Storm and Stone

by Joss Stirling

  ‘Sweetheart, that’s just wrong.’ Adewale put his arm around her shoulders. ‘He doesn’t know you like I do.’

  ‘I don’t see how you can reach that conclusion.’ Kieran scowled, irritated by Adewale’s illogical deductions. ‘Gina’s the only one who saw that watch.’

  ‘Are you saying Gina’s the thief?’ Putting Gina behind him, Adewale was now getting into Kieran’s space.

  ‘Finally, you are getting something right. Back off.’ Kieran looked down, distracted by the damage Adewale’s trainers were doing to his notes. Otherwise he would have noticed the fist coming for his face.

  Pain exploded in his cheek bone. He reeled into the wall, but his training kicked in. Using the momentum to spin him around, he launched a counter-strike. Blow to the diaphragm, kick to the back of the knees, hand twisted up behind back to neutralize the assailant. A text-book defence.

  He ignored Gina’s shrieks. ‘What was that you were saying, Adewale?’

  ‘Let go, man!’ Adewale’s face was pointing at the ground, blood rushing to his head. Their classmates scrabbled for position around them.

  ‘Not until you agree that you guys will back off and leave us alone. Say it!’

  ‘Yeah, yeah, she’s welcome to you, you nutter.’

  Kieran lifted Adewale’s arm up slightly, just to make his point, not because he was annoyed of course.

  He locked his anger deep inside, logic clicking back in control. ‘I think I know now who joined in the attack in the cricket pavilion. It was you, wasn’t it?’

  ‘She stole my watch!’

  ‘I thought we’d been through that. She did not. Gina said she had but Gina is lying. Not that that excuses what you did to Raven, you fricking coward. You’ll leave Raven alone in future or, I promise you, I’ll do to you what you did to her, but I won’t stop until you’re crawling on your knees for her forgiveness. Understand me?’

  ‘Yes! Now let go: you’re breaking my arm.’

  ‘Incorrect. I’m merely applying pressure to catch your attention. If I wanted to break it you’d know that by now.’ He gave Adewale a final shove. ‘Pick up my papers, both of you.’ He clicked his fingers down at the file contents.

  They looked at each other, uncertain, neither wanting the humiliation.

  ‘You made me drop them so you pick them up.’

  Silence.

  ‘Pick. Them. Up.’ Kieran gave them a smile that had them on their knees and bundling A4 sheets together.

  Gina shoved them in the ring binder making no attempt to straighten them. Kieran let that pass. ‘Here you are.’ Her lashes dipped over her blue eyes. ‘And you’re wrong about her.’

  Again he had the strange conviction she believed her version of events, the truth erased from her memory, as her expression seemed so free of guile. He felt a flash of pity for her. ‘I’m not wrong, Gina, but I tell you this much: I’m very sorry you are.’

  Kieran walked into the classroom and took a seat on his own. It was no surprise when no one chose to sit near him.

  The confrontation with Adewale was the big news of the afternoon. Even Raven, outside most gossip circles, got to hear about it thanks to Hedda’s loud voice as she passed through the common room to the sixth form library. They didn’t see her, as she was behind a shelf of newspapers and reference books, so she paused to eavesdrop.

  ‘He went crazy, can you believe it? Attacked Adewale because he told him the truth about Crow.’

  Raven wondered who she was talking about. She couldn’t imagine anyone fighting to defend her.

  ‘Actually, Ade did throw the first punch,’ muttered Gina.

  ‘But he was out of control. Almost broke Adewale’s arm. He’s dangerous.’

  ‘What did Joe say?’ asked Toni.

  ‘He laughed. Said Adewale had it coming for underestimating Kieran.’

  Kieran? He was the one who had fought for her? It was not big of her, Raven knew that, but she couldn’t help a little flip of pleasure to hear that someone had stood up for her. Her corner no longer looked so lonely. But Kieran? She imagined he’d be playing it cool after they broke up—not rushing to defend her honour. And was he OK?

  ‘Joe doesn’t take our warnings seriously,’ complained Hedda. ‘He has such potential but he doesn’t see how harmful Raven and her kind are.’

  Her kind? What was that? Those poor enough to need a scholarship? There was a lot of her kind if that was what Hedda meant. Outside the privileged walls of Westron, Hedda would struggle to find someone who didn’t offend her. One of Raven’s small revenges had been to imagine Hedda coping in her last high school—she’d be eaten alive by the sharks in five minutes flat.

  ‘Kieran’s worse. Not one of us,’ said Toni.

  Uh-oh. Sounded like the boys were soon going to be joining her in reject zone.

  ‘Don’t worry—Mrs Bain said she has plans to straighten them out. They just need to be taught the right way to see things. They’re fundamentally sound and I think a few weeks at the manor will do the trick.’ Hedda patted Gina’s arm. ‘It helped sort you out, didn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, I was really lucky to get the chance.’ Gina sounded breathy, like a beauty contest winner simpering to camera. ‘I feel so much better about myself now—got my priorities straight. I had the first, you know, nice conversation I’d ever had with my dad. He says I’m now the daughter he always wanted.’

  ‘Aw, sweet!’ cooed the other girls.

  Ugh, horrible, fumed Raven. Unable to listen to any more of this, she came out of hiding and marched up to the group on the sofas. ‘Hey, Gina?’

  Her ex-friend looked up warily. ‘What do you want?’

  ‘I just wanted to say that before you had your brain transplant I thought you were great. Sure, you had a few issues, but you were basically a good laugh and a good friend. You were interesting and had your own opinions. Your father should’ve accepted you for what you were, not try to squeeze you into a mould of his choosing. Think about that, won’t you?’

  Gina brushed the material of her pencil skirt nervously, pretending not to listen.

  ‘What would you know about parental expectations?’ sneered Hedda. ‘I seem to recall you don’t have any.’

  Her insult was so sharp some of the girls had the decency to look shocked.

  ‘That’s not fair, Hedda,’ Gina muttered.

  Raven swallowed the lump of hurt that had formed in her throat. ‘My father died serving his country, so you can just shove your big foot in that foul mouth of yours and shut up about him.’

  Hedda did not back down. ‘You are nothing but a parasite—living off the wealth of others. It’s our fees that pay for your scholarship.’

  ‘It’s my father’s life that pays for your freedom. Without men like him defending your countries, you’d not be sitting here looking down on me. But do you know what? I don’t care what you think of me. If there are any parasites in the room, it’s you with your false sense of entitlement just because—woo-hoo—you stand to inherit your wealth.’ She waved her hand mockingly. ‘Good for you. If any of you had actually done anything to earn my respect, then I’d give it. But all I see is a coven of bitchy rich girls who wouldn’t last five seconds in the real world. Suck on that, why don’t you?’

  Leaving quickly so she had the last word, Raven strode out of the common room. She’d already burnt her boats with the girls from her year a few weeks back but it felt good to dance around the smouldering fire after putting up with so much. And as for Kieran—actions speak louder than words, surely?

  The smell of cake greeted Kieran and Joe as they knocked on the back door of Raven’s cottage. When she opened it, they saw she had a striped apron over her clothes, a dab of flour on the end of her nose.

  ‘Hello. I’m so glad to see you guys. I’ve baked.’

  Joe grinned. ‘Great detectives that we are, we can tell. What’s the big occasion?’ He walked in past her, patting her on the shoulder.

  Sorting through the scents, Kieran co
uld smell dark chocolate and walnuts. She’d cooked his favourite brownies.

  ‘My version of a hero’s welcome.’ Raven wrapped her arms around Kieran’s waist and hugged. Taken aback, his hands hovered for a second before crushing her to his chest. ‘Thanks, Kieran.’

  ‘What are you thanking me for?’ Where was a red line when he needed it?

  Joe cleared his throat. ‘I’ll just go and see how the cakes are getting on then.’ He pointed to the kitchen. ‘Your granddad here?’

  ‘Not yet. He’s setting up for dinner at the castle.’

  ‘Yeah, of course he is.’ Joe gave Kieran the nod. ‘Looks like you won’t be interrupted then.’ He hurried into the kitchen and closed the door.

  ‘So what’s this for?’ Kieran repeated. He began to hope that maybe she’d give him a hearing—that yesterday’s row wasn’t as final as it had felt. He shouldn’t want that but he did.

  ‘I’m thanking you for what you did for me.’

  Kieran ran his hands up her arms to cup her face, thumbs brushing her cheekbones. ‘I’m not supposed to kiss you now.’

  She frowned. ‘Who says?’

  ‘I thought we broke up and have only declared a truce. Sort-of-friends don’t do kissing.’ And he had promised Isaac. It turned out his word was no stronger than an ice sculpture in a heated room.

  ‘Heroes who defend their sort-of-friend deserve one though.’ She went up and touched her lips to his. He gave a little groan and let go of his restraint. One hand supported her back, drawing her higher, the other cradled her head. This was what they both needed, the soft press of lips, shared breath, his gentle strokes along her spine, delicious thrill of her fingers running over his chest. He was spun out of the everyday, where nothing added up, to a world of pure, magical numbers, where every equation was resolved, all difficulties untangled. She was the answer to his ‘find x’ in every emotional algebra problem he had been set. He had been a fool to think even for a second that the YDA mattered more than this.

  Finally, Raven had to take a break and drop back on her heels. She didn’t let go but nestled her head to his chest. ‘You’re too tall.’

  He smiled. ‘Sorry, but couldn’t that be that you’re too short?’

  She drew a square over his heart. ‘Maybe I could get a box to stand on.’

  ‘Ever practical. Or I could sit with you on my lap. I like solution that better.’

  ‘Now I know why they call you a genius.’ She leant back to look up at his face. ‘Did Adewale hurt you?’

  He touched the bruise forming on his cheek. ‘No.’

  ‘Hah, liar.’

  ‘It was nothing. I put an end to it before it really started.’

  ‘I’m shocked it was him—he’s always been a nice guy.’

  ‘He probably still is under it all, but your enemies have all been persuaded you are a threat to them and they’re going after you like white cells after a virus.’

  ‘Watch out they don’t go for you. I think you and Joe are suffering in the popularity stakes for remaining loyal to me.’

  ‘We can look after ourselves.’

  ‘I know. But next time, let me be your back-up.’

  He rubbed the flour from her nose. ‘I might let you hold my jacket.’

  ‘OK. I love that jacket.’

  He smiled. ‘And I’ll leave the girls to you—I don’t fight girls.’

  ‘Yeah, I’m all over those bitches, never you worry about them. They can’t fight for toffee.’

  She looked adorable with her face all screwed up with her determination to defend him. ‘Fierce, aren’t you, tiger?’

  ‘My father taught me some neat self-defence moves. I’ll show you if you like, in case Adewale comes after you again.’

  Kieran had already undergone a course of advanced self defence taught by a former marine, but the idea of Raven showing him her moves sounded very appealing. ‘I’d like that. And, um, Raven?’

  ‘Hmm?’

  Red lines crossed, trampled, smashed through—boy, was he in trouble in so many ways, but logic had taken a holiday. ‘There’s the prom coming up. Do you want to go?’

  ‘Come again?’

  He raised his eyes to the ceiling light. ‘You’re going to make me suffer, aren’t you?’

  ‘Absolutely. If you’re doing what I think you’re doing, you’ve got to ask properly or not at all, my mom used to say.’

  He met her eyes. ‘Raven Stone, would you do me the honour of being my date for the prom?’ He kissed her fingertips.

  ‘Kieran Storm, it would be my pleasure.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘But what about after—you and me? Will you tell me the truth?’

  He bent his forehead to rest against hers. ‘Don’t worry—I’m working on it.’

  ‘You are?’

  ‘I promise.’

  There was a crash in the kitchen and an oath from Joe. Raven giggled. ‘I think Joe just found out that the tin is still hot.’

  ‘Sneaking my hero brownies are you?’ shouted Kieran.

  ‘Yeah.’ Joe sounded completely unrepentant. ‘If I don’t get to make up in the hall, at least I should get a treat in here.’

  Raven took Kieran’s hand, her slim fingers wrapped around his. ‘Let’s go have some before he eats them all.’

  ‘I’ll follow you anywhere,’ he said, only half joking.

  After leaving Raven with her granddad, Kieran returned with Joe to the main building. He didn’t follow Joe to their room but took a left towards a different flight of stairs.

  ‘You OK?’ Joe asked when he realized Kieran wasn’t following.

  ‘Yes, fine. I’m just going to take a look about the place.’

  ‘See you back at base then. I’ll do a report for Isaac.’

  ‘Great. Thanks.’

  ‘You did all right with Raven—took a nice line, friendly but not too intense. Letting her down gently.’

  Joe didn’t know about the kiss in the hall then. Kieran guessed Joe wouldn’t be so impressed if he knew how many rules Kieran had broken, and intended to go on breaking. Kieran’s career at the YDA would be toast if that came out.

  Kieran waited for Joe to turn the corner then carried on up to his favourite spot in the castle, the battlement walk. Students weren’t supposed to go here but lock picking was one of the first skills taught at the YDA, and he needed somewhere to think without interruption. Easing through the arched door, he disturbed the pigeons occupying the slates. They flew off over his head in a shudder of wings. He knew not to duck. Pigeons’ eyesight ran at the equivalent of about two hundred and fifty frames per second; a normal film that ran at a tenth of that speed would seem like clicking through a slide show to them. The upshot of that fact was that they would move out of your way even if you thought they were on a collision course.

  He leant on the crumbly parapet. Sandstone, heavily weathered. Some lichen—Caloplaca flavenscens if he wasn’t mistaken—that had taken at least two hundred years to spread its orange stain over the stonework. He took a breath, settling his brain for a good think in the twilight.

  All right then. Facts established, now he could deal with the emotions.

  He had known since his conversation with Isaac that he had taken a wrong turn. Isaac had said even Kieran couldn’t square the circle of his loyalty to the YDA and his attachment to Raven, but what was the point of having a brain like his if he didn’t use it on something really important for once? If anyone could do the impossible, it would be him—that wasn’t arrogance but awareness that he did have the edge over others in this at least.

  He tapped the balustrade. Applying his brainpower to the problem, he could see that he mustn’t tell Raven about his mission until it was over in order to ensure her safety. But surely new rules kicked in when that was done? He had another year at the YDA then university. YDA students at college were given more freedom, as backgrounds were under less of a microscope in the loose mixed community of a university. He just had to convince Rave
n to hang on in there for a while until he reached that stage.

  But a year seemed too much. If she went to sixth form college, some guy would snap her up and push him out of the picture. He couldn’t bear it if he lost the right to be the one to kiss her.

  Of course. Kieran slapped his forehead, berating himself for his slowness. The conclusion was obvious. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of it earlier. He just needed to pull off a few miracles and hope she really was the forgiving sort. But that was for later. His job now was to keep her safe so they could get to that point.

  It would start with one very difficult conversation with Isaac; he was going to be annoyed Kieran had ignored his orders.

  Weighing that up, with the possibility of serious consequences as Isaac hit the roof, Kieran decided it was worth the risk. Isaac also repeatedly told them that they weren’t his pawns. Kieran was going to find out just how sincerely Isaac meant that by making some gambits of his own. If anyone was going to walk away from the relationship, it wouldn’t be him. In fact, he was damned if he’d let Raven chuck in the towel over his lies to her without doing his utmost to change her mind.

  Kieran decided that by far his favourite moments of the exam weeks were those when Raven took it upon herself to teach him her self-defence techniques. He enjoyed playing dumb as she clearly got so much pleasure from instructing him. It also gave him plenty of excuses to let her put her hands on him, which they both liked more than they let on.

  ‘Now this evening I’m going to show you how to leverage your weight.’ They were in the gym at dinnertime so had the place to themselves, crash mats out as Raven had warned they were going to get serious after the easy lessons on going for vulnerable spots—eyes, nose, groin, etc.

  ‘I thought leverage of weight was something hedge funds did for their assets by using sugar derivatives.’

  ‘Come again?’

  OK. So Raven didn’t do financial sector jokes. ‘Nothing.’

  She rolled her eyes. ‘OK, Mr Storm, stop making incomprehensible remarks that go over the head of mere mortals and get your butt here.’