Page 21

“So what the hell’s going on?”

Jonathan stood in the doorway to Haera’s bedroom with his arms folded and brow creased.

Haera frowned at him from the edge of the bed as she put proper shoes on.

Muddy boots wouldn’t do for this morning’s excursion.

“Why take that tone? I’m going to the hotel to meet Madeleine.”

“Does she know that?”

“She should,” Haera hedged.

True, she hadn’t actually told Madeleine she’d be showing up at her doorstep first thing, but it probably wouldn’t come as a surprise.

“Last night, you told me that yesterday you talked all morning, but then she ran off and not a word since. And there was her wanting to walk on the beach. What if she does that today? You wouldn’t go too, would you?”

Haera’s stomach twisted at the thought.

She said what she’d told herself yesterday: “It’s daytime. I doubt my herd is poking their heads above the water. It’s forbidden to nearly all of us.”

“Loads of things are forbidden. Seems to me that certain of your lot do what they please anyway. You’ve gone on for years about how it’s risky for me even to ferry between the islands, and now you can just go for a stroll on the beach?”

Was Jonathan concerned for her, or just annoyed that she’d nagged him for so long?

Could be both. “Only the Sire, my mother, and my brother even know what I…that is, what my human form looks like.”

She looked Jonathan in the eye as she rose from the bed where, last night, she’d had such an enjoyable time.

That was one experience she’d be keeping to herself.

As usual, at any mention of Asgall, Jonathan’s eyes clouded.

He said, “I think that’d be enough. Especially your brother. He’s…” Jonathan set his jaw and looked away, toward the window and the land beyond.

“You know what he is, and so do I.”

Haera pursed her lips.

Even after all this time, Asgall had a hold over Jonathan that she both resented and envied.

Asgall had not appreciated Jonathan, had not cared for him, as Haera did for Madeleine.

And yet his human still felt his pull.

What a priceless gift it would be for Madeleine to be drawn to Haera in such a way.

Asgall had had an entire season to fascinate Jonathan, and Haera was scrambling to keep Madeleine here beyond a single month.

It just wasn’t fair.

Why should Asgall have such power over Jonathan when he didn’t even want him?

“I doubt it’ll be a problem,” she said.

“Madeleine said yesterday that she’s not in a hurry to see the beach. She wants to think about what she’s learned already, or something like that.”

“She does? You didn’t say anything about that last night.”

Haera shrugged irritably.

“I didn’t think of it.”

Jonathan’s gaze called her the liar she was.

“I suppose you’re entitled to keep yourself to yourself. I’m only worried for you, lass. I know this means a lot to you, but I don’t know what it means to you.”

What was there to say?

Jonathan wanted a human answer, all to do with love, nothing to do with appetite.

If he knew Haera had been planning to eat Madeleine for years, he’d never understand, just as Haera didn’t understand why her plan suddenly wanted to change.

“I can’t explain,” she said, which was true enough.

“I’m going now.”

Jonathan sighed.

“I hope it goes well. Bring your mobile. You’re taking my car?”

“If that’s all right.” The Corsa would be a more comfortable mode of transportation if they needed it.

Madeleine hadn’t complained about the Gator ride to the ferry, but she’d looked frazzled by the end of it.

“I’ve got no business elsewhere today. Just don’t hit anything. And wear the seat belt,” he added sharply.

“I’ll be careful,” Haera promised.

“Especially if she’s with me.”

Jonathan raised his eyebrows at that, though Haera couldn’t see why.

“That’s good,” he said eventually, with a little smile.

“Have a care with her, and it’ll turn out all right.”

What an odd thing to say.

Haera could do nothing else.

It was like telling her to remember to breathe.

The water pressure at the Merryweather Hotel was better than at Sacred Heart, but that wasn’t saying much.

Madeleine had to rinse the shampoo from her thick hair for about twice as long as she’d gotten used to in her apartment.

It still felt good. She’d woken up sweaty after dreams she couldn’t remember clearly.

At least they hadn’t involved Haera doing forbidden things to Madeleine’s body.

The Act of Hope must have worked.

Yes. Hopeful indeed.

Madeleine groaned to herself, finished her shower, and continued her morning routine.

She’d slept in. It was nearly eight o’clock.

Not that she had a packed itinerary or anything—or an itinerary at all, come to that.

How disconcerting. She’d come thousands of miles to have no plan for how she’d spend her days.

But what was she supposed to do?

Pre-book a tour for her existential crisis, or buy a ticket that would take her exactly where she needed to be?

Spend every spare minute on Jonathan and Haera’s farm, ogling a woman instead of looking for answers?

She couldn’t do that, but she could do something .

On Sacred Heart’s trip, the ancient human settlement of Skara Brae on the Mainland had been closed for upkeep.

It hadn’t ruined the trip—the settlement on Jorsay was even older, and less touristy to boot.

Still, missing such a landmark had been disappointing.

Why shouldn’t Madeleine return to the Mainland today and take in an actual sight instead of wandering aimlessly around Jorsay?

She’d be around more people, and it might unstick something in her head.

And she’d avoid a certain long and lean distraction.

Madeleine finished getting ready, grabbed her purse, and hurried downstairs, trying not to catch her foot on the threadbare stair rug.

She could get breakfast at the little coffee stand at the ferry terminal.

It was too soon to face the Sunrise Café again.

Then, as she reached the lobby, she heard a voice that derailed her plans for breakfast, along with possibly the entire day.

“…only asking if she’s up yet.”

Madeleine froze on the stairs, just hidden by the corner that led into the lobby.

Haera was here? With no warning, just like that?

“Couldn’t say,” Harry Duggan replied.

“I’ve only just opened the desk. If she left early, I’d have missed her.”

“Left earlier than this? But I waited until a decent hour, and I still worried I’d disturb her.”

Haera sounded dismayed.

It made something in Madeleine’s heart clench.

Nobody had seen her yet.

She could sneak back upstairs.

Soon, Haera would leave, and Madeleine could get her day started with as little confusion…

and desire…as possible.

“You could wait a while,” Harry suggested.

Madeleine muffled a groan.

“We could have a bit of a natter,” Harry continued.

“Can’t remember the last time I laid eyes on you. You’re looking well. Where’s Jonny? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you out and about without him.”

“Jonathan’s working on the farm.”

Haera’s tone didn’t invite further conversation.

Madeleine, who’d known her all of two days, could already imagine the shutters that had closed over her sharp eyes.

“Ah yes, the farm. Knocked me arse over kettle when he started it at his age. Let me think…I seem to remember you were with him then, but I’m not sure…”

Madeleine rolled her eyes.

If Harry Duggan didn’t have a photographic memory for gossip, then she was a ballet dancer.

“Yes,” Haera said tightly.

“We did it together. You’re sure you haven’t seen Madeleine?”

“Positive, but it’s likely she’s here! Nothing’s open, and she’s bound to be still on American time. Shall I just call for a cup of tea? How do you like it?”

Now it seemed Madeleine had to choose between saving herself and saving Haera, who didn’t seem eager to talk about her personal life.

That was no choice. Of course she had to do the right and generous thing.

And if it meant seeing Haera again…

well, that wasn’t Madeleine’s fault.

She hefted her purse strap, straightened her shoulders, and descended the steps.

She’d already had some progress in fobbing off Harry Duggan’s nosiness; she could handle this with grace and dignity.

That plan, too, went by the wayside as the toe of her sneaker caught on the carpet on the last stair, and she tripped into the lobby with a yelp, crashing to the floor while both Haera and Harry looked on from the front desk.

That didn’t happen, Madeleine lied to herself as soon as she could form a real thought.

She’d landed on her right side.

At least it wasn’t flat on her face.

Maybe she could bolt for the door and leave Jorsay forever after all.

Face burning, she stared at the floor and made to sit up.

Then, before she could, someone’s arm slid behind her back, and another beneath her knees, and next thing she knew, she was being lifted up in the air.

It wasn’t by Harry Duggan, who was gaping at the scene from behind the desk.

In shock, Madeleine looked into Haera’s eyes.

They were level with her own as Haera adjusted her into a bridal carry.

Madeleine slung her arm around Haera’s shoulders.

Instinctively. For balance.

“Are you all right?” Haera asked.

For a second, Madeleine forgot how to talk.

Her side ached. Haera’s grip was unfathomably strong.

She showed no sign of effort.

Madeleine might as well have been a feather pillow.

After a moment, she managed, “Um.”

Haera scowled and cast her sharp glare around the lobby.

“I’ll set you on the sofa. Duggan, call for that nurse, that Sue Kilbright.”

“Er—right—” Looking stunned, Harry reached for the phone before he frowned.

“Hang on, she just took a little tumble. Miss, can you stand at all?”

Could anyone stand when their knees were made of jelly?

“Uh, probably.”

Haera made no move to put her down.

She was strong and taut and warm.

Madeleine swallowed, or tried to, her mouth as dry as if she’d swallowed all the salt in the ocean.

“Let me try to stand,” she whispered.

Haera ground her jaw.

Without a word, she lowered her right arm from beneath Madeleine’s knees until Madeleine’s feet were touching the floor.

Her left arm she kept around Madeleine’s shoulders, tightly.

Perhaps the jaws of life could not pry her away.

She was still looking into Madeleine’s eyes.

“Well?”

Madeleine and Haera turned as one to see Harry with his arms crossed, raising his eyebrows.

Madeleine’s face filled with heat again.

Harry’s eyes were those of a lifelong gossip, after all, and here he was, seeing whatever there was to see.

She was supposed to be doing something.

Oh, right. Standing.

Madeleine put her weight first on one foot, then the other.

“Everything’s fine. Like you said, only a tumble.” She managed a laugh.

“I just bruised my pride.”

“I thought as much,” Harry said lightly.

“You’re the tumbling sort, looks like. At least you didn’t fall into the ocean again!”

Madeleine grimaced.

“That’s tr?—”

“Madeleine is graceful,” Haera said coldly.

She still had her arm around Madeleine’s shoulders and showed no inclination to let go.

“And an elegant person. You don’t know anything about it.”

Haera’s defense was vigorous, her grip firm.

Madeleine’s face heated even more.

Harry lifted his chin.

“It’s a rude lass, isn’t it? Calling me ‘Duggan,’ manhandling ladies, and that.” His mouth twitched into a curious, unfriendly smile.

“There’s always been something odd about you, hasn’t there? Is that why old Jonny keeps you tucked away?”

The air around Haera seemed to change.

There was no other way to describe it: it shivered, and so did Madeleine as Haera’s lips pulled back over her teeth.

Her incisors looked oddly pointed.

Her amber eyes flashed, and…

…it had to be the light, that was why they looked yellow …

Madeleine stepped away.

Haera’s arm fell from around her shoulders, and she looked at Madeleine, blinking as if she’d just woken up.

“Let’s go,” Madeleine said, since staying here was a terrible idea.

“Yes,” Haera agreed, although Madeleine had named no destination.

Madeleine picked up her purse from where it had hit the floor.

Her knees still felt shaky, and her heart was racing—from the fall, the rescue, and the hostility in the air.

Only that.

“Good morning, Harry,” she managed, but she couldn’t manage to look at him as she headed for the front door.

Haera’s tread sounded behind her.

Harry said nothing.

They emerged into the cool morning air.

Madeleine managed not to trip down a second step of stairs, and then they were on the sidewalk together, facing a day she’d intended to spend alone.

Now she looked at Haera’s fierce face, thinking: I’m not spending this day alone.

I won’t.

“That was dramatic,” she said.

“Harry Duggan is a gossip,” Haera growled.

“He speaks all sorts of nonsense.”

“I’m pretty good at figuring out what’s nonsense and what isn’t. Comes from teaching high school.” She took a deep breath.

“And I meant you picking me up.”

Haera frowned.

“You fell. And you cried out.”

“I was just startled, not hurt.”

“I couldn’t know that.” Haera’s gaze sharpened, though not like it had in the lobby, when Madeleine had been afraid she’d say something unforgivable to Harry.

“Do you wish I hadn’t done it?”

Why had Haera asked that?

You shall not lie to one another was one of the Ten Commandments.

Madeleine worried her lip and went for something both true and acceptable.

“I appreciate the thought. I know you wanted to help.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t have.” Haera pursed her lips.

“It’s not always best to move people if they might have broken something. I wasn’t thinking.”

Fair enough.

From the moment Haera’s arms went around her, Madeleine hadn’t been thinking either.

“Well, nothing’s broken, or even sprained. You’re…um…”

“I’m what?”

“Strong,” Madeleine mumbled.

“Must come from lifting hay bales or whatever.”

Haera didn’t look pleased, as she might have expected.

Instead, she gazed away into the distance.

“We’re closer to the ocean here than on the farm. I can hear the waves if I listen closely enough.”

What did that have to do with anything?

“I can’t seem to.”

“I have excellent hearing. Now, where do you want to go? Have you eaten?”

“Not yet. I was going to have something at the ferry.”

“The ferry?” Haera looked alarmed.

“You’re leaving the island again?”

“Yes. I’m going to see something I missed out on six years ago.”

“What is it?”

Madeleine tilted her chin up, looked into those eyes, and felt the memory of strong arms around her.

Another memory—her father’s voice—admonished her, warned her against the feelings that swallowed her like the sea.

Today, even if just for today, Madeleine would drown the voice instead.

“Come with me,” she told Haera, “and find out.”