Current Impressions by Kelly Risser Page B

you’re right. Are you ready to
leave?”
    “I need to get my shoes first.” I walked
back to the table in the corner. The teens were gone, but my shoes
were where I left them. I put them on and winced. At least it
wasn’t a long walk. Taking the arm Kieran offered, I tried not to
notice everyone staring as we left the cavern and headed into the
fortress. The halls were empty and quiet.
    “I’m surprised my dad didn’t make an
appearance,” I said.
    “I’m not.” Kieran glanced down at me. “Did
you notice Brigid and Angus were missing as well?”
    “I suppose,” I said. “Why?”
    “I’m not sure, but I think it might have to
do with your side trip to Scotland.”
    Was he teasing me? He looked serious enough.
“But why?”
    “We have enemies, Meara. David’s told you as
much.”
    “He did,” I said. “But I don’t understand
why they’re worried about me. What kind of problems could my
actions cause? I only saw Evan.”
    Suddenly, Kieran seemed angry. “Did nothing
sink in? Do you not understand the magnitude of your position? You
will someday rule this clan. You are their future protector, and
therefore, you must be protected. Any time you leave the island,
your father will risk almost anything to keep you safe, to protect
his lineage.”
    “My aunts and uncles can rule instead —”
    “No,” Kieran interrupted. “It is not their
responsibility. It’s yours .”
    His words rocked me on my feet. Surely, I
couldn’t be that important? We walked the rest of the way in
silence. I considered everything I learned this evening. I had a
lot to consider. What was Kieran thinking? His emotions hid behind
a blank mask. He stopped abruptly. We were at my door.
    Kieran broke the silence. “I care for you,
Meara.” His voice sounded husky. “I meant it when I said I’d very
much like to be your friend.”
    He was serious, even a little sad. I kissed
his cheek and smiled. “I’d like that, too,” I said. “Goodnight,
Kieran.”
    For a moment, he looked like he was fighting
something, but then he stepped away from me. “Goodnight,
Meara."
    He didn’t return my smile.

 

    Bits of blue flashed in the corridor as
she ran. The rest of her dress blended into the shadows. She’s
fast , Evan thought and struggled to keep up with
her.
    “ Meara, wait!”
    She turned a corner. When he lost sight of
her, the walls began to close in and pain pierced his brain. He
clasped his head and ran. She was here. He would find her.
    Rounding the corner, he caught the flash of
blue ahead and sped to catch up. She was quicker than he
remembered, running with a strength and grace he never noticed.
Still, he was faster, stronger. She glanced back over her shoulder
as the distance closed between them. He reached out with a hand to
grab her arm. His fingers grew into talons and cut angry, red
strips into her flesh.
    “ Get away from me,” she screamed. She
sunk to the floor and wrapped her arms protectively around herself.
Thin, red trails coursed down her arm. With the realization that it
was his fault, his veins frosted over. He did that. Hurt her.
Hadn’t meant to.
    Hands.
    What happened to his hands?
    He held them out. They shook, but they were
only hands, not talons. Had he imagined the whole thing? No, or her
arm would be fine.
    “ I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to
hurt you.”
    “ Just go away,” she cried. She hung her
head, her hair falling in a riot of curls. It couldn’t hide the
tears on her cheeks or the fear in her eyes.
    “ Meara, it’s me.” He moved to crouch
before her. She shot up and pressed herself against the wall,
turning her face away from him.
    “ I said get away from me!” she
screamed.
    “ Meara—”
    Her scream cut through him, doubling the
piercing pain in his head. What the hell was the matter with her?
Why was she afraid of him?
     
    “Evan! Wake up!”
    A sharp knock sounded at his door. He
slapped his hand on the alarm clock, and the screaming stopped.