Stolen Skye (Book One, The Skye Trilogy) (6 page)

Chapter
7. Unwanted

After several hours of sleep, I had completely unpacked and ironed my green
pencil skirt and a white button down. Finn knocked on the door just as I was slipping on my heels. He said the lunch would be casual, but I felt the need to go beyond jeans for my first meeting. I knew it was a chilly day outside, so I pulled out my rain coat. I failed to leave enough time for fully dealing with my hair, so I settled on a wavy pony tail.

“Hi.
Sorry, I was in the bathroom getting ready.” I’d run to the door, fast as my heels would carry me, to see him. He stood in the doorway, wearing jeans and a gray sweater. He had showered and shaved. After admiring his fresh appearance, I noticed his expression was quite serious.

“What?
Something’s wrong?” I glanced at myself first to see if anything about me could have caused it. Nope, this was something more than being overdressed. “Tell me,” I pleaded.

“Plans have changed.
I wanted to give you more time, but we… I think it is better to get everything out in the open with you meeting everyone.” He set his jaw and seemed to will himself to appear more relaxed. I, on the other hand, felt my cheeks flush with nervous anticipation. The idea of meeting people slowly had been a comforting one, especially considering two didn’t particularly want me there.

“Do you mean I’m meeting everyone now?”

“Yes, if you think you can handle it.” Concern rang through his voice, but he appeared set in his decision. If he believed it was best, I’d have to agree.

“Yes, I can handle it.
Where are we going?” I stepped back toward my purse and coat, trying to put on a brave expression.

“Nowhere, they’re coming to you.”
Finn stepped inside and closed the door, walking over to me and taking both my hands in his. “Every one of us is a part of this, so before you get too far in, it is only fair to let you meet us and decide if you want to know more. Plus, you wanted assurances. Ari is coming to give them to you. Beyond this meeting, what you choose to do is up to you. We’ve all agreed to help. We met earlier and Ari advised this was the best way. I have to admit he’s right.” He dropped one of my hands and led me over to the couches in the sitting room.

“I thought you weren’t really close to him right now though?”

“He’s responsible, so I’m listening.”
He walked to the window overlooking Albemarle Street, awaiting their arrival. I sat quietly, focusing on my threat level. Everyone was coming here, which seemed easier than me going to another new place. They wanted to talk it out, so that meant I would get some information. That was good. The majority of them wanted me here. That felt even better. It didn’t make sense they would fly me out and put me in a suite to kill me. All in all, I was proud of myself for feeling so confident.

“They’re here.
You good, or are you going to make a break for it?” Finn turned from the window and looked over at me with a slight smile. I did my best to assure him I was brave enough.

“Sure, you’re here
, and they’re friends, right? What’s there to worry about?” I stood up and began straightening my skirt. Two knocks and my stomach jumped up into the back of my throat — so much for bravery. Finn walked through the entryway and opened the door. I could hear different voices greeting him. He directed them to where I stood. Before I could adopt a less tense expression, a bronze-colored flash turned the corner and grabbed me around the waist, practically knocking me over. Her full head of curls came up to just below my shoulders. I instinctually hugged her back, understanding she must be Bounce. After a moment, while still hugging me, she turned her face up to me, her eyes full of tears.

“Hi. Sorry, but it’s been awhile.”
She choked on her words and closed her eyes, letting a few more tears fall. She squeezed me tighter, and my eyes filled automatically. There was no denying this person had loved me and felt my loss. I was sorry for causing someone such pain.

“I’m guessing you’re Bounce.
I would say it is nice to meet you, but, well… I look forward to getting to know you again.” I wasn’t sure the proper way to greet everyone, so that seemed to be the most polite.

She giggled a bit and stepped back to look at me.
She was still emotional, but smiling the brightest smile I’d ever seen. She was lovely. An angelic face surrounded by a mop of amber-colored curls and luminous brown skin. She was a few inches shorter than me with an athletic frame. Her baggy sweater and full khaki pants covered up any possible curves. Her warm eyes and open expression made me like her immediately, as Finn predicted.

A young man approached us and took Bounce’s hand.
“Evy, you look incredible. We are so happy you’ve returned to us.” He had a clear Bahamian accent, and I knew from Finn’s description he was the whiz kid.

“Brinks, right?
Thank you. It feels good to be here.” I smiled at him and we shook hands. Then, he pushed past Bounce and hugged me as well. He had a much darker complexion than Bounce and very clean cut. His soft features, wire-rimmed glasses, and Rugby shirt made him look like just another college kid. He ended our embrace and straightened. Both Bounce and Brinks stared expectantly past me to the only other new person in the room. I followed their eyes.

Raven stood just inside the sitting area past Finn.
She couldn’t be anyone but Raven, and was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen up close. Her hair was long, smooth, and coffee brown. She stood tall and poised with the shape of a goddess. Her black knit dress hugged her amazing body like she had been stitched into it. She was smiling, but it didn’t erase the rising tension I felt between us.

“You must be Raven,” I greeted her, unable to read her expression.
Moving closer to her, I could see her debate if she should do the same.

Her smile deepened and she said, “Well, seeing is believing.
I’m glad you’re alive, Evelyn. We used to have fun, you and I.” She stepped forward and held her hand out to shake mine. She spoke with a thick accent, making her even more exotic. An embarrassment of riches, as my mother would say. We shook hands and then she placed her other hand over mine, her copper eyes gleaming. Perhaps we weren’t best friends, but there was something there. After a moment, Raven let go and looked back over to Finn. He inclined his head in response. Maybe he had asked her to be on her best behavior. She glanced briefly back at me and then walked over to the windows. My hands were trembling, but it felt good to have the introductions over with. Before I sat, as Finn suggested, I needed a drink.

“Would anyone like some vodka
?” I moved toward Raven and the bar. Just as I finished my pour, she shifted the direction of her stare, spotting something of interest.

“Here’s Batman.”
She smiled as she looked out the window. I strained to see beside her. An obsidian black sports car roared to a stop directly below us. A tall man with the same color hair and brown suede coat stepped out, handing the keys to a valet. He moved with purpose. I didn’t see his face. The car did resemble the bat mobile, but only in the abstract. It was far less flamboyant. More like a panther than a peacock.

Raven turned to meet my g
aze, searching my eyes. Whatever she saw in them seemed to satisfy her and she moved toward the others. I took a steadying swig of the vodka and walked over in front of the couches. Finn waited to meet Ari at the door. The happy reunion atmosphere of the room was replaced with palpable tension. I felt my cheeks flame from nervousness. Evidently the conversation with Ari was what everything hinged on. They were all waiting quietly for his appearance.

Finn opened the door as he heard Ari approach.
He walked past Finn, never slowing, and came to a stop in the center of the room. Ari stood before me without acknowledging the rest of the group. I inhaled deeply, like I had forgotten to take a breath. He was startling in appearance with lightly blushed, fair skin, wavy hair and dark eyes. Physically sleek like his car, but with an air of elegance that was almost aristocratic. He silently regarded me. There was no hint of emotion in him. He appeared more like someone preparing for a speech he’d delivered a thousand times as opposed to greeting a friend. After what felt like days, he grinned slightly.

“I’
m against this, but I speak for all of us when I say it’s good to see you.” He bowed his head, never breaking eye contact. Though the gesture was traditionally viewed as welcoming, his words were not.

Taken aback
, I said, “I’m not sure what to say to that. You’re Ari, I presume.” I tried to match his arrogant tone.

“There’s nothing to say.
You’re here as our guest because the fact that you live is something I can no longer conceal. We will do what we can to help. Fintan has briefed me on your requests. You have my word that we would never harm anyone close to you.” He glanced at the others in the room indicating they were to show signs of agreement. They all nodded on cue. I looked around the room at them. Finn was staring at me… waiting.

I replayed what had just been said in my h
ead. Something about conceal.

“You knew I was alive?”
I couldn’t feel the anger yet, but I knew it was forming.

“Yes, we thought you were gone and then I learned the truth. I also discovered you had lost your memory.
It was in everyone’s best interest to allow you to be on your own after that.” He stood alone in the center of the room, entirely confident in the merit of everything he said.

“You let everyone believe I was dead?
You left me?” I was definitely feeling the wrath.

“It seemed the best solution.”
He looked away from me, speaking to the others. He was not apologizing or even explaining. He was proclaiming he was justified in his actions. “However, you’re here, and Fintan has shared some of our story. We’ll reacquaint you with your past in exchange for your word that you’ll leave once you have all the information you require, and that this knowledge stays secret. It appears we owe you this much.”

“You don’t think it’
s a good idea that I know?” It was more of a statement than a question.

“Finn is convinced, and has convinced you it seems, that you’re safe.
He’s reckless. I hesitate to bring you back into a lifestyle that was so foreign to you originally. You lacked even basic street smarts when we first met you, and your education took away valuable time and focus. With your… disability, we are back to where we were then.” He glared at me intently as if trying to will his words to penetrate.

I looked down
, hoping to hide the wound he inflicted. They didn’t want me. I was a hindrance. The pricking behind my lids started, but I held the tears at bay. I glanced over at Finn to see if he could feel me weakening.

As if answering me, he crossed the room and stood defensively in front of me, glowering up at Ari as if to challenge him to go any further. Ari’s jaw clenched as he returned Finn’s stare, narrowing his eyes.
After a moment, he looked past Finn to me again and I tried to match Finn’s confidence. I couldn’t. There was no hiding how hurt I was. He obviously didn’t want me back, but his lie had been exposed. I couldn’t understand why he would do such a thing. He knew I was alive and he left me… let his friends suffer. To me, he was diabolical.

F
inn declared, “Ari, this is over. She’s here now. There’s no forgiving what you’ve done.”

“I’m not asking for forgiveness.
I did what I felt to be right. Since she’s with us now, I will lend whatever service I can. Finn, my staff and possessions are at your disposal should she need anything. Beyond that, I doubt there’s much more I can do. Despite all of this, I’m glad to see you, Evelyn. I’m sure that’s hard for you to understand, but I wish you no harm. Now, I’ll take my leave. I’m going out of town this afternoon.”

He stepped forward quickly and reached past Finn, taking my hand.
He brought it to his mouth, causing me to move closer to him as he lowered his head, barely grazing my skin with his cool lips. His powerful stare bore deep into me for just a moment. His eyes were a dark lagoon green, so unusual. I became transfixed and peered closer. Every hair stood on end as chills stabbed my body. Those unfathomable eyes. Standing so close to him; staring into them. His mysterious, shining eyes I remembered. He released me and after placing something on the table, quietly left the room.

“Excuse me,” I uttered as I ran into the bedroom and closed the door.
I needed a moment alone to steady myself. The circumstances were not clear to me, but Ari’s eyes triggered a memory. Once, I had looked deep into them feeling extreme fear and desperation. Being that close to him had terrified me. I searched my memory, hoping something would come forward offering me a clue as to why. There was nothing else. After a moment, I sat on the bed and attempted to calm myself and analyze the situation. Though Ari was about six inches taller than me and much broader, he didn’t present as a particularly dangerous person. He was more commanding than deadly.

Ari was obviously strong, but defined and fluid like a swimmer compared to Finn’s more developed physique.
His prominent, noble features reminded me of seas of portraits I had been forced by my mother to study long ago. Despite his classic face, his tousled dark hair and sparkling eyes, along with his lopsided grin, gave him a roguish appearance. There was no physical reason for me to respond violently to him. His words had been upsetting, certainly, but he hadn’t threatened me. No, the fear I felt in that moment was a memory. Aside from all the drama, a part of me was ecstatic. I remembered something. It wasn’t the best memory, but if one thing could come back, maybe more would follow.