Sember (Forestfolk, Book 2)

Chapter 6

I found Siena in the cabin she shared with Remi. They seemed to be in deep discussion when I knocked, and I felt bad for disturbing them.

"Come in," Remi said.

I poked my head sheepishly through the heavy curtain. "Hi."

His eyes took in my wet clothes and disheveled hair, and he gave me a sympathetic smile. "I'll let the two of you talk." He got up and left.

"He's a keeper," I said as I entered the room.

Siena smiled, practically glowing. "I know."

"Um . . . " I suddenly felt awkward. What does a monster say to an angel?

"How are you feeling?" she asked, brows lifted in genuine concern.

"Well, I'm not feeling murderous anymore, if that's what you're asking."

"I wasn't worried about that." Her piercing gaze seemed to see right into me. "How are you feeling about what he did?"

"Oh. I don't know. Confused, I guess. I know Dozan was just . . . having fun." I grimaced at the memory. "But how can you tell if a boy actually likes you?"

She smiled, and her eyes drifted to the door where Remi had just exited. "Well, he looks for you. Wants to spend time with you. Sometimes they make excuses just to be around you."

"I see." My eyes dropped down to my hands. I had no idea if Dozan's fishing was an excuse to see me or not. "Siena, I . . . I came so close to losing it. I almost killed him. I was literally seeing red." I sighed in frustration. "Why am I such a barbarian?"

She grasped my hand in both of hers, and I looked up at her. "But you didn't kill him. That's what matters. A barbarian wouldn't have hesitated. You pulled through."

I shook my head. "But you don't know how much I wanted to. Such a thing would never cross your mind."

She let go of my hand and leaned back. "Sember, I don't belong on that pedestal you've put me on."

I looked away in embarrassment. I was pretty sure everyone in Foresthome knew I idolized Siena, but to be called out on it, by Siena herself . . . I don't know. It felt like my hero was telling me I was being silly.

"Sember, I didn't mean—"

"What information did you get from Dozan?" I interrupted, not wanting to hear any more about my shortcomings.

She blinked and swallowed. I'd never cut off one of our heart-to-heart talks before. They used to be what grounded me. But now it felt like she was pushing me away, and it hurt. If she didn't want me worshiping her anymore, then fine. I would stop. I was my own person, and shouldn't be looking to others for approval anyway.

I could feel that first wedge sliding into place between us. It tore at my heart, but it was what she wanted.

"Sember . . . " Siena seemed unsure what to say, maybe because she'd never seen this side of me before. The beastly side.

I didn't waver. If she wanted to wean me off her guidance, then I would help her. "Do we have useful information or not?"

Her mouth closed as she bristled against my abrasiveness. Guilt flooded me as a look of hurt crossed her features. I nearly leapt out of my seat to beg forgiveness at her feet, but that would be stupid. This is what she wanted, to be rid of a clingy little brat who couldn't think for herself. I wouldn't be that person anymore.

"Yes," she said carefully. "We might have something to go on." She began to relay what Dozan had told her. It pained me to hear her talking to me in such a stiff and formal voice, but I told myself this was the way it had to be. I wouldn't be coddled anymore.

It turned out that Dozan's father was Gifted too. He could see in complete darkness. When they were at the Iceling village, he'd heard about a cave with walls that glittered with something unknown. The villagers did not dare explore its depths because they believed a foul creature lived in it, but this man imagined finding something of unspeakable value inside. He believed that the stories were merely rumors invented by the villagers to keep the cave to themselves. So he went inside.

He didn't let Dozan go with him, in case there was danger, but when he came out, he was a changed man. His skin was pale, and he was withdrawn and temperamental. Within a week, Dozan's mother had gotten sick. They'd gone to seek help in the village, and soon the villagers were sick too.

"And so they brought it here?" I stood up, outraged.

"I don't think they realized they were carriers."

"What are they, stupid? It's so obvious!" I had to go over there and confront them.

"Sember, where are you going?" Siena stood, an apprehensive look on her face.

I turned to face her. "Don't worry, I'll keep my savage hands to myself. You don't have to babysit me anymore." Doing my best to ignore the pang in my heart, I took off running.

And the plot thickens... Mind tossing a vote this way? :)