Our faraway neighbors had gathered after fifteen minutes of watching the blaze. It took even longer for the fire truck to arrive, but by then the damage was too extensive. We were all sitting down, too shocked to do much else. Rene was the only one that stood, crying silently. Her face, and everyone else’s, was slightly blackened with the ashes. She could barely speak as an officer tried to ask her if she knew how it was started, but she couldn’t give him any information. She had been asleep like the rest of us.
The water couldn’t douse the flames. I heard firemen saying how awful this was because they had never experienced anything like it. One bystander commented how it looked like the grass had been covered with gasoline; that’s how fast it spread. Everything seemed to burn fast, but slowly. The hoses sprayed water everywhere, but the fire didn’t seem to diminish. Another section of the house had fallen, and I looked back at the crowd of people as they gasped. Women in their robes and curlers were holding hands to their mouths while their husbands looked at us sympathetically. I was scanning all of the faces when I saw one that didn’t fit the scene. It was spiteful, but proud at the same time. The features were distorted in the look that I almost didn’t recognize him, but when Omar looked at me I had no more doubt.
My mouth opened in shock as he stared at me. There almost wasn’t a bit of familiarity there, just a violent kind of passion I’d never seen before. I stood fast, my breathing accelerating. You did this, I thought immediately, taking one step forward but not sure if I could keep going. His look turned mostly proud and he stepped away, disappearing behind some other people in the dark. His figure was immediately replaced with a face I wasn’t expecting to see. Aidan stood there smiling at me. His appearance made me freeze and a shiver went through my body even though I was burning up. That smile no longer held any of that friendliness I had seen before. He was laughing. It was his yellow eyes that had me so scared, and the way he mouthed words that I couldn’t possibly hear from this distance, but I did.
“We’re just getting started.”
Aidan and Omar had vanished into the dark like they’d never been there in the first place. I felt weak and sick when Aidan was gone, and I let myself sink to my knees, allowing myself to cry at the blackened thing that used to be a house.
The fire didn’t stop until everything was burned to nothing. The sun was just coming up, turning the sky a dull gray. The police told Rene to find a place to stay for a while. He suggested a hotel or friends, and she nodded mutely to what he said. Alysana had finally roused, sore and shocked. Her burns had taken on a redder hue, but it seemed to be fading as the morning came nearer.
I couldn’t stop staring at the wreckage. The skeleton of the house was mostly destroyed, but a few posts stuck up into the air. Everything else was a tall pile of smoking things gently shifting in the breeze. Even our tree was gone, just a dead stick that would eventually fall over or blow away. To think it had once been a house—my home—was hardly conceivable.
“Riley!” I didn’t hear the yell coming from a car that had just pulled up. I almost didn’t recognize Linden’s voice as he came closer, astounded by the scene in front of him. He stopped next to me and grabbed my shoulders. He couldn’t even ask the question.
“The whole thing was burned down last night,” I whispered. My throat was seared from smoke and heat. “It was Aidan and Omar.”
He didn’t speak for a full minute. “What?”
“I was the only one that saw them. Omar was standing there watching, then Aidan was there and he said ‘we’re just getting started’.”
“Oh my God …” Linden muttered under his breath, looking at the blackened property. “I don’t—I never thought—”
“No one did,” I said. “And there’s no proof so … it’s just between me and you, I guess.”
He didn’t say anything and just grasped me to his chest in a crushing embrace. I didn’t mind it and clutched his arms, still smelling the smoke in my hair.
He sat next to me and wouldn’t let go. He listened to the officer talking to Rene, explaining how things would happen here on out. There were whispers among everyone else about what we would do. Everything we ever had was gone, and there was no way we could all stay in a hotel. Alysana mentioned Meryl, who lived on the other side of town and hadn’t yet heard the news. I thought that was a better idea. Meryl’s house wasn’t huge, but she could make room. Plus, I wouldn’t be there. I put a hand behind Linden’s neck and pulled him closer so only he could hear. “I’m going with you.”
He didn’t fight me on it. He just nodded and held me harder.
The officer and a few of the others offered to give us all a ride into town since our cars were not in working condition. Rene took him up on it, ushering everyone together. She looked at Linden and I, but didn’t ask questions yet. I pulled Linden’s arm off me and stood to go to Alysana as Hunter helped her stand.
“Holding up all right?” I asked, taking her other arm.
“Well enough,” she laughed weakly. She glanced at Linden waiting behind me. “You aren’t coming with us, are you?”
I shook my head. “Will you come with us though? I don’t want to—”
“No, Riley, go. You need to; it’s about time you just set off with him for a while without having to worry. I mean, I hope you don’t have to worry. Not about me, that’s for sure,” she said.
I smiled at her strength. “I’d stand here and try to convince you but everyone’s almost in the car. So … I’ll see you later then.”
She nodded and hugged me with one arm, telling me to call her when we got back to wherever we were going. I swore I would and let Hunter lead her to the nearest police car. I watched as they all drifted away, Hank gathering up all of his cats, which had miraculously made it out. Rene was standing there watching me, waiting. I gave her a meek smile and waved, turning back to Linden.
“Someone will explain it to her,” I said as I walked by him. He hesitated for a second and then came after me. His car was waiting, the driver’s door still open and the keys in the ignition.
“Where to?” he asked, pausing by the hood.
“Away from here,” I replied. “I know you just drove there … but does Rhode Island sound okay?”
He smiled and walked to the door. “I was hoping you’d say that. As long as we take turns driving, it’s fine.”
That was easy enough to agree to, and as I sat down in the passenger side, I looked at the wreckage of our home and thought with a minor sinking feeling that I had absolutely nothing now. Nothing but the sooty pajamas I wore and Linden’s gracious presence. Sometime I would adjust to this thought, but for now I buckled in and closed my eyes, hoping Rhode Island would come up faster than ever.
A TRUTH
I must have had nightmares all the way up to the small coastal town. I drove up for the first few hours, and then switched with Linden when I could hardly keep my eyes open. With the smell still lingering on me, I kept having recurring images of the crumbling roof and the sounds the house made. When I woke up it was hours later, and I wasn’t in the car anymore. Turning around, I jumped back, startled when I saw Calder’s face hovering near mine.
“Sorry, sorry,” he apologized, holding both of his hands up. “I was just checking to see if you were still breathing.”
I relaxed and pushed my hair out of my face, noticing how gritty my hands felt. “It’s okay, you just surprised me.”
“How’re you feeling?” he asked, backing up a few feet. I noticed I was in the same room I’d been in before Linden and I had hurried home for Alysana. The white and blue cleanliness made me feel ten times dirtier, but I was just happy to be back.
“Okay,” I replied, sitting up. “Is Linden here?”
“Yeah, he just went to the market with Rhys real quick. They’ll be back soon, don’t worry,” he said.
I nodded, wondering if Tally and Nerio were in the house. I decided not to ask though, and stood up.
“Did you want to um—shower?” Cal
der asked.
I raised an eyebrow at him. “Why, do I really look that bad?”
“No, no, no! It was just a—”
“Sure, Calder,” I laughed. “Uh, which bathroom is free?”
He took me to the one at the end of the hall, handing me a towel and some clothes. “This is some of Tally’s old stuff.”
I handled it carefully, suddenly preferring my pajamas for everyday use. “It’s okay, I can just wear these.”
“No really, it’s fine. It’s the stuff she leaves here all the time, she never wears it and Linden said you’d probably fit.”
I wasn’t sure about chancing that, but I took the things anyway, shutting the door after Calder.
I took a long shower and shampooed my hair twice in case the smell was stuck. I’d seen my face in the mirror enough to know that if my face was that sooty, my hair was probably worse. When I finally felt clean enough, I got out and dried off, keeping the towel around me as I unfolded the things I was supposed to wear.
Turns out it was only a thing; a simple green dress, nothing fancy. I grimaced and lay it on the counter. It was one thing to wear one of Tally’s dresses, and it was another to wear a dress at all. It seemed like I would look too comfortable here, and I still wasn’t sure how Nerio was going to react to my being back.
“Guess he’ll have to live with it,” I muttered, reaching for the dress.
It was all right once I put it on. It was short-sleeve on top and the end went just above my knees, so it wasn’t anything too revealing. Good. I wanted to remain as discreet as possible.
I brushed out my hair and it wasn’t as dark as before; the soot must have made the red deeper. Once done, I heard a door somewhere close and I had to admit that I couldn’t hide out forever. I made sure everything was clean before I left, towel in hand. When I heard footsteps coming my way I had the urge to bolt for the room, and stopped when I saw it was Linden. He was wearing his big sunglasses and carried a small white paper bag.
“Ah, I see Calder has delivered the goods,” he said.
“Yes, he did,” I replied, pulling at the bottom of the dress.
“I knew it would fit okay. Comfortable?”
“Yup.”
He presented the white bag to me and I asked what was inside as I unwrapped it.
“Pastry. Eat, you’ve been asleep too long,” he replied, going to the bedroom. I followed, looking into the bag at the cheese Danish at the bottom. My stomach rumbled in agreement, and I started eating it.
Back in the room, I spotted the pile of shells I had left on the dresser during my last visit. “Hey, you kept these?”
“Yeah, you brought them so I wasn’t going to just throw them back,” he said, tossing his sunglasses on the bed. I picked up a small one with the spiraled end, having a slight feeling of déjà vu that I couldn’t place.
“Hm, well thanks.”
He smiled and asked the question of the month: “So, are you okay?”
“Fine,” I replied, smiling widely. “I’m driven by mad revenge, but I’m okay.”
He grinned, though I could see he didn’t find it quite as funny. “Good choice, but I’m just glad we’re away from all that.”
I nodded, remembering Omar’s face in the dark as well as Aidan’s ominous words. A look must have crossed my face because Linden was instantly at my side, running his fingers through my hair.
“Neither one of them can get you here,” he said.
“I’m not worried about me. I just hope they’re done with Alysana and moving on to some other form of entertainment.”
He nodded slowly and raised my hand with the pastry, taking a bite. “I already told everyone what happened. Well, except Nerio, he hasn’t been home.”
“Great,” I muttered.
“Don’t worry,” he said, kissing my forehead. “Come on, while he’s still out.”
He took me downstairs where Rhys and Calder were lounging in the living room. Rhys was immediately up and asking about my health. I told him I was all right, and he gave me a huge glass of water with ice, almost reading my mind and seeing how dry my throat was. He said he’d heard everything and he was so sorry, and I was welcome in his house as long as I pleased. Linden looked particularly pleased, but I tensed when Tally suddenly walked into the room. She froze for a second, looking me up and down.
“You never wear it,” Linden called as she walked out. I sat down on the couch, now self-conscious, but everyone else seemed to brush it off.
When Rhys was sure I was okay, he moved on to talking about such normal topics. Dinner, what to do about the leak developing in the kitchen, how long it would be until Tally stopped living on her own. I sat in the midst of their talking, wondering if I would even be a part of all of this later. Was this just a polite move after what had happened to me? Rhys was so kind, it was hard to tell. I tried to let myself be at ease, and it worked a little as the hour wore on.
Later, I called Alysana to make sure she was okay. She was fine now; they had all moved in with Meryl for the time being until they figured things out. Rene was at a complete loss of what to do. I didn’t mention who I’d seen at the fire, but Alysana was already speculating it might have been Aidan’s fault. The source of the fire couldn’t be found due to the damage, and police were insisting we had to have left a candle burning somewhere. Apparently they were trying very hard to ignore the things they couldn’t explain.
When she asked how I was doing, I assured her I was fine. I just needed some time to recuperate and gather my thoughts correctly. Then I planned on taking some action. But I let her go, saying I would call her soon to keep checking up on her.
Nerio came back near the evening in a predictable huff. Luckily, I wasn’t in the kitchen as he stormed in. Calder and I were just watching TV in the living room while the others were in the kitchen.
“And here we go again,” Nerio said. “I knew I shouldn’t have thought we were so fortunate.”
“Could you cut it out?” Linden spat. Calder and I glanced at each other warily.
“No, nuh-uh. Tallulah called me and told me what’s up,” he said.
“Nerio, I did—”
“Don’t deny it!” he yelled when Tally tried to speak.
“You had to know sometime,” Rhys said calmly.
I just heard Nerio’s breathing for a minute. “If she’s being targeted, why does she have to come here? She’ll drag the vulcani right back here!”
It was a great reminder, and I sighed as Calder stood.
“I think they have a bit more sense to stay in line,” Rhys pointed out.
“If this is the same one from ’55 he’s not staying in line.”
I turned towards the kitchen when I heard that. ’55? He couldn’t be referring to 1955 …
“We don’t know who he is—”
“Linden, you saw him, now spit it out: was it the same guy?”
Linden didn’t immediately reply to Nerio’s question. There was silence as Calder crept closer to the door and I stayed put.
“I don’t know,” Linden finally said.
“The hell you don’t,” Nerio hissed. “It was, wasn’t it? Now we’ve got to try to put that guy down again and worry about what petty little girl he’ll go for next. Brilliant, Linden! You’ve made it so easy for the rest of us bringing your dirty witch-bitch into our—”
Nerio’s words were abruptly cut off as there was a loud thud and a crack. I stood fast, squeezing past Calder as he walked into the kitchen as well.
Linden had Nerio pinned by the neck against the wall, and there was a long crack going up to the ceiling. I could see the amazingly tight grip Linden was keeping on him; his knuckles were whitening and Nerio’s neck was bright red.
“Watch your goddamn tongue,” Linden said through his teeth. Nerio gasped, trying to pry Linden’s fingers off. Linden didn’t move, instead squeezing harder.
“That’s enough,” Rhys said harshly. Linden held on for one more second before he let Nerio go. Nerio
coughed and sucked in as much air as he could. Linden turned away from him and spotted me, shrugging slightly.
“You both made your point, so none of that,” Rhys went on, looking at the fresh crack in the wall. “And you’ll be fixing that.”
“I will, sorry,” Linden muttered.
Rhys looked to Nerio as he caught his breath. “He’s right. Watch your tongue in my house. If you haven’t forgotten, some of us have taken a vow here and under this roof you will honor it. Are we clear?”
Nerio didn’t speak but nodded grudgingly.
“Good. I’m sorry you had to see that, Riley,” Rhys said when he noticed Calder and I standing there. “Anyway, dinner’s ready. Tally, plates, please.”
I admired how cool and calm he was in the situation. It almost made me laugh, and I was glad to see Calder was also holding back a smile. I fought for control as Nerio glowered with rage.
Sitting at the table with the five undines felt strangely comfortable. Though I couldn’t help feeling the anger lingering, I felt good. This was the closest to home I had right now and it was turning out well. Rhys carried most of the conversation, but Tally did pitch in once in a while. Nerio was absolutely silent, and he ate and left swiftly.
I did my own dishes before I left the kitchen even though Rhys kept insisting I stop. After that, I let Linden drag behind and told him to meet me at the beach. I couldn’t wait much longer.
It was a refreshing scene after the fire and so much sleep. I surprised myself with how calm I was about this whole situation; I hadn’t yet started to worry about Home. For now I didn’t have to have a permanent one, and I already felt like this place was a comfortable substitute. Maybe Nerio would never change, but he wouldn’t stick around.
The Evensong Page 28