Love, Alchemy

by Eden Ashley

  The manila file, left untouched since the morning, caught her eye. Maybe Wes meant for her not to work on it with everyone else around. Kali reached for the file and was about to open it but stopped when she heard Mack’s voice. Déjà vu from the morning, he again stood right behind her.

  “I need to see you in my office.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

  Kali followed. She could feel Shannon’s eyes boring holes into her back, aimed dead center at her heart. She risked a casual glance over her shoulder and witnessed a look of uncensored animosity. Weird. Such hostility was a bit intense, even for Shannon. Shaking off the ill feeling, Kali went to see what new favor the boss expected of her.

  Down the hall, Mack impatiently held the door open. He closed it with a thud as soon as Kali entered. “Have a seat, little girl.” She did, and he took a seat beside her instead of in his own custom chair that was covered in slink leather.

  Okay, something huge is about to happen.

  “How was work today, not too busy?”

  She shook her head. “Busy is good.”

  “That’s right. You’re a smart girl and a good worker. Keep it up and I’ll be recommending you for the Davidson Founder Internship next summer.”

  Wow. That internship was only the most sought after award for aspiring archaeology students. Each year, four teenagers were selected to study abroad during the months of summer. Having the right connections and credibility among influential contributors was the only way to get a foot in the door for a recommendation. Kali expressed her gratitude somewhat breathlessly. “Thank you.”

  “Did you get the report finished?”

  She hesitated. Mack had dangled such a tasty carrot. She didn’t want him to snatch it away. “No. I didn’t,” she admitted without offering excuse or apology.

  Mack was full of surprises. “That’s alright. I know you’ll get it done perfectly.” He waited a few beats and then went on. “I’m meeting with a very important client soon, and I need your help.”

  Kali remembered Wes’s counsel and feigned complete ignorance. “What do you need my help with?”

  “I want you to come with me to meet the client. He’s a private collector much like myself…” Mack’s voice trailed off as though he were reconsidering his words. “I need you there as an assistant. You’ll be paid time and a half for the entire trip and have access to the company expense account.”

  Calm on the outside, inside Kali was an excited bundle of nerves. Any chance to join him in the field was a welcomed opportunity. She took a breath. “I’d have to get permission from my parents to take the time off from school.”

  “This will only take a few days. I’ve planned it as an extended weekend two weeks from today. We’ll leave on Thursday afternoon and return the following Monday.”

  “Okay.” Kali smiled in excitement.

  “I’m available to speak with your parents personally if they have any questions.” Mack held the door open. Their little meeting was over. “Thank you, Kali, for all your hard work. Go home now. Whatever you’re finishing can wait until morning.”

  Still smiling, Kali got up and left without argument. After ten hours at the office, going home sounded like a great idea. She also had a date.

  #

  There was barely any daylight left when Rhane arrived at his new home. The lot was spacious enough. Its two dozen rooms and over a hundred acres of land covered in dense woods suited his purposes. From the backseat of the SUV, he retrieved a bag. It held the only possessions he carried. Rhane preferred to travel light.

  He stood out front and surveyed the aging estate that rested upon a hill like an ancient monolith. Though impressive in size by modern standards, even dusk couldn’t hide the toll years of neglect had taken. Stucco moldings decorating the doors and windows were cracked. White paint peeled away from the base of the columns. Some years ago, unfinished renovations on the fourth story had added wraparound skylights, leaving the upper realms of the mansion in much better condition than the two lower levels. It made a striking contrast between modern and classical architecture. Born of the plains, Rhane liked to sleep beneath the stars and didn’t mind the unusual design. At the same time, he had a strong desire to unite the opposing styles.

  The inside of the mansion was filled with furniture and paintings dating from the early 1900s. Rhane didn’t particularly care for the décor, but it would do for the time being. The lights weren’t on due to an oversight by the electric company. A flashlight proved to be invaluable. He couldn’t rely on a cold trail of half-century old smells to guide him. Locating a supply of candles in the kitchen cabinets, Rhane dug a lighter out of his pocket and went to work.

  A few times, he caught sight of the canine moving soundlessly throughout the house, conducting its own exploration. It paused to watch him climb the main staircase that wound upward in a delicate curve. At the end of it was the master bedroom. The hardwood floors were in decent shape but seeing the hideous wallpaper, even by candlelight, made Rhane wince. The work of remodeling would start there. Like in every other room in the house, the furniture was draped. He pulled the sheet from a king-sized bed and strategically exhaled as an inch of dust lifted into a cloud and filled the entire room. Rhane decided to leave the rest of the furniture covered. He didn’t want to risk a total compromise of the air supply.

  He tossed the large black duffel on the bed and sat down. He quickly stood again and began unpacking clothes, toiletries, a few books, and a Desert Eagle pistol in brushed chrome finish. He opened the clip. Bane silver glowed bluish-green in the dim light. He placed it and four cartons of fifty caliber bullets to the side. Then he fished out the only thing left inside the duffel—a medium-sized envelope containing passports, credit cards, driver’s licenses, and birth certificates that made each identity unique and valid. Rhane selected the documents related to Wilfred Harvey’s identity and tucked the rest inside the envelope. Then he slid the envelope into the back of a large frame and remounted the picture on the wall.

  Chapter 16

  Before Kali left the office, she grabbed the manila file, intending to slip it into her messenger bag when she was sure no one was looking. Unfortunately, the messenger bag was still missing. It was going to be a big problem on Monday when she returned to class. She honestly couldn’t recall if there’d been any weekend assignments. Her memory was spotty on the matter of deadlines and homework, which was the main culprit behind the B’s that Greg constantly chided her to improve.

  Kali tucked the file under arm and exited the building without being spotted. Mack wanted the project finished immediately. But he had instructed her to go home promptly. If he was seriously thinking of recommending her for the Davidson Founder Internship, Kali didn’t want to do or not do anything to jeopardize that. Taking the file was the easiest remedy she could think of.

  Preferring not to have to explain why the delivery guy was there sans a pizza and driving Lisa’s car, Kali hoped neither of her parents would be home when she arrived. A little late, the thought occurred to call Rhane and see if it were possible to meet someplace else. Then Kali realized she didn’t have his number. Oh well. His truck was in great shape and would be excellent collateral for Lisa’s few years older SUV.

  All of the lights were off when she turned into the driveway. That usually meant the ‘rents weren’t home. Parking the truck at the curb, Kali checked the garage. It was empty. Jumping up, she clicked her heels together and dashed inside. It was weird being so pumped up about a date. She hadn’t been excited about a guy in a long time. Come to think of it, Kali wasn’t sure if she had ever been excited about a guy. Granted, Rhane was slightly older than the average boy she was accustomed to. Maybe their age difference was the source of her thrill. And he was sort of mysterious. That didn’t hurt either. Fresh off the breakup with Cal, Kali couldn’t ignore the possibility that she was simply on the rebound.

  Tearing through the drawers of her dresser, she started by selecting the ap
propriate undergarments. Lace. Strings. Black. Check. Then she pulled out an outfit worthy of first date status. Not ten minutes later, the doorbell chimed. Her blood buzzed with anticipation as she dashed down the stairs. She was barely able to settle into a dignified walk as she answered the door.

  Rhane looked up from the stoop, pinning her with his unusual eyes. “Good evening.”

  A familiar numbness possessed her brain, and Kali anxiously searched for the right response. “Hi,” she managed.

  “You look nice.”

  “So do you.” Oh boy does he.

  She opened the door wide, and he accepted the unspoken invite. All his heat entered with him as he stepped inside, shielding her from the wind of the chilly night. He moved past her, brushing his lips against her cheek as he did. Suddenly, Kali was very hungry. Her fingers itched to touch him, to feel his life trace through her veins. His spirit was strong, and it was calling to her. The rest of the world muted around that voice. Kali exhaled. Less than two days had passed since she had taken from Trevor, and yet she’d been fighting hunger since Friday night. Why is this happening?

  Rhane’s voice broke through the haze. “Is everything alright?”

  “Yeah.” She shook her head clear. “Everything is fine. I have to go upstairs and get my bag. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

  “Don’t forget your shoes.”

  She glanced down at her bare feet. “Right. Shoes.” Kali returned to find Rhane standing exactly as she had left him. “All ready?” she asked.

  He eyed her bag warily. “That one is even bigger than the last one I saw you with.”

  She patted her purse proudly. “I can fit everything I need in here.”

  “Or just everything,” he muttered and pulled the door closed behind them.

  “Hey, it’s practical.”

  “I wasn’t judging. How many of those things do you have?”

  Her face fell into a pout. “One less now. I lost a bag on Friday.”

  “Purple leather?”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “Yes. How did you know?” He shrugged and pointed. She followed his finger to where the bag in question sat leaning against the garage door. It hadn’t been there earlier. Kali narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Did you find it?”

  Rhane held both palms spread wide in a gesture of innocence and shook his head. “Can’t claim that one, I just saw it.”

  Kali went to the bag, looking around before picking it up. “But how--I dropped this in the woods two days ago.”

  “What were you doing in the woods?” Rhane asked as he came up behind her. She noticed him sniffing the bag. At least she thought she did. A strange look came over his face.

  “I was taking a shortcut. Do you mind pulling the Jeep into the garage while I put this in the house?”

  “No problem.”

  A few minutes later they were both situated inside the pickup with its rightful owner behind the wheel. “So where are we headed? I hazard a guess that you already have somewhere in mind.”

  “Actually, I do,” she answered with measured secrecy. “Take a left out of the subdivision to get on the highway. There’s a special spot I like to go to. It’s about thirty minutes away.”

  Rhane signaled the left blinker. “And what are we doing in this special spot?”

  “What if I said I want to go to Ridge Lake for an evening swim?”

  “I’d say it’s too cold and dark to be swimming. And neither of us have suits.”

  “I have a suit.”

  “Oh. That only leaves me waterlogged in blue jeans then.”

  “Take those off. You don’t need a suit.”

  “I don’t?”

  “You have a great body. I want to see it.”

  By light from the occasional streetlamp, she witnessed a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “That still leaves the dark and cold.”

  “I’ll keep you safe and warm.”

  He laughed softly. The sound went beautifully with his smile.

  #

  Rhane stood fully clothed at the water’s edge only half distracted by the sight of Kalista in extremely flattering swimwear. The surface was dark. No light from the moon reflected across the water. His keen vision made the best of what available illumination there was from the stars. At that particular moment, he sincerely wished Kalista wasn’t afflicted with memory loss. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have subjected him to this mocking form of torment.

  She linked her hand in his and tugged gently. His steps were hesitant, but Rhane allowed himself to be led to the water, to the black mantle of frigid darkness waiting to enshroud him. Slender but deft fingers had his shirt halfway unbuttoned before he could drag his eyes away from the murky lake.

  “Why are you still dressed? I’m beginning to feel shy.”

  “Don’t be.” He slipped his arms about her waist and kissed her neck. “I’m just not so anxious to get caught with my pants down in fifty degree weather. The water is at least ten degrees colder.” In reality, temperatures could drop below freezing before he’d be affected.

  “I love the water.” Pushing away from him, she turned and ran splashing into the lake. He took his time, appreciating the generous view of her perfect backside. “Come on!” she coaxed. “It’s perfect.”

  With a relenting sigh, he shrugged out of his clothing and left it all on the ground beside his boots. Then he joined her in the water. “This is how all good horror movies begin… two naked people in the woods.”

  She laughed. “We’re not naked and this isn’t the woods.”

  “It’s close enough.”

  “I promised to keep you safe.”

  He found the statement quite charming. “And how do you plan on doing that?”

  “I’ve won three state lifeguard competitions with the most saves and the fastest. The water is my second home. There’s probably a hidden set of gills on my body somewhere.”

  Rhane smiled. “Well, I guess I’m in capable hands.”

  “You are. Now let’s swim to the opposite shore.” She took off.

  Her body cut through the water like a mammal designed to live there, leaving barely a disturbance in her wake. Rhane was a great swimmer, but it wasn’t easy to keep pace. Good thing he was content to swim behind her. Watching the rhythm of her graceful stroke was soothing. Toward the middle of the lake, she pulled up short and effortlessly treaded water until he reached her position. “Tell me something about you,” she said.

  This was the part that worried him. He would have to be careful. “What would you like to know?”

  “Everything. You’ve suddenly walked into my life and I know nothing about you. But it feels like I’ve met you before. It feels like you know me too.”

  “Everything may be a lot for our first date. Let’s start off easy.”

  “Okay. I’m listening.”

  “I’m not a pizza boy.”

  She laughed. “That much I knew. Tell me where you’re from.”

  “I’ve lived everywhere. Though my family traces its lineage all the way back to a people who lived in plains shadowed by the Golden Mountains.”

  “Wow. That’s near the Gobi, right?”

  He nodded.

  “Are your parents living?”

  “I haven’t seen them in a long time. But I have not received word of their deaths.” Even to him, his voice sounded distant and grim. Observing her face, Rhane wondered if she had sensed his sadness. For a moment no one said anything, and he noticed the night had grown silent around them, except for the sound of lapping waves.

  “My parents died in an accident,” she volunteered.

  “How old were you?”

  “Eight.” Her faced closed, probably shutting off painful memories. “Sometimes I can’t help thinking it was a good thing.”

  What does she remember?

  There were things he needed to know but not at the expense of causing her pain. “It’s alright. I won’t ask you anything else about them.”

  She
visibly relaxed. He could tell she was already considering her next move. “I want to show you something.”

  Before he could reply, her head slid beneath the water and disappeared into wet darkness.

  Chapter 17

  Seconds ticked away and then minutes. Kalista did not resurface. But it wasn’t her that he worried about. He already knew she was capable of holding her breath for inhumanly long periods of time.

  Wait until she figures out she can breathe underwater.

  What worried Rhane was the unnatural silence that had descended upon the nearby forest. The night wasn’t supposed to be silent…especially to his heightened senses. He was relieved when Kalista bobbed to the surface behind him. She wasn’t even gasping for air.

  “How long was that?”

  “Barely over seven minutes. Impressive.”

  “Impressive?” She swam closer. “The world record is for six and a half minutes.”

  “Then it’s very impressive.” He looked around, surveying the shore. Keeping his voice natural wasn’t too difficult despite the growing sense of unease he felt. It was, however, harder to maintain composure with her body pressed against his. An involuntary shiver rippled through him.

  “You’re cold? That’s cute.”

  “It’s not that at all.” Taking her face in both hands, he kissed her lips softly. She yielded to his touch as the heat built between them. Tiny ripples became miniature waves, shoved across the water by gusting wind. The smell accompanying it prompted him to action. He moved away from her. “We need to go, Kalista.”

  “Stay with me.”

  She kissed him again, slower and deeper. Her hands were busy beneath the water, tracing a line down his abs, teasing circles near his navel. She reached lower, and a groan escaped from his lips. “We really need to go,” he said.

  “Why?” She held onto him as he began paddling back to the shore. All he needed was for her to hang on. He didn’t mind doing the rest.

  “Let’s take this someplace else.”