First World (24 page)

“The half-Walkers are cloaked to Walker powers. It’s a safeguard. You can’t sense her, but neither can any other Walkers. The only reason you’ve ever caught any of her thoughts was
through close proximity and a paternal relationship.”

“She is too precious to risk in this
endeavor,” Josian continued to roar. He really was like a red-maned lion at times.

Lallielle’s
voice was calmer. “If Aribella wants to do this, we will let her go. She is strong. She survived Earth for years without us. Probably why I had to send her away: to make her strong enough to do this.”

There was silence for a minute.

Josian spoke again, quiet and deadly. “Know this, soothsayer, if anything happens to my Aribella, if she doesn’t return to me safe and sound, you will not need to worry about the Seventine. My rage will destroy worlds on its own.”

Sighing, I took Lucy’s hand. We walked back inside to face the angry and
concerned room.

“Okay, since we
’re talking the end of the worlds, I’ll find these half-Walkers.”

“I’m going with Abby, though, and no one better stop me.” Lucy glared around.

Samuel stood then. “Over my dead body. If Aribella chooses to leave, well that is her prerogative, but ... Lucy cannot be risked.” For once he was stepping away from his reserved personality.

Over his dead body
?
“That can be arranged, ass-hat,” I muttered.

He glared before turning back to Lucy. She simply raised her eyebrows. Samuel took a moment before reaching up to massage his temples. He pushed his dark hair back.

“I will be accompanying the girls,” he said unhappily.

I laughed out loud; Samuel glared his hatred. I shrugged.
What?
It was funny.

I turned to Francesca.
“So where do we go first?”

Besides Earth, I had no idea about the other youngling planets.

“The day after your enlightening, you need to leave. You will head to Spurn.”

“Spurn?
What’s that supposed to be?”

Samuel spoke up then. “That planet is
ninety-five percent water. I have heard their inhabitants are hybrid fish.”

“Uh, Luce and I aren’t exactly strong swimmers.”

Lucy fidgeted nervously next to me.

Lallielle
looked worried. “What do you mean?”

I shrugged. “We could drown in a bathtub – if it was too deep.”

“There is a section of land. It’s small, housing their materials for construction. No one resides there, but we can use that as our base,” Samuel explained stiffly. “The air content is the same as here and Earth, so we’ll be able to breathe.”

“How do you know so much?” Lucy asked him.

He shrugged. “We are taught of First World’s younglings during our years in the learning centres.”

Francesca spoke again. “For some reason you have to face Spurn first.
But it should be an easy initial task. The order of planets is clear, but not the reasons for that order. The one warning I do have: don’t spend too long in the waters of Spurn. I sense an unusual darkness.”

Got to love random crazy talk from soothsayers.

“You’re seeing
Aribella’s future very clearly, Frannie,” Lallielle said with suspicion.

“I’ve had almost seventeen years to piece together the facts,
Lalli. Plus you know I see family better than I see others.”

Lallielle
shook her head. “Sometimes I wonder why it is always my family that has to ‘save the world’.”

Francesca took her hand. “With power comes responsibility. We have always known that.”

Later that night, sleep eluded me. As I rolled over for the fiftieth time to stare at the ceiling, I contemplated how out of control my life was. Needing to escape, I hopped out of bed and stepped through my balcony doors onto the large deck off my room. As I stood at the railings, the cool clean air washed the sheen of restless sweat from my body.

My room was on the side of the house
that faced the ocean. In the light of First World’s bright moon, I watched the cresting waves. I was becoming accustomed to the salty tang of the air. Although at first it had caused my curls to go haywire, after using an awesome spray from Lallielle, I had almost no frizz. It was magic in a bottle.

Yesterday I’d discovered swimming wasn’t quite as easy as I’d anticipated. I’d managed a short paddle; my slightly pink shoulders were a warm reminder.

Movement to my right caught my attention. I squinted into the darkness. There appeared to be a shadow beneath the overhanging cliffs. I watched for a few moments, but saw nothing more. I could have sworn a person was standing there, watching me. Shaking off my unease, I turned to make my way back inside.

I wasn’t surprised to see Lucy in my bed. She snuck in whenever the nightmares were bad.

“Couldn’t sleep either, Abbs?” She yawned loudly.

While the restless nights really affected her, I seemed to be able to go longer without sleep.

“Not really.” I climbed in beside her. “I enjoy listening to the waves. It’s calming.”

“Then you must be excited beyond belief that we’re heading to water-world,” she muttered, snuggling into the pillow.

No, not really.

Closing my eyes, finally tired, I drifted off.

I hadn’t dreamed of First World since we’d been at Deralick’s house. In fact, once the nightmares of killing the guard waned, my nights had been surprisingly dream-free.

But not tonight.

I was tormented with dreams of thrashing in endless water for hours, while boats filled with blank-faced people drifted past me. Shadowy figures rose from the depths, tormenting me with fear, but never fully revealing themselves.

I kept my eyes closed.

“Come on, Abby. It’s not that bad. Open your eyes.”

I shook my head. “No, I’m fine. I don’t need to see.”

For the past hour Lucy had
had me glued to a chair in my bedroom. She and Lallielle had been flittering around me, primping my hair, fixing my make-up.

To
night was my birthday party. I wasn’t officially eighteen until the next day, and so far there hadn’t been any weird changes in powers or abilities. I hoped to skip all of that.

“
Aribella, open your eyes.” Lallielle was smiling. Even through closed eyes I could tell.

With a sigh, my eyelashes fluttered open. Immediately, I was yanked to my feet by an excited Lucy.

Lallielle waved her hand. “Okay, I’m going to head down now. You both look stunning.”

She was worried about being late. It had taken them longer than expected to tackle me into the chair.

She was already dressed in a flowing floor-length green gown. She looked amazing and exotic, like a Grecian goddess in the one-shouldered dress. Blowing me a kiss, she left the room.

“Luce,” I exclaimed, seeing her for the first time. “You look gorgeous.”

At some point during my torture, she’d found time to get ready. Her wavy hair had been straightened. She was wearing a strapless blue dress which matched the color of her eyes. They looked even bluer than normal. As she moved, the chiffon lace sheath swished around her legs.

“How have you had time to get ready and help me?”

She rolled her eyes. “Making you look beautiful is not exactly a difficult thing.”

I groaned. It had certainly felt difficult.

We made it into my wardrobe. Lucy grabbed my dress from the hanger. I had chosen a simple black silk. Hand-tailored to fit me, it was all kinds of stunning. Stepping into the tightly fitted sheath and adjusting the bodice, I slipped the halter over my neck. For the first time I had cleavage and I was a bit proud of it. It even covered the pink scar on my chest.

Lucy zipped me up before handing me a pair of killer black heels. And killer was right. After two minutes in five-in
ch stilettos, I’d have broken my neck.

I shook my head. “No, Luce, we already discussed this.”

She just gave me the look, heels hooked over her hand. Sighing, I took them. I’d put them on downstairs.

“Are you going to
check out our hard work before we head down?” She had no problem stomping around in her own heels.

Screwing up my nose, I shook my head. I wasn’t ready to face a mirror. I wasn’t ready to turn eighteen. I just needed everything to slow down. Glancing
toward the side of my room, I could see the backpack, ready for our adventure the next day. Code name: save the world.

“No, I trust you and we’re already late.” I needed air and to wash my face. But if I did that Lucy would knock me out for sure. We left my room and headed down the hall.

“So, do you think Brace is going to be here tonight?” Most of the time I managed to avoid talking about him.

Now if I could just stop thinking about him
, I’d be set. I kept reliving his expression as he broke Olden’s neck, the panic I read in his eyes as he dropped beside me.

Lucy walked smoothly, despite her
own six-inch heels. “Sam mentioned that Deralick and Quarn should be here tonight.”

“He is just so different from my dream, Luce. I never thought it would be this complicated.”

She smiled knowingly. “Of course he’s different; you had a one-dimensional view of a fictional character. I know you enjoyed the mystery and even a little the pain as he was wrenched away from you each night, but this is real life. He’s flesh and blood with emotions and issues of his own. You need to take the time to get to know him.”

Her insight was a refreshing change from her usual suggestive comments.

“You’re different since your kidnapping.”

Smiling,
her eyes twinkled. “It’s not just the time on Earth. It’s Sam.”

I came to a grinding halt
at her suggestive tone. “Are you saying – you and Sam – like went the whole hog? Did the deed? Shoed the horse?”

She laughed.
“Seriously? The whole hog. Shoed the horse? One would think we were farm animals. How am I supposed to use those mental pictures the next time I’m with all the sexiness that is Sammy?”

“I want to scrub my eyes, ears and mouth out. Brother, remember?”

Continuing to chuckle, she dragged me along the hall again. “Speaking of sexy, have I told you how much I am ‘in love hearting’ your marks?”

She hadn’t stopped gushing abou
t them since I’d revealed them to her the other day. She had already known the basics about the Walkers from Samuel. But seeing the real thing had impressed her.

“They’re just gorgeous. It’s like a frame was made to showcase your
unfairly advantageous beauty.”

I laughed. As she took my arm, her expression was calculated. We paused at the landing outside the ballroom.

“You ready, Abbs?”

Reaching up a hand, I attempted to pat my hair, which appeared to be piled on my head in an elaborate up-do.

Lucy snatched at my hand. “Starting to regret not checking the mirror before you left?”

Oh, that was just evil. I grabbed at her arm as she stepped away, stalling my inevitable entrance into the ballroom.

“I’m scared to see him, Luce.” I shared the
unshakable fears I held deep in my heart. “He just doesn’t feel the connection.” My heart was heavy with a multitude of regret and despair.

“Who?
Dumb-ass, hot-ass?” She raised her eyebrows, her nose wrinkled. “Abbs, come on. Don’t you see the way he looks at you?”

My eyes swung around to stare at her
. She’d never mentioned this to me before.

“Like you’re the last piece of forbidden fruit in the bowl.”
A slow grin ensued. “He wants you, to pick you, taste you, eat –”

“I get your point, Lucy.” I interrupted her drily. I stood there contemplating her words.

She leaned in closer. “He feels it. Something holds him back, Abbs, but he definitely feels it.”

She left me there then, stepping
through the doorway; the announcement of her arrival was loud, even through the closed door. Lallielle had decided I needed to make a sole appearance or some such crap. I shook off Lucy’s words and attempted to focus on my entrance.

I’
d had all of this procedure explained already. I probably should have paid closer attention. Burying my head in the sand had not prevented Lallielle’s crazy party planning. I slipped on my shoes, wobbling slightly before finding my balance.

Deep breath, Abby.
You got this.

I stepped through the double doors to the top of a massive curving staircase.

“Announcing the arrival of Aribella, Contessa Frayre.” My new name and title.

The announcer dude had the perfect First-World accent. Deep and rich, it echoed throughout the room without the aid of a microphone.
I stopped breathing as the entire room fell silent and faced me. I was not a shy or introverted person, but after so much of my life spent alone or with Lucy, I mostly hated crowds.

Two seconds from hyperventilating, I was turning to exit the way I had come, when I found myself tangled with a man.

“Oh, my apologies. I thought you’d already entered.”

Putting some space between us, I did a double-take. He was massive, typical of the advanced evolution of First
Worlders. His features were blond, but his skin was an unusual golden brown. He had an icy cold beauty, almost inhuman. But he was definitely beautiful. Not in the same way as Brace, whose perfection encased a dark warmth that drove me crazy. Blondie was the opposite: a chiselled cold iciness.

“Announcing the arrival of Lucas
Questialia, to-be Crown Emperor.”

I guess it was time for me to finally meet Lucas.

Reaching forward, he grasped my hand before bringing it to his lips. A jolt of something shocked my arm. It flowed between us. At that moment a slight smile crossed Lucas’s face.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,
Aribella. I have been waiting a long time.”

His expression was unemotional
, but there was something there that made me uncomfortable. As I pulled my hand free, the tendrils between our grips unraveled and his icy blue eyes flashed. With a slight nod, I turned away and moved forward to walk the massive staircase. He was another complication I didn’t need that night. I stumbled at the first step and almost made my birthday debut by tumbling to my death.

With a tight grip on the railing and my eyes focused on my feet, somehow I made the torturous journey down those stairs.

I stepped onto the ballroom floor and was immediately swamped by the crowd. Apparently, when there hasn’t been a celebration for years, First Worlders really let their hair down. I smiled at each introduction, but could guarantee I wouldn’t remember any of them by morning.

Except maybe Lucas.

He was standing near me, being fawned over by heaps of ass-kisser
s, although I noticed how easy it was for him to brush them off and move on to the next group. He paused a little longer with a strikingly tall blond woman whose red dress plunged to her navel. She had a husky laugh that floated through the throngs of people. Her red-tipped nails rested easily on Lucas’s jacket.

I was distracted from my observations as
Josian reached my side. He had created a path so easily through the crowd.

“How are you going, baby girl?” He enveloped me in one of his amazing hugs. He was so huge it was like being engulfed. “You look so beautiful, just like your mother.”

“Honestly, Dad – this sucks. I want to escape. My eyelashes weigh two tons, my face is that stiff from this make-up, and I swear these heels are communing with Olden’s ghost and trying to kill me.” I vented most of my whining.

He caught me as I stumbled for about the tenth time in as many minutes.

“Well, you’re the right height for a Walker now.” He smiled down from his still much more impressive height. “Did you see the present table, though? Good haul.”

I looked over at the large table running along the back wall. It was packed with gorgeous wrapped packages.

This was becoming absurd.

“I don’t have to open those in front of everyone, right?”
Pretending to love gifts from strangers was beyond my meagre acting skills.

Josian
was distracted from answering. Lallielle was waving us over. She was a little away, chatting to a large group of people. I could see Quarn standing to one side. I waved and he acknowledged me with a nod and mimed a noose around his neck. I laughed. He’d be hating this.

“You go, baby girl. I’ll take one for the team.”
Josian shooed me off in the opposite direction before he moved toward Lallielle.

I walked away as fast as the ridiculous heels allowed and managed to grab a glass of
quant
juice. Looking around, I noticed a nice quiet corner where I could kick off my death-trap heels and made my way there.

Sinking into a chair, I closed my eyes.

“What are you doing hiding in the corner at your own party, Red?”

I jumped at the smooth voice. When I opened my eyes, I found Brace standing in front of me.
He stared for an immeasurable moment, his eyes heated and his expression unreadable.

“
There are not words to describe how you look tonight,” he said finally before looking away. He let out a strangled breath as he turned back. “I want to say breathtaking and breathtaking is correct but it is not enough.”

I drowned in the heat of his eyes for a moment, and then I took in the full picture.

Speaking of breathtaking! My heart stuttered. Before that moment I’d never seen him in anything but casual clothes. Tonight his height was emphasized in a perfect fitted black tuxedo. His broad shoulders filled out the jacket. He was huge, solidly built, falling just short of being bulky. He looked dark and dangerous. The silky strands of his inky black hair fell along his forehead.

I stood
then, torn between throwing myself into his arms, pride be damned, or punching him in his perfect nose.

“Where have you been, Brace?” Angry words erupted before I could stop them. “Why did you bother to come at all?”

Okay, I was even more pissed off than I thought.

Before he could answer, I turned and walked away.
The punching in the face option was definitely starting to win.

As I stormed off, I
realized I’d left my shoes under the chair. Shrugging, I decided to retrieve them later, hoping no one would notice.

A hand caught my arm. Only at the last second I stopped myself from flipping the person over my shoulder.
Old habits. I turned, expecting to see Brace, but it was someone else.