Calder stiffened when Aidan addressed him, but no one answered the question.
Aidan went on. “Hm? No one will say? That’s the only person I’m interested in talking to, and maybe Riley, if she feels up to it.”
“Say what you want and go,” Tally yelled.
“I’m sorry, it just won’t have the same effect if I don’t say it to—well here he is! Linden, finally!”
I stepped out from behind the house, not caring who saw me. Everyone was facing the opposite direction anyway. I just wanted to see him.
I don’t know how he made it without anyone’s help; he could barely stand on his own. He swayed slightly where he stood, breathing hard. I couldn’t really see his face past his hair, but I noticed his hands were shaking.
He took a large breath before he yelled. “What do you want?”
“Just to talk, friend,” Aidan replied, bending down to pick up a shell that had just washed up. “You’re not opposed to that, are you?”
He stood his ground, and no one else moved. Linden was the furthest from anyone and closest to me. He still hadn’t noticed I was standing there.
“I admit, I’m disappointed,” Aidan said, tossing the shell between his hands. “I didn’t expect you to be sick. What’s got you under the weather?”
Linden didn’t speak; he waited.
“All right, I’ll guess. I know you haven’t contracted any more humanness, so a cold is out. Losing your form, maybe?”
He smiled to himself, pushing the sharp little point of the shell into his palm. It was one of the spiral shells, one I personally called mine. I didn’t like to see it in his hands.
Aidan’s expression suddenly cleared. “Oh no—no, that would just be too ironic!” No one spoke as Aidan laughed. “I don’t understand it either! How could you of all Elementals find auctorita? Do you know how long I’ve been searching?”
I thought that this would somehow make Aidan jealous if he claimed he was searching, but he was still busy laughing. “And of course you can’t handle it. How could you? Undines aren’t built for it. No offense, but vulcani’s just have that strength, you know?”
“You’re done, Cinaed!” Nerio roared.
“Far from it,” Aidan said, the laughter gone from his face. He looked back to Linden. “I might as well finish off then. Though I can’t say this has been much fun for me, Omar will be happy. Not that his happiness concerns me, but with one deal done comes the entertainment.”
Rhys started moving towards him. The water poured over Aidan’s feet and ankles, and steam rose from his skin as it retreated. “Just be glad this was over so quickly. You’ll give my regards to Riley, won’t you? Until I see her myself.”
Linden’s shouting stunned me. “You’ll stay away from—”
His words were abruptly cut off as his body jerked. Out of the corner of my eye I’d seen Aidan’s arm flick forward. At once, everyone was sprinting towards him, but my eyes were on Linden. He took one step back and collapsed.
I didn’t even recognize my voice as I screamed his name. My feet were running before I could think to move. As I got closer, I saw a dark stain on Linden’s shirt. I didn’t want to think what it was. Crouching next to him, I held his head in my hands and yelled at him to wake up. His eyes were half open, and he looked at nothing. The stain was a deep, deep red and the fabric was torn. It was over his stomach, just to the left. I didn’t want to admit anything yet.
“Linden please, please,” I begged. A dark liquid was beginning to pool under him; his blood was unnaturally dark.
The sight of it sent me into panic. I shook his shoulders roughly and slapped his cheek just wanting him to look at me. Nothing was happening.
Someone skidded to a halt next to me sending sand into the air. Calder stared down at Linden, his mouth open.
“No, this can’t happen,” I whispered fiercely, tears blinding me.
“Rhys! Rhys!” Calder yelled towards the beach. I was still trying to wake Linden as he took my shoulder. “Riley, just leave him alone for a minute.”
“He has to wake up, Calder!” I said, pushing him off me. “He can’t be dead.”
I searched for his heartbeat as a thundering of footsteps came behind me. My breathing started to accelerate when I couldn’t find anything.
“Riley—”
“He doesn’t have a pulse. There’s no—there’s nothing,” I gasped, grasping his face. “He’s—he’s not b-breathing.”
Rhys muttered something and Calder took my arm, trying to pull me away. I yelled at him to leave me alone, and he tried again. He took both my arms and pulled me back as I fought against him, screaming. Did no one else understand? They had to do something, someone had to help him.
Calder couldn’t hold on as I struggled, elbowing him in the ribs. Nerio replaced him, and I couldn’t get out of his tight hold. I thrashed and cried, trying to get back to Linden as Rhys looked at the wound and swore. He and Tally lifted his limp body and blood oozed from his back to the ground; the sand had turned to muddy blood. The sight of it made me sick, and I screamed again before there was nothing; no sight, no fear, and no more screams.
THE STRANGER
The pain in my head and a throbbing in my side slowly brought me back to consciousness. I was vaguely aware of the soft surface under me and the silence. Opening my eyes slowly, I peered through my hair at the familiar living room of Rhys’ house.
I sat up fast as my memories caught up with me. Where was everyone? Most importantly, where was Linden?
When my head stopped spinning I could hear faint voices from the hall. I stood, almost fell and caught myself on the couch. I couldn’t remember why I had passed out. Still, I pushed myself forward to the sound of voices.
Calder and Tally were hovering around the door of the spare bedroom. The light was on and Rhys was talking lowly. I almost didn’t want to know the truth; was Linden dead?
Calder spotted me and his face blanched. Tally turned when she saw his expression, and grabbed the door and closed it.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice weak. “Is he dead?”
“No, he’s not dead,” Tally said quickly as she came towards me. “He’s pretty badly hurt though.”
I could barely register surprise as she laid her hand on my arm.
“I need to see him,” I said quietly.
“Riley—”
“Don’t!” I yelled at Calder. “I need to. I have to know that he’s all right.”
Tally cut in. “Believe us, he’s fine. He’s just going to need some time to heal.”
Didn’t they understand that their words were not enough? I shook my head and tried to push by Tally, though she held onto me.
“He’s not himself right now,” she said quickly. “And he doesn’t need anymore stress, okay?”
“I’m not asking to talk to him, I just want to see him. Just for a second.” I went to the door as Calder blocked it. “Calder, move.” He shook his head. “Please move.”
“Riley, I can’t let you. Rhys asked us to specifically keep you out for a little bit. When Tally says he’s not himself, believe me, he’s not,” Calder said, holding his hands out across the door. From inside, there were suddenly raised voices and I could pick out Linden’s from the three. I reached for the handle, and Calder blocked it.
“Just give it a few hours and you can see him all you want,” he said. I wasn’t in the mood to bargain.
The voices were definitely angry and strained now, and when Calder failed to move out of my way, I forced him. I had never used my will against a person before, as I was taught, but now wasn’t the time for rules. My anger must have fueled it, because Calder slid across the wall and almost hit Tally. They both made a lunge at me as I turned the doorknob.
Rhys and Nerio stood on either side of the bed, arguing with Linden as he lay below them. But this wasn’t right … this wasn’t exactly Linden.
Nerio had his hand on Linden’s shoulder, trying to keep him in bed. Rhys whirl
ed around and stared at me a moment before turning away and putting a hand to his forehead. I just stood there, unable to move or take my eyes off Linden. There was a large bandage over the wound and it was almost entirely stained with his dark blood. Something wasn’t right with his eyes; they were somehow different, looking back at me in confusion. Even his skin was wrong, almost showing every blue vein. Behind his parted lips, knife-sharp canines would have turned his usually warm smile cold. I felt all of my muscles slacken.
“Linden,” I managed to whisper.
His frown deepened. “Who is she?”
It was as if the world stopped moving. His words hit me hard, like a blow to the chest. This person in the bed wasn’t Linden—not entirely. His voice was different; his question was genuine, and no one had answered him. Even in all his unfamiliarity, I looked back at him and told him my name.
No recognition crossed his face. “Riley? … Rhys, explain.”
Rhys turned to me and guided me out of the room. I let him.
“Riley, listen to me,” he said quietly as he stopped me in the hall. I vaguely felt his hands on my shoulders. “He wouldn’t have survived if he didn’t change. Aidan could have killed him. This is the only way he would be able to live.”
I didn’t reply. I didn’t understand what he was saying, and I didn’t really care. All I could think of was Linden’s words. Who is she?
But he wasn’t really Linden anymore. He’d gone back to becoming Stranger, but with less familiarity: The Stranger.
Rhys shook my shoulders a little and tilted my chin so I looked at him. “Did you hear me? When he heals things will be back to normal. He hasn’t forgotten you, this side of him just doesn’t know his human life well.”
I swallowed, trying to stomach his words. “What?”
“Remember when I talked to you about our true forms?” he said slowly. “This isn’t the complete manifestation of his true form, but part of it. It happens when the human life is threatened. So you understand it doesn’t happen often.” I nodded slightly. “Just be patient. Give it a few hours and he’ll be back to normal. Once the threat is gone, he’ll be back to the Linden you know.”
I wasn’t aware silent tears had been coursing down my cheeks until I tasted them. I opened my mouth for air and suddenly felt exhausted. “What’s his name?”
Rhys smiled sadly. “I can’t tell you that. It’s up to him if he ever tells anyone who isn’t an undine.”
I half expected that answer, and I made a move to go to the living room. Rhys stopped me as he pulled me into his arms. As he hugged me, I recalled I’d never had any sort of father figure, but this must be what it would feel like. I clung to him for a minute, and he smoothed my hair when he released me, promising things would be all right. “We’ll all pull through.”
Including me in the ‘we’ statement seemed to bring everyone in the house together. When I returned to the living room, Tally sat close next to me on the couch, silent but comforting. The whole time I was trying not to think. She too tried to assure me that things would be okay, and I eventually got tired of the comments and went back upstairs.
My side was still hurting, and I winced as I lay down on the bed. The sheets were cool against my face and it reminded me of Linden’s bed back home. I closed my eyes against the room and tried to imagine myself elsewhere in different circumstances.
I slept for a long time. My dreams were fractured ideas that I couldn’t quite piece together when I woke up every now and then. Only the images stuck with me: bloody sand, empty eyes, sardonic smiles. Maybe they were like nightmares, but I didn’t wake up so easily.
The room was dark the next time I awoke. I was burning up even under one sheet. For the next hour I was constantly moving around the bed, unable to get cool enough. Once I was vaguely aware of someone in the room, but I ignored them.
Sunrise came and went, and I remained in place. When I didn’t sleep I just lay there keeping my mind a blank. Tally came in later and asked if I wanted anything, but I just said no; I didn’t feel hungry or thirsty at all.
When evening came, Calder walked into the room carrying a glass of water. He left it on the nightstand and hesitated at the edge of the bed.
“He’s not totally back to normal yet, but he’s better,” he said quietly.
I just stared up at the ceiling, listening to the ocean. “He doesn’t recognize me.”
“He doesn’t,” Calder replied, looking at me pointedly. “But Linden will. He’s just not all there right now.”
I gave the slightest nod and rolled onto my side. Calder stood there awkwardly for a second before going towards the door. “You should eat something. Tally made dinner for once, if you want some.”
My stomach felt tight and strained, but I couldn’t even imagine eating food. Calder noticed I didn’t particularly care and nodded to himself. “Okay … did you want to watch TV or something?”
“No,” I said. “I just want to sleep.”
“I can’t believe you’re still tired.”
“I can.”
He sighed, tired of my attitude. “Are you going to act like this for a while?”
“Calder—”
“Okay, okay, I was just kidding.”
I rolled onto my stomach as he left the room. His question had bothered me, and I tried to forget it. This wasn’t irrational, or a decision I consciously made; I didn’t feel like I could do much of anything.
By the next day I had gone beyond hunger. I didn’t feel it anymore, but Tally came in early with a bowl and a glass in her hands. She didn’t ask if I wanted anything and put the things on the nightstand. Sitting on the bed next to me, she reached for my pillow and tried to prop me up.
“You can’t just starve yourself,” she said as she forced me to sit up.
“I’m not hungry,” I insisted. Sitting up suddenly made me feel very dizzy, and Tally noticed.
“Yeah right. I’m not leaving till you finish.” She shoved the bowl of oatmeal at me, and I tried not to grimace. It wasn’t my favorite, but Tally had her arms crossed and watched me with a hard gaze, so I took a bite.
I’d never liked oatmeal before, but this was the best I’d ever had. I attributed it to the fact that I hadn’t eaten for a while. I tried not to wolf it down too fast, and when I finished, Tally looked particularly smug.
“Feel better?” she asked, handing me the glass of water.
“Yes,” I replied sheepishly.
She smiled the slightest bit. “Well good. I thought you should be able to make it down to Linden’s room. He’s pretty much acting like himself again.”
I felt the faintest spark in my chest when she said that. She laughed at my expression and asked if I wanted to go now. I stood up fast; of course I did.
The house was quiet as I walked down the stairs, my knees somewhat weak. The spare bedroom door was closed, but Tally turned the knob without unlocking it.
“Is he really okay?” I asked in a whisper.
“Much better than the last time you saw him,” she replied, stepping aside. I nodded slightly as I peered into the dark room. Heavy curtains covered the windows, barely letting in a little sliver of sunlight. Tally quietly closed the door behind me as my eyes adjusted.
Linden lay on his back in bed covered by a single sheet. With his head turned to one side, I could tell his eyes were closed. I was afraid to approach; what if he still had those strange qualities? In the dim light I could see his skin looked normal again. I walked nearer for a better look.
I stood beside him and looked down nervously. His face was covered in a light sheen of sweat, but he breathed easily. I let out a small breath of relief; he seemed to be the same Linden with The Stranger gone. I reached out and moved the damp hair out of his eyes. He took a deep breath as he moved, opening his eyes. I quickly pulled my hand away. I expected his eyes to be unfamiliar again, but when he looked up it was the same golden gaze. When he smiled I could see his teeth were normal. “Hey,” he said, his voice scratchy; th
e same husky tone.
“Hi,” I replied. I couldn’t quite believe it was him. “Are you—do you feel okay?”
“I could be better, but at least I’m not dead.”
I flinched at the word but it was true; at least he was still alive.
I didn’t say anything for a moment, feeling slightly awkward. The shock of seeing him as someone else still stuck with me. I wondered if he even remembered.
As if I had asked the question allowed, Linden’s face fell a little and he cleared his throat. “Rhys said you saw me earlier … when they brought me back here.”
I nodded, staring at the pattern on the bedspread.
“And he told me what I said.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that. To admit I’d felt something like devastation seemed dramatic, so I held my tongue.
“I couldn’t think clearly,” Linden explained slowly as if reliving the event. “The pain was pretty intense, especially after they brought me back. To consciousness, I mean. I couldn’t remember a lot of things …” His voice trailed off as he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “You have to forget that though, all right? You know I know you.”
I couldn’t meet his eyes though I saw the slight fear in them. When he took my hand I was surprised at the heat in his palm.
“Seriously, Riley. Please. I don’t just forget big things, you know?”
I nodded and took a breath. “It was just—weird—to see you like that.”
He laughed weakly. “That wasn’t even the half of it.”
I wasn’t sure if that was a comfort or not but I felt a little relief. He could make anything seem lighthearted.
I hesitantly sat next to him, trying not to move the bed too much. He was probably still bandaged under the covers. Though he didn’t look like he was in pain, he was still pale and the purplish shadows were still under his brilliant eyes. He reached up and put a hand in my hair, pulling me to him. Any fear I had of him was gone when he kissed me, lips hot. I wondered then how I could have been afraid this time.
“Thanks for not leaving,” he murmured, keeping me close. And he added, “I love you.”
The Evensong Page 33
