Even if his true form didn’t know me, I didn’t care. All I needed was his words and actions as long as they were real. And this was real.
I lay with him for a long time, and neither of us said much. When I did speak it was to ask about his wound, which was nearly gone. He lifted the bandage to show me the rapidly developing scar; the skin was still red and delicate, so the bandage was just a precaution.
“That shell went through pretty clean,” he said as he gingerly patted the medical tape back into place.
“Shell?” I frowned.
“Yeah,” he said, pointing to the nightstand. “That’s what he threw. Pretty creative, huh?”
I picked up the white spiral shell from the table. It must have been the one Aidan had been tossing from hand to hand. I couldn’t believe this is what had caused all the damage. A dark something was in all of the lines and furrows; blood.
“All he had to do was heat it up a little. That’s enough contamination for one body,” Linden said as I stared at the shell.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s not good to physically mix power like that. That’s why Elementals don’t stray to others outside of their kind. Same reason why we don’t’ have wars so often.”
I could hardly imagine what an Elemental war would look like. I put the shell down and brushed my hands off on my pants.
“So what are we doing about Aidan?” I asked.
“Rhys has been making contact with some of the other vulcani. I guess Aidan’s not really on their good list either,” he replied. “They say they haven’t been able to keep track of him for years, but they’ll try.”
“They better find him,” I mumbled.
Linden just laughed at my tone. “Someone will.”
“And then what?” I asked. “Some kind of punishment?”
He shrugged. “Something like that.”
I hoped it was worse than anything I could think of. After all he’d done, he deserved the worst. I was only basing my opinion off the events that had happened to me, but when I considered what he could have done before, it was even more justified.
“You’ve got some serious rage going on there,” Linden said as he watched me.
“Of course I do. Don’t you?” I asked, unlocking my jaw.
“Yeah—but I’m not about to go looking for him.”
“Neither am I,” I replied, a little defensive. “I’ll still hate him though.”
“And rightfully so,” he said as he pushed himself up on his elbows. He grimaced and pressed a hand to the wound for a second. Anger flared in me again. “This healing better speed up. I’m sick of lying here.”
“How much longer?” I asked, pushing up the pillows behind him.
“Thanks. I’m not sure; a couple more days maybe,” he said.
That wasn’t too bad. As he lay back I could hear voices coming nearer in the hall. One definitely belonged to Rhys, and Linden looked annoyed.
“He’s going to ask you to leave,” he mumbled. “I still need my ‘rest’.”
I didn’t mind though. Just knowing he was all right was enough for me. I quickly bent down and cupped his cheek, kissing him before the voices stopped outside the door.
I stood to leave, but Linden took my wrist. “Wait—come back tonight okay? I hate sleeping alone.”
I smiled and instantly promised I would.
TRUE NAME, TRUE FORM
After that morning, I snuck into Linden’s room every night after Rhys went to bed. To an extent, I think Rhys knew but did nothing to stop it. We didn’t do anything but lie there, and Linden seemed to be getting better faster. The vicious fever he had before went away within two days, and he was slowly getting back his strength. The wound was gone too, leaving only a relatively clean pink scar. Linden didn’t mind it, and he claimed it would be gone in a year or so.
When Rhys wasn’t busy contacting every vulcani he could, I tried to ask him questions about auctorita. It was still there, I knew that much, but what did it mean now?
He explained that it was somewhat under control now. When he had talked to Linden’s true form he learned a few things that Linden himself couldn’t have told him. The auctorita had taken its major toll on the body, but it was possible to control it. Linden was strong and clear-minded, so it couldn’t overtake him easily.
“He has a lot of desire to override this,” Rhys had said, “and I think the worst of it is over. Now it’s just a matter of getting used to what it feels like.”
So far, Linden hadn’t tackled that yet. His biggest issue now was getting out of bed.
Rhys finally allowed it one morning after Linden had been complaining. I stood by as Linden stood and gripped the end of the bed for balance.
“Feels weird after so long,” he said after taking a few steps. I kept my hand near my mouth, hiding a smile as he stretched his muscles again. “Go ahead, laugh. Just know that once I can actually move I’ll be taking revenge.”
“Sorry, I’m not laughing at you,” I said quickly.
“Right,” he grinned, picking up the shirt from the end of the bed. He slipped it on and flexed his fingers. “God, this is lame. Rhys should install a hot tub out here or something.”
“Take a really hot bath,” I suggested.
“Oh I will,” he replied, “but first, come here.”
I walked away from the corner and stood in front of him, watching him anxiously as he just smirked. He hugged me to him firmly, and I returned the embrace, pressing my cheek against his chest. Just feeling a solid body was a comfort, and the dull thud of his heartbeat was even more assuring. I lifted my head to kiss him but missed his lips as he straightened.
“Hold that thought. I’m headed for the shower first, all right?” he said.
I pouted. “Fine, fine. I’ll be waiting.”
He smiled fully, and I remembered how sharp his teeth had been. Then I forgot when he gave me one of those short, but deep lingering kisses. He pulled away abruptly and turned for the door, so it was my turn to yell, “Tease!”
I drifted into the kitchen while I waited for Linden. As was usual for the day, Rhys was on the phone, so I veered into the living room where Tally was sitting in front of the windows.
“How’s he doing?” she asked as I sat across from her.
“Well he walked successfully, so I guess that’s good. He’s showering now,” I replied.
“He needs it,” Tally scoffed. I knew she was joking, so I laughed with her. It was strange how things between us had changed so rapidly in the past few days. We weren’t exactly friends, but she didn’t avoid my eyes now or leave the room when I entered.
As Nerio thumped inside, I glanced at him and knew that it was definitely a different case for him. He still was slightly repelled by my presence, though he just put up with it now.
“So what’s going on?” I asked as he moved on to the kitchen.
Tally ran a hand through her hair. “I’m not so sure anymore. None of the vulcani has seen Aidan in a long time. No one’s really sure what he’ll be doing next, but Rhys doesn’t want you going anywhere alone.”
“I won’t,” I replied, glancing out at the beach. I clearly remembered how Aidan had said he would see me himself sometime. That was right before he’d thrown the shell, and it had almost been erased from my memory had Rhys not brought it up again. He gave me the strict rule of staying inside at all times and if I did go outside, someone had to be with me. So far I didn’t have a need to be outdoors, but I wouldn’t go alone if I did.
“And no one’s seen Omar?” I asked quietly.
Tally shook her head. “From your description, no. Nerio and I walked around town and on some of the busier beaches yesterday, but there was no sign of him. We probed for auras, too. Maybe he was smart enough to leave.”
“I hope so,” I sighed.
Tally smiled as she stood. “Well, this has definitely been the most eventful reunion I’ve been to in a long time. And to think that I was going to skip it.” She l
aughed. “I feel sorry for the ones who did.”
She was still laughing as she made her way out. I was still trying to grasp her personality, but she constantly surprised me.
Linden trudged down the stairs soon after, bracing a hand on the wall for balance. Despite that, he did look better, and he smiled as he stood in the middle of the room. “It’s amazing what a shower can do.”
Calder heard his comment as he drifted into the room. “I bet. You’d been lying in bed for a while there.” He laughed, and Linden laughed along sarcastically for a few seconds. He stopped abruptly and looked serious as he walked towards me. I grinned as he plopped down next to me, his arm draped around my shoulders.
“Well aren’t you two cute,” Calder said, tilting his head to the side.
Linden shamelessly kissed me, and I blushed while he smiled wickedly. “I know, right?”
Calder opened his mouth for a comeback but Rhys interrupted as he called for us to come into the kitchen. Calder jumped up quickly while Linden groaned.
“No more talks,” he grumbled as I pulled him to his feet.
“Maybe it will be good news,” I said quietly as we walked.
Linden scoffed. “Now that would be the day …”
But his mood lightened a little as we walked into the room. Rhys had a slight smile on his face as he looked at each of us.
“So—what’s happening?” Linden asked as he leaned against the counter for support.
Rhys’ smile widened a little. “First of all, it’s good to see you up again. Feeling good?”
Linden shrugged. “A little funny, but good.”
“Good enough to test something?” Nerio asked, looking suddenly eager.
“Like what?” Linden replied, suspicious.
Nerio walked up to him and put his elbow on the counter, his hand towards Linden. “Arm wrestling. Just real quick.”
Linden smirked and grabbed Nerio’s other hand. “Come on, left-handed.”
Tally rolled her eyes. “Guys—”
“I said a second then we’ll talk,” Nerio cut in. He was really amped for this, and I stood back and waited. They counted to three, and then I could see the strength go through the length of Nerio’s arm. His thick muscles bulged under his skin, but Linden’s arm didn’t budge. Instead, a second later, Nerio’s fist slammed into the countertop. We all heard the faintest crack in the granite, and Rhys shut his eyes in annoyance.
“Haha, I’ve still got a hold of it!” Linden yelled as he let go. “Sorry, but I’ve got the auctorita mastered.”
Nerio was obviously sour about losing. He kneaded his reddened knuckles; I was surprised he hadn’t broken something with the force of the hit.
“All right, all right,” Rhys said, putting a stop to any further competitions. “It’s my turn now. So listen.” He looked around to make sure no one was about to speak. “I finally spoke to someone who could give me some answers.”
I held my breath for a moment, wondering if he was going to say what I wanted to hear.
“Aidan was spotted up the coast in New York.” He paused to gauge our reactions. “Now that they have a lead, they’re going after him, and I told them about Omar as well.”
Again, silence. And then Calder spoke. “Seriously?”
Rhys nodded and smiled, which was just another sign for me to breathe and try to relax. They found them. Something will finally be done … and we’ll be left alone.
I turned to Linden, seeing he was smiling, satisfied. “I hope they get it good.”
“Oh there will be repercussions, believe me,” Rhys said. “When you’ve been wanted this long, it’s bound to happen.”
This is exactly what I wanted to hear. I wanted to know that they would get what they deserved. Because if someone else didn’t do it, I was tempted to try myself. But there was no longer a reason for that.
Everyone was in better spirits after this. Nerio seemed to forget about losing to Linden and actually sat down and smiled to himself. He must have been relieved to quit his watchman job. Rhys even suggested Linden and I go outside, as long as I wasn’t left alone. Though he assured me it was safe, we still had to be a little cautious. We agreed and stayed close to the house, just walking up and down the surf. Linden’s body was just getting its strength back, and he played around with the water a little to get the hang of it again. Apparently the auctorita had its toll on that too, as he had trouble doing exactly what he wanted to; everything was blown out of proportion. Creating a small whirlpool ended up washing out a wide hole in the sand, and Linden admitted he still had to practice.
We went back to the house as the sun set. It was getting cold outside, and I shivered a little as I stood inside. When Nerio walked by to tell me dinner was ready, I almost felt like I was part of their small family.
The feeling mounted as I spent the bulk of the evening being included in conversations in the living room. Nerio hardly spoke to me, but it was better than nothing. And for once, instead of me going to bed first, Linden admitted he was tired and said he was going to sleep. Even if he weren’t still recovering, I still would have insisted on going with him.
We went back to the old bedroom. It almost felt alien, and the air was cooler than the rest of the house. I realized it must have been from the fractured glass of the window, which I had forgotten to mention to anyone.
“What happened there?” Linden asked after he tossed his shirt to the floor.
“I’m not sure,” I replied, staring at it up close to find any point of impact. There didn’t seem to be, so I shrugged it off and climbed into bed beside him. He immediately pulled me on top of him and laced his fingers together at my back.
“Comfortable?” I asked as I looked down at him.
“Yeah, very,” he replied. I was worried the scar on his side would still be sore, but he assured me it wasn’t. I could feel the little area of heat where it was located, but he said it would probably be like that until it faded.
“So—finally some relief,” he said as he sighed.
“Yeah. I hope they find them soon,” I replied, resting my head on his chest.
“They already have a lead,” he said, stroking my back. “It won’t be long until they catch up with them.”
“Tell them to chuck shells at them. That ought to slow them down.”
Linden laughed and pulled my head up. “That’s spiteful—but good.”
We kissed for a while, softly touching until Linden pulled away, his face serious. He looked concerned for a second, and I asked what was wrong.
“I’ve been thinking about something for a while,” he started. I waited for him to go on. “I know seeing me in the whole partial form was weird. And—and I don’t want you to be afraid of it—me.”
I briefly thought about it, but preferred not to. I didn’t want him to know he was right about me being afraid, but it wasn’t of him.
“It’s not you,” I said. “It’s just—”
“But that is me, Riley,” he replied. “So … you are afraid of me. All over again.”
I reacted quickly. “No, Linden it’s different than—”
“I have an idea though,” he interrupted, looking at me with a pinning gaze. “No one would encourage me if I told them, but I think it would be good.”
I frowned slightly. “What?”
“I wanted to take you to the place where we ascend,” he said quietly. “I mean, your kind aren’t supposed to go there; technically you are incapable. But not if I take you there.”
He couldn’t be talking about what I was thinking. At least I hoped he wasn’t. “It’s on another plane, isn’t it?” He nodded. “Which one?”
“The actual astral plane.”
I was afraid he would say that. I’d heard all of the rules to the planes, and no natural being was ever on the astral plane unless they were dead. Beings like Linden could go there and back anytime they wanted, but it wasn’t an option for me. I only stepped onto a lower plane when I projected.
“I
’d have to be dead to go there,” I pointed out.
He quickly shook his head. “No, not if I take you.”
I looked away and bit my lip. “I don’t know …”
“I just want to show you everything—about me, I mean. No more pretending it doesn’t exist. I don’t want you to be scared or anything.”
He was being sincere, and it was obvious he was genuinely worried. But it was still the astral plane …
“How would I get there?” I asked.
His face brightened instantly. “You just project like you usually do, but stay here when you do. Then we’ll go from there.”
“That’s it?” I asked. I didn’t quite believe him.
He grinned. “Yes. Just leave the rest to me.”
I took a deep breath and brushed my hair back. “Okay—okay, fine.”
I lay flat on my back as Linden watched me. He kept his even gaze on my face, and I glanced at him before I closed my eyes. “Do you have to stare?”
“Sorry,” he said as he looked up at the ceiling. I concentrated on relaxing for a moment, and then began the gradual detachment from my body. I was vaguely aware of Linden turning to face me again, but then I wasn’t part of the physical anymore.
Out of habit, I projected into something. It was the tiny breeze from the window, but I quickly left it and stood in the middle of the room. It was strange to be looking at myself, at the body on the bed that breathed very softly. Linden watched the face and kissed the cheek. It was daunting when his eyes looked straight across the room at me. I knew he couldn’t see me, but his senses were unbelievable.
“Come back over here,” he whispered. I did as he said, and I sat on the opposite side of him, trying not to look at my body. He turned over and looked up at me, laying his hand on the bed. “Here, grab on.”
I looked down at his hand, unsure of how to proceed. I just lay my hand in his, noticing how opaque my skin looked. How could he even feel me? Apparently he could, because he closed his fingers over mine.
“Okay, now don’t fight anything. I can handle this,” he said. I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. It didn’t look like he was doing anything, but I felt myself going limp. Immediately I fought to stay upright, but I gave in after a moment. Things were getting dark as I lightly slumped to my side, barely feeling anything. I let my eyes close when I felt like I was falling. It was dizzying, and I reminded myself to relax. He knew what he was doing.
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