Skin Deep (27 page)

"I don't know dear. I just know the bracelet chooses
its wearer and gives him or her a special strength." Grams leaned toward me, and gripped my fingers in hers. "You and I both know you need all the help you can get."

There were too many unsaid words in that one sentence. Gram knew more than she was letting on.

"So what's this thing supposed to do for me, make me invisible? Give me super-strength?" The whole story was so far-fetched. What was Gram thinking?

"Protection," Gram said, her eyes so sad I felt an answering clench in my heart. "If you were mortally wounded, you would survive."

The silence which followed rang around the room on painful echoes. How could she seriously expect me to accept what she'd just said? I teetered on the verge of hysterical laughter.

"So, definitely no try-before-you-buy?"
This is so crazy.

"Nope. No returns once purchased either."

Beneath the banter lay a stone cold seriousness I found disconcerting.

"Anything else it will give me?"

"Each of its wearers have been granted...a different sort of...ability. Some, who already possess a power, have had it multiplied beyond their comprehension. Others have acquired a new power altogether."

"Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. How do I know it won't hurt me? Maybe I should think about this."

"Kai, this is hardly the time for you to go away and have a good think about it. You have only this one chance."

I raised my eyebrows; I didn't appreciate being pushed into a corner even if it was my Grandma doing the pushing. I stood barely an inch away from the glowing bronze armor, my fingers almost touching the metal.

Almost.

When they made contact, my twinge of fear was lost within the swirl of electrical energy and iridescent light enveloping both Grams and me. From my fingers to my shoulder, aquamarine light sparkled and twirled around my arm and the band, coils of intangible color which wound from elbow to wrist in a magical embrace.

Within the blink of an eye, the band absorbed my arm into it. Or maybe it was the other way around. Perhaps my arm had called to it. Either way, band and arm now seemed as one.

I blinked and breathed deeply, drawing in some of the swirling green light too. It didn't matter. It didn't seem to have any adverse effect on me. I felt the warm weight on my arm and remembered what had just happened. I remembered, too, that I should be royally pissed off at Grams, but something within my soul had erased those negative feelings.

The weight of the band felt permanent. Forever. I felt fear of what I'd gotten myself into.

"What just happened?"

Grams looked affronted, as if I'd asked why I’d been molested by the heavenly talisman. Grams cleared her throat. "Kai, this bracelet is now yours, forever. Or until the day someone else needs it far more than you do. It has chosen you."

"Why me?"

"I don't know." She raised her hands in defense. "All I know is that you needed help and this was the best way I could help you - to pass the armband on to you. Hopefully you will find a use for it."

"Where did you get it?" I shook my head, trying to figure it out, and hoping Gram's had some answers. "Is it yours?"

"No, it wasn't mine. All I can tell you is that you can trust it. It won't harm you. Its job is to protect you and that's what it will do."

I stared at the golden bronze carvings. At that moment, though, all I could understand was some ancient adornment had taken possession of my arm. It felt warm against my skin. Molded comfortably around my arm. My heart jittered as I felt its embrace. This band wasn't going anywhere.

"Okay so what's it meant to do? How does it work?"

"
Look Kai, I can't tell you anything more. You will know what you need to know in good time." Grams stood up, her eyes unreadable. "I can't stay, Kai. I've got to be going again."

And then she strode to her room, grabbed her overnight case and headed out the door with a wave.

I blinked.

I swirled in the wake of another Ivy Odel whirlwind visit.

And this time she left behind many more questions than answers.

I had no choice but to trust Grams.

***

The wafting aroma of fresh coffee accompanied the light knock on the door.

I'd called Tara early, inviting her over for a quick chat. She promised coffee and bagels and was on her way as soon as we cut the call. Tara loved to baby me. Being Ethereal she was no doubt old enough to be my great-great-great something. But to me she was a big-sister and a friend.

I sprinted to the door, and let her in.

"Smells great," I said, breathing in the aroma. But as much as I couldn’t wait for the coffee, I needed answers about the strange bullets we’d found in my attackers gun. "You can leave the stuff on the kitchen counter. Can I ask you something before we eat?"

"
Of course. Fire away," Tara said as she left the bags and drinks on the counter and walked over to me. "What’s wrong? Sounds ominous."

"
It is, kinda." I dug into my pocket for the one bullet Logan left behind. I’d been desperate to know what Tara knew, and yet so fearful that she’d admit to making the bullets too. I wasn’t sure how I would handle it if she said yes, but I said a prayer and hoped for the best. I opened my palm to reveal the hollow brass bullet containing the strange green liquid. "Any idea what this is?"

I’d made sure to keep my voice neutral and non-accusatory, and it seemed to have helped as Tara leaned forward, not in the least bit offended by the inquiry. "Interesting. Where did you get that
, Kai? You getting your ammo elsewhere now?" she asked, raising an eyebrow and throwing me a teasing grin. A grin that faded as I related to her the whole attack episode of the previous evening. "Oh, Kai. That’s horrible. Are you okay?"

"
I’m fine, though I’d be much better if I knew who made these."

"
Okay, absolutely. Hand it over." She opened her palm and I dropped the bullet into it. Tara closed her fingers over the bullet and breathed in and out slowly. "It was made by hand. He’s proud of his work...." She tilted her head to the right, as if listening to the metal speak. "He’s proud of making the drug. Synthe. That’s what he calls it…"

I was relieved I actually had a lead. We had a name and confirmation that the drug and the bullet came from the same person, who was most likely the killer.
"Thanks for checking it out for me," I said as Tara returned the bullet to me with a grimace.

"
He’s not a nice guy, that one. He’s got evil in his blood," she said with a shudder.

"
I’m sorry to put you through that. It must be horrible seeing their thoughts and feelings."

"
It’s fine. I just hope they find the guy soon. He’s dangerous." Tara rubbed her arms where goose-bumps had formed on her pale skin.

"
Come. Our coffee is getting cold," I said, hoping to change the topic and the mood.

Minutes later, we sat at the kitchen counter, sipping the coffee in mutual satisfaction. I was eternally grateful for the caffeine. Not to mention the company. After the meal I cleared up, chucking the paper cups and bags in the trashcan. I'd just cleared the crumbs when I looked up to see Tara scanning my face, intent on figuring out what was the matter now. I could tell she still felt a trifle guilty about crafting the weapon who killed Clancy.

I stuck my arm out at her. "Please tell me what in Ailuros's name this is."

Her expression as she goggled at the bracelet would’ve rivaled any self-respecting goldfish. In the next instant I was jerked forward only my hips catching at the edge stopped me from sliding across the countertop towards Tara.

I strained my neck to get a glimpse of what was happening to my hand and saw the expression on Tara's face. She held the band close to her; wonder, curiosity and admiration flitted across her face as she cupped the band in her palms, teasing the engraved swirls with her thumbs.

Were it possible for her to be any closer to the band, she'd have had to be
kissing the thing. She stared and studied, not paying the least attention to me.

I let out the perfect combination of a snort and a giggle.

The sound broke Tara's adoration and she swung her gaze to me. When she saw I was sprawled on my side, right hand held above my head in an impossibly awkward yoga-like stance, she burst into hysterical laughter.

"Did I do that?" she choked out.

"Nope. I thought it would be a good time to shine the table with my butt. Nothing I can't handle." I was a bit miffed at the man-handling I received. But I still saw the funny side and contributed my own set of giggles.

Until I tried to sit up and a spasm of pain ripped through my back. An agonizing reminder there was nothing remotely amusing about my little dance with the two assassins. I swung around and sat next to her, giving her easy access to my arm.

"Do you think you can get anything from it?"

"It's bronze, so it will be difficult. I can't promise anything. But I’ll try." Tara's eyes held a sadness I hadn't seen there before and I felt a twinge of regret. I had put it there, in a round-about fashion. I wished now I hadn't asked her to read the steel pieces.

But another part of me was grateful. Because of her reading, we now had Brand. Scum that he was, he was the key to finding the killer. This bracelet was a key as well. Key to what? I intended to find out.

"It's warm, and incredibly soft." A startling description especially when the armor was made from solid bronze. But somehow I understood what Tara meant. It explained how the band had shrunk to fit my arm. "There's violence in it, but goodness too. A
...strange combination, but it...fits."

A long silence simmered as Tara searched the metal for memories, or any hint of what its purpose was.

"There's a woman, she feels protective of you, like she does not want you to be harmed. She sent this to you. I am pretty certain it's meant to protect you but it's not clear how." Tara paused and scrunched her forehead. "And something else keeps popping into my head. So strange, it's almost ridiculous."

I waggled my eyebrows in question.

"Some Spartacus guy, wearing a toga and armor. People chanting and praising him. And a monster. A huge octopus kind of creature. I must be going mental."

Tara looked tired and I said as much. She leaned back and relaxed. Pulling her fingers away from the metal to break the link.

"So we got what? A whole lot of nothing?" I was disappointed. Everything she got was vague and insubstantial.

"No, idiot. We got enough to know that someone out there, apart from your Grandma, is looking out for you. And thinks enough of you to give you this." Tara poked at the armor which lay against my skin. "There's a protection on this bracelet, Kailin. Whoever wears it is strong and powerful. And I think you should use it. Wait and see what happens."

"Let me guess. You're a glass half full kinda girl, right?" I smiled. Tara was right. And, for whatever the reason, the band had chosen me. I was better off if I quit fighting it.

***

Tara's visit had served to give me some distance from my problems. After we said goodbye I left for a trip to my colony. I’d had time to think about everything that had happened in the last week and what my options were. Had I been a normal child, my elders would’ve been my first port of call, but I was blessed with both an absent mother and grandmother, the former permanently while the latter may turn up anytime soon. My father on the other hand, may as well be absent for all the influence he had in my life. Given the choice between a visitation with Corin and becoming Human forever, I would gladly have sacrificed my feline persona.

But I did not have the luxury of choice. He was the Prime Alpha of my pack, and I needed information from him.

The house was the same, silent and empty, even when we had all lived here. Iain was out, but my father's car was in the driveway so he had to be in his office. The man did very little but work.

I squared my shoulders and entered the room. The soft click of the lock behind me bade him turn toward me. And for one pathetic second I held my breath while my body and soul hoped beyond all hope that he would open his arms and give me a bear-hug and welcome me home. Only for a second. I swallowed the thick lump of disappointment lodged in my throat as I met his eyes and saw only a mild curiosity. As if he merely wondered what was so important for me to come see him. Not as if he held the slightest bit of joy to see his child return home.

I studied his face, then. The smooth lines, high cheekbones, dark eyes, unfathomable eyes I'd wished so many times I had the power to soften. A
gray memory flitted across my mind - a smiling father filled with love and laughter on whose shoulders I’d ridden, and with whom tickles and hugs were the norm. But when my mother left us, she took with her his smile and his softness, leaving us with this dark shell of the man he once was.

I blinked away the memories, along with the slight moisture coating my eyes. He hadn't aged - it had only been two years after all.