Set the Sky on Fire (Fire Trilogy Book 1) (13 page)

Ari whispered, “What's it like there?”

“Very similar to here, more than you would expect. Except, our idea of a fashion craze involves manipulation of our physical form rather than clothing. We can only create changes to soft tissues, but some of the trends are disturbing, particularly when you are used to the human form.” Ari was amazed at the honesty of his answers He didn't hide the truth from her, unlike her parents. He must know he didn't
need
to lie to her.

Ari had a million and one questions to ask about Serrathan but decided there would be plenty of time for that later.

“Tell me more about Anna,” she prompted.

“When the gateways opened, my world had very little time to react. They sent through as many of the security detail as they could spare. Anna was one of them. Our paths crossed in North Carolina about fifty years ago. At the time, she had stumbled across someone with your gift and was successfully shielding him from the seethers. They didn’t know about him, which made the job a whole lot easier, but I’m hoping she may have learnt something in the time they had together. She mentioned she had a place near Liberty in the United States. It seems like a good place to start looking.”

Nate rose to his feet, signalling he was about to leave.

“You could stay the night?” Ari blushed at her own suggestion.

“I’m not sure I can be trusted in your bed.”

“Nobody was asking you to be a boy scout.”

“I want to, I do, but I can’t. I need to talk to Anna first.”

Ari was not expecting that answer.

“Are you and her…?” Not able to say the words aloud, Ari made hand signals to ask if they were together.

“No. Nothing like that. Ari—how do I say this?—I’m falling in love with you. Before you say anything, I know it’s been quick, but I can’t help how I feel. I need to ask Anna if your feelings are influenced only by lust. I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“Nate. How can you think they’re anything but real? I don’t need Anna to tell me that.”

“Call it being overcautious. You’re just too good to be true.”

“No, I’m not.” Ari gave him a playful smack in the stomach to drive the point home. “Stay tonight.”

“Not tonight.” He ran his fingers through her hair before locking her into a kiss that made her want to drag him back to the bed.

Then he was gone. After the first night he’d spent out in the cold, he had bought a van and parked it down the road. It had a mattress and blankets and, most importantly, situated close enough to Ari in case the seether made a night-time appearance.

Ari closed the door and headed back to her room. With her dwindling enthusiasm for the holiday, packing was a cumbersome task. Finally, she ran the zipper around the bag, locking its contents in place. She lumped the suitcase back into the corner. The idea of her parents in danger, entirely because of her, played on her mind. She decided she’d prefer to spend the evening with her mum and dad, especially when she didn’t know what the future held for any of them. After slipping on a thin cardigan to cover her bruise, she went off to find her parents.

Ari's parents sat in the lounge watching the news, seemingly oblivious to the misgivings of their daughter. A reporter, dressed in a flak jacket, stood among the crumbling buildings of a city destroyed by warfare. Ari had glanced at the TV before her eyes lost focus, off somewhere in the distance. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the screen flicker as the shot cut to a bomb exploding nearby. The flash of the explosion reflected in the glass of the pictures Nate had looked at when he had first stood in this room. Her family smiled at one another, their love memorialised behind glass. Her back stiffened. She would not let anything to happen to them.

Ari dreaded having to tell her parents they couldn’t take her to the airport in the morning.
Ridiculous,
she thought to herself.
Dad isn't going to care. Well, maybe a little, but only because he’s taken the time off work especially
. She reminded herself it was a necessary evil as she waited for the ad break.

“So, Nate's going to drive us to the airport tomorrow.” It spurted out as if she had turned the tap on too fast. The outburst got her parents’ attention, and they both turned to look at her.

“What? Slow down. Say that again,” her dad said.

This time, the words came out in a more civilized manner.

As expected, her dad was a little disappointed. Her mum’s eyes narrowed.

“You hardly know this boy. He seems nice enough, but don't you find it a little strange? You seem so full-on, so quickly. We’ve hardly seen you over the last few days. I think you should take it easy, slow things down a bit.” Ari could see the cogs engaging in her mother’s head. “He's not going on holiday with you, is he?”

“No way,” Ari said, as if it had never been an option. “Me and Nevaeh have been looking forward to this for ages.”

Her mum seemed mollified.

Ari spent the rest of the evening making small talk and watching television. Finally, she rose, arching her back and stretching her arms to the ceiling.

“I guess I should get an early night. It's going to be a big day tomorrow.”

Ari lay in bed puzzling over her new life and how quickly it had changed. Worry for her parents plagued her, and so did the fear of the seether trapping her. She reached out with her mind and felt Nate's presence nearby. Like a blanket, she wrapped herself in it. At least, something good had come out of the nightmare. The comfort was enough to send her off to sleep.

She awoke to the shrill message of the alarm clock. She felt as if she’d just closed her eyes but restrained herself from hitting snooze. Butterflies tickled her insides, but she couldn’t tell whether it was from excitement or trepidation. She had never flown international before. And, her first flight would take her to god-only-knew where. After one big, deep breath she corrected that thought. Nate knew where. He wouldn't send her somewhere that wasn't safe. In the cold light of day, it seemed incredible she had known this man for only a few days but was willing to put her safety, and her sanity, in his hands. Not only that, but thanks to her, he held Nevaeh's safety in his hands too. Her nerves vibrated. Was it such a good idea to be leaving her family and friends here alone? Then again, maybe they would be safer without her.

Showered and dressed, Ari stood in the kitchen eating some breakfast. Absentmindedly, she wiped the crumbs into the sink.

“What time is Nate picking you up?” The sound of her mum’s voice startled her.

“He should be here soon.” Ari looked at her watch and smiled. In reality, she had no idea when Nate would be turning up, nor what time the flight was for that matter.

Originally, they’d had to leave for the airport by 8:30 am, but she was unsure whether that had changed along with her new destination. She took two deep breaths, in an attempt to ease the tension building in her chest.

Nevaeh would be showing up at any minute.

“I’d better get my case,” Ari said, walking out the door, leaving her mother alone in the kitchen. She desperately needed space to have a freak-out. She wasn't sure how she was going to tell Nevaeh they weren't going to Thailand. Not at the last minute. Telling her beforehand might have smoothed things over, but Nate had argued that would defeat the whole purpose.

Too late now for regrets, she decided she’d tell Nevaeh in the car, and put up with the backlash. She couldn’t blame Nevaeh. They had booked Phuket together and spent hours working out what they would do there; beaches, snorkelling and temples. Hell, Nevaeh still thought that was their destination only hours before the wheels were due to lift off the tarmac. She already knew about the stranger at the church and about her 'ability.' Ari hoped it wouldn't seem completely irrational when she filled her in on the rest. Well, the bits she needed to know anyway. Perhaps an info dump of these proportions should be on a staggered basis. Nevaeh didn't need her world turned upside down too. Ignorance fed a tranquil paradise, one that Ari wished she still lived in.

A knock at the door drove the thoughts away. A quick watch check told it was 8:10 am. She rushed to open it. Nate stood on the threshold, still tall, still gorgeous, but Ari’s heart sank when she remembered the lack of faith he had in her feelings for him. Maybe because she was trying to prove to herself that lust didn’t control their relationship as much as to show him, her greeting was restrained. After pecking him on the cheek and enclosing him in her arms, she wished him good morning.

In response, the arms that came around her were strong, lifting her up on tip-toes, while his mouth found hers and kissed her deeply.

“Good morning, Ari.” He lowered her back onto her feet and walked into the kitchen.

A second knock came at the door. This time, it was Nevaeh, and she wore a grin from ear to ear. As soon as she laid eyes on Ari, she let go of her trolley bag and pulled Ari into something that was half hug, half bouncy castle practice. For Nevaeh, this was a fantasy coming to fruition. Ari stood outside the bubble, pin in hand.

“It’s finally here—sun, sand and cocktails. This time tomorrow we'll be scoping out the best places to drink, best places to meet gorgeous guys, and they’ll be all stripped down and ready, best places to buy sarongs. Do they call them sarongs in Thailand or is that only in Indonesia and round there? I'd better get my language sorted. I've spent hours with a Thai Lonely Planet, and I don't remember it mentioning sarongs. What time will it be there this time tomorrow? Don't we go backwards? It’s only about four o'clock in the morning there now, isn't it?”

If she wasn't so anxious about ruining Nevaeh's holiday, Ari may well have found it surprising Nevaeh hadn't passed out through lack of oxygen. As it was, she stood quietly, waiting for a break in the jabber to answer any of the questions flung at her.

“Yes, I think it’s four or maybe three o'clock, with our daylight saving time.”

Nevaeh picked up on Ari’s mood as soon as she opened her mouth.

“What’s the matter? Why aren't you excited, or are you just nervous?” Her brow wrinkled.

“I think I was too excited last night. I couldn’t sleep”.

Nevaeh bought it. “Well, you can sleep on the plane.”

Ari coerced a smile. “Yeah.” She gave a watered down fist pump, the most enthusiasm she could muster.

Nevaeh pulled her bags inside the door and walked off into the house. “I'm just gonna grab some water. They say you've got to drink plenty before you fly. I hope they have decent toilets on those big planes. Sarah Williamson says they work on suction so, whatever you do, don't flush while seated.” Her voice trailed off as she disappeared into the next room.

Ari stared at her friend as she disappeared from view. There was no deviating from the plan now. Another big breath. Her first step was to introduce Nevaeh to Nate. That would be the easy part. He was likeable. It suddenly dawned on her—Nate was in the kitchen, and now, so was Nevaeh. She blew out the breath disgusted by her cognitive impairment.

“Hello.” She heard Nevaeh's excited voice morph into something more velvety from a room over.

Better get in there.

Nevaeh sat, perched on a bar stool, next to Nate and, as Ari walked in, she turned on her seat and gave her friend the ‘
he looks fit to me’
look, which came complete with humping eyebrows and a cheeky grin. Nevaeh turned back to Nate and started dropping questions as fast as he could answer them. Obviously, Ari wasn’t needed. It would be easier if he lied to her best friend rather than if she did it. She could rectify a few details later, but for now, the cover version was all Nevaeh needed to know. She went to her room to double check she had all she needed in her hand luggage and then dragged her suitcase out to the front door and sat it next to Nevaeh's.

Ari heard her mother’s hairdryer turn off. She’d be getting ready for work. It was nearly time to leave for the airport and Ari wanted to say goodbye to her parents in private. She gave both of them a ferocious hug. Who knew when she’d be able to contact them next. She promised to send emails whenever she could. They gave her the 'be careful and stay together speech' and, for a change, she listened without complaint. After another, even tighter hug, and her reassurance she'd be the carefullest traveller on the Asian continent, she heading back to Nevaeh and Nate.

“Ready?” Ari asked as she walked back into the kitchen.

“Let’s go,” Nevaeh chirped. “I hear Nate is playing chauffeur.” She sidled up to Ari. “He seems
nice
,” she said, with a lot more emphasis on the word nice than was necessary. Ari rolled her eyes.

By the time the girls got to the door, all the bags had gone, the chauffeur already into his role. He had the passenger doors of Ari’s car open, and he gave a small bow as he gestured them towards their seats. Ari wasn't ready to give away that much control, so she ducked around him and into the driver's seat.

As they drove slowly through the morning traffic, Nate turned in his seat to face Nevaeh, who hadn’t stopped fidgeting since her arse hit the vinyl.

“There is something you need to know,” he said.

“That doesn't sound good.” Nevaeh’s voice matched the apprehension in Nate’s.

Nate started his tale with the attack in the forest. His words were well chosen, better than Ari could have mustered. He downplayed the severity of the events, and omitted Ari’s lust-filled stupors altogether. Even so, shock, then incredulity, returning to shock played out on Nevaeh's face as she listened. During his monologue, Ari could feel Nevaeh’s eyes boring into the back of her head. She managed to muster a small smile, and aimed it at Nevaeh’s reflection in the rear-view mirror. Although, it felt more like a grimace, it was the best she could scrounge up.

“You don't reckon this was something you could have told me earlier?” Nevaeh sounded more than a little pissed off. Her uninhibited excitement turned to fury.

Ari spent the next ten minutes talking her down, finally, calming her with a heartfelt apology. “Please trust me,” she added.

“So where
are
we going?” Nevaeh’s arms were crossed tightly against her chest. Their position popped her cleavage up and out of her low cut singlet, edging it perilously close to showing more than she would want. Ari judged it wasn’t the right time to tell her.

“Good question. I think it's time we knew, Nate,” Ari said.

“Singapore. You’re going to Singapore. There’s plenty there to keep you occupied for at least a few weeks.”

“You were lucky, buddy.” Nevaeh pushed on the back of Nate’s seat. “As far as second options go, that’s not a bad choice.” Briefly, Nevaeh’s eyes lit up as if her spark had reignited, then, just as quickly, her face turned sour again.

The international terminal buzzed with activity. The constant bing-bong before announcements drowned out the noise of people scuffling and suitcases bumping. Even so, Ari felt exposed. She constantly scanned the area with her mind, sensitive to the slightest hint of the seether. She banished Nate to stand on the other side of Nevaeh so as not to distract her. Still, there was nothing. As soon as they could, they headed towards the international departure lounge, knowing once they’d passed through customs they would be safe.

As they neared the checkpoint, Nate slung an arm around Ari's shoulders and leaned in towards her, his lips next to her ear.

“I will have to leave you here, but I'll stay in the airport until your plane has gone. If you feel his presence, get off the plane. If anything happens, I will come and get you, I promise.” His warm breath, tickling her neck, excited her.

“How?” She knew that New Zealand didn't have the toughest security, but it was slightly more robust than the kid with a flashlight who takes your tickets at the movie theatre.

“I have my ways.” He brushed his lips against her temple, sealing the promise he’d made.

Ari stopped walking, letting Nevaeh head to the gate on her own. Nevaeh looked back at her then nodded slightly, showing her understanding of her friend’s desire for a little privacy. Pulling him off to the side, behind an ATM, Ari entangled her arms around Nate's neck, rose up on her tiptoes and locked him into a desperate kiss. When she finally released him from her grip, Nate stood there with a big grin on his face, one eyebrow raised.

“I'm not sure I want to let you go now.” Nate teased.