by L K Walker
“Wow, that’s cool.” Nevaeh perched on her seat, bright eyes stuck on Nate. “That means, you and Ari can get married and grow old together.”
Nate smiled, pure pleasure creasing the corner of his eyes.
“There is that too.” He blushed. Ari wasn’t sure she had seen him blush before.
For Ari, that brought only one thought—no matter what happens with us, Nate will have to watch me die. It was selfish, but she was pleased it would be that way around, she wasn’t sure she could bear losing him.
Clearing her throat, she stepped into the room and went to stand next to Nate. He placed a hand on her hip and pulled her in close. It might have been a mix of lust and looks that she fell for at the start, but as she stood next to him she knew it was his kindness that had drawn her in. Maybe it was the only benefit of her ability, being able to gauge his personality just by standing near him. He was full of compassion and love.
I can find my soul mate with my eyes closed. It warmed her insides and made her feel complete.
Ari stood under the showerhead and let the water run over her as if trying to wash her problems away. To a certain extent it worked. When she walked back into her bedroom, she found Nate, shirtless and unabashed, perched on her bed, patiently waiting for her.
“So do I finally get you to myself for the night?” The devilish grin on his face made the hairs on her arms stand up on end. She called out 'good night', kicking the door closed behind her. She thought Nevaeh called back, perhaps a sarcastic 'sleep well', but she was halfway to the bed before she had even registered the sound.
Nate rose to his feet. Butterflies looped in Ari’s stomach. He placed tender kisses on her lips, then on her neck, and made Ari’s legs want to buckle. Nudging aside the thin strap of her singlet, his kisses wandered lazily further south. Ari urged him on with a sigh laced with excitement. Threading her fingers through his hair, she gently drew his face back to hers. With his full lips in range, Ari covered his mouth with hers, her tongue lapping at his. Ari tugged at his shirt, frantic to have it off. He gently removed her hands, took a step back and removed it himself. All the while, his eyes stayed fixed on her, drinking her in. His hands trailed up over her hips, dragging her singlet up, before whisking it up over her head and dropping it to the floor. Then, he grabbed her again, his lips once against finding purchase. His hand cupped her bottom, lifting her up. Ari wrapped her legs around him. She could feel his arousal.
“Are you sure,” Nate’s voice faltered as Ari moved her hips against him. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he panted.
“Yes, I’m sure. I want this—me—it’s not stupid lust.”
“I know.” Standing there smiling, he looked more delicious than ever.
“Then, stop talking and kiss me.”
“I love you.” Nate didn’t give her a chance to reply recapturing her mouth in a tender kiss. Ari couldn’t help but smile as his lips ground against hers and he lowered her slowly to the bed.
thirty
Ari woke in the morning naked and entwined with Nate. He was awake already, and when he saw her eyes flicker open, he kissed her on the forehead.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He looked as happy as she felt.
“Sorry to leave you, but I’m going to run myself through the shower.”
He kissed her again before untangling himself and pulling on a pair of shorts. Ari, deprived of his warm body, rolled out of bed and dressed. Nevaeh was in the kitchen with a bowl of muesli and a glass of water.
“Well, I must say you don't look very well rested, which is strange seeing you have such a big grin on your face.” Nevaeh taunted her.
Ari’s grin widened further.
Before long, Nate joined them at the dining room table with his own bowl of muesli.
“So what's the plan then?” Nevaeh asked casually, but they all knew play-time was over.
“I say we draw the seether out. We just edge into his periphery, and let him know we're here. At least, then he’ll know he doesn't have a free run,” Ari replied, pitching her idea.
Not an elaborate plan but, in Ari’s mind, it seemed like the most imperative move.
“And what would stop him from taking you again?” Nevaeh asked.
“One, I will have Nate with me, and two, the element of surprise will hopefully mean he hasn't got anything planned that could work in his favour. If he does start coming after us, we just run.”
“Well, I need to go home and say hi to my parents. So I assume, if you’re tracking him, it will be safe for me to do that?” Nevaeh asked.
They discussed the possible problems with the plan and decided it would hold the least risk. They would drop Nevaeh off on the way to find the seether and pick her up again on their way back. They set down guidelines.
“I’m not a child,” Nevaeh said.
“I don’t care,” Ari replied. “Don't open the door to strangers. If you’re worried at all, just pick up the phone and call. Don't do anything stupid.” Nevaeh nodded along, looking more and more impatient as the list grew.
To draw the seether's attention, they needed to get Nate close enough for the seether to sense his presence, but no closer. They wanted to send a message—we can find you wherever you are. It was as much as a threat as anything, and hopefully, it would buy them some time while they came up with a way to stop him.
The day was grey and dreary, a slight drizzle misting the air. It wet the windscreen but too lightly for the wipers to clear properly, and they screeched on the glass, leaving streaks.
“Be vigilant,” Nate told Nevaeh as she stepped out of the car heading for home.
“This ain’t World War II, pretty boy,” Nevaeh laughed.
“Please be serious,” Ari implored. “Be extra careful.”
“I will. Stop worrying. I’ll lock the door and not open it for anyone.” Nevaeh waved and walked away.
Ari sat in the passenger seat while Nate drove through the city, her mind wandering. An image of the seether standing over her holding a jug of boiling water intruded into her mind. She shook her head slightly, imperceptibly, but enough to bring her back to the present. They found the seether in less than an hour. Ari picked up on his location and guided them towards him. Once Nate could feel his presence strongly, they knew it would be reciprocated. The seether would know they were there. After sticking around only for a minute or two, they turned and disappeared back in the direction of home. That was all they needed to do for now.
“Hopefully, that will give us some time,” Ari said.
They’d need to come up with a tactic for getting rid of him for good but, so far, neither had been able to formulate anything that came close to a feasible plan. That wasn't entirely accurate. Ari had a 'worst case scenario' strategy, but she hoped she wouldn't have to use it.
As if he'd sensed her internal conflict, Nate’s hand slid from the gear stick and onto her knee. Ari looked across at him. Without taking his eyes off the road, he gave her a heart-warming smile. She rested her hands on Nate’s and squeezed it gently. Her mood lifted. Considering her world seemed to be dismantling itself around her, right at that moment, she felt like she had some control. As if they had just redefined the boundaries.
They pulled up outside Nevaeh’s house to pick her up. The high fence and thick trees provided privacy for the house, and conversely, from where they were in the car, screened them from prying eyes inside. Nate had his hand on the door handle, ready to get out. Ari grabbed his arm to stop him, pulling him back towards her.
“Is everything alright?” he asked, his eyes fixed on hers, concern flicking in their depths. She moved close to him, leaned forward and crushing her mouth on his, a sweet release for all the tension. Memories of last night flitted through Ari’s imagination, spurring her on. His hand trailed along her back, just like it had last night. But then there hadn’t been a lick of fabric on her to dull the sensation. She wanted those hands all over her. If the gear stick hadn’t been prodding into her ribs, she m
ay have stayed where she was. The groan that left Nate’s lips when she pulled back from him mirrored her own feelings.
“I'll get her,” Ari gasped. “And then we can go home.”
She almost skipped as she made her way to the gate. Reaching through to unlatch it, she inhaled the strong fragrance of jasmine from the small white flowers creeping up the fence. The spring on the self-closing gate, in desperate need of oil, squealed as she pushed it opened. Ari looked at Nevaeh’s house. The blue front door with its red glass panels was wide open. From her position at the gate, Ari could see inside to the coat rack and the rug that covered the entrance way. Nevaeh wouldn’t have left the door open like that, especially after all their nagging. But that, wasn't what frightened her. A hand lay on the rug, not moving. And, from where she stood, she couldn’t see who it belonged to. All the skin on her body went tight, nausea flushing through her.
Ari had been standing there too long, scared to see who the hand belonged to but unable to find her voice to call to Nate. The car door could be heard opening and slamming behind her, loud enough to startle her tenuous nerves. Nate appeared by her side. He took her hand and slowly drew her in to reposition her behind him, protecting her from any danger and obscuring her view. They moved towards the doorway.
Ari swallowed her fears and stepped up next to Nate, so she could see inside. There on the floor lay Nevaeh’s mum, blood matting her hair. She was surrounded by the remains of a shattered vase. Ari ran to her and crouched by her side, conscious not to kneel on the fragments. She checked for a pulse, watching the rise and fall of her chest. She was still alive, still breathing, but out cold. Nate ventured further into the house, leaving Ari to try and rouse her.
Mrs van Houten stirred and her eyes fluttered open and snapped closed again. Sporadically, she moaned. Her eyes opened again, unfocussed.
Nate reappeared. “Mr van Houten is awake, but I can't get much sense out of him. He seems to be drugged.”
Ari nodded. Nevaeh’s mother pushed at the floor, unsuccessfully attempting to stand up, even with Ari’s help. Nate scooped her up and carried her to the lounge, placing her on the chair next to her husband.
“Ari, I can't find Nevaeh,” Nate said.
This time, Ari didn’t freeze. She was in control. Without hesitating, she picked up the phone and called the police and reported a break-in, and that two people were injured, possibly drugged. She detailed the state of Nevaeh’s parents and provided their address. Then, against the request of the emergency operator, she ended the phone call.
“We need to get out of here before anyone shows up. Otherwise, we’ll be stuck here answering questions all night. And if we’re here, we can’t help Nevaeh.”
They raced out and jumped in the car. The gears graunched as Nate slammed the car into first gear. The car left the curb like a race horse. Then, a couple of blocks later, Nate pulled over. Ari stared at him. “What…” But he’d stepped out of the car and slammed the door shut.
“Where are you going?” Ari yelled after him. His face wore a scowl, his eyes were dark and his lips thin. Ari followed him out, anxious at what he might do.
“What is it?” she tried again.
Nate locked his jaw, seemingly coming back to reality. But the sadness in his eyes made Ari’s heart break. She tried to hug him, hoping it would help, but he only pushed her away.
“It's time I tried to take him down. This has gone on for too long. Too many people are in danger. I should have done it a long time ago.” His face softened, and his hand rested on the side of Ari's face. “I’ve been selfish. For the first time, since this whole nightmare started, since the seethers came through, I’ve known what it is to be happy, as if I belong, as if I am meant to be here—with you. I didn’t want to let that go. I'm sorry.”
Ari wanted to tell him to shut up, she hated hearing him talk of fighting the seether, but he held up a hand, asking for her silence.
“There is a chance I can stop him from hurting you, your family, your friends. I have been self-indulgent for far too long. Now look what’s happening. The people you love are getting hurt. It’s time I faced him head on. It’s the only way to stop him.”
“No,” Ari yelled. His words felt like a betrayal. “You don’t get to risk it all. They’re not your family and friends. There has to be another way. What about the other sentinels?”
“We've run out of time. I’m on my own. Up until now, the seether has been limited in what he can do but, with his little lackey running around doing the dirty work for him, now I don't know what they can accomplish. I need to do this. You have to take me to him. For Nevaeh’s sake.”
Ari fell silent. He was right, they were out of choices. She checked off the options in her head. But this, Nate facing the seether alone, had never been one of them.
“Okay,” she agreed. Her head dropped in submission.
“Thank you for not fighting me on this.” He sounded a little relieved. “We need to get moving. Who knows what they have planned for Nevaeh.
“You wouldn’t do this unless you thought you could win, right?” Ari asked.
“I’ve got you to fight for. What better motivation is there?”
Nate stole a kiss, his lips lingering, making it feel final. As they returned to the car, an air of inevitability drenched her. There was no chance Ari would let him go head to head with the seether.
thirty-one
They pulled up to a mall, one that Ari had often frequented in the past. The car park was three-quarters full, which meant the shops would be too.
“We’re here—and so is the seether,” Ari said, not looking at Nate.
“Why would he have chosen a mall? It’s is not his usual method.”
“Perhaps there’s an empty storeroom inside somewhere.”
“It doesn't make sense. Why would he choose such a densely populated place? Anybody could stumble upon them or hear them.”
“Let’s get this over with,” Ari said.
They headed into the mall where they were soon surrounded by a throng of people. Ari tried to move quickly through the crowds, but it was near impossible. Nate eventually took the lead. His height and solid physique meant more people would at least attempt to get out of his way, although there were a few young girls who blatantly stayed in his path in the hope of getting his attention. Ari scowled at them as she trailed along behind.
They arrived at a cross juncture in the mall. Nate stopped and looked back at Ari.
“Which way?”
Nate had put all his faith in her. Blind faith. Apparently, he hadn't twigged that if he wasn’t able to feel the seether, he musn’t be there. Guilt charged through Ari, her stomach stirred with anxiety, she looked up at him and let go of his hand.
“That way,” she said, pointing into an offshoot of the mall.
Placing a hand on the small of his back, she urged him forward, taking a step herself to suggest she would be right behind him. Nate took off in the direction she’d indicated. Ari stayed where she was, watching as people flooded the gap between them. She waited a moment longer to make sure he kept on walking, wishing she could say goodbye, wishing she could tell him how she had fallen in love with him in the few weeks they had known each other.
With a sinking heart, she turned and walked into a small alley between two shops, heading towards the after-hours’ exit for the mall staff. A friend who worked at the movie theatre had shown it to Ari a few years back. It cut a line in behind the shops and exited back out into the car park, right next to where Ari had asked Nate to park the car. There were only a few people in the corridor, and they moved to the side when they saw her sprinting towards them.
thirty-two
Ari jumped into the car and drove out of the car park as fast as she could. The speed bumps threatened to defeat the aging car's suspension. She drove on, checking her rear-view mirror repeatedly. There was no sign of Nate. It wasn’t until she rounded the corner that she relaxed her foot off the accelerator a little, the mall
and its car park now safely out of sight.
Ari gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles. When the seether had told her of Nevaeh’s death in Melbourne, she’d been devastated. Now, the pain she’d experienced echoed like a ghost in the back of her mind. No way was she willing to feel that way again. The drive seemed to take an eternity. An endless line of lamp posts whizzed past on the two-lane road. Ari ducked in and out of traffic, trying to touch the brakes as little as possible. The car ahead was dawdling. When a spot opened up in traffic next to her, she jerked the wheel and the car lurched into the left lane, nearly winging someone's front bumper. The startled driver leaned on his horn.
Finally, she looped back around to where they had started that morning, and parked the car next to the curb outside her house. Hesitantly, she climbed out, looking around, hoping she wouldn’t be ambushed by the seether. Although it didn't matter either way, she was walking into this willingly. The seether was inside, she could sense his presence, it hit her like a waft of rotting meat. The wealth of anger with him had to be coming from Nevaeh, and she was pissed off. At least, she was alive and alert.
As there was no point concealing her approach, Ari marched up to the house. There was no escape plan this time. She would meet the seether face to face.
She twisted the door knob and walked into the entranceway, with a clear view of the dining room. The seether turned to look at her when he heard the click of the catch as she closed the door.
“Ah, Miss Arianna, how wonderful of you to join us and how very predictable.”
She stepped forward, in full view of the dining table. Three chairs were neatly pushed under the table. The other three were occupied.
Michelle’s arms were tightly folded, her eyes sunken and she looked close to breaking down. Ari looked at Nevaeh, seated side on to the front door, as she struggled to turn in her chair. It appeared they’d used half a roll of duct tape to keep her immobile. It was wound around her waist, attaching her to the chair, and behind her back it had been used to bind her hands, like a ragged silver bracelet. Her feet were restrained in the same manner and so was her mouth. A trail of incoherent mumbling came from her. Nevaeh’s eyes told the story her mouth couldn’t, and they were practically frothing. Her nose flared with every breath she took. She was furious and, as the mumbling increased, she tried to jerk her hands free, rocking the chair from side to side. A trickle of blood marked the side of her face from a wound on her forehead, just above her left temple. The seether, leaning against the table, laughed at her efforts.