at her.

“Yes, darling?”

“I think I understand the Need now. The purpose of the Forgotten.”

“Really?” She laughs, the noise cutting through the sound of the rain. “Well then, by all means, educate me.”

I look sideways at her. “The Forgotten are the only way the light can touch people. By being among them we can spread love and hope. We dodge the Shadows so that the light can shine.”

“Wow, Charlotte. That’s truly inspiring.”

“But that’s not all,” I say. “I’ve realized something else.”

“Which is?”

“That maybe I’m also here to stop you.”

Onika’s lips curve into a wicked grin. “That’s almost sweet. But I’ll be honest, love. You’re not nearly strong enough to take me out.”

I nod. “Not yet.”

Onika’s jaw tightens and she hops down from the railing, her boots making a loud clapping noise on the pavement. She begins to walk away, but then turns back to look at me. “I’ll be seeing you on the flip side, Charlotte,” she calls. “Enjoy the fall.”

Suddenly I’m hit hard with a jolt of hot electricity. I scream until my throat burns.

My golden skin is tearing and little cracks of light are escaping right through my clothes. But as the light escapes, the burning is replaced with something else. Pure relief.

I find a way to lock eyes with Harlin again. And I smile at him, knowing he loves me. He’ll remember me.

And then I close my eyes and let go of the cable, the feeling of tipping backward both exhilarating and powerless.

Wind is blowing past me and I open my eyes to look at the bridge above me. But I see only Harlin. And as I fall, he mouths, I love you.

The world around me is silent. And then there is an explosion of bright yellow light that extends to forever. A flow of emotion and heat pouring from me, illuminating the entire night sky. Illuminating the entire world. And in my last second, all I think is: It is so beautiful.

After

I hear an echo as sound hums its way into my ears. It’s a heavy noise, reverberating as it gets louder. Louder. Louder—I’m afraid my head will burst from the vibration, and finally my eyes flutter open and it stops.

I see sky above me—blue and cloudless. Blinking quickly, I try to get my bearings. Sensation returns to my fingers and I dig in, feeling the grit of rock and sand beneath them.

In the distance, I hear wind in the trees. I try to swallow but my mouth is dry. Sucking in a harsh breath, I start to sit up, my body shaking. Vibrating. It feels . . . electric.