Chapter 11
Listen
I inhaled deeply. You can hear me?
Tears threatened to fall as I stared at Ethan’s face for a hidden look, for the idea that it was a joke. But it can’t be. It was real. His finger slipped from my lips as he nodded slowly.
“Yes,” he said. “When you direct a thought as though a voice.”
You can hear me! I said with excitement.
I wanted to throw my arms around him with the knowledge; he wasn’t going to change his mind or turn and walk away.
You’re going to stay … listening to me this time. Right? I waited until he nodded. You don’t know what this means to me. You have no idea how nice this is. How much I missed talking to someone.
“I’m aware of how much you wanted to. Believe me. I’ve wanted to talk with you since the first day.”
Why didn’t you.
“It’s not that simple.” His eyes tilted to the tree top where the owl hooted.
I rolled my eyes at the pesky intruder. You’ll talk to me now. Won’t you. You’re not going to change your mind.
Ethan nodded as he placed his hand in mine, and with a gentle squeeze, he pulled me towards him.
“Come on, I’ll take you home.”
You didn’t answer me. Fear crept into my voice.
“I won’t ignore you. Not like before,” he said with assurance. “But it’s late. I don’t want you getting in trouble from your mother.”
Elizabeth works late. Besides, it’s just on sunset.
“Still, it’s not safe to be out after dark.”
Please. There’s a wolf running around the woods that’s refusing to kill me. I’m sure I can survive the evening hours. Something in his eyes had me frown at my thoughts.
“You’re still affected by the drug.” He pointed out, as I was unstable. I didn’t want to think that it was nothing to do with the drugs and more to do with him, holding me. “Come on, we can talk more once I know you’re safe inside.”
This time, when he pulled me, I didn’t hesitate. Least he said that we could talk more. I stumbled along the path, towards the rickety bridge and crossing the falling fence to my property. He was quiet as we walked. I had a dozen ideas to talk to him about. To scream at him, but I didn’t want to bombard him with too much at once. For the moment, I was basking in the glow of having someone to talk too. It was almost normal.
I unlocked the door and stepped through, Ethan paused at the doorway.
“You look tired, you should rest.”
You’re going to come in here and talk to me. Aren’t you?
Ethan nodded. He stepped inside with a glance at the lounge and kitchen.
“So, you should eat something.” He walked towards the fridge.
Should. But what I want is an answer.
“Bout what?” He paused as he looked at the contents of the fridge.
How can you hear me?
Ethan closed the fridge, turned and leaned on the bench; those silver green eyes penetrated into mine. A deep look of unease settled on his features. My heart couldn’t stay still seeing him in my house; I kept my gaze on him.
“I have many secrets.”
I noticed.
“I can’t tell you them all.”
Will you tell me them.
“As they come.”
He turned to the sink, retrieving a glass of water for me. He stepped around the kitchen bar, standing a few feet from me and handed me the glass. I sipped the water, tasting it; my lips and mouth were parched; the vomiting; the drugs, and then the sleep that I’d just woken up from. I drained my glass dry and wiped my mouth.
“Thirsty.”
Yeah. I slipped from the stool and poured another glass sipping it with less haste. What about you. I offered him a drink.
“I’m good.” A smile played his lips as he sat; I came to the stool.
But. You can hear me. Can you hear everyone?
Ethan watched me without blinking, his elbows pressed to the bar, and slowly he turned towards me.
“Most times, yes.”
I’d pressed myself to the stool when he slipped his hands around my waist and lifted me to the stool. My train of thought was lost with his touch.
“But you’re a little challenging.” His brow creased. “Your thoughts are more complex; interesting for me to grasp. While most humans—”
Humans? I frowned. Strange he didn’t classify himself as one. And it hit me too late. You’re not human, I whispered.
Ethan stayed as he was. He didn’t nod, nor did he blink. It was an answer he didn’t want to give me, nut somehow he’d answered it.
“You’re different to the others,” he said, changing his words and avoiding my question. “Your thoughts are yours. While most all the other students have constant thoughts, yours come in sections. Sometimes a glamour or an image, like now; you’re showing me a rhythmic heart … sweaty palms, messy hair and a tap of dripping water. You’re not actually saying anything, but showing me. The others can’t do that. But you do.”
Oh. Sorry.
“Don’t be sorry. It’s interesting.” He paused; his eyes held with mine, the silver green was darker in this light. A forest of green, familiar. “It’s nice too. Because you’re not trying to be something that the others are. They all want to be better than someone, but you just want answers to a day that is clouded.”
Melody, I whispered.
He nodded.
“I thought she was a ghost, hanging around you, near you. She was in every room you were in; she was always flashing smiles at me. But that was your doing. Nothing else.”
I sucked in my breath as he reached for my cheek. A tear had escaped and trickled along my skin; his finger wiped it away.
“You’re sad and it hurts sometimes to see that sadness. The image of darkness is frequent in your thoughts and so too is her face.”
I have no one to talk to, and I hate that I can’t remember her.
“She’s with you. And while I can’t tell you anything about your lost memory, I know that your voice isn’t that far away. It will return to you one day.”
How can you be sure?
He smiled a knowing smile. “You must be tired after everything that’s happened.”
What did happen? I asked, suddenly feeling unsure of the events. The pole … Melody?
He shook his head. “That wasn’t Melody. It was you.” He lowered his gaze. “You have an energy inside you, one that I am drawn to. My family doesn’t understand. I want to tell you, I just … I don’t want to frighten you.”
You won’t frighten me.
Ethan pressed his hand to my chest, his fingers fanned along my neck, caressing my skin. His eyes fluttered as my heart doubled in speed and I was feeling the tingle deep inside my body. A tremble of longing.
“I know why you blush, I know why you want me to talk to you, and I do too. I do want that. But it’s different for me. It’s different for my family. This isn’t a done thing. We’re not supposed to get involved with humans—others.” He pressed his lips together, slipping on the distinction of what he was. “I can’t tell you. No. I’m not a wizard or anything that is good. Your images show me you want a hero. I’m not a hero.”
His hand slipped from my neck and I reached towards it. I couldn’t lose him now. I was this close to feeling his true honesty.
I pulled his hand into mine, staring at his long fingers, the curve of his palm, flawless as he was. I pressed my lips to it. His body shivered at the touch, and so did mine. You’re my hero, I said with a smile.
“You make it impossible to keep my thoughts where they should be.” His smile was teasing.
So. You do the same for me.
His hand rested on my shoulder before cupping my face. Slowly he leaned in; his breath was on my skin. The smell was welcoming; honey, sage, wild berries and the hint of a forest with fresh rain drops. His lips parted as his lashes lowered; leaning closer, my mouth parted; I inhaled sharply. Millimetres from the connection, the d
oor burst open. We both pulled apart, jarred by the sudden interruption.
“Hey Honey, I’m home.”
Elizabeth couldn’t have had worse timing.
She held an armful of groceries, covering her view as she walked into the kitchen, placing the heavy bags on the table. When she was free of the bags, she was startled seeing Ethan standing beside me. I slipped from the stool, unsure how to explain. Ethan stepped forward.
“Sorry to intrude Ms. Watson. Kera and I were studying at the library, and time got away from us. So, I thought it best to walk her home, since it was so late.”
“Oh, thank you …” she waited. With a hard stare in my direction, which quickly followed by a puzzled look at Ethan.
“Ethan … Coffer.” He held out his hand in greeting.
“Nice to meet you Ethan.” She shook it kindly, frowning a little before her eyes softened. “You’re Judith’s boy.”
“Yes, her adopted son, Judith has spoken highly of you Ms Watson.”
Elizabeth relaxed; clearly, Judith was a nice lady, which meant Ethan was an acceptable person.
“Er … were you staying for dinner?” She eyed the kitchen.
“No, I was heading home myself. We still on for another library session to tomorrow?” He asked smoothly.
Tingles had me nodding as Ethan slowly edged towards the door; I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d run and never return. He dipped his head to me, the crease showed since he’s seen a flicker of my thoughts.
“Tomorrow,” he promised. “Around nine.”
I nodded with hope; maybe I could see Spirit earlier. Another brow crease told me he thought that was amusing.
“It was nice meeting you Ethan.” Elizabeth called from the kitchen as we rounded the hall to the front door.
Now that I was out of sight of her, I pressed my lips together, still shaken by the interruption. The moment was gone and I doubt we’d get it back. I blinked as he paused at the door. His hand came to my face, tracing a finger along my chin. An electric current lingered as his cold fingers glided along my skin.
“I’ll see you then.” His eyes gazed behind me for the briefest of seconds, a smile not quite amused, but pleased. He turned and walked from my house. It was several seconds later, I found the release of his touch to turn to where he’d been gazing. The drawing of Spirit sat on the mantel by the staircase.