I reached up and rubbed my neck attempting to recall what he had asked.
“Library? Books? Find any good ones?” Kian raised an eyebrow, his mouth turning up in a grin.
I gave a nervous laugh. “No. Not really,” I answered looking over my shoulder at the building.
“That’s too bad. But at least you found me,” Kian teased, his tone playful.
I knew what he was doing. He was flirting with me, but I didn’t know how to respond. I smiled and glanced around, my gaze not stopping on any one thing for too long. I could feel Kian’s gaze on me, anticipating my reply, but I felt another pair of eyes on me too.
“It was nice running into you, but I have to go now.” I brushed past Kian, not giving him a chance to reply. I felt the impulse to look over my shoulder but resisted because I knew there was no one there, only Kian watching me go. Knowing didn’t make the feeling go away, though. I tried to keep my eyes forward, but the urge to turn around was persistent. Giving in, I spun around and inspected every detail of the scenery around me. The library was two blocks away and Kian was getting into his car. A young couple holding hands and gazing foolishly at each other walked past me, oblivious to everyone else. There weren’t many people out; the afternoon forecast of light snowfall had convinced most of Shadowmist’s citizens to stay indoors. The diner had seen the end of its Sunday lunch rush and only a handful of cars drove down the street. My eyes were then drawn to a spot across the street. I squinted, trying to get a better look at the sign above the storefront.
“Rue’s Trinkets and Treasures,” I whispered to myself. “Where Magic Abides and Enchantment Resides.” Intrigued by the name, I zipped my jacket, stuck my hands in my pockets and walked to the shop. Catching a glimpse of my reflection in the widow, I noticed the hazy image of a woman standing behind me. The woman’s butter-cream colored full-length dress was not congruous for the present time. She looked like she belonged somewhere in the eighteenth century. It wasn’t the outdated wardrobe that sent my heart racing, but the peculiar resemblance in her eyes. I felt as if I was looking at a version of myself from the very distant past. I whipped my head around, expecting to meet the undeniable gaze of my doppelganger, but I was alone on the sidewalk. I turned back to the window and only my own scared reflection stared back at me. A cold breeze blew, bringing me back to reality. The snowfall was coming down harder and the flakes had increased in size. I changed my mind about visiting the magic shop and hurried to the nearest bus stop instead.
seven
Ireached over to the nightstand and fumbled for the phone that had been ringing and vibrating against the wooden surface. I didn’t recognize the number and thought against answering but the relentless clamoring of the ringing bells drove me to press the answer button.
“Hello?” I questioned into the phone.
“Hi, I hope I didn’t wake you.” There was a long pause then he said, “it’s Kian Dereli.”
“Kian. Hi.” I sat up in bed, a thousand questions filling my mind as I tried to understand why he was calling me. I could guess how he had gotten my number, but the question was why. His blue eyes immediately came to my mind and I feared I was about the make a blabbering embarrassment of myself. I was grateful he couldn’t see through the phone. My hair was a mess from a restless night and my face was blushing red.
“How are you?” he asked.
“Um, good. I’m good,” I said.
“That’s great. Kami gave me your number. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, it’s fine. How is Kami?” I asked, not knowing what else to say. Small talk was not my forte.
“She’s good, working I think.” Kian fumbled with his words.
“That’s good,” I said, again not knowing how to respond.
“Yeah, uh, it was nice running into you yesterday,” he said
“I’m sorry I rushed out the way I did. I was late for work,” I was lying of course. I recalled our meeting outside of the library, I felt foolish for how I had abruptly left him standing alone on the sidewalk, but I couldn’t tell him the truth.
“Oh yeah. Of course, I understand.” There was another pause, then Kian got to the reason for his call. “I called to see if maybe you wanted to have dinner this evening.”
“I, um I already have plans.” I was surprised how easily the lie passed through my lips.
“Oh,” Kian said sounding genuinely disappointed.
“Rain check?” I offered.
“Sure, that would be great. Bye Analey.”
“Bye.”
I sat on my bed wondering why I had declined Kian’s invitation. I told myself it was too soon for a date. We had just met a few days ago and I knew nothing about him other than he was Kami’s brother. That invitation would only be the first. Two days later I saw him at the boutique when he came to pick up Kami from work. For the second time in one week, I made an excuse as to why I couldn’t go out with him. After the third time of me rejecting his offer, Kami intervened.
We were having lunch at Dempsey’s Diner, waiting for the waitress to bring our food. Kami sat across from me. She had her blonde hair up in a ponytail, the ends of her golden strands slightly curled under.
“So, my brother tells me you have turned down all three of his dates,” Kami said.
I was in a sort of shock. I hadn’t realized he had shared that information with her. I nodded my head as I took a drink of water.
“You’re breaking his heart. You know that, right.”
“Me? I hardly believe that’s possible,” I said. I looked down at my glass then back up to Kami.
“Not just because he’s my brother, but he really is a good guy. Nice, romantic, and as most women will tell you, he isn’t bad looking either.” Kami laughed.
“I’m sure all those things are true, but I don’t know if I am ready to date,” I said.
“It’s not like he is proposing marriage, just a date.” Kami smiled as she lifted her glass guiding her straw into her mouth with the tip of her finger.
Our order arrived, and Kami changed the subject. We finished our lunch date and I promised her I would consider what she said if Kian happened to ask me out again.
Two days later I ran in to Kian at the diner. I was picking up a
to-go-order and he was having dinner with a tall brunette. He looked my way, but we didn’t talk, and he didn’t ask me out. A surge of disappointment swelled through me as I realized I had missed the opportunity to get to know Kian Dereli. I tried to convince myself it was for the best. It was obvious I wasn’t his type and I didn’t know him at all. I went home and ate my dinner alone in my empty apartment.
That night the nightmare came at me with full force. I watched the woman running and crying. I saw her attacker grab her and kill her. I awoke out of breath and my heart racing. I tried to force it out of my mind as I went about my morning routine of making my bed, eating breakfast and walking to work. As I reached the boutique, I noticed there was a customer already parked out front of the store. I walked around to the back of the building, casually glancing over my shoulder. I heard footsteps behind me as I unlocked the back entrance and hurried in, closing the door behind me.
“Analey, wait.”
I opened the door and saw Kian standing there in a dark blue business suit. He ran his hand through his hair and smiled.
“Hi, Kian. What are you doing here so early? We don’t open for another hour and Kami won’t be in until then.”
“I came to see you,” he said.
I held the door open and let him in. “Me?
“I was hoping to cash that rain check.” Kian smiled, and I felt my cheeks flush.
“Sure, I’m free tomorrow.” I said without hesitation, but then I remembered the beautiful woman I had seen him with at the diner.
“I’m sorry I didn’t introduce you to my colleague yesterday,” he said as if reading my mind.
“No, its fine,” I said.
“Okay. Great. We have reservations for tomorrow at 7:00
pm. I can pick you up around 6:45,” he said.
Dinner reservations. I thought to myself. He was confident I would accept this time. The idea bothered me. but more pressing was the fact that I only had a few hours after work to find something decent to wear.
“Yes, that sounds good,” I said.
“Perfect. I’ll see you tonight.” Kian smiled as he pushed the door open and walked out.
The entire morning and afternoon, I felt I was walking around in a daze. My thoughts consumed with my date with Kian later that evening. Kami didn’t seem surprised when I told her I had accepted her brother’s offer, validating my suspicions that she had something to do with him asking me out again.
There was a consignment shop about a block down from the boutique. I decided I would go there after work and see if I could find something inexpensive. It felt reckless spending the little money I had on a new outfit, but I couldn’t go on a date with Kian Dereli in anything I owned.
I walked to the shop, the cold afternoon forcing me to pick up my pace to a slow jog. I reached the store and rushed inside. I studied the crowded space overflowing with used merchandise; a red and white sale sign near the back of the store caught my attention. I weaved around the racks and shoppers to the round fixture where I rummaged through the entire section marked with a capital S for size small. I picked a blue dress and held it up. I raised my eyebrows as I considered its length.
“That’s a nice choice.” Candice reached out to feel the soft fabric.
“Hi,” I said, a little startled. I hadn’t noticed when she had walked up. “Thanks, I’m not sure if it will be the right length.”
“Maybe I can help. What’s the occasion?” Candice asked.
I pressed my lips together and draped the dress over my arm. “I guess I have a date tonight.”
“Really? That’s great.”
“Yeah, but now I’m not so sure it was a good idea to accept,” I admitted, gently tugging on a loose thread on my shirt. “I just met him not too long ago and I don’t know much about him.”
“What’s his name? Maybe I know him, and I can tell you if he is a serial killer or something.” Candice giggled.
“Yes, I think you know him. Kian Dereli, he is Kami’s older brother.” I looked down at my feet.
Candice shifted her weight from one foot to the other then back again. “Ahem, yeah, that’s her brother.”
“He seems nice, but I still think it was a bad idea, but I guess it’s too late now. What do you think about this dress?” I held it up again.
“Um, yeah. I think it’s lovely.” Candice’s voice cracked. “I must be going now.” She turned on her heels and left the store. I watched as Candice walked out the store and I walked to the checkout counter.
The dress had thin straps for sleeves, making it more of a spring style than winter, so I paid half of the price on the tag. It was too cold to wear the dress, but I figured I could wear a shawl with it and make it appear more in season. The snow started to fall again as I made my way home to slip into the dress and fuss over my hair and makeup. I was ready 30 minutes before Kian was due to pick me up and I sat on the couch with my stomach in knots. The familiar sensation of someone watching me had grown to an overwhelming intensity as I waited for Kian to arrive. I watched the time drag by and I felt I would suffocate under the scrutiny of the unseen eyes of my stalker. Finally, at exactly 6:45 pm I heard a knock on my door. I rushed to open it relieved to be rescued from the ominous presence.
“Wow,” Kian said when I stepped out the door. My insecurities kicked in with that one word. I could only imagine what he must be thinking. My black hair spilled in waves past my shoulders and down my back. The dress I had bought at the consignment shop was a pale blue and I thought it brought out the blue hues in my gray eyes. It hugged around my waist and flowed out slightly, reaching just past my knees. I draped a white shawl over my bare shoulders and my black jacket over it to keep me warm from the frosty winter air. I didn’t think it was terrible, but I was probably wrong.
Kian smiled and said, “You look beautiful.” He reached for my hand, helping me down the two steps to the sidewalk. He was wearing black slacks and a white dress shirt (no tie) with a black suit jacket.
“Thank you,” I replied blushing. We walked to his car, a four door BMW. Kian was the perfect gentleman. He opened the door and helped me into the car. He never took his eyes off me until he closed the door and walked to the driver’s side. I didn’t usually feel comfortable around people with whom I felt I had nothing in common, and Kian was one of those people. We were complete opposites and I expected to feel out of place next to him. I wanted to give him and myself a chance, so I decided to push back my reservations and enjoy the evening, but I wouldn’t let my guard down.
We talked as he drove to the restaurant and I was surprised at how effortlessly this happened. The few in-between moments of silence were comfortable. I had feared it would be awkward, but soon I felt at ease with him, like old friends instead of two people who had just met. As Kian parked the car, I remembered the magic shop. It had been to the right of the restaurant, but now there was only a vacant building. I found it hard to believe I had imagined an entire building, but instead of trying to find another explanation, I decided to forget about it for the time and enjoy my date with Kian.
Kian reached for my hand as we walked into the restaurant. I smiled and pulled away from him. He didn’t seem offended by my slight rejection as he spoke to the hostess. “Reservation for Dereli.”
“Yes sir, right this way.” The hostess was a young blonde, pretty and leggy in her short black skirt. She looked me up and down then led us to a table towards the back. The lights were dim, the main source coming from the flames of white votive candles on the tables. I sat down and draped the linen napkin over my lap as the waiter approached our table. Kian ordered for himself then proceeded to order for me. Typically, bold assertiveness was a characteristic I despised. Growing up in the orphanage had forced me to become independent and without the need to rely on anyone, especially men. It didn’t bother me as much this time though, since I didn’t recognize over half of the foods on the menu. The waiter returned with our drinks and we waited for our plates.
“Kami tells me you moved here from Havencrest.” Kian swirled his drink around in the glass before bringing it to his lips.
“Yes. It’s just on the other side of the mountains, about a two-hour drive from here.”
“I’ve past through there once or twice some time ago,” Kian said. “It’s a bit more populated than Shadowmist.”
I nodded, glancing around the restaurant. “Do you come here often?” I wondered how many dates he had brought to this place.
Kian took another sip before answering. “Only once with Kami and another time with some friends from work. I’m more of a burger and beer type of guy,” he chuckled.
I didn’t believe Kian preferred burger joints over the fancy environment we were in, but I didn’t voice my doubt.
“What about you, what do you prefer?” Kian asked.
I was about to tell him that most of my dining experiences took place in the orphanage cafeteria but then the waiter walked up to the table with our dinner. I adjusted the napkin on my lap as the waiter placed the plates in front of us. I was worried about the meal but was pleasantly surprised at how delicious the food tasted. Kian had ordered me blackened chicken with kale and organic brown rice. He ordered the smoke salmon and spinach salad for himself. I resisted the urge to devour my food as we talked more about Havencrest, but it tasted amazing. I didn’t talk about my childhood; I wanted to keep it in the past. Instead I told him about what the city was like and about some of my friends.
“Erica was my roommate and she is my best friend. Actually, we are like sisters. She is smart, beautiful and funny,” I said before taking another bite.
“She sounds great,” Kian said.
“Mmm hmm,” I said as I chewed then swallowed a piece of kale. “Then there’s N
icolas. He is the cutest red head you will ever meet.”
Kian smiled meeting my gaze. “They all sound like great friends.”
“They are more than friends; they are my family,” I said averting my gaze to my now empty plate.
“I can see how much they mean to you and how much you must miss them,” Kian said.
I nodded. “Yes, but hopefully I can go visit them soon.”
Kian smiled as he motioned for the waitress to bring the check. He paid for the meal, tipped the waitress generously, and we left the restaurant.
As the evening began winding down, I grew anxious. I wasn’t sure what I would do if Kian tried to kiss me. I hadn’t had a boyfriend, nor had I been on any real dates before. Kian, I knew, had experience with women and I didn’t want to show off my immaturity. He tried to hold my hand as we walked up to the door of my apartment building. I wanted to feel his warm hand on mine, but I kept them in the pockets of my jacket. I liked him and realized I wanted him to kiss me, but then again, I was afraid he would. Butterflies flew around frantically in my stomach as I thought about it.
“Thank you for a wonderful evening,” Kian said, his voice just above a whisper.
“I had a nice time too,” I replied, barely looking up. Kian smiled and leaned in, I assumed, to kiss me but I turned away and his lips brushed my cheek. He stepped back, reading the hints I was unintentionally giving.
“I would like to see you again,” he said.
“Sure,” I answered, although I wasn’t sure if I would. The walls I had built were hard to break down.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said as he walked away, leaving me alone with my memories and regrets of our first date. I could feel my face blushing as I thought about how I should have at least let him hold my hand. Once inside my apartment, I fell to the couch and leaned my head back. I closed my eyes and imagine Kian’s face and our entire evening.
Buzz, buzz. I felt my phone vibrating in the pocket of my jacket. I pulled it out and my pulse raced as I read the name on the screen. I waited for the rush of panic to subside before answering.
Edge of Forever: The Death and Life of Analey Rose (The Immortal Souls Book 1) Page 6
