Across the Divide: (Alitura Realm Book 2)

by J. K. Holt

  Tucked against the side of a nearby hill was a small grotto, and at its mouth was the spring. No vibrant colors lined its depths, and Tess could see through the clear water to the rocks that sat at the bottom several feet down. She held her hand above the water a foot, and then lowered it to a few inches. She felt the warmth of the spring, but no intense heat. Hesitantly, she touched the water. It felt like a jacuzzi.

  She whooped, and then turned, her face exuberant. “We can get in.”

  Dray hesitated. “Are you certain?”

  “Only one way to find out,” she replied, pulling off layers of clothing. Dray turned away, and Tess frowned, uncertain if it was due to modesty or something more. “I’m not getting naked,” she reassured hiim. She stopped at her shift, dropping the rest in a pile nearby. Then she slowly lowered herself into the water. “Oh, this is fantastic.”

  “Shouldn’t we wait for the others?” Dray said. His reluctance was beginning to feel insulting, and Tess found herself irritable. “Oh, you know what? Feel free,” she said, throwing up her hands. “Better yet, go back and join them if you want. You know where to find me if you change your mind.”

  She sniffed, unsure if her sudden runny nose and watery eyes were due to the sulfur or something else. She closed her eyes and tried to pretend that she didn’t care, sliding deeper into the spring until fully submerged. She opened her eyes in the depths, watching the air bubbles stream past her towards the light, and listened to the sound of the water flow against her ears, blocking out the rest of the world. She gripped the rocks below and sat Indian style, overwhelmed by the childish urge to wait until her lungs burst before returning to the surface.

  Reason got the better of her after a moment, and she released her hold on the rocks, floating to the top. She broke the surface quietly, worried to discover that Dray had indeed left. Instead, he was pulling off his pants, his other clothes already discarded. He looked serious but intent, and she clamped her mouth shut in case it decided to run off with her and take another stab at lashing out and telling him to leave. She didn’t want that, not in any real way. And they did need to talk, even if the outcome was less than desirable.

  She had to know.

  He stopped at his breeches. He shivered in the cool air, goosebumps rising across his arms and chest. Tess looked away, less from any sense of modesty and more because she was beginning to stare.

  He slid into the water, gasping as the heat climbed his body, and then settled in across from her. Tess bobbed for another second before becoming self-conscious and sliding to the rocks on the other side to sit.

  She finally broke the silence. “Out with it, then.”

  He slid a hand through his hair, and for the first time Tess truly noticed how long it had become since they’d first met. It curled now at the edges, like Ashe’s. The steam from the pool curled it more, darkening it further so that it highlighted the sharp angles of his face. He had lovely lips, one of the only soft things about him, though now they were pointed down at the edges as he studied her. “Out with what?”

  “With whatever you’re thinking. Or feeling. Whatever’s happening in your head. I can’t take any more of this… weirdness between us. It’s like you just forgot that maybe you’d started to care about me, like it never happened.” She looked away, again pushing down tears. “It’s tearing me up inside.”

  “Oh, Tess.” His voice was sad. “I haven’t forgotten.”

  “So, what then?” Tess turned to him now, and allowed the tears to come if they needed to. “Is it because I lied to you? I’m so sorry for that. Really. When I first appeared in Wharfton, I had no idea where I was, or what had happened. And you didn’t trust me in the beginning, and I was lost, in so many ways. I didn’t know what to tell you, or how. And then, when I wanted to, there were so many other things happening. The timing never seemed right. And maybe I was a little afraid. But still, I’m sorry I did it. If I could go back-”

  Dray shook his head. “No. It’s- I understand. I had plenty of time to be sore, and confused, in the past few weeks. I’ve moved past that. But you have to understand how it changes things between us.”

  Tess’s lip had begun to tremble, and she pressed her mouth into a firm line. “No. I don’t.”

  A silence punctuated the space between them. Tess waited as Dray studied his hands, unable to make eye contact, until she realized there might be no more information forthcoming. She couldn’t beg. She wouldn’t do that.

  “I don’t understand it,” she said. “But I can respect it, if it’s how you feel.”

  She stood, her torso rising from the water as she wrung out her hair with her hands, and aimed for an air of nonchalance. “I can go find the others, and let them know where to find you. Or we can head back together if you’re done too.” She could be away from him soon, and could cry in peace.

  “Please. Don’t.” His voice was strained, full of pain.

  Tess screamed, surprising even herself. “Ah! What, then? What do you want, Draker Reed?”

  “You.”

  Tess felt like her chest was about to explode. “Me? Me?”

  “Yes.”

  She huffed. And sighed. And hugged her arms to her body, because now she was getting cold. Finally, she lowered herself back into the water. “You have sixty seconds to explain yourself before I’m getting out.”

  Dray’s head was lowered, but his eyes met hers. They, too, were watery. “You misunderstood. My feelings for you haven’t changed. I still care about you. Very much, in fact. But you’re… you’re literally not of this world.”

  Tess didn’t follow. “So?”

  “You can’t be blurred. You pulled me back from being blurred. Not to mention that you could gain access to Reydon’s head while unconscious, and you could probably do the same to anyone here if you tried. Snails, the other day you did something, not even touching me, but I could feel you in my head.”

  Tess winced, remembering how she’d touched his aura the other evening.

  Dray continued. “I mean, knowing all that, the information that you weren’t from here wasn’t all that difficult to believe. But it just made you all the less attainable, and that… well, that stung worst of all.”

  Tess cocked her head, trying to find words, though they escaped her.

  Dray grimaced. “How does this end, Tess? At worst, the lampreys take you, even with us trying to protect you. And we never see you again. Or maybe you’ll just disappear again, and go back wherever you came from. At best, we win, or at least stay safe, but even then… you’re so powerful, so special. You won’t stay in Wharfton. You’ll realize how much more you need, or want to do. You’ll realize how much…more you are than anyone else. Me most of all.”

  Tess took a moment, wrapping her head around the twists and turns of Dray’s logic, attempting to understand. After a moment, she laughed, a giddy thing that slipped out of its own accord. “Man,” she marveled. “You are seriously the biggest buzzkill I’ve ever met. I mean, I’ve heard of men using the whole ‘you deserve better than me’ excuse before, but no guy has ever tried it on me. Now that you have, though, I do have to say it’s just as dumb as I thought it would be.”

  Dray opened his mouth, but Tess silenced him with her hand. “It’s my turn.” He shut his mouth again.

  “Nothing, absolutely nothing, is certain in life. My mom taught me that.” She straightened as she spoke, finding strength. “We just have to go on anyway, even when we have no way of knowing. That’s living. Life is the sum of all your choices. Maggie’s favorite philosopher said that. So, if this is your choice, fine. But it’s not what I want, so don’t think you’re doing this for me. You’re doing it for you, because you’re scared.”

  The words stung, and she could see them hit their mark as Dray winced. Some part of Tess was pleased, that she could hurt him, while another only felt anger, and hurt from all of this. “I’m just me,” she said. “None of the other things you said about me, about my specialness, matter at all. Not rea
lly. And if you don’t want to be with me because of that, because you’re somehow suddenly intimidated by me, then you’re right. You aren’t enough of a man for me.”

  She stood, this time completing her escape from the pool. She picked up her clothes where she’d left them, and turned back. Dray had not moved from the spring, though he was following her movements with his eyes and he gave her a plaintive look, as if asking her to stay. But Tess could tell how closely she was teetering towards hysterical. She put on a brave face. “Regardless, Dray, I want us to be friends, no matter what you decide. I hope we can work back to that.”

  She held her head high as she walked away, maintaining as much dignity as anyone can muster in wet undergarments. And, surprisingly, no tears came.

  Chapter Eleven

  Green Springs was a sprawling town situated at a crossroads. Crawling vines grew along nearly every building in the center of town, which was little more than ten or so stores and other places of business crowded along the narrow streets. In every direction, the forests stretched, punctuated by large squares of land for the farms. Many farmers here kept livestock- pigs and sheep who counted the forests as their grazing lands. Massive pigs walked through the forest, followed by children and adults with baskets in hand. It took Tess quite some time to realize they were hunting for truffles. Birds flew low amongst the trees, and wherever the sunlight spilled through, it found new saplings that stretched hopefully towards it. Tess had taken off her shoes as they led the mules into town, feeling the spongy moss beneath her toes. The dirt here was dark and warm on her feet.

  The town itself was quaint, and the people here moved at a languid pace. They lacked the wealth of Merktown, but seemed aware of how beautiful this stretch of land was that they called home, which was more than enough.

  For a moment, Tess allowed herself to fantasize about staying here. She’d always loved the woods, feeling most comfortable when she was alone among the trees. She could find a small job here somewhere, rent a room in a nearby cottage, plant flowers, read books in a hammock. A sweet fantasy, indeed.

  They’d entered town mid-morning and with only a vague idea about what to do now that they were actually here. They identified the Inn quickly enough- a signpost hung outside. “Assuming this is the only Inn,” Rosie said. “And assuming that there aren’t any others outside of the town that Reydon was referring to instead.”

  “And assuming we’re in the right Green Springs at all,” Tess added.

  “Such unbridled optimism,” Fish said. “Who’s going in?”

  “Tess and I,” Rosie said. “What?” she said in reply to a glance from the men. “No one should go in alone, and we’ll be seen as less of a threat.”

  “Who, exactly, will see you as less of a threat?” Fish responded.

  “Idiots who don’t know me,” Rosie said. “And that’s what we’re betting on. Coming?”

  Tess nodded, handing Darla’s reins to Dray, who stood beside her. He looked less than pleased with the plan. “You want us to just wait out here? And do what?”

  “Well to start, try to look a bit less sinister,” Rosie said dryly. “Walk them north a bit, if you want. Try to get a better feel of the town. You know, be useful, that sort of thing.”

  Tess stifled a grin. She and Rosie walked up the few steps and entered the two-storied building. Large windows framed the front, allowing ample sunlight to fill the interior with warm light. A plain but polished wood floor ran along the entirety of the first floor- there was what appeared to be a small sitting room to the left, and a dining area with several tables on the right. No one was in sight. At the sound of the door closing behind them, a female voice called out from the back of the house. “Be right there!”

  Tess and Rosie waited until a young woman rounded the corner, drying her hands on a cloth as she walked towards them. She looked young, but able, possibly fifteen or so, and carried herself with grace. She had on a working skirt and apron, and her dark hair fell in plaits down her back. Something in her demeanor reminded Tess of Emme. “Hullo. You’re looking for a room?”

  “Possibly,” Rosie said. “We’re passing through and thought we’d stop to enjoy some of the springs in the area. We may have need of a room but for now were just hoping for some refreshment?”

  The girl frowned, her eyes apologetic. “It’s a bit early for lunch, I’m sorry to say. We serve at noon. But I can get you some tea, if you’d like.”

  “Tea would be fine,” Tess and Rosie answered together.

  “Perfect. You can wait in here, if you’d like,” the girl said, motioning to the sitting room and then eyeing their mud-encrusted shoes. They took her meaning and removed them, leaving them by the front door.

  Tess sat on a high-backed couch against the far wall while Rosie paced. “Rosie. Sit.”

  Rosie cast her an irritated glance but took her suggestion, perching on the edge of an armrest. Tess sighed. “Sit all the way.”

  “Ugh. You’re not my mother. I’m older than you.”

  “Then don’t act like a baby.”

  They engaged in a silent war of eye contact until the girl re-entered, balancing fine china and tea on a tray. “Here you go. I found a few cookies as well, though they were made yesterday.”

  “Thank you,” Tess said. “Perhaps you could help us? I’m Tess, and this is Rosie, by the way.” She raised her eyebrows, inviting reciprocation.

  “Oh! I’m Alice.” She smiled, hands clasped in front of her. “How can I help?”

  “Well, we were told a friend often stays at an Inn when he travels through here, but we didn’t get the name. Are there any other places he might have been referring to?”

  Alice thought for a moment. “Not really. There is another town nearby. Warm Springs? Five miles or so west. They have an Inn as well. But we are the only one in Green Springs. We have eight rooms upstairs, which is usually enough to hold the travelers who come through. What is the name of your friend? Perhaps I know him.”

  Rosie clattered the spoon as she pulled it from her cup- a warning. It rattled Tess, but she could see no other path forward. “Well, he goes by different names. We know him as Loren, but I think you might know him as Reydon?”

  Alice’s eyes widened slightly at the name, but she shook her head. “I’m sorry. We don’t have anyone staying here by that name.”

  “But you recognize it?” Tess pressed.

  “No.”

  Rosie growled. “You’re lying.”

  “I’m not.” Alice had begun to back away. “Do let me know if there’s anything else you need.” She scurried away.

  Tess gave Rosie a look. “Nice.”

  “What? She is lying,” Rosie hissed.

  “I know that. But I thought the whole idea of us coming in was to be less intimidating, remember? We may only get one chance at this.”

  “Have it your way.” Rosie crossed her arms and sat back in her chair.

  The tea had grown cold by the time Alice returned to collect the dishes. If she noticed that their cups had gone untouched, she made no mention of it. “Did you decide about that room, then?”

  “Not yet,” Tess said. “Please, wait. I want to apologize to you.”

  “None necessary.” Alice forced a smile, glancing timidly at Rosie.

  “No, not about her, although I promise we are working on housetraining her,” Tess said, ignoring Rosie’s glare at the comment. “I lied to you before.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes. Reydon’s not our friend. But we are looking for him.”

  The cups clattered on the tray as Alice picked it up, her earlier grace gone. “I don’t want any trouble,” she said, voice tinged with fear.

  “And we don’t want to give you any. But we need to figure out where he’d go around here. Can you help with that?”

  At the continuing clanging of the china on the tray, Tess reached up and pried it gently from Alice’s hands, placing it back on the table. Alice was shaking her head back and forth, silently wiping her h
ands on her apron like a nervous habit. “Look, I haven’t seen him for six months. That’s the honest truth.”

  Tess studied her, finding nothing in her manner that spoke to deception. “I believe you.”

  “But,” Alice said, whispering now. “The men he was with still come back into town now and then.”

  Tess forced herself to remain calm. “The men?”

  Alice nodded. “They’re loud. And cruel. You’d be better off steering clear of them, trust me.”

  “We can’t do that,” Rosie said. She leaned forward, her smile predatory. “We’re here to make them pay.”

  Alice seemed disbelieving. “I can see you have the heart for it, but what on earth can the two of you do?”

  “We aren’t here alone,” Tess answered.

  Alice hesitated. “Even still.”

  “Look,” Tess sighed, laying her cards on the table. “We think they’ve taken someone hostage, and we need to help that person. We can ride around here blindly, until someone eventually tips them off that we’re looking for them and we lose the element of surprise. Or you can help us, and give us a fighting chance.”

  A blush had risen on Alice’s cheeks, whether through anger or fear Tess was unsure. Alice wavered, weighing what Tess had said. Tess and Rosie waited.

  Finally- “What do you want to know, exactly?”

  “How many are there?”

  Alice shrugged. “Four, maybe five? Never more than two or three of them come into town at once though, so it’s difficult to know for sure.”

  “Where are they staying?”

  “I’m not certain. But they ride in from the east. There are a few older farms several miles that way, abandoned when the families moved or died off. I’d guess they’d be at one of them.”

  Tess was shocked, both that Alice was talking to them and that this gamble had paid off at all. “Alice, this is so incredibly helpful. Thank you. One last thing, though. Do you think you could draw us a map?”