Traveler (12 page)

His words filled Alex with a sense of shock, which was soon supplanted by pure hot rage.  Blue eyes flashed angrily before he grabbed the man by the collar and slammed a hard fist into his face.  “How dare you speak that way to me?  I have only known your stepdaughter since the beginning of the school year.  How dare you accuse of me of acting inappropriately with my students!  Even if they are only a few years younger than me!  You do not know me any better than you know that poor girl over there.  I don’t give a  rat’s ass what you say or think of me...but...”  He slammed the man against the door and whispered in his ear.  “Come near that girl again...say anything to upset her or ruin her reputation, and I’ll make you beg for a quick death to ease your suffering.  Asshole.”  

With that, he let Rick go and scooped up the last box, muttering angrily under his breath as he slid it into the trunk before closing it securely.  Then climbing into the driver’s seat, he glanced over at his new roomate in concern.  “Are you all right? That was a nasty fall.”

Aislin looked at him sheepishly, then grabbed his hand in concern, her soft fingers moving over his knuckles.  “Your hand...what happened...?” she looked up at him with wide eyes, her face close to him due to the confines in the car.  “And me, I’m fine.  Don’t worry about me.”

“My hand will be fine.  That ass just pissed me off...” He gave her a reassuring smile.  “Don’t worry about it, all right?  Let’s get your things back home and then we can figure out what else we need to get...well, besides a bed and bookshelves for you.”

She smiled and nodded, leaning back against the seat while they drove back to Alex’s house.  Maybe now she could start fresh; and besides, the book world was singing to her again...and she was aching to go back, however she could.

Chapter 9

Aislin spent the next few hours unpacking the belongings she had rescued from her stepfather’s house.  It seemed so odd, to be unpacking boxes and moving into a new place.  But, that was how it went.  There was something she needed to do to make things right with the librarian, though.  If he wanted the book so badly, well she may as well give it to him.  Slowly, she pulled the tome out of her purse and looked down at it, smiling softly.  

“Now,” she murmured to it.  “I don’t know how this works, but he wants you to stay with him.  That means you should stay with him, and not come back to me anymore for a little while.  Okay?”  It sounded so foolish to talk to a book.  She clutched it to her chest and exited her room, searching for Alexander.

After moving all of the boxes in the house, Alexander had retreated to the kitchen.  He was sitting at the table, a pen in his hand as he stared at the notepad before him.  They needed some furniture for her room, for one thing.  She obviously couldn’t sleep on the floor.  He wouldn’t allow that.  And she certainly couldn’t sleep in his bed!  That would lend credence to that idiot’s accusations.  Shaking his head slightly, he pondered for a moment before adding spare keys and groceries to the list.  Thank the gods the previous librarian had left him a small fortune...the costs of protecting one of those who could travel in the book.  It was the duty of a Guardian to protect one of the travelers...and Alexander could do no less.

Raising a small fist, Aislin knocked on the wall beside the entry to the kitchen.  “Hey,” she murmured.  “I...I wanted to give this to you.”  The book was right where she’d left it, still safe in her arms.  “You wanted it back, and I told it to be good, so hopefully it will listen.” She knew she was babbling, but she knew she needed to give it back to Alex in order to get his trust.

He blinked in surprise when she came to the kitchen, setting down the pen to look at her.  “That book...it will do what it wants, unfortunately.  But thank you for the thought.”  He made no move to take the book, instead giving her a reassuring smile.  “Have a seat, Aislin.  I was trying to make a list of everything we need to get while we’re out...and before you say anything, don’t worry about the cost.  I am supposed to be the caretaker in this situation.”

Aislin looked at him in surprise.  “But you don’t want me to read it,” she protested.  “And the only way to assure that is for you to keep it from me.”  She looked over his shoulder, not sitting down, to look at the list he’d created, pressing against his shoulder a little.  “Yes, but I’m eighteen.  I should help pay for this, somehow.  I’ll make it up to you.”
                “I did say that.  But as we both have seen, it likes to come back to you.  I’ll put it away if you wish.  But I have a feeling that we will find it back in your possession very soon.”  Alexander laughed softly, his eyes briefly widening when she leaned against his shoulder.  “Don’t worry about that now.  Regardless of whatever that ass has said or done in the past, you shouldn’t be expected to pay for everything a parent is supposed to give you.  Now I am not your parent...and quite honestly I have no desire to be a parent yet.  But I am a friend...and friends help each other...without worrying over whether they have to pay each other back.  Now...before we get side-tracked again, let’s figure out what we need to buy...and then later tonight I’ll attempt to answer your questions about the book, hmm?”

She laughed a little, a giggle as she sat down beside him.  “Hmm....well groceries are good, and I have toothpaste and a toothbrush, and my shampoo...so the only things I can think of are a bed and bookshelves.”  She shrugged.  “And I’m glad you see me as a friend, Alex.”  She stood and put the book back into her room, changing into jean shorts and a black halter top.  “All right...I’m ready!”

As an afterthought, he added dressers to the list before getting to his feet.  He gave her a curious look as they headed to the door.  “Hey...just out of curiosity, can you drive?”  If she could, he would have to see about getting her a spare key for his car and perhaps something to drive around in.  But he wouldn’t tell her that yet.

“I have my license,” she answered, smiling at him.  “I’ve had my license since I was sixteen.  I am a teenage girl, after all.  Can we get the bed and bookshelves first?  That way the groceries won’t spoil?” she looked at him pleadingly.

“That is the plan. We’ll get furniture and whatever decorations you want for your room.  And groceries will be last.  That way we have more time to discuss what we both like to eat and what we don’t.”  He commented, unlocking the car doors.  “Oh, don’t let me forget that we need to get copies of the keys made, alright?”

She nodded.  “Of course.  Extra copies of keys, got it.  Well, let’s see.  I’m a Gemini, I like long walks on the beach, my favorite foods are cheese fondue and Chinese food.  I like walking in the sunsets, and I hate dogs that are under 15 pounds.  Hmm...I have a severe aversion to mushrooms and seafood.”  She laughed, looking sheepish. “Sorry, tried to make a joke with making it sound like a personal ad.  It’s just...nice to actually be able to relax.”  She felt like she was interacting with a college friend, not a former teacher.

He blinked in surprise before bursting into laughter, shaking his head as he climbed into the driver’s seat.  “Nice...I agree with you on the tiny dogs and the mushrooms.  Can’t stand either myself.  I’m indifferent to seafood.  I can eat it or not...doesn’t matter.”  Highly amused, he pulled out of the driveway and headed for the nearest furniture store.  “Before I forget...don’t worry about the cost.  I want you to pick what you like, regardless of the price.  Alright?”

She nodded, making herself comfortable in the passenger seat.  Luckily, in a city like Phoenix, every store was close by.  “Okay,” she said doubtfully, as they pulled into a Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  “I warn you....that’s like giving me a loaded gun and saying don’t shoot it.  But I’ll try to keep the cost low for you.”  With a grin, she ran into the store.  She waited for him inside the store, tapping her foot like she had been waiting there for a long time.

Chuckling softly in amusement, Alex took his time, locking the car before he finally joined her in the store.  He grabbed a cart, mentally adding more things to the shopping list.  “Well now...you are the one we are shopping for...lead the way...”

She nodded and began to prowl the halls.  She wanted to find a bed first.  If nothing else was found this afternoon, she needed to find a bed.  With a frown creasing her forehead, she began to examine each bed closely.  “Hmm....which one to choose...”  Aislin jumped onto one of the beds, laying down on her back for a moment, closing her eyes to see how it felt.  “I think--” she began, and then she vanished.

Alex blinked in surprise when she vanished right in front him before cursing softly under his breath.  Damn that book! He glanced around to see if anyone had noticed her abrupt disappearance.  Finding that they had been relatively alone in this section of the store, he sighed in slight relief.  Most likely she was returned to the same place as before.  The real question was...did he rush off to retrieve her or should he pick up a few of the necessities first?
Ah damn...
Sighing once more, he left the cart behind as he stalked off to return to his car.  She would just have to settle for delivery pizza and the couch for a bed if they didn’t get back in time.

***

When Aislin opened her eyes, she was back on her bed in the cabin of the ship.  At least, that’s where she thought she was.  The rocking of the floor underneath her and the sound of waves hitting the side of the ship contributed to that conclusion.  She swore underneath her breath.  
Here.  Again.  Great.
 
The one time I don’t want to be here, it sends me right here...that bed was comfortable too.  
She looked down at her clothing and scowled.  Shorts and a halter top.  Most definitely not clothing that belonged here.  Sighing, she picked up another dress from the trunk, this one white with gold filigree across the bodice and sleeves, and dressed herself.  

The last time she had been here, God had it really only been yesterday?, she had been given a directive to deliver a dress to the woman who was in the cabin next to her.  She picked up a blue dress and put it over her arm.  Sighing, she glared at the door.  Alex had better show up again.  She didn’t even want to be here this time.  

She walked on sandaled feet out into the hallway, waylaid by the captain before she went to the other woman’s cabin, the taller man holding a small stuffed rabbit.  “Mermaid,” he said without preamble.  “Will you give this to the girl for me?  Tell her it was a gift...from her Dragon, before he died.”  

A stuffed rabbit...and someone named Dragon.  These things sounded familiar, but Aislin couldn’t quite place where.  Hadn’t she read something about someone named Dragon?  And a little girl named Bird?  She would have to look in the book again...when she made it back home.

Aislin frowned, but nodded, and continued her journey to the next cabin and lifted her hand to knock.  “Hello?” she said softly.  “I’m Aislin....I share the hold here with you.  May I come in?”  she pressed her face up against the door, listening for a response.

It had seemed like ages since the captain of the ship had visited her and told her the horrible news about her dragon.  Brileia had not wanted to believe him, not at all...but how had he even known who she had been talking of?  She hadn’t been able to reconcile that thought in her mind, and quite honestly she was beginning to lose hope.  Her eyes ached from all the tears she had shed during the night, and even now, she didn’t feel like moving.

Still, her eyelashes lifted slightly at the sound of someone knocking at her door.  She vaguely recalled the captain mentioning another woman...a mermaid or something like that...being next door to her.  She started to speak, but ended up coughing lightly.  “C-come in...”

Aislin pushed the door open, offering the young woman a small smile.  God, she was even younger than Aislin herself was!  “Hi...” she said awkwardly.  “I’m Aislin.  I brought you something more...suitable to wear.  A dress I found in my cabin.  I think it will fit you.  And...a present from the captain.  He said it was for you...a gift from your dragon before he died...”  She frowned, looking at the girl’s tear-stained face.  “Hey...are you crying?” she murmured, face suddenly contorting in concern.

Small fingers hastily wiped at the tear stains on her cheeks as she shifted on the bed, putting her back against the headboard.  Cerulean eyes swept over her visitor as she managed to give her a faint smile, her lips trembling slightly.  Her voice was no louder than a whisper as she finally answered.  “Thank you...for the dress, I mean.  It is...nice to meet you, Aislin.  I am called Bird...though my name is...Brileia.”  She didn’t bother to answer anything about crying, not really wanting to discuss why she had been so upset, especially with a stranger.

“Brileia...” She smiled, sitting on the bed next to her.  “That’s a beautiful name.  Are you upset...about your dragon?” she asked, her green eyes studying the other woman.  “I know you were upset about that last night, when the captain visited you.”  She shook her head, closing her eyes.  “I’m sorry...I shouldn’t have said that.”

A startled look crossed her face when she heard her mention him.  Brileia bit her bottom lip, letting her dark curls spill wildly in her face as she ducked her head.  “It’s fine.  Yes...I...am...upset about that.  It was difficult to hear...even if it has been said many many times before.  Until last night, I had some hope of finding him again...and I never paid any attention to what others said.  But...I’m losing hope now.”

Aislin frowned.  “Well, maybe you need to talk to your Captain a little more about this...if he met your Dragon, maybe he can tell you a little more about him...how he lived and died.  That’s what I would do.  If I’d been searching for someone for so long and found out that he was...unable to be found, I would want to find out every bit of information about him.  Did he have a special nickname for you, something that was completely his own?  Maybe you can try to have people call you that...it may bring you closer to him in the long run.  Just think of it like blogging your feelings.  You put yourself out there, and sometimes you’ll get hurt...but everyone will at least know how you feel.”