Rive (10 page)

They continued walking, silence looming as they neared the compound. The outside gate was still bent out in the strange ways. “That was stupid.” He flicked one of the bent arms of the iron with his hand. “A passerby could have seen that.”

Shame flooded through her. She’d been so angry and pissed off, she hadn’t even thought of that. She didn’t stop to think about anything. She’d been irresponsible and immature. “You’re right.” She stepped through the hole in the gate. “Maybe I can fix it.”

He pushed her hands down, quieting her flame. “I’m sure they can fix it.”

She followed him across the lawn, back to the compound. Regina stood on the steps, arms crossed over her chest. When she saw Celeste, she turned away and walked inside.

“She’s pissed,” Celeste said.

“I think that gate was pretty expensive.”

She couldn’t help but giggle.

She followed him inside, turning down the many hallways until he left her outside the room that would be hers when she was here. It was pretty and modern, with clean taupe walls festooned with bright red abstract art to match the bright red comforter. It looked like a room out of a magazine, but not something you would actually live in.

She changed into pajamas and pulled out her cell phone. It was nearing morning in Kansas. Rylan wouldn’t be getting up for a few hours, but he’d be upset if he knew she’d had a bad night without him. She clicked on the shortcut to his number in her phone. His picture spread across her screen. She’d taken it after they’d gone out for dinner in a day trip to Kansas City. They’d walked down the river to the paddleboats, and he was leaned up against the railing, the wind stirring his crazy hair, green eyes flashing along with his smile.

She shut down the phone and plopped it beside her on the nightstand. He deserved some peace and quiet, and she did too.

***

She woke up to bright daylight filling the room, and warmth pressed into the back of her body. Rylan’s familiar scent was all over her and her sheets. She peered over her shoulder.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Morning.” She rolled to face him in the bed, their noses only an inch apart. “When did you get here?”

“A few hours ago. You were in such a deep sleep, I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Aw, thanks.” She kissed the tip of his nose.

“You weren’t in school,” he said.

“Nope. I don’t think I’ll be coming back.”

He pulled a red curl off her forehead, tucking it behind her ear. “Are they making you stay here?”

“I don’t know what they want yet, but they can’t make me do anything.”

“I know.” He rested his hand on her cheek. “You’re upset. I can see it in your face.”

“I had a rough night.” She sat up, leaned against the headboard, and pulled her knees to her chest.

“What do you mean?”

She plucked at the comforter with her finger tips. “Regina was acting weird. Telling me her time was coming to an end and some other stuff that upset me.”

“And?” He propped himself up one arm, resting his chin on his hand.

“And what?”

“That can’t be it,” he said.

She closed her eyes, searching for the right thing to say. “She thinks my biological father might be a powerful thing, and I am a powerful thing.”

He sat up, resting his back on the headboard next to her. “What kind of thing?”

“At the funeral, I saw some things.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “I saw time go back on itself, so I could see the history of things. The
Tuatha
, the
Sidhe
, earth, all of it.”

“Whoa.” He dropped his hand around her, pulling her close. “And?”

“In the beginning, there was only lightness and darkness. Then the markers made things.” Her voice was barely audible.

“What does this have to do with you?”

“One of the ancient makers is my father,” she said.

“What?” He pulled her closer. “What are you saying? Are you some sort of God?”

“No! Don’t even say that.” She pulled away. “Maybe. I don’t know.” Her voice cracked, and she cried, sobs moving her chest in and out in uneven rhythms. She backed away from him, off the bed.

“Don’t you dare.” He grabbed her hands, pulling her back to him. He crushed her against his chest, whispering into her hair. “Don’t you dare leave me. I don’t care what you are.”

She relaxed into his body. “I’m dangerous,” she murmured. “It’s not fair to you.”

“You’re not dangerous to me, and even if you are, I don’t care.” He gently pushed her away, using his finger to direct her chin gently to look up at him. “You listen to me and you listen good. I know you’re powerful. I’ve known it for a long time. I’m not afraid, and I’m not going anywhere and you better get used to it.”

She put her hand on his chest, digging her fingers into this shirt. “I can’t handle it if anything happens to you because of me. I just can’t.”

“Nothing will happen to me, and even if it did, it wouldn’t be your fault.” He pushed her off and stood, holding out his arm.

“What?” she asked, her voice weak and shaky.

“You need stop this pity party worry about Rylan thing. This isn’t you. Let’s leave this place.”

She shook her head.

“Why?”

“Because, I have a meeting tomorrow with a dark one,” she said.

“Where?”

“Near here, in a park. Victor is coming.” She took his hand and used it to hoist herself to a standing position.

“Do I even want to know how you pulled that off?”

“Probably not,” she said.

“Fine. I guess I’ll be spending the day in this fine establishment with you.” He collapsed back on the bed, pulling her on top of him.

She felt every inch of him press into her. Hard, unrelenting strength pushing her soft flesh.

Their mouths pushed together, hungrily drinking each other in.

“Damn you.” He kissed her, threading his fingers through her hair. “Damn you and your red hair and violet eyes and soft skin.”

She smiled against his lips, which made him go crazy. His hands were all over her body, exploring some familiar places and other places they hadn’t gone before. Her insides clenched up, heat building like steam in tea kettle.

She wanted the release, wanted to explore him in every way possible.

But he stopped. And she let him. He moved behind her, curving into her body with his arm draped over his waist.

“Damn you, Rylan,” she whispered. “Damn you pulling me on the bed and making me all hot and bothered then pulling the plug.”

He laughed, his body shaking the bed. “Not here. Not like this. You deserve better.”

She laid with him for hours, in the comfort and safety only he could bring.

Chapter 11

“How are we doing this?” Celeste asked.

Victor sat on the steps of the institute beside her, basking in the fading afternoon light. They were flanked on either side by Rylan and Tink. “Doing what?” Victor said.

“You know, sneaking off into the dark to meet a creature of the night,” she said.

He shrugged. “We’ll just go out to dinner. Aren’t you two just dying to go out to eat?”

“Sure,” Rylan said. He unfolded his long legs and lined them up with hers. Her feet ended around his calves. “Are you sure they won’t follow us or anything?”

“Nah.” Victor sat up, brushing his hair out of his eyes before resting his hand on Tink’s leg. “They trust me.” A devilish grin spread across his face.

So, I can’t go meet this dark critter thingy?” Tink said.

“No!” Celeste and Victor said in unison.

“Too dangerous,” Victor said. “Please. I wouldn’t ask you to stay behind unless it was really important for your safety to do so.”

“Fine, fine.” Tink smoothed a non-existent wrinkle out of his khakis. “Leave the powerful witch behind while you meet another powerful being. Brilliant, guys.”

They all giggled. “Dude, how’d you get your mom to let you come here?” Rylan asked. “Even my mom is starting to ask questions.”

“She’s asleep. Doesn’t even know I’m gone. Unlikely to check on me since she had three glasses of Merlot with dinner.”

“Oh, Tinky tink. I’m glad you’re here,” Celeste said.

“Me too, though that bodyguard that brought me is not very chatty.”

“Ina? She’s not so bad,” Celeste said.

Tink stood, and then stepped over Victor’s legs to stand in front of her. “You need my awesome. Admit it.” He pulled her up so she stood next to him.

“I do.”

“Are we really going out for dinner? Can I at least come along for that?” Tink said.

Victor smiled. “Of course.”

Tink beamed at him. He put his hand on Celeste’s sleeve, gently tugging her shirt. “Is that what you’re wearing?”

She looked down at her torn jeans and sneakers. “I’m guessing no?”

He pressed his lips together and shook his head. “Can we at least address your footwear?”

She laughed. “Fine.” She grabbed his hand. “Come help me.”

He followed her through the door, down the hall, past the potentiate wing and finally to her room.

He sat gingerly on the edge of the rumpled bed. “Is this sanitary? Is there any Rylan juice in there?”

“Come on, Tink.” She yanked the covers over the sheet and smoothed it out. “That’s disgusting.” She stifled the laughter.

He flipped on to his stomach, propping his chin up with his hands. “So you haven’t done it?”

“Juice free bed.” She pointed at it. “Not yet.”

“Are you going to?” he asked.

“Probably. Maybe. I don’t know,” she said. “We’ve gotten close-ish.”

“Hmm.” He pulled a pillow from the top of the bed and rested it underneath his chest. “Do you have protection and all that?”

“Yes, Mother.” She rolled her eyes.

“Hey!” He threw the pillow at her. “I’m taking care of you, okay? I’m guessing you haven’t old your ‘rents about this and someone needs to keep your butt in line.”

She threw the pillow back. “I’ll be careful.”

“Good. That’s all I wanted.” He sat up.

“What about you?” She pulled open the closet and started flipping through the clothes her guards had brought from her home in Kansas.

“What about me?” He hugged the pillow to his chest.

“Um, Victor? Are you doing safe stuff, too?”

“Oh, honey child, none of that stuff yet.” He shook his head. “This isn’t one your cray-cray novels. I don’t do instalove.” He walked over the closet, gently nudging her aside so he could flip through the shirts she had hanging. “I just met him a few weeks ago. I really like him, but that’s all it is right now. I’m not going to obsess over it.” He pulled out a bright red, low cut blouse. “Yet, anyways. Try this.” He pushed it against her.

She held it up. “I don’t know. Red hair, red shirt. Isn’t that a no no?”

“Rules were meant to be broken. That’s why I gifted this to you two months ago. I am patiently waiting for you to wear it. At least once. It’s the polite thing to do.”

Guilt wrapped around her. “You’re right. I would be delighted to wear it.”

She quickly pulled off her t-shirt and pulled on the blouse. Tink respectfully swiveled away while she did.

“There,” she said.

He turned. “Wow. So pretty.”

“Thanks. It’s a beautiful shirt. You were right to choose it for me.” She hugged him. “I miss you,” she whispered.

“Can’t miss me if I’m here for always.” He tightened his arms around her.

She stepped back, knowing he would feel awkward soon if she didn’t. He always did when she got “hug-happy” as he called it.

“How do you do it?” she asked.

“I was born awesome. Can’t help it,” he said.

She smiled. “I meant, how do you stay so cool and calm with the whole Victor thing?” She pointed at him. “I know you, and I can tell you really, really like him. When I first met Rylan I was all drooling and flustered and stupid. I thought about him all the time. I was attracted to him right away. It was very… fast.”

He pulled out her flats and handed them to her. “Fake it till you make it. I don’t wear my heart on my sleeve. Not anymore. Not after Dad.”

She understood. His dad left his mother just a few short years ago. They hadn’t heard a peep since.

“Shall we?” He crooked his arm for her.

“Yes,” she slipped it through.

***

“This is awesome!” She raised her voice to be heard over the din of the pub.

“Totally!” Tink clicked his drink with hers.

She dropped her fork to the table and scooted back to give her stomach room. She’d just finished a traditional fish cake and it was all sorts of fried awesome.

“What time do we need to leave?” Rylan asked.

She glanced at her watch. “Probably now.”

“Right.” Victor raised his hand to get the waitress’s attention.

“You kids go. I’ll handle this.” Tink took another bite of his seafood chowder. “My treat.”

“You sure?” Victor rested his hand on Tink’s forearm.

“Yeah.” Tink’s big goofy smile was back.

“Thanks.” Victor planted a quick peck on his temple, causing a pink flush to rise in Tink’s cheeks. “Shall we?” Victor stood.

“Yep.” Celeste jumped up from the table.

“Wait, wait!” Tink sprang from his chair, embracing Victor, Celeste, and Rylan in turn. “You guys be careful. I mean it. I may have made some protection talismans that are now in all of your pockets, but still.”

Rylan patted his pockets, then pulled out the small round charm. “Well, I’ll be damned. How did this get in here?”

Victor patted pockets too, beaming when he found his charm.

“Magic,” Tink shrugged.

“Thank you,” Celeste said, giving him another hug. “We’ll be careful.”

She stepped out of the historic carriage house that housed the restaurant. Tables filled with laughing patrons scattered around the outside, many of them still wearing short sleeves, seemingly impervious to the cold she felt pushing against her skin.

They walked around the block to a nearby taxi stand, her feet passing over the old cobble streets. She tried not to step on any cracks as difficult as it was because her mother had told her it was bad luck.

After waiting a few minutes, they all slid into the back of a cab. Victor directed the surly diver to a street near the small park where she’d met Ethan just twenty-four hours ago.