A Banshee's Tale

by Veronica Breville

  We all helped clear the table and do dishes after our meal, and my aunt requested we both meet her in the parlor for tea and dessert. While Zane and I finished the dishes, he asked me more about my upcoming Tourists.

  “So, how much do you know about them so far?”

  “Well, one is sick and the other will meet with an accident. I know the latter will require me to project, but I am not sure when. After I meet him, I’m sure I’ll have a better idea and will be able to fill you in on when I will need you to be with me.” I sloshed the soapy water I was using down the front of my shirt and huffed. “Dang it!”

  “Here.” Zane held a towel out to me with the most obnoxiously cute smirk on his face. I was beginning to think he liked watching me make an idiot of myself.

  “Thanks,” I said, staring daggers at him.

  Of all the people to fall apart in front of, it always has to be him.

  “When do you plan on meeting them?” he asked, quickly returning to our prior conversation.

  “I will start with the more immediate of the two tomorrow and take on the other one the day after. Unless, of course, you can’t go with me, then I suppose it could wait a day.”

  “Why, Catherine Dalry, are you trying to be courteous... to me?” He smiled while turning toward me.

  For the love of all that was holy, he has the most mesmerizing eyes!

  I didn’t think I would be capable of tearing my gaze from them until he broke out in raucous laughter.

  “I... well, I suppose I am. Trying to make lemonade out of lemons and all,” I whispered, still trying to clear my head and slow my heart rate.

  We stacked the last of the clean dishes and turned to head for the stairs. When we reached the bottom of the staircase, he swept his hand in a gentlemanly gesture that suggested I should go before him. This did not help my fuzzy head one bit, but ascending the stairs in front of him gave me time to regroup, a little.

  As we all sat in the comfortable parlor eating our tiramisu and drinking our tea, Aunt Lucie decided it would be a good bonding experience to play a game of cards. She chose a game I didn’t know well, though. I assumed from his terrible playing Zane wasn’t very familiar with it, either. The game did succeed in making us all laugh hysterically for more than ten minutes, which felt marvelous. So much of our time together revolved around serious matters; it made this time of fun all the more memorable.

  As our eating and playing wound down, I yawned, creating a chain of yawns that circled the room several times before I excused myself for bed. With my admission about being ready to go to bed, my housemates stood and said the same. Zane walked down the hall with me and opened my bedroom door in a courteous way.

  “Goodnight, Catherine. I hope you sleep well.” His hand left the doorknob and immediately went to rub the back of his neck as he shifted from one foot to the other. I walked by him slowly, my arm brushing his stomach. Neither of us expected the accidental touch, but what was even more perplexing was his sudden gasp. And did he just... groan?

  I looked up at him with wide eyes and wondered if I’d hurt him. Honestly, if a little elbow jab hurt him then I was in a world of trouble if I came up against all the big bad monsters waiting to get me in my new world.

  “I’m sorry, did I hurt you?” I went to lift his shirt and he jerked away like I’d electrocuted him.

  “Uh, no. Just, my stomach is still full and you hit it just... well, what I mean to say is...” His eyes were every bit as wide as my own and darting around the room like he was avoiding looking at me. “I’m fine really. Just sleep well and I’ll see you in the morning.”

  With that he turned and nearly sprinted to his door just a few feet from my own, slamming it when he’d made it inside. I stood staring down the hall, wondering what the hell had just happened to make my unshakeable protector look like he wanted to crawl out of his own skin. Scratching my head and turning back into my own room, I crawled under the covers of my bed and let my mind wander down a less confusing path until I felt sleep pull me under.

  Tomorrow, I would meet Mark Whitby, and I knew I needed to be well rested.

  From the moment my alarm went off, I was wide awake, ready to tackle my day head on.

  After another wonderfully typical day of school was behind me, I had made plans to see a movie with Will and Emma. They had both spent the day desperately trying to get me to agree to a blind date with Emma’s cousin from Manhattan. Their persistence paid off and I finally caved, but I couldn’t get rid of the gnawing in my gut that told me this was a terrible idea.

  What would it hurt to just pretend to be a normal teenager for one night?

  I decided to follow the same routine I had begun with my first Tourist, Lois Stallings, and headed home to do homework before starting my Guide work. After flying through several sheets of Calculus and an essay for my advanced English class, I went to the parlor to wait for Zane to get home.

  The wait gave me time to concoct a few introductions. Tonight we would be driving to a bar and grill in Manhattan where I assumed Mr. Whitby worked. My vision didn’t give me all the specifics, but I definitely knew where to start.

  Eventually, Zane came in and called my name. He sounded like he was in a good mood; that boded well for me.

  “How was your day?” I asked, noting a spring in his step.

  “Had a great day, and you?” He waited for me by the door, smiling and looking more at ease with things than he had the last few days. “Are you ready to go?”

  I stuffed my hands into the pockets of my jacket and walked toward him. “As I’ll ever be.” He held the door for me making me feel a bit giggly as it seemed like such a proper thing to do. “My day was perfectly boring and wonderful. We’re headed to Manhattan tonight. What is our back story... siblings or dating?” I asked, secretly hoping he wouldn’t opt for being my brother.

  “Siblings, I think. Can’t use the same cover every time.” His stare through the windshield never wavered, and I winced a bit at his words.

  What does it matter, anyway? He is my protector and nothing more!

  I really needed to work on keeping the raging hormonal side of my brain in check, or I would make an even bigger idiot of myself around him.

  “Good call,” I said and resumed my concentration on the road.

  The rest of the trip was mostly quiet with an occasional mention of something one of us saw on the side of the road or the weather. We had similar taste in music so the silence wasn’t uncomfortable, and neither of us seemed to feel the need to speak. I was amazed to feel completely at ease sitting next to the man I both pined for and detested.

  Go figure.

  We arrived at the restaurant a little after five, just beating the evening rush. This was fortunate because it ensured that we could choose where we sat, putting us in close proximity to Mark Whitby. I couldn’t be sure if he was a waiter or a cook, so I began looking for him at the front, working my way around the restaurant slowly. Luckily, I caught a glimpse of him taking an order at another table, so we politely requested to sit in his section.

  Zane and I waited patiently for him to wait on us and began making small talk to cut the obvious silence. Without the music to fill the void, the quiet had grown uncomfortable.

  “Tell me more about the new cattle you are receiving.” My question did the trick, and Zane babbled on and on about the new breed and all the tests they would have to run.

  Before long, Mark stopped at our table with a very apologetic look on his face. “Sorry for the wait, folks. Seems we’re getting our rush a bit early tonight. Must have to do with the basketball game at the university. What can I get you to drink?” He flashed his best waiter-in-training smile, and I could have sworn he winked. It was painfully obvious he hadn’t been doing this long, and I surmised he was only about a year older than me, if that. It also didn’t escape my attenti
on that he was much better looking in person than in my vision of him.

  “We’ll both have water,” Zane answered curtly. I tried not to show my irritation with him. I didn’t need anyone ordering for me, thank you!

  “Coming right up.” He turned and hurried to kitchen.

  “Catherine, what do you need from him to be able to help?” Zane scowled in the direction Mark had just gone and the almost comical look on his face forced me to stifle a laugh. Something had set him on edge a bit, but I couldn’t think of a polite way to ask what it was.

  “Not much, just casual conversation. I try not to think about his situation too much because it’s just too sad. He’s so young and happy. I don’t feel right knowing what I know about his impending accident, but I have a duty to him to do all I can to keep him on his path. I think I might try using my planting talent to smooth the way,” I whispered. Having the person I was meant to help overhear me talking about the fact that he would soon die would most definitely be a bad thing.

  “Just tell me if I can help, okay?” It seemed heartfelt, but I could never tell when Zane was being sincere.

  Mark came back to our table with our waters, and we ordered our dinner. While he took the orders, I noticed that he had mesmerizing blue eyes. If I knew how, I might actually flirt with him.

  Did he just wink at me again?

  When we were finished with our dinner and ready for the check, I decided I would plant my thought for Mark. When he came by to bus our table of dirty dishes, I started. Keeping it simple like I had done with Lois, I would just concentrate on the intense joy related to the eternal light we all saw when we were passing. As I did this, I saw his stance soften, a slight smile forming at the corners of his mouth, and his eyes crossing just a bit. He was content, or at least I assumed that’s what his look meant.

  Feeling quite confident and sure of myself, I got up to signal that I was ready to go. Zane followed suit after throwing some cash on the table, and we made our way to my car. Unlike my first experience, I wasn’t tired, but I did have that wonderful euphoric feeling again, and even when it began to fade a bit I felt okay. I decided I was capable of driving, and when I voiced my decision, I noticed that Zane’s shoulders slumped minutely. I resisted the temptation to giggle at his obvious disappointment and focus on the warm fuzzies invading my body.

  “How do you feel, uh, I mean, how did it go?” Zane asked, still looking a little let down at not being the one driving home.

  “Perfect! Of course it was just the seed of a thought, so I can’t predict how much good it will do in the end, but at least it’s there, in his head, now,” I said, smiling.

  “Will you be ready to visit the next young man tomorrow?”

  “Actually, I have a date tomorrow night, so we’ll have to wait until Saturday, unless you have plans.” I felt my telltale blush creep up my cheeks and mentally smacked myself for being so very girly. It felt strange telling him I had a date.

  “Really? Well, I hope you enjoy yourself.” Again, did he mean it sarcastically or sincerely? I had no way of discerning his meaning. “Saturday is out unless you absolutely need it to happen then,” he continued. “We are receiving the cattle that afternoon, and the rest of the day we’ll be getting things squared away. How about Sunday?”

  “Sunday it is. You really should try to have a life outside of the ranch and your duties as my Caomhnóir, though. Don’t you ever date?” I was hoping he would just blow it off; I really didn’t want to hear any of his exploits.

  “I have dated in the past,” he mumbled awkwardly, “but, given my current circumstances, it doesn’t seem right to involve someone in my life when I can’t be completely honest with them.” He raked his hand through his tangled curls, and my breath caught in my throat.

  “That’s very admirable of you, but there are such things as one night stands.” My face burned. Why did I say that?

  “Wow... Cat. How... progressive of you. Are you sure you’re only seventeen? If I feel the need, I promise to get out of my groove and let loose, okay? Let’s change the conversation before your face is permanently stained that color.” He laughed.

  “Great idea.”

  Dumb, dumb, dumb...

  Ten minutes later, we pulled into the driveway and walked into the house without uttering a single word. My face was still trying to recuperate from our conversation when Zane turned to me to say goodnight. Wishing him a goodnight as well, I entered my room and collapsed on my bed.

  I had managed to accomplish my mission with Mark Whitby and embarrass myself, yet again, in front of Zane. I hoped I got used to making a fool of myself in front of him because the blushing was almost painful.

  Sleep came within seconds of closing my eyes.

  Morning... ugh. Friday morning... double ugh. I should have had that fluttery feeling in the pit of my stomach given the date I had agreed to yesterday, but there was nothing but a feeling of dread. I knew the reason for my unease wasn’t that I feared being set up with someone wholly unattractive—I trusted Will and Emma explicitly—it had to be something else, perhaps it was just nerves. I had never been on a bona fide date before, so nerves would be normal, right?

  Pushing all the negative vibes from my head, I followed my morning routine and made it to school ahead of schedule. I arrived before my friends, so I sat in my car listening to some new music I had downloaded the morning before. The beat was hard and fast and allowed me little chance to focus on anything but it and the lyrics.

  Bliss.

  By the third song, I was ripped from my musical meditation by a soft tapping on my window. Will and Emma were gazing at me with the quirkiest smiles. Imagining what I must have looked like from the outside, I understood the strange looks. It had to be funny.

  “Hey, guys. Ready for another Friday?” I asked, getting out of the car.

  “As ready as I ever am. Are you ready to meet my cousin tonight?” Emma asked.

  “As ready as I can be.” I mimicked her lazy smile as I said this, and she burst out laughing.

  “Cat, Emma and I were talking this morning and realized we hadn’t told you his name yet. I don’t know how that happened but it’s—” I clamped my hand down over Will’s mouth with more force than was necessary to make my point.

  “No, just do the intros tonight, okay? If I know his name now, I will only get more nervous, and that’s the last thing I need,” I demanded.

  “Whatever floats your boat, Cat,” Will rolled his eyes.

  “Thanks, now let’s get this day over with, so we can enjoy some ‘friend’ time.”

  My sanity was the unchanging schedule of my school day. No matter what, I could depend on that. I was beginning to dread the end of the week because my weekends were full of uncertainty, and uncertainty made me edgy.

  The end of the day brought on a new bout of rolling nervousness. I practiced my deep breathing, but it did little to stay the somersaults my stomach was currently doing. At least Emma’s continuous talking helped to derail my thoughts often enough to relieve the churning. She was taking me to her house where we would have some “girl” time and get ready together. My aunt had loaned me one of her hippest outfits and was as giddy as Emma about the date I was dreading.

  The time I spent with Emma getting ready was wonderful. She was such a uniquely sweet and beautiful person, and her enthusiasm was contagious. By the time she was done curling my hair, I was almost excited to meet her cousin. She had been careful not to mention his name but described him to me as best she could. If her description was right, then he must be quite attractive.

  Will picked us up at six o’clock on the dot, and we headed to Manhattan to meet my mystery date. Being in the car with him and Emma was such a joyful experience. We laughed and sang as loudly as we could. Will told funny stories about our misadventures as kids, and I corrected him when the facts shone in hi
s favor. I was beginning to think this night couldn’t get better, and then I met Emma’s cousin.

  Well, the car ride to Manhattan was definitely not the highlight, but it might be the best part. We pulled up to the very same bar and grill Zane and I had visited the night before, and lo and behold, Mr. Mark Whitby awaited us in the parking lot.

  All I could do was bury my head in my hands and shake it back and forth frantically.

  This cannot be happening to me!

  Emma began the introductions when I was finished wrestling myself from the back seat while trying to put on my best unruffled face.

  “Catherine Dalry, this is my cousin, Mark Whitby. Mark, this is Will’s best friend and now my very close friend as well, Catherine.” Emma’s face lit up as she called me her friend, and for the briefest moment, I forgot the awkward situation before me and basked in that revelation with her.

  Friend... that sounded so nice coming from her.

  Mark held out his hand and smiled quite widely. “Hello, again.”

  “Didn’t think I would see you again so soon.” Wasn’t that the truth, I thought as I shook his hand daintily.

  “You know each other?” Will asked.

  “Not really. She and her brother sat in my section last night. I did my best attempt at flirting, but she didn’t even notice.” He looked to Emma and grinned before turning back to me. His brows furrowed and he tilted his head as he stared at me for the briefest of moments. “You have the most unusual eyes,” he blurted out. If I thought my blush was unbearably red, then he must have felt the same. His face erupted in ten different shades of the same color within seconds.

  “Thank you, most people refer to them as ‘crazy,’ so ‘unusual’ is a compliment.” I smiled.

  “I meant it as a compliment actually. They are also very pretty.” The red blush heating his face became even deeper, until Will decided to lighten the mood with a loud laugh and slapped Mark on the back.