Immortals of Indriell- The Collection

by Melissa A. Craven

  “You from Sydney or just visiting?” He was trying very hard to engage her, despite her every effort to discourage him.

  Aren’t headphones supposed to be the universal sign for ‘not available?’ Apparently skater boy didn’t get the memo.

  “Long term visiting,” Allie said as Anitra’s Dance began to play. She’d completely missed Morning Mood and Aase’s Death.

  “I’m Gavin. I live just across the park, near Bondi Beach.” He gestured with a trembling hand. “If you’re new here, you should come up to Towra Point with us sometime. We’re always up there kayaking when the weather’s nice, and someone’s almost always having a bonfire party.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” her tone softened. He was more persistent than most and she didn’t want to be rude.

  “Were you drawing us?”

  “Oh, um. Yeah. You know the movement really grabbed me. That and the shapes of the ramps.” Allie clutched her sketchbook to her chest, eyeing him warily.

  He’s way too nice. What’s the catch?

  “Can I see?”

  “Oh, no. I—it’s just a quick doodle.

  “Come on, freckles. Let me see?” He looked at her in a way that made her heart hammer in her chest. She reluctantly released the death grip she had on her sketchbook.

  He’s so going to get the wrong idea!

  “I hate to break it to you, but this is not a doodle. This is me, yeah?” He eased back on the blanket as he flipped through the pages.

  “Yeah, uh-you move more gracefully than the others. So it ah-makes it easier to draw you in motion.”

  “I blame my mother for torturing me with dance lessons until I was thirteen. Wow, you’re really good! Can I have one?”

  “They’re just sketches.” She shrugged. “Take whatever you want.”

  “So you could do better than this? Make it look even more like me?”

  “Yeah, with a little more time.”

  “Will you? Do a drawing?”

  “Sure.” She didn’t know what to make of his eager interest.

  “In exchange for a lesson?”

  “Oh, no! You don’t have to do that.”

  “You were watching us like you were dying to try it. It’s fun and you look like you could use some fun.”

  “Well … maybe.” Allie really wanted to accept his offer. She glanced at Gavin. He was obviously wary of her, but he was still nice when most people would have given up on her by now.

  “Don’t go anywhere,” he said. “Let me get rid of the guys and then we’ll have a lesson, yeah?”

  “Um … okay.”

  “It’s a date, then. What’s your name, freckles?”

  “Oh. Uh … Allie.” She found herself beaming up at him. She hadn’t anticipated he would make the leap from a skateboarding lesson to a date so quickly. Or seem so excited about it.

  “Wow, that smile made me forget what I was doing.”

  “Hey, Gav! Come on!” one of the other boys called.

  “Be back in a few, Allie. Seriously, don’t go anywhere.” He turned and jogged back over to his friends.

  Allie, what did you just get yourself into? She slipped her earbuds back in place and settled on Puccini’s Turandot, beginning with her favorite Nessun Dorma. She eased back into her drawing, sketching fast as she enjoyed the rich color of the violin solo.

  “Sorry, I seem determined to interrupt your music,” Gavin said.

  “Come have some hot coffee with me,” Allie offered.

  “Oh, you’re a lifesaver! I’m freezing!”

  “You do know it’s really not that cold, right?” She poured the rich, dark coffee into the thermos lid for him.

  “We don’t do cold here. Wait till December when it’s sweltering hot and you’re absolutely dying while us Aussies are barely sweating.”

  “Well, we move a lot, so it’s entirely possible I might miss out on summer this year.”

  “That would suck. The you leaving part.” He clinked his plastic cup against her thermos.

  “Cheers to that.” She smiled, unable to fathom how he was still interested. Allie listened as Gavin chatted nervously. He was making an effort to set her at ease, and for once, she fought the overwhelming urge to bail. Gavin was really nice, and if it was even a slight possibility that they could be friends, she wanted to give it a chance.

  “Alright, Allie, I believe it’s time for our lesson.” Gavin stood and held out his hand for her.

  “But I haven’t drawn anything yet.” Allie was reluctant to take his hand. She was afraid it might burst the pleasant bubble they were in.

  “We’ll call it a down payment on my drawing.”

  “But—”

  “Do I have to teach you how to have fun? You’re kinda small, I could easily throw you over my shoulder.” He grasped her hand and pulled her up. He felt it—that thing that made people uncomfortable, but he didn’t seem to mind.

  “I believe the word you’re looking for is short.” She eyed him playfully.

  “Eh. I’m just crazy tall, yeah?” He winked as they strolled up to the ramps hand in hand.

  “So how hard does this suck when you fall? I did okay on a snowboard, but I’m thinking the concrete’s not as soft of a landing.”

  “Falling definitely sucks, unless you know how to fall. We’re just going to try skating in a straight line today. None of the big girl ramps or tricks yet. Not until you’ve got some kneepads and a helmet.”

  “I’ll bring a helmet next time,” she said without thinking. She didn’t mean it to sound like she was fishing for a date, but he seemed to take it that way and he seemed thrilled about it.

  “Perfect! So today, we’ll practice starting, stopping, turning, speeding up and slowing down. And if you’re good at that, we might try some of the kiddie tricks later.”

  “Unless I face plant, which is more likely.”

  “Come on! Let’s give it a go, yeah?” He tossed his board down and stepped on, gliding slowly beside her. “Hop up here with me, Allie.” He pulled her up beside him before she could blink.

  “Ohh, no! Not like snowboarding!” She almost fell, but he held her tightly until she regained her balance. “Got it! Sorry! Don’t mind me, I’m a spaz!”

  “That actually worked out better than I expected,” he laughed, his hands still firmly at her hips. Good thing you have small feet, there’s just enough room for you up here.”

  “Barely.” She felt his chest against her back and took a shaky breath. This was way more than she bargained for.

  Don’t start crushing, Allie. That never works out well for you!

  “I’m going to get us going, and then I want you to practice turning. Lean forward to go left and back to go right.”

  She almost lost her balance again when they started moving faster, but she did as he said, leaning into the turns.

  “That’s it! You got this!”

  “Well, I have a feeling you’re doing all the actual work and I’m just standing here. We’ll see how it goes when I’m up here by myself.”

  “You’re doing good. Want to try one of the newbie ramps?”

  “Sure, let’s do it!” She was feeling adventurous and didn’t want their afternoon to end.

  “Hang on tight. I don’t want you to go flying. We’re going to speed up a bit and when we hit that dip ahead, bend your knees as we go into it and straighten your legs when we start up the other side.”

  “Got it!” She eyed the shallow, wide dip in the concrete ahead.

  “Here we go.” Gavin increased their speed and held her tightly against his chest. As they rolled into the dip, Allie bent her knees. She felt completely out of control when the board went flying up the other side and they landed on two wheels going much too fast. They tumbled into the grass and Allie landed on top of him.

  “That was awesome!” She beamed down at him. “Thanks for breaking my fall.”

  “You can fall on me any time you want, freckles.” He reached up and tucked a stray curl
behind her ear. “I had a feeling we’d end up in the grass eventually.”

  Her heart was like a jackhammer in her chest as she scrambled back to her feet.

  This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Her vacation with Carson was great, but this was different. This felt like a date. He’s so freaking nice! Don’t screw this up, Allie!

  “Want to try it by yourself?” He slid the skateboard over to her, taking a step back. He wanted to put some distance between them, but it didn’t feel like the usual rejection.

  “Maybe next time. Thanks for the lesson!” Allie really—really liked Gavin and for the first time in ages she felt like someone might actually get her.

  “Let me give you my number.” He took her simple flip phone and called himself so he’d have her number too. “We’re all going to the movies later this week. You should come with us and then we can have another lesson after. I’ll bring another board and some knee pads.”

  “Maybe.” She wanted to say yes, but the thought of going with a group made her even more nervous.

  “Or you and I could just go together.” He seemed to understand her reluctance. “Call or text me anytime.”

  “I will.” Allie smiled uncertainly. She really wanted this to work. She could hole herself up in her room like she usually did, or she could put herself out there and have a little fun with someone who actually wanted to spend time with her.

  ~~~

  Allie eyed her phone on her nightstand. She’d resisted the temptation to text Gavin for nearly twenty-four hours, but she couldn’t stop thinking about him. She was scared and excited about the possibility of a normal friendship with a great guy. Gavin had put the ball in her court but she wasn’t sure how to make the next move.

  She stared at her phone, trying to find the right words, and then her fingers took over and she hit send before she could change her mind.

  Allie: I think I still owe you a drawing.

  Gavin: I owe you a real lesson first :) Meet me at the ramps tomorrow afternoon?

  Allie: What should I bring?

  Gavin: Just you and maybe your sketchbook. I might feel a bit posey ;)

  Allie: K see you tomorrow:)

  Allie didn’t know what to think as she set her phone back on her nightstand.

  Do I have a date? Like a for real date?

  “Oh crap! What am I going to wear?”

  ~~~

  CHAPTER

  SEVEN

  Aidan:

  “McBrien!” Jason called across the locker room after their first football practice. “Hey! I’m talkin’ to you!” He snapped his towel to get Aidan’s attention.

  Aidan snatched the towel out of the air and shot him a glare. Jason was like a lost puppy sometimes, the way he followed Aidan around. He considered them best friends, which Aidan appreciated, but Jason really only knew, Aidan-the-jock.

  And he would probably revoke my jock card if he knew I was ignoring him in favor of Puccini’s Turandot. He tugged on his earbuds.

  “What?”

  “I’m having a party at my dad’s penthouse tonight. You coming? Mallory Jenkins will be there.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Aidan rushed to finish changing. He had just enough time to get home for training. He was absolutely exhausted, starving, and couldn’t give a crap about Jason’s drinking parties or whoever the hell Mallory Jenkins was. He would have to make an appearance, but he wasn’t in the mood to go alone. He reached for his phone and texted Wendy as he headed home for a few hours with Emma and Jin.

  Aidan: Please tell me you’ll come to a party tonight and keep me out of trouble?

  Wendy: Anya will have my head if I don’t spend some time with her. Sorry, babe, you’re on your own tonight. Think you can manage without me?

  Aidan: I’ll try. Give Anya a kiss for me ;)

  Wendy: She’ll be thrilled.

  ~~~

  “Dance with me, Aidan?” Mallory attempted to pull him onto the tiled dance floor of Jason’s rooftop palace.

  “Maybe later, sweetheart.” He headed to the bar for another beer, ignoring her gasp of indignation.

  These parties were always difficult for Aidan. On the surface, everyone was in high spirits—and some actually were. But he could also feel the stress and anxiety from those on the fringe; the outsiders looking in, desperate to belong. It was a major downer. But everyone expected to see him at these things, playing his role as the cocky arrogant, but popular jock. It was odd how they all wanted him there, but very few made an effort to include him. Aidan gazed around the lavish party at all his privileged “friends.” Sure, he never wanted for anything, but he also had responsibilities these guys would never have to face. It left him feeling so much older than his sixteen years.

  If they only knew how easy they had it.

  “Hi.” Kayla sighed miserably from her perch along the parapet.

  “Hi.” Aidan raised his bottle to clink against hers. She was in a funk tonight, like her heart just wasn’t in it, but she’d been feeling down a lot lately.

  “You think these guys will ever grow up?” She gestured at the crowd. “Ever realize there’s so much more going on around them than these silly parties?”

  Her words echoed his own thoughts, making Aidan take a second look. She wasn’t just in a funk. Kayla was hurting, but she had her guard up.

  “With their endless trust funds and free rides for the rest of their lives, probably not.” Aidan’s reply could have included both of them, but he had other priorities and Kayla had drive.

  “Crappy night?” she asked.

  “Maybe not as bad as yours.”

  “Boys are stupid, and I shouldn’t let one ruin my good time.”

  “You’re right about that.” He felt his spirits lift. Kayla was always good at making him feel normal. She’d done a study abroad program for most of last term and they hadn’t reconnected since she got back. The time away seemed to have matured her.

  “Come on, McBrien. I’ve had a lousy night and you’re the best dancer I know.” She grabbed his hand and towed him onto the dance floor. She felt his intimidating presence, but McKayla never let his power get to her.

  “He’s dancing with Kayla!” Aidan heard Mallory’s hiss of disgust.

  “You know, girls are kinda stupid too,” he muttered as he held her close, her long blond hair brushing his hands at her waist.

  “You would think our generation would be the ones to finally figure out that whole equality among the sexes thing. But it’s like we still don’t speak the same language.”

  As they danced, he studied her with his gift, letting his power flow between them. He only intended to cheer her up by soothing away some of what she was feeling, but his eyes widened in surprise when he felt something he hadn’t expected. She was different, physically as well as emotionally.

  That can’t be right! But there was no mistaking what his gift told him. Sometime in the last year her body had experienced the rigors of childbirth. It changed her not only physically, but emotionally as well. She was still struggling with the anguish of leaving her child with strangers.

  Aidan had always liked Kayla, but he’d kept his distance. He didn’t want to ruin their friendship with the inevitable lies that came with living among mortals. But Kayla was hurting in a way their friends would never understand, and that fueled his desire to really connect with her.

  She’ll never really know me, but in some small way, we get each other. He’d often wondered if she could be the right girl to attempt an actual relationship with. But given what she’d been through, he wasn’t sure it was the right time. And he was afraid of getting that close to a mortal. It wasn’t just about the secrets and lies. If he lost control of his power around Kayla, even for a moment, he could really hurt her.

  “What stupid moron is making you so miserable?” he asked out of curiosity.

  “Not important. He’s just having a rough time of it and doesn’t have a clue how much of a giant D-bag he’s been lately.” She gazed a
cross the rooftop at Vince, who was busy dancing with some punked out college chick with silvery blond hair and way too many piercings.

  “Vince?” Is he the one responsible for her situation? “You can do so much better, Kayla.” The guy was a furious ball of rage and hurt. There was so much grief in his life, Aidan couldn’t even bear to be around him. He’d lost almost everyone he cared about all at once.

  The timing would be about right. One friend comforting another and nine months later—BOOM. Kayla’s coming home from some “study abroad trip.” He wondered if Vince even knew.

  “Thanks, Aidan.” She smiled as the hurt look in her eyes vanished. “You have a way about you, don’t you?”

  “I don’t get it!” Mallory gathered her minions around for support. “Kayla’s a nobody.”

  Aidan shot Mallory a scathing glare, grateful Kayla couldn’t hear her rude remarks.

  “Help me out with something?” As the music slowed, he pulled her close.

  “Sure, what’s up?” She rested her arms on his shoulders with only a slight tremble.

  “Help me deal with that?” He nodded toward Mallory and her friends.

  “She does seem determined to catch your attention tonight, doesn’t she? What’d you have in mind?”

  “Let’s get rid of my problem, and make your guy a little jealous.” He went in for the kiss, expecting it to feel awkward, but it wasn’t. Not by a long shot. Holding Kayla in his arms, he brushed his lips against hers, tentatively at first. When she let out a little gasp of surprise, he just went for it. It was all really, really … nice. There weren’t any rockets going off, but he could definitely get used to making out with Kayla. Aidan let the kiss linger on much longer than he intended, enjoying the feel of her silky hair trailing through his fingers.

  “Well, that was interesting.” Her face was flushed as she pressed her forehead against his.

  “Not what I expected either.” He pulled her closer and kept them swaying with the mellow bluesy song that spoke of soul mates and destiny. It was rather ironic and he almost laughed, but Aidan caught the subtle shift in her demeanor. They were regarding each other in a different light than they ever had before.