“No,” he says abruptly. “I’ll be fine. You don’t need to get caught up in this, okay? Just do what I told you and find Vin’s ring. I’m thinking you might want to go over the lobby pretty good. That’s where I last saw him.”
“Fine, but Zane?”
He turns back to look at me. “Yeah?”
“How is it nobody else has found these rings? If it’s been hanging out in the lobby for two years, don’t you think somebody would’ve found it by now? Especially Vin. If this is hotel…which by the way, what should I do if I run into him?”
“Who knows? It wouldn’t be in the lobby if Vin is alive—it’ll be on his hand. If you find it in the lobby, we know he’s dead. If you run into him, get your ass back in this room and stay in this room.”
“Just in case, maybe you could leave me a ring?”
“Not a chance.” He sweeps them all off the desk. “These stay with me. I can’t trust you to—”
“Are you kidding me? Trust me to what?” My face heats up. “Those rings are just as much mine as they are yours. I’m just as much a part of all this as you are. Now, leave me a ring.”
Zane looks far off. “Sorry kiddo.”
“Don’t apologize, just leave me—” The light flashes and once again he’s gone. With all of the rings.
Damn him.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sage
Finals week is a haze. I need to focus. I need to care. This is my life and my future, but no matter how hard, my mind drifts to the beach. I think about it during the day—trying to sort through what it all means. And at night…the dreams. They come every night now. These dreams that once showed up every few months during my life are my life. They’re the same—the beach, the boy with blue eyes, Lucas. Over and over we’re running along that beach under a warm summer sand, laughing and smiling. And the happiness, the joy, the elation of being in that moment is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. Like the world is right. Perfect. Like there was nowhere else I wanted to be. The beach is real. It’s all real. Now, I need to know how real these dreams are, and why I keep having them.
So, I’m stumbling to memorize facts and organize ideas and to prep for the tough equations and essays. Losing myself in the work is the last thing I want to do. Kat’s pushing me, her eyes dark around the edges from the late nights she’s been up studying. “Usually you’re the one pushing me,” she whines. “I really need you right now, Sage. We can relax next week. Spring break and all. But I need you now.”
I’m a terrible friend, but I don’t know how to be there right now. Not for her. Not for myself. My heart and my head are caught in a limbo between what is real and what is not.
When Kat first heard of my plan to spend spring break with Lucas, she had been equally thrilled and equally disappointed. She’s thrilled with how well we’re getting on. “You like him.” She always teased, but she’s bummed that I’m not going to Arizona. Stella is too, she’s called me several times in the past week to express that. My parents are not sure they’re thrilled about me going to Michigan with some guy I barely know, and they don’t know at all. “Are you sure he’s safe?” Mom asks. “That he’s not dangerous. Can you trust him?”
“Yes, he’s very nice. Can’t you trust my judgment? Besides Matt’s known him for a long time and you like Matt.” Mom and Dad have gotten to know Matt pretty well during their various trips over the past few years.
“How is Matt?” Mom asks, her voice lifting at the sound of his voice.
“Ready to pop the question, I think.”
She grows quiet and I wonder if it’s because of Hunter. I bite my lip, tempted to ask her if he’s moved on already. I don’t ask. Hunter is the past. If he’s moved on…well good for him. “That’s great,” she says. “They are a cute couple. We’re really going to miss you, but I hope you have a great trip. How exciting to see another state—although I think it would be better in the summer.”
“Yes, probably. But I’m still looking forward to going somewhere else for a change. Not that I don’t love seeing you guys…I just…”
“No, I get it,” my mom says softly. “You’re young. You should go experience new things. Like winter in Michigan. I know it’s on the top of my bucket list,” she says with the tiniest bit of sarcasm in her voice.
“Thanks Mom.”
“Well, have fun. Keep in touch. And I know your dad is going to want to meet this Lucas guy. Especially if you’re going to date him.” Yeah, I doubt that will be happening. But I’ll save that confession for another day. Right now, I just need to get to Star Harbor.
“How are your finals going?” she asks before I can hang up. Crap. That was a question I had been hoping to avoid.
“They’re good.” I hope she can’t hear my lie. It’s down to one—my bio exam tomorrow, but the first three were a struggle.
“Did you get the care package we sent?”
“Yes, thanks for the candy. And please tell Stella I loved her letter. It’s so sweet. Maybe I can get back for a quick weekend before graduation. You’re coming, right?” It’s stupid question, I know. But sometimes, I feel like a little kid again—needing reminders that my parents love me. Especially with my mom. I don’t why I feel so insecure about it—she’s been a fabulous mother.
“Tickets bought; hotel booked. For over a year now. Your dad’s so excited. Grandma and Grandpa will be there too. We can’t wait.”
“Me too. Well, I better go study. Talk to you later, Mom.”
“Love you, sweetheart.” I wait for her to hang up first, instead staring at the screen until she ends the call. A mixed feeling sinks in me about this trip I’m about to take. There’s a confidence that I’ll find the answers in Star Harbor, but there’s fear that maybe I won’t.
Instead of studying, I pack for about the third time. Picking out the right clothing—why do I even care? Am I doing this to avoid studying? Probably. But all these mixed emotions are scaring the crap out of me and about an hour later, Kat finds me on the floor surrounded by a heap of clothes, tears streaking my cheeks.
“Sage, are you okay?”
I nod. “I just don’t know what clothes to bring. I’m not good at this. What do I wear?”
She laughs as she sits down next to me. “Is that all? I can totally help you with that.” She smiles picking up a pair of jeans and throwing it on my bed. “Definitely not these. They do not accent your positive points at all.” She keeps digging through the clothes. “I knew you cared more about Lucas than you let on. And now you’re going to meet his parents. No wonder you’re so nervous. Hmm” She lifts a blouse. “This is cute—and this. It’s going to be cold, so unfortunately, you’ll have to stick to sweaters. Probably better though considering you’re meeting his parents.”
As she lays out several outfits, I wipe the tears away. I’ve never been good at picking out clothes and it feels so important somehow. Like there’s this big moment about to happen in my life and I have no idea what to wear. The craziness of it washes over me and I fall into a fit of laughter. Kat looks at me like I’m going insane. “I’m sorry,” I say breathlessly through my laughter. “I just can’t help laughing about picking out clothes to go to some small town in Michigan.”
“Well, it is important to dress nicely to meet your boyfriend’s parents.” Kat says with a serious expression. I try to hold my giggles in. If only she knew.
Lucas picks me up immediately after my early morning final the following day. “I want to get an early start,” he says. “We’re expecting snow. And the two-lane highways between here and Star Harbor don’t get plowed too fast.”
“Sure,” I nod. The snow was fun the first year, but it’s getting old. That’s one thing I love about home. Well, one of the million things I love about home. It doesn’t snow in Phoenix.
The flakes start falling by the time we’re in Wisconsin. It’s a three-hour drive to Michigan, mostly lined with trees and glimpses of Lake Superior with a handful of towns in between.
“Every town has
a bar or two,” Lucas says. “There’s not much else to do here in the winter. Star Harbor has two, one in town and one on the outskirts. The one on the outskirts is the best. Adam and I had our first drink there.”
I swallow a breath. There’s that name again. Adam. Who are you Adam and why does your name send shivers down my spine?
“Is Adam the one who lives at the cabins?”
“Yeah, that’s the one.” Lucas says. “He’s a bit moody, especially in the last few years, but we’ve been friends since we could walk. He used to spend only summers in Star Harbor. Lucky guy. But since his dad died, he’s there full-time with his mom.”
“He doesn’t go to college?”
“Nope, just works a lot. And takes care of my truck. I think I already told you about her. We call her The Babe.” A vision slams into my mind. A rusting truck, me squeezed in the middle as it bounces down the road. I gasp. Lucas glances over at me, his eyebrows drawn with concern.
Think, Sage. Think. Act normal. “Uh.” I try to calm my heart. “Why-why didn’t you bring it to college?”
“Ha,” he says. “It would never make it. Adam just keeps it to run to town every now and then. Keeps the motor running so it doesn’t freeze up and die over the winter.”
“That’s good.” I bite my lip. Thoughts roll over in my head. Why does everything sound so familiar?
“I told my parents I was bringing my new girlfriend home,” he says. “Mom’s excited, I think, but just to warn you she might not seem the friendliest. She’s worried about my heart getting broken again—like it was after Brianna.”
“I get that.” We were crossing into Michigan now, the snowfall gaining energy. “The snow—it’s really coming down hard now.” The roads are turning white, and the thick white flakes begin to stick to the windows.
“Yeah, but we’re almost there. Also, just so you know, my parents aren’t going to let us sleep in the same bed. They’re kind of old-fashioned.”
“That’s okay,” I say. “We’re not really dating anyway. Saves on the awkwardness.”
“True, but I just wanted to warn you. I’m going to take the couch though. You can have my bed.” He flips on the wipers, clearing the snow clinging to the windshield.
“No, Lucas. Really. Don’t give up your bed.”
“No, it’s okay. Really. You’re doing me a huge favor, giving up time with your family to help me out. We’ve only been friends for a short time.”
“Sometimes it feels like a lifetime.” At least in my dreams. He’s been there, I think. Him and the blue-eyed boy. But what I felt for Lucas wasn’t like what I felt when those blue eyes met mine.
“Yeah,” he says. “But you’re awfully trusting. Getting in a car with a stranger. I could cut you up and leave you in the woods somewhere on the way. Because there are a lot of woods.”
“You sound like my mom, but I told her it’s good. Matt vouched for you.”
“Matt would probably vouch for anybody.”
“True. He’s a lot like Kat. No wonder they make the perfect couple.” He guides the car onto another two-lane highway and it’s not long before patches of the lake are once again visible through the trees. Lucas’ stories fill the car. How every summer he waited eagerly on the porch steps for Adam’s mom to show up with Adam after picking him up from the airport. He talked about hitting on all the tourist teenage girls. He told me about how beautiful the northern lights are, and how Zoey spent the majority of the summers, trailing the two of them along the beach.
“She has a major crush on Adam,” he says. “Drives Adam absolutely crazy, because he can’t stand the girl. I think it’s hilarious.” Lucas pounds his palms on the steering wheel
“Adam,” I say in a low voice, the name rolling off my tongue. Saying it feels right. Like finding that outfit that fits every part of your body, like the designer made it just for you.
“Yeah, he’s the friend I was talking about. Did you already forget? Maybe I should make you a brochure of all the Star Harbor residents.” I blush. “Adam is the guy whose mom runs the resort on the beach. Well, more like cabins, than a resort. He’s moody. Takes care of my truck. Hates Zoey. Played with me on the beach growing up.”
I’m tempted to ask him more, maybe even share my dreams with him. But how would I explain that? The brief moment passes, though, and Lucas moves onto other residents. “Zoey. Works at the diner. Very energetic. Loves Adam. Liz. Manager at the diner…”
As Lucas continues, I gaze out at the trees flying by, I can only hope that the town in front of us holds the answers.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Adam
I sit on the edge of the bed and stare at the blank TV screen. Go to the lobby. Get the ring. Come back here and wait for Zane. So easy, but why don’t I feel like moving. I’m tired—too tired. Tired of this mission and tired from last night. Tired of living on the fringes of her world.
I can’t be part of it. Ever. No matter what Zane says. She’s not the girl I knew—her steps are lighter, her smile wider. She laughs like I’ve never seen her laugh before. I can’t go back there. I close my eyes and see her. I open my eyes and see her. I’m not getting anywhere. I stand up and toss the remote on the bed. Time to go find this ring.
The lobby’s pretty empty, the couple who we had scared earlier gone. There are a few people on one of the benches, but otherwise the only sound is the gentle water flowing through the fountains. I’m not sure how Zane expects me to find a ring here. There’s not really a place to look—in the fountains maybe? Everything else is so…so clean. The floors stretch out, marbled gray and sparkling in the sunlight from the ceiling glass windows.
There’s no way there is a ring here.
I cross back and forth across the lobby a half dozen times. Every so often, I glance at the counter. Monique is there, chatting with travelers, chatting on the phone, chatting with a coworker. She never looks up, not that I notice anyway, which is good. I can only imagine how long it would take for security to show up when they hear the report about a crazy guy loitering in the lobby.
I’m about to give up when a sparkle slices through my line of view. I follow the light to find the gray metal object under one of the benches. I swear it hadn’t been there before. I glance around, the handful of people on the bench are looking away. Is this the ring? How the hell…?
I take long strides, glancing in both directions, before scooping the object into my hands. Yep, the same grooves, the same stars. How can this be? Zane’s dark eyes flash through my mind as I curl my fingers around the ring. He’s hiding something. And I’m going to find out what.
The hotel room is still empty when I return, the remote still on the bed where I left it.
“Well Zane,” I say out loud as I stare at the ring. “Why are you so insistent on you being the one to see what these rings hold. Are you trying to be Mr. Savior again?” I slip the ring on. “Well, it’s my turn.”
As the magic word slip from my mouth, I’m falling through the floor into a black abyss. My stomach twists as I’m squeezed through the air, until I’m standing, my feet landing on the floor like magnets pulled together.
Pictures begin to flood my brain. Thousands and thousands of pictures. Of a different world, with three moons and two suns, and buildings reaching so far into the sky I cannot see their tops. Of one of the transporters whirling through space headed for earth. There are images of an early twentieth century, with women in large skirts and men with top hats. There is my dad and Zane’s mom, and Vin with Arch and Zarek killing Zane’s mom. Zarek pulls the bullet before passing room to room looking for Zane. Vin stops after they leave the room, bending down to face Zane beneath the bed, his eyes wide with a deep, raw pain. Every emotion, every feeling is coursing through me so fast and so hard, that I’m sure I’m going to die.
I drop from memory to memory, some of them clearer than others…
“Laris, no,” Vin says. I glance around to see my father. I’m between the two of them, my father holding a
gun, and Vin holding up his hands. They can’t see me. I’m not sure I can see me. “No, please.”
“You killed her,” My father yells. His hand shakes. “You killed her. You took everything from me. I trusted you and you killed her.” I feel like a swing, my eyes going side to side between them.
Vin takes a step back and I step back with him. Vin shakes his head, his bottom lip trembling. “No, Laris. I swear. That wasn’t me—”
“You killed her. You killed her. You thought she was distracting me. That she was getting in the way of our mission. You killed her.”
“No.” Vin’s eyes flash with fear.
“You did.” My father’s voice quivers. Is he crying? The gun wobbles again in his hand, lowering enough that Vin’s face brightens with confidence.
“Laris.” Vin steps forward. “It wasn’t me; I swear. It was Zarek and Ash. I tried to stop them, but they were insistent—”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” My father’s voice breaks and his hand drops.
“I tried to; I really did. But you wouldn’t listen to me. I told you that you needed to leave Katie. That being with her, you couldn’t keep the kids safe.” My dad drops to the steps behind him, dropping his head into his hands. I’ve never seen my father so upset, so defeated. He’s always had such a cool demeanor. But now, he’s different. Emotional. He turns his head, and I swear I see him wipe a tear away.
“Laris?” Vin steps forward again. “Why don’t you give me the gun?”
“No,” he says abruptly. “I’m still not sure I shouldn’t shoot you.”
“You need me,” he says.
“Do I?” My father looks up at him with red eyes. “Do I really need you? You act like you’re on my side, but you’ve never been on my side. You hated Katie as much as all of them. Maybe the most.”
“No, I wasn’t a fan of Katie. I didn’t think she was good for you. But after you had Aaron, I saw the pot—”
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