Rive (13 page)

“Agreed.” He walked down the hallway, pushing his thick dark hair off his forehead. She tried not to check him out, but he was as sculpted as Michelangelo’s statutes. He was dressed in a sleeveless tank top and workout pants. Sweat beads framed his hairline and made his tan skin glisten. Tink was a lucky guy. “Where’s he off to, anyway?” He breathed hard.

“Digging around, you know him.” She wrinkled her nose. “You stink.”

“Sorry to displease you, madam.” He mock bowed. “I was working out. Brushing up on hand-to-hand combat. I had to come check on you. Guards lost track of you for several minutes.”

“Really?” She forced her face to remain composed, but felt her eyebrow twitch under the strain. “That’s odd.”

“It is odd.” He crossed his arms over her chest, watching her.

She stared back. Several seconds of uncomfortable silence passed. “Well, I’m safe and sound. I’m going to lay back down for a little while.”

“Okay, catch you later.”

She pushed open the door to her room.

“Oh, Celeste?”

“Yeah?” She looked over her shoulder.

“Have you heard from Tink? He normally texts me by now and I didn’t hear from him.”

“He’s fine. Just text him.” She shut the door behind her, leaning against it. Crap. He probably knew something was up. She wasn’t very good at lying, but she’d have to get better.

She pulled a small backpack out of her closet. Rylan told her to pack a change of clothes and that was about it. He’d handle everything else. She shoved in some clean underwear, a toothbrush, a couple pairs of pants and some shirts. She didn’t really know what to pack since she had no idea where they would be going or how long they’d stay.

But she couldn’t stay here. She wouldn’t be a prisoner of the
Tuatha
.

She threw the backpack on the floor and climbed into bed. It was starting to get light outside, but all the drama of the day made her eyelids heavy. She drifted off, wondering where she’d be the next time she slept.

***

She woke up to knocking on her door. “Celeste? You in there?” Victor asked through the door.

“You already know I am,” she called from her bed. She buried her face back into her pillow.

“I didn’t want to be rude.” His voice was louder and clearer, because he’d apparated right next to her bed.

“Mission failed.” She sat up in bed. “What if I was naked or something when you barged in?”

“Not interested in what you’re selling.” He smiled.

“Doesn’t matter. It would uncomfortable for both of us and I need my privacy. Okay?”

“Sorry. My guards knew you were asleep, okay? I’m not trying to violate your privacy or catch you with your skivvies down.” He shrugged then sat down on her bed. “I rustled up some pizza. You want some? Better hurry. The potentiates are going to finish it all.”

“Sure,” she grumbled. She sat up, pushing the thick covers out of her way. “So this is what it’s like to live here? Days in bed? Pizza parties? This does seem like a prison.”

“Only if you’re lazy,” he said. He pulled her to a standing position. “There’s a lot here; grounds, gyms, movie rooms. If you’re so inclined, we can work on your powers or you can learn some martial arts while you are here.” He opened her door while she quickly pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail. “Or you could sleep all day.”

“Martial arts sound fun.”

“Cool, you can start this afternoon.”

She was sick inside. He was trying to help her, guard her, protect her, and here she was, planning an escape.

She went to the common room, trailed by Victor and the guards. The teenage potentiates had left a few pieces of pizza. Most were scatted about in small groups, talking and laughing.

Except for Ashley, she sat alone in an armchair, numbly chewing on a piece of pizza while her ever-present guards loitered nearby. Greenery formed around the cushion she sat on, blooming little pink flowers. The other teens glanced at her every once in a while, but made no move to talk to her.

Celeste picked a slice of plain cheese and pepperoni, then sat down in the armchair next to hers. “May I?”

“Of course.” Ashley smiled, but the dark circles and strain around her eyes betrayed her.

“You okay?” Celeste asked. “Because I know how hard it is to turn.”

“I’m okay, thanks.” She took a bite of her pizza. “I was somewhat prepared to become
Tuatha,
but not like this.” Her bottom lip shook. “I keep re-playing what happened to Betty in my head. What we saw at the funeral. Then the monster that came after you? And the lockdown and everything.” She pressed her lips together, slowly moving her head back and forth. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I feel so alone.”

Guilt ripped through Celeste. She’d been so wrapped up in her own world, she’d neglected to help Ashley adjust to hers. It was the least she could do. “I’m sorry, Ashley. You’re not alone. I’m here.”

Ashley glanced at up at her. “Really?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Let’s figure out a way to get the hell out of here.” She glared at her guards. “I’ve lived here for a little while. I wanted to be here, but we were always free to leave. I don’t like being forced to stay here.”

“I don’t either,” Celeste said. This time, the guilt pressed in on her so hard she was sure she was going to disappear through the floor when she realized she was leaving Ashley behind, too. “I want to leave, too,” she whispered.

“What are you guys talking about?” Victor lowered himself on the seat across from Ashley. Three pieces of pizza draped over his plate, dwarfing it.

Celeste and Ashley glanced at each other. Ashley raised her chin. “We were talking about how we wish we could leave.”

Victor waived his hands, and all the guards backed off. “Yeah, I know, Ash. I’m working on it, okay? I don’t like it any more than you do.”

Her perfectly shaped eyebrows rose. “For reals?”

He ripped off one of the pieces from his triangle of greasy perfection. “Hell, yeah. From a tactical standpoint, I don’t think it’s wise to cluster everyone here until we are more certain of who we are dealing with and what they want.” He pushed out a breath of hair, making the hairs on his forehead raise. “And from a personal standpoint, I don’t like being forced to stay here, either.” He shoved the pizza in his mouth.

She pointed at him. “When you leave, please take me with you. I know you’ll find a way to sneak her out. I want out, too.”

“We promise,” Celeste blurted out.

Victor shrugged and took another bite of his pizza. “Working on it.”

After they were done with their pizza, she went outside, enjoying her birds and some sunlight. She let one sit on her finger so she could stroke its smooth feathers.

“That is so cool,” Victor said.

“Thanks.” She used her pinky finger to gently smooth out the feathers on the bird’s tiny chest, marveling at the speed at which its tiny heart beat. “I’m bored. They’re restless.”

His phone beeped in his pocket. He pulled it out and smiled as he read the screen. “It’s Tink. Wants to see me. Fucking board.” He texted Tink back, then pocketed the phone.

“You don’t want to bring him here?”

He shook his head. “No, I don’t think he should be stuck here with us, and I don’t want to visit him in case we’re being followed or something.”

Oh, God.
She hadn’t even thought of that. Her throat felt dry when she tried to speak. “Right,” she managed. “You need to keep a close eye on him. Help me protect him. He’s very special to me,” she said.

“I know. He’s special to me too,” Victor said.

She faced him. He’d folded his hands together, twisting his fingers around and around with a distant smile on his face. “Really?” she said.

“Yeah.” He dropped his hands and met her gaze. “I have strong feelings for him. It’s not like anything before. It’s different.”

“This is the part where I warn you I will personally and cheerfully beat the living shit out of you if you do anything, and I do mean anything, to hurt Tink,” Celeste said.

He laughed. “Duly noted. I know he’s a good friend.”

She put her hand on his arm. “He’s more than that. He’s a part of my soul. He’s family. I really do mean it. Take care of him, no matter what happens.”

He stopped laughing. “Okay, got it.

She turned to go inside. “I’m going to call it an early night. I think I want some me time.”

“Okay,” he said. He stayed outside on the steps while she went inside, walking through the big atrium, narrowed hallways, and finally her room. Her ever present guards milled around behind her. She discretely checked her watch.

It was time.

She whirled, turning to face the three guards following her. “You guys are annoying me. Can’t I get some space?” she snapped.

They all looked surprised. Ina answered, “We’re just protecting you, ma’am.”

“I don’t need you to protect me while I walk around inside the compound or in my room. Back off!”

They did, disappearing.

She went into her room.

“Perfect,” Rylan whispered. He was wearing a backpack and holding the one she’d packed earlier. “You ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be. Now is our chance.”

He grabbed her hand and smiled. “This may suck.”

Then she was moving violently, twisting and turning like she did whenever he transported her, but this was worse because it didn’t stop. It went on and on.

Chapter 15

She opened her eyes. It was a bizarre all around her, brightly lit like a foreign planet. She blinked, trying to adjust to the strange colors around her.

“Are we in the—”

“Otherworld, yes. Just for a second. You can’t be here.”

They were spinning again. She waited for it to stop, and finally it did. She was still standing upright, so she opened one eye.

This time, old stone ruins gave way to wide open dessert. Off in the distance, blue water twinkled gently under the sun.

“Where are we?” she asked.

Rylan laughed. “Guess.”

“It’s hot,” she said. She pulled her shirt away from her body, feeling the sweat building. “And I think that’s an ocean, not a lake.”

“Okay, so what’s your guess?”

“Um, desert, ocean, maybe the UAE?”

“That’s actually a good guess, but no.” He squeezed his fingers through hers, gently pulling her to the crumbling ruins. “Morocco. Don’t get too comfortable. This is just a pit stop.”

“Why?”

“I’m trying to keep us from being tracked. Hold on.”

They were moving again. Her stomach rebelled, stubbornly refusing to settle. She vomited at their next stop, a rainforest looking place. She didn’t even ask where it was. She was too busy being sick.

She rolled on the ground, holding her stomach in pain as they rocketed again to their next destination. She felt like she was being pulled apart at the seams.

He pulled her to her feet and she realized she was in the middle of the crowd. She opened her eyes, seeing the Eiffel Tower swim into focus. “Nice touch,” she mumbled.

He pulled her close. “Rest for a minute, and then we need to go. I’m sorry.”

She couldn’t speak, but leaned into him, too weak to even lift her head to take in the amazing city.

“One more,” he said. “Can you handle it?”

“I guess so.”

They moved again, that roller-coaster in the pitch black feeling she should be used to by now returning. She landed on her feet, but her knees buckled, sending her rolling. She balanced on her side, vomiting up the last of her dinner.

The world spun behind her closed eyes, even though she knew they weren’t traveling.

“Celeste,” Rylan said. “Can you hear me?”

She nodded, keeping her eyes closed. She couldn’t open them yet. Water trickled past her lips, and she realized Rylan was giving it to her. She drank timidly and waited to see if it would stay down.

It did.

The world slowly came into focus around her. Something soft beneath her. A faint, rhythmic, roar that only the ocean could provide. The occasional call of a seagull.

She opened her eyes, noting the blue cloudless sky. The temperature was pleasant, not too hot, and not too cold.

Rylan leaned forward, his face upside down as he stood near her head. He was frowning, but from her angle it looked like a smile. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” She pulled her arms over her head, stretching them. “That sucked.”

“Yeah, I know.” He knelt. “Are you ready to sit up?”

“No, it’s nice down here.”

His smiled, took off his backpack, and laid down next to her.

They held hands, staring at the blue sky. “It is nice,” he agreed.

“Are we done traveling?” she asked. She flicked a fly off her arm.

“For now, yes. I think we’ve successfully thwarted any tracking. It won’t last forever. We’ll probably have to move every few days.”

“Where are we?” she asked. She sat up slowly. The white sand they were laying on gave way to beautiful turquoise water. Up the gently rolling hill, a beautiful home was set back into the green vegetation.

“Private island, near the U.S. Virgin Islands,” Rylan said. He pulled her gently to her feet. “Want to see our new home?”

She stared the super-mod square house. “Whose house is that?”

Rylan shrugged. “Some billionaire. He’s not here, no staff is either. I’m sure he won’t mind. He won’t ever know.” He flashed her a dangerous smile. “We can be roomies.”

“I like the sound of that.” She took off her shoes, following him through the rolling sand hills until they reached the front door. “It’s not locked?”

“Private island. You have to fly here. Probably not worried about people breaking in.”

The house was small, but beautiful. Most of the walls were glass, giving open views to the trees and beach. It made her feel exposed, but she supposed if they owned the whole island, they weren’t worried about the neighbors seeing into the house. Gleaming marble counters, flashy appliances, and hand scraped hardwood floors completed the look.

The master bedroom was simple. The sliding glass doors that led to a balcony took up a whole wall, so if they were opened, it turned the whole room into an indoor/outdoor space.

“Wow. This is like something you’d see on TV,” she said.