The Sea Archer

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The Sea Archer Page 14

by Jeny Heckman


  “But we don’t need all of that. Didn’t we agree we’re changing things up?”

  “I thought you meant your makeup,” he evaded and looked at her like she’d turned blue. “No Raven, we have a formula that works.”

  She stopped writing but still poised over the papers and looked up.

  “When we talked, I told you I was hoping to go more organic. I’ve said that all along, Jason.”

  “Organic? What does that even mean?” He saw the look on her face and appeased her almost condescendingly. “I’ve done a lot of thinking on this, but you’re right. We may need to make some changes. How about we compromise? You work on hair, makeup, costume, and maybe even some set decoration. Okay? All you. I won’t say a word.”

  “But…”

  “Okay, fine, we can even consider new backup singers and some choreography, but that’s as far as I’m willing to go right now.”

  “Um,” she said, shaking her head numbly.

  Maybe she was just wrong. She did pay him to know this stuff. Donovan had indeed understood what he was doing. Raven felt as if she could no longer tell what was real or fake, right or wrong, or even up or down.

  “So, what are we thinking about for timing? Jason asked, “If we have too many changes we’re going to take longer to roll out the package, and we need to stay relevant.” She frowned in irritation as if her talent was that of a young starlet, new to the industry. “We’re going to need at least a month for new set designs and promotion, maybe two if we get new choreography.”

  They worked into the afternoon, making plans. By dinnertime, Jason had convinced her it was in her best interest to stay in his company for the evening. She’d said yes to dinner just as her cell phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, Raven saw Finn’s number. Her stomach roiled with unease.

  “Hi.”

  “Hey. How ya doin’?” he asked in a warm, resonant voice. “Good day?”

  “Yeah, busy.” She paused and looked at Jason, who was glaring at her. “In fact, so busy I think I won’t be able to get away tonight for dinner.” When she heard nothing but silence, she asked, “Finn?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It’s just Jason’s here,” she confirmed, “and I’ve got to get some stuff figured out before he goes back.” She turned and took several steps away from her manager. “Plus, maybe we should think about things a little. We’re moving pretty fast.”

  “Yeah, okay. I’ll see ya around?”

  “Finn?” She held the phone with two hands. “Finn?”

  When she heard nothing, she lowered her hand and looked out across the yard, thinking maybe Jason was right. He sure hadn’t put up too much of a fight.

  “All set?” he asked when she walked back in. “Okay. Well, let’s go get something to eat and just have a good night then.”

  They ate dinner in the dining room of Jason’s hotel and talked about his dad and the people they knew back home. He said he’d seen Que with Abby once and received a call from Donovan again.

  “What did he say?”

  “He’s got Caprice Starr emceeing for you.”

  “Oh, how perfect.” Raven raised her head, genuinely happy. “I haven’t talked to Caprice in ages. It’ll be great to see her again.”

  “He also signed Lanie Hart,” Jason continued.

  “Lanie Hart?” Raven stared at him. “She dots her I’s with a heart and plays to teenagers, Jason.”

  “Your core group is teenagers and young adult too. At least it was, and you need to stay close to that group as we transition.” When she started to protest, he boomed, “Damn it, Raven, this is why you pay me!” She jumped at the tone. “Stop fighting and second-guessing everything I say and trust me, for Christ sake!” He paused a few moments, looked around the crowded room collecting himself.

  “Let’s get out of here and walk on the beach. It’s quieter out there.” Without waiting for her reply, he signaled the waiter, and soon she was removing her shoes and stepping onto the soft, bleached sand.

  “Sorry I yelled,” Jason said, as they walked. “I want to do this right too, but I really do need you to trust me.” When she didn’t say anything, he gestured to some beach chairs, and they sat down. “It’s peaceful here, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, it’s exactly what I needed.”

  He reached out and made small circles on her back.

  “That’s good. Do you miss performing yet?”

  “I guess…”

  “But?”

  “But I feel like every aspect of my life has been off balance since I signed my damned divorce papers and I hate it. I really want to incorporate more of me, and less of him, but I feel like no one’s listening to me. I mean it is my show, right?”

  “You want to play your music?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay,” he said, standing up and reaching out a hand. “Let’s go.”

  “Go?” she asked, confused.

  “Back to your house. You can play me something, and we'll see.”

  “I don’t like to play my unfinished stuff to people.”

  “Well, I’m not just people.” She smiled cautiously but didn’t say anything. “Raven, you’re going to have to get over it and grow up if you want to be taken seriously.”

  “Okay, fine,” she decided. “Let’s go.”

  By the time they got back to her place, she was bubbling with excitement to prove herself. She unlocked the door, threw her purse and keys on the couch, and sat down at the piano. Jason walked over to her and gently helped pull off her cardigan.

  That’s what Finn saw. He took a step off the porch like someone had dealt him a physical blow. There was something in her voice when they talked earlier that confused him, and he knew it had something to do with Dell.

  She began to play the piano. Jason sat next to her, his hand behind her on the bench. She’d started to perform a song, but her manager said something and gestured at her, which caused her to frown. She began playing a slow and haunted version of the newest, fast-paced pop song.

  Finn watched Jason lean into her, not seeing that she was too absorbed in the music to notice it herself. It hurt him and that fact terrified him. So, turning, he walked back down the path. In his logical mind, he knew Dell was taking advantage of the situation and that Raven wasn’t interested. However, he couldn’t understand why she’d chosen an evening with the leech, instead of him. Jason Dell was never going to give her what she wanted, rather he would demand what he needed. The thought infuriated Finn. Frustrated and confused he swung his leg over his bike and drove back home.

  It was several hours later, and Raven played her last song. She looked over at Jason, appreciatively and hugged him in thanks. In response, the man reached a hand to her face and pulled her close for a kiss. Quickly moving away, she stood up and walked away, placing the piano between them.

  “Jason.”

  Smiling like he was tolerating a talkative child, he stood and collected his jacket, then walked to the door.

  “Look, I know you’re incredibly confused,” he cooed, throwing an arm into the coat. “I want you to think about this, about us. I haven’t hidden any of my feelings or intentions, Raven.” He shook the jacket into place across his shoulders. “We have a lot of history, and we have a lot of future ahead of us. Get some sleep, and we’ll talk in the morning.”

  Without waiting for a response, he left and once again she leaned back against her door. The only thing she knew was she wasn’t going to be there in the morning when he came back.

  Chapter 17

  A man as ancient as time sat before a clock. The hands were replicas of Finn’s trident. When the chime sounded, the trident slowly, painfully peeled apart, creating the strings of a harp. Dolphins in the sea raced against horses on land, sides sweaty and heaving. His grandmother leaned over her garden and came up holding a seed, as bright as the sun. Then there was Raven, heart pounding, eyes closed, as he loved her, the way he had the night before.

  Finn woke in the middle
of the night sweaty, confused, and angry. This woman had him off balance since the second he saw her, and he was sick of it. He remembered the dream he’d experienced, just after they met. It seemed to run parallel with the one that just woke him. Off center and out of control, and she seemed to be in the center of all of it. Brows furrowed he swung his legs off the bed and scrubbed a hand down his face. Deciding he wasn’t going to wait until morning, he drove Dee’s car to the bungalow. The front porch light came on, as he pounded on the door. When she opened it, he merely walked inside and paced like a caged lion.

  “Finn?”

  “Okay, so what is this?” he demanded, then stopped, and was instantly frustrated because he wanted to at least appear calm.

  “What’s wh—”

  “I meet you, and you keep me at arm’s length. Then it’s no you’re not interested. Then it’s yes, then no. We have a pretty phenomenal time, then douchebag comes back, and suddenly I get the freeze again, and he’s all over you. So, what in the hell is going on?”

  “I—”

  “I need you to be straight with me, Raven.”

  “I’m trying to…” Her eyes were sad as she bit her bottom lip.

  “God damn it, stop looking at me like you’re about to break!” he barked, causing her to flinch. “Shit!” he snapped, exasperated.

  “Why are you here Finn?”

  “What d’ya mean? I just told you. We fucked, and it was…”

  “That’s what it was, right?”

  “What?”

  “Fucking. You got what you wanted, and that was it.” He just blinked at her incredulously.

  “What in the hell are you talking about Raven? I invited you to dinner with Dee. You said no to me, then went out with whoever the hell that guy is to you.”

  “And that pissed you off, so you’re done with me, right?”

  He looked at her like she had entirely lost her mind. Turning, she walked back toward the kitchen, appearing furious with her life. He caught her by the arm, and she hit his chest. He reached out to stop her, and she hit him with the other hand. She continued to pound out her rage until he pressed her against the refrigerator.

  “You don’t know what the fuck you want, do you?” he asked in realization.

  “Get out!” she screamed.

  “Do you?”

  “Get out!”

  “Really?” he growled, watching her hit him.

  Her eyes, full of confusion and desire, kept shifting from his eyes to his lips. Each pass left her eyes growing wilder with…something. She leaned forward and kissed him once quickly, then kissed him again, hard. Kissing her back just as forcefully, he opened her robe to run his hands hungrily over her body.

  As if scared, she pushed him away. Enraged, he slammed both his fists on either side of her head and just stared directly into her eyes, his own gaze firing back at her. A thousand words spoken between them, yet not one uttered.

  She shifted her eyes back to his mouth, breathing hard. Raven leaned into him again, kissing and biting his bottom lip. He groaned and angrily stripped off her robe. She removed his tee shirt and unzipped his jeans. When they slid to the ground, she looked surprised to find only him and eagerly grabbed hold of his cock.

  Finn picked her up and laid her on the table, bending her knees and entering her so forcefully a decorative bowl the color of cobalt fell off the table and shattered. She strained up to reach him and found him searching for her too, kissing each other greedily. His mouth left hers and fused to her breast, deliberately rough, as he moved in and out of her. Picking up speed and frenzy, he lifted her hips off the table. There was nothing tender, just primal until they climaxed together, each expelling their release in a scream.

  For a few moments, neither of them moved or said a word. Their chests heaved, rasping for breath and bodies slick with sweat. Slowly, Finn came to his senses first, as he realized in disbelief what had just happened. Never in his life had he lost control with a woman like that, and he felt shame.

  Raven, stared at him as if surprised by her own aggressiveness. Breathing hard, they both looked down at their joined bodies, as he extricated himself from her. She sat up, watching him, as he bent to pick up her robe. Her face was flushed, and he could already see a bruise begin to mottle across her arm. Finn didn’t know what to say as he handed her the robe, and silently dressed. He glanced at her once more in disbelief and heard her slide down the wall, to the floor and cry.

  ****

  Raven smiled into the sunshine, holding her mama’s hand, then Wyatt’s, who was holding her daddy’s, creating a perfect chain. Excitedly, they ordered everyone to march in unison. Right, left, right, left. The day was perfect because the sun was out and the small fair was in town. They petted the farm animals, jumped in the hay of the threshing bees, and watched the magicians and clowns. Her mother held her hand again, raising them high in the air, as they went down the roller coaster. She could smell the cotton candy and the tang of mustard on her hotdog.

  Her father set Wyatt down, reached out, and spiraled her through the air, in a perfect circle, and onto his shoulders. The hot day turned into a warm dusk, with a slight breeze, as they drove home. After starting a fire, her dad brought out his guitar and let them stay up to sing around the campfire.

  Raven asked if she could play the guitar too. So, he moved it, allowing her access to his lap. Then replacing the guitar, he laid his hands on hers to guide her fingers. However, she simply began to play what he’d been playing. Astonished he watched her in great delight, as Wyatt and her mom sang. When she finished, she sat next to her mama, who pointed up at the sky.

  “Look, baby, I brought down the moon just for you.”

  “Me too, Mama?” Wyatt asked.

  “You too baby. Come here.” Wyatt laid his head down on her lap, as did Raven and their dad began to sing again, smiling at his family.

  “I sing to you a thousand words and a thousand feelings more. Of home and hearth and family, and sun and moon adored. And in my time remaining, to my cherished hearts, I sing. Grand love and peace and blessings I hope your life will bring.”

  She couldn’t remember the rest of the song because she’d instantly fallen asleep in the trust that her world was secure.

  Time passed, but not much. Raven emerged from a different sleep and saw red and blue lights straining to swirl through the closed window blinds. She heard strange, soft voices in the living room. Wyatt woke too and jumped from his bed into hers, wrapping protective arms around her. They trembled together, hearts pounding fiercely as if they shared the same beat. Something dark was coming, and she knew they should be afraid when the door cracked open, and the outline of a woman appeared.

  “Mama?” Wyatt called, voice shaking.

  The door opened wider, allowing more light and the crackling static and loud voices over radios.

  “No honey, not Mama. Hello Wyatt, Raven.”

  An older woman turned on the children’s nightlight to reveal soft, gray eyes, just like a dove’s, with crinkles around them. Her voice was soothing as she held just a hint of a reassuring smile. Janie, their babysitter, stood behind her, face red, swollen, and tear-streaked.

  “My name is Emily, and I need to talk to you both.”

  “Where’s Mama and Daddy?” Wyatt asked quietly, and Raven began to cry. She already knew the answer.

  “Yes, honey. Well, Mommy and Daddy were hurt very badly in a car accident.” Emily's voice quavered just slightly when she locked eyes with Raven. “They both died in that accident. Do you know what that means—to die?”

  “It means they won’t come back,” Raven squeaked.

  “That’s right, sweetheart. They won’t be coming back.” She looked around the room. “Now, we’ve been trying to figure out if you have a grandma or grandpa that we can call to come take care of you.” When they didn’t answer, she suggested, “Maybe an aunt or uncle?”

  They shook their heads despondently. They had no one.

  “Okay, well, w
e’ll figure all that out, but right now I need for you both to collect some things, and we’re going to take you somewhere very safe tonight.”

  “No!” both children said in unison, with quavering voices.

  Raven clung tighter to Wyatt, feeling terror at possible separation. These people with their scary words and sounds would be the ones to do it. Raven began to sob.

  “W-we c-can’t go,” Raven lamented. “W-what if they do c-come back?”

  “Honey.”

  “No!”

  Raven was adamant now and working herself into a wall of defiance. She screamed, cried, and kicked, causing Wyatt to do the same. A massive police officer strode over to her and towered. Her mouth dropped open when she saw the topography of large rope-like veins wind under the man’s skin. He had an angry, disappointed face.

  “Raven, Wyatt, this is what’s best for you. It is happening. You need to do what you’re told now and behave. What would your parents think about you carrying on this way? You need to trust that these people know better for you right now. So, collect your things and go with Ms. Meakan—now!” The lady looked at the officer, with an angry, stern face. However, when she turned back, she smiled serenely at them.

  Raven felt black smoke encircle her wrists and tiny waist. She tried to pull them away, but they’d vanish and reappear. The black smoke hovered by her ear and stroked her cheek. It formed lips, and she heard the words saying, “You…Are…Now…Nothing.”

  She screamed and sat up on the cool white tiles of the kitchen floor, with the scent of wood smoke in the air. She raised a shaking hand to brush some hair away from her face and hooked it around her ear. What in God’s name was happening to her?

  Chapter 18

  The next morning Raven woke early and opened the journal used by past guests of the bungalow. She was looking for something to do when a name stood out for a hiking trail.

  “The Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail,” she read aloud.

  Remembering Finn’s recommendation for the hike, she learned it was two miles long in each direction, beginning less than half a mile away.

 

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