The Way

by Mary E. Twomey

  “I told him one-thirty, so any minute, really.” She leaned her head on her hand and allowed her eyes to drift shut for the moment. “What’s going on with you and Blue? I’ve never seen her so distracted. And you’re so mad. Why? What’d I miss?”

  Baird considered informing her, but thought better of it. “I’ll tell you tomorrow when you’re awake.” He watched her yawn without covering her mouth, her chin tilting up to enjoy the full body of it. Baird smiled at her cuteness. “You ready for tonight?”

  She shrugged, her lips puckered from exhaustion. “Bring it,” she joked, her head still on her hand.

  Baird began to pull the chairs out from the tables and move them to the entrance. It would have been more effective to bring them all the way in, but he wanted to prolong his time outside with Elle.

  “Don’t kill yourself trying tonight. Just get in and get out. For what it’s worth, I’m impressed you made it this far.” Even though he saw Elle nod, he couldn’t tell if he was really getting through to her. “She’d never have been able to stay hidden this long without you.”

  “That’s because I’m amazing.”

  “Did my distraction help you last night? Give you something to keep you awake thinking about?” he teased her.

  Elle’s lips pulled up into a dreamy smile as her head bobbed slowly. Baird ignored the rest of the chairs to stand in front of her and lean over for another kiss. Her eyes were closed, so she wasn’t expecting it, and gasped when his lips moved on hers. Her hands flew to his face and his wrapped under her arms, pulling her up to standing. The warmth was comforting as she pressed into him, exploiting every curve to his notice. He clutched onto the fabric of her shirt that was dampened from clinging to her back with sweat. She hummed under her breath a little purr of enjoyment, giving new life to his passion.

  Deeper he drove the kiss until they were both out of breath and had to pull away. Her eyes were definitely open when she touched her cheeks to calm herself. “You’re supposed to distract me, not give me a heart attack.” She watched him crack a smile before he pressed his lips to hers gently once more. “Baird,” she murmured as her mouth began to move with his once again.

  “I love that you say my name when I kiss you,” he admitted, lightly nipping at her lower lip.

  “Baird,” she inhaled languorously, “the tester.”

  “That’s not exactly the sexy talk I was hoping for,” he murmured. It took a full two seconds before he understood that the tester was now there to collect her. He drew out the process of pulling away, so as not to end the closeness too abruptly.

  Elle looked around Baird’s tall shoulder and waved to acknowledge the tester. “Do you want me to stay and finish up?” she asked, still coming out of the bliss.

  “Nah, you go on ahead. Maybe Steve’ll actually do some work tonight. Say goodnight to the girls first, though. I’m sure Grettel’s had quite the day worrying about you. She doesn’t like sleeping alone, either. Little thing tossed all night.”

  He lifted the chair Elle had been sitting on and carried it over to the others near where the tester stood. “Evening, sir,” he greeted the man respectfully.

  The Vemreaux official nodded, but kept his attention on Elle as she walked toward him.

  “I just have to say goodnight to the others. I’ll be ready in a minute.” She floated past him before he could remind her of the time.

  Elle grabbed two chairs and dragged them inside behind her, stacking them up to the right of the entrance so they’d be easy to get to the next day. Her eyes flew to the only booth still containing diners, surprised at the company. Baird never allowed people to stay this late. She thought of going over and finding out what they were still doing there, but decided she’d better make use of the time and say her goodbyes to the girls.

  Elle drew her hand into her apron to remove the thick wad of tips and handed the money to Blue. “Give this to Baird, will you?”

  “No problem. You taking off?”

  “Yes, and I deserve a decent hug. It’s my last night pretending to be you,” she whispered, “so make it a good one.” She extended her arms with a grin that the finish line was at last in sight.

  “Hey, don’t overdo it tonight. Baird’ll come get you as soon as they kick you out. It’ll all be over soon.”

  “You sound like your brother.” Elle squeezed the girl tight. “I’ll be back in a little bit, and you’ll all wonder how I got to be so awesome.” Blue pulled away and smiled, but Elle noticed the force with which the corners of her lips twisted up just enough to pass as believable. “What’s wrong?” she asked, though she knew the response that would come.

  “Nothing, Elle. Everything’s fine. You concentrate on you tonight.” Blue searched her brain for a distraction. “I can’t believe all it took was this whole testing ordeal for my brother to finally make his move.”

  “I know, right? Had I known it would be that easy…” Elle blew her a farewell kiss and sauntered off.

  Blue shoved Elle’s wad of tips into her apron and went back into the dining area to help her brother tear down the rest of the tables and chairs. She grabbed a table and hefted it onto one shoulder, using the lip under the edge for leverage. She strolled out of the hallway onto the deserted dancing area that she’d already swept up.

  As soon as her brother saw her, he abandoned his chairs and trotted over to help her.

  “I got it,” she assured him. He’d never offered her assistance before.

  “Could you at least pretend to struggle a little? We’re not alone here.” His voice was quiet as he took the table from her and helped her set it back up.

  “Okay.” She didn’t see much of a point. The Vemreaux at the booth already knew she had more strength than the average girl…or body builder. Baird went straight for the kitchen while Blue finished the exaggerated labor of dragging the chairs inside.

  Alec spoke up from his seat. “You don’t have to put on a show for us. We know you can lift chairs without making that face.”

  “Okay,” she offered, though she changed nothing for the Vemreaux, sticking to her brother’s instruction. She felt Sam’s penetrating eyes on her, but she did not look in the direction of the booth. So adamant was her need to keep away from the magnet that unthinkingly drew her in, that she treated their whole section of the restaurant as if it were the sun – too overwhelming to look at.

  Baird finally emerged with the two girls. Grettel was hesitant, but stuck next to Elle and behind Baird to shield herself from view. She shot a quick look of panic at Blue, who did her best to smile comfortingly.

  The three exited the building, and Blue could see through one of the tall windows that Baird was talking with the tester as he took the key to the hut off the ring and handed it to Grettel. It was probably wise to ask the tester to drop Grettel off at home under the guise of Elle desperately needing something from the hut. There was no need for Grettel to stick around in the diner for what would no doubt be a lengthy conversation that would just upset her. Blue wished she could retreat for the shelter, as well.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Cards on the Table

  Sam was smoking to calm his nerves as the four went to a table in the middle of the floor. He moved to sit next to the chair Blue was headed for, but was intercepted. “No, Blue. Sit here,” Baird instructed, indicating the seat at the end of the table on his right side. Usually the two siblings sat opposite each other so they could keep watch behind the other person’s back, just in case. It was an old habit he’d engrained into her in The Way.

  “Okay,” she consented, and obediently sat down next to her brother. She pulled out two separate stacks of bills. “These are Elle’s,” she handed him the thicker one as the Vemreaux settled in around them. “These are mine.”

  He nodded and bent the top bill of Elle’s in half before placing Blue’s money over it to combine them into one easily foldable stack that he slid into the pocket of his jeans. Sam’s eyebrows wrinkled in confusion, but he said nothi
ng.

  The shots Baird placed in the middle of the table as a peace offering caught Brody’s eye. He reached over and downed the first one.

  “You okay, little Wayward?” Sam asked casually.

  Blue kept her chin down and nodded submissively. Sam frowned.

  Baird made no indication that Sam had spoken, but crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair to make himself more comfortable for the interrogation he was sure was coming.

  Liam was never one for awkward situations, so he set to rectifying the tension. “Good to see you again, Baird. And we haven’t met yet.” He extended his hand to Blue, grinning jovially and naturally, as if his face were given to smiling often.

  “This is the ever-impressive Liam,” Sam explained. “Just ask him.”

  “Sir.” Blue took his hand for one shake, and then dropped it immediately, shrinking yet further back into her chair.

  “Show him your eyes, A-word,” Brody ordered as he fiddled with the shot glass.

  Sam hissed at the offensive slur and kicked his friend under the table.

  Before she consented to revealing the window to her soul, Baird spoke up. “We’re agreed to keep everything private?”

  “I’m great with privates,” Liam joked, dismayed when no one laughed with him. “What? No? Well, I thought it was funny.”

  “Are we going to go through this all over again?” Alec leaned threateningly toward the girl seated at his left. “We keep our mouths shut, you open yours.” Alec grew impatient and stood to confront Blue.

  Alec’s arm rose to force the girl to look at Liam, but Baird held up his palm. “You’ll not put your hands on my owner’s property.”

  Liam was uncomfortable as he shifted in his chair. “Seriously, guys. You suck at getting information from people you can’t beat it out of. Why is everyone still so tense?”

  Brody guffawed. “Why? Ninja Barbie got the drop on Sam and popped me in the face. That’s why. Smug little brat.”

  “She’s like fifteen, Brody,” Liam chided, his disdain plainly communicated. “You can’t talk to kids like that.”

  At this, Blue opened her eyes to correct the affront. “I’m nineteen,” she said indignantly.

  She had a remark stored up to toss at Brody, but the words failed her. Staring back at her were the eyes she’d tried for so long to hide. Her mouth fell open as she struggled to make sense of the bluest irises she’d seen apart from hers and her brothers’. “What…who are you?” she stammered, all of a sudden unsure of herself. Still, she could not look away. Something inside of Blue shifted, but she did not know what or why. For whatever reason, Blue’s subconscious latched onto Liam.

  It seemed the feeling was mutual. Liam’s response came several beats later as he tried to collect himself. When he spoke again, the jocularity was forced. Liam tried to push away the confusion that seeing her face brought him. He leaned back in his chair. “See, that’s why I love the Americas. No one knows who I am here.” Deciding he could no longer resist the temptation, Liam finished the shot in his hand in one gulp, shivering as it slid through him.

  Baird held up a hand to Liam. “You’ll want to go easy on those. That’s absinthe. Meant for changed Vemreaux.” He noticed Liam eyeing the other glasses as if they presented a challenge. “Mind answering my sister’s question?”

  “Oh, yeah. My dad’s the ruler of Europe. I’m Liam Boniface. My dad’s Fredrick.” When Blue made no noise of surprise or admiration, he added, “The emperor what came to power about two decades ago? That one.”

  Though Baird already knew this, the weight of their plight pressed down on him afresh. He closed his eyes to keep from scolding her and shook his head as he covered his face with his hand.

  Blue’s eyes darted to the exit, calculating how far she could get without being apprehended. As if reading her mind, Alec stood behind her chair, resting his hand heavily on the wood at her back.

  “I’m sorry, Baird,” she whispered.

  Baird surprised her by addressing something entirely different. “Are you going for a run tonight?”

  “Probably.” Blue shrugged, confused at his off-topic question. Baird did not explain himself, but stood and walked toward the kitchen.

  “We just gonna keep being uncomfortable, then?” Liam asked, clearly disappointed. When no one responded, he sighed. “Guess so.”

  A minute later, Baird returned with a plate of leftover noodles decorated with red sauce. He rested it in front of his sister with a roll of silverware and a look that demanded she eat.

  Liam spoke to Baird, since Blue was not willing to glance up at him. “The Fems here tonight were sure happier than that. You’re not a fan of my dad, then?”

  Instead of waiting for Baird or Blue to speak, Sam explained the situation. “They’re concerned with anonymity. You’re a public figure. Not exactly easy to sneak by unnoticed.”

  Liam itched the back of his arm and huffed. “Seriously, guys. Could someone just say whatever it is we’re all afraid to say? Because it’s going on two in the morning, and I’m getting tired.” His lips pursed as if the next few words pained him. “I get it. She looks like Julia. But she’s not my sister, Brode. She’s not Julia. Julia’s dead, guys. Leave the poor kid alone.”

  Alec was the brave voice that broke through all the carefully constructed walls and shields with the blunt edge of truth. “We think she’s the Light, Liam.”

  Baird stiffened at the declaration that was now out in the open.

  “I don’t know, Alec. Sure, she caught you guys off-guard, but maybe she’s just been trained well. Some of those Waywards at the testing were pretty tough. Her blonde friend? Saw her at the testing. Impressive file they had on her physical examination. They probably just trained together or something.” He glanced down at Blue. “Look at her. I mean, she’s just a little thing. How’s she going to end the tyranny and kill the predator? You could knock her over with a stiff breeze.”

  Blue jerked her head up at the insinuation that she was anything less than four meters tall and built like an oak tree. Unrolling her napkin, she picked up the silver-colored knife and flung it across the length of the diner without turning her head to verify the target’s location. The utensil soared to the dart board that hung on the wall near the bar. The point of the dulled butter knife blade sunk straight into the red bull’s eye.

  Brody swore loudly and got up to make sure that it did, indeed, hit the middle. Liam made an unintelligible noise of surprise, while Alec’s reaction of staggering silence rang out from behind the girl.

  Sam’s mouth fell open. He coughed out a mouthful of smoke to cover over the nervous laughter. “You were saying?”

  Baird shook his head and rested his forehead in his hand. “Was that really necessary?”

  Blue shrugged in lieu of a response.

  “Do it with the spoon and I’ll be impressed.”

  “Can’t. The angle’s all wrong from here.” She tapped her head three times smartly. “Geometry.”

  Baird groaned at her smirk of vindication.

  “Why am I eating two dinners? I finished the sandwich Grettel made me earlier.”

  Glancing around at the unwelcome audience, Baird sighed. “Since it’s all out in the open now anyway,” he grumbled. “In The Way, you laid in your bed at night and pretended to sleep. Now that you’re running all night, you’re not taking in enough calories.” He glanced over at Liam. “You’re gonna need two dinners from now on if you don’t want to get knocked down by ‘a stiff breeze’.”

  “Okay.” She leaned her elbow on the table and rested her head on her hand as she twirled the cold noodles on her fork.

  The first Vemreaux to get his words back was Sam. “You don’t sleep, then? The prophecy’s true?” He watched her take a bite from the glob of noodles and sauce on her fork instead of sucking the whole messy mass into her mouth.

  “Yep.” Her lips curled around the “p” while she chewed.

  “What’s that like?” Sam inq
uired, taking another puff.

  “Boring.”

  “You’d think the Vemreaux working in The Way’s nursery would’ve figured that one out and reported it,” Brody commented from across the room. He pulled the knife out of the dart board and examined it for signs of falsity, unable to mask his astonishment. “How did you do that?”

  Shrugging was what Blue was most comfortable with, so she stuck with it. “Baird can do it, too.” She excused her behavior, writing it off as no big deal.

  “No, I can’t,” Baird corrected her. “Not from this angle. You know I have to be straight in front of it.”

  “I meant you can hit a bull’s eye with a kitchen knife,” she amended, licking a stray bit of sauce from her lower lip.

  “Look,” Baird said, placing his hands on the table to draw Sam’s eyes from his sister’s mouth. “No one can know she’s the Light. This whole testing thing’s a terrible idea. If anyone was to find out it’s Blue, her face’d be everywhere. How much of a chance do you think she’d have against the predator then? Surprise is a handy weapon.” He glanced over at Blue. “Even better than a butter knife, if you can imagine.”

  “Agreed. We’re here because Dad needed someone to represent Europe at the ceremony on Peace Day, and someone to sit in on the first day of testing.” Liam’s hands subconsciously mimicked Baird’s. “It’s all photo ops and diplomacy nonsense. I’m great with the nonsense. Camera loves me.” Liam eyed Blue’s food, looking like he very much wanted to finish it for her. “So what happens now? What’s your plan for the predator?”

  This time Blue spoke for herself, which surprised them. “There is no plan yet. I can’t get over to the O-blood island to kill it. I only got bought last month.”

  Liam’s face fell. “Who owns her?”

  “The same guy who owns me and this diner. Name’s on the logo.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder to indicate the back of his uniform. “Joe Anders.”