Rive (11 page)

They arrived, paid the driver, then he left. Her heart pounded as they approached the ring of trees where they were slated to meet the dark
Sidhe.

She held her breath, grabbed Rylan’s hand, and stepped into the trees. She exhaled. It was empty.

She felt the darkness pushing through her portal. It was instinctive for her to stop it, but she let it pass. “It’s coming,” she whispered.

She grunted with pain as it pushed through her from the Otherworld. She was relieved when it was finally over, except the space around them was empty.

“What the?” Rylan pointed up. She followed the direction he was looking and bit back a scream. Thick, black matter was dripping from the trees around them, almost like an oily smoke. It congealed on the ground, slowly giving shape until he stood in front of them.

Somehow, he wasn’t really there, though he was. He stood in front of them, arms crossed over his chest. In a blink of an eye, he would be gone and the night would return. Just as quickly, she could see him again. She rubbed her eyes, ordering her brain to focus on seeing him.

He laughed, in a deep hissing voice. If darkness had a sound, it would be that. “You rub your eyes, but I am not meant to be seen.”

She stopped, finally accepting he would be going in-and-out of existence in front of her.

Victor spoke up. “We were told you might be able to help us.”

It appeared to get closer, shifting so it was in front of Rylan, then Victor, then Celeste. It stayed in front of her. She faced it head on, hiding her fear behind an expressionless guise, something she’d learned from Regina. After regarding her, it spoke. “That may be true, but it may not.”

She shifted her weight, but kept her gaze steady. “We need to find out who is after me. Who is after us… the
Tuatha.
”

He disappeared again, wafting around the base of the trees, but his voice came through the night. “Why should I help you?”

She glanced at Rylan, then at Victor.

“Why wouldn’t you help us?” Victor asked.

He laughed, the noise surrounding them like crickets in the night.

“What do you want?” Celeste asked. Victor twisted to look at her. “What? Let’s stop talking in riddles. He wants something, I want something.”

“There is something I want.” He was back in somewhat solid form.

“Okay.”

“I want to see your light.”

She didn’t answer, but willed her power to her, bursting into light. Violet light encircled her entire body, wrapped tendrils of light around her arms and legs, burst of sparks flying off her body. She held up her hand so he could see the flames dancing around her palms.

He smiled, reaching a shadowy arm forward to touch her.

“No.” Rylan moved between them.

“It’s okay,” Celeste said. She held up her other hand in Rylan’s direction. He faltered, but didn’t come any closer.

The shadow touched her. She felt cold and stillness sweep through her body, but she pushed it back with her light. He turned from black to gray, until he was silver, with silver hair and silver eyes, barely visible. She could see his features: narrow nose, long face, a mouth so wide it outed him as non-human.

He jerked his hand away and disappeared.

She made a circle, looking at the empty smoke-free trees.

“He’s gone,” Victor said. “Now what?”

“Wait. I would have felt him leave.”

The smoke was back, billowing in a circular shape in front of them before he finally reappeared. “You are one of the ancient ones.”

She nodded, ignoring Rylan’s pointed stare.

“I will send word when I know more.”

Then he was gone and pushing his way through Celeste to the Otherworld. She leaned against the tree. “He’s really gone, now.”

Rylan relaxed his arms. “Thank God. He was so creepy. I felt so cold and stiff, and—”

“Weird?” Victor offered. “Me too. Couldn’t wait for him to leave. Didn’t he bother you, Celeste?”

“Nope.” She dusted her hands off.

They were both staring at her. She was still bathed in violet light, still burning with the heatless flame. “What?”

Chapter 12

The next morning, Celeste woke up to the delicious sensation of Rylan wrapped around her body and the insistent dinging of her cell phone. She reached for her phone, keeping her movements slow so she wouldn’t disturb the peacefully sleeping hot boy next to her.

She opened her four unread text messages, all from her mother.

When can you come home?

Why didn’t you call last night?

We need to come visit.

Call me. NOW!

She groaned, and then sunk back into the pillow, slowing easing her way back to the warmth radiating from Rylan.

“Everything okay?” His voice was thick and low. And sexy. Damn that boy.

“I guess.” She rolled on her back so she could see him; face mashed into her pillow, one green eye visible, and the other hidden with his black hair crazy around his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“It’s okay.” He draped his arm over her and dragged himself closer, resting his head on her chest. “Parents texting you?”

“Mom.”

“I should go get them. They’re probably worried about you.” He brushed some of her hair out of his way. “Your hair tickles.”

She shifted so she could pull her hair behind her back. It was waist-length, almost brushing the top of her hips. “Worried doesn’t even cut it. They’ve been through so much.”

“Hey,”—he jabbed her sternum with his chin—“don’t start that me against the world crap.”

“Ouch!” She pushed him off. He groaned then rolled away. She took the opportunity to sit up and grab her phone. “I should call her.”

“Just text her and tell her I’m on my way.” He rolled out of bed, slowly rolling himself to a seated position before putting on his shoes.

She did, and then sat on the edge of the bed, watching him prepare to leave.

“I’ll be back soon with them. Can you lend me a guard to transport your dad?”

“Sure.” She knew they were nearby, but she wasn’t sure how to get their attention. “Um, guards!”

“Madam!” Ina appeared in front of her. She turned to Rylan and his messy clothes, then looked pointedly at the rumpled bed, and then finally back to Celeste, a smile playing at her lips.

“Don’t even go there, Ina,” Celeste said. “Can you please help him get my parents here?”

“Yes.” She moved in Rylan’s direction, then they both disappeared.

Celeste quickly changed into fresh jeans and a long sleeved scalloped neck blouse her mother had bought her, brushed her teeth, then twisted her hair into a low bun.

By the time she walked into the brightly lit atrium, her parents were waiting. “Mom!”

She hugged her mother first. Her long braids were tied loosely behind her head. “Oh, honey, we’ve been so worried.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

Her mom gave her a kiss on her cheek.

“Dad!” He gave her a big bear hug, lifting her off the ground. “Did you just get off work?”

“Yep!” He took a step back and tilted his head back to look at the ceiling of the atrium. “It’s still pretty crazy to me that I can be standing in my kitchen in Kansas in one second, and here in Dublin in the other.”

“I know,” Celeste said.

“Tell me about what’s going on around here.” her father said. “We’ve got guards, still. They let us see them sometimes and they tell us you’re all right, but I don’t like this.

They settled on a bench in the atrium, Rylan disappearing into the background. Just enough distance to give them some space, but not so far she wouldn’t know he was there.

“I’m sorry for all this. We told the board about the attack. They haven’t decided what to do. They seem to be fighting amongst themselves.”

Her father massaged his jaw line. “That doesn’t make me feel good.”

“Me neither,” Celeste said. “I’m starting to feel like it’s a look out for yourself kind of situation.”

Her mother rested a hand on her knee. “Regina said they would take care of you. I believed her and allowed this.”

Celeste placed her hand on top of hers. “I know. You didn’t have much of a choice, though with me being what I am.” She glanced around her. The atrium was mostly empty. “I still think we can trust them, especially Regina, but I need to keep an eye out for us, too, if that makes sense.”

“Tell us what to do to help you, honey,” her mother said, lines creasing around her eyes.

“You guys are awesome. The best parents I could have ever…” She choked up and lost her voice.

“Aw, honey.” Her father’s deep voice rumbled. He slipped an arm around her.

“I’m sorry.” She wiped the tears from her face. “It’s been a rough couple of weeks and I feel bad that you’re in this situation with me.”

Her dad squeezed her. “Just tell us what to do, babe.”

“Just keep doing what you’re doing. Be careful. Accept the guards from Regina. Trust me.”

Her father sighed. “Okay. We can do that.”

She rested her head against him. Even now, with all the craziness around her, she felt safe with him. It was the magic of the ordinary world, the special magic in a child’s safety of her father’s loving arms. With him she was safe, secure, and protected.

“Um, hi. Am I interrupting?” Victor sat down on the bench next to them.

Her mother rolled her eyes. “Yes.”

“Oh.” His eyes widened. “I apologize, ma’am. It’s just that the board is asking for Celeste. I guess they’ve made a decision.”

“This ought to be interesting,” Celeste said. She stood, turned to face her parents, and embraced them in a tight hug. “I better go. You guys should go home and get some rest.”

“I think we want to stay, honey,” her mother said. She smoothed out her long billowy skirt. “We need to make sure your best interests are at heart.”

“Right,” Celeste said.

Victor rocked back on his heels, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I don’t think the board is going to allow them in.”

“Tough shit. They don’t have a choice,” Celeste said.

Victor’s smile spread across his face, the real one with the dimple and everything. “You know, Rua, I like you more and more.” He faced her parents. “Ma’am, sir, please follow me while we go stir up some shit.” He bowed toward her mom. “Pardon my language.”

She felt rather than saw Rylan moving through the hallways toward them, past the carved doorway, and into the boardroom.

Regina, Usha, and Mateus sat at their usual spots. Usha was distant as usual, but Mateus and Regina started when she entered with her parents. Ashley was there, too, in a not-so-discreet low-cut blouse, golden hair curled into perfect ringlets. It appeared becoming a
Tuatha
had no impact on her personal style. Betty sat next to Ashley, hands folded on her lap. Grief for Naomi was etched on her face.

Mateus stood when they walked in. “Pardon me, sir, ma’am, but this is a private meeting.”

“Concerning our daughter, which means we stay,” her mother said. She pulled out a heavy wooden chair and sat across from Mateus. He stood as still, looking at her with wide-eyes.

Her father smiled and seated himself next to his wife.

Mateus sunk slowly back down, glancing at Regina.

She crossed her hands, then uncrossed then, finally resting her palms flat on the table. “Mr. and Mrs. Shreeve, I am so sorry, but it is imperative that we are allowed to do our work in private.”

Rage rushed through Celeste, exploding out of hair. She felt her light move through her, exploding from her hands and eyes and ears. “They stay!” A shudder passed through the building, like a mini-earthquake.
Did I do that?

Usha raised one silvery eyebrow. Her parents pushed back from the table, looking at her with shock written all over their faces. Rylan tried, but not successfully, to hide a smile. Ashley was openly grinning ear-to-ear.

“Fine, Rua. No need to damage the building,” Regina said. She cleared her throat, resting her gaze on each person sitting at the table before she spoke again. “We’ve been discussing at length the possible ramifications of the attack on Celeste with the Revolving Beast. In order to ensure the protection of all the
Tuatha
, and the potentiates, and their families,”—her eyes moved to Celeste’s parents—“all
Tuatha
must stay here, including Celeste.”

“Oh, hell no,” Victor muttered.

“Son?” Mateus said. “Did you say something?”

“Yes. That’s not a good decision,” Victor said. He paced from the corner of the room to the edge of the table.

“Nonetheless, it is not yours,” Mateus said. “I assure you it is indeed the safest course of action.”

“You can’t force me to stay,” Celeste said. All heads snapped in her direction, rage painting Regina’s face a funny shade of red. “You can’t keep us here like prisoners, in a known location, waiting to be attacked.”

“I can and I will,” Regina said. “Now is not the time for your teenage rebellion. We have responsibilities to the
Tuatha
and
Sidhe
. You must be protected.”

Rage pulsed beneath Celeste’s skin. “This isn’t teenage rage. This is you keeping us here like prisoners.” She took a deep steadying breath. “Victor is right. We are sitting ducks. And what about my family and their safety, huh? Some of us have human family members!”

“We will provide protection. They can even stay here,” Regina said.

Celeste crossed her arms over her chest. “Well? Everybody else okay with this?”

“Yes,” Betty said. Her voice was small. “I’m fine with it. No more deaths, please.”

Ashley rested her hand on Celeste’s arm. “No. I think we should spread out. Don’t we have other safe-houses? Surely we do.”

“Right.” Celeste latched on to that. “Safe houses. That sounds like a possibility.”

Regina slammed her palm down on the table, sending a spider of cracks from her hand to the center of the table. Everyone stopped talking. Stopped moving. Stopped breathing. “This is not a discussion. We all stay!”

She pounded the table one more time, making almost everyone jump, then ran out of the room, heels clicking, leaving a slammed door in her wake.