Approaching Storm (Alternate Worlds Book 2)

by Taylor Leigh

  Darius struggled to maintain a straight, serious face. ‘You want me? I can work with you?’

  Arkron nodded and started walking past him. ‘Be at the keep tomorrow at eight sharp!’

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  She shouldn’t have been surprised. After all that had happened, knowing who Tollin was, she shouldn’t have felt the blow.

  She stared out across the well-manicured garden to her aunt’s house, fighting down a flurry of emotions she couldn’t come to terms with. Relief and disappointment and a mix of everything in between flooded through her. She kept her grip on Tollin’s hand tight and swallowed against the cool air.

  ‘We’re back,’ she choked out.

  ‘Yeah,’ Tollin said quietly.

  Sam turned to look at him. His eyes were dark, lips pulled down in a resolute, unhappy frown. ‘I thought—’ she struggled for words. ‘I mean, I thought that we were going to be together. I thought we…’ She winced. ‘Needed each other.’

  ‘I’ve put you in danger, Sam. That’s the way it always goes. These past few weeks…no-one should have to go through that. And it’s not fair for me to put you through any more of it. It’s selfish of me. I was too caught up in my own adventures…my own happiness. I don’t really realise the toll it takes on others…until it’s too late.’

  Sam shook her head quickly. ‘Tollin! It’s been hard, yeah, but I wouldn’t have traded them for the world. I wouldn’t have given up anything. These last few weeks have been the most important of my life. I’ve never felt such purpose before. You…you showed me a life I didn’t know I was capable of having! I know I messed up. I’m so, so sorry, but I promise—’

  He gave her a gentle smile that made her heart ache. ‘Believe me when I tell you, Sam, that this isn’t because of you. You’ve been brilliant. Beyond brilliant!’ He flashed a grin. ‘It has been an absolute honour. But I can’t take you with me. Your father was murdered, you were almost kidnapped and killed more than once and you were possessed. This happens to me all the time; to take you along wouldn’t be responsible. It would be murder.’

  The determination set across his features might as well have been a solid wall. She couldn’t argue with it. Tollin saw what he was doing as protecting her, saving her life, even if it meant sacrificing his ability to Realm jump. The true consequence of his sacrifice hit her hard.

  The other side of it, she’d killed him—or very nearly—perhaps he didn’t want to hazard that again. It wasn’t something she could bear think about.

  She breathed, composing herself. ‘Where will you go?’ She pulled a strand of her hair behind her ear, trying and failing to emotionally detach herself. Her voice trembled.

  Tollin looked away, thoughtful. Sam could tell he was trying his best to keep things light, but his ease didn’t reach his eyes. They were still dark, sad. ‘Oh, I don’t know, around. There’s still a lot to see.’

  Sam bit her lip. ‘But you won’t be able to Realm jump.’

  He shrugged. ‘Yeah, well. There’s more than one way around. I’m sure I can dig something up. And besides, there’s still a few corners of these worlds that I haven’t seen.’ He swallowed, as if the words tasted bad. ‘Probably.’

  She fought back tears, angry she hadn’t prepared herself for this possibility; horrified at the thought of crying. ‘Will I ever see you again?’ Her voice broke. She knew it was pointless to ask the question. She knew Tollin better than anyone. He didn’t return once he left. He didn’t bring up old hurts.

  He gave her a sad smile. ‘Don’t you think I’ve done enough damage? It’s better if I just leave you, you know, to get on with your life.’

  Life. Sam had almost forgotten what that was. What was she supposed to do now, exactly? Live with her aunt, make up some lie about what had happened this past year and get on with things alone? Going out clubbing with her old mates and dates with Darius? The idea simply left her hollow.

  She didn’t voice any of this. Instead she swallowed her crushing disappointment and nodded, masking her face into one of business-like impatience. ‘Yeah,’ she swallowed. ‘Yeah, I’ve got a lot of work out, you know, put life back together, my disappearance. No doubt there’s a lot to sort.’

  A wry smile twisted his thin lips. ‘Well, sounds like you’ve got your work cut out for you. Arkron has close ties with the government here. There’s already been a cover story created for your disappearance. You were put into a protection programme after your father’s murder. A militant Scrabian environmental group is to blame. Your aunt was informed. She said she’d be more than happy to take you in.’ He paused for a long time. ‘Our emotional connection will weaken with time. It will be easier to bear this time.’

  She offered him a weak smile. ‘You’ve had it all figured out for a while, haven’t you?’

  Tollin shifted uncomfortably. ‘Would you like me to walk you?’

  Sam cast a glance over her shoulder, back to her aunt’s large manor. It gave the impression of a stern and judgemental owner; the woman had always been rather estranged, not approving of her father’s choices. ‘Nah,’ she straightened. ‘I know you. Don’t really like that sort of thing, do you? You don’t like getting all entangled in family stuff like that. You like being behind the scenes, mysterious.’

  Tollin nodded, face, for once, emotionless. ‘Right. Well…’

  Sam pulled him into a hug, closing her eyes as she rested her head against his shoulder. She inhaled deeply, wanting to remember everything about him. He rested his cheek against the top of her head. His embrace felt so familiar, so right, Sam didn’t know how she’d be able to do without him. Somehow she’d have to.

  ‘Have a good life, Sam,’ he whispered into her hair. He pulled away from her and looked down into her eyes. ‘Please do that for me.’

  She nodded. ‘You too, Tollin.’ She flashed him a smile. ‘And stay out of trouble!’

  He turned her around, pointed towards the house. ‘You know I can’t resist!’

  She shook her head, squared her shoulders and set off. Alone.

  Sam didn’t look behind her, not for a very long time. When she finally did, she could see nothing down the straight, gravel path. She tried to fight down the sense of disappointment as she stood under the gates of her aunt’s manor.

  There, silently, she wished farewell to the skinny man.

  Three Months Later

  Darius and Catherine trailed after Sam into the library. Sam tried to offer apologetic glances to the irritated patrons around them for Catherine’s loud protesting. Sam had put up with a lot lately, and her patience was wearing thin.

  Funny. After all of her time with Tollin, everything that had seemed so important to her before now felt trying. Trifle. Pointless. There was so much more to the world and nobody gave a damn. They all went about their little lives, just as she had, complaining about their little problems, when actual big problems existed.

  Well, Sam couldn’t abide it any longer. She had vowed after she had parted ways with Tollin that she wouldn’t go back to that old way of life and she was determined to make a difference, even if it was a small one.

  She hadn’t been able to live with her aunt long. Sam had grown tired of depending on others and had gotten herself a job, working at a small shop in Flotsen, and had taken her own flat, sharing with Catherine. Darius had tried to convince her to move in with him, but Sam was finding it—admittedly a bit childishly—difficult to deal with her jealousy over his luck working with Arkron. It had put a strain on their relationship, even if he’d confessed to Arkron not asking him to do anything yet. Sam knew things would never be the same.

  The hole that Tollin had left in her still ached. Part of her, a very dear part of her, was missing now. His presence was still there, but it was faint, blocked. She hadn’t tried, but she knew if she attempted to reach out to Tollin mentally, she would simply hit a wall. He’d done a good job of separating himself from her and as much as she didn’t want to admit it, it hurt.

  St
ill, despite that, Sam had some of his knowledge. She spent most of her time researching at the library. She checked into ancient artefacts, she watched the broadcasts for anything out of the ordinary, she volunteered at shelters, and she kept her eyes on the quiet Myrmidon headquarters. It gave her something to do, if nothing else.

  People hadn’t stayed interested for long in Sam’s return. Arkron’s cover story had worked well. So now she simply lived and worked, watching and waiting.

  She still kept the ring in a small box next to her bed. Sometimes, late at night, she would look at it, just to remind her that everything that had happened, and Tollin, wasn’t a dream.

  ‘Come on, Sam,’ Catherine was saying. ‘All you do is come here! You need to get out once and a while. Go with us tonight! It’ll be good to get you out. You might meet someone!’

  Sam held up a hand, cutting Catherine off. ‘No thanks. I told you, I’m not interested.’

  Catherine crossed her arms, irritated. ‘You can’t be a loner your whole life, Sam! Look at you! You’re good looking, young, hell, I’ll even say hot! You can’t just waste your life here in a library! You need to get out and meet people!’

  Darius caught Catherine’s arm, giving her a look.

  Sam turned around abruptly. ‘I’ve told you, no. Look, you two go on.’ She shrugged. ‘Maybe later I’ll meet up with you. It’s not late yet. I’ll text you later.’

  Catherine narrowed her eyes suspiciously. ‘You’re just saying that to get rid of us, aren’t you? You’re not going to show up.’

  Sam smiled appealingly. ‘If you’re that worried about me, then I’ll come. Just let me finish up here first, okay? It’ll be a couple hours, really boring. You don’t want to stay.’

  Catherine rolled her eyes. ‘Sure, whatever. I had better see you there!’

  Sam waved them off. ‘Save a spot for me at the bar!’

  Catherine flounced out. Darius hung back for a moment. Their eyes locked. They didn’t talk much these days. And they never talked about Tollin. Every time Sam saw him, the question burned in her like a fire, but she kept silent. She had asked once, a month ago. Darius had said he hadn’t seen Tollin, not in a long time. He wasn’t in this Realm any more, not from what he’d heard. He’d found a way to leave. Arkron wasn’t around much either. Darius hadn’t had much to do. As jealous as she was that they’d seen him fit to keep around, and not her, she could not be angry with him. He was her last connection to that life. The last bit of proof it was real.

  ‘You all right?’ he asked gently.

  Sam pressed her lips together. ‘Yeah, I am.’ She frowned at the dubious look he gave her. ‘Really. Don’t worry about me. I will come meet you tonight. It’ll be fun, I just…I just want to check up on some of this stuff. There’s just…something about those lights glowing in the ocean. It’s weird.’

  Darius nodded. ‘Arkron hasn’t been at the keep in a long time, I could take you out there some time if you want. The technology there would be of more use—if I can figure out how to work it.’

  The invitation sent a flutter through her stomach. She offered him a smile, hoping it would bring some peace between them. ‘Yeah, I’d like that. Thanks.’

  He smiled shyly and kissed her. ‘Right. I’ll see you later tonight, then?’

  Sam pulled her hair behind her ear. It was back to blonde now and growing longer. ‘I’ll try and make it.’

  Darius bobbed his head up and down for a moment and shifted awkwardly. Then he turned on his heel and strode out through the room, leaving Sam alone.

  She turned back to the computer and breathed out a sigh of relief. Finally, some time alone. Normally, she hated that. It gave her time to think.

  Her mind always found its way back to when she’d went her separate way from Tollin. She had run through the words they’d exchanged time and again ever since they’d parted. Time and again she kicked herself for what she’d said—or more accurately, what she hadn’t said—to Tollin when he’d left. She knew now just how great a mistake she had made. She had let Tollin go too easily. She had let him leave without putting up any sort of fight. After all they’d been through, she had let the most important person she’d ever meet simply walk out of her life.

  What a fool she had been.

  Sam ran a hand through her hair in frustration. What good did it do, agonising over it? It had happened, it was over. That was all. She snapped herself out of her ruminations and switched on the computer in a huff.

  She was surprised by how fast the time went. When Sam looked up at the timepiece on the wall, it had been several hours since she’d bid Catherine and Darius farewell.

  Her reading up on the First Myrmidon War had been helpful. She couldn’t help but smile at the man who had written it, however. The account was signed by Andrew O’Neill, and he was certainly an exceedingly arrogant character, considering how he wrote about himself.

  She was just about to power down the computer and leave for the club, when a the familiar, overpowering urge overtook her, one she’d been ignoring up till this point. Before Sam could stop herself, she tremulously typed a name into the computer’s database. Her stomach flipped with nerves when the search result popped up with one hit. A conspiracy site.

  Sam clicked on the image and almost immediately regretted it. The brown eyes staring back at her were too real, too familiar.

  She read the caption: “This likening, taken on an unknown date, shows a figure who appears to be the Traveller in one of the only recorded images on record. It was said that as soon as the village was saved, he completely disappeared, as documented in older records. To this date, there has been no further account of a sighting.

  Man or Myth? We may never know.”

  Sam sucked in a breath and bit her bottom lip. Again, she had to ask herself, why was she doing this? She’d made her choice; it was the responsible, practical one. Tollin’s life was too mad, too dangerous, so why then did she miss it so much?

  Because she felt alive with him. That’s what it all boiled down to.

  Sam rested her head on the table and stared up at the image. The fuzzy, familiar face looked back at her, unseeing, filling her with a hollow longing. She cursed herself for being so foolish. Why do this to herself?

  She read and reread the caption again and again.

  What was he up to right now? What Realm was he on? Was he off, saving some world from Daemons? Was he here, exploring some deep cavern? It really did no good speculating. Sam glowered at the computer, angry with herself for giving in to the temptation.

  ‘See anything interesting?’ a quiet voice asked from behind her.

  Sam shut her eyes for a moment against a mad flutter of emotions, letting the words wash over her in a warm wave. Her stomach went to twisting. She didn’t want to turn round. She didn’t want to face the disappointment of him not truly being there. But, oh, how could she not?

  Sam slowly spun to face the familiar shape in the shadows. ‘The articles don’t do you justice.’

  Tollin was there, leaning against a computer, arms crossed across his chest, a crooked, smug smile pulling at his lips. He made a thoughtful face and stepped into the dim light. ‘Well, I guess nobody’s perfect.’

  Sam smiled slightly. ‘What are you doing here?’

  Tollin studied her, expression growing more serious. ‘I wanted to check up on you.’

  Sam furrowed her brow. ‘That’s not like you.’

  ‘I make exceptions for the exceptional.’

  She tried to keep her expression under control by distracting herself, switching off the machine.

  ‘How are you?’ Tollin asked gently.

  Sam nodded. ‘Good,’ she breathed deeply. ‘Yeah, good. I mean, it’s weird, gettin’ back to it all.’ She gnawed on her bottom lip. ‘You all right?’

  He pulled his lips down thoughtfully. ‘Yeah. It’s been…interesting.’

  Sam was burning with questions. She wanted to know what he’d been up to, what he’d done. She didn’t
know where to begin.

  He shifted from foot to foot, hands stuffed in his pockets. ‘Look, Sam, I,’ he walked closer. ‘I know I wanted you to try and get back to some kind of normalcy, and maybe you want nothing to do with me or the life I live…which is fine. But,’ he looked up at her with his dark, searching eyes. ‘For some reason, I’m finding it a lot harder to come to terms with than I originally thought.’

  Sam watched him. ‘You’re having second thoughts?’

  He looked down at his shoes uncomfortably. ‘Yeah, well, partly.’

  She smiled knowingly. ‘All right then, what is it?’

  He strode around the room, seemingly trying to gather his thoughts. ‘I thought I’d be able to handle it, Sam. I thought maybe I could make it work. I’ve been travelling with Andrew and Victoria. Travelling through time, to different Realms.’

  Sam folded her arms. ‘That must be exciting.’

  Tollin passed a hand through his hair. ‘Yeah. I suppose. But something still isn’t right. I don’t think I’m cut out for what…they do…It’s just…something is missing.’

  She tilted her head to one side. ‘What?’

  Tollin ran his hands through is hair again with a groan. ‘When I jumped on my own, I had the Guide, I got to go where I wanted, I made a difference; things were different. Travelling with other people, I’m not me. I’m not doing what I’m supposed to do. I’m missing something. And because we’re still split I can’t accomplish that. I can’t Realm jump without you.’

  ‘Oh.’

  He looked embarrassed. ‘So that’s why I’m here. I just…had to make sure you were…happy.’

  Sam shook her head, bemused. ‘Because you’re trapped here without me. You’re going mad, aren’t you?’

  He nodded. ‘And that’s not the only reason I’m here, really. Things have been…different without you. I’ve been lonely. I didn’t realise it till you were gone, but I missed you. Something’s been missing. I don’t feel myself…I guess I…I don’t feel complete without you.’