Chapter 2Kane
Chapter 2
KANE
I swear to the gods, these past couple of days have been the most trying of my life.
Finding Harbor as I was about to walk into the dorm… My heart stopped when I walked up and saw her lying there. Discovering her friend Bethany nearby with her throat slit caused panic to surge through my veins, and I quickly ducked down to check Harbor again, making sure she was breathing. The next few hours were complete chaos, with getting someone of authority there to care of the friend and organizing a healer to transport Harbor to the healing center. I swear, I have never been that nervous or worried about someone else in my life as I was waiting for Harbor to be transported.
Calling Hudson to give him the news was hard, too. I knew telling him Bethany died wouldn’t affect him much, but I was shocked when he seemed to show concern for his daughter. Since I’ve known him, he’s never shown much interest in her. He told me he would notify Myles, and then he and Mom would come to the healing center to wait for Harbor.
I had to break the news to Silas, too. Considering we aren’t the best of friends, I felt awkward. I just wouldn’t want to find out from a stranger if I was him. While I didn’t know his sister well, he seemed protective of her. I knew as soon as I saw him approaching from a distance that he was going to go berserk. While I could initially approach him calmly, as soon as I revealed his sister’s passing, he went into a state of wild disbelief. I had to physically restrain him, with help, I might add, until we could calm him. I walked him up, but as soon as he saw her, he exploded all over again. At least he had the sense to run into the field before his shift took over, and he launched himself into the sky with a roar of rage and pain.
After school administrators finally released me, I rushed to the healing center Harbor was taken to. I felt drawn to her as I walked in. I needed to at least be near her. When Hudson and my mother arrived, Mom ran to me and collapsed into my arms… I knew she was heartbroken for her friend. She and Stacy grew up together, so we’ve always been a part of their lives.
When Mom finally pulled herself together enough for me to explain the situation, she felt bad that she didn’t realize Harbor and Bethany were close. So much time has passed since Harbor arrived, and we still don’t know her well.
After Harbor woke, we had to break the news. She didn’t remember what happened to Bethany. My heart ripped in half as she broke down. She was up, walking around, but once she realized her friend was gone, she collapsed back into bed. She was despondent, ignoring us all while tears streamed down her face until they discharged her. Once we got her home, I helped her downstairs, but then didn’t see her again. She shut the door, closing me out.
I’d heard her screaming in her room sometime in the early hours of the morning. After running to her room, I thought it best that I knock. She ignored me, though. I turned, going back to bed, wishing all of this would be easier. When I woke up later and saw daylight, I’d hoped she’d be better. But when I came upstairs for breakfast, she was nowhere to be found. I thought about taking her food, but I knew she’d only ignore me if she was not ready. So, I decided to go work out to pass the time.
Hours later, I’m thoroughly exhausted and ready for a shower and food. Again, my thoughts circle back to Harbor. I can’t seem to get her off my mind, especially when we’re under the same roof. I’m wondering what I can do to ease her grief as I walk back upstairs when I hear the patio door shut.
As I walk into the kitchen, Hudson murmurs something to Mom before noticing me. He places a kiss on her forehead and then turns toward me. He quickly nods to the hallway, and I turn to follow behind him.
“Watch her,” he says, pausing just outside the room. “I need to get work done. I can’t be here all the time, but this is a difficult situation.”
I look over my shoulder, trying to see if Mom notices. She’s lost in thought, staring outside, so we’re in the clear.
“I didn’t think Mom was doing as bad today?”
“She’s better, actually,” he says. “Watch my daughter. I don’t have the time to make sure she doesn’t self-destruct. Yesterday is lost, and half of today is already gone. There are projects in progress that I can’t leave, so you have to step up.” He levels me with a glare before turning and sauntering down the hall toward his office.
Harbor? I spin, going in search of the woman I’m quickly becoming obsessed with. Entering the kitchen once more, I find Mom still staring outside. It’s when I step up beside her, I find that she’s watching Harbor. I stand there silently, observing the woman standing by herself. It’s as if she is alone in her suffering, regardless of our efforts to support her.
“I’m worried, sweetheart.” Mom’s whispered words barely meet my ears. I turn my head, looking down at my mother. She’s smaller than I remember, but that may just be the way she’s carrying her grief. “She is internalizing a lot, and I worry that she might blame herself for not saving her friend. To be honest,” she continues, “I didn’t know she and Bethany were friends. I’ve known Stacy for years, and she never mentioned Bethany having friends this close.”
That’s concerning. I may not have talked to Bethany personally, but I know that Harbor went to her house a few weeks ago. I wonder why Stacy never mentioned it. Silas knew she was his sister’s friend, but he always hated her, and I still haven’t figured out why. Last I knew, she wouldn’t bend to him at that beginning of the year party. Since then, he’s done everything he can to make her life a living hell. It’s part of the reason I love fucking with him so much. I don’t usually seek him out, but I will for her.
“I’ll check on her, Mom,” I say before placing a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Please get some rest and only worry about Mrs. Oramar. I’ll make sure Harbor is okay.”
I hesitate, waiting for Mom to acknowledge me with a wane smile and nod, before moving to the door. I pause before turning the handle, though, observing Kaia for a moment. She’s wrapped around herself, gazing out over the cliff and the beach below. I can’t tell how she’s coping with her back turned, so I gently crack the door and slip out.
As the door clicks shut behind me, I watch for any specific reactions. It feels like I’m in a minefield around her, not sure of how she’ll react. After a minute, and she doesn’t react, I slowly step forward. As I approach, I clear my throat, hoping it’ll at least communicate that it’s me.
“Kaia.” No answer. Hmm. “How are you feeling?” Still no answer. My brows dip, frustration taking control of my expression. Turning to face her, I study her face. This gorgeous woman is seemingly hollow, grief for her friend draining every ounce of life in her. Her eyes, half closed, stare blankly out over the ocean and into the clouds that litter the horizon.
“Kaia, I just want to make sure you’re ok. Do you need anything? Want anything?”
Again, no response. Only now, her eyes glisten with unshed tears. Those normally stunning, bright cerulean blue eyes are dull, reflecting the clouds and her sorrow. I drop my head, knowing what she wants; unfortunately, I can’t get her friend back for her. Holding my hand out, I offer her a distraction instead.
“Come with me. We’ll take a walk. I promise, just something to do, to pass the time.” She turns but doesn’t take the hand I’ve offered. I nod, allowing her her space. Instead, I precede her down the cliff stairs toward the beach.
As I lead her along the little cove that Hudson’s home overlooks, I generally leave her be; being here, available, is likely the best thing I can do. I continue to be a constant support for her in this storm. I know, from experience, that just having someone nearby is a comfort.
Waiting until we return, I decide to stop her before she returns to her room. “Kaia,” I begin, “I’m sorry you’re having to experience the loss of someone dear to you. Know this–I’m here for you. I have some knowledge about dealing with loss. My father died when I was seven. It’s slightly different, given I was only a child; the unending hurt translates to all ages, though.”
“I just want you to know you aren’t alone, no matter what you think. You aren’t alone.”
Two mornings later, I crack my eyes open before dawn, hoping today will provide some closure. As I lie in bed, I consider just how far Harbor is falling into a mental trench of despair. She’s barely come out of her room, let alone eat or drink much of anything. There are times when I won’t hear a peep from her for hours, and then there are times when her sobs ricochet through the halls on the lower level, breaking my heart into shambles. Bethany was the only friend she’s ever had, and now I’m betting she feels alone. I’m not going to let her down, though. I’m going to stand right by her side the entire time.
I get up and head to the gym, making sure to work off a lot of my energy before the crowd at the funeral today. Once I’ve warmed up, I proceed to practice tactical maneuvers that we've trained on the combat team. Going through those allows me to practice the finesse of performing each lunge and retreat to perfection. I can imagine Silas countering me, and I still want to best him before we finish at Terranea.
I decide to rinse off in the outdoor shower and jump into the pool for my cooldown, and as I finish my tenth slow lap of the pool, I look up as the rain begins to sprinkle down once more. Unfortunately, the clouds seem to be ruling the morning skies and matching the rain from the past few days. It looks like the service today will be cloaked with weather to match the somber mood.
After I shower and get ready for the day in a trim black suit and gray button-down shirt, I decide to head up to the kitchen to see if anyone else is up and ready. I find Mom in the kitchen, bustling around preparing breakfast and coffee.
“Morning,” I say in a soft greeting.
“Ah, good morning,” she replies a little shakily.
“What time did you want to arrive?” I’m specifically asking her, so she can be there to comfort Stacy. I’m wary, though, because I know Hudson will want to arrive together. That means we'll make sure Harbor is ready soon.
“I think we should get there soon. Hudson is ready; he’s working in his office until it’s time.”
“Alright, I’ll go check and see if Harbor is ready.” Spinning, I find her tentatively climbing the stairs, dressed in all black. I wouldn’t normally question the look, because the dress she’s wearing is simple and classy, but the tired look on her face only shows the emotional turmoil she’s struggled through. She’s straightened her long curls, giving her an angelic, peaceful image, even though she’s anything but peaceful.
“Well, she’s ready,” I call over my shoulder to Mom.
“Lovely. I’ll call for the car then,” she says.
“I think I’ll drive, following behind you. It would be a little cramped if we all rode together.”
“Fine,” Hudson mutters as he enters the room. “Thank you, sweetheart, for taking care of everything while I finished up.”
“Kaia,” I whisper, ignoring the others behind me, “would you care to ride with me?”
Still not talking, she nods gently. Okay, well, that’s some form of communication. I’ll take whatever she gives me.
After a short drive, we pull up to a private property on the Occasius River. I can see the Falls in the distance, but we are quite a ways back, allowing for the traditional ceremony once everyone has left. I park my car behind the one carrying Hudson and Mom before exiting and rounding the front. Opening the passenger door, I extend my hand and say, “I’ll be right by your side. You can lean on me, I promise.”
She looks up at me, those stunningly bright eyes still flooded with tears and grasps my hand. I help her to stand and secure her hand in the crook of my elbow, following along behind our parents. It doesn’t take long for everyone to assemble, and very quickly, the noise from the enormous crowd lessens.
Myles stands up in front of the burial pyre, blocking the view of the shrouded body. Stacy stands beside him, supported by her son. Both look as though they’ve seen better days. Once all the guests have assembled, Myles begins speaking of his daughter, and how lovely and full of spirit she was. He drones on about what a loss to the world she will be, and I halfway zone out, scanning the crowd instead of listening to his words of praise. I notice Talon, Harbor’s new friend. He’s staring at her, focused on what I’m sure he sees. Her pale complexion and taut features define the stress she’s been under. When he peers over at me, I nod my head in understanding. I’m doing my best, but I could use anyone willing to help build her up. His head dips, acknowledgment and acceptance ringing in his gaze. Good, hopefully, we can build her back up.
It’s not long before Myles finishes his speech, stepping aside and allowing guests to approach with condolences. Hudson and Mom go to greet the family, however, Harbor stays stock still. I remain by her side, unsure if she’d want to go, or if it would be too much. I decide to just let her take the lead on what she needs. Within moments, though, Talon appears on her other side, wrapping his arm around her waist, supporting her as well.
It seems weird, both of us supporting her like we each have a claim to her. It also seems right, whatever this is. As we stand in solidarity, most guests bypass us, not daring to disturb her as we stand guard. One, however, approaches but stops short.
Colette Fredericks, also clad in a simple black dress, stops about ten feet from us. The obvious sling holding her right arm is the only distraction from the chic look. Harbor bristles at the sight of her, yet remains silent. Instead of conflict, though, Colette simply nods with compassion, filling her dark eyes before serenely stepping away.
Hudson and Mom return, standing just to the side and waiting for the farewell ceremony. None of us are dragons; however, Stacy isn’t either. Bethany, and Silas for that matter, must have inherited that gene from Myles. Mom promised Stacy that we would stay with her while her husband and son lit the fire for Bethany’s last flight.
Talon leans in, placing a kiss on her cheek before excusing himself for the private farewell. It’s then, as the crowds part on their exit, that Silas’s eyes find mine. His brows furrow, glancing at Harbor. When they shift to Hudson, recognition strikes and fury explodes through his features. If he didn’t have a hold of his mother while she breaks down crying, I can imagine he’d be storming over here.
“Kaia, why is Silas mad now?” I whisper to her, hoping to get an explanation that I can use to defuse the situation.
Her gasp of shock isn’t encouraging.
“Fuck,” she whispers. “He knows.”
“What does he know?” I say, grumbling through my frustration.
“Who I am.” Her words are tinted with tears from the emotion wracking through her, but I also sense some fear and anxiety there. “He knows who I really am. That I’ve been Bethany’s friend for years. That I’m Harbor Aquino, and what that meant for when…” She cuts off her words, glancing at her father, before leaning into me to continue. “He now knows that I was her childhood friend and that he hooked up with me behind her back.”
Fuck, that isn’t good. Who knows what that is going to do to his mental state? The guy already isn’t very stable, and the current situation is only tinder for that fire.
Hudson turns to walk Mom over as the guests dwindle. The only ones remaining are either close friends or others in the dragon community. As they reach Myles and Stacy, Silas hands care of his mother to our parents. His father turns to go behind the courtesy screen to remove his clothing before shifting to his dragon form. Within moments, a large, deep red dragon with orange eyes appears from behind the screen.
Silas stares Harbor down, snarling choice words that don’t reach us, before turning to do the same. Silas’s dragon is larger than his father’s, though. Black scales shimmer with a red; matching red eyes and claws seem to gleam with evil intent that comes from within his heart. He saunters over to his father, each taking a side and pushing the pyre into the water. The father and son duo launch into the air, circling around to breathe fire onto the float as it begins to flow down the river. Soon enough, fire completely overwhelms the float, returning Bethany to the heart of the beast within her. Myles and Silas then join the other dragons waiting at the edge of Occasius Falls. As the pyre topples over the edge, the dragons all erupt with a chorus of roars and flame, saluting the death of one of their own.
Stacy’s scream of heartache echoes across the land, but it’s Harbor’s soft cries that crack my heart just a little deeper. What is it about this woman that even the pain that she feels resonates within me?