Sing For Me

by Ellabee Andrews

  “What few people realize is, that when I’m on land, I’m practically blind out of my blue eye because of a membrane that covers it, too thin for anyone to notice. I have to wear a special contact to give me some clarity, despite my brown eye having perfect 20/20. But, not only that. When I’m underwater, I can see like any other water creature, while my brown eye only provides the limited sight a human eye would.”

  Even though he says I can’t see it, I can’t help myself from staring at that pale blue eye to try and find the membrane he mentioned. But no such luck. Instead, I discover that during my examination, I have actually moved in closer to his face, leaving only an inch or so of space between us.

  Neither of us move as we hover that short distance away, and so many emotions flicker across his face I can’t decipher them all. I know I saw regret, but could that really have been longing?

  I don’t get the opportunity to obsess over that too long, as the door swings open and Sal comes barging in, extra pillows in her arms, blocking her view of us on the bed.

  Springing away as if I burned him, Arius quickly stands and takes the pillows from Sal, laying them on the bed like a gentleman, before leaving quickly.

  He doesn’t say goodnight, and neither do I, too shook from what I think we almost did. And more than that, what I wanted to do.

  Chalking up the near kiss as just my overactive imagination. I pull my legs up and move to the top where the pillows are. I ignore Sal’s raised brows and unspoken questions, and am asleep before I can overthink our conversation, complicating my life further.

  I clutch the teddy bear Kendy gave me to my chest, arms wrapped tightly around it as I lie beneath the mounds of blankets on my canopy bed. Rain is pouring outside, but that’s not what I’m worried about.

  A noise from outside my door woke me, but I’m too afraid to see what it is. The other children in my classes told me that the castle is haunted, but Kendy threatened them. He’s not much bigger than me, but when he stepped in front of me with his fists squeezed, they stopped trying to scare me.

  Now I wonder if they weren’t lying, and this time, Kendy isn’t here to protect me.

  My breath starts to come faster as the knob on my door twists slowly, almost soundlessly, but I’m able to hear it. Mama says I have ears like an elephant they work so well, but they won’t help me now. Not with the castle ghosts coming to get me.

  The door starts to swing open, and before I can see anything, I pull the blankets up and over my head, shaking hard, and I feel the warm trickle of fluid as I wet myself, fear causing me to lose control.

  Steps come closer, and I try to stay still, but I’m shaking too hard, and I begin to cry, though not loudly enough for anyone outside my big room to hear.

  Suddenly, the blanket is ripped away, and a scream gets stuck in my throat when I see a figure standing there, but it passes quickly when I spot a familiar face, that of Mr. Augustus, my daddy’s best friend.

  Smiling up at him, revealing the gap from my newly lost tooth, I go to sit up to greet him, but a flash of lightning reveals his face, and I stare at him in confusion. Something is wrong with him. He looks mad.

  I don’t even have time to protect my head when the first blow comes, hitting me right in my left ear, and I hear a pop, followed by a pain like I’ve never known before. The hit is so hard that it sends me crashing back onto my bed, and I begin to cry, cradling the side of my head, but before I can call out for help, another punch hits me right in my mouth and it starts to fill with blood.

  The blows keep coming as fast as the rain pours, and even though I’m a child, I know that he’s going to kill me. Screaming mentally for Kendy to save me, I take one last powerful punch to my tiny ribs, and the lights go out.

  I wake with a strangled gasp to the sounds of rain coming down outside, and because it’s dark, I can’t begin to guess at what time it is. With as tired as I had been, hours could have passed. But so could have days.

  I shudder as the dream I’ve just woke from plays through my mind, and I wonder if it’s real, or a figment of my imagination. It doesn’t matter which, because either way, my body shakes as it had in my dream, the fear an all too real emotion.

  Stretching, I force myself to stop thinking about the hits to my tiny body, and how I had screamed and begged for him to stop. Instead, I look over beside me and see that the pillow and blanket haven’t been disturbed. Which begs the question of where Sal slept. Pushing that thought away, for now, I stand, the hardwood floor cold on my bare feet, and walk toward the living room.

  When I wander into the nice space, I don’t see anyone, and my heart gives a hard thump as self-doubt sets in. What if they left without me?

  I immediately push the thought away. I have survived eighteen years without them, and won’t start needing them to do so now. Barney, or Bailey, or whatever the hell name he is called may have fooled me. But I won’t allow myself to depend so heavily on anyone else like that again. They can lead me to my home in Aviary, but after that, they can go.

  Sad about that thought, I grow angry and scold myself for growing attached to these strangers. They have their own lives to live, and despite what they do or don’t say, I’m just a job for them. And like all jobs, when it’s over, they’ll move on to a new one.

  Feeling stronger, if slightly dejected, I raise my hand to my stomach as it growls, reminding me that I have expended a lot of energy in the last twenty-four hours, and turn to head toward the kitchen. Gone or not, isn’t important right now. I can worry about the guys later. Right now, I need food.

  I stop when I almost reach the door, the rolling sounds of a deep baritone singing halting me in my tracks, and I find myself almost transfixed as I listen to his soulful voice. There are edges to it at times, a rasp that’s deep and earthy, but then he’ll hit a higher key that calls images of waves crashing against the reef to mind.

  It’s beautiful, and it’s deadly, but I don’t feel the pull to it like people do with my voice. Whereas I can sing, magic plays a large part in stripping the reigns of control away from my listeners. But this is something else. This is raw, sad, undiluted talent, and for the first time in years, I curse my left ear for not working and denying me a clear sound.

  “It’s lovely, isn’t it?”

  Having felt the stirring of my feathers, but too transfixed on the melancholy song on the other side of the door, I spin as a voice speaks directly into my right ear.

  Stumbling, I throw my arms up to catch myself, but I’m stopped, not by the unforgiving hardwood floor, but two strong arms wrapping around my waist.

  While I look down, forcing my breaths to come evenly, I study the two arms that still support my weight. Lean, but corded with muscle, parts of them look as if they are carved from the night sky, while other parts look as smooth as fresh spun cream.

  Not even realizing I’m staring, I startle slightly when those strong arms gently tighten around me, and as I meet Daruk’s pale eyes, I find my resolve to keep my distance from them slipping.

  “I apologize for startling you. I forgot myself and didn’t consider that you may not have heard me. I don’t mean to sneak around, but sometimes, I find it’s more comfortable to slip away and lose myself to the shadows. It’s easier there.”

  “I’ve never been allowed to be in the shadows. My life has been under the lights,” I admit, unable to break his gaze. Something about him just seems to call to me. Maybe it’s the side of me that has always been forced to perform that longs for his darkness. For the solace, he could offer me there.

  Unaware that I’m held paralyzed by his stare, Daruk leans in a little closer, but never moves his gaze from mine. “And for that, for you having been taken away from your home, I apologize. But what a shame it would have been for you to have never graced the stage, denying the world the beauty of not only your voice, but of the inner strength that shines from you, like a beacon. But more so than that, had you lost yourself in the dark, then we may not have found you.”

&nb
sp; Torn between what I’m more touched by, his calling my voice beautiful, or being grateful that they found me, my lip trembles as I try to formulate a coherent response. But as he moves in the tiniest bit more, enough to see that those white-blue eyes are outlined in a thin silver ring, the singing from before stops, and with it, the spell I find myself under snaps as I realize how close he is.

  Body tensing, I clear my throat and stand up straight, hoping my cheeks aren’t as red as they feel, and place my hand on the kitchen door. Ready to turn the handle, I stop myself and look back over my shoulder where Daruk stands, his gaze hooded.

  “Sometimes a girl needs the uncertainty of darkness, because, without it, she can never fully appreciate the light.”

  I’m not sure what prompts me to say it, but I do so quickly, and then twist the handle and step into the kitchen. I walk toward where Arius is filling plates with pancakes, the room well lit and bright, but a part of me longs to return to the shadows, where I too, can find the comfort from their easy embrace.

  Chapter Ten

  I don’t mention to Arius that I heard him singing, and he doesn’t ask if I had. Instead, I sit down to a plate piled high with blueberry pancakes, and can barely fight the urge to dig in while we wait for everyone to join us.

  Laughing at me, I reach up to make sure I’m not drooling, and Arius passes me a fork. “Go ahead and eat, Lorelei. The others will be here soon, no point in letting it get cold.”

  Not needing to be told twice, I barely use the fork as I lift the top pancake up, and practically stuff it into my mouth. And as the buttery goodness hits my tongue, I can’t stop the moan that escapes at the delicious flavor.

  Cheeks full, but unwilling to spit any back out, I know I must resemble a pufferfish as I chew, yet I don’t care. I haven’t eaten much in days, and even then, Barney had always insisted on a healthy diet as to not ruin my ‘stage’ body he’d called it.

  “I guess it’s a good thing the Aviary Kingdom doesn’t have a food shortage. Or else they’d be in trouble.”

  My eyes pop open at Kendric's sarcastic retort, but rather than drop my fork in embarrassment like my initial reaction urges, I simply raise one hand as I ball my fists up and shake it his way, my middle finger standing proud. And to show how little I care of his opinion, I finally swallow enough down to be able to stick a second large piece in my mouth.

  Surprising me with his laughter, I feel Daruk take the empty seat beside me and start eating his own overflowing heaping of food. I see this all out of the corner of my eye though, because I haven’t broken Kendric’s challenging stare. He’ll have to pry these pancakes from my cold, dead fingers before I give them up. I’ve been denied carbs for too long, and now that I’ve had a taste of them, I vow to never go without them again.

  Snorting at my narrowed eyes, Kendric finally drops his stare as he takes the chair across from me. And because he is such an asshole, I can’t stop myself from shooting my hand out quickly to grab the pancake on the top of his pile.

  I move fast, but somehow, my hand is halted before I can even make it halfway back with my bounty, and in my surprise, my eyes dart back up to where Kendric sits, smirk in place, as he holds my wrist firmly within his grasp.

  “You should never test the reflexes of a hawk,” he says, and about causes me to pass out from shock when he leans over and takes a bite off the pancake I still hold.

  He makes a show out of chewing slowly, his dark gaze locked on mine, until finally, he swallows, and with one last lick to his lips, he drops my hand and sits back, taking a drink from his glass of juice.

  Saving me from having to come up with a response, because I’d surely fail right now, Sal and Nissa come into the room, laughing at something one of them must have said. They claim the last empty seats, never once catching on to the silence that the rest of us sit in. And I’m silently grateful. Kendric seems to have the magical ability of either pissing me off, or rendering me speechless. There’s no in between.

  After an awkward breakfast where I refuse to glance in Kendric’s direction, Arius stands, and all our focus is turned to him.

  “Thank you for accommodating us on such short notice Chanissa. I’ll be sure to mention to the queen your hospitality.”

  At her full name, Nissa’s face goes red, but if Sal didn’t know it already, she doesn’t show it. Instead, she just grins broadly at her while Arius continues speaking, seemingly unaware of Nissa’s embarrassment.

  “As far as our plans, the weather is pretty rough today, but this will work in our favor. If Bailey has any of his hired guns out watching for us, it will provide us with some cover. And though I doubt he can find us all the way out here, I’d like to return to Aviary as quickly as possible. The van will be helpful too, as we have plenty of room for the five of us to travel comfortably for the next few days. I’m pretty sure Bailey has caught on by now of the involvement of your family, Lorelei, so I’d like to get further away before going to the airport. We can have the jet land anywhere there’s a big enough runway.”

  I don’t get the chance to be nervous about the trip home, because Sal raises her hand like she has a question, and at Arius’ lifted brow, she takes a deep breath before meeting my eyes.

  “Actually, it will only be the four of you traveling. I’ve talked to Nissa, and I’d like to stay here to help her run the safe house for a while. Besides, I don’t think I should tag along for you meeting your parents. Well, for what feels like meeting your parents.”

  “Sal, you won’t be imposing or tagging along. You’re my sister, and if they love me, then they’ll love you too. I don’t think you should—”

  My words are cut off as everyone but Sal and I tense up. Not understanding what’s going on, Arius motions for us all to stay quiet as Kendric and Daruk rise to join him, and they swiftly exit the room.

  Speaking low, and forcing me to read her lips, Nissa says quietly, “No one should be able to find this place. Only those spelled can, unless they know exactly where it is or travel with someone who does.”

  Understanding their concern, and piecing together that someone must be outside, I go to stand, but Arius walks back into the kitchen, face grim, and with a box in his hands. “The house is no longer secure. You need to send out word that it’s no longer a haven, and fall back to the second location.”

  Nissa doesn’t hesitate as she jumps from her seat, and with an apologetic look in my direction, Sal follows her out of the kitchen. With them gone, Arius places the box on the table, and I see what I hadn't before. A note is attached to the top with my name written in neat penmanship. The writing is as recognizable to me as my own, as it’s the same signature that has signed my checks since I started getting paid for my work at sixteen. Barney.

  Heart in my throat, I rise and step up beside Arius, hand reaching for the box, but a small touch to my elbow stops me.

  “I can do it for you. Actually, I insist that I do. There’s no telling what’s in there.”

  I consider it for a second, but then shake my head. Whatever is in that box is meant for me, and as much as I’d love to let Arius deal with it for me, I can’t. I have to face this on my own.

  He must see the resolve on my face, and sighs, but drops his hand. He may be letting me open it, but I notice that he makes no move to step back, and I don’t ask him too. My new resolve only goes so far. And mysterious boxes are pushing those limits.

  With dread pooling in my stomach, I lift the note and read what it says inside. Little Nightingale, you broke my heart by running away. So it’s only fair that you see the consequences for your actions. Give my love to Catrine.

  Confused by the mention of Catrine, I tear through the tape that binds the box, and lift the lid, a scream catching in my throat as I throw my hands up in terror.

  Seeing what I have, Arius pulls me away and takes me into his arms, rocking me and murmuring soothing words into my ear.

  I barely hear him though. Not because he’s not loud enough, but because my mind keep
s flashing on what I just saw.

  Inside that plain, cardboard box was a heart. A heart still coated in blood. And with it, tied in a black ribbon, a lock of long green and purple hair.

  Things move rapidly after opening the box, and I don’t get the opportunity to try and convince Sal to come with me. Yet, after being delivered what I believe to be Catrine’s heart, I’m not sure it would be a good idea anyway. If Barney can do that to someone I wasn’t even close to in order to send a message, then it terrifies me to think of what he would do to Sal. My closest friend.

  When the time to leave finally arrives, I’m sitting on my bed, staring at the necklace Barney had given me as a gift for my eighteenth birthday. Most girls would love to have something like this, but the beauty of it’s lost on me. Now all I feel when I stare at it is disgust.

  Sitting it aside, I lower my face into my hands. Too much has happened in too short of time, and I’m not even sure of what I want anymore. The only thing that I know for sure is that, no matter what it takes, Barney will pay.

  “Hey, Lorelei?”

  I look up at hearing my name called and see that Kendric stands in the doorway. Surprised, but too tired to argue with him right now, I just stare at him, waiting for him to say what it is he wants.

  Running his hand through his hair, he steps further in, and for the first time since meeting him, I notice that he has the smallest limp. It’s almost non-existent, but as I’m watching closely for it, I catch it.

  “It’s almost time to go. Are you ready?” he asks, his tone gentle.

  I meet his eyes as he speaks me, but at his question, I release a bitter chuckle. “Ready? What do I have to even get ready? I don’t even have my own underwear. Well, that’s not entirely true. I have this,” I say as I lift up the necklace, watching it spin as the light plays off of it. “And it came from a psychopath that beat me, kidnapped me, made me forget my family, allowed me to fall in love with him, and then literally ripped out a heart and sent it to me. This is it. This, is what my life has become.”