Fae (17 page)

“I know,” I acknowledged. “But I will keep her safe.”

“May the druids haunt you for eternity if you do not Devilyn.”

And then we were gone.

Back in Odin's study. Back in Roanoke. It took a moment for me to calm my nerves.

“What did you say to him?”

So Odin had not heard. I wondered why.

“I cannot hear your thoughts within the prison of the Yew.”

I looked at him, my face perfectly composed.

“I promised I would protect her.”

Odin watched me for a moment then nodded as if he accepted my words. I started to walk out of the room.

“He's wrong, you know.”

I stopped.

“You do deserve her,” Odin said softly. “You both deserve each other.”

“Your love should never be offered to the mouth of a stranger. Only to someone who has the valor and daring to cut pieces of their soul off with a knife, then weave them into a blanket to protect you.”
—Hafiz

I took time that evening.

I took time picking what I was going to wear, actually changing four times before finding the perfect outfit. I took time drying my hair and even borrowed mascara and lip-gloss from my mom, who had been unable to hide her joy over the fact that I was asking for makeup. She had even gone so far to ask if I was trying to impress someone special that evening.

I had told her no. But only I knew that was a lie. I wasn't dressing for myself. I was dressing for him. I wanted to look my best, be the most confident I'd ever been because I had something to prove to two people tonight.

Myself and Devilyn Reilly.

I was about to walk into a den of sharks. A den that I had successfully avoided for my high school career because I knew that I had no business being a part of it. Since I clearly hadn't attracted much attention during the past few years, I was growing more and more concerned that what I had picked to wear from my tiny closet wouldn't cut it tonight at the party.

I moved over to the bed and touched the pair of dark blue skinny jeans. I shook my head in despair as I thought about my ridiculous predicament. I would think back on this day and laugh. I repeated the words over again in my head, I
would
think back on this day and laugh. Hysterically, I hoped. Unfortunately, I felt that by the time this day would actually be funny to me, I would be old and gray.

I shifted through my closet, staring at my carefully folded sweaters and found a nice cowl neck gray sweater and threw it on my bed next to my jeans.

“Alright,” I said with a deep sigh, satisfied with my selection.

I changed into the outfit quickly. Time was flying by, and Teddy was bound to show up at any moment. The last thing I wanted to do was keep him waiting and have to suffer through his jokes about how long it took me to get ready for the party.

As I put my black boots on, I heard the doorbell ring below and the sound of my mom's voice greeting Teddy. I took one last look at myself in the mirror, grabbed my jacket and shut the door to my room.

Teddy and my parents had gathered in our kitchen and their voices carried up the stairs. I quickly descended them and turned the corner to find them sitting around our kitchen island. It was obvious from their huge grins that my parents were overly excited. It wasn't like me to go out on a Saturday night, especially to a party. My mom was positively beaming. Had been since the moment I asked for lip gloss.

Most parents would be nervous about their children attending an event like this. But mine were just the opposite. I guess they had always secretly hoped I would eventually step out of nerd-dom, and tonight's party definitely was, in their eyes, a step in the right direction.

“Oh honey, you look absolutely beautiful,” my mom gushed as I entered the kitchen.

She actually clapped her hands together.

“Let's not get so overly dramatic,” I replied hesitantly as she came over to me and took my hands in hers. Were those tears in her eyes? She didn't even cry when she found out I aced all my AP classes freshman year.

“Mom…” I grumbled, unable to deal with her enthusiasm.

“I can't help it.”

I looked over at Teddy and tried to change the topic. “You look good, Teddy.” I walked over and gave his shoulders a tight squeeze.

He quickly rose from the bar stool he was sitting on and gave me a full look over.

“Honestly, you look amazing,” he said as he scrutinized my face. “Are you wearing makeup?”

“No,” I said too quickly. I tried my hardest not to blush.

“Yes, you are.” It was like a kid brother pointing out the obvious.

“Well, just a little, what's the big deal?” I replied defensively.

“That's a surprise,” my father said stating the obvious.

“Why is it a surprise?” I asked. “I always wear makeup when I'm going out on the weekends.” That was a lie; Teddy's snort of laughter said as much.

“Since when do you go out, dear?” he teased.

“Since tonight.” I couldn't keep the attitude out of my voice. “And don't worry, I'll try not to make a habit of it.”

“Oh honey, don't tease her. I honestly wish you
would
make a habit out of it, Caroline!” My mother laughed. “We just want you to have fun sometimes.”

Wow. My parents wanted me to have fun. I guess I was more of a nerd then I originally thought. I quickly realized that this conversation could only go from bad to worse.

I tugged at Teddy's arm, so that we could get out of there. The quicker we left, the quicker we would get home. This evening was already turning into a night of inquisition. He took the hint and shook my dad's hand as I gave my mom a quick hug goodbye.

The evening air was brisk and slightly cooler than the other nights had been that week. But the chill felt good. I knew that my face would be turning many shades of red tonight, so anything to cool the heat would be welcomed.

I skipped down the stairs leading to my house and headed out to Teddy's car.

“You really do look great,” Teddy said with an admiring smile.

“Thanks, maybe Tatiana has a cousin,” I laughed.

“She doesn't have a cousin, but she
does
have a brother,” he joked.

“Yes, she does have a brother,” I replied suddenly reminded of
him.

I opened the car door and sat on the leather seat and shook away any thoughts of the dark-haired stranger. I would see him tonight. I would have to pretend that I couldn't care less about who he dated or what he did with his free time. I suddenly wished that I had taken more drama classes.

“Here we go,” Teddy said as he put the keys in the ignition.

“Here we go,” I repeated and gave him a forced smile.

Jordana lived a couple of miles away from me in Ballast Point, an upscale neighborhood of Roanoke Island, which faced the waterfront. Owners of houses on this part of the island generally had large boats that they would keep docked right outside of their home. The neighborhood was all rather new, and the elegant homes very spacious and beautiful. I admired the manicured lawns of the streets as we drove up to her house.

The party was in full swing when we arrived. The music could be heard all the way down the street. Teddy parked his car a few doors down from Jordana's parents' home.

I looked out the window to see a crowd of people on the street, on the driveway and around the stairs leading up to the traditional home. I took in a deep breath and opened the car door.

Everyone outside was staring at us as we made our way through the group of onlookers, making every attempt to smile. Teddy stood tall and proud, and for the first time I realized that he fit in perfectly. His attitude was definitely far different than our classmates, but he had an air of confidence that I had never seen until tonight. Or perhaps never taken the time to properly notice.

He nodded and gave a high-five to people that I spent many of my formidable years with, but who now looked at me like I was a complete stranger. My smile almost faltered as I sensed my confidence starting to crumble. What was wrong with me? I took a deep breath in and willed myself to be strong when I heard a familiar voice call out my name.

“
Caroline?
Is that
you
?” Brian Baker asked out loud in a state of shock. His look of disbelief was almost comical. I couldn't look that different from how I did in school, could I?

“Hey Brian,” I managed.

“Wow, you look hot,” he said.

“Thanks,” I couldn't keep the shock out of my voice. I was still reeling from the fact that he actually knew my name.

“What are you doing here?” he asked. I couldn't help but smile. At least he was being honest.

“Jordana invited me.”

“I figured that much. I'm just surprised you came,” he said with a smile as he turned to Teddy. “Hey man. How's it going?”

“Great,” Teddy replied as he looked around at the large crowd. “Looks like she invited the whole state.”

“You know Jordana,” Brian replied, rolling his eyes.

Actually we don't,
I silently thought. Neither Teddy nor I had really ever had much interaction with Jordana or her friends since elementary school, actually since second grade when there were no cliques or groups, or even popular or unpopular kids. When we're all just the same, equals and friends.

“Well, it's nice of her to include everyone,” I offered graciously.

“There are some people she shouldn't be including,” Brian bitterly said as he took a sip of whatever was in his plastic red cup. I thought I smelled beer.

“Who's that?” Teddy innocently asked.

“Devilyn Reilly.”

Oh boy. I looked at Teddy and shook my head.

“I gotcha man, I gotcha,” Teddy said as he pushed me along. “We're just going to head inside and grab a drink.”

“Catch you later,” he replied as he lifted his drink up in the air. He winked at me before I turned away, giving me the confidence I needed to face anyone.

I followed Teddy up into the house, and the second we walked through the front door I knew I didn't belong. The world was so foreign to me. Girls in short skirts, flirting shamelessly with the boys. Beer cans and plastic red cups in people's hands.
I am so out of my element
, I thought as I scanned the crowd.
I guess this is what high school is all about
. I stared at a couple that was making out on the dance floor.

I didn't belong. And I wanted to go home.

Teddy took a hold of my hand, as if sensing that I might bolt for the door, and looked down at me and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

“You're okay.”

I nodded at him, and then he slowly guided me through the various groups of familiar faces as I tried to maintain my composure. It felt like we were deep within the ocean, swimming idly, as a group of sharks circled us just waiting to attack. I knew that Teddy was searching for Tatiana and was anxious to find her. Although the sooner he did, the sooner I would be left to fend for myself. I knew three was a crowd.

“Oh my gosh Caroline, I almost didn't recognize you!” Erika Davis called out.

I turned to face the popular cheerleader that had sat in my art class all semester and nodded. I guess the fact that I was wearing makeup was coming as a shock to not only my parents but to the entire student body of Manteo High.

“Hey Erika, how are you?”

“No, I mean I
honestly
didn't recognize you,” she repeated, ignoring my question. “Until I saw Teddy and then knew the girl following close behind would have to be you.”

“Yep, it's me.” I didn't know whether to feel insulted or ecstatic. I concluded that I must certainly look like a troll at school.

“You should wear makeup more often,” she said with finality as she turned and continued her conversation with her girlfriends who nodded in agreement.

“I'll take it into consideration,” I replied.

“Let's grab a drink and go outside,” Teddy said, sensing my rising unease.

“Have you seen Tatiana yet?” I asked trying to change the subject.

“Nope, but there's her brother. So I'm sure she's here.”

My heart dropped.

I couldn't stop staring.

A quick look around told me that I was not alone. She had every breathing male in the room stealing looks at her. She radiated beauty. It glowed from within. Despite her quiet confidence, I could tell that she was uncomfortable in her surroundings. We had that much in common. I knew that like me, the last place on earth either of us would ever want to be was at a high school party.

I wished I could leave the silly girl who stood next to me and grab Caroline's hand and take her away from this madness. I would run away with her. I would take her around the world, watch with wonder as she experienced a new city, a new culture. I'd see the earth through her eyes. I'd watch the innocent wonder. I'd revel in the purity of her humanity. We'd be a normal couple. We'd have a normal life. With normal problems.

I could do it.

I could make anything happen.

I was to be a King after all.

And then I saw a flash of Arthur's face. The look of a man who'd loved, lost, and could never return. I could not let that happen. But I could not stay away from her. I knew that the closer I was, the better I could protect her.

But I had to be cautious.

Every move I made from this day forward had to be calculated. I couldn't afford to make a single mistake. I had to undo my past actions and get her to trust me so that she would feel comfortable spending time with me. Until the great danger of the Seeker passed.

And then what
?
And then nothing
.

And then, I will walk away.

I began thinking about how I had spent my day. Plotting, planning, investigating. I had woken early that morning and set out into the forest surrounding Jordana's home, waiting for any indication that the Seeker had arrived. I went to the sea and stared out upon it. I went to the gardens and listened, and Brighid had met me there.

As I stood with my eyes closed, head up to the heavens and palms out, which was the best way to hear our enemies, ensuring that every part of my body was one with the nature surrounding me. I began to listen intently, and then she appeared.

She had jarred me out of my reverie.

At first I thought it was the Kelpie, and I had instantly turned and hit her with light out of my eyes. Luckily she had been prepared and had guarded herself against the attack.

“My God! Brighid!”

She laughed gleefully.

“You can't fool me.”