Find Me (Immersed Book 1)

by Francesca Riley

Skye nodded and watched Rowena collect their cups and head back inside. Rowena was right; she felt drained. And Morgan’s company for the walk back would be nice. She stood and walked to the curb, staring across the dark water until she heard footsteps. “Hey Morgan. Babysitting duty, right?” she said without turning.

  “No such luck,” Ethan said. Skye turned. With him was Amber. “You okay?” he asked.

  “Sure,” Skye pasted a smooth expression on her face. “I’m heading back to the apartment. Too much excitement for this city girl. Just waiting for Morgan.”

  “You might have a long wait, she’s flat out. We could walk you back. Amber?”

  Amber shrugged, “Sure, I guess.” She looked about as thrilled as Skye felt.

  “I’ll tell them. Be right back,” Ethan said, heading back inside.

  Amber and Skye stood in awkward silence. Then Amber spoke, her expression tight, but also embarrassed. She didn’t quite meet Skye’s eyes.

  “Um, Skye, I kind of just wanted to say...” She took a deep breath, “What I said before about you at Ciarlan Cove – with those guys. I guess...I’m sorry I didn’t realise what was going on.” She finally met Skye’s eyes properly. “I – I kind of had a similar experience, when I was younger. I can’t believe I just let...” she bit her lip and looked away.

  “You mean...you were...assaulted?” Skye was stunned Amber would share this. Then her stomach dropped. “Did this – did it happen at the beach?”

  Amber shook her head. “No. It was in the village...a few years ago. It doesn’t even matter.” but Skye saw her blink angrily, her eyes liquid as she avoided Skye’s gaze.

  “Amber, it matters.”

  “I guess.” Amber’s voice caught, and her attempt at a sneer made her seem even more vulnerable. She swallowed. “You’ve probably been wondering why I’m such a bitch all the time. I guess I’m just...cynical. I find it kind of... It’s just hard, you know, to trust anyone. To trust...guys. Impossible to find a good one, right?”

  Skye guessed who they were talking about now. “Ethan’s a good one.” she said quietly. Amber nodded, looking away. “He clearly likes you,” Skye pointed out. “He asked you to dance.”

  “Sure – asked me to dance, right after finding out about your gorgeous bloke. Why do I not feel swept off my feet?” Amber sounded like her usual sharp self to Skye, but with her new knowledge she kept silent. Amber looked at Skye speculatively. “So, your guy... Is he a good guy too? Or do you like bad boys?”

  Skye hated this sort of conversation. But despite everything, she felt sorry for Amber. “Yeah, he’s a good guy.” It felt such a pitiful understatement. “He’s...he’s one of the really good ones.”

  Amber’s expression became wistful. “Any more where he came from?” Skye felt a stab of alarm. “Like a brother?” Amber prompted, “Another good guy, same hot gene pool. Or even a friend?” Amber’s lip curled. “Wow. Sound desperate much?” she mocked herself.

  “No, I think he’s...he’s the one good egg out of a bad lot,” Skye murmured. Come with me. She shivered, momentarily confused.

  “Maybe I should join you sometime? Meet them, decide for myself.” Amber’s eyes narrowed in pleasurable speculation.

  Even if that had been possible, Skye knew it would be disastrous. “You shouldn’t give up on Ethan just yet,” she said quickly.

  “I don’t think he’s giving up on you yet,” Amber said darkly, her expression tightening. “Catch ya,” she said shortly and turned back to the café, passing Ethan as he approached.

  29. Trust

  “Amber? You coming?” Ethan called after her. Amber shook her head without looking back and disappeared inside the café. “What’s with her?” he frowned, looking at Skye. “Hasn’t been giving you a hard time, has she?”

  “And getting it handed back?” Skye raised her eyebrows. “No, nothing like that. She’s just feeling a bit...down I guess.”

  “Down?” He looked after Amber towards at the café.

  Ethan, the perpetual hero, Skye thought. “You should stay. Cheer her up.”

  “Later. She’ll keep,” he smirked, letting Skye glimpse the player she’d met at the beginning of her holiday. She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re a worry. One to watch out for, that’s for sure.”

  Ethan shrugged, grinning, and they set off towards The Towers. It wasn’t until they reached their destination that he spoke. “Listen, I know it’s not exactly my business, but you did look a bit off back there with Liam.”

  “Oh...right.”

  “I could tell he’d spooked you.”

  “I guess. It was just...stories.”

  “I figured. Don’t take it personally, okay? Liam? It’s not you, it’s him.”

  “Sounds like a break-up line,” she tried to joke.

  “Close to that,” Ethan said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “A couple of years ago, Liam’s girlfriend drowned here in the Bay.”

  “Really? Poor guy...” She meant it.

  “He hasn’t really gotten over it. Can’t seem to admit she’s dead. Her body was never found, so I guess he never got, you know, ‘closure’.

  “Oh.” Skye’s stomach squirmed.

  “Yeah. Without a definite ‘this is what happened’, because of the stories about this place he’s ended up with some pretty strange ideas. So don’t take it personally. He’s just looking for answers, seeing connections where there aren’t any. It’s got nothing to do with you or...you know, your mum.”

  Skye was silent for a moment, then she said “I knew coming back here there’d be constant reminders of Mum. Never stops catching me off guard though. Sometimes more than others. Thanks for letting me know.”

  “Any time,” Ethan said. “Take care, all right?” With a nod, he turned back for the cafe.

  Once alone in the elevator, Skye acknowledged she felt blindsided by the evening. Quite apart from Amber’s ambush in the café, her two would-be attackers’ deaths and the death of the once-missing girl were disturbing. If Hunter was involved in some way with what happened to Mark and Stevie, and that was a monumental if, then it would have been to protect her – and to protect others like her. It was hard to be anything but grateful at being spared.

  But the idea of him killing anyone deliberately was irreconcilable with his revulsion at the darkness within himself, and his determination to resist it. She couldn’t see it, even to protect her. When he had the opportunity, he’d sent them away instead. In their stupor, had they succumbed to the water and drowned? It was awful to imagine. But even accidental death seemed unlikely – she didn’t believe Hunter would be so careless with the lives of others.

  Thinking it over she was increasingly certain he had nothing to do with it. But adding in the drowned girl… Could his people, the Nemaro, be involved?

  Back in the apartment she stood for a long time at the window, staring at the black space that was the water of the Bay. Eventually she knew the only thing she was certain of was that she wouldn’t ask Hunter anything about it. To do so would be like accusing him, tainting the short time they had together. She trusted him. That was all she needed to know.

  Although she had joked about any time being good for coffee, Skye expected to find sleep impossible. But Rowena had been right, she was wiped out. She prepared for bed, her brain winding down to a crawl. Falling asleep at once, she slept deeply.

  The delicious smell of frying butter and batter mix woke her extremely early the next morning. Morgan’s unmade bed was empty. Skye pulled sweats on over her nightwear and went out to the kitchen where Rowena was adding a fat golden pancake to a stack. “Great, you’re up!” she greeted Skye.

  “That smells sooo good!” Skye practically drooled.

  “Glad to hear it! I made a stack in case you joined us. Just waiting for Morgan and then we’ll eat.” The bathroom door opened as she spoke and Morgan joined them at the kitchen bar.

  “We have a few more weeks before we have to leave this apartment
, if we want them,” Rowena said as they helped themselves to the steaming pancakes.

  “How’d you manage that?” Morgan demanded.

  “A little thing called a contract. His pride was the reason he’d thrown us out, said he ‘can’t abide disloyalty’.”

  “Disloyalty!” Morgan was incredulous. “What does he call the promises he broke, putting the rent up so much he closed us down? Besides, there’s no way Bliss could be considered competition for The Towers. He’s insane.”

  “It’s a distinct possibility. And on top of having no grounds to evict, he has no replacement yet, and he needs us. But it’s helped me make the decision to leave. I’ve given notice.”

  “Hear, hear!” Morgan exclaimed. Rowena smiled.

  “Skye, we’ll be at Bliss until about four, then Annie and her crew take over. We’ll juggle the restaurant same as usual for now.” Rowena said. “We’ve got a plumber friend meeting us at Bliss at half ten this morning. No need for you to come.”

  “But I can help,” Skye said, pouring maple syrup liberally over her pancakes.

  “No, you just relax. Bliss won’t be open around the clock so we’ll see you as much as we can. Our only nights are Fridays and Saturdays. We’ll close Mondays. Can’t have you burnt out when we put you on the bus home,” Rowena teased.

  Skye’s heart dropped, as did Morgan’s expression. Rowena’s face became as sombre. Nobody liked the thought of Skye leaving.

  She couldn’t go. Not yet.

  “Try not to think about it.” Had Morgan read her mind? “It’s been so good having you here, Skye-bear. It just feels right. Right Mum?”

  “I completely agree. In fact, I was thinking...”

  “What, Mum?”

  But Rowena shook her head. “Nothing. Just...the old storeroom at the back of the courtyard could be useful. Skye, I hope you’re not going to be too bored on your own. This café is really bad timing for your holiday.”

  “I’ll be fine. I can sketch, and read. Enjoy the beach...”

  “Yes, Mum, Skye’s got plenty to keep herself occupied, enjoying the beach,” Morgan said pointedly. Skye focused intently on her pancakes.

  “Good. But if you get bored, come to the café. You can read and draw there too. Plus we get to feed you. Okay?”

  “Definitely,” Skye agreed, ignoring Morgan’s smirk. After breakfast Rowena and Morgan got ready and left. “Come on Maggie May. See you later, Skye. Have fun.”

  “Yes, have fun,” Morgan echoed archly.

  Skye pulled a face. But as the door closed behind them Skye felt light with the weight of secrecy lifted. Telling Morgan everything was impossible, but at least she knew Hunter was in Skye’s life, and trusted him – trust he’d earned. Crossing to the window she drew the curtain aside and looked out at a beautiful dawn. She tidied the breakfast mess away and got ready as quickly as she could.

  When she stepped out onto the empty street, the sun was still hidden behind the Bannimor hills. Beneath her clothes, she wore Morgan’s loaned bikini. Her towel, sketchbook and a snack were in her shoulder bag.

  The beach was deserted. Rocks exposed by the low tide were wetly black, the still water like shot satin, mirroring the milky sky. Skye gripped her bag tightly. She didn’t know exactly what her feelings were, but the expectation of seeing Hunter was euphoric.

  Her parents’ love for each other had been the one constant in their life together. Despite treading new, uncertain territory, with someone she’d known for so short a time, Skye couldn’t help but begin to understand her father’s pain. She’d been determined to avoid it. But she had no choice now. She would already feel pain if she didn’t see Hunter again.

  Trotting down the steps, she ran across the pale sand pitted with mauve shadow, towards Lithus Rock. Her insides quivered at the thought of him watching her, gliding to meet her, trailing ripples. She could practically feel his gaze.

  But reaching the water’s edge, there was no sign of him. Tugging off her jeans, she stuffed them into her bag which she slung over her shoulder. She waded into the shallows, and stared around at the low waves, willing him to sense that she was near. Wading deeper, her thoughts were so bent on him that she barely registered the ease in which she stood alone in the water.

  Gradually the sense of a presence crept over her, raising the fine hair on her arms. Through the calm water a shadow drew near, taking substance, and Hunter rose to his feet.

  Skye’s heart thudded at the startling reminder of his world. Once again, his chest rose and fell rapidly as if he had raced to meet her.

  She stared at him, a dark-haired angel against the silk backdrop of sea and sky, dusted in gold as the sun rose above the hills behind her. He gazed back as if she was the one thing he wanted to see most in the world. Unconsciously she pressed her hand to her chest, shielding the effect he had on her.

  With a tilt of his head he beckoned her and she splashed towards him through the shallow water. “You must have been reading my thoughts,” he greeted her.

  “Maybe you read mine?” Her voice was annoyingly breathless, but her words drew from him a brilliant smile, his eyes crinkling in the way she loved.

  “Forgive my delay. I was making sure the conditions were safe. It’s a perfect day for lesson number two.” Taking her hands, he began to lead her deeper into the water, walking backwards, his eyes fixed on hers. The sand under her feet was firm ridges, echoing the striations of rippled cloud in the blue sky high above her.

  “Oh!” Skye suddenly remembered her bag and shirt, and tugged Hunter to a standstill.

  “Oh,” he echoed, registering why. “Not used to remembering dry versus wet. Can I help?” He held out a hand for her bag and she passed it to him. Taking it, he held it lightly to his wet cheek for a moment.

  Pretending not to notice, Skye tugged her top over her head and reached to take back her bag. Shaking his head ‘no’, Hunter took the top from her too, and pressed the warm cotton to his cheek also, his expression wistful. He studied the clasp of her bag for a second, and opened it, fascinated. He lowered the top carefully inside, and closed the clasp.

  “I’ll drop them up on the beach. I’ll be quick,” Skye promised. But when she reached for it, he shook his head and took a step back.

  “Anything breakable in here?” When she shook her head in turn, he drew back his arm and effortlessly sent her bag sailing in a long arc to land on the highest ledge of the towering rock. He laughed at her wide eyes, and taking her hands walked backwards again, drawing her with him. “Don’t want to waste a second,” he murmured.

  Skye dropped her eyes, masking her feelings. She hadn’t thought it was possible to feel like this. Had been determined to resist anything resembling it. What was even more overwhelming – he seemed to feel the same.

  When they were waist deep, he let her hands go. The sharpness of the early morning water was invigorating.

  “Stay here,” Hunter commanded. His mouth curled although he tried to look solemn. He turned and waded deeper, until the water was almost to his shoulders, then faced her again. Lesson number two was about to begin. The flutter of alarm at the centre of Skye’s stomach was lost beneath the cloud of butterflies that filled it at the idea of swimming with him.

  “Come to me, Skye” he beckoned. His voice was soft, enticing. She hesitated. She’d felt an echo of something like this before; something like… But…

  She searched his eyes, silver slate in the sunlight rising behind her. Clear, real, true. Hunter. She stepped towards him, moving slowly, steadily, deeper.

  She couldn’t take her eyes off his face. The clarity of the early light magnified his beauty. Surely he was merely humouring her. Why would this otherworldly being be here with her? But if the clear light laid bare Hunter’s face to her, it seemed also to lay bare his heart. The sincerity in his eyes, his shining happiness as he watched her draw near. Her heart was a hummingbird in her chest.

  She rose to her tiptoes as she reached him, water lapping her chin. Tilting he
r head up she heard her own ragged breathing as water filled her ears. It sounded like a storm building. Before her limbs could go rigid, his arms slipped along hers and he floated her gently off the sandy bed. The feeling of certain safety filled her again.

  “I guess lesson number two wasn’t so bad,” she said breathlessly.

  He raised his eyebrows, “It hasn’t begun yet.” He chuckled at her expression, “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything hurt you. Do you trust me?” he asked.

  “Completely,” she replied without hesitation. He stared at her. Her heartbeat stuttered at the emotion in his eyes.

  He pulled her close, his cheek, cold as the sea, brushing hers. “Thank you,” he whispered, his cold breath a delicious tickle. But immediately he drew back, stepping them a little deeper. His face was composed. Lesson time, she figured.

  “All right,” he began, “take a good breath, hold it, and let yourself sink just below the surface.” Seeing her tense, he hurried on, “I’m doing the same. We’ll do it together. I won’t let go of you. The air in your lungs won’t let you sink far. Draw your knees up a little and just…let yourself float down. Ready?” He mimed taking a breath. Feeling about six years old, Skye copied him and took a breath, gripping his arms tightly.

  As they began to sink, she focused on the silver waterline as it crept up over his face, feeling the same on hers, tiny bubbles tickling up over her cheeks. When the water reached her eyes she squeezed them shut, drew her knees up a little and sank below the surface, the waterline icy as it closed over her warm scalp. She was tempted to kick her legs to feel like she had some measure of control but Hunter’s arms beneath hers kept her steady enough to resist.

  Almost at once she felt herself rising again. In seconds her head popped out of the water. She blew her breath out, wriggling a hand free to rub her eyes. Blinking at him, she felt idiotic, but she couldn’t help giggling when she saw his face. “Tell me you’re laughing with me, not at me,” she warned.

  “With, Skye, definitely with,” he laughed, doing a fairly good impression of laughing at her.