Fire and Ice (8 page)

A traveling squeal was all the warning I had before Abby threw herself into me, shaking my shoulders. “Okay…
truth
! Do you have
any
idea what kind of chemistry you two have? It's seriously intense. How you could keep from jumping him backstage is beyond me. Or did you…?” She planted her hands on her hips, sending the ruffles of her fuchsia dress fluttering.

“Take it easy, Abby. It. was one song.” My phony playing it cool routine wouldn't fool her.

“One super sexy hot song,” she countered. “When did you plan that? You've been holding out on me.”

“We didn't actually. It just kind of fell together. When I met him the other night, he wasn't even sure he was going. And even when he asked me to go with him, the duet wasn't part of the plan, believe me.”

Abby frowned and held both hands up in front of her. “Whoa, wait a minute. You met him once before? Like on a
date
?”

“Actually it was twice, but it wasn't a date.”

“And you're just telling
me
, your
best friend,
now?”

I rolled my eyes. “Sorry, Abby, don't be mad.” I didn't need a guilt trip ruining my perfect evening.

She crossed her arms. “Explain. Everything. And I want details.”

“
Now
?”

“Yes… Now.”

“There's not much to explain. I met him at Lemon Balm one night, and then he drove me home from my appointment two days later. End of story. This is our only date, if you can call it that… since he was only trying to save me from Brianne and too nice to back out of it.” I shrugged. What more could I say? It's not like he was into me or anything.

Abby stared at me, then over at Adrius and sighed. “He is
unbelievably
good-looking.”

“Yep. Not bad,” I said, shifting my weight from one high heel to the other.

“
Not bad
? Pop in the other contact, grandma — he's ridiculously hot!” she hollered as the music pumped louder. “How did you meet at the café?”

I scanned the hall for Adrius. If he'd get back here already, I could put off Abby's Spanish Inquisition until tomorrow… or at least until after the party. Either way, my cell would be buzzing five seconds after curfew so she could get the details of our ride home.

I spotted him by the refreshments table, cornered by three cheerleaders. One was leaning toward him in a top so low cut I was afraid
for
her that something that might spill out.

Abby picked up on it too. “Okay, now that's just wrong. Not enough they've had every guy on the football team? They have to be all over your guy too.”

I tensed. “He's hardly
my guy,
Abby.” But inside, my stomach twisted a little as I watched them. Adrius didn't seem to notice the way they were throwing themselves all over him, pawing at him like cats in heat. I exhaled a long sigh and was immediately annoyed at myself for being so frustrated. How could I possibly be jealous when we barely knew each other? There were so many prettier girls here tonight… at our school, in our town. I couldn't help but wonder why he decided to ask me. If it hadn't been for Brianne hassling me, it probably would never have come up.

“Well…” The impatient snap of Abby's French manicured fingers snapped my focus back to the present, but my eyes stayed glued to Adrius, who seemed to be politely but unmistakably trying to get away from them.

A distant ringing caught my attention. “Is that your cell or mine?” I asked fishing around in my clutch for the phone.

“Yours,” she said. “Mine plays Lady Gaga.”

“Who could be calling me now?” Neon lights lit as I flipped it open. Probably my mom, calling with late birthday wishes and death threats ready if I'd screwed up the performance.

“Just so you know — we're not done here!” Abby shouted, as I held up my hand and wandered away from the noise.

Under a ten digit number I didn't recognize was the name
St. Vincent's Hospital
. My heart skipped a beat.

“Hello?” It was impossible to hear anything over the deafening music. "Hold on." I called, rushing down the hall to the empty auditorium. Heavy doors clanged shut behind me, leaving me alone in utter silence. I took a deep breath, "I'm here."

“Lor-lei Alundra?"

The reception in here was the worst. "Yes? Hello? Are you there?" My heart twisted against my ribs.

"This is Dr. Collins — department of neurology — Dublin.”

“Dublin?” I echoed numbly as a wave of dread gripped me.

“I'm afraid I have bad news… It's about your mother.”

The auditorium was deserted, the dead silence bearing little memory of the musical magic that had taken place an hour before. Clutching my cell phone like a lifeline, the words replayed as if a recurring nightmare.
Your mother is dying. She's in a coma on life-support. There is nothing more we can do for her. She hasn't much time. You need to be here.

Memories of my childhood came flooding back. Memories of the first time she got sick. I couldn't cure her. It was the one and only time my abilities had no effect. Doctors wrote it off as a mysterious, incurable illness given how suddenly it took her over. They had only given her a few days to live. Gran and Neil had worked for hours after the lemon balm closed, concocting all sorts of pungent mixtures. And it was only after Gran had given her every last drop of the thick pea-green remedy that she got better.

I had no idea what caused her illness or its return, but I knew she could die if I didn't get there in time. That thought tore at my insides as I dialed Neil's number with sweating hands.
Pick up, pick up… Please pick up.
Neil was the only other person alive who knew about Gran's secret book of herbal remedies. It went to his voice mail.
Crap
. My fingers flew across the keys as I texted a message. ‘
it happened again. mom's illness came back. she's in hospital, critical. need gran's blend. assemble stuff. getting vervain, meet me at LB 2nite asap.
'

I hit send, hoping he checked his messages for a change, and I staggered back to the reception. It seemed different now… foreign… my darkening mood noticeably out of tempo with the partiers.

“Hello… Lorelei, right?”

“Yeah?” I looked blankly into a face I'd never seen before. A short rotund man, the only one in the place dressed in a three-piece suit aside from the judges. He stuck out a plump hand, with more rings than I could count. I glanced at the program rolled in his other hand and his face broke into a jovial smile, accentuating his double chin.

“My name is Howard.”

That name seemed familiar, but with everything going on with my mom, it was hard to focus.

“Hi,” I replied, sounding unintentionally rude.

“Great performance tonight. Is your mother here?” he asked, craning his thick neck. “Or Camilla? I haven't seen them.”

Oh, right… the talent scout. “No. Actually, she's… touring.” I swallowed. “And concerts aren't Aunt Camilla's thing." My stomach tightened. I had to get out of there.

“You have an impressive voice. It's quite a rare gift. Who was your duet partner?”

I searched for an escape. It's not that I wasn't interested in a music scholarship, but college was still another year away, and Mom needed help now.
No time to talk… gotta get my jacket and purse. Find Adrius and make up some excuse for leaving early. And this dude seriously needs to stop talking already.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, Howard, but I'm in the middle of a bit of an emergency, and I have to find my… date. Could we talk some other time?”

He chuckled. "Of course, of course… I remember what it's like to be young. A little boyfriend trouble." He winked.

Why was it always so obnoxious when people winked?

"Not to worry.” He pulled a card from his jacket inside pocket.

His suit looked well-made and expensive, like the gold, diamond-studded watch he wore. It was rare to see so much bling in Drearyton, especially on a man. “Here, hold onto this and we will talk some other time.”

"Thanks," I muttered, and then whirled in circles to search for my things.

The room was spinning. Or maybe it was just me. Finally I spotted my jacket slung on the back of a chair near the glowing red exit. I decided to leave a message with Abby who was flirting shamelessly with the football coach's son. This way Adrius would know I had to leave and didn't just ditch him.

I spun around and slammed into Adrius. Cherry liquid sloshed out the plastic cups he held up high to keep from spilling them. Music swelled from a live band playing a medley of tangos, while couples young and old swayed and twirled on the makeshift dance floor. They weren't particularly good — the musicians or the dancers — ironic considering the venue.

“Oh, sorry. Did I hurt you?”

“No, I'm fine.” He exhaled setting the cups on a speaker. “Humans can survive on just one lung, right?” He clutched his chest in mock breathlessness, but as he studied my expression his smile faded. “Are
you
okay?”

“Not really,” I mumbled, still too shaken to come up with a plausible explanation. “But I have to go. Now.”

“What? Where?” Worry lines creased his forehead.

“I can't explain.” I made a beeline through the crowd for my coat having to weave through bodies revolving on the dance floor. As I yanked my arms into the sleeves, Adrius caught up with me.

“You're running… from something, or someone… or me. Tell me which it is. Please.”

“I'm not running. There's just something I have to take care of. It's complicated.” I tried to leave but he stepped in front of me.

He looked down through thick lashes. “Whatever it is, I can help.”

“No, you really can't.” I slung my bag over my shoulder, accidentally hitting his chest in the process.

He folded his arms. “How long are you going to live in fear, Lorelei?”

Swallowing hard, I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze head on. “You have no idea what you're talking about, so just back off.”

“I know what I see,” he goaded.

“And what is that?”

“Someone who's scared… too frightened of being seen, of being judged, to let herself be the amazing girl she is.”

“Oh, and you think you know me so well after spending a few hours with me?" I snapped. "What did you do, ransack your father's case studies, read my file? Well, he's a quack, and you're delusional.” I shoved past him, out the back doors. The cold air hit me, stinging my forehead. It wasn't like me to be so defensive, but stress caused strange reactions and it was like he was deliberately pushing my buttons.

Adrius followed. “And so she runs and hides herself away from the world.”

Stopping, I inhaled a deep breath, letting the cold soothe my anger. Outside in the night air, the music and laughter lingered, fading slowly as the heavy doors groaned closed. It clicked shut, cutting off all sounds of life completely.

I turned to face him. “Why are you here, anyway? You could have pretty much anyone at this school. Why are you here… with me?”

“Because I find you fascinating.”

I searched his face to find a trace of sarcasm. There wasn't any.

“She draws, she sings, she heals. One has to ask oneself is there nothing this girl cannot do?”

“And is there?” I held my breath.

“That remains to be seen.” he said with a captivating look. His eyes shone into mine in a way that was too intense, too inviting, too intimate for me not to look away.

I sighed, closing my eyes. The fight had drained out of me, leaving me exhausted and cold.

"I have to go.” It wasn't the best idea to go wandering in the woods at night, but there was no other choice. “Good night, Adrius.”

”Lorelei… slow down. I'll drive you.”

“No, I have to walk.” I broke into a jog, racing through the field toward the dense wall of trees silhouetted against the full amber moon.

Where was I going to find Vervain this time of year? I knew my chances were slim, but the blend Gran used to save Mom the last time called for freshly picked Vervain. I had to find some. I ran faster. Moist air filled my lungs, laced with the familiar yet strange scent of thyme.

So lost in my thoughts as I entered the woods, I didn't realize I was still being followed. My heel caught on a rock, and I pitched forward, but before I could hit the ground, strong arms were there to catch me.

Adrius.

“Why are you following me?” The irritation in my voice surprised me.

“Why won't you let me help you?”

“Because—” I stumbled. “I told you, it's com—”

"— Complicated." He placed himself in front of me, so close it seemed there wouldn't be enough air for us both. “But you're obviously upset, Lorelei. You're wandering in the middle of a forest. At night. All dressed up.” He motioned to my little black dress which was now splattered with mud and dust. “And you're looking for something. Something I can help you find."

I stared long and hard for a moment. His face looked more angular bathed in the cool moonlight. Chiseled, like a mythological god carved from stone. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes I couldn't place.

I felt a shift. It was a physical sensation in my mind. In that moment, I knew he could help. It wasn't clear how, or why, or even where the knowing had come from. But I knew I had to trust him.

“Vervain. I need to find Vervain.” I inhaled, realizing I'd been holding my breath. “For my mother.” Warm tears stung the corners of my eyes. “She's…”

“In a coma… I know. And you'll need more than just Vervain if you want a permanent cure.” He placed a hand on my cheek to brush away a tear.

Again I shook my head numbly. How was he doing this? I peered up at him. “Are you psychic or something? Is that how you know so much about me… about my life?”

His brows furrowed briefly, as though struggling with a reply, but he didn't answer. “Lorelei, listen to me carefully. If you come with me, I can help you. Do you trust me?”

“I… I don't know,” I finished, biting back the impulse to say yes. I stared at the ground, trying to rein in the emotions threatening to overcome me. I wanted to trust him, wanted to say yes. But a sharp tang of herbs filled the air on a sudden cold breeze, burning my sinuses and leaving me chilled by more than just the night air. Why was it so comforting and so terrifying? In that instant, everything about this night became unnerving. The way he subtly changed in the moonlight, becoming more beautiful, more ethereal, more haunting. The sound of dried leaves crunching underfoot, though spring had just arrived. The invisible eyes I felt watching us from the darkness.

A wisp of light dashed by. When I looked for it, there was nothing… just the inky void, leaving me vulnerable and exposed.

Adrius held out his hand and I took it blindly, shoving aside the weird sensations. He held it gently but firmly, the way Gran used to when we went to the carnival and she didn't want to lose me in the crowds. Only then I was struggling to break free. Tonight, in this blackened forest, I felt compelled to hold on tight. Because even though it was just the two of us, I couldn't shake the disturbing sensation we were not alone.

We strolled in silence for a while, as Adrius led me through the forest with surprising ease. It amazed me how comfortable I felt just being next to him. He felt warm, safe, and electric. Like touching him sent a low voltage charge straight up my arm, but in a good way — a very good way.

There was no trail to follow, and yet he led us through waist-high brush on a path that seemed to form itself with every step we took. If it weren't totally insane, I'd swear the densely tangled branches parted to allow us through, and then sealed themselves behind us. My foot caught on a vine, and I lurched forward. These boots were definitely
not
made for hiking. With his usual finesse and speed, Adrius caught me, lifting me upright just inches from his face. I was steady on my feet, so there was no reason for him to keep his arms wrapped around me for as long as he did. A shudder ran through me, and tiny goose bumps lined my arms. Finally, and regrettably, he let go. His hand found mine again and there was a wave of relief that a part of me was still physically connected to him.

I cleared my throat. “How do you know so much about healing plants?” I asked, more to distract myself from the slight numbing sensation in my hand and the creepiness of the mist now swirling at our feet.

“I've done a lot of research. Do you know any of the history of this forest?”

“Everyone has heard the legends, but I wouldn't exactly call them history.”

“No? Why not?”

“Well, for one they're all made up… based on fairytale and fantasy.”

“And you don't believe in fairytale and fantasy. Or in people who can just do things.” He glanced over his shoulder at me. “Unexplainable and miraculous things…”

I had to stop and think. “I guess I believe more than what most people are willing to accept. I mean, how do you explain what I can do? But, I think you have to draw the line somewhere.”

“And where do you draw that line, Lorelei?”

“Honestly. I don't know. But I don't buy the stories about people disappearing in an enchanted forest, taken by the trees, their roots dragging them into the underworld to exist in purgatory forever and ever until the end of time. It sounds like the lamest horror movie plot ever written.”

A branch snapped suddenly and I jumped. My fingers clenched tighter around his hand.

Adrius laughed.

“Are you telling me you believe in fantasy and fairytales?” I asked, turning the tables.

“I believe in everything,” he said in earnest.

“How very liberal,” I scoffed.

We trampled through the ankle deep piles of leaves as the temperature continued to fall. I was freezing, and my feet were killing me. The black high-heeled boots were uncomfortable enough walking on stage, but they were completely useless for a midnight hike through the woods. The winds had picked up and the light jacket I wore didn't offer much protection from the rapidly dropping temperature. More leaves drifted to the ground, crunching beneath our steps. Clouds covering the moon passed, lighting the forest once more, illuminating trees which were almost bare. The few remaining leaves tumbled to the ground with each chilling gust. Leafless branches reaching like skeletal fingers against the yellow moon, a perfect Halloween backdrop — except it was May, not October.