Tempest Song: Unraveled World Book 2

by Alicia Fabel

  “I meant worried about my grade, not Eldrid himself,” Vera said. “But now I’m really freaked out. Thanks.”

  “Why are you worried about your grade? I got a C, and your paper was ten times better than mine.” Mimi wiped cheese dust from her fingers onto her jeans. “Now, we’ll just make sure he is who he seems and everything will be great. What time is your date, again?”

  “It’s not a date.”

  “When is your, going-out-with-a-hot-man-to-get-drinks?”

  Vera rolled her eyes. “Six.”

  “Good. We can eat first.”

  Vera scanned the minuscule void in Mimi’s lower stomach. “He’s a hungry one, isn’t he?”

  “He?” Mimi narrowed her eyes. “I swear when Addamas finds out, he’ll make my life miserable. Is it really a boy?”

  Vera nodded.

  “Well, dung beetle. Don’t tell him, okay?” Mimi said it sternly, but she wrapped her hand around to rest protectively on her stomach.

  That girl is not upset one bit to be carrying a little Addamas. Love is a messed-up thing. A familiar form hurried down the hall. Her head was tucked down, sketchbook clutched to her chest.

  “Hey, that’s the girl from the library steps the other night. The one who could draw.”

  “The spazzy girl?”

  “She wasn’t spazzy,” Vera laughed. “I think she’s just really shy. I’m gonna go say hi.”

  19

  Kale squared off with the Amazonian woman who was nearly as tall as him and just as powerfully built.

  “You’re checking in?” Kale wasn’t buying it for a minute.

  Aztlan had broken with the world centuries ago, like most realms. Also like some of the other realms, they had round-the-clock guards posted at their world-gate. To eliminate any being who wandered into their realm, whether on purpose or accidentally. Kale avoided the place because the women were not above shoving a spear through his ribs as ruthlessly as anyone else. Oh, they’d act sorry afterward, claiming they hadn’t realized who it was. Or they’d say they hadn’t realized he wasn’t a threat until it was too late. That’s what they said about all of the deaths. All completely “accidental.” Not that he could prove otherwise. They collected deception marks like badges of honor and displayed them just as proudly. No way to know what had caused the marks at that point.

  Thank the stars Vera hadn’t stumbled upon their gate. He’d have had to rip the women’s heads off. Then he would’ve had to figure out how to keep them from storming the meadow to repay him a thousand times over.

  “My queen sent me to see if there are any concerning reports around the world? Or anything we should be aware of. And to offer our assistance if needed.”

  “Out of the goodness of your considerate hearts?”

  “Something like that,” the woman said. “My queen says you are also welcome to come for a visit, to help slake your boredom if you wish.”

  Kale was not impressed. They’d made no secret of their objection to his presence in their realm. If they were changing their tune, things must be getting worse for their tribe.

  “The princess have another son? You must be desperate to add some girls to your nursery if you’d offer to stud the next princess out to me.”

  The Amazonian seethed. “Our princess would rather slit her own throat than welcome you into her bed.”

  “And yet your queen sent you with the offer. You can tell her I’m not interested in siring a new generation of Amazonians. My demon steed might be willing to give it a go if you want,” he offered.

  Her knuckles blanched white around her spear. “Lords curse you.”

  “That would hurt my feelings if I had any,” Kale taunted. The Amazonian’s leg quivered. “I wouldn’t attempt that if I were you,” he warned. “See, if I kill you here, there’s nothing your queen could do about it. Especially since I know you’re here as a scout. My guess? You’re looking for a gate to another realm. One with some men to kidnap and take home to use as breeding stock. Did the Caiman Pack finally find a way to keep you from raiding their people for males?”

  “We have a truce with the gators.”

  “I take that to mean their men are not able to produce sufficient female offspring for you any longer.”

  The Amazonian spat at Kale’s feet.

  “I am curious. What made your tribe think you’d have a chance to sneak past me?”

  The woman’s lips curved and her eyes gleamed. “I only came to offer our support to the realms,” she lied smoothly. He didn’t even need Vera’s talent to know that. “However, if your accusations were true, it might be because there are rumors that you have been preoccupied lately. Fortunately, I can see that is not true.”

  “I suggest you inform your sisters those rumors are false too. If another comes here, I will cut them down before they have a chance to express their concern for the world beyond. I’m sure you are not anxious to see your numbers fall even further.”

  The woman offered a vicious curse before she slipped back through her gate into Aztlan. Infernals be damned. News of his recent forays into the underworlds had spread. There would likely be an influx of people coming to “check in” and looking for ways to exploit his supposed absence. Only it hadn’t just been supposed. His mind had not been on his duties. Last night had not helped the situation. What was he thinking getting himself more hung up on that girl? Her kisses could make him decide to let the world burn so he could chase after her.

  Ferrox picked up on the flavor of Kale’s thoughts. You’re a brainless pixie twit.

  I know. But I made it clear there can’t be anything between us.

  That’s why you’re a twit. Girl knows you’re a sociopath and still wants you? Take the gift, man.

  I cannot have a life with her when I am bound to the meadow.

  She’d probably build a life in a turd pile if you asked. Even without a heart.

  It wouldn’t be fair to her.

  You’re not her protector.

  I know.

  You’re not her protector, repeated Ferrox.

  I know!

  Then stop trying to protect her and make her yours.

  It’s too late for that. I’ve pushed her away.

  A messenger butterfly landed on Kale’s shoulder, brushing against his neck. Kale held out a hand and the winged insect wandered onto it and spread its wings. He blew gently. The message sparked. We need to talk. -V

  You were saying?

  Keep an eye on the meadow, instructed Kale. Scare off anyone who comes sniffing around.

  Can I take a sample if a good vintage pops in?

  Yep.

  I knew I liked that girl. She makes my life better.

  You’ve hated her from the second she landed in this meadow.

  Once upon a time, I thought mares had cooties too.

  Really?

  Nah. Pretty sure I was chasing after them while I was still wet with afterbirth. But it sounded good.

  What in the stars am I going to say to her?

  Perhaps that you’re a twit.

  “Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t,” Mimi said from where she lay on her bed with a book and a bag of chips.

  “That’s not much, now is it?” Vera looked pointedly at Mimi’s flat stomach.

  Mimi slowly placed another chip in her mouth and crunched. “That’s what it sounds like when I chew on bones, you know.”

  “Can you morph when you’re…” Vera waved a hand to indicate all of her.

  “When I’m knocked up? Yeah, I can.”

  “Good to know. No more teasing you until you’re waddling too slow to catch me.”

  Mimi quirked a smile. “Be careful. Call if you need anything. Addamas can be there in two seconds flat.” Mimi cocked her head. “He’s on his way here now.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “The same way you recognize someone’s voice without having to see the person, if you know them well enough.”

  “Can you find me?”

/>   “Not easily. Your magic has its own camouflage because you have little snippets of lots of different magics. Addamas is the only one in the world with his particular magic, so it’s like a flare.”

  “Cool. Anyway, I’ll be fine.”

  “I know.” Mimi winked. “Now go show Noah how fine you are.”

  “I can’t believe I never noticed how alike you and Addamas are.”

  “That hurts my feelings.” Mimi turned her attention back to her book.

  “Want me to bring you a smoothie?”

  “Make it a chocolate shake and I won’t hide spiders in your bed.”

  Vera shivered at the thought. “Deal.”

  Mimi’s laughter followed her down the hallway.

  The student union was across campus. Once Vera got to the top of the hill, overlooking the lonely dorm building, she angled for the building. A biting wind pierced her coat. She hadn’t realized how bad it had gotten. If she had, she’d have grabbed her thicker gloves. And why didn’t I put on a hat? Oh yeah, because I had the brilliant idea of looking pretty. She shoved her hair out of her face. It would be a nest by the time she got there. If she went back for warmer stuff, she’d be late. Screw it. I’ll just be a popsicle.

  Vera raced through the union doors into the warmth and raked her hand through her hair. Her fingers stung from the heat.

  “Vera.” Noah waved from a small table in the corner and stood up to meet her. “That wind is terrible, right?”

  “I had no idea it was supposed to get this bad.”

  “Still want a smoothie? Or you thinking something hot?”

  “Hot,” Vera said. “With amaretto. Do they have something like that here?”

  “You haven’t looked at their menu beyond the smoothies? They must be good.”

  “Have you tried one?”

  “No, but I might have to now—once the temperature climbs back above zero. Whipped cream?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Noah’s eyes crinkled when he smiled. “Oh, hey, it turns out Professor Eldrid doesn’t know what that book says. My boss is a dead language fanatic, but she’s stumped too. She wanted to put it in a display case, so people can’t ruin it with their grubby fingers, but Eldrid insists she put it into circulation.”

  “I can’t believe he just let you take it.”

  “Yeah, he’s kind of out there. I was admiring it and told him I knew a girl who was fascinated with old books.” Noah nodded at her. “He practically threw it into my arms and told me to get it shelved at the library.”

  “Did you tell him my name?” A knot of unease twisted in her gut.

  “Umm.” Noah ran a finger along the seam of his paper cup. “Yeah, I guess I did mention your name. Is that okay?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Vera blew on her drink to shield her wince.

  “Is he intense in his classes?”

  “Sometimes. He seems passionate about cultures and humanities.”

  “I’m a little surprised he didn’t offer to loan you the book directly if he wanted you to see it so badly.”

  “I’m sure I’m not the only reason he loaned it to the library.” Or at least she hoped not because that’d be creepy. “So, can I check it out?”

  “Not right now. My boss is trying to decipher a little of it first. Want me to let you know once it goes into circulation?”

  “That would be awesome.”

  Noah shifted bashfully. “And maybe I can take you on another date? A real one?”

  Vera bit her lip. Her mind summoned the face of a certain cranky man. A man she might believe held her heart, if it wasn’t in a jar beneath the sea, but he wasn’t interested in her. Not like that anyway. Vera shoved the thought away. “I’d like that.”

  “Good.”

  Vera took a sip of her drink, and her eyes rolled back a little. “Okay, I’m definitely going to have to branch out from smoothies. This is phenomenal. What did you get?”

  “Same. It’s my favorite.”

  “You have good taste.”

  “I think so.”

  Vera blushed. “So what made you decide to come here for your internship? Just love freezing to death?”

  “I’m actually from here.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep. That’s why I thought maybe we’d met before. But I don’t look familiar to you?”

  “No, I don’t think so. I didn’t get out much in high school, so there’s no way we bumped into each other at a party or anything.”

  “You’re sure?”

  Vera was starting to get a little self-conscious because he obviously thought they’d met, but Vera was sure they hadn’t.

  Noah shook his head, like he was shaking off his strange conviction, and said, “That’s too bad. Anyway, I didn’t make great choices after high school. Hit some rough times. At my lowest, some people looked out for me. They made me believe I could make something of myself.”

  “So, why become a librarian?”

  “Books have always been my escape. Someday, I might even get the courage to write one. For now, I’m just happy to be surrounded by them.”

  “That’s why I like mythology so much,” said Vera. “It was always my escape.”

  “Same here. I used to imagine stepping through a door and being somewhere like Camelot or Atlantis.”

  “The problem is, I bet none of those places would live up to your imagination,” Vera said, speaking from personal experience. “Sometimes, I think books and stories may be better than anything real.”

  “Really? I don’t know,” said Noah. “Every myth seems to have some darkness, but man, it would be worth it, don’t you think? Just to catch a glimpse of real magic?”

  He wasn’t wrong. As dark and messed up as the world was, she wouldn’t want it gone. She wouldn’t want Kale gone. Or Mimi or Addamas. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

  The wind kicked up, rattling the windowpanes. The walk back, with the still-plummeting temperatures, was going to be miserable.

  “Can I give you a ride back to your dorm?” asked Noah.

  “Oh, you don’t have to.” What are you saying?

  “I know I don’t have to. I want to.”

  “You drove here?”

  “I’m not a student, so I live off campus and have to drive in. My jeep’s in the parking garage.”

  The window rattled again. The parking garage was attached to the building. No walking outside would be necessary. “If you really don’t mind.”

  “Not at all.”

  “I have to get something for my friend, first.”

  “A smoothie?”

  “Milkshake.”

  Noah laughed and shook his head. “You were going to carry a milkshake through that weather?”

  “If given a choice between frostbite or spiders, I choose frostbite.” Vera gave a rueful smile.

  “It sounds like there’s a fascinating story behind this milkshake order.”

  A guy burst through the door to the union and jumped around breathing warmth into his hands.

  “That’s what I looked like, huh?” Vera asked.

  “Oh, no. You were much prettier. Even with your hair covered in icicles.”

  Vera laughed. “I’m glad you came to our library, Noah.”

  Kale knocked on the door and shuffled his feet. What in the stars am I doing? Mimi opened the door with a look of surprise.

  “Did you know the lock on the front door of this building is broken?” he asked. “Anyone can walk right in.”

  “Apparently,” Mimi said dryly. “Hello. Should we be expecting campus security?”

  “I left my sword at home.”

  “And you look harmless without it.” Mimi ushered him inside. “Come in before you frighten someone. Why are you dressed all in black?”

  Kale looked down at himself. “I just put on clothes.”

  “Next time you plan to break into a college dorm at night, you should go for a friendlier color. People around here can get jumpy.”

  Kale lo
oked around. “Where’s Vera?”

  “You mean you didn’t come to see me?” Mimi feigned shock.

  Kale ran a hand through his hair. “How are you feeling, by the way? I’m surprised Dam isn’t down here, setting up camp.”

  “I sent him out for onion rings.”

  “You hate onion rings.”

  “Told him the baby wanted them.”

  “He believed you?”

  “Good thing too, he’s driving me crazy. All of a sudden, he’s being extra sweet and attentive.” Mimi fell across her bed with a frustrated growl.

  “He’s always been those things to you. Then you pick a fight because it makes you uncomfortable.”

  “And that’s another thing. He won’t argue with me anymore. No matter how rude or mean I am. He just smiles and tells me I’m incredible or some other stupid thing.”

  “You knew he’d be thrilled to be a dad,” Kale pointed out.

  “Yeah, but I don’t know how to deal with all the sappiness.”

  “Well, don’t look at me. I have no idea how to do relationships.”

  “I’ve noticed. So, what happened last night with you and Vera?”

  “What’d she say?” Kale hedged.

  “Nothing. But she’s on a date with Noah at the moment so it couldn’t have gone well.”

  “She’s not with Dam? You let her go on a date? Alone?”

  “Um, yeah. That’s how a date works.” Mimi yawned. “It’s not like she can’t handle a human if he tried anything.”

  “I know.” Kale forced himself to appear calm. “I don’t know how not to overreact when it comes to her.”

  “Well, you’ve got to do better.”

  “I’m trying.”

  “Then why are you here checking in on her?” Mimi asked.

  Kale sat down on the edge of Vera’s bed, trying to figure out how to explain himself. He didn’t dare mention the messenger, or he’d have to share what had happened between them. That was not a conversation he was prepared to have with Mimi.

  “Oh, my gods,” Mimi gasped. “You finally came to your senses and are here to tell the girl that you’re head over heels for her.”

  Kale cringed. “Does everyone know?”

  “Not her,” said Mimi. “But everyone else, yeah.”