‘Jade has both protective and healing qualities. It’s not going to protect you from any physical threats but it will mask your aura a bit, so you’re not like this glowing trophy for every member of the opposite sex. I’ve also suggested to Tanya that she mix some Rowan berry juicy in with your tea each morning. That should help a little too.’
‘Oh…Thank you.’
Kael let’s go of the pendant and it settles into place beside the locket from Nan.
‘You know, we used to be friends,’ he says. ‘Best friends.’
I cross my arms and stare out the front window. How is it possible that we were ever friends? He evokes so many strong and conflicting emotions within me. On the one hand, I feel a definite pull toward him, on the other, a deep resentment over the power he holds over my life.
He exhales loudly, reading his own interpretation into my silence.
‘I’m not the enemy, Shaylee.’
I glance at his profile as he starts the truck’s engine, before I turn back to the window.
If Kael isn’t the enemy, why do I feel so close to danger every time he’s near?
Chapter 24
Trepidation
Tastes like: Jelly
Smells like: Smoke
Sounds like: A police siren
Feels like: A persistent itch
Looks like: A child outside the principal’s office, shifting from one foot to another
‘He’s bad news, babe.’
Michelle’s first words to me when I slide into our usual booth at the Bistro are straight to the point, as I’ve come to expect from her, but there is something especially vulnerable about her as she motions to Peter, who is standing, back toward us at the other side of the student restaurant. He appears to be deep in conversation with a tall, leggy blonde who looks like she has just stepped from the pages of a fashion magazine.
‘That’s what Kael says,’ I say.
Michelle turns away from Peter’s direction and gives me a sharp look.
‘Did something happen last night?’ she asks.
‘No. Sort of…’
She raises her eyebrows and tilts her head forward, so I admit reluctantly:
‘Well, Kael is convinced something would have happened. I doubt he’ll let me come to the next meeting.’
‘Well he shouldn’t have let you come on your own in the first place.’
‘Um…’ I flush guiltily and look down at my plate.
‘Wait - you didn’t tell him?’ Michelle says, her voice rising a little.
‘It was just down the road.’
She shakes her head.
‘Babe, you are playing with fire.’
‘Don’t you start too,’ I grumble. ‘I got enough of a mouthful from Kael last night.’
‘What happened?’
‘Nothing, honestly, but he was convinced Peter was about to ravish me or something...’
‘I wouldn’t be surprised,’ Michelle says. She glances at something over my shoulder and her expression becomes shuttered. ‘Speaking of the devil.’
‘Hey there, partner.’ I glance up as Peter comes to stand beside me. He tilts his body my way, completely ignoring Michelle. ‘Are we still on for our date?’
I search his face, and relax slightly. There is no hint of last night’s dazed expression but my hand still moves to the tiny stone nestled in the hollow of my neck.
‘We sure are, Pete!’ Michelle interrupts, in a false, bright voice.
Peter finally looks at her and she gives him a sarcastic smile in return.
The undercurrents swirl between the two of them, making the air around us feel thick and hot.
‘I thought we could get a head start on the banners,’ Michelle says, ‘I’ve booked Mrs. Jay’s classroom for the committee.’
‘Sorry,’ I say, ‘I won’t be able to make it now. Mrs. Whitcomb wants to see me about an assignment.’
‘Ouch. Good luck, babe,’ Michelle says.
I grimace and stand. Peter steps aside to let me pass but his arm deliberately brushes against mine. I scoot away with an involuntary shiver and hurry toward English class, refusing to look back.
Mrs. Whitcomb is sitting at her desk in the front of the class, a stack of papers piled high before her. She looks up at the sound of the door, swinging closed behind me and slides her glasses off from their position on the tip of her nose.
‘Ms Greene,’ she says, motioning with her glasses for me to come closer.
‘You wanted to see me?’ I ask, stopping in front of her desk.
‘Yes,’ she pauses and runs her gaze over me. I shift the weight of my bag uncomfortably on my shoulder. Her eyes lift to meet mine and I see a tiny flicker of something like disappointment in her plain brown eyes, but then she blinks and I’m sure I just imagined it.
‘You’ve missed a large portion of the semester, Ms Greene. I don’t quite understand why your parents insisted on starting you here at this time of the year.’
‘They had their reasons,’ I say in an even tone. I may not agree with my parents’ decision, but I also don’t appreciate her tone.
‘Evidently.’
She comes around the table and stops before me, letting the frames of her glasses rest contemplatively against her bottom lip.
‘I understand they didn’t accompany you to the UK?’
I nod, feeling strangely uneasy with her questions.
‘So your guardian is…’
‘My grandmother.’
‘And she is…’
‘Tanya Greene.’
The tiniest hint of a smile flickers across her face before she whirls back to snatch a plastic file from atop the stack of papers on her desk.
‘Since you’ve missed a number of tests already, you will need to complete an additional assignment,’ she says, handing the thin file to me.
‘You have two weeks. Don’t disappoint me.’
‘Yes, Mrs. Whitcomb,’ I say. She turns back to her chair; I hesitate, and then head toward the door.
In the empty corridor, I pause and look through the glass pane in the door at the teacher, once again pouring over her stack of papers. Something about the whole exchange we just had has left a sour taste in my mouth. I’m not sure why.
With a mental shrug, I turn - and run straight into the hard wall of Kael’s chest. The shock of the impact is nothing compared to the jolt of electricity that shoots from his body into mine. Before, when we’ve touched, it was just a brush of skin, a meeting of hands but this – this unexpected contact is like rolling all those touches into one big firework. I take an unsteady step back and he curls an arm around my waist to steady me. Our eyes meet and I draw in a quick breath. Clearly, he feels it too.
‘Sorry, I didn’t see you -’ I stammer.
My voice seems to spur Kael into action. He drops his arm from my waist, clamps one large hand over my wrist and pulls me toward the exit.
‘We need to leave now.’
The urgency in his tone sends a shiver of apprehension through me.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘There’s no time for explanations.’
‘But -’
‘I’ll explain in the car.’
I have to sprint in order to keep up with him and by the time we reach the car, I am breathless and my heart is pounding with trepidation. Kael pushes me into the passenger seat, secures my seat belt buckle and races to the driver’s side.
‘What’s wrong? What happened?’ I demand as the truck roars into the road.
Kael shifts down a gear to overtake a four-tonner that, unlike us, is adhering to the speed limit. Once we are back in our lane, he glances once at me, turns his attention back to the road ahead and puts his foot down flat on the accelerator.
‘There’s a fire.’
Chapter 25
Impatience
Tastes like: A bitter tablet that takes forever to dissolve under your tongue.
Smells like: A delicious, home-cooked meal, wafting into your meeting
room.
Sounds like: Incessant tapping.
Feels like: Sitting in a doctors room, awaiting the results of an important test.
Looks like: A child waiting for permission to open a gift.
My mind is filled with visions of the fiery blaze from my dreams. I can smell the smoke in the air and hear the screams. I gasp and a million possibilities race through my mind. Where is the fire? Is Nan alright? Sandra and Jake?
‘Fire?’ I shiver at the mere mention of the word. ‘Where?’
‘Lydney.’
I exhale loudly and twist in my seat to face Kael.
‘I don’t follow,’ I say. ‘Why are we racing home because there’s a fire in Lydney? I mean, shouldn’t we just call the fire department or something?’
‘It’s in the forest, Shaylee,’ he says. ‘Our forest.’
‘So we’re all going to just grab a branch and go fire-fighting?’
I shoot Kael a scornful look and freeze.
‘You’re not serious.’
Kael gives me an odd look and I’m certain he can hear the terror in my voice.
‘You won’t be fighting any fires. I’m taking you home to Kent.’
‘Kent? But why?’
‘Someone has to protect you while I’m gone.’
‘You’re going to the fire?’ I ask. My voice rises in a squeak.
‘Of course, like I said; it’s our forest, our responsibility, our lives.’
‘But isn’t it dangerous?’ I ask, biting my bottom lip.
‘I guess but don’t worry. I’ll look after your grandmother.’
‘Nan’s going with?’ My voice jumps another octave.
‘We all are.’
‘But -’
‘Stop worrying, Shaylee. We’ll be fine.’
We pull into the drive of the Gregor’s house and hurry through the front door into a living room crowded with both unfamiliar and familiar faces. Kael steps into the situation like it’s something he does every day, pairing teams of fire-fighters and sending them off to Lydney. I stand in the corner of the room, watching.
They seem so organized; this team of soldiers and the way they interact is fascinating to watch. Each person seems to just know what is expected, and they don’t question Kael’s instructions, they merely obey. When only the Gregors’, Nan and I are left, Kael turns to Kent.
‘Will you cope with her?’
Kent glares at him.
‘I’m as equipped as you are.’
‘Not quite,’ Kael says, ignoring his brother’s glare. ‘She goes nowhere.’
‘I’m not stupid.’
Kael gives me a hard look. ‘I know you’re not good at following instructions but for once, could you just listen and stay put?’ I glower at him but he ignores me and heads toward the door, issuing one last instruction over his shoulder. ‘If she doesn’t listen, lock her in my room.’
‘You might as well sit down. You’re wearing a hole in the carpet,’ Kent says.
I stop pacing before the window and sink down beside him on the sofa. For the twenty-second time in the past hour, I hit redial on my phone – and grunt in frustration when it goes straight to Kael’s voicemail.
The television is blaring some silly home video program with people tripping over skateboards and falling off horses. I personally can’t imagine why injuries like that are supposed to be funny but Kent obviously does, because he bursts into fits of laughter every few minutes.
‘They’ve been gone two hours already,’ I complain. ‘What’s taking so long?’
‘It’s a forest fire, Shaylee, not a campfire.’ Kent replies. ‘Would you just relax?’
I stare at the flickering television for a while, twisting a lock of hair around one finger and then sigh and go to the front window again. It is dark outside but the night is brightly lit by the full moon. It’s light enough to make out the trees at the edge of the property but there is only deep shadow beyond. They’re out there, in the dark forest, possibly surrounded by a wall of fire, inhaling smoke. Nan, Sandra, Jake…Kael.
The clock on the wall opposite the window ticks loudly, marking each agonizing second. I can feel my nerves winding tighter with each tick and Kent’s laughter seems to be getting louder and louder. When the clock chimes, marking the passing of yet another hour, I snap.
‘How can you just sit there like that? What if one of them is hurt?’
‘They’re fine, Shaylee,’ Kent says mildly, eyes still glued to the screen, ‘and either way, I can’t do anything from here.’
‘Well that’s exactly my point! Shouldn’t we go find them?’
‘You’d just be in the way. Relax. They’ll be home soon.’
‘How do you know?’ I demand. ‘Has this happened before?’
‘Once or twice.’
‘Well you might be able to sit around and wait but I won’t, I’m going to find them.’ I have absolutely no idea how I’ll get to Lydney but all I can think of is Nan, Jake and Kael, lying somewhere, injured, burned… or worse.
‘You’re being silly,’ Kent says. ‘Just come sit down.’
I ignore him and stride with determination to the front door. I make it as far as the porch steps before Kent clamps a hand around my wrist.
‘You’re not going anywhere, Shaylee, now come inside.’
‘No.’ I say desperately, ‘I’m going.’
I shake my wrist free of his hand and turn to run down the steps but in one swift motion, he clasps an arm around my waist and lifts me clean off my feet, onto his shoulder.
‘Put me down!’ I demand.
‘What, so you can run away?’
‘I’m not a prisoner, you can’t stop me.’
‘Wanna bet?’ He bounces me into place on his shoulder and the air rushes out of my lungs in an indignant whoosh.
He carries me down the narrow passageway, into a bedroom on the right and drops me onto the black queen bed.
‘You are not seriously going to lock me in here?’ I ask in disbelief, remembering Kael’s parting instructions.
‘You bet!’
‘But -’
‘Good night, Shaylee,’ Kent says and leaves the room. I hear the unmistakable click of a key turning in the lock.
‘Ahh!’ I grab one of the white, cotton cushions from the bed and fling it against the locked door. I want to scream and bang my fists against the door but I know it would be useless. I check the window but no matter how I push and pull, it refuses to budge. With a sigh of frustration, I sink to the edge of the bed to examine my prison.
Kael’s room – it can’t be anyone else’s - oozes masculinity with its dark and uncluttered furnishings. The walls are bare, save for one black, white and red abstract art painting above the leather headboard. In one corner of the room, there are three wooden shelves on which rests an array of CD’s. Upon closer inspection, I discover the likes of Metallica, Linkin Park, Live and some other bands I don’t recognize but, judging from the artwork on the covers, they’re either heavy metal or alternative. Other than the modest CD collection and the mini hi-fi on the shelf below, there isn’t much else that draws attention in this plain room, besides the bed, with its black and white cushions, which takes up most of the space.
Since I could end up being locked in here for a while, I insert a Live CD into the player, flop down on the bed and turn my face into the soft feather pillow. The scent is all Kael, musky and strangely comforting and…
What the hell am I doing? I roll off the bed and stare at the offending pillow with a mixture of longing and distaste. Why does Kael evoke these strange emotions within me? How can I find comfort in the mere scent of him?
With a groan of frustration, I resume pacing before the window. The curtains are still open and as I peer out into the darkness, a sudden wave of dizziness engulfs me. My first instinct is to turn back toward the bed so I can sit down but I don’t make it even the few steps that requires.
Pain, so intense that it makes my heart stop and leaves me unable to
breathe, hits me squarely in the middle. I double-over and sink to my knees.
Chapter 26
Safe
Tastes like: Your mother’s favourite Sunday recipe.
Smells like: A smoky log-fire in the dead of winter.
Sounds like: The laughter of children.
Feels like: A warm summer breeze.
Looks like: Two hands, clasped tightly together.
I try to call out but can’t even draw in the amount of air that requires and it comes out as a pitiful grunt. I have no energy to move or to call again, so instead, I curl myself into a ball right there on the floor and try to stay conscious.
Somewhere along the line, I lose the battle and wake only to the sound of Kael’s voice above me. I feel his arms go around me, lifting me onto the bed but my eyes are too heavy to open.
‘What the hell happened?’ he demands.
‘I don’t know,’ Kent says, ‘she was fine when I left her.’
‘Why did you lock her in here?’
‘You said I should lock her in here. She tried to go after you. What was I supposed to do?’
‘Did you even bother to check on her?
‘No, why should I? She was safe.’
‘I never should have trusted you.’
‘Hang on a sec! Don’t get all angry with me. I did as you asked. How could I have known there was something wrong? She never called me and I’m not connected like you are.’
‘You wouldn’t have heard over that blaring television anyway,’ Kael retorts and I feel his cool hands brush across my forehead.
‘Shaylee, can you hear me?’ he whispers urgently.
‘It hurts…’ I groan, keeping my eyes firmly shut against the pain that still wracks my body.
‘Where does it hurt?’
I wrap my arms around my stomach and try to curl into a protective ball but Kael’s hands are there, gently but firmly prying my arms away.
‘Let me see,’ he commands.
Five: A Maor Novel (Maor series) Page 14
