Chapter Four

The moment Dad handed me a brand new Kindle Paperwhite was better than being told we’d be living an average, suburban life.

Okay, not entirely—but it was close enough.

I sunk into the cushy recliner inside the livingroom, the air sweet of Mom’s rosie perfume. The bottle was left neglected ontop of the coffee table beside a stack of her research files.

Mom was the most organised person on the face of the earth, unless she’s busy with a project, where she would forget the most essential things.

On few occasions during one of her projects, she had to ask me or Dad whether she already had a shower because she couldn’t remember.

It all started when she was seven, when Mom claimed she had crossed paths with the mysterious Mothman. A man-sized humanoid with large, red glowing eyes and massive black wings.

She was out in my grandparent’s backyard searching for a missing toy, when the Mothman sat on the back porch, staring at her.

She said when she had screamed, the creature darted up into the air and vanished.

And no, Mom was never diagnosed with a hallucionary disorder of any sorts, and no one could explain what had happened that day.

She’s pretty sane, until it comes to her cryptids.

It was because of her obsession with the unknown that had lead her to meet my dad at a paranormal convention in Atlanta.

They said it was love at first sight.

Years later, I could confirm their love for eachother was as strong as it was since day one.

I shifted in the recliner, switching on the screen of my Kindle, only to find it was already loaded with all kinds of books.

I knew it was Mom’s handy work, because majority of them had bare-chested men, sultry women, and kissing couples on the covers.

I scrolled past those before finding the horror section. I stretched my legs out in front of me, barely opening the book when Mom called out.

“Carly? Ember is here.”

“Just a sec,” I shouted back and got up from the couch, straightening my shirt with a plant-eating zombie on it.

Ember was leaning against the doorframe by the backdoor, grinning. She was holding a picnic basket. “Hey, so I thought we could do that walk now? I know we planned on a hike but my grandpa is on the trail. I’d rather avoid him for now. He’s out looking for his missing hunting gear.”

I snorted a laugh. “Let me grab some shoes and we can go.”

I told Mom I was heading out with Ember, pulled on a pair of sneakers, and met up outside.

“So, are you going to homeschool or go to Bowmore High?” Ember swung the basket back and forth by her side as we walked in the direction of the beach. “I hope you’re going to Bowmore because I could use a friend.”

“I’m going to go to Bowmore. I’d die if I had to stay on the island more than I already had to.” Ember smiled at the revelation. “You don’t have any friends there?”

“I do, sort of. But they’re not exactly the reliable kind.”

“That sucks. Friends are supposed to be reliable,” I said.

“It’s more like a thing of their parents are friends with my parents and now I’m stuck with them.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.” Ember’s face lit up. “But now you’re going to be there.”

I wasn’t going to lie. It was beautiful here. The further we ventured from our homes, over a steep hill and downward again—the grass was lusher, flowers flush with pastel and bright colors multiplied by extraordinary numbers.

We passed massive ant mounds rising out of the ground and a few peach trees with plump, juicy looking harvest. I had every intention to go help myself to a few on the walk back.

You could hear the crash of waves from our home, but the closer you drew to the beach it became louder and almost deafening.

I had to shout for Ember to hear me. “It’s loud over here.”

“I know,” she yelled back, lifting the basket and swung it in the general direction of a cave nearby. “It’s better over there.”

It was another two-minute walk toward our destination and by the time we got there, it felt like my ears were about to pop.

Something shiny caught my attention the moment we entered the mouth of the cave. “Holy crap.”

“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” Ember beamed. “I knew you would like it here.”

The ceiling of the cave was an iridescent aquamarine, instantly reminding me of Kayn’s eyes. I shook my head, disgusted by the fact that he seemed to be popping out inside my mind on every potential occasion.

I refocused my attention on my surroundings, admiring the walls shimmering with an otherworldly beauty. Strings of pearls were strung from the ceiling of the cave, and patterns in a metalic silver were painted on the floor.

“This was Kayn’s work,” Ember said, bursting my little bubble. “He’s quite artistic, though the walls of the cave are naturally this pretty. He just added to it.”

“You think he’d be okay if you bring me here?” As much as I thought it was the most stunning place I’ve ever been in, I’d rather not invade more of Kayn’s space than needed.

She shrugged. “He knew other people would occupy the land and technically, this is a part of your backyard. You have every right to be here.”

She didn’t answer my question and I didn’t bother to point that out. I didn’t need to. I already knew the answer to that question, whether it was a part of our land or not.

Ember unpacked the basket, dumping out a floral quilt out for us to sit on, and placed out food and drinks. This consisted of two bottles of apple juice, strawberry pie, cookies, and croissants. “My mom loves to bake,” she said when she saw me eyeing the food.

Everything looked scrumptious and thinking back to that pie she sent me, I knew they had to be. “She’s good at it too.”

“She’s the best,” Ember agreed. “She always enters the Bowmore baking festival, and she always wins.”

“Do you bake?”

She shook her head. “Absolutely not. I’d burn down the whole country.”

I snorted a laugh. “I like to, but rarely get to bake because my parents are always moving back and forth.”

Ember sat down and I followed the notion, folding my legs underneath me. A massive wave crashed on the shore, sending a gentle spray into the cave where we sat.

Ember leaped up, shaking her arms and legs.

I raised both brows. “You okay?”

As Ember turned with a disgusted expression on her face—was when I saw it. On her arm was a bit of moisture and beneath it a strange, violet bruise formed. “What’s wrong with your arm?”

Her eyes widened and she covered it with her hand. I got up, reaching to pull off her hand, and when I did it was gone.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said quickly, dropping her hands to her sides.

I gaped back down at her markless arm. I could swear I saw scales forming within the bruise for a moment.

Actual, freaking scales.

I looked up at her again, shaking my head. “I just thought…”

“It’s okay. The cave’s walls sometimes reflect and you end up seeing weird things,” she said quickly.

I rubbed my eyes, sitting down. “Must be.” Yet…

“We should move in a bit deeper. I don’t like getting wet.” Ember picked up the food and began placing it into the basket. “You know, I told you about the infected water.”

“Yeah.” I had a feeling there was something more to it. That, or my parents were starting to rub off on me.

I followed Ember further until we found a good spot to get comfy.

“Smells nice in here,” I commented, placing down the pie on top of the blanket. It was somewhat familiar—floral and ocean, but I couldn’t remember where I had smelled it before.

“It stinks like dead fish to me,” a deep voice sounded from behind me.

I spun around so fast, nearly smacking Kayn through the face. He took a single step back, giving me one of those weird looks he tendded to throw at me, before his eyes settled on his sister. “The cave, really?” He folded his arms. “You brought her in here, of all places?”

To my dismay, I realized the nice smell was coming from Kayn. I rolled my eyes, lowering myself onto the quilt, and grabbed a croissant.

“Kayn…” Ember sighed dismally.

“Seriously, she’s not welcome anywhere near us. Or around what is ours.”

I raised both brows, glancing at Ember. “I thought this is a part of our land?”

Kayn sputtered a laugh. “Is this what my sister told you to get you here?” His jaw clenched as he looked at his sister. “Do you even understand what this—you know what? Get your stuff and let's go. This is not negotiable.”

“I’m not negotiating,” Ember crossed her arms. “I actually like Carly. She’s my friend and certainly not your problem.”

“She’s my problem if you’re hanging out with her,” Kayn growled. “You don’t need to be friends with people like her.”

“Excuse me?” I got up from the quilt. “People like me? What is that supposed to mean?”

Kayn released a depleted sigh, pressing a palm to his forehead.

“What is your problem with me?” I bit out.

“Ember, let’s just go,” Kayn ignored me, adding a weak sounding “Please.”

“Kayn, please don’t do this,” Ember’s voice trembled. “You, out of everyone, know I need this. Please.”

“You know it’s not about what we need,” he released a bitter laugh.

Ember glanced at me with a torn expression. “I’m so, so sorry about this. I don’t even know what to say to you to make up for my brother’s shitty behavior.”

Kayn’s hand dropped, looking perplexed. “What?”

She turned to glare at her brother. “I’m not as dumb as you think. I know how to take care of myself. Now, run along so I could enjoy my friend’s company in peace.”

“Ember, get your stuff. Now.”

I scowled, turning away from them so I could rid myself of this uncomfortable ambiance. I was starting to get extremely tired of Kayn and his stinky attitude.

I barely managed to take a step forward when my feet slipped out from underneath me and I fell backward.

I heard Ember gasp before strong arms wrapped in beneath me and blocked my fall.

The first thing I saw as I blinked up is Kayn’s painfully handsome face staring down at me.

“Let. Me. Go.” I snarled, feeling my cheeks grow hot.

His dark brows arched as he helped me back onto my feet. “You need to get off this island,” he said gruffly. He had this strange expression and he kept staring at me as I straightened my shirt.

“What?” I snapped at him. “I got the message the first time. You’re starting to sound like an old tape player stuck on repeat.”

“Tape?”

“Ugh. Nevermind,” I scowled. “If you want me gone so badly, why didn’t you just let me fall on my head.”

“Trust me, if I wanted you dead it would have happened by now.” He took a step closer. “It’s quite the opposite of what I want. But believe me,” his gaze lowered onto my body. “But like I said to my sister. We don’t get what we want.” Then, with a mocking grin, he added "or need."

I think if my body could have flushed a cherry red, it would have. I covered my chest with my arms, shifting uncomfortably.

Kayn tore his gaze away to look at his sister. “Besides the fact you shouldn’t be here, the old man is at it again.”

Ember blanched. “Oh no.”