The Island

by Clarissa Johal

“Please, take it. I have so much junk down there, it’s just taking up space. My husband keeps nagging me to go through it. Maybe this is the push I need.”

  “It would be best if we could wrap it in something.” He glanced at Emma. “To protect it.”

  “I’ve got some newspaper. I think I have a box somewhere too.”

  “How do you feel?” he asked once Christine had gone.

  “Drained.” She wiped her face with shaking hands. “That was intense.”

  “I don’t think you should be alone tonight.” His cheeks colored under his tan. “I mean…not to be forward or anything, but—”

  “You’re not being forward,” Emma said quickly. “I don’t want to be alone.”

  “I have my backpack in the truck, but I’ll call my friend and tell him not to expect me tonight.”

  “Here you go.” Christine came back in, a green box in her hand.

  “We should be going,” Nathanial said. “Thank you again for all your help.”

  “I hope you feel better, Emma.” Christine walked them to the door. “You take care of your girlfriend,” she added to Nathanial. “Make sure she follows up with a doctor.”

  “I will,” Nathanial said. “She just needs to rest.”

  They walked to the truck. A small part of Emma wished they were boyfriend-girlfriend, as ridiculous as that notion was. Focus, Emma. You’ve got the mirror. Now what? Simple, she answered. You park yourself on the island and start singing until both demons pounce on you. Then you flash them the mirror, grab Itu’s eyes and run like hell. She grimaced as Nathanial opened the door and helped her in.

  “We’ll figure this out, Emma. Don’t worry.”

  She noted his choice of words. Emma was unused to depending on anyone, but it felt kind of nice. She was starting to believe that he really did intend on sticking around.

  Nathanial got in and started the engine. “I think a relaxing evening with some good food is in order.”

  “I haven’t had a chance to do grocery shopping. My fridge is kind of empty,” she said. “I don’t know what to cook for dinner.”

  “I’ll cook dinner.” He glanced at her. “If you don’t mind me borrowing your kitchen, that is. I promise to clean up after.”

  “The kitchen’s all yours,” Emma replied. “Nobody’s ever cooked me dinner before.”

  “Really?” he questioned. “Let me be the first then. Do you like shrimp Florentine?”

  “I don’t even know what that is, but it sounds good.”

  “Will you be okay if we make a quick stop at the store and pick up a few things?” he asked.

  “I feel fine now. As long as ice cream is at the top of that list.”

  “Most definitely.”

  “I’m craving Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food, oddly enough.”

  “Mmm, my favorite,” Nathanial said. “I get it sometimes when I make a stop in Timber Point. There’s a little grocery store—”

  “Becker’s?”

  “Yes! He always carries it.”

  “My dad used to buy me ice cream before he’d send me to Fae’s,” Emma said. “I’d usually end up tossing what I couldn’t finish. Gideon doesn’t like ice cream, and Fae’s freezer doesn’t work very well.”

  “If I would have known you back then, we could have shared,” Nathanial said.

  “We could have.”

  They drove in comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

  * * *

  “Make yourself at home.” Emma set a bag of groceries on the kitchen counter. “Spices are on the top shelf. Pans are down there. Are you sure you don’t need help?”

  “Nope. You just relax.” He pulled several ingredients from another grocery bag. “I’ll put the ice cream in the freezer for later.”

  “I got it.” They grabbed for the ice cream at the same time. The frost on the container melted under their fingertips.

  “Or we could eat dessert first.” Nathanial’s molten gold gaze captured hers.

  This won’t work. Emma’s breath caught. We’re from two different worlds. “We can save it for later.” She set it in the freezer, allowing the cold air to bathe her face for a moment before closing the freezer door. Emma retreated to the living room.

  Watching Nathanial move around her kitchen, she wondered what cooking on his boat would be like. He did invite me this summer. I guess I’ll find out then. She couldn’t ignore the thrill that raced through her body, thinking about it.

  Nathanial looked up and caught her staring. “I’m glad you’re feeling better, by the way.”

  “I don’t know what happened back there.”

  “Do you think you’re connected to those demons like Professor Judy said?” Nathanial chopped the vegetables, his knife making sounds on the cutting board.

  “I keep feeling a pull to go back,” Emma confessed. “As stupid as that sounds.”

  He nodded. “After my parents died, I’d feel a pull to return to Sownipok. Even after Fae went missing and I had no reason to go back. It was weird. I’d be on my route and change direction without even thinking about it.”

  “Fae said in her journal when she traveled to the mainland, she felt anxious. Almost like she couldn’t stand to be away.”

  “Your dad was on the island too. Has he mentioned anything?”

  “Just that he wants to keep it in the family.”

  “I only had contact with the one demon,” Nathanial said. “I don’t think I’m connected as strongly for that reason. I don’t know, Emma.” A worried frown traced his forehead. “If we’re wrong about the singing and the pouch, this could go really bad.”

  “We have the mirror…”

  “We do,” he said quietly. “What do you think about contacting the Assembly of First Nations for advice? Maybe they could send out a tribal elder to deal with this.”

  “Even if the tribe responsible no longer exists?”

  “It’s worth a shot. Or we could put it off for a while, say a couple weeks…or months. It might weaken the demons and make our plan safer.”

  “I think waiting would make them more desperate. Which may not be a good thing at all.” Emma sighed. “Look, I know you have to go back on Monday. Please don’t feel obligated—”

  “It’s not that.” His knife paused, mid-chop. “I want to banish these bastards as much as you do, but I don’t want to put our lives at stake trying to do it.”

  “Let’s contact someone from First Nations then. They’re probably not open on the weekends, but on Monday…before you go back.”

  “If I go back,” Nathanial murmured.

  Emma’s heart leapt. I don’t want you to go back. “You seem to know your way around the kitchen,” she said, changing the subject.

  “Um…yeah. My dad taught me how to cook when I was nine.” Nathanial finished cleaning the shrimp and then transferred it to the pan. “He said it would impress my future girlfriends.”

  “Did it?” Emma asked.

  “Not sure,” he replied. “I’ve only had one, and she liked to eat out most of the time.”

  “Only one girlfriend? You?” Emma couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice.

  He looked up from what he was doing. “Yes. Why does that surprise you?”

  “It’s just that…you’re so nice and good looking—” She stopped, tongue-tied. “I just thought…”

  He shrugged. “What about you? You’ve probably had plenty of guys interested.”

  “I’ve had one boyfriend.”

  “Really?” Nathanial added the pepper to the shrimp. “I guess we’re equally matched then. Never could see the benefit of putting effort into someone you weren’t really interested in.” Sweeping the basil into the pan, he glanced up at her. His expression was sincere.

  Emma again found herself tongue-tied. Composing herself, she got up to grab some plates. “It smells good.”

  “Thank you.” Nathanial dished out the shrimp before they seated themselves. “I can’t believe no one’s ever cooked for you
before.”

  “My ex-boyfriend didn’t really go out of his way.”

  “That’s too bad,” he replied.

  Emma shrugged. “I’m happy it’s over.”

  “He didn’t treat you well?”

  “Not really.”

  “His loss.”

  She busied herself with her fork to hide her blush. “I don’t think he realized how important my career is to me.”

  “It’s something you’re passionate about. Of course it’s important.”

  “None of my friends or my dad seem to realize that. They all think I’m a workaholic.”

  “Are you?”

  “I love what I do. The kids depend on me.”

  “Was our time today a distraction?”

  “No!” she said quickly. “I liked the distraction.” She hadn’t realized she’d said the thought aloud until she saw his answering grin.

  “I like distracting you.”

  Her stomach did a flip-flop. Whoa girl.

  * * *

  Emma ran the day’s events over in her mind as she got ready for bed. She’d been unable to get a hold of Paisley and assumed her friend was running around like a maniac. Nathanial had emerged from a “borrowed shower,” as he jokingly referred to it, looking way too sexy. His wet hair was a disarray of curls, and her soap never smelled so good. It was weird having him there, she reflected. Not in a bad way, but in a way that seemed natural that they should be together. Stop reading more into this than there probably is. After this is over, he’ll go back to his boat and you’ll probably never see him again. Even if he did ask you out this summer. Summer is months away. She caught her reflection in the mirror as she braided her long, blonde hair. Her light blue eyes held a trace of sadness that hadn’t been there before. She could see the resemblance to her grandmother now. It’s probably just the nightgown. Emma slipped out of her white nightgown and into a black camisole and boy shorts instead. Her petite figure sported some curves. She critically surveyed herself in her mirror. Enough to pull off boy shorts…without looking like a boy. What are you doing, Emma? There was a light knock on her bedroom door. She quickly pulled on a robe.

  “I just wanted to say goodnight,” Nathanial said. “Everything okay?”

  “Everything’s fine.” She plastered a smile on her face. I’ve never seen a black t-shirt and pajama bottoms look so sexy. Oh boy.

  “If you need me…” He let the sentence trail. “Goodnight, Emma.”

  “Goodnight.” She closed the door and leaned against it. It is wrong that I’m hoping my couch smells like him after he leaves? She gazed at the empty bed. It wasn’t meant to be.

  Emma slipped under the cold blankets and flopped back on the mattress with a sigh. She stared at the ceiling and tried to come up with reasons a relationship with Nathanial would never work. She also tried to come up with equally sane reasons she shouldn’t just go into the other room and jump him. Because that would only complicate things, Emma. A feeling of sadness pricked at her insides. It was pulled greedily from her the same time she was pulled into sleep.

  * * *

  The cave’s entrance gaped like an open wound. There was the sound of trickling water. Itu crawled from the crevice, dragging himself across the ground. Moonlight shone off his bare skin. His hair trailed down his back like a black river. He stood to his full height. His eyes were, once again, gone from their sockets.

  I don’t want to be here, Emma thought frantically.

  “I smell you.”

  The hair stood on the back of her neck at Itu’s choice of words. She glanced behind her into the woods. “Where’s Thim?”

  “Lost in his own torment.”

  “I know why you’re trapped on this island.”

  “Then you know how unfairly I was treated.”

  “Unfair? You murdered all those people. How is that unfair?” Her gaze fastened on to the pouch around his neck. The leather string it hung from was tied in a loose knot. It would only take a single tug—

  He reached out to her. “Please, Emma. I need you.”

  “No.” She tried to back away, but couldn’t move.

  “They banished me!” Itu yelled, his voice full of anguish. “Forever sealed in that cave, bound to the one I abhorred. They banished me to starve but never die! How is that right?” Itu fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist. He laid his head against her stomach. His sobs came forth, wretched with years of pain and torment. “Blackness. I lived in blackness.”

  “I don’t feel sorry for you.” Emma looked down at him, unmoved. “You can starve, for all I care.”

  Itu looked up at her, gaping eye sockets void of emotion. “Then you have sealed a fate.” His words fell like stones.

  Emma stood alone, her camisole soaked in Itu’s tears. The cave was gone. Itu was gone. The sound of inhuman laughter, high and manic, came from behind her. Out of control panic rose in her gut. Thim is coming for me, she thought. Oh, god.

  The forest closed around her like a fist, and she was falling. The familiar smell of rock and dirt surrounded her the same time she landed on the cave floor. Emma rolled onto her side, her ribs aching. A shaft of moonlight seeped through the rocks overhead. Her gaze followed to where it ended. Stacked against the cave wall were bodies. Her father, Paisley and Nathanial were cast aside like lifeless dolls. Dead, sightless eyes stared back at her. Their fingers had been gnawed. Their mouths were open in soundless screams. Behind them, Thim was crouched in the corner, waiting for her.

  Emma woke to the sound of her own screaming. Her heart pounded and adrenaline coursed painfully throughout her.

  Nathanial burst into her room. “Emma!”

  Her voice was shaky. “The island—I fell into the cave. Itu’s tears...”

  “Shh.” He pulled her close. “You’re safe.”

  Emma clung to him. Listening to his heartbeat, she waited for hers to slow. It didn’t.

  “I’m going to stay in town until we fix this,” Nathanial said. “I’ll stay at my friend’s if you want, but—”

  “I thought you were going back on Monday?”

  He shook his head. “No, this is more important.”

  “What if we can’t fix this?”

  “I’m not losing you,” he added quietly.

  She looked up at him, questioning. There was a spark between them, one she could no longer ignore. She could tell by the look on his face that he struggled with it too.

  Gently, he ran his thumb over the cut on her lip. “I really want to kiss you.” He paused for a split second before making a small move toward her.

  Emma’s arms stole around his neck the same time his lips came down on hers. His lips were gentle, and his skin warm under her touch. Tracing his hands down her back, he lowered her to the bed. His breath was heavy in her mouth, his hips pressed against hers. She blocked out the memory of her nightmare and gave herself into the moment. The island was far away, and she was here, safe in Nathanial’s arms.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  THEY WOKE TO A GENTLE patter of rain on the windows. Kisses the night before had simmered until they’d fallen asleep in each other’s arms. Warm under the covers, Emma had no desire to get out of bed. A part of her was disappointed last night hadn’t gone beyond what it had, but a larger part of her needed to take things slow. Maybe he did too, she reflected.

  Emma inhaled his scent. “Want some coffee?”

  “I’ll make it,” he murmured. “You take cream, right?”

  “Lots of cream, no sugar,” she said. “The coffee’s in a red container next to the fridge.”

  “Okay.” He kissed her gently. “How’s your lip?”

  Emma grinned. “It’s fine. How’s yours?”

  He gave a small sound of pleasure. “No complaints here.” His gaze lingered on her a while longer before he slipped out of bed.

  Thrilled by his words, Emma snuggled under the covers. This is crazy. Her mouth felt a little bruised, but she too had no complaints. I probably look a
mess, though. She quickly leapt out of bed to wash her face and brush her teeth. Paisley opens on Sunday mornings. I need to call her before she takes off for the day. Wait until I tell her about Nathanial. She’s going to flip out. She felt a bubble of excitement and picked up her phone.

  “Atomic. Best collection of comics in the city. How can I help you?” a bored voice answered.

  “Hey, Sebastian. Is Paisley still there?”

  “Oh, hey, Em. Everything okay? You totally freaked her out last night.”

  “What?”

  “Last night.” Pause. “You called and asked her to come get you,” he continued, as if talking to a child. “Did you guys miss each other?”

  “I never called her,” Emma said. “Get me from where?”

  “From that island of your grandmother’s. What happened, anyway? She said you were crying.”

  “I’m not on the island!” Emma’s heart started to pound.

  “All I know is Paisley was talking to you and got cut off. When I asked her what happened, she freaked out, threw the keys at me and left. If I can’t get someone to take the afternoon shift, I’m out of here. I don’t get paid enough to pull a back-to-back—”

  Emma hung up and pressed autodial. After several rings, she shook the phone in frustration. “Why aren’t you answering?” She quickly pulled on her jeans and t-shirt.

  “We could pick up some bagels,” Nathanial said from the kitchen.

  “Paisley went out to Sownipok.” Emma flew past him and grabbed her jacket. “I have to get out there. Now.”

  “Whoa!” He grabbed her hand. “What?”

  “Sebastian said I called last night and asked her to come get me.” Emma’s panic swelled out of control. “Thim can sound like anyone he wants to. I’ve heard him do it.” She clutched Nathanial’s hand. “He must have found my phone. The battery was dead, how could he—”

  “We don’t even know what we’re planning will work.”

  “I have to, Nathanial!”

  “Look, Emma. Those demons still have a connection with you. A stronger connection than the one has with me. They’re trying to get you out there any way possible.”

  “You don’t understand. They’ll kill her—”