Current Impressions (36 page)

“Sweet dreams, beautiful.”

Water dripped nearby. Evan shivered in the
dampness. Stonewall removed the dishes several hours ago. That was
the last time he’d seen anyone.

With nothing to do, Evan took to counting
the drops as they hit the cement floor. Three thousand, seven
hundred and eighty-three, three thousand seven hundred and
eighty-four, the pace never wavered. Plop, plop. How long were they
going to keep him here?

His thin T-shirt did little to insulate his
clammy skin. He pulled his arms into the shirt against his stomach
and did his best to stay warm. Would it kill them to give him a
blanket? He could do without a pillow, but he hated being cold.

Evan rubbed his hands up and down his
biceps, trying to generate heat. His skin prickled lightly. Was it
his imagination or were his arms getting warm?

He pulled his hands back through his shirt’s
armholes. His fingertips were a deep blue. The color worked its way
slowly up his arms. As the blue spread, so did the heat.
Fascinated, he watched his body change. If it brought comfort,
there was no reason to fight it.

The heat spread up his torso and flowed down
his legs. Dimly, he was aware that his feet now hung off the end of
the cot. The cot fit his length moments ago. What would happen when
the change was complete? Floating in warmth and comfort, Evan
realized he didn’t care.

A flame burst inside him. Fury, a fierce
beast, uncoiled in his belly. If it weren’t for her, he’d be home
safe. If it weren’t for
her
, he’d never have taken this
internship. A growl, low and terrifying, rose in his throat. One
name tore from his mouth.

Meara
.

He called my name. The hatred in his voice
left me shivering in the dark. How could he reach me? How was it
possible? Kieran had the necklace.

Evan?

My voice was tentative, weak. Alone in the
dark, I waited.

Her voice slid, silk in his mind. The fog
lessened, and Evan saw her lying on her bed, hopeful and afraid at
the same time. Meara.

Are you okay? Please be okay.

Her lips formed the words, but he heard no
voice in his head. She worried about him. Through everything, she
loved him. The anger dissipated the moment he heard her voice.
Where had it even come from?

I’m okay
, he said.
They’ve
imprisoned me.

What? Where?
She jerked up now, her
back against the headboard. Her eyes searched the dark, not
focusing on anything. She couldn’t see him. He wasn’t sure how he
could see her.

In the basement,
he said.
I’m in a
cell.

I’ll come get you.
She jumped out of
bed.

No!
Evan shouted.
It’s not safe.
That’s exactly what Ken wants.

She settled on the edge of the bed, unsure,
blinking in the dark.
Tell me what you want me to do.

Wait for me to contact you again
.
Voices in the stairwell made him rush to add,
I love you. Be
safe.

I tore through the hall, a million questions
in my mind. Why was Ken holding Evan hostage? Where was Professor
Nolan? Was he in on it? The thought made my heart jump. Would they
hurt him?

I wasn’t thinking about my destination until
I arrived at Kieran’s door. It was unlocked. It was always
unlocked. I crossed to his bed and clasped his bare shoulder,
shaking him out of sleep. This time, he woke easily.

“What is it?” He sat up, instantly
alert.

“Ken’s holding Evan hostage.” I paced the
length of his room, rubbing my arms in agitation. “He’s locked in a
cell.”

Kieran’s sharp eyes met mine. “How do you
know?”

“He spoke to me. “ I pointed to my head. A
year ago, I would’ve thought it was crazy. After so many mental
conversations, I didn’t even question it. Kieran did.

“How do you know it wasn’t a dream?”

“I was awake, Kieran. It was no dream.” My
pace slowed as I considered our conversation. “Somehow, he can
reach me without the necklace. He must have powers now.” I glanced
at Kieran for confirmation. He tilted his head and frowned.

“Could be,” he finally conceded. “Wish we
knew what those powers were.”

He crossed to his dresser. Opening the top
drawer, he pulled out a small box and handed it to me. “You might
as well take this back now. If he can contact you either way, then
my holding the necklace affords you no security.”

I chilled at his words. Was I in danger from
Evan? No. I dismissed the thought and secured the necklace around
my neck. It fell into place and righted my world.

Kieran glanced at it for a moment, sighed,
and then reached for the shirt at the end of his bed. Pulling it
over his head, he asked, “Did he happen to tell you what species he
is?”

“No.”

“You didn’t ask?”

“It didn’t come up in our conversation. You
know, when he was telling me that he’s being held
prisoner
.”
Kieran’s attitude irritated me. I wasn’t playing twenty questions
with him.

“I need to tell my dad.” I huffed out a
breath and moved toward the door. “Are you coming?”

“Don’t I always?” he mumbled, closing the
door behind us.

“Did you sleep well?”

Ken’s smooth voice grated on Evan’s nerves.
He sat up and cracked his neck. “It’s great. Downright cozy down
here.”

Evan’s sarcasm knocked the grin off Ken’s
face. The man infuriated him. While he waited to see what Ken
wanted, he massaged the knot on his right shoulder. Last night was
miserable. He barely slept. There was no need for Ken to know.

“Stonewall!” Ken hollered. “Where are
you?”

The servant hurried across the room and into
the cell, with a tray of food in his hands. He set it before Evan
and made a hasty retreat.

“Finish the preparations!” Ken yelled after
him. Evan doubted Stonewall heard. As fast as that man hustled, he
was halfway to China by now.

Not waiting for an invitation, Evan dug into
the food. Eggs, bacon, and toast. Black coffee, steaming hot. He
ate fast, worried that Ken might take it away. Who knew what that
man would do next?

Ken watched him eat, drumming his fingers
impatiently on his thighs. Evan wondered if Ken was aware of his
jumpy movements. “I suppose you’re wondering if I’m going to let
you out of here.”

Evan shrugged since his mouth was full of
food. Ken took it as an invitation to continue. “We’re leaving
today. Before the Selkies return. I prefer to be on the offense,
not defense.”

Swallowing quickly, Evan asked, “Where will
we go?”

“Not for you to know.” Ken wagged a finger
at him. “I can’t have you telling your girlfriend. How have you
been communicating with her anyway?”

Evan squirmed under Ken’s assessing gaze.
“I’m not,” he said. “I broke up with her.”

Ken made a noncommittal sound and stared at
Evan a moment longer before waving his hand in dismissal. “No
matter,” he said. “She won’t find you. Not where we’re going.”

“I thought you had a plan,” Evan said. “Does
it include running and hiding?” He hoped to goad an answer out of
Ken. It didn’t work. Ken laughed. It was a low, evil sound.

“Oh, I do, son. I do.” He stretched and
smiled. “As I told you, I’m very patient. I have no doubt I’ll
win.”

He strolled out of cell and left the door
open. Evan tensed and waited. He held no pretense that he could
escape. At the base of the stairs, Ken turned and confirmed as
much. “Pack your things. We leave in one hour.” He smirked at Evan.
“Don’t run. Don’t do anything stupid. I’ll know, and you’ll
pay.”

The warning barely off his lips, he left
without a backwards glance. Evan knew he needed to act quickly. He
moved to stand and knocked over the dinner tray. The food was gone,
but plates and utensils flew. His eyes caught on a steak knife. Was
that on the tray?

Picking up the knife, he pressed his finger
against the tip. It drew blood. Praying that Stonewall wasn’t
returning soon for the tray, he picked up the white, cloth napkin
and began to write. Satisfied, he unclasped the necklace and
wrapped it in the cloth. Now, where should he hide it? The cot was
just that. A canvas cot. No mattress. No sheet or blanket. That
wouldn’t work. He shoved the package in his pocket. He’d find a
spot in his room. Turning his attention to the cell, it appeared
that the door was no longer electrified. Evan had no desire to
repeat the experience. He steered clear of the bars as he exited.
With an inward sigh of relief, he was glad to be rid of that
prison. Then again, he might be trading one set of bars for another
one. He hoped not.

He passed through the doorway, not exactly
sure where to go to find the stairs, but heading the way he saw Ken
go. A hand snagged out of the shadows and grabbed his arm. Before
he could react, the other hand covered his mouth.