***
“Before it gets too dark,” Ally said, “you need a bath.”
“Really?” Oisin replied. “I did not think I smelled that foul.”
“Not you,” she said exasperated, and looked at Adam. “You.”
“She does have a point, buddy,” Shane said. “Allow me to accompany you to the stream.”
“I’d rather have Ally,” Adam said, glancing at what remained of his left arm.
Was he embarrassed that the boys would see the extent of his scars?
“Must be something about your maternal nature,” Ian said.
Maybe, but the reason didn’t really matter. “Let me grab my bag and we’ll take a walk,” Ally said.
At the edge of the stream, Adam removed his shoes, socks, and shirt and put his toe into the water. She pulled the lavender soap from her bag and handed it to him. “Go ahead. I’ll turn around.”
“It smells girly,” Adam said.
“There are worse things you could smell like,” she said. “Did you get a whiff of Shane?”
Adam laughed and, before Ally turned away, she saw the stump that had once been his arm, the burns that covered most of his body. And the words in Meg’s note occurred to her: The mutant next will take a hold, of hearts and souls, his spirit bold. She couldn’t remember the rest but, was Adam the mutant? If so, the predictions were coming true... again.
She heard splashing sounds, and said, “What happened to your arm, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Don’t mind. House caught on fire. The rest of my family didn’t make it. By the time they found me… they had to cut off my arm to save my life. Mister Bernard took me in.”
“I’m sorry it’s been so hard for you—”
She saw Liam pushing his way through the brush, a shirt in his hand. “Aye, I am sorry about that as well,” he said. “But I would like to change that. How would you feel about moving to Pembroke, with me and my family? I am headed beyond the forest right now, and my sister and our grandmother could use your help until I return.”
The splashing stopped. “Ally, you be coming back, too?”
“No,” she replied.
“Why not?”
“Liam, can I talk to Adam alone?”
He tossed the shirt to her. “Sure. It might be big, but at least it is clean.”
“I think you’ll like living at Liam’s,” she said when they were alone. “They took me in when I needed a place to stay, so I can tell you they’re really nice. His sister, Meg, is terrific and his grandmother is amazing.”
“What about you?”
“Liam is helping me get home and, once there, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to come back.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s really far away and… no matter how much I like it here, it’s not where I belong. I miss my family.”
“Know how that feels.”
“So what do you think?”
“I think this is the best day of my life! I’m ready for a towel.”
She held her towel, along with Liam’s shirt, behind her back.
“Done,” he said a few minutes later.
She turned around and eyed him from head to toe. “You look really handsome in Liam’s shirt.”
“Really? Well, maybe, except for this.” He held up his empty left sleeve.
“Let me roll that up.”
“I can’t wait to go to Liam’s, but I’m afraid.”
“Afraid?”
“What if my brother comes lookin’ for me? He won’t know where I am.”
“I thought your family died in the fire.”
“They did, but I have another brother. He went missing before it happened. Don’t remember much about him now. There’s one thing, though. He never thought I knew, but I saw. He could change, like the rest of ‘em.” He pointed to the field. “Except he changed into a spider.”
“Well, Bernard could tell him where you are if he shows up.” Ally picked up Adam’s shirt and placed it inside her bag. “What’s your brother’s name?”
“Come on, Adam!” Shane shouted. “The sun is going down.”
Adam turned and began to run back toward the others.
“Hey, what’s his name?” Ally asked again.
“Caleb!” Adam called over his shoulder.
***
Adam’s laughter reached Ally’s ears and Liam put his arm around her. “Whatever you did made him very happy.”
Ally shook her head. “It’s what you did that made him happy. I just insisted on a little soap and water.”
“Speaking of which.” Liam pinched his nose.
She gently pushed him away. “Oh, stop. I’ll jump in tomorrow before we leave. I’m sure we’ll be up at the crack of dawn.”
Liam smiled. “There is nothing wrong with rising with the sun,” he said. “Was Adam agreeable to the idea?”
“He is, but I can’t believe you’re willing to do that for him.”
“I am sure you would do the same, if given the opportunity.”
“I would, but things are really complicated where I come from. There’s this thing called Child Protective Services and—Oh, forget it. I know he’s excited, but he’s nervous. He told me something quite interest—”
Adam ran over and pulled her arm. “We’re gonna tell stories and look at the stars. Come on.”
Moments later, they were all on their backs in a circle. The sun had set and the stars were bright overhead.
“It is an exceptionally clear night,” Ian said. “I cannot see a cloud anywhere.” He pointed out the constellations and told the stories surrounding their origin. Liam found her hand and held it. At some point, she looked over to see Adam asleep.
“We should put him to bed,” she whispered.
“I will take care of that,” Shane said and picked him up. “I am ready as well. I will see you in the morning.”
Oisin got to his feet. “I am right behind you.”
“Actually, I’m going to bed too,” Ally said, and removed her hand from Liam’s. “Have to be up early and take that bath. Good night.” She leaned over and kissed Liam’s cheek.
“I will be there in a moment,” Liam said. “I need to discuss something with Ian and Corm.”
She crawled into the tent. Two sets of blankets were side by side. Liam must have laid them out earlier and she began to feel a little nervous. She knew he would act like a perfect gentleman, but… was that what she really wanted?
Before Liam, there’d been only one boy in her life. She and Scott had started off as friends, but that progressed to holding hands and a strong shoulder to rest her head on during a pair of slow dances at the last homecoming event. And then his father had accepted a job in Cincinnati. End of story. Would this end just as abruptly?
Twenty minutes later, Liam entered the tent, crawled in beside her, and saw she was awake. “I hope I am doing the right thing with Adam.”
“You’re giving him a chance, more than what he has here. By the way, I found out what happened with his arm.”
She relayed what Adam had told her. “And there’s something else. He has another brother, one who didn’t die in the fire. You’ll never guess what his name is.”
“If I will never guess, then I will not try.”
“Ha, ha. It’s Caleb. You don’t think it’s the same person, do you?”
“Caleb is not an uncommon name and two people are allowed to have the same one in this world.”
“Really,” she said, rolling her eyes. “He also told me Caleb could change like you guys, but his twin is a spider. Meg and I saw a weird one at Olivia’s, and then you saw one at your house. I think it was the same spider that showed up while I was taking a bath that morning. You said you’d never seen one like it. I was honestly beginning to think it was following me around.”
His face showed its first uncertainty. “Perhaps your theory holds merit.”
“I know, right?” She propped herself up on her left elbow. “Liam, why do
you think I’m here?”
He sat up and wound his fingers through hers. “Among other things, you are making my somewhat meaningless life, complete.” He hesitated. “Although we have never shared the same world, the same reality, it is clear we share the same soul. There is a bond between us I cannot deny.” He brought her hand to his lips.
“Oh,” she said softly and exhaled. My god. Scott who? It was then she knew. She’d never met anyone like him before… nor would she ever again. She gently pushed him to his back, her breath coming in shallow gasps. His arms were around her and, with the help of the moon, she looked into his eyes. He was… beautiful and she covered his face with tender kisses.
***
He caressed her back while she kissed his cheek, his ear, his neck. When she looked down upon him, he reached for her, his tongue tracing the outline of her lips, sweeter than any fruit he had ever tasted, and he yearned for her to be closer. He moved on top of her, his weight on his hands, and he stared at her with such longing, it hurt.
He slowly lowered his body. His heart exploded in his chest while her touch sent shivers throughout his body. She lifted her head so that their lips could meet again.
“You are bringing out feelings I never knew I could possess,” he said. “Feelings, I am afraid, are without control.” He rolled off her, onto his side. His fingers trembled as he touched her face. She untied the leather strip that held his hair; it fell loose to his shoulders. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her.
“Can I ask you something?” he finally said.
She nodded.
“I was wondering if, in your world, you have a beau or sweetheart.”
She laughed. “I did once, but he moved away. Long-distance relationships never work. And, even if I had a boyfriend before, I wouldn’t now… not after meeting you. And speaking of past romances, you never told me what happened between you and Olivia.”
He felt the corner of his mouth turn up.
“Oh yeah, I’m going there,” she said.
“Honestly? When I met you, I felt something very different than I ever experienced with Olivia, even before I knew you well.” He took her hand. “This,” he said, “is how it is supposed to feel. Do you not agree?”
“Yes.”
How far did her ‘boyfriend’ move to cause the relationship to fall apart? Certainly not the distance they would be from each other if she found her way home. If possible, would he go with her? Not if it meant leaving his family behind. She felt the same, and he did not blame her. Theirs was a hopeless situation. His arms tightened around her. He had never felt so happy and, at the same time, so scared in his life.
***
Adam walked into the house with his brother. They threw the sticks into the hearth. His mother leaned over the fire, trying to get it started.
The kindling caught—flames leaped out at them. His mother tripped and fell. He smelled something burning and realized it was her clothes… her. She would not get off them and he struggled to free himself. She was smothering him and screaming, and then… she stopped. But he could still smell the fire.
Adam opened his eyes. This was not the first time he dreamed about that day, but this time it seemed so… so real. He sat up. Corm was asleep beside him. Yes, just a dream. As he lay back down, he took a deep breath. His eyes flew open.
“Fire!” he yelled and shook Corm. “Fire, Corm, Fire!”
Chapter 27
“Fire!” Corm yelled from outside. “Sweet mother of Athena! Wake up! Fire!” he screamed. Liam threw on his boots, scrambled from the tent, and saw the barn consumed in flame. Corm had ripped his shirt off and was using it to pull the door open. Dense smoke billowed through, struggling to make its escape. The horses whinnied from inside and Corm rushed into the burning building.
Liam followed, but paused after crossing the threshold. The light from the fire was bright but the thick smoke burned his eyes, rendering him blind. He took a deep breath, but the acrid fumes filled his lungs and he began to choke.
Breathe slowly, calm down. You will not be able to help Corm free the horses if you cannot focus.
He cleared the panic from his consciousness and visualized the barn’s interior. If he could not use his eyes, he would use his mind to set him in the proper direction.
“Liam, I cannot open the stalls!” Corm cried.
“They are secured with a latch. Lift it and slide it to the left. Three of the horses are on the right. Take care of them, I will free the others!”
“Liam! Corm!” Shane’s voice exploded from behind.
“Do not come in! Corm and I can handle it.” Liam raised his arm to shield his face. “Round them up when we send them out!”
“Ian and Oisin can do that. I will get the saddles!”
Liam made his way deeper into the inferno. Should be ten steps in this direction. He had counted off eight when he tripped over something on the floor, something that had not been there earlier. His foot dropped heavily as he attempted to regain his balance. “What the—?”
“Help,” a voice gasped.
“Corm?” Liam fell to his knees.
“Over here, Liam! Once I free them, I pray they have enough sense to do the rest!”
If Corm was near the horses, then who was this?
He leaned close to the floor and made out a familiar face—Marcus, the boy from the pub.
Liam’s only thought had been to save the horses but, as he looked upon Marcus, he felt sick. This fire had not started without intention.
“Help me, it got out of control, could not find my way out,” Marcus mumbled.
“He-ya!” Corm yelled. Chestnut bolted past only inches away. “Ahhhhh!” Marcus screamed as his legs were trampled under the fleeing horse. Liam pulled him out of the way, only seconds before Beowulf and Lightning raced by.
“Liam, where are you?” Corm said. “Are you all right?”
“Aye! That was not me. Free the others!”
“Get out!” Corm shouted. The floor trembled beneath Liam as two more horses fought to be free of this nightmare. Was one of them Pollux?
“Pollux!” Corm screamed.
Apparently not. Liam tried to whistle, but a whisper was all that escaped. He struggled to see his horse but could not.
“Please. I do not want to die,” Marcus said. “We need to get out of here now.”
The fire had started in the front of the barn but was quickly moving to the back, and it would not be long before it surrounded them. “Pollux,” Liam said softly.
“Adam!” Ally cried from outside. Her voice gave him strength. He looked to the fire and then to the floor, and made a heart-wrenching decision.
“You son of a bitch,” Liam said. He put his arms under Marcus and, balancing the boy’s weight in his arms, stood carefully. Nyx bolted past, nearly knocking them both over. He followed the sound of horse’s hooves, toward what he hoped was the door.
“Corm! Forget Pollux!” Something crashed to the floor behind him. It was a beam that had supported the loft. Soon, the entire building would collapse.
“Corm! Get out now!” He stepped forward, and finally felt rain upon his face.
Shane took Marcus from his arms. “What the hell was he doing in there?” he asked, and placed him on the ground a short distance away. Despite the rain, sparks flew through the air like manic fireflies.
Liam ignored the question and began to stagger toward the barn, but stopped as his legs threatened to betray him. Oisin grabbed him by the arm. “Where do you think you are going?”
“I need… get Corm,” Liam answered. He tried to free himself from Oisin’s hold but the earth began to sway and he fell to his knees.
“I will get him,” Shane said. “I thought you said you two were all right.” He started in the direction of the burning barn and was nearly at its door when Corm ran into him.
“Corm!” Shane put an arm around his shoulder and led him away.
Corm wiped tears that filled his eyes and said th
rough choked breaths, “I could not get him, Liam. He was not in the stall. He got free of it somehow. I tried, but he kept backing away from me.” He put his hands on his knees, lowered his head, and gagged.
Liam looked at Marcus, saw him dragging himself away from the barn, his eyes wide, as if fearful the flames would reach out and pull him back inside.
“Pollux!” Adam shouted from a distance.
Liam looked around for Adam. His voice seemed to be coming from…
A horrible truth descended upon him. “Where are Adam and Ally?” he screamed.
***
Standing outside the tent, Ally stared at the barn, at the flames that were about to engulf it. Dark smoke filled the sky. The horses!
Seeming to make the same connection, Adam began to run after Corm and Liam.
Ally followed and reached for his shirt. “No!”
Ian grabbed them both. “Stay here,” he said. “It is too dangerous.” He caught up to Shane and Oisin, who were nearly inside the barn.
Her thoughts were desperate. Of course there was no fire extinguisher, no blanket large enough to smother this. There would also be no fire department coming, sirens wailing.
Chestnut bolted from the barn, the end of her tail on fire. Ian threw his arms around the horse’s neck and used his shirt to put out the flame.
“Oh, please hurry up,” she moaned.
“Where is Pollux?” Adam asked.
She shook her head. More important, where were Corm and Liam?
“Pollux!” Adam rushed to the front of the barn. She followed and felt the heat of the fire, heard the wood crackle and pop.
“Adam! Stop!” But it was too late. He had run through the hole that had once been the front door.
“Adam, please!” She entered the barn, struggled to see him, and began to cough as the smoke filled her lungs.
“Ally, there he is,” he shouted. His voice came from the right.
The memory came: Stop, drop, and roll.
“Adam, get on the floor!” She fell onto her hands and knees and began to crawl toward the sound of his voice.
Double Star Page 21
