by Arthurs, Nia
“Sure.”
“I didn’t!”
“Tess, I’m not saying anything.”
“You’re smirking like you know some kind of secret,” she huffed. “I didn’t tell anyone about anything. It wasn’t that memorable anyway. In fact, just now was the first time I thought about it all day.”
“Really?”
“Yes! I told you. I’ve done crazy things like that with hundreds of guys.”
“Of course, you have.”
She was lying. Even if her heart was thumping out of rhythm, I would have known. Tess Hardey was a different kind of woman.
She looked up, her beautiful eyes narrowing in reproach.
“Are you being sarcastic with me?”
“Nope. But I guess, since you’re so experienced, you won’t mind if I do this?”
She looked so beautiful standing in the middle of the crowd with her eyebrows creased in defiance. I wanted her close to me.
So I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her into a back hug. Tess stiffened, clearly surprised by the move.
“Are you crazy?” she hissed.
“Crazy? Why would I be crazy?”
“Let go this instant or I’ll…”
“You’ll what?” I squeezed her tighter.
Tess wouldn’t make a scene. Though this was very real for me, it still wasn’t as serious for her. She could deny her feelings to her heart’s content.
As for me, I’d draw her close for as long as she could stand it.
“You’re very annoying,” she grumbled. Her knees bounced up and down like a yo-yo gone awry. Her fingers tapped against one another in a song.
I could feel my human-side rising up. Hoping to combat the strength of my abilities, I set my hands over Tess’s so they couldn’t misbehave.
She tried to twist away, but I held firm.
“You’re very fidgety,” I said against her curly hair. “Relax, Tess. Let me hold you for a minute.”
I could already feel the effects of touching her, being near to her. If she let me go now, I had no idea which abilities would manifest.
Tess stopped fighting me and stood in my embrace. I ducked my head closer to her, feeling the soft scratchiness of her curls.
Having her close felt right. Having her beside me, even for this short while, felt like home. It was then that I realized.
This was home. She was home.
“Okay,” Tess gently removed my arms and stepped out of my embrace.
It was then that I realized the crowd of teachers was clearing out of the tented area and heading for the basketball court.
“Is it done already?” I asked.
“Yeah. We should go to the football field and practice.”
“Practice what?”
“For the race.”
“What race?”
Tess frowned. “The three-legged race.”
“Right,” I nodded.
“And by the way, what was that?”
“What?”
She was getting annoyed, but until Tess stopped talking in parables, I would answer honestly.
“That cheesy back-hug thing,” she grumbled.
“You didn’t like it?”
“I never said I didn’t like it,” she blurted and then froze. “Forget I said anything.”
But I couldn’t. Tess and I were exploring our feelings, whether she admitted it or not. And I had managed to hold her without levitating in the middle of the football field.
It was shaping out to be a perfect day…
I spoke too soon. Approximately twenty minutes later, the day took a rather painful turn.
“Huh!” I groaned as Tess and I landed on our faces for the hundredth time in a row.
What kind of inane human game required so much physical pain and suffering? People considered this activity ‘innocent fun’?
Practicing for a three-legged race ranked as a form of punishment. What had we done to deserve this?
“Tess, come on!” I scolded. “You have to follow my lead or we’ll fall.”
“No! You have to follow my lead!”
“Let’s try again,” I said.
We stood and hopped awkwardly thanks to the cloth binding our ankles.
“Ready, set, go!”
Tess and I shot forward, but instead of running gloriously we stumbled upon the green grass.
“Oof!”
The dirt filled my tongue with a musty flavor as we landed flat on our faces.
Tess mumbled a curse and scrambled to her feet.
“Get up,” she tugged my hand.
“I can’t,” I said.
I could feel my face heating from the exertion and from the unwavering waves of the Caribbean sun.
This was the most ridiculous waste of time and I no longer wanted to be a part of it. Tess seemed as annoyed as I.
“You have to step with your right leg,” she continued to pull my arm. “Why can’t you run on your right?”
“It feels more natural on my left,” I glared up at her, but quickly averted my eyes when the sun burned my eyeballs.
I sat up.
“And why do I have to hop along with you? Why don’t you just cling to me and I’ll run to the finish line?”
“That’s not how this game goes. We have to run together.”
“But you’re too short for me,” I mumbled.
It was clearly the wrong thing to say. Tess’s pulse shot up and it wasn’t from attraction.
“Excuse me? I’m not too short for anything. I am just the right size, thank you very much!”
“Are you always this defensive?”
“Are you always this annoying?”
“What does Mr. Pat see in you?” I teased.
My good mood was mounting beneath her adorable display of temper. Tess went off like fireworks, with little warning, but the display was awe-inspiring.
“Forget it,” she grabbed the cloth at our ankles and threatened. “I’m calling Riley. She’d love to fill in for me and run with you. Besides, she’s closer to your height, right?”
I widened my eyes. Her threat had found its mark. I was deathly afraid of her best friend. I didn’t like the way Riley looked at me.
It was weird.
I waited until Tess had unraveled the cloth. When she straightened, I used my speed to bind us back together.
By the time she’d taken her first step, Tess realized her mistake. She tumbled and landed face-first on my chest.
I accepted her weight and watched her blow a chunk of hair from her chin. The sunlight shot a beam near us.
The yellow light highlighted the lighter tone of her brown eyes. I ached to brush her hair away, to touch the softness of her skin.
“How’d that happen?” she demanded.
I shrugged and placed my hands underneath my head. I studied the curve of her cheeks. One side of her lips tilted upward a bit more than the left. I found even that imperfection captivating.
Long tendrils of dark hair splayed against my shirt, carrying the scent of tropical flowers.
“What?” She glanced down at our legs and returned her attention to my face. Did you do that?”
I said nothing, blown away by how at peace I was in her presence. My human reaction was the same, if not stronger.
My pulse thumped against my skin. The flesh of my palms dried like a puddle during a drought. I felt every hammer of her breath against my face.
Yet, there was something deeper than a physical connection between us. I had learned a little bit more about Tess Hardey, the woman. And it intrigued me.
What kind of weapon did she wield that my abilities reacted so distinctly. Did she really unlock the barricades around my powers?
There was only one way to find out.
“Tess, I’m going to test something out.”
“Nice try,” she raised up on her arms and pursed her lips. “Now how exactly did you do th–”
The rest of her words faded against my lips. I kissed her wi
th all the pent-up emotions locked inside my chest for centuries.
I had been waiting for her. Just her. Only her. I could never go back, never move on knowing what I knew now.
I soon forgot that this kiss was meant to test a theory. Tess wrapped her arms around my neck. I felt every patter of her heart, every little moan that rode on an exhale.
She tucked her fingers into my hair and I nearly burst from the sheer adrenaline that pumped through my being like a rushing flood.
The potency of our embrace, however, refused to be ignored. My body’s reaction to her touch echoed in a hammering pulse and the frantic energy rushing from my fingers.
I rolled her beneath me so that she could not see how I struggled, but I couldn’t hide the crackles of energy that bristled beneath my skin.
A strong wind rushed up, gathering a wall of green leaves around us. The breeze was a hurricane, battering my face and pulling at my shirt.
My desire could no longer overshadow my good sense. I pushed Tess off. Immediately, the leaves fell to the ground.
The energy crackling in my veins sparked and then petered out like a battery fresh out of juice. My head knocked against the ground as my skull buzzed in pain.
The dizziness from this morning had returned with a vengeance. The sensation had followed fast on the heels of my strength.
Was my condition worsening?
“River?” Tess sprang to my side. “River?”
I heard her as if she were far away. The noise in my head refused to quiet so that I could make sense of her words.
She continued to shake me until the ringing stopped and I could see clearly. I tried to lift my hands but it was hard to move.
Suddenly, my hearing kicked in. Tess’s frantic calls screeched like nails on a chalkboard. I could barely lift my hand to cover my ears.
“Stop… shouting, woman,” I groaned.
“Are you okay?” She touched my forehead and cheeks.
Even this innocent touch threatened to set me off again. This time, Tess would not be distracted by a kiss. I had to get her away from me.
Though I had proven that she could amplify my abilities by spiking my adrenaline, I had not been prepared for the uncontrolled elements of my strength.
I’d torn the leaves from the trees without thinking. When my powers took over, I had no say in their extent or their damage.
Tess lingered by my side, her beautiful eyes filled with concern. She wouldn’t leave me. Tess would put herself in danger if it helped someone else.
I couldn’t have that.
Roughly, I snatched her hands and threw them to the grass.
“Go away!”
Her eyes filled with frightened tears, but she remained.
“Go!” I yelled.
At last, the temper that I loved lit her eyes. She unbound our ankles and rose to her feet.
“Fine!” Tess stalked to safety.
I sighed and rested. The leaves crackled when I moved. Dizziness consumed me.
Jones. I had to get to Jones before I collapsed in the middle of the schoolyard. I could never go to hospitals, which was something I couldn’t explain if I was unconscious.
My strength waning by the minute, I dragged myself toward the large bust and ensured I was out of sight before gathering the last of my energy and teleporting.
Instead of Jones’s place, I managed to stumble into my front yard.
“River?” a familiar voice called.
I could not return the greeting. Gravity pulled me down and darkness dragged me under.
Chapter 26
I woke up with a start and glanced furtively around. I was lying down in my bed. An IV drip stood to my right. A heart monitor beeped a monotone rhythm.
“Looks like you’re up.”
That voice, it was the tone I’d heard before I passed out. As my vision cleared, I focused on a dark-skinned woman with grey hair and large brown eyes.
“Mrs. Sterm?” I rasped.
“Yes,” she smiled though it was more grim than cheery.
“What are… what are you doing here?”
Jones entered the room and drew a kitchen chair close to the bed.
“She basically saved your life, man. Did you know she used to be an EMT? It’s crazy.”
“What’s all this stuff?” I asked.
“I figured you would get yourself in trouble with that girl again, so I took the initiative and bought some supplies with your gold card. I had no idea you’d need it so soon.”
Mrs. Sterm placed her hand on my forehead.
“What have you been doing to your body, River? I only took a cursory check because of your friend,” she glanced at Jones, “but from what I can tell, you’re severely dehydrated.”
“Huh?”
“Accelerated heart rate, dilated pupils, excessive sweating… they’re symptoms of an adrenaline surge, but it’s almost as if you’re… allergic.”
“Allergic?”
“It means you’re around something that’s not good for you,” Jones said.
Mrs. Sterm shot him a look. “Have you experienced any dizziness, nausea, or pain?”
I nodded.
“Without further examination, I can’t pinpoint exactly what’s wrong with you.” She looked at Jones. “Are you sure he can’t go to a hospital?”
“I’m fine,” I groaned and sat up.
Both Jones and Mrs. Sterm rushed me.
“What are you doing?” they cried.
“I have somewhere to be,” I tore the IV needle from my hands and stood.
“River, get your behind back in that bed.” Jones held my shoulders. “Are you crazy? I’ve never seen you in such a bad shape before and you were pretty pitiful this morning. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“I have a … competition.”
“A competition?” Mrs. Sterm stood before me. “Young man, you are in no shape to do anything but rest.”
I dipped my head in respect of her, but strode for the door. “I’ll be right back, I promise. We have a lot of things to discuss.”
I was out the door and in my car before they could call me back. It was too risky to teleport in my condition, but I had to return to Tess.
The way I’d left things after kissing her had probably hurt her deeply. I couldn’t share what I was really going through, but I could participate in that race.
It was the least I could do.
WHEN I RETURNED with a third place ribbon pinned to my chest, Jones and Mrs. Sterm were in my living room.
I unlocked the door and stumbled inside. Though I’d rushed back home the minute the game concluded, I felt drained.
Jones caught me when I stumbled.
“Crazy idiot,” he muttered. “This girl is not worth it.”
“She makes me stronger, Jones,” I said while leaning heavily on him. “I proved it.”
“Hmph, you don’t look strong to me.”
“Just… let me talk to Mrs. Sterm,” I whispered. “Then I’ll rest.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” Jones led me to the couch.
His phone rang and he excused himself to answer it.
Mrs. Sterm’s worried expression and tightly folded hands spoke of her uneasiness.
“You really should be in the hospital.”
“I’m fine,” I assured her. “Why are you here?”
She lowered her voice and leaned forward. “Did you get my package?”
I nodded. “Why did you send it?”
“Paul put it in the safe the day before his death. He said to give it to you if anything… if anything happened.”
“Thank you,” I dipped my head. “His research gave me the answers I needed. But why did you come? I told you. It’s dangerous.”
She lowered her voice. “He found me.”
“Who?”
“Paul’s killer.”
My eyes widened. “What happened?”
“He called my sister’s phone. Told me to hand over the documents or he�
�d shoot her in the head.”
“Mrs. Sterm, did that man’s voice sound familiar at all?”
She nodded. “But I can’t place it. I really wish I could. It’s been bothering me for so long. I had to come to Belize to keep Lisa safe and see whether you’d found anything about the people behind my Paul’s death.”
I shook my head sadly. I’d been too distracted to give the investigation my all. I couldn’t meet Mrs. Sterm’s eyes.
“Hey,” Jones poked his head into the living room. “I have a meeting. Rest up!”
We waved goodbye before returning to the matter at hand.
“I don’t know what to do,” her voice trembled. “What do I do?”
I shifted uneasily, battling the pain in my head and the dizziness that I’d only managed to clamp down while in Tess’s presence.
“You lay low.”
“But what about Lisa?”
“I’ll do everything I can to keep you both safe.”
“How?”
I had no definite answer. I was chasing a shadow. With no concrete leads and no easy route to take, I didn’t know where to start.
“What about Paul’s research? Was there anything in there that could help? Maybe if I took it to the police…”
“You can’t give it to the police.”
“Why not?”
Because it had too many references to my star, my people, my history. The research in Paul’s care was work that we had both created.
If it got into the wrong hands, my secret would become public knowledge.
“Just… give me a few hours. If I can’t find anything concrete by then…” I sighed. “You go to the police.”
“Alright,” she agreed. “I’ll put my number in the folder so you can call. Now let me get you settled in.”
“Where are you staying?” I asked as she led me to my bedroom.
“Somewhere safe.”
“I have money…”
“Keep your money, sir. I already feel bad for taking it the first time. Don’t worry about me. I know we’re dealing with a dangerous man and I’m not walking around without caution.”
“I should… protect you.”
“You should rest,” she slipped the IV back into my hands and turned on the fan.
“If you need anything… at all.” I tried to finish the sentence, but exhaustion was pulling me under.
Doing that running race with Tess had seemed trivial but it was a huge sacrifice and my body was paying for it now.
