“I’m not hurt,” he breathed so low I barely heard him, even though I was smashed right up against him.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, not feeling any better despite him saying he wasn’t hurt. There was something wrong, I could feel it.
“I’m just...” he choked out as we reached the opening of the tunnel. He didn’t continue the sentence until he placed me against a tree after walking several feet into a forest. I waited for him to finish. “I’m just extremely tired.”
He slumped down to the ground on his knees and put his head in his hands. Tired? “Will you be okay?” I questioned, not understanding how someone could be so tired after sitting in a car for hours.
“I need to sleep.” He looked up at me with eyes the size of saucers and reached out for me. “Come here.” I obeyed.
“And are you, Nariella, okay?” he asked me as he pulled me down to his level and cupped my face, searching my eyes for the truth. I nodded. My heart crashed in my chest, and I knew right then if it wasn’t going to be death by gun held by strange underground men, Ray, or any other dangerous thing that could possibly be out there, it would be this. It would be the way Mycah looked into my eyes and reached my soul. Death by heart stopping. That would be my untimely undoing.
“I’m fine,” I answered softly, wondering if it was actually true. Was I fine? Maybe if Mycah would stop looking at me the way he was and remove his gentle hands from my skin, then yes, those words could have been true. “Why are you so tired?” Distracting myself always worked best.
“Everything I just did was extremely draining. I don’t think I have the energy to do anything else but sleep.” And as he said the clipped British-sounding words, he literally moved to lie down on the ground completely.
“Now?!” I screeched too loudly. Here?! In the middle of nowhere and...outside?? But he didn’t answer me. He already breathed shallow and in a steady rhythm, fast asleep. Holy crickets, that was fast.
I shivered at that thought of crickets and other bugs as I slowly lay down next to him, trying extremely hard to ignore what I may have to sleep on top of, and pulled my dress down as far as it could go to cover my bare legs. Twigs crunched underneath me, providing a very uncomfortable bed. I swear, if any bugs started crawling on me I would scream bloody murder even if it meant being captured again. I’d almost rather be back in that SUV with a gun to my head than having centipedes having their way with me in my sleep. Oh god...I couldn’t think about it.
It was cold out—surely, they were all in hibernation by now. Yes, that was what I’d keep telling myself. I shivered again but this time from the nippy breeze that blew through my hair and right through the thin material of my dress. I rubbed at the spiky goosebumps that ran along my legs as I looked over at Mycah who slept so peacefully. Crap, he was way too handsome even in sleep. I turned toward the sky and stared up at the slow moving clouds. Had all of that really happened tonight? Just this morning I had woken up blissful and then had the best time getting ready for the dance with Zaylie. I hoped she was okay. I would have just died if something happened to her because I couldn’t stay away from Mycah.
I went to pull out my cell to call her but stopped short. I forgot I didn’t have it. Everything I had with me was left in Seth’s car when I was yanked from it. Dang it...I wished I knew what this Sindora thing was. Was it really that important to cause this much commotion? People almost died. People had died and probably would die some more. Were all of those men in the SUVs now dead?
Several thoughts started racing through my head all at once, but I couldn’t seem to dwell on any of them. I couldn’t even wrap my head around any of it; it felt like a foggy nightmare I was unable to wake up from, a feeling I was slowly becoming accustomed to, if one even had that ability.
And then several minutes later, I jumped and let out a small squeak at the sensation of something touching my face as I desperately tried to smack away what I assumed must be the biggest, scariest bug in all the world, while briskly shaking my head to get it off me. But I breathed a sigh of relief as my purple eyes met Mycah’s deep blue ones that sparkled in the peek-a-boo moonlight. He was watching me with unabashed amusement shown clear in his eyes and quirk of his lips.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just can’t ever seem to resist your soft skin,” he whispered in a low voice with a slight melancholy smirk. My heart thumped at how sweet that was.
“You didn’t sleep long,” I matched his whisper, trying to stay calm under his stare. He was so intoxicating.
“I didn’t want to leave you alone out here all by yourself. I only needed fifteen minutes to get some strength back. I can get you home and worry about more sleep later,” he explained in a stronger voice and stood up, brushing off the dead leaves and dirt. I worked to do the same. Had it been exactly fifteen minutes? If he had an internal clock in his brain that he could set at his choosing, then I was going to be superbly jealous once again.
“So, it was hard for you to do what you did tonight?” I asked, curious about all that he was really capable of. Was there anything that was ever too much? I sure hoped not.
“It takes a lot of brain power for me to do big things like slowing down large vehicles and twenty men all at the same time, especially after sending a burst of energy into the air. I cannot do it very often. It takes preparation on my part to acquire enough stamina to do it all. I apologize for my taking so long, love.” He took my hand and interlaced our fingers together, never taking his eyes off mine. It made me shiver again.
He let go and took off his suit jacket, wrapping it around my shoulders. He mistook my body’s reaction to him as a sign of coldness. I was cold of course (a silk dress and thin jacket didn’t exactly provide warmth), but it just wasn’t the reason why I shivered.
“Thank you.” I gave a small smile, appreciating the gesture nevertheless. And it did help. His jacket was perfectly toasty and cocooned me in his scent, which was utterly divine. I had to consciously force myself to not stand there and constantly smell it. He’d have thought I was a psycho probably.
“It's my pleasure.” He smiled in return as he looked down, sweeping his gaze over me. I couldn’t quite understand the happy-appreciative expression that danced on his face for a split-second before he turned around and began walking in the direction I assumed was for Kennebunkport.
“How far away are we?” The strappy black heels I thought would look "killer" earlier today had now taken on a more literal meaning of the term as I tried to make my way through the forest. My feet were not going to last long.
“Pretty far,” he answered. Perfect.... “They took us a few hours north and were very close to making it to the Canadian border, actually.”
I practically choked on my own spit. “What? Can I be taken to another country like that so easily?” I didn’t think it was possible. Didn’t I need a passport or something? Especially since I was a minor.
“Ah, well it doesn’t matter because they would have crossed over the border in secret. They have a hidden tunnel under the mountains.” He looked back and grabbed my arm to help steady me as I stepped over a log. It was pitch black and difficult to see anything except for when the moon came out from behind the clouds for a few moments.
“That’s frightening. Where in Canada were they taking us?” I shuddered at the thought of being pulled from my home and being lost in an unknown country, not seeing Rydan and Zaylie again.
“They were taking us back to their home. To Austria. Those men are part of a top secret underground organization called Schwarzen Adler, or in English—the Black Eagles. And they will stop at nothing to get what they want.”
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Did he just say Austria? As in the country Austria? Not like, a city in Canada that was named Austria?
“Umm...Austria? The country?” I questioned in a small voice. A very small voice.
“Yes,” was all he replied.
“Why?” I pressed, not understanding why they’d take us to Canada and then to Austria.
“Because they think I’ve hidden the Sindora there, and when they had the both of us together, they were confident I would take them to it, using you as leverage against me, of course.” He ran a hand through his hair and clenched his right fist. I stopped walking. Partly because my feet were already gaining blisters as stowaway guests, but mainly because I was overwhelmed.
“Mycah. What. Is. The Sindora?” I emphasized each word, trying to portray how frustrating it was not knowing. He stopped walking too and slowly turned around toward me.
He shook his head. His eyes bored holes into mine and remained quiet. Too quiet.
“You won’t tell me? Even after all of this? Even after Zaylie and Seth almost died over it?” I waved my hand around at the situation as my voice gained volume, but there was nothing I could do to stop it.
“You don’t understand. I can’t tell you.” He looked to the ground and started fidgeting with his fingers. Was he nervous?
“You’re right. I don’t understand. I don’t understand any of this. I don’t understand you, I don’t understand them—it's all too much! I can’t take it anymore.” I stalked past him and hoped I was going in the right direction. I didn’t want to be upset. I was so far past upset. This entire night was completely ridiculous, and I didn’t want to give it the satisfaction of affecting me. I didn’t even want to think about it. This night never happened, as far as I was concerned. I tried desperately to ignore the pain in my feet as I refused to slow my stride. The uneven hard ground was causing some serious damage, but I didn’t care.
And then just when I thought my ankle would give out, I was scooped up into Mycah’s arms. I didn’t know why, but as soon as my face touched his neck I immediately broke out in tears.
Dang it! So much for not getting upset.
Maybe it was the emotions from the intense night finally coming out or the grateful relief from pain made by the sweetest gesture.
Or maybe it was just because I was a girl with too many stupid emotions! Argh. I gruffly swiped at my tears and refused to shed anymore. I was just frustrated and sick of being a helpless victim that kept getting kidnapped or beaten. I needed to be stronger.
Eventually, Mycah’s even breathing and steady stride put me to sleep.
When I awoke later, I was completely disoriented. It was still pitch black, but there were lights that passed over me every few seconds. Where was I?
I slowly sat up, realizing I was lying in the back seat of a car. I looked out the window but still could not make out my surroundings through my fuzzy eyesight.
“We’re almost to Kennebunkport, love.” Mycah glanced back at me from the driver’s seat.
“Did you steal this?” I asked hesitantly, not sure if I wanted to know the answer or not. I didn’t like the idea of walking all the way back to Kennebunkport, but grand theft auto? Not really my forté.
“What?” He jerked his head around to look at me before turning back to the road. “Of course not. It’s a rental.” He shook his head, smirking. Oh.
“What time is it?” I yawned and went to rub my eyes but stopped myself, remembering I was still full of makeup for the Homecoming Dance.
Awww. The dance. I missed it. If Zaylie really was okay like Mycah had said, maybe she didn’t end up missing it too. Please be okay...
“It is a quarter to five. Are you hungry?” He didn’t wait for me to answer before tossing a small paper bag onto my lap. I opened it up to find two strawberry-frosted doughnuts. Oh, yum.
“Thanks,” I said through a mouthful. I was starving. I couldn’t even remember the last time I ate.
“Here.” He chuckled as he handed me a bottle of water. Oh, thank god. Couldn’t remember the last time I drank either.
“Mycah, are the...Black Eagles...or whatever...going to keep coming back for me?” I took several gulps of water and tried not to freak out.
“Not if I leave Kennebunkport. And they won’t be coming back for a few days. They have much to sort out now. I’ll be gone before any attempts are made to return, I promise.” He kept his eyes on the road and spoke in a quiet voice. My heart constricted from his answer. Sure, I was glad to know I wouldn’t be captured again in the near future, but the thought of Mycah leaving hurt like no other. I had no intention of trying to decide which was worse, because I knew I couldn’t. I turned to stare out the window and finally recognized where we were.
Kennebunkport, Maine.
I waved goodbye to Mycah from the front door of my house and quietly tiptoed inside. Ray’s car was parked in the driveway so I knew he was home.
I remembered the unpleasant encounter I had on Saturday night when that guy came looking for Ray to pay his gambling debts. I needed to avoid seeing that hideous man again, so I grabbed a notepad and a pen and scribbled quickly that a man came by on Saturday looking for him and it was extremely urgent. I left it on the counter and quietly ran to my room, not wanting to wake him. I knew he’d know what I was talking about in the note.
I immediately thought of Zaylie and had an overwhelming need to hear her voice. I grabbed the home phone and then crept back outside so that I wouldn’t wake him up by talking.
I didn’t know how, but I remembered Zaylie’s cell number as I punched it into the cordless phone. I hoped she didn’t get mad that I was calling at this ungodly hour. Or maybe she really wasn’t okay and wouldn’t be picking up at all—“Hello?” she interrupted my grim thoughts in a sleepy, groggy voice, and I audibly sighed with relief. I even felt my shoulders slump forward all on their own.
“Zaylie...Thank goodness.” I lay a hand over my heart for no one’s benefit but my own.
“Nari?!” she screeched so loudly, I had to pull the phone away from my ear. I smiled.
“Yes, are you okay?!” I inquired, my concern flaring up again like a kindled flame upon hearing her voice.
“Me?! Are you okay? My god, I half-wondered if I would ever see you again! I’ve been a nervous wreck! Where have you been? What happened?! I’ve literally been going crazy!” She barely paused for air as she raced on and on with questions and concern.
“I’m fine, I’m fine, really. I’m so sorry to scare you like that. I actually can’t talk right now, but I will definitely see you at school. I just wanted, no, scratch that, I needed to make sure you were okay. I’ll explain everything later though. So, are you okay?” My stomach twisted in knots as I waited for her answer.
“I’m perfectly okay. Seth too. Why can’t you talk? Where are you?” she asked.
“I’m at home, but I don’t want to wake up my foster dad before he has to get up for work, which will be soon, and I need to be in bed before he does,” I tried to explain quietly, even though I was outside and was confident Ray couldn’t hear me...but the thought of encountering his wrath from waking him a second earlier than his normal schedule put me on edge.
“Alright. But, promise you’ll be at school?”
“I promise. And, Zales...I am so grateful you’re okay.” I poured as much emotion as I could into those few little words.
“Likewise,” she said back. “See you in a few hours.”
Once I got to my room and of course locked the door, I kicked off my shoes while simultaneously peeling off my dress and then threw myself onto my bed, not caring at all to put on pajamas. I was so dead tired, I instantly fell asleep.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
~Naminé~
“Why didn’t he tell us?” my father angrily replied. My mother was weeping but trying to hold it together in front of my father. I had just explained Cathar’s departure, and they were none too happy about it.
“I don’t know, Father. He risked punishment just coming to see me. He told me to tell you both not to worry; he had been training and felt stronger than ever.”
It was getting harder to hold back my own tears. It had been days since he left, and I missed him fiercely. The nervous feeling that I wouldn’t ever see him again never wavered; it only got worse as each day went by.
“Training?!” my father shouted. “For two measly months...” he cried at the ceiling.
“Roche, please,” said my mother who remained crying while trying to calm my father, less we cause enough noise to be heard outside the thin walls.
My father dismissed me, and I went to my chamber. I sat on my cold, hard pallet and let the tears fall. I lay back on my pillow and pulled on my lifeline with Calen for comfort, crying myself to sleep.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
~Nari~
“So, are you sure it will be okay for you to stay over tonight?” Zaylie asked me again at lunch. She was still worried about me. This morning when she had seen me at my locker before class started, I thought she was going to knock me over from hugging me so tightly. She had explained how worried she was after waking up in the ruined car with Mycah and I nowhere in sight and my cell phone left behind, which she returned to me. I had told her I would explain what happened later at her house. Well, as much as I could explain anyway.
“Yes. I am positive. You have no idea how much I need it.” I squeezed her hand to emphasize my point. I couldn’t wait to spend more alone time with Zaylie. I promised myself if she were okay I would open up to her and deepen our friendship. And Mycah was right. Both she and Seth were fine. I felt better after I spoke to her over the phone early this morning, but after seeing her with my own two eyes, I could confidently believe it now. She also promised to explain later tonight what happened after I wasn’t there. Now was my chance to give back all the trust and kindness she had bestowed upon me. Nothing was going to stop me from staying at her house, not even Ray.
“Nari, I thought you were going to the dance yesterday?” Liam asked me as he sat down at the lunch table across from us.
“Leave it alone, butthead.” Zaylie rolled her eyes at Liam before turning back to her pile of cottage cheese covered in pepper, black olives, and sunflower seeds. I scrutinized the mixture again in disbelief and amusement. What the heck...?
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