Flicker (33 page)

              Sarah thought quickly over her situation. “Of course I am. I do have a few things I'd wanted to finish up here, though. What's your timetable?”

              Alexander replied pensively. “If you can get here by the weekend, I would appreciate it.”

              That would give her five or six days-- perfectly sufficient to complete her business on the islands. Sarah nodded, knowing Alexander couldn't sense the gesture over the distance, but would anticipate it anyway. “I can make that happen.”

              When Elise's phone, resting innocently on the desk in her bedroom while she studied late that night, began to vibrate a summons, she cursed colorfully. A glance at the number confirmed that this wasn't the pleasant surprise of a call from Alex-- but what did Rashid want now?

              “What the hell were you doing at the park today?” She demanded irritably as she picked up.

              “It was nice to see you, too, kitten,” his smooth voice replied. Elise wasn't buying it.

              “You scared the crap out of me,” she snapped. “And you nearly tipped Alex to the fact that we met behind his back. Is that what you were going for?”

              Rashid's dark chuckle shivered its way down her spine even through the tiny speaker. “I felt you practicing from all the way across town, my dear, and only wanted to see the prodigy in action. I must say, I was very impressed-- brava. You've grown remarkably in your abilities in such a short time.”

              Elise snorted. “Then go congratulate Alex on my education, why don't you?”

              “Now kitten, I don't think you want me to do that, do you?” For some reason, this bland statement made her swallow hard. After a moment of silence, Rashid continued, “I thought not.”

              “Why are you calling?” Elise sighed.

              “I thought I might take you to dinner, dear,” he said warmly. “I was so inspired by your performance today, I just have to see you.” His tone made it clear that this wasn't a request.

              Her eyes widened, and she struggled to keep the sudden spike of fear out of her voice. “In case you haven't noticed, it's a little late,” She replied with a brave attempt at nonchalance.

              He laughed again, and she knew she hadn't fooled him. “It's only ten. You're a big girl now, Elise-- time to come out and see the world.”

              Elise stammered, stalling. Her parents would never let her out, but she was loathe to mention that fact and draw his attention to them. Either he knew what to expect from someone in her situation, however, or she'd vastly underestimated the range of his abilities, for he continued, “I'm sure you won't have any problems sneaking past your parents. Aren't adolescents supposed to be well versed in such deceptions?”

              She scoffed. “Not this adolescent.”

              “I have every confidence that you can manage.” His tone was light, but left no room for disagreement. “I'll pick you up at the corner so your parents don't hear you go.”

              Elise bit her lip as she rapidly thought through her options. He had already established that denying him was a dangerous impossibility. Besides, she'd met with him twice now, and aside from a few threats, the only thing he'd perpetrated on her was an uncomfortable point of view. Finally, she agreed.

              “I'll see you in half an hour,” he accepted her surrender gracefully. “Oh, and kitten?” He added absently, apparently as an afterthought. Elise had to check her movement to end the call. “Dress like you aren't seventeen.”

              “What the hell does that mean?” She demanded furiously. But he'd already hung up. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she considered what he'd said. The tone in which he'd spoken her age made it clear he expected her to look older; that meant he either wanted her to look sophisticated, or suggestive. She snorted. Even if hell froze over and she was inclined to cooperate with the latter option, she didn't have the clothes to pull it off anymore. Fortunately, that was never going to happen. Sophisticated it was, then.

              Fifteen minutes later, she was clad in a slightly dressier skirt than usual-- a thick, deep green wool with a high, corseted waist and an embroidered hem that fell a little past her ankles when worn with a pair of rarely-used black, high heeled pumps. She'd paired it with a silvery-gray satin blouse with a ruffled, scooped neckline that showed more cleavage than she was typically comfortable with. She didn't think she'd worn the top more than once because of that fact, but for some reason, it drew her eye tonight. Elise also applied a bit more makeup than usual, taking care to use powder, eyeshadow, and mascara in addition to her normal eyeliner and lip gloss. She'd even donned earrings and a necklace for the occasion, matching pieces of twined silver wire that were delicate and ethereal-- perfect compliments for the feminine blouse. After pulling her hair up into a sleek twist, she studied her reflection in the full-length mirror hanging from the back of her bedroom door and admitted that she did look older than seventeen-- in fact, the young woman gazing back at her was elegant and mysterious in a way that bespoke confidence Elise hadn't really known she possessed. That more than anything gave her the courage to poke her head tentatively out of the bedroom door.

              Elise could hear her parents' voices and the sound of the TV dimly through the wall of their bedroom across the hall. At this time of night, they'd be getting ready for bed themselves, having to get up at six the next morning for work. Elise ducked back into her room and softly closed the door. It was the work of moments, her actions dictated largely by things she'd seen in movies, to slip an extra pillow under the blanket on her bed, hit “play” on the night time playlist on her iPod, and turn off all the lights except the little nightlight next to the door.

              After sliding a dressy little beaded purse up onto her arm and dangling her shoes from her fingers, Elise wound a gray wool cape around her shoulders. She was ready.  Closing her eyes for a moment, Elise drew on her power, wrapping it around herself like a cloak while she whispered to it in her mind.
Invisible. You don't see me; you don't hear me. I am invisible.
Taking a deep breath and fervently hoping this would work, she slipped out into the hallway and shut the door quietly behind her.

              Elise slid her shoes back over her stockinged feet once she was out on the porch, then turned and locked the door. Her heart was racing, and she kept herself cloaked in power in case any of the neighbors happened to be looking out their windows. The complex knot her stomach seemed to have tied itself into made her certain she wouldn't be able to eat anything during this little outing; she had to swallow the lump in her throat as she tried to convince herself to start down the front stairs. She had never done anything like this before.

              Wiping her damp palms on her skirt, Elise rolled her shoulders back and forced her jaw to unclench.
Rashid was right about one thing
, she told herself firmly.
I am not a child anymore, and there are things I have to do
. She took the first step, and suddenly, she was striding down the front walk, completely unafraid. On a whim, she reached up and released her hair from its clip, shaking it out so it tumbled down around her shoulders. Her heels snapped sharply on the concrete, and she didn't care who heard. The chill night air smelled like freedom.

              She was a few minutes early, but as she drew near the corner of her street and the main road around the park, she was unsurprised to hear the smooth purr of an expensive engine idling. Elise could see the curvy black sports car parked beneath a street light, and was amused at the thought that he may have purposely waited in the light in an effort to ease her nerves. A laugh bubbled up from her throat-- did he really think she was that childish? Elise had seen enough evil in her short life to know that light or darkness made no difference. Tonight, however, she approached the car without trembling, regardless of who occupied it. She wasn't sure from where her new-found fearlessness had sprung or how long it would last, but she reveled in it.

              When she got close enough, the driver's door opened and Rashid stepped out. Elise's breath caught in her chest for just a moment as she took him in. She had thought he was imposing the first time she met him, when he came up the garden path toward her and she cowered behind Alex; she'd been afraid of him since that first moment, but tonight, her pulse sped for a different reason. Recalling what they both were, she drew up her power, letting it sweep over them to ensure that he wasn't influencing her-- but her thoughts were hers alone. She had only herself to blame for the way her eyes lingered on the sharp cast of his cheekbones and his full lower lip, on his broad shoulders and the impeccable cut of his black suit. She was glad, upon noticing his semi-formal attire, that she hadn't even considered throwing his parting remark in his face just because he'd sounded snide; as it was, she felt just barely elegant enough.

              Rashid had paused when he felt her energy stir, and now stood by the car, a tiny smirk curving his lips as he waited for her. “Satisfied?” He asked dryly, lifting an eyebrow. Elise flushed a little, something she hoped the night would hide from him. She'd never been caught ogling anyone before, and now didn't seem like the best time to start.

              “You look very nice this evening,” she said, giving him a bland social smile.

              “And you are as spectacular as ever, my dear,” Rashid replied with uncharacteristic sincerity. He gave a little bow, the movement smooth and entirely natural. Elise supposed that over the centuries, he'd have had a great deal of practice with such antiquated gestures. Stepping away from the car, he opened the passenger door for her. “My lady?” He gestured for her to get in.

              She bit her lip, surprised by the lack of mockery in his gentlemanly behavior; he sounded oddly like Alex. He wanted something; she was sure of it. His sharp eyes caught her moment of hesitation, and the leer she knew and hated crossed his face in an instant. Elise's eyes narrowed as she wondered: he'd been behaving differently tonight, but then, so had she. She had never been so confident with him before this evening, but thinking back, on the rare occasions when her temper had overcome her fear, he had treated her with marginally more respect. The idea that her demeanor dictated the tone of their encounters was a new perspective, but one that bolstered her courage enough for her to toss her head proudly and graciously accept his hand as she got into the vehicle. His skin against hers was dry and cool, and sent an electric tingle up her arm that she purposefully ignored. Now wasn't the time to get distracted by the fact that she still wasn't used to touching people who weren't Alex or her parents.

              Elise sank into the sleek black leather seat of what was clearly a rental car-- it was unnaturally clean, but had a used car smell about it that wasn't quite obscured by the little pine tree-shaped air freshener dangling from a stalk on the steering wheel. Rashid closed the door gently behind her, but apparently was in no mood to ape human behavior, because once it was shut, Elise blinked and he was opening the driver's side door. She'd thought she was careful not to react to the display of his capabilities, but he shot her a grin that said she hadn't been entirely successful. Still, the expression on his face was entirely pleasant, if somewhat distant-- perfectly polite.

              She cleared her throat. “So, where are we going?” Elise asked, her eyebrows arched and not a trace of trepidation in her voice. She was actually, she realized, genuinely curious about where he'd take her-- particularly at nearly eleven on a Monday night, and particularly with a dress code like the one for which he'd had her prepare.

              Rashid was still smiling as he put the car in gear and eased away from the curb. “You'll see, kitten,” he answered cryptically. He stopped at a stop sign, and cast her a glance. “I am glad you agreed to come,” he added warmly, his honey-colored eyes sincere. Elise swallowed hard; this side of him, real or not, was somewhat devastating to her resolution to despise and doubt him.

              Deciding that she'd repay his honesty over their interactions with her own, she didn't bother trying to be subtle as she swept her power through herself once more-- just to make sure. She didn't recall ever noticing the color of his eyes before, which struck her as odd. But she couldn't detect any trace of his power within her; none of her thoughts held any hint of him or anyone else. She raised her chin, prepared to meet his dismissive gaze with a challenge, but he looked skeptical and a little amused. “Is something the matter?” He asked, a playful lilt to his voice.

              Her answering smile was small and self-deprecating. “You're very different tonight,” she replied evasively. “You'll have to forgive me if, after our previous interactions, I don't entirely trust you.”

              “No, no, I understand,” he said, his smile gone and his accented voice somber. “I have not exactly been the picture of civility these past few weeks.” They had reached the entrance to the highway, and he merged in smoothly. His eyes were focused on the road, though Elise couldn't tell if that was out of necessity or an unwillingness to meet her eyes just now. She rather hoped it was the former-- this apparent painful honesty from him was difficult enough; she wasn't sure how to handle Rashid giving heartfelt confessions. Fortunately, after the pause, he didn't seem inclined to continue. “We'll talk more about this when we get there,” he said, composed once more.