And then he pulls away. Abruptly. He looks bothered. “Ari, we shouldn’t be doing this…”
I jerk back, feeling as if I’ve been punched in the stomach. “What?”
He averts his eyes and sighs. “I think we should head back.”
What was I thinking? I’ve never been so aggressive with a guy. What did I just do? I say the only thing I can think of. “I think you’re right.”
Davin gets up and starts packing our things. I don’t help him. I won’t. I can’t.
He zips up his pack and straps it on. “Are you ready to go?”
I nod.
“Ari?”
I can’t look at him.
“I will need to stay close to you for the time being.”
“You still want to protect me?” I ask, sarcastically.
“Of course.”
“What about school?”
He seems to ponder that.
“I will assign a team of Warriors to set up a perimeter around your school. Nothing bad will be able to get past them. We can discuss the details later. Can you come to my house later?”
“I’ll think about it.”
But all I can think about is how mortified I feel. He kissed me back. He kissed me like he meant to. What the hell happened?
“Ari, I didn’t mean to offend…”
“Shut it, Davin. Just shut it.”
And, obligingly, he does.
The walk back home is uncomfortably silent. My brain is not happy with what I’m asking of it. I’m not human and I’m attracted to an alien. And if that’s not enough, two days after accusing my ex-boyfriend of attempted date rape, and one day after inexplicably finding myself in a compromising position with Galen, I’ve come dangerously close to molesting Davin. What in heaven’s name is wrong with me?
But he responded to my kiss. He kissed me back, and no one has ever kissed me like that. No one. And for some crazy reason, I can’t stop thinking about his lips.
As I unlock the front door, Davin breaks the silence.
“Ari, I know you are upset, but it is important that we speak with Thalia. Will you come over?”
I wheel around. His expression is soft. Almost sad.
If I’m really not human, if I’m one of them—then I need more information. I have to swallow my pride, what’s left of it, and my fear, and meet with them. He did save my life. That has to count for something. Doesn’t it?
“Do I have a choice?”
“Of course you do.”
“I’ll be there in ninety minutes.”
I turn on my heels and walk inside, slamming the door behind me, not caring if it hits him in the face.
I run upstairs, into my bathroom, and strip off my clothes. I’m a simmering, smoking hot mess. At least Mom isn’t home. She’s working and won’t be home for several hours…and that’s good, because I really need to be alone.
Standing under the shower, the hissing spray mutes my pitiful sobs, but does nothing to dull the ache in my heart. I long to pour my heart out to the people I love the most, but I know I can’t. I need to sort this on my own.
Chapter 7
I stand frozen on Davin’s front porch, unable to ring the doorbell. There are two aliens inside, and no matter how nice they seem, I cannot discount the possibility that their intentions might be sinister.
The question of whether to ring or not becomes academic when the door swings open. I nearly jump out of my skin. Thalia stands in front of me, smiling. “Hello, Ari. I didn’t mean to frighten you, but I could see you through the window and you looked as if you were having a problem with the doorbell.”
“Sorry. I was momentarily distracted.”
“It’s quite alright, dear. Please come in.” She pauses and offers a warm smile, while placing a hand on my shoulder. “There is nothing to be frightened of.”
I take a step inside. “Thank you, I—”
“Ari, are you alright?”
Seriously? “No, I’m not alright,” I say, as several tears escape, running down my cheeks. “I don’t know what I am. I’m not human?”
Thalia shakes her head. “Come, let’s get you something to drink.”
She takes my hand and leads me farther inside—into the kitchen.
“They’re lovely,” I say, pointing to a vase of freshly-cut wildflowers.
She gazes at them and smiles. “All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.”
I can’t help smiling back, as I take a seat at the table. “That’s quite profound.”
“It is an ancient human proverb. East Indian, I believe. Would you like tea, coffee, or something cold?”
“A cup of tea would be nice. Thank you.”
Thalia fills a tea kettle with bottled water, places it on the stove, then takes the seat directly across from me. “Davin is showering and will be joining us shortly.”
I wince and Thalia arches her brow as she gives me a questioning look. “Did something happen between you and Davin?”
Shit. “Um…” He wouldn’t have told her about the kiss. He couldn’t have. “It was just a very traumatic day…”
“I’m sure it was. I want you to know that while Davin can be a bit intimidating, he would never hurt you.”
“Thanks. That’s good to know.” I gather my poise, give her a little smile, and change the subject. “So, did you rent this house to be close to me?”
She smiles. “Yes.”
I get straight to the point. “Did Davin tell you what happened today?”
“He did.”
“It was quite an interesting day,” I say with a humorless chuckle.
Thalia leans forward, propping her elbows on the table. “Your injury was unfortunate. We did not intend for you to find out that way.”
“How did you intend for me to find out?”
“Gradually…and on your terms. Given enough time, you would have come to certain conclusions. You would have questioned certain things.”
“For instance?”
Thalia sits back and gazes into my eyes, looking completely relaxed. “How you defeated a boy nearly twice your size; how you managed to run as fast as a cheetah; why you never get sick; and why you are so much smarter than other girls your age. You would have pondered these things, Ari. You would have concluded that you are so very much more than who you thought you were.”
“And you would have been there for me? To make the puzzle pieces fit?”
“Davin and I will be there for you. We will not let you go through this alone.”
“I—”
I don’t know what to say. I’m touched. Really touched.
The kettle is whistling. Thalia stands, walks to the stove, and turns off the burner. “Green or Chai?”
“Green,” I say.
She prepares our cups, sets them on the table to steep, then returns to her seat across from me.
“Everything will work out, dear,” she says.
I squeeze some honey into my cup and stir. “You really think I’m like you and Davin? Not human?”
“All life is made from the same stuff. The same building blocks. Our DNA is simply more evolved.”
“But I was born in Edgewood. Are my parents—”
“We don’t know yet, Ari,” she says. “Cream?”
“No thank you. So, I’m a Warrior?”
“I’m not sure, dear. Your situation is unique and we’re going to need to run tests…”
“Tests?” I ask. “What kind of tests?”
A chill shoots down my spine. Am I going to be poked, prodded or…worse?
“Nothing invasive and not until we have earned your trust. It seems safe to assume that at least one of your parents is Olympian. Your father is deceased?”
“Yes. He died when his small plane crashed.”
“I’m so sorry, dear.”
“It was a long time ago. I was a little girl.”
Thalia pats my hand and purses her lips. There is nothing about this woman that seems alien.
“Thalia, you detected me from my energy. Right?”
“Yes.”
“What about my mom? Does she emit energy?”
“Well, she does. But you emit so much. I’m not certain if what I sensed was actually hers. It may well have been a residual trace of your energy.”
“Oh. I guess that makes sense.”
Thalia nods, as a freshened Davin enters the kitchen and sits. Next to me.
He’s dressed in jeans and a black tee shirt, and smells of shampoo. I’m still pissed off. He made me feel like a fool. But…
“Hello, Ari. Are you feeling better?”
Is he referring to my sliced leg or my bruised ego? Probably both.
“I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
He gives me a smile. It’s awkward and doesn’t reach his eyes. He seems a little tense. I look away from him.
“So, Thalia. where do we go from here?” I ask.
“Your abilities are rapidly awakening, Ari,” she says. “Would you like us to teach you how to harness them?”
The sooner I learn, the sooner I’ll be able to protect myself. “Yes, I would like that.”
“Excellent,” she says. “We can start on Tuesday. There is a secure Olympian facility beneath the Institute. When does your school day end?”
“I’m usually out the door by two-thirty. But spring break starts tomorrow.”
Davin and Thalia look alarmed. “Are you going on vacation?” Davin asks.
“No, my mom is scheduled at the hospital. We’re not going anywhere. Why the concerned looks?”
“If you were leaving, we would need to make special arrangements for your security,” Davin says.
“Oh.”
“Yes, well, the fact that you are not leaving the area makes things easier to manage,” Thalia says. “You can train two hours a day during the week and then all day Saturday. Would you like me to talk to your mom? I can tell her that I’ve offered you a job as my lab assistant.”
“Alright. She seems to like you.”
“Very well. I’ll get in touch with her tonight. Is ten dollars per hour an appropriate wage?”
“More than appropriate. I’ll tell her you’ve offered me a job and to expect your call.”
“Good. I’ve got some work to do now. Why don’t you and Davin go get something to eat. There is a very nice restaurant at the Institute called Destiny. I’m sure you’ll love the food. I’ve made reservations.”
“I’m really tired, Thalia. I don’t know.” I don’t know if I’m ready to be alone with him.
“You must be famished. Are you sure?”
“I really appreciate the offer, but I’m going to decline. I just want to close my eyes.”
“Of course, dear. You’ve had quite a day.”
For sure. “I guess I’ll see you on Tuesday?”
She nods. “Tuesday. Davin will pick you up at eight in the morning.”
“Okay,” I say, as I walk toward the front hall. Just before I reach the door, a question pops into my head and I turn back toward Thalia. “Should I tell my mom about…everything?”
“Soon, but not yet. There is more you need to learn, and I would like to get to know your mom a little better. We will do it together. Davin and I will be by your side…” She pauses and takes my hand in hers. It feels so solid and warm. “I know a lot has happened, but you can trust us,” she says in a warm and sincere tone.
“Thanks, Thalia. I’m trying really hard.”
“Wait,” Davin calls out. “I’ll walk you home.”
His eyes lock on mine. He looks contrite. Maybe I should cut him some slack. Maybe I should give him a chance to explain, to redeem himself. Maybe…
“Sure.”
Chapter 8
Davin and I walk to my house in silence. In my mind, I keep seeing our kiss, the expression on his face when he pulled away, how humiliated I felt.
“Well, thank you for seeing me home safely,” I say softly.
“Ari, can we talk?”
“I guess.” I nod toward the swing chair on the front porch. “Let’s sit. I’m really tired.”
I sit down and turn sideways, pulling my knees up to my chin. Davin sits down next to me, keeping as much distance between us as he can.
“I hurt you,” he says.
“What makes you say that?”
“I have a well-developed sense of perception.” He manages a thin smile.
“I had no right to kiss you like that, Davin. It was inappropriate. I mean, we’ve only known each other for two days. I don’t know what came over me. One minute I was looking into your eyes and the next thing I knew, I was kissing you…”
“And I kissed you back,” he finishes.
“Obviously. But the way you reacted…it was hurtful.”
“I didn’t mean…”
“It’s not your fault. I was the aggressor.”
“And I was an accessory to the crime.”
“Crime?”
“Perhaps that was a bad choice of words. The fact is, I could not let myself be distracted. We were in a vulnerable position and we were physically drained from the healing.”
His eyes look sad. Conflicted. Can this impossibly old Warrior simply be socially awkward? “There are more tactful ways to end an ill-timed kiss.”
“Ari,” he says softly, “In times of extreme stress, emotions cannot always be trusted.”
“Balderdash. So, you think I was looking for comfort? A quick kiss, a calming fix?” I practically spit the words out. He thinks I’m weak.
Davin shakes his head slowly. “That’s not what I think at all…” A smile slowly forms on his lips. “Balderdash? I like that word.”
I roll my eyes. “Tell me what you really think, Davin. I’m dying to know. Do you think I’m an emotional wreck?” I’m building up a head of steam. “Why did you kiss me back?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Bull! That’s a copout.”
“Ari…”
“If you want to help me…if you really want to keep me safe, you have to be honest with me. I kissed you because I like you, Davin. I’m attracted to you. Perhaps it’s a reaction to stress, but I need to deal with it, not run from it.” My tone softens as I continue. “I think you like me, too. In fact, I’m pretty damn sure of it.”
The look on his face tells me all I need to know, and I smile inside.
He sighs deeply and nods. “The truth is, I seem to be drawn to you like a moth to moonlight and I’m not sure I understand why. But if I am to keep you safe, I cannot afford to be distracted. Not now. Not yet. Not here.”
I don’t know how to respond, so I stare at him, like an idiot.
“Ari, if I surrender to my emotions it could compromise my ability to protect you.”
“I understand,” I say, placing my hand on top of his. “But I think there’s more to it. I don’t think you were expecting to be attracted to me, and when you were, it surprised you.”
I tilt my head and arch my brow, inviting a rejoinder. Instead, he just stares at me. I decide to back off and lighten things up a bit.
“Do you think I might be a siren? An evil seductress?” I ask.
“Ari, there is nothing evil about you.”
“So you don’t hate me? You don’t find me repulsive?”
A warm smile spreads across his face, reaching his eyes, making them sparkle. “I do not hate you and you are most assuredly not repulsive.”
I let out a deep sigh. “Life isn’t supposed to be this complicated, Davin. I feel like I’m being irresistibly drawn to the edge of a deep chasm and I’m not sure I can keep myself from falling.”
“I won’t let you fall,” he says. His tender tone surprises me.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“You are so hard to figure out. Do you know that?”
“Mm-hmm. But think how accomplished you will feel when you do,” he says with a tilt of his head.
“Just when I think I’m c
lose, you change direction on me, Davin. Is it a test?”
He grins. “No. It’s just that it’s hard for me to interact with you when I’m trying to keep you safe. My senses are much sharper than yours. I can see things and hear things that you cannot. I can hear the fish swimming in your pond. I can hear a deer huffing in the woods. Earlier, I heard what was probably a cat, or a fox, making a kill. I need to filter these sounds and determine if any of them pose a threat to you.”
“Will I develop senses like yours?”
“You will.”
“So what have I learned today?” I muse. “Let’s see—I’m immortal. Aliens are real, and they come in both evil and non-evil models. And, oh yeah, I have this really strange urge to kiss a man I’ve known less than two whole days. Does that cover it, Davin?”
“Yes. But you left out the part about being strong and brilliant enough to find humor and irony in it,” he says.
“I’m not sure about the brilliant part.”
“Why not?”
“Well, I’m taking a lot of things on face value. There is always the chance that I’m aiding and abetting an alien race hell-bent on taking over my planet. So I could be a little naïve. Don’t you think?”
“Not possible.”
“Says you.”
“There is only one solution I can see.”
“And what would that be?”
“You and I will go out for dinner tomorrow night and I will prove to you that I come in peace.”
“How will you do that?”
“Have dinner with me tomorrow night and I will show you.”
“Is that the only way?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, but this just adds credence to how naïve I am.”
“You are not naïve. You have good instincts and you know that I mean you no harm.”
“I’ve been wrong. Once or twice.”
“I’m asking you to dine with me in a public restaurant on the Institute campus. Since the Institute is perfectly secure, we can be more relaxed. I will not need to be so focused on protecting you.”
“If you attack me, I’ll be really pissed off.”
“Ari…”
“I’m just saying.”
“I would never attack you.”
“Can you sense how afraid I am?”
“Of me?”
“Of both of us. One minute I’m afraid of what you are, and the next minute I just want to hold your hand, because I really do like you, and I understand that if you really did want to hurt me…” I take a deep breath. “Well, you could have let me die today.”
Ariel Rising Page 6