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“You have the strangest coloring I’ve ever seen,” I blurted out, still caught off guard by her appearance. She seemed to practically glow in the encroaching darkness, a beacon for the weary and lost.
“Way to state the obvious, Captain America,” she grunted, dismissing me with a turn of her shoulder.
“Caleb,” I introduced quickly, hoping she would give me her name at least. She glanced over her shoulder, but didn’t bother to introduce herself.
“I don’t want to know your name, Captain America.” Her eyes never left mine. “You. Are. Not. Welcome. Here,” she enunciated slowly. Her gaze shifted over my shoulder to the darkening forest. “Exit’s that way.”
I raised my hand, wanting to stop her, but froze when she flinched, the movement so subtle I shouldn’t have been able to detect it, much less react to it. She stared as I lowered my arm awkwardly. “I’ve been searching for you,” I blurted out. “Years. I’ve wandered all over the country, just looking for something. For you. For this. This place,” I rambled, my tongue darting out to wet my lips as those striking eyes held mine. “I can’t leave. I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back,” I admitted, knowing the second I returned to Navarre land I’d be stuck there.
She twisted back around and my heart gave a hard thump. She marched up to me, her finger stabbing my chest, those brilliant eyes flashing. “That’s the point, Captain America. You don’t come back. Not sure I can make this much clearer for you.”
I grabbed her wrist, tightening my grip when she tried to slip from my hold. I didn’t let go even as I sensed her panic in the heartbeat that suddenly began to race under my fingertips. “You felt it,” I murmured. “There’s no way you didn’t.” I inhaled deeply, my lip curling in frustration at the absence of her scent. “I don’t know what this place is, but there was no mistaking that scent,” I growled, desperate for her to acknowledge what I’d felt.
She leaned forward, her heart rate slowing as she forcibly controlled her panic, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration. “Forget it. Forget me. Run as far away from here as you can and never come back.” She yanked her wrist from my hold, backing away as her eyes warned me it wouldn’t be so easy to catch her next time.
I opened my mouth, ready to protest, when her gaze flickered to the side. Her pupils dilated in horror as her lips parted to give a warning. There was no time to react though as I felt my knees crumble, my mouth still open as I landed on hard earth, the sound muffled by a thick layer of leaves. Dread didn’t hit until her eyelashes lowered in apology, covering those extraordinary eyes, and I realized her harsh dismissal had been meant to protect me.
Chapter Four
Caleb
He’s handsome, a voice commented, the lilting sound drifting through my head and nagging at me with its familiarity.
He’s a fool, another answered irritably and her voice cleared the fog, reminding me exactly where I was and who was chatting in my head.
So you like him? The other voice prodded teasingly, and I remained silent as I realized they didn’t know I was awake. I didn’t need to see her to know her face formed an impatient grimace. I still didn’t know her name, but I could already anticipate her reactions.
Then that would make me the fool, she responded curtly. There’s no point being interested in a dead man. The words didn’t concern me as much as her tone – a desperate, resigned frustration lacing each one, as if she’d been through this before and already knew the outcome.
Maybe not, the other one said hopefully, telling me she still retained her youthful innocence. Maybe….maybe he’s the one.
I felt her sigh, no doubt biting back a harsh denial. Gran is expecting us, was all she finally said and I sensed her warmth moving away from me, but I didn’t risk opening my eyes.
I’ll be there in a minute, the younger one answered, sounding cagey even to me.
Whatever you’re planning, don’t, she ordered, sounding more tired than upset. It’s not worth her anger.
The lightest brush of a finger along my injured leg disrupted my curiosity about who the woman she spoke of was, and reminded me I wasn’t at full strength.
I can fix it, the younger argued, her attitude suggesting one born with a stubborn doggedness. She doesn’t know about his leg.
Then you’re the fool if you believe that, she answered harshly, her tone turning implacable with her next words. And you deserve the punishment she’ll give you.
A door opened and closed, leaving an unexpected void in the room when she left. I almost forgot about the younger one until her hands settled on my leg, her touch highlighting the damage. My eyes flew open and I caught my first glimpse of the elusive sister.
