Ripples (DROPLETS Trilogy Book 2) (14 page)

     “It’s that obvious,” he said and gave a half-laugh.

     I didn’t say anything and my heart pumped loudly in my chest. I hadn’t really expected him to respond at all to my words, let alone admit to it. What I had said was more wishful thinking, than what I really truly believed.

     “I have a question for you though,” he paused and then asked, “What did you mean when you said our fates were tied together?”

     It was my turn to be surprised. I’d forgotten I had said that to him.

     “I can’t tell you that,” I said and looked down at my fingers, feeling a clamminess reach my hands as I concentrated on keeping my buried emotions at bay.

     “You mean you won’t tell me?” he said softly, and I nodded. “Why?” I could hear the curiosity in his voice, the nudging gentleness tried to get me to speak. His voice was softer than I had ever heard it.

     I shook my head, I couldn’t tell him, at least not until he was away from Morven. If I told him the truth he wouldn’t believe me and that would be worse than having Patrick dead. To tell him who he really was and to have it denied from his lips, would be more than I could bare. I hardly managed to keep myself together every time he left, adding his denial, would be too much. The memory of my nightmare filled my mind and I shied away from it.

     Zale heaved a frustrated sigh and sat down on the opposite end of the couch. I felt the cushions dip beneath his weight. We sat in the silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts. I pulled my knees up to my chin and wrapped my arms around my legs. I noticed Patrick’s bracelet on my wrist and thought of his smile. I recalled his face, and the memory of him giving it to me. I could see the lights in the trees and remembered the weightless feeling, as he pulled me around in the dance with him. But the best feeling was the safety I’d felt in his embrace.

     “Thank you,” I said suddenly, breaking through the stillness of the room. The warrior turned to look at me, confused. I crossed my legs again and held out my wrist. “For the bracelet.”

     He nodded, but I thought I saw the corner of his mouth twitch, when he looked at the smooth stones on my wrist.

     “If you don’t mind my asking, where did you get it?” I was curious, wondering if Morven had given it to him with another lie.

     “I found it in my room, it was on the floor beneath my bed.” He waved a hand as if it were nothing. He had no idea how much it really meant. “I thought you would like it.”

     I nodded and looked down. Even though I knew he didn’t remember, a part of me was still waiting for that spark. For something to remind him, even if it was just the tiniest recollection, that I was his and he was mine.

     “So how did you come to be on the Lathmorian’s side? Lord Morven told me of how he found and changed you.”

    
Interesting.
I’d thought everything Morven had told Zale was a lie. I cleared my throat and explained, “After I was changed, I ran away from home and swam for a few days without eating or sleeping. The Lathmorians found me and took me in. They were kind to me and I became friends with the princesses.” It wasn’t the truth, but it got the point across.

     “You personally know Princess Shaylee and her sisters?” Zale sounded incredulous and I looked up to see that he was staring at me in disbelief.

     “Yes, Kryssa is my best friend. Why?”

     “I thought you would be with nicer merfolk than that,” he shrugged and looked at the wall again.

     “What do you mean? Kryssa was kind enough to risk her life, to come here and warn me about you. She cares that much for me.”

     “Or the Lathmorians just wanted you to come back, so they could use you as a weapon.” He said, as if it were a matter of fact.

     “No, they were the ones to get rid of me.” I shut my mouth tight, angry, I had said so much.

     “What?” He turned his full gaze on me, his eyes roving all over my face.

     “Nothing,” I said, trying to stay calm. My heart was beating rapidly in my chest.

     “No, you just said they got rid of you.”

     “Fine,” I snapped at him. “They did, does that make you happy?”

     He lapsed into a deep silence, with his brow creased in concentration. I silently cursed myself for not keeping my mouth shut. These were the eyes and ears of Morven, and I was letting him know I was completely free of protection.

     “So,” Zale spoke after a long silence. “The Lathmorians don’t want you anymore, you don’t want to be one of the Hyven, and yet you don’t fit in as a human. Where does that put you exactly?”

     “I don’t know,” I said and sighed heavily. “I thought I had it all figured out, until, well, never mind.” I had been about to say until Patrick died, but realized it was best to keep him out of the picture.

     Again the quiet fell between us and I looked around for the clock. It was late, or rather very early in the morning.

     “You won’t choose a side?”  His question was simple, but I could hear him trying to bait me again.

     “I’ve already chosen a side; it’s just the majority of them find me dangerous.”

     “They find you dangerous?” Zale laughed and looked heartily amused; it annoyed me.

     “After what Morven did to me, yes, they find me dangerous.” My eyes were burning into his, with the anger I felt for Morven.

     “He didn’t do anything to you; all he did was change you.” Zale shrugged his shoulders, as though it was a trivial matter.

     “Yes, but he did it against my will.” The smile from Zale’s face disappeared and he stared at me suspiciously, not really sure if I was telling the truth. I decided to inform him further. “He didn’t even give me a choice.”

     He was stunned, for a moment, but it was soon replaced by anger. I wasn’t sure if he was angry at me or Morven, but slowly, the wrath abated and his jaw relaxed.

     “That shouldn’t have happened to you,” he said calmly. “I’m sure there was a reason.”

     Part of me wanted to argue with him again but I decided against it. It wasn’t worth it. He was brainwashed, in his mind, Morven could do no wrong.

     “Well,” I said and got up from the couch. “I’m going to go back to bed. Sorry I woke you.” I turned to leave when he didn’t respond.

     “Lissie,” he said and I turned back to him. His face looked different, as though he desperately wanted to tell me something, but quick as a flash the moment disappeared. There had been something burning in his eyes as they had rested on my bracelet, but just like the passing of a streak of lightning it disappeared. I shifted uncomfortably, as I watched him retreat back into his usual hard gaze. “Goodnight.” 

     I bobbed my head and left quickly, not entirely sure of what had just happened.

The following days passed by with little excitement, each one making me realize just how much danger I was in. It didn’t matter where I went, I always had my dagger strapped to my forearm. I even kept it on when I slept, which was the only time Zale wasn’t by my side. At night he stayed downstairs while I attempted to get some sleep without him near. Having him by my side was at first comforting, I felt protected in a way I never had before. Most of the time I talked to him, but it was of trivial things such as the weather or about the boats in the harbor. More than anything, he wanted to know about my family. To him, my siblings were a mystery and I wondered if he had ever seen a child before his coming here. Of course, his old self had, but the warrior who was now my guardian seemed to regard them with great suspicion.

     As the days passed he grew silent and there was nothing I could do to coax him out of his dark mood. Most of our time was spent outside the house where we often went on walks, which led to the outskirts of town where no one would recognize me. We also took Sean’s truck out for a drive more than once. Again, Zale had taken the wheel and although he drove just as fast, I was beginning to grow confident in his abilities and allowed him to drive wherever we went. The moments we spent in the truck were ones where the closeness of the night I had seen his back returned, but only mere moments. Ever since that night, he had been careful around me. Whenever I asked anything about the Hyven he changed the subject, and aside from his questions about human things he barely spoke at all.

     Even now, as I mastered the new throw he had taught me, he remained silent. He was especially quiet as the sun began to dip in the sky and with each throw his scowl grew more pronounced. Every attempt I made to get him to talk had failed and I found myself annoyed with him and ready to leave his company for the evening.

     While I threw the knife, he simply stared out at the ocean and ignored my presence. It wasn’t so much his ignorance, but the manner in which he sat, unmoving, that bothered me. Aside from the slight rise and fall of his chest, he could’ve been a statue. I was careful to point that out to him, but he disregarded my joke.

     When it started to get dark, we headed back to the house and I got ready for the movie. I knew Zale wasn’t happy with me for going, but I figured he would have to get over it. I realized there were dangers now surrounding me but I couldn’t let that stop me from living. In reality, I knew it was more about my stubbornness toward his silence. There was some pleasure I took in making him mad at me, simply because he made me angry. It was childish, but true.

     Prancing down the stairs after showering and changing in under twenty minutes, I looked for Zale to tell him I was ready to leave. Part of my mind remembered how it felt to get dressed up for someone. To want to look beautiful for them, but I shoved that thought aside. Patrick couldn’t be dwelling in my thoughts while I was with Zale. For some reason, I had the feeling he would only make fun of me if he knew the truth and it made me feel vulnerable and weak.

     Zale was standing in the kitchen, leaning against the counter waiting for me. His eyes did a once over of my outfit before he looked away. I made a face at him when his head turned, still annoyed with his constant nonchalance.

     “…it really is a gorgeous place, but there have been plenty of other cities that I just loved.” Jillian was chattering away to Zale, while she was making the beginnings of dinner. She stopped talking and looked over her shoulder at me. “Oh good, you’re ready. I didn’t think you could get dressed that fast, but I guess I was wrong.” She smiled warmly and I shrugged.

     “One of my many talents,” I said and she laughed.

     “Well, you better get going. The movie starts in about fifteen minutes, right?” I nodded and raised my eyebrows at Zale.

     He leaned forward and walked over to the coat rack to shrug into his jacket. I turned to follow him when Jillian said, “Here” and tossed Sean’s keys to me. I caught them and thanked her.

     Zale opened the door and stepped outside not bothering to hold it open for me, it almost hit me in the face.
Such chivalry
, I thought and bit back a rude remark and marched through the slushy, old snow. I clicked the beeper to Sean’s truck and hopped inside without looking at Zale.

     He slid into the driver’s seat and sat down. From the corner of my eye, I saw him hold out his hand for the keys. I chucked them in his direction, hoping they would fall to the floor and he would have to pick them up, but they didn’t. Instead he grabbed them out of the air as if I had lightly dropped them in his palm.

     I glanced at him to see if he got my point and saw a hint of a smile on his face for a fraction of second; that only made me angrier. He started the truck without a glance in my direction and flicked on the lights. The engine roared as it had the day he had first driven, and he took off down the driveway at an alarming rate. I hoped Jillian wasn’t watching.

     We rode in silence for the next few minutes and I busied myself looking at the fast passing trees that whipped by the truck. Finally, I couldn’t hold my tongue any longer.

     “Would you slow down?” I asked, my words harsh even to my ears. He’d hardly spoken two words to me today and I had had enough.

     I waited to see if he would slow down, but he didn’t. It was as if I’d never spoken.

     “What is your problem?” I said, badgering him again. 

     For some reason I wanted to argue, a part of me knew I just wanted to make him talk, and if it was him yelling at me, that was better than silence.

     “You,” he said after a moment.

     “Why? What have I done?” I asked, he gave a short laugh and shook his head. I was a little surprised he’d answered so honestly, but then again this was Zale. I knew what I had done to annoy him, and wanted to push it further, but common sense told me to lay off.

     We didn’t speak for the rest of the trip except for me giving him directions to the downtown movie theater. He pulled into the parking lot and I looked around. The familiar old theater glowed, its exterior reminiscent of the 1920’s with florescent lights, even though it was actually recently refurbished.

     The sky was getting darker, long shadows stretched across the cracked asphalt and movie-goers walked briskly in the cold to the ticket booth. The wind was strong, causing everyone to huddle in their jackets and I knew the ocean must be raging with white caps. The wind was stronger down here, right next to the ocean. In fact, the back of the theater was only a short walk from the shore.

     “All right,” I jumped out of my skin when Zale’s deep voice broke through my thoughts. “You get out and get inside as quick as possible. Find your group and stay with them no matter what. When the movie is done, say goodbye to your friends and walk straight to the truck. Understand?”

     The doubts I had felt earlier crept back into my mind, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. I bit my lip and could feel my heart rate accelerating by the minute.

     “Maybe we should just go back,” my voice was feeble in the truck and I didn’t look at Zale. “It’s not worth it, I could care less about this stupid movie and I don’t care if Laura gets mad at me for bailing out.”

     It was silent after I stopped talking and I glanced to my left to see if Zale had heard me. His eyes bore into mine and he had a strange expression on his face. It reminded me of the look he had given me the night I thanked him for the bracelet.

     “Did you hear me?” I asked, not really sure why he was looking at me in that way. “I said we should just go back home. There’s no point.”

     Zale turned his head and stared out the windshield, “I think you should go.”

     “Why? You were so adamant the other night?” My hands moved in wide gestures.

     “I know,” he said and looked down for a second. “But I think you deserve a life. And not one where you stay inside, afraid of every little sound.”

     I stared at him with my mouth hanging open not believing the words he’d just said.

     “Go ahead,” he motioned with his hand toward the theater. “I’ll be waiting.” He finally turned his eyes to mine and held my gaze.

     “Thanks,” I said and hoped he realized it was more for his understanding than his waiting. He gave me a slight nod and I hopped out of the truck quickly.

     The wind grabbed at my hair. I felt the tug of it trying to coax the loose strands into whipping around my head, but it only rippled, while my jacket was torn open and flapped around my body. Zipping up my coat, I stuffed my hair into the back of my jacket and threw the hood over my head. In wind such as this, my hair would be more noticeable than usual if anyone was paying attention. Remembering there could be someone out there looking for me, sent chills up my spine and I hurried forward. 

     After buying my ticket, I entered the warm theater, smelling buttery popcorn, and spotted a large group of teens. Jessie noticed me first and called out when she saw me. The group turned and there were other greetings to which I responded with a smile.

     My eyes scanned the group, and it was almost laughable how I could jump from the dangerous threat of the world of merfolk to this human world. Jessie was standing next to Ryan who was desperately trying to open a small carton of Milk Duds and failing miserably. Chelsea was talking loudly to Hannah about the weather and how it was messing up her hair, while Hannah looked as though she could care less. Trey stood to the side talking to a boy I didn’t know, but by his cocky stance, I ventured a guess he was a jock. Eric and Adam were standing near Jonathan and his girlfriend Brittany, and I could hear them conversing about some new movie they couldn’t wait to see. I caught Jonathan’s eye and moved through the group over to him.

     “Hey,” I said to both him and Brittany; she smiled warmly.

     “Hey,” Jonathan said. “I thought you weren’t going to make it in time. Laura was about to have a fit.” He smiled knowingly.

     “Where is she anyway?” I said looking around, just now realizing I hadn’t seen her.

     “Over there with lover boy getting popcorn. You missed it though, she only had to whine for like five minutes to get some.” Jonathan smiled and Brittany nudged him, to remind him what he had said was rude, but I couldn’t help but notice she was trying not to laugh.

     I snickered and watched as Laura came walking over with a bounce in her step. She was definitely pleased with her handy work. I sighed internally.

     “Is she here yet?” She looked around and saw me, while I tried to ignore Joey’s insistent eyes that were trying to get my attention. I knew he wanted to make me feel uncomfortable, and he was succeeding, but I wouldn’t let him know that.

     Laura looked around and her lips moved softly as she mentally tabulated everyone’s presence. Then with a loud clear voice, that allowed the entire theater to hear, she shouted. “Everyone’s here! Let’s go!”

     She grabbed Joey’s arm and pulled him behind her. We all followed, and I couldn’t help but laugh a little and I noticed Brittany and Jonathan’s shoulders were slightly shaking. At least I knew who I would be sitting with.  

     Two hours later our large group walked out of the theater chattering on about certain parts of the movie. It had been cheesy and mostly stupid, but some of it was funny enough to make me laugh along with the others.

     Jonathan was already imitating the leading man of the film when we stepped outside into the cold air. I couldn’t help but think the wind had picked up even more, while we were inside. I hurriedly tucked my hair into the hood of my jacket again.

     “Bye guys,” I said, mainly to Brittany and Jonathan, but I got some goodbyes from the rest of the group as well. Through the darkness, I spotted the truck right where it had been before and walked straight toward it.

     I reached the truck, but didn’t look inside; I didn’t want Zale to be mad at me for stalling. Yanking on the handle, I hopped in a fast as I could and sat down.

     “All right we can go,” I said, just after I buckled my seat belt. I glanced over to my left when I didn’t hear anything and gasped. Zale was gone.

     The seat beside me was completely empty. My heart started pounding heavily, where did he go? He’d said he was going to wait for me, that he wasn’t going to go anywhere. I had the feeling he never went astray from a plan. He always did what he said, at least when concerning my safety. Of course, the only reason he was worried about me was because of Bolrock. In his mind, Morven wasn’t dangerous and could keep me safe. I laughed to myself at that thought and then bit my lip nervously.
Where are you?

     Part of my mind wandered and a nudging fear took hold. What if it was a trap? What if Zale had finally given up on changing my mind? What if he had set this whole plot up all along? Tears threatened to fill my eyes as I tried to shove the thoughts aside, but it all made sense. Maybe, there really wasn’t anyone out there last night. Maybe he had made it all up to scare me. He could be getting Bolrock right now.

     By now my heart was hammering away so fast, I thought it was going to bust out of my chest. I didn’t know what to do or where to go. I couldn’t leave in the truck, Zale had the keys. If I went outside, I was sure to get caught. Why had I agreed to this plan in the first place?