Jade’s voice rose, “She’s the one who wanted me to say something. I don’t even want to stay in the same room. You are not my sister, Claire. I disown you. Mom puts up with so much crap and you guys don’t even care.”
“You think I don’t care?” Raven asked, her voice dangerously low.
“Oh, please. You sneak out every weekend and run to the highway so that you and your delinquent buddy can go out and party. You come home reeking of booze and then hide your clothes until me and Mom are gone so that you can wash them. I bet Mindy is getting great care with you and Claire watching her,” Jade lashed out at her other sister.
They were deep words, words that she’d been trying to find a way to express for weeks. Somehow the thoughts that should be exchanged in a quiet moment always ended up used as whips and scourges during an argument. It was hard to watch someone go down a road like that and not know what to say or whether to tell.
“Wow, tell us how you really feel,” Raven said sarcastically. “Things happen. Claire made a mistake and we’ll move on.”
“You’ve been enabling her bratty behavior. That’s why she talks back all the time and is such a pain. With a sister like her we could end up dead the next time she gets the urge to play a joke,” Jade’s words hurt Claire. She knew that Jade didn’t always like her, and sometimes called her names, but she didn’t really understand why Jade was always down on her.
“I’m sitting right here!” Claire cried, “I didn’t mean to hurt her. I swear I didn’t.”
“Sure you didn’t. You say I’m adopted. Well, I hope I am, because I don’t want to be related to you,” Jade’s words struck home.
Claire pushed out of the chair like a rocket, “I don’t need you. I don’t need anyone. Water loves me. She’ll take care of me. You’re not a good sister. You never have been. All you care about is Mindy.”
Claire ran out of the room. She heard Raven call her name and almost turned back, but slammed the door instead and ran for the nearest stairwell. She ran down the stairs heedless of where she might go. She didn’t care. She just had to get out of that motel room.
From the street, she could feel the salty droplets on the breeze and hear the roar of the waves. Even though it was dark out and the streets were empty, Claire ran in the direction of the ocean. She was planning to become Water forever. She wouldn’t have to go to school or listen to Jade complain anymore.
She’d be free.
She ran so hard that when she reached the beach, she was out of breath and her sides ached. Bent over and sucking air into her lungs, she didn’t notice the teenager approaching her until she had touched her. Claire jumped.
It was a Goth girl with white-blonde hair that reflected the refracted light of the moon on the clouds. The Goth girl said, “I’m sorry for startling you. Are you okay? You look upset.”
Claire felt an immediate affinity for the girl. Surely this was someone who would understand. She shrugged, “My sisters hate me. I can’t go back there. Ever.”
“For reals?” The girl asked. Her feet were bare and almost gleamed like pearls in the sand. Claire wondered what it would feel like to be so perfect. The girl had to be a few years older. Claire was surprised she would even talk to a kid. Her concern touched Claire.
“Yeah.” Claire nearly broke down, but instead lifted her chin with determination. Jade would never make Claire cry. If she were going to cry, it would be over someone who actually cared about her.
The Goth girl put a hand out, “Name’s Tasha. We’re beach bums. Kinda hard in Oregon weather.”
Claire took her hand, a hysterical giggle rising, “Yeah, it is cold on these beaches.”
The Goth girl led Claire to a group of young people ranging from kids barely out of puberty to guys with scruffy beards. Claire felt a jagged pleasure at the thought that she would have someplace safe to stay, and Mom and Jade would feel sorry when she didn’t return to the hotel. Somehow Claire knew that Raven really would be sorry, but she pushed that thought aside when she joined the group.
“Another stray! Put her there, little girl,” It was insulting, and from a cute blonde guy probably in high school, but Claire gave him the knuckle version of a high-five anyway.
“We’ve got what we’ve come for. Let’s head home. Everyone into the Vanagon.” Tasha motioned with a slight tilt of her head, and Claire could swear that for a moment her eyes looked completely silver, as if she didn’t have irises or pupils. And then the moment was over, and her eyes were back to normal.
Claire climbed into the 70’s Volkswagen bus and found a seat. She had to step over a shovel crusted with sand on the way in. Soon she was scrunched as more than the recommended number of passengers climbed in behind her. Claire wasn’t really a people-person. She didn’t handle crowds well. Tight spaces alone, yes. Tight spaces with a dozen other people, definitely no.
She breathed in through her mouth and told herself that this was better than joining with the ocean. It would be lonely if she spent her life as Water. They drove for over an hour. Claire knew that because the girl smashed up next to her kept looking at her phone.
Any time Claire started to get nervous, Tasha would say something funny and then ask her if she was sure she wanted to join them. With a laugh, Tasha said, “I can always drop these folks off and take you back myself.”
Claire thought of Jade screaming at her and shook her head, “I’d rather be here.”
Earlier at home when Raven had confessed her deepest darkest secret, Claire had pretended to understand, mostly because Raven was her favorite sister and she couldn’t imagine being on the outs with Raven the way she was with Jade and Mindy. Now she knew. Every time she remembered that lump of dirt where Water had dropped Mindy, she felt a sick feeling rise in her stomach. .
I almost killed Mindy.
Jade would never forgive her. She didn’t have a home to return to anymore.
Claire couldn’t escape the thought toppling over and over in her mind, just the way she tumbled in the surf when it was happening. I thought I hated her, but I don’t. I just want to do my own thing and for Jade to like me.
That was a new thought for Claire. She thought she hated Mindy. She really didn’t like smelling urine in the middle of the night, but that wasn’t exactly Mindy’s fault, and somehow Mindy had replaced Claire in Jade’s affections. A long time ago, Jade had played with Claire the way she now played with Mindy. Claire missed that.
“We’re here.”
The porch lights were on, giving the house a warm feeling. Claire stared at the mansion in awe. It was a huge house in the Victorian style with an enclosed porch that wrapped around the house. The fence was one of those creepy iron fences that show up in horror movies and cemeteries, while the tall grasses in the yard gave it an abandoned feel.
The blonde guy in the passenger seat jumped out first to run down the driveway and shut the gate. Claire could swear it creaked as it closed. The fellow ran back, waiting outside the van for the rest of the group to disembark.
Everyone climbed out of the van. Claire followed Tasha into the house like a lost puppy. Tasha was friendly with everybody, and Claire realized that the house in its own way was as crowded as the van had been.
Something felt off about the house. There were too many sofas and nothing else. The walls were bare, without a single picture or photo. In every room were sofas and people lounging. Dozens of kids her age, most of them asleep, littered the rooms, many of whom looked thin and some with bruises on their faces. The whole thing was strange and reminded Claire vaguely of the puppy mill she saw in the news last year.
The house smelled funny, like the combination of bleach and a musty dank basement odor. No one else seemed to notice. Claire tried to ignore it, like everyone else. She wanted to fit in.
“You must be hungry. With the crowd we have, someone is usually cooking and if not, there are always leftovers,” Tasha disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a warm plate of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and car
rots. The smell of warm food masked the more unpleasant odors.
Claire wolfed down the meatloaf. She’d used a lot of energy in the ocean, a lot of energy for the trick on Mindy that had gone so very wrong. Claire was the only one who ate. When she finished, Tasha said, “I want to introduce you to the core group. Come upstairs.”
Claire followed Tasha up to the second floor, down the long hall and into a bedroom that had been converted into a sitting room. Three other women, all middle-aged were lounging on sofas.
The eldest, a slightly overweight woman with grey in her hair clapped her hands like a child, “You brought treats! What a lovely young woman. Come have a seat, and we’ll tell you the rules.”
“Oh, Gladys, she just arrived. There will be time enough for rules another day,” said a scrawny woman who looked like she’d done several years of hard living.
“Tasha, be a dear and close the door,” Gladys leaned forward with a rapt expression while Claire sat awkwardly with her hands at her side in the couch next to Gladys.
“Now, Dear, you must pay attention, can you do that?” Gladys asked. Claire almost giggled when the other woman rolled her eyes and mimed Gladys talking.
Claire moved her hands to her lap, feeling very self-conscious, “Yes.”
“Good. If you break any rules you’ll be expelled from the house, and believe you me, it’s a long walk to anywhere civilized. Got it?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Claire said,
“First. The curtains stay closed. If you need sunlight, go outside. Make sure you close the porch door behind you when you do. Easy enough?” Gladys asked.
Claire nodded.
“Second. Any food that comes into this house must be approved by Tasha. Think of her as your liaison. You’ll probably stay close to the house for the first few weeks, but eventually you’ll want to see the world.”
“Mom doesn’t let us eat much junk food either,” Claire said and wondered if she sounded too disappointed. She didn’t want Gladys to send her away.
“Fine. Fine. The last one is the most important. This house is a sanctuary for many. Don’t give anyone the location of this house. Not your best friend. Not your family. If this house becomes unsafe, we will hunt you down.” Gladys laughed lightheartedly, but her eyes were as cold as glacial springs.
Claire forced a smile, “I won’t tell anyone.”
“See that you don’t.” Gladys pointed to a blanket hanging across the back of the sofa, “Now take off your shoes and get comfortable. You know how you lounge when you watch television? Do that now.”
Claire thought being ordered to relax was beyond strange. Still, she was glad she was in this house and not in the motel trying to ignore Jade. Boy, would Jade feel bad when Claire didn’t come home tonight. Gladys handed her a pillow. The pillowcase smelled like fabric softener and hid a little of the room’s odors. She pulled the blanket down. The sofa was comfortable. Claire thought she could easily go to sleep, even with three ladies watching.
“Ah, better?” Gladys asked. Claire noted a predatory gleam in her expression and was reminded of a cat about to pounce on a bird. She had to shake herself and remember that she was a guest, and that so far everyone had been beyond nice.
Claire said, “It’s nice. Thanks.”
“Not to worry. Just lay back and close your eyes. Don’t worry about anything. You’re safe with us.”
Claire did as she was told and closed her eyes. As she lay there, she had the strangest feeling that someone was tugging on her mind. It was the only way to explain it. It was different from her interaction with Water. Water gave and took equally. This was a taking. Claire thought the ladies must be testing her, so she pulled back, reeling the energy back in.
At first there was resistance and then she received energy in a flood. Claire wasn’t sure exactly what to do with all that energy, so she just gave it to Water, siphoning it into the moisture in the air. Water danced in the skies, drawing droplets into clouds, settling dew drops on the trees. It was almost too much energy for Claire to manage.
Someone screamed.
Claire opened her eyes. Gladys was no longer a middle-aged woman. Her hair had gone white and her skin was wrinkled. She screamed, pointing her finger at Claire, “Tasha! Get her out. Get her out of here.”
“What’s wrong? What did I do?” Claire pushed the blanket out of the way as the door burst open. Tasha and two of the hefty guys came in.
“Put her in the shed. Let them take her blood.” Gladys screamed angrily, spittle dripping from her lips.
Claire squirmed out of the first man’s grip and kicked the second one, “Don’t take my blood. You’re supposed to be my friends.”
She ran for the door, tripping on the out-stretched leg of the woman who hadn’t yet spoken. Claire stared in horror when the woman started cackling and Claire could see that her teeth were long, sharp points.
In shock, Claire said, “Vampires. You’re vampires.”
“Give the girl a cookie,” Gladys said, “Bind this one with the special cuffs. She’s got the power of the Universe, this one does.”
Claire fought the whole way to the shed. She had a black eye and a bruised lip that throbbed. But she had broken one of the vampire’s noses with a well-landed kick, so she felt at least some satisfaction in that.
The shed was scary in a horror movie kind of way. It was dark and sinister, as if something unseen lurked in the shadows. The place smelled like the toilet. At least three others, two men and a woman, were kept in the shed and shackled. As they dragged Claire to her own shackles, she smelled blood.
Claire called out to Water, “Help me. Find Raven. Please. Help me.”
The bands were heavy and made of iron, small enough to lock around her wrists. Claire couldn’t hear Water’s reply. She swallowed away her fear and focused on anger. Raven had given her that piece of advice when they were watching a scary show about a serial killer, a show that Mom would have never allowed had she been home. Claire, if you ever get into that kind of situation, there are no rules. You become the predator, do you hear me? You’ve got the Universe’s gifts. Use them and don’t hesitate.
Claire couldn’t touch water. The vampires had done something to block her. But there had to be something she could do. Claire hated the feel of the slimy wall against her back, the cold of the wood soaking through her t-shirt and onto her skin.
She closed her eyes and focused on the metal clasped around her wrists. Metal was Earth’s child, also born of fire. Claire had little to do with either, not that she hadn’t said hello to Earth now and again or to Fire. Now she called to Earth, asking for help with the shackles.
Earth answered, but Claire couldn’t understand. Earth’s rhythm was so much different than Water. Claire called again.
She smelled the beast before she saw it. Some humans are base animals, with no more conscience than an alligator or a tiger. This creature was such. It didn’t have the cleanliness or the manner of the vampires in the Victorian house. It stunk of old blood and cobwebs.
The beast snorted, sniffing the air. Claire froze. It was so hard not to move. From across the room, another of the vampires snorted and then struck. Claire heard the gurgling scream of a woman chained to the wall, and then she was silent.
Claire prayed that Water would hurry, and that Raven would care enough to come for her.
Chapter 6
~~ Raven ~~
Raven and Jade watched a rerun of Friends without speaking. A few hours had passed since Claire’s stormy exit. Raven wanted to broach the topic, but didn’t want her head snapped off. She said, “Claire’s been gone a while. I know you’re angry, but I’m worried about her.”
With an audible sigh, Jade turned off the television, “I’m sorry. I can’t say I over-reacted, but I didn’t mean to be cruel.”
“She probably went to the ocean. Maybe we can leave a note and go looking for her?” Raven asked hopefully. She pulled a pony-tail holder out of her pocket and swept her black hair behind h
er head.
“Let me call Mom,” Jade said.
“Um…are you sure about that? Claire’s probably at the ocean. We’ll find her and Mom will be none the wiser,” Raven knew Jade. There was no way Jade would go behind Mom’s back.
She was right. Jade said, “It will just take a second.”
Jade dialed. She whispered, “Voicemail.” Then left a message, “Hey, Mom. We’re going to the ocean. I need to see something.”
After she disconnected, Raven gave Jade a friendly slap on the shoulder, “Not bad, Sis. Soon you’ll be sneaking out with me at night and cutting class.”
Jade laughed, “Don’t count on it. Two more years. Maybe I can get a scholarship to the UW.” Jade wanted to go to the University of Washington in Seattle. College fees were soaring, so during the school year Jade spent time studying when she wasn’t in sports. Wildwood Springs was a B school, so Jade played volleyball, basketball, and track. Between sports, studying, and school, there wasn’t a lot of time left over for sneaking out.
Something in the aftermath of the accident and Jade and Claire’s fight loosened Jade and Raven’s relationship. They spoke of their worry about Mom, Claire and Mindy, of the strain of keeping up a pretense with everyone they knew. They talked all the way to the beach. For Jade it was cathartic. She missed Raven, even though they shared a room. At one time, the sisters were close, but in the past couple of years, somehow they each went their separate ways.
When they got to the beach, Jade and Raven found absolutely nothing. It was late at night and the waves rolled onto the beach heedless of their search. Jade looked out over the water. “Do you really think she’s out in that?”
Raven shrugged. Knowing Claire, yes. She said, “Let’s walk down the beach a while. She might make us wait a bit.”
It was a magical night. Despite the heavy burdens Jade carried, she felt lighter now that she was under the stars, and the lovely moon listening to the ocean’s low rumble. It eased some of her anxiety. They walked in silence.
Raven spoke to Air, showing a mental image of her sister playing in the water. A gust of wind skittered in a tight circle around Raven, reflecting back an image of Claire with a group of kids. Air’s image was disjointed and swept quickly from object to object. It would make a person dizzy if they tried to follow Air’s vision for too long, but Raven knew for sure that it was Claire that she was seeing.
A Time To Kill (Elemental Rage Book 1) Page 5
