“You,” he whispered.
“How did you even find me?”
“Can we go somewhere to talk?” he sighed as he reluctantly turned his attention to the market goers surrounding us. “Somewhere we won’t be overheard.”
I nodded and led him off the main street. Before we passed the last brick building, I caught a glimpse of Juniper watching us leave. Crap.
We walked to the outskirts of the little village and came to a small hill overlooking the open field. The bugs danced and hummed around the sagebrush. I sat down on the dirt, keeping a good distance between Alister’s body and mine. Every passing second that he was here made me want to reach over and touch him, but I had to keep my wits about me until I got my answers.
“You look beautiful, little deer.” He reached toward the flower in my hair and paused before trailing his hand down the air next to my face. He might as well have caressed my skin with the current I felt during the motion. “You seem so much more alive if that’s even possible.”
I ignored his comment and focused instead on the rocks near my hand. “How did you find me?”
“Vorie told me.” He placed his arms on top of his knees.
“I doubt that,” I huffed. “How would you even find her? She wouldn’t go to any of the communal spots.”
“Actually, she did.” Alister looked out over the open field. “She wanted help with her skills and visited a spirits only joint I recommended, but that’s not how I found her. I tried to explain this before, but you never paid attention. There are some things you don’t understand. Bad things, and maybe some good things, about this world and the realm.”
“I’m sorry I was too busy serving serial killers drinks and burying my best friend to care about your elitist lifestyle.” I rolled my eyes. “Did you come all this way to talk to me about your party tricks again?”
“No. I came all the way here to tell you that you aren’t safe and that you need to come with me.”
“That’s not going to happen,” I laughed.
“Listen to me. This is bigger than me wanting you. There are forces here you can’t begin to understand without some training.” His tone was harsh. “Remember the symbols on the grates at The Nocere? That was just a small taste of what could happen with the portal technology. There is so much more to this world. Think conjurors and magic spells. I was able to get in touch with Vorie using a simple summoning spell. Think of how easy it would be for them to do the same thing to find her.”
I clasped my hand over my mouth. “Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. I gave her this rudimentary protection spell. It should hold for a while, but she needs to stay low until I can figure out a way to clear your name and get you out of this mess.”
“Are you some kind of witch?” I stared at him wide-eyed.
“Of course not.” He narrowed his eyes. “I just know how to read.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think you were,” I smiled. “That’s a little farfetched. Anyway, it’ll probably be impossible to clear my name considering I actually did blow up the club.”
“I know you did,” Alister chuckled. “You were the only thing in there strong enough to pull something like that off. Unfortunately, that place had both mafia and government ties, so you have both sides of the coin against you.” He leaned back on his elbows and winked. “Luckily for you, I know someone who works in the government.”
“I can’t just leave.” I shook my head. “I told them I would stay. And what about Brayson? What is he supposed to do?”
“I took care of that for you,” Alister shrugged. “I got the blueprints back to the office. They think the death of his fiancé was too much for him and he left town.”
“I’m sure they’ll be able to connect the dots when they figure out who Vorie is to me. We all grew up in the same orphanage, remember?’
Alister studied the desert before us silently. “I’ll figure something out,” he finally said.
“You don’t have to.” I stood up and brushed away the tiny pebbles embedded in my hands. “I’ve already made up my mind. This is my home now and I’ll never go back to the realm until my life is truly over. Come with me.” I turned and started walking back to town. “There are some people I want you to meet.”
*
Mrs. Shaw was moving about the kitchen. Her gray hair was plastered to her wrinkled face from the warmth of the stove coupled with the heat of the day.
“I brought a friend for dinner if you don’t mind,” I said as I pulled Alister into the room.
Mrs. Shaw looked him over distrustfully. “Carry the slop bucket out back to the bin and bring in some more wood for the stove. Then maybe I’ll think about feeding you.” She lifted the handle on the waste pail and swung it toward him. Alister grimaced as he caught it and I burst into laughter.
“The bin is just outside in the alley,” I giggled. “You’re lucky she didn’t make you wash the windows.” He mumbled something under his breath as he walked out the back door.
“He’s too skinny,” Mrs. Shaw remarked as the screen door closed behind him. “Why don’t you get yourself one of them nice boys who work in the field? Or maybe a hunter. Someone who knows how to provide.” She stirred the pot on the stove.
“He’s just passing through,” I reassured her as I began to shuck the corn. “Nothing more than a visitor from my old life.” She pressed her lips tightly together as she continued to cook.
Mr. Shaw and Brayson came home from the market just as Alister entered the door with his arms full of wood. Brayson’s eyes widened as he looked from Alister’s face to mine.
“Don’t worry,” I smiled. “He just came to tell us that Vorie is doing well.” I stared at him intently, hoping he’d wait to ask questions. He nodded.
We set the table quickly as Mrs. Shaw began to bring the food over. Oleen came bouncing into the kitchen and froze awkwardly upon seeing Alister there.
“Close your mouth girl,” Mrs. Shaw said. “You’ll catch a fly.”
Oleen clamped her jaw shut and took her seat at the table. She couldn’t take her girlish gaze off Alister and coyly touched his hand as he handed over the dinner rolls. He dropped his eyes to his plate in embarrassment. Brayson and I laughed softly at his misfortune.
“You said Vorie is well,” Mr. Shaw spoke after chewing a mouthful of corn. “Why hasn’t she come to visit our boy then?”
Alister looked at me in confusion and I bumped my knee into his leg to keep him quiet, instantly regretting the jolt of electricity that ran up my thigh. I could tell he felt it too by the steadying breath he took.
“I ran into her by accident,” Alister said. “She hasn’t wanted to make the journey back here until she feels it would be easier for her to leave again.”
Brayson pushed the food around on his plate. “I figured as much. How did she look?”
“Beautiful,” Alister said softly.
“She always does,” Brayson nodded.
“Do you frequent the realm often?” Mr. Shaw asked, watching Alister with an eagle eye.
“Unfortunately, yes. My job requires me to travel there. Recent events have made my visits more frequent than I’d like,” Alister sighed.