The 13th: Destiny Awaits (4 page)

“Concentrate.”

“If I continue concentrating, I'm going to fall asleep.” Kate's eyelids fluttered open and revealed grey irises. She stood up and stretched, then rolled her shoulders. “So... You haven't answered me.”

“It's a long story.”

“I have time.”

“When are you working this week?”

“Changing the subject, huh?”

“I need to know when to plan our sessions, since somebody insisted on only having them on not-working days.”

She told him her schedule, her eyes fixed on the blond curl that fell on his brow. She tried not to gaze at him too much since she found herself staring almost every time. They were similar, Mandy and him, but Mandy's cuteness didn't come even close to the classical beauty of his features. She swallowed and averted her gaze. “Mandy told me that you were a model.”

“Yes.”

“When you were in Japan, right?” She drew her knees up and against her chest, then wrapped her arms around them.

He nodded.

“Why did you stop? Because you moved here?”

He straightened his legs, put his hands on the floor behind him and leaned on them. “No. I stopped long before we left Japan.”

“You did? Why?”

“It didn't work for me. I mean, I liked the photo shoots and acting, but they wanted me to try to be a singer, and with all the rest -- having to smile all the time and to all those pushy people, that stuff drove me crazy. And then there was--” His face tightened.

“What?”

“Nothing.” The placating smile that appeared on his face seemed genuine, but she had used too many smiles to appease people to be fooled by it.

She didn't push for an answer though. The less she knew about him the better; it was just that here and there, curiosity got the better of her.

“Now, let's start again. Get into position.” He crossed his legs and rested his hands on his knees, his thumbs and forefingers forming circles. “Come on.”

She rolled her eyes, something that she found herself doing in his presence quite often, and returned to her previous position, an imitation of his. He was insistent that her lessons should last a minimum of two hours, only allowing her a few minutes for breaks. Before their first session, she had asked him what he meant by “I need you.” He explained that their powers were connected, and that the Awakener's power is drawn from the Soul Reaper, meaning that with her abilities under control, he would get stronger. Or so she understood him, but she didn't buy it. He wouldn't be such a slave driver if that were true, since there was no need for him to get stronger -- or was there? She still hadn’t figured out what he expected from her. He hadn't said anything to her and she hadn't asked. She never intended to reap souls or whatever the Soul Reaper did, but if she told him that, he would probably stop teaching her, and she couldn’t afford that.

Good things never last long
. Kate curled her fingers around the envelope, crumpling it before she pushed it into the pocket of her black cargo pants. She should be grateful for the bonus, but since she had just been fired, it felt more like it was consolation money. Pity money. And she didn't do well with pity. Never had.

A disappointed sigh left her throat. She liked to work with stationery and books, and after a year of working in the shop, she hadn’t expected to be forced out by a cute little thing with impressive cleavage. But sales during the girl's shifts had tripled -- all those boys salivating over her bosom probably helped -- and Kate couldn't compete with her.

Kate’s gaze got lost in the distance, where people with shopping carts moved among shelves stocked with groceries. She pulled her flat-top army cap lower over her eyes. She would just have to find something new. But that was easier said than done.

She wheeled around and slammed against a strong chest, losing her balance.

A hand grabbed her arm and steadied her, while the bag he held bumped against her hip.

Her grey eyes met with icy blue. “Are you stalking me or something?”

Ethan's perfect teeth flashed at her. “You bumped into me and I’m the one stalking you?”

Her gaze darkened as it slid over the naughty dark blond strands of hair that hung over his forehead to the grin that embellished his lips. How different he looked without the hoodie and the glasses. She silently sighed. What was it about him that she could never collect her wits enough to retort the way she would have to Mandy or Tyler? “Whatever.” She tore her arm out of his grip and, turning her back on him, strode away.

“What's the rush?” With his long legs he easily fell into step beside her.

“Could you just go away?” She was not in the mood for him today.

“Your dismissal is breaking my heart. And I was so happy to see you, my protégé and my sister's dear and cherished friend, standing there all alone, looking like you were waiting for me.”

Kate stopped in mid-step and faced him, her brows furrowed. “What do you want, Ethan?”

“A minute of your time.”

“We will have our lesson tomorrow, as scheduled.” She turned on her heel.

“Everything doesn't have to be about training.” Ethan's fingers caught her wrist.

His touch made her skin tingle. She scowled. “What else is there?”

“Well, since you’re here and I'm here, too, I thought we could hang out.” He released her, his ever-present grin still playing on his face. “Don't you want to spend more time with your mentor and bond with the Awakener?”

“Not really.” Kate touched her skin where she could still feel the warmth of Ethan's fingers. She was grateful for his help, because of which she could reduce the colours to small dots every time they threatened to overtake her vision, but she couldn't exactly relax in his presence.

“You should at least show me some gratitude for my selflessness in helping you.”

“It's not like you are helping me out of the goodness of your heart.”

He pressed his hand against his chest. “You wound me so.”

“Why are you doing it?”

“I’ve already explained that to you. We are linked through our powers, and I need you to become stronger.” He looped his arm around hers and started to drag her across the hall with him.

“To do what?” Kate planted her feet on the checkerboard tile.

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, while a wrinkle cut into his forehead. “To help you and to help them.”

“I don't need your help,” she lied, knowing very well that she needed all the help she could get, or she could end up as crazy as her mother. But she couldn't tell him that, even though he had to have heard the rumours about her and her mother. Not about what had happened, though, because nobody knew what had really happened except her dad and her. Even her mother only remembered bits and pieces. She probably didn't want to remember.

He chuckled -- he actually had the audacity to chuckle at her. “You don't need help. That's a funny one. You’ve been suppressing your 'gift,' choosing not to see them for most of your life, haven’t you? Using all those things around your house and this --” he touched the chain that hung around her neck and held the pendant with a black stone “-- caused more harm than good and you don't even know it. The only thing you managed to do was to shut down your sight. Not seeing them doesn't mean they are not there. As long as your energy flows out of you unrestrained, they will sense your power and crowd around you. They want your help to cross over, and as time passes and you ignore them, some of them might get angry.”

“So what?” Was that why he had to awaken her power and destroy her seeming peace? Just because some ghosts couldn't cross on their own? She preferred not to be aware of them, and if they could see her as long as she didn't see them, she didn't care if they were around... Well, she just hoped that they didn't follow her every time she went to the bathroom.

His eyes found hers and another sigh left his throat. “I wish Nanael was here.”

“Nanael?” Kate asked.

His hand slid on the back of his neck, scratching it. “The Keeper, the one who helped me become the Awakener.”

“There's more of you?”

“Of us, you mean. No, she's not one of us. She's -- It's a long story.”

“Which you are not about to share? Even though I'm the Soul Reaper?”

“I'm not allowed to share. Not yet.”

“And when will you?” Or maybe she shouldn't care. The plan was to learn enough to get rid of the ghosts, not to become whatever he thought she was. She pinched her nose and took a deep breath. “Everything is just so messed up, and your 'it's a long story' doesn't help. I need time to process this. But I can't really, can I, with you always on my back?”

“Usually girls appreciate my presence.” He smoothed the hair away from his forehead.

She rolled her eyes. “Is that all that you wanted to say? Can I go now?”

“Do you need to?” Ethan asked. “I mean, I was going to grab something to eat and, well, usually Mandy keeps me company, but she's with her boyfriend now, and I dislike eating alone. You could replace her and as a thank-you I'll treat you to dinner.”

At the mention of the food, her stomach growled, reminding her that, at this time of day, she usually had dinner at Tyler's place. “No, thanks.” She furrowed her brows, trying to remember if there was anything in the fridge at home. She would probably have to buy something, using the bonus in her pocket.

“Are you sure?” He lifted his brows. “I'm buying.”

“Why would you?”

“Because I'm such a generous guy.”

“Yeah, right.”

He curled his hand around hers and tugged her along behind him. “Come on. I'll even let you choose whatever you want from the menu.”

Kate smiled at his words and followed him, but only because she never refused free food.

He guided her to the second floor where he sat her behind a small table in the corner of a restaurant that overlooked the shops below. After she entrusted him with her choice, he hurried to the round counter to order.

She leaned back in the chair, watching his slouched back and the boot that he tapped against the linoleum floor. He didn't seem to be as bad a guy as she had first thought. He had gotten in lots of fights at the beginning of semester, but he had never hurt anybody, just convinced them to leave him alone. And now all those bullies actually made wide circles around him. But he was responsible for the leaks and breaches in her stronghold against the ghosts, she reminded herself; his touch erased the protection of the charms she used to keep the colours away.

“Look who we have here,” a girl's voice said, malice dripping from it.

“Just leave her and let’s go order,” another voice said.

Kate recognized the first voice, Sandra. That was all she needed. She inwardly groaned.

“Are you deaf?” The girl's palms slammed against the plastic imitation granite as her silhouette cast a shadow over Kate.

“Can I help you?” Kate crossed her arms, scowling when the colourful dots at the side of her vision grew into smeared blots. She focused on her breathing, keeping it deep and calm.

“Crazy people shouldn't roam around so freely,” Sandra said. One of the girls she was with nudged her with her elbow. “What is it?” she snapped at her. “Can't you see that I'm...” her voice trailed off as she stared behind her.

Kate followed her gaze. Ethan was nearing, a tray with hamburgers, fries, and sodas in his hands.

He passed the girls, put the tray on the table and sat opposite Kate. “Your friends?” He tilted his head in girls' direction.

“More like acquaintances.” Kate pulled the tray closer and took her share of the food. “Where's the smoothie? Didn't you say I could order anything I like?”

“I'll get it for you later.”

“Hi,” one of the girls spoke up.

“Hi.” Ethan gave them a charming smile.

“I’ve seen you around.” Sandra straightened, puffed out her chest at him and tossed her platinum hair over her shoulder. “Are you from around here?”

“I live in the neighbourhood.” Ethan grabbed his hamburger and took a bite.

“You do? Where?”

Ethan chewed and swallowed. “Well... I would tell you more, but as you can see I'm here with somebody special, and you girls are intruding. So, could you leave, please?” He grabbed a fry and popped it into his mouth

Sandra's eyebrows descended low over her eyes, but the target of her glare wasn't Ethan but Kate. Sandra’s gaze burned holes in her, making Kate subtly roll her eyes. She slumped back against the chair in relief when Sandra wheeled around and stomped away, her subjects following.

“What did you do to her?” Ethan stuffed himself with more fries.

“Me?” Kate's lips narrowed into a line. Sandra was the one who had started to gossip about her mother being committed to a nuthouse. She was also the one who, after her fight with Tyler about it, had started rumours that Kate and Tyler weren’t just close friends but had hooked up behind Sandra's back while she was dating him. Kate doubted that most of her acquaintances believed that story, but combined with the news of her crazy mother and the apathy that Kate couldn't shake off, she had somehow ended up as a school outcast.

“She hates you,” Ethan said around his mouthful.

“It looks like it, and your 'I'm here with somebody special' didn't help. Did you see how she looked at me when you said that? Why did you even have to say it?”

“But you are special, aren't you? You’re the Soul Reaper. And don't tell me you’re worried what she thinks of you?”

“She can cause problems for me.” She sort of already had, since the hues floating around her had sharpened into faces, but Kate wasn’t talking about that, more the 'accidental' shoves and the name-calling. She pushed the plate with the hamburger away. Suddenly she wasn't hungry anymore. “Like I don't have enough of those already.”

“Don't say you mean me and the whole...” Ethan's hand made a half circle.

“What else?” She rested her elbows on the table and pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes, breathing deeply. If they would just disappear. Why couldn't she get rid of them now? Did Ethan do something to her again?

“Look at them. They are not going to hurt you. Not unless you continue to ignore them.”

“Can you make them go away?”

“I'm sorry, I can't do that.”

“You don't want to or you can't?”

“I won't and even if I wanted to, it's not in my power.”

She lifted her head up, and with her hands still over her face, she glanced at him between her fingers, trying to ignore the transparent shapes dancing around her. She needed to go home or to distract herself. Usually the latter didn't work, but... “Then what is in your power?”

“Not much, I'm afraid, not with you being so weak,” he said. “And besides, my powers are more for defence than offence. I'm more like the Soul Reaper's backup than anything else.”

“A sidekick.” She hadn't expected that. “Does that mean you have to do what I tell you to?” That would be nice. That would be very, very nice.

“No, that doesn't mean that I have to do what you tell me to. But you are right about the sidekick thing, since in our case you are the main hero and I'm your wing-man.”