Balance (The Balance Series Book 1)

by Janelle Stalder

  “By all means, my dear,” he said smoothly. She could leave as she wanted, he thought, just not the way she came. He laughed out loud as he approached the bed. The girl opened her mouth to scream, but never had the chance.

  Caleb entered his home, hesitating a moment to test the atmosphere. Everything was quiet, and he couldn’t sense his father waiting for him. He could hear the television from the main room, recognizing his brothers’ energy. Collin was spread out on the coach asleep, while Kellan sat in one of the chairs watching a tennis match.

  “Good afternoon, brother,” Kellan said, smiling up at him. “Have fun last night?” His eyebrows moved up and down suggestively.

  Caleb ignored him and walked over to the other chair to sit down.

  “Interesting bit of news this morning, wasn’t it?” Kellan was clearly enjoying himself, which Caleb was used to. Of the three boys, Kellan was the least serious. Everything seemed humorous in Kellan’s world.

  “Hmm,” Caleb murmured without interest.

  Collin’s eyes opened then and he stretched out, making a long, exaggerated yawn before sitting up. “What’d I miss?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.

  Neither Kellan nor Caleb answered him. Instead they turned back to the game and the three watched it in silence.

  “Have either of you even seen Dad this morning?” Collin asked after a few rounds. Kellan shook his head. Collin turned toward Caleb, but he hadn’t seen him either. They looked at each other for a minute, knowing something wasn’t right. Someone should have seen their father by now, it was already four o’clock.

  Everyone knew that Caleb was Dermot’s favourite when it came to his plans for the future, but Kellan was the one in his confidence. Kellan would always know where their father was, and what he was doing. Kellan wouldn’t look at them though, and seemed to studiously ignoring the conversation.

  “Kellan,” Caleb said, snapping him out of his daze.

  “What?” Kellan asked, sounding annoyed. “I’m trying to watch the match here, would you two shut up,” he complained, turning back to the TV.

  “Where is Dad?” Caleb asked again, not letting the topic drop.

  “He’s in his room, and he doesn’t want to be bothered. There, are you happy?” Kellan blurted out, getting up and heading to the kitchen.

  “What would he be doing in his room?” wondered Collin out loud. Caleb didn’t know how to answer him. Frustrated, he got up and walked away to think by himself.

  Leaving his brothers, he retreated to the solitude of his bedroom. Pacing in front of the balcony, he thought about Kellan’s odd behaviour. It was evident that his father was up to something neither Caleb nor Collin would approve of. This could be any number of things, but Caleb had a sneaking suspicion that he was the one that Kellan was really keeping the information from.

  It must have something to do with Vivian.

  He knew his father was unhappy about the pairing, and he would be further upset by Brian’s situation, so it would only make sense that his target would be Vivian. Not that Dermot was in any way a sentimental man, but he would always prefer to attack someone weak like Vivian than someone of his own blood. The fact that Caleb was his son wouldn’t be so much a factor, as the fact that Caleb was able to fight him off a hell of a lot easier than Vivian could.

  He could feel his anger begin to rise, and knew he had to get some answers from Kellan. It would be hard though, since if there was one thing his brother was good at, it was keeping his mouth shut. This was why Dermot had kept confidence with Kellan so often in the past.

  Caleb tried to work out a plan of attack, but found it hard to concentrate with thoughts of Vivian interrupting. He had never had to protect a human before, and now that he was, he realized how damn vulnerable they truly were.

  A soft knock came at his door, and Caleb spun around to see Collin peaking his head in. “Hey,” he said, almost apologetically. “Can I come in?”

  “Sure,” Caleb replied, hoping that Collin wouldn’t pick up on his anxiety. He didn’t want any of them to think he was weakened by his sudden emotions for the girl. He was still stronger than his brothers, and he was comforted to know that. “What’s up?” he asked, sounding casual.

  “I just wanted to give you the heads up that I’m probably going to head back to Ireland, now that this rapist case is over,” Collin said, taking a seat in one of the chairs at the end of the bed. “I can’t see Dad really needing me around now that Brian is missing, and most likely dead, so I’d rather be back in good ol’Ireland.”

  Caleb felt a little home sick as he listened to Collin, and almost wished he could go back too, but he knew he would not be able to leave Vivian right now. He nodded and said, “Understandable. When are you going to leave?”

  “Probably as soon as possible,” he replied with a shrug. “I’m going to visit Mom as soon as I get back, and make sure everything is alright there. I know the doctors have been getting a little worried about her since we haven’t been around as often.”

  “What are you talking about?” Caleb asked, slightly alarmed.

  “Didn’t someone call you?”

  Caleb shook his head.

  “They called me last week. Said she’s been asking for us. Well, you really, but they think a visit from either of us would do her some good right now. I figured they would have called you too,” he explained. “Kellan knew about it, so they must have called the house.”

  Caleb could feel his anger towards Kellan increase. “Well he failed to let me know,” he said.

  Collin shrugged his shoulders again indifferently, standing. “He probably forgot,” he offered. “Anyway, if there is something wrong I’ll let you know.”

  “Thanks,” Caleb replied. Now he had even more to worry about, he thought angrily. He needed to get back to Vivian and make sure at least one of the women in his life was still okay. He could see the evening approaching as he stared outside. It would be night soon, and he didn’t want her to be alone.

  Collin stopped at the door and turned slowly to where Caleb stood with his back to him. “Are you going to be okay?” he asked hesitantly.

  Caleb looked around in surprise. He hadn’t realized Collin was still there, and the question itself was an odd one for his brother to ask. “Of course, why do you say that?”

  “I don’t know, but for some reason I get the feeling that Dad isn’t too happy about you and Vivian, and I’m afraid you might have bitten off more than you can chew, if you know what I mean. If you want my opinion,” he continued, “I wouldn’t go up against him.”

  Caleb brushed off his comment and told him not to worry about it. “I can handle myself,” he assured him.

  “I don’t doubt that,” Collin agreed, smiling slightly. “Just think of her.”

  He closed the door behind him, and Caleb could hear him walk into his bedroom next door. His last comment left goose bumps on Caleb’s arms. Collin was right of course, Caleb had to put Vivian first, no matter what. He quickly grabbed a jacket and headed back out to her place, feeling the need to see her more than ever.

  Throwing my hair into a messy bun and grabbing my bag, I ran down the stairs and headed for the front door. My parents both looked up as I came barrelling down.

  “Where are you off to Vi Vi?” Dad asked in surprise.

  “I’m going to go to the library. I have some books to return and figured I’d get some new ones.” I shoved my feet into my running shoes, hoping to avoid any further interrogation.

  “At seven o’clock?” asked my mother in her disapproving tone.

  “It’s not that late mom. Don’t worry, I won’t stay out too long,” I assured her.

  The local newscast was playing on the TV behind their turned heads, and it was still going on about the disappearance of Brian Connor. I didn’t want to stay out too late with someone like him running around anyway. I blew a kiss over my shoulder at the both of them and headed out the front door.

  The night was warm and still, the usual summer
breeze absent tonight. I decided walking would be a nice change, since the library was literally five minutes from our house. The chances of the boogieman jumping out at me in the short time it would take me to get there was pretty unlikely, or so I thought.

  A number of strange things happened on my walk. All a figment over my over-active imagination, I was sure. The strange dreams I’d been having were starting to screw with my mind. It was the only reasonable explanation.

  At first, I kept seeing figures out of the corner of my eye, but whenever I turned my head to have a better look there was nothing there. It had to be the shadows playing tricks on me, but either way I picked up my pace.

  Then as I walked under the branches of a tree that hung over the sidewalk, something seemed to reach out and grab a handful of my hair. I screamed, my scalp burning from the force. Twisting, I managed to free myself, retreating as I felt the back of my head, convinced I’d have a bald spot now. When I looked into the tree there was nothing there. Quickly, I glanced around to see if anyone had witnessed my cowardly scream, but thankfully I couldn’t see a soul.

  It had just been a stupid branch. I let out a laugh, holding my chest where my heart raced beneath.

  “Get a grip, Vivan,” I said, shaking my head.

  I turned back in the direction of the library and started into a slight jog. This walk was getting progressively weirder, or I was just losing it.

  As I rounded the corner, I almost tripped over a dog that was sitting in the middle of the sidewalk. In order to avoid it I found myself swinging my body to the right and slamming into the grass covered ground, staining my knees. My hands were full of muddy scrapes and my ankle ached.

  “Jesus,” I muttered under my breath. What was going on tonight? And what the heck was a dog doing out here by itself?

  I looked back at it but the damn thing was gone. I sat in shock, eyeing the empty streets for black fur. There was definitely no dog in sight.

  “What the hell is wrong with me?” It was the news before I’d left, I thought. It had me jumping at shadows. I got up and wiped myself off, trying to get all the mud and grass off my knees.

  Deciding not to waste any more time, I ran the rest of the way to the library. When I arrived there I was out of breath, sweaty, and my pants were stained. All in all I looked a mess.

  The librarian, Miss. Hudgens, would probably think I was on drugs or something like that. She thought all teenagers were on drugs. Sure enough she threw me a surprised, and yet suspicious, look when I walked in. I kept a neutral smile on my face and called out a greeting as I made my way to the tables near the back stacks.

  The library was all but empty. Placing my bag on the back of one of the chairs, I pulled out my notebook where I kept a list of books I wanted to read, and headed to the computer nearby to locate them.

  Jotting down the ones they had in stock, I headed into the stacks, humming under my breath as I enjoyed the peaceful silence around me. My nerves had finally calmed down from my strange walk.

  I heard footsteps coming up from behind me, but ignored them. It was probably Miss. Hudgens checking up on me, since she had nothing better to do with her life. The person stopped right behind me though, and I could feel their breath on the back of my neck. The goose bumps along my arm rose.

  I whipped around to see who it was, but I was standing alone. My heart started to race a mile a minute. I could have sworn I had heard and felt someone approaching. I looked through to the other aisles to see if someone was there, but there was no one.

  This night was not making sense. The darkness of the aisles started to make me feel as though they were closing in around me.

  I decided to head back to my table with what I had. I’d come back for the others another time – preferably during the daytime. As I walked back, I heard someone running up from behind me. Quickly turning this time so I wouldn’t miss them, I was met with nothing again. No one was there. It felt as if I was in some sort of horror movie. I knew it was all in my head, and yet the sounds I was hearing were so real.

  I hurried along the stacks towards my table – once I was out in the open I would feel better. This time a growl was coming from somewhere beside me, I let out a small squeal and started to run. As I swung around the corner down a side aisle, I found myself running head first into someone’s chest. Letting out a louder scream this time, I fell back on the floor. The back of my head smashed the hard surface under it, causing me to moan in pain.

  “Vivian, are you okay?” Two strong hands wrapped around my arms, pulling me up. They held me for a minute to make sure I was steady, before letting go and stepping back.

  “Ow, my head,” I said lamely, rubbing the back of it. I looked up at the face whose chest I had just collided with. Artem was watching me with a concerned look that made me feel like a child. “I’m fine,” I answered his question. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “You look a little rough,” he said, eyeing my pants.

  “Uh yeah, I had a little fall on my way here, it was nothing. What are you doing at the library?” I asked, trying to change the topic.

  “I had a little research to do for another case we’re working on,” he answered. “Do you mind if I join you at your table?”

  “No not at all. I’m not staying long though.” He nodded as we walked back. His belongings were already spread out when we got there. Odd. I sat down and started organizing the books I needed to return, and the two new ones I had managed to grab before I’d run through the stacks like a crazy person.

  I tried to ignore him, and the awkward silence between us, as we sat there. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Artem leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head. The action made the collared shirt he was wearing stretch tightly across his broad shoulders and chest. I caught myself openly staring and quickly looked away before he noticed.

  “Can you believe the news about Connor?” he asked in a conversational tone.

  “Pretty scary,” I said, keeping my head down.

  I really didn’t want to think about it too much, or I’d be running into things and falling all over the place for the next week. My imagination had gone wild enough as it was, I didn’t need to extend my hallucinations any longer.

  “Well I hope you’re not too scared, I’m sure the police will find him soon.”

  I rolled my eyes, “I’m not really scared about it. I’m sure he’ll be apprehended by tomorrow.” This was a lie, he wouldn’t be apprehended, I thought realistically, but I hated being painted as the weak woman. He shrugged and continued with his work.

  As I went back to my books, I watched him from my peripheral vision. His straight jaw line was tight, as if he was clenching his teeth, and his green eyes were intense as he read his paper. He seemed distracted, like something was wrong, but I didn’t really feel like it was my place to ask.

  I got over it.

  “Anything wrong, Artem?” I pried.

  He looked up in surprise. “No, why do you ask?” He rearranged his features so he looked calm again.

  “I thought you seemed a little tense, must have been my imagination,” I said brushing it off. “So when are you planning on returning home?”

  I should have been getting out of there, but for some reason I wanted to know more about him before he left.

  He looked surprised again. “Well, I’m not sure at this point,” he started. “I have to wait around and see how long I’m needed here”

  We both stared awkwardly at each other for a second, before I looked away and started packing up. He sat at the table as though he was ready to jump up and pounce on something – or at least that was how it came off to me. I knew he didn’t like the Banks family, but I found his manner a little unsettling. I pushed my observations to the back of my mind and stood, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.

  “Do you go to church?” he asked suddenly, looking up at me.

  I paused, my hand still holding the straps of my bag. “Pardon me?” Had I heard h
im correctly?

  “I was just wondering if you go to church at all – if you’re the religious type.”

  “Um, well I went to church when I was younger, but I guess not as much anymore. My parents stopped forcing me once I hit grade seven. Why do you ask?”

  “Are you religious though? I mean do you believe in God and Heaven and all those things?”

  What an odd conversation to randomly have with someone. I slowly sat back down in my seat, my interest peaked. “Sure, I mean it would be a pretty bleak life if I didn’t have hope there was something better waiting for me when this life was over. I’ve never thought twice about it. Again, why do you ask?”

  “Just wondering,” he said. “It’s always interesting to see if someone is spiritual or not.”

  “Is it?” I asked with raised brows, biting back a smile. “Well since we’re on the topic, are you a religious person then?”

  “Absolutely,” he said looking me in the eyes, his expression serious. “I serve God every day that I breathe.”

  I tilted my head to the side. What the hell was he, a priest? Wouldn’t that be ironic, I thought. One of the best-looking men I’ve ever seen and he’s not available. Not that I was interested, I reminded myself.

  “Are you a priest as well as a lawyer?” I asked. “How do you find the time?”

  He smiled at my sarcasm.

  “No I’m not a priest,” he reassured me. He hesitated before continuing. “Have you ever heard of Saint Gregory the Illuminator?”

  “Uh, no I don’t think so.”

  “He was the patron saint of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the founder actually. In around 300 A.D. he took all the pagan beliefs of the people at that time, like Greek and Roman mythology, and forged it with Christian ideals. He made Armenia one of the first Christian nations back in a time when people were still deciding what to believe.”

  “That’s…interesting. Is he important then?” I asked.

  “Well even though he preached the word of Christianity, he still held many beliefs that originated back to the old tales. He brought a lot of them over to his Christian teachings, but in new shapes. Too many things had been seen in the old countries, that caused him believe in multiple entities, not just one.” He was leaning closer to me as he explained his story.