I looked toward the land, wondering who was waiting there, though I had my suspicions. And then I could see him. In fact it was impossible to see anything but Brace as he stood bathed in the blue moonlights.
In the time we’d been apart, and yes, it wasn’t that long, I’d forgotten how impressive he was. I couldn’t read anything on his calm face. He didn’t approach us as we made it to land. He just waited. I was more than aware of how waterlogged I was. I never seemed to look my best around Brace, but I really didn’t care. He looked perfect enough for both of us.
Although my first few steps were shaky, I managed to gather strength and move up the beach. As I drew closer I could see that although his expression might be calm, his eyes were black.
“Hey, Red, I’m glad to see you didn’t drown at sea,” he said in a tight voice. “I would have helped search, but since you asked to be left alone ...” He shrugged.
Josian laughed loudly, head thrown back. His red hair already looked dry as it flew everywhere.
“Don’t believe a word of it, Aribella. Brace here did more than his fair share of scouring Spurn for you.” His laughter died down to random chuckles. “And he’s quite the bossy taskmaster.”
Brace’s face shot up – Josian was one of the few people who topped him in height. He glared his annoyance.
Talina muttered. “All Walkers are domineering asses.”
I imagined it hadn’t been easy being around Brace or Josian while I was missing.
“Tall ... overbearing ... domineering asses,” she continued.
“We can hear you, Talli,” Brace said drily, a slight smile crossing his face.
Talina blushed then. This snarky attitude didn’t seem to be her normal personality. It had been a stressful few days.
“So the monsters are pretty much gone?” I asked.
Josian’s broad planes sobered. He nodded. “Yes, I’ve removed that energy, but if there are more out there they will need to be disabled.” His bronze eyes narrowed. “And of course the Walker must be dealt with.”
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Brace clenching his fists. It was one of the only signs of his anger and frustration. I was mesmerized by the continuous open ... close ... open ... close.
“I’m going to need Brace to stay around, to help me out,” Josian continued.
His expression didn’t change, but I noticed the gleam in his eye.
I glared at him. My father better not be playing cupid. Brace and I had enough problems without his clumsy attempt at mending bridges.
“I want to stay and help. My father is off on an unanticipated journey and will be busy for a while. Which should give us time to figure out what to do about him.” Brace’s eyes were locked on mine. “But I won’t stay if you don’t want me here.”
His voice wasn’t sappy with romance. It was just direct and to the point. And he was leaving the power with me.
“If Dad needs your help, then I would appreciate if you stayed,” I said stiltedly.
His grin said everything. I wanted him to stay with me. It was as simple as that. I was so off-kilter when he was gone and stronger when we were together. I’d had my little hissy fit, kicking him out of my life for all of five minutes.
And in those five minutes, especially when I was near drowning, I realized something. I didn’t care what Lucas said about me and destiny.
Brace was mine.
I could feel it in a tangible way when we were together, and if I survived this entire ordeal, he was my choice.
The connection between us was more than any prophesy, a true fate, not the illusion that Lucas was under.
Or should I say delusion.
I knew trust would take time to re-build, but I needed to give this a chance.
Chapter 10
“Has anyone seen Raror?” Talina’s words interrupted my sudden burst of understanding.
She frowned, scanning the deserted beach.
No one had.
The beach was completely devoid of all life.
“Where did all the other Spurns go?” I asked.
“They went back to the ocean as soon as I dispatched the creatures,” Josian said.
“What was all the fighting about in the first place?” I looked at Talina. “It was the Silver City, right?”
A single tear escaped from her simmering brown eyes. “Yes, everyone lost it when the city’s bubble collapsed. Ladre hasn’t been seen since. We don’t know what happened, and everyone assumed it was caused by you ‘aliens’. My family was chosen as a sacrifice.”
That explained some of the chaos.
“Of course, not everyone could agree, and then the creatures were back,” Talina continued. “They all went crazy. I couldn’t use my powers. I was so stressed, nothing responded.” She sniffed loudly.
“Yeah, you Walkers have a lot to answer for. These half-powers are not reliable at all.” I lifted my brows in Josian’s direction.