Page 72

September 28, 2010

“Forgiveness is not owed to a man who builds a cage and labels it protection.”

— MUSINGS OF AN OCCULT DEALER

I haven’t slept all night.

I made the decision over the course of tossing and turning, eyes glued to the canopy of my bed with Kieran’s body lying next to me: it is dangerous that I allow the flow to carry me. I must wade against the current.

The memory of Kieran murmuring my name with such intensity crawled its way into my chest and excavated any warmth I may have felt towards him. I finally have you. In what context? I laid beside him hoping for another slip of the tongue. There were no other admissions and I was left to my mind, empty and boundless.

Rolling over in bed, his face is close to mine. A brief flash of Christian’s face interposes over his. Copper eyes framed with silky lashes, golden brown skin and dark berry lips. The sudden shift in vision surprises me and I scramble backward.

Kieran rouses from sleep. He rubs his eyes slowly then unfurls himself and lays flat on his back staring up at the canopy. “Did I fall asleep in here?”

I nod, humming in confirmation then mimic his position. We both stare up at the canopy.

“I have to leave today. I’m going on a business trip.” He sits up, stretching his arms.

“When will you be back?” I’m no longer worried about his absence and being left behind. I now have another weapon in my arsenal.

“Soon.” He leans over and does something surprising. He plants a soft kiss on my forehead. “The house is all yours.”

You need to see the creature’s body, the voice in my head says. See if her face brings any memories forth.

Kieran leaves swiftly. Once the door clicks, I bolt upright, seeing Misty had nestled herself before the fire sometime in the night.

“Should I go see the body?” Misty’s ears perk up, but she ignores me for the warmth of a fire. She seems much more tired this morning.

The creature’s cracking bones and sticky tar hang at the forefront of my mind. I want to see it again with my own eyes. Truly examine what it is. There is something too familiar about the creature’s look—its mangled mandible, distressed clothing and human eyes. No doubt whatever it was, had been out to kill me. But what was she trying to tell me?

That you can’t trust Kieran Lazarus.

Why couldn’t I have woken up on a tropical island where the sun never sets?

Maybe in another life I won’t lose my memories and be burdened by my own mind. It makes me angry to know there’s so much I’m missing and so much knowledge yet to be gained.

Quickly, I shower and don an outfit fit for sleuthing. The small knife Kieran had gifted is stashed in my pocket. Hurriedly I dash through the doors to the pool room and then to the East Wing. The receiving hallway where the perturbing shenanigans of last night occurred is as dismal as it always was. I inhale a breath, steadying myself before striding toward the spot Kieran had sliced the head from the creature. I’m met with nothing but a questionable stain on an already dated rug. Glancing above shows no roosting creature in the beams, only holes in the ceiling where vines had made a home. There’s no way she’s already gone. How would Kieran have the time when he’s been with me all night?

The hospital room.

I change tactics and head toward the room where I’d seen the lanky creature. Nothing is going to stop me from snooping. Recounting my steps from the last time I was here, I pad through the hallways. It’s eerily quiet and smells of old, wet paper. I turn the corner, prepared to be greeted with a fire dusted corridor only to tumble backward and then gripped by large, strong hands.

“What the—” Expletives are ready to erupt from my mouth as I push back against the wall of a body. I’m met with mischievous eyes and a smirk.

“Well, it looks like we’re both in places we don’t belong,” that deep velvet tone drawls.

“How did you get in?” I hiss, pushing past him and walking ahead. There are several doors along this hallway that I hadn’t noticed before today.

“Secret for a secret?” Christian offers as he strides alongside me.

He’s lying about something.

“Christian. Why did you need me to infiltrate this household if you could simply walk in?” My palms shoot up, exasperation fueling me.

“What if I was looking for you?” He shrugs, lips twitching with amusement.

It could be possible, but it made little sense.