Chapter 9 Rafe
Rafe
The moment we landed in the islands, I regretted wearing my typical black clothing. I always forgot how warm and humid it was here, on account of never really coming here except for a few times when I was a child.
The Gulf Islands had their own government system, operating like a city-state under the Royal laws. It was a bit of a farce, really. But the Royals sort of regretted the Gulf Capitol Massacre, and as a result, the islands were now allowed to get away with murder.
Literally.
There were a lot of criminals around here. There were no extradition agreements between my mother’s government and the islands, and that probably wouldn’t be changing.
The people here were proud. Stubborn, but it was born of pride.
I looked out across the ocean that’d just stopped glittering with the sunset.
“I can’t believe she gets to see this every day,” I said, gesturing toward the water. “This is stunning.”
Wyatt’s face was the calmest I’d seen in a while as he looked out over the water. “Yeah, it is.”
I cleared my throat. “Well, now that we’re alone, let’s talk.”
Wyatt sighed deeply, like somehow I was ruining his day by suggesting we be adults and have a conversation.
“We have a problem,” I said, beginning to pace in the sand. Wyatt sighed again. “When did this happen to us? I seem to remember a time when you allowed me into your mind all the time, even in our sleep. What’s changed?”
“A lot,” Wyatt said. “Like, you started stalking a girl who turned out to be our Key, and you’re blaming me for your not meeting her.”
I glared at him.
“I wanted us to do it together,” I emphasized with my hands. “Like everything else we do. Why didn’t you tell me about her when you first met her?”
“I was scared,” Wyatt muttered. “She was so fucking pretty, even covered in flour from the pastries, she looked like all my wildest dreams come to life.”
“And?” I prodded. This was good. Maybe we were getting somewhere.
“And…she was lying about something. I could feel that she was strong, really strong, but she told me she only had one affinity and I thought, there’s no way…”
I nodded my head, gesturing with my hand for him to keep going.
This all made sense.
Wyatt, whether or not he was ready to accept it, had some sort of sensing affinity. He’d known something was off with Skye from the first moment he met her, yet couldn’t stay away due to our biological connection, and decided that meant she was scary.
But I’d seen how he’d reacted when she came into his office. I’d seen the desperation in his movements when he put her up against his door.
He had to be in immense pain to hold back so hard.
“I know what you’re going to say,” Wyatt said, and I laughed.
“Really? You can sense that too, now?” I taunted.
Wyatt muttered something that sounded a lot like dick, so I decided to keep pushing.
“We’re best friends who don’t tell each other anything. It’s weird, considering you’re a therapist or something. I don’t even think you like your job.”
“I like it fine,” Wyatt said defensively.
“Right,” I drawled. “You just hate all your coworkers, and your hours, and your paperwork, and the rules, and–”
“Yeah, Your Highness, that’s how a job works. You’re not supposed to love it.” Wyatt snarked.
I shrugged. “You could have been my personal guard.”
“I don’t need your help getting a job,” Wyatt spat, and I almost groaned. We’d had this conversation too many times.
“Whatever, Wyatt.” I muttered. “Keep telling me you don’t need me and eventually I’ll stop coming around.”
“We’re stuck in a family Chain together, Rafe.” Wyatt rolled his eyes. “Where is all this coming from? Is it really just about Skye? You can’t be that mad I didn’t tell you I had a weird feeling about her.”
I groaned, stopping in my tracks and looking out across the water.
“I’m…irritated I didn’t know about the third affinity.” I breathed out slowly. “I’m feeling irrationally inadequate because she didn’t take me with her. I keep giving you support because I know that’s what you need, but you push me away and keep details from me, and I don’t know why.”
“Rafe,” Wyatt said, his voice low, but I shook my head.
“I might act happy, but I’m not, Wy. Following our Key around was the most excitement I’ve had in literal years.
Something needs to change, I just don’t know what.
I didn’t mean for it to happen, but I think I’m excited about this disaster management thing.
I think I need something to put my focus into. ”
Wyatt’s hand landed on my shoulder, and he squeezed gently.
“I’m scared,” he nearly whispered.
I was very careful not to look at him. My face betrayed nothing. I didn’t smile, didn’t raise my brows in surprise, nothing. I kept my gaze on the ocean, and how the tide was slowly creeping up the beach.
“Of what?” I asked gently.
“Remember when you told me you don’t control the shadows? That they do what they want?”
I nodded. He’d never believed me, but I told him all the time I didn’t have perfect control over my affinity. Since my accident, it’d gotten worse, almost like it was trying to protect me before I knew I needed to be protected.
“Mine does that too…to an extent.”
I gave him a side-eye. “Which one does that, Wyatt?”
“Which one do you think?” he whispered before looking away.
Fucking hell.
“I knew I wasn’t imagining that rumble,” I said, narrowing my eyes.
Wyatt shook his head. “I can’t control it, Rafe. It just…happens.”
I sighed. “Wyatt, you’re the only person I know who’d be afraid of their own affinity. Even Skye isn’t afraid of hers, and it squishes people.”
Wyatt flinched. “Stop saying that.”
“Why? That’s what it does. She squishes people. Like bugs. It’s fucking amazing.”
“It’s insane,” Wyatt snapped. “If that’s what she does without training, imagine how dangerous she could be with a little instruction.”
“Instruction?” I repeated incredulously. “Who the hell is going to instruct her?”
Wyatt stared hard at the ground for a moment, then shrugged.
“No,” I said, advancing on him quickly and shoving him back several steps. “No more lying.”
“I didn’t lie!” He shoved at my shoulders, but I barely moved.
“Tell me what you meant by instruction, Wyatt.”
Wyatt dropped his gaze again, running his hands up and down his thighs nervously. “My father might have some books. He was trying to tell me about some new subjects he’d acquired when I saw him last, but I wasn’t listening.”
“I didn’t see anything about telekinesis in his office,” I said, thinking back. I could see Richard Craig’s office clearly in my mind, the golden oak of his wooden desk, his douchey wingback chair that wasn’t as grand as Wyatt’s, the overly plush carpeting that looked odd in an office space…
“The safe,” Wyatt said slowly. “They’re probably in the safe.”
I rolled my eyes.
“How do we get in there?” I asked.
“I know the code if he hasn’t changed it, I just…” Wyatt blew out a breath. “Maybe I should go have a visit with him.”
Wyatt hadn’t gone to his father’s home for a holiday break in years.
He rarely even went to see his mother, instead preferring to come hide out in the Palace with me.
In fact, he may have spent more time with my mother, as inaccessible as she should’ve been, than he had with his own in recent years.
Which was…a little sad.
“Should I come along?” I drawled.
“Fuck no,” Wyatt snapped. “Are you trying to get someone killed?”
I flashed him a smile that was all teeth. “Maybe.”
Wyatt ran a hand down his face.
“If you go, I need that manifest.” I said, beginning to walk away. “I couldn’t find it last time I was there.”
“Sure, I’ll just add that to my list of bullshit,” Wyatt snapped.
Something occurred to me suddenly.
“Dick doesn’t know,” I said as a statement. “Dick doesn’t know about the uh…rumblies.”
Wyatt looked at me sharply. “No. No one knows except you.”
I looked back at the tide. How the hell had I never noticed it before? Unless…
“It’s stronger because you hooked up with Skye,” I said. “Holy shit.”
Wyatt winced. “That’s my theory. It’s just…” He strode away from me, fisting his hair. “It’s already so dangerous. What the hell happens when we connect officially? Am I going to destroy the core of the earth or something?!”
“God, you’re so dramatic.” I muttered. Also… “Wait a minute. Did you just say when we connect officially?”
“Stop,” Wyatt said, looking panicked.
I beamed.
“You did. You totally just said that. Oh, my God. You’re going to pursue her.”
“No, I’m not.” Wyatt said sharply. “Knock it off.”
“Wyatt, this would be much easier for all of us if you’d just admit you want her.
I watched you paw at her against your office door.
It’s so obvious you want her.” I winced.
My dick liked that memory a little too much.
Also, being this close to Skye was fucking with my libido.
I wanted to find her, and fast. The sooner I could apologize, the sooner I could get into her good graces, and then I’d be wrapped up in a soft little blanket in no time.
I almost rubbed my hands together at my scheme.
“Of course I want her!” Wyatt yelled suddenly. His voice echoed off the waves. My eyebrows hit my hairline. “You’ve seen her! She’s fucking…ugh!”
He kicked the sand and I almost, almost fucking laughed.
But then he would have punched the shit out of me, or let me get eaten by quicksand, so I held in my humor.
“She’s perfect,” I said. “You think she’s down for group activities?”
“Fuck you, Rafe.” Wyatt snarled. “Why the fuck do I even talk to you?”
“Question of the year,” I muttered.
“My father is a fucking psychopath who’s disowned me since the day we found out I wasn’t a Key,” Wyatt cried.
“He’s an idiot, Wyatt. He’s not a Key. Why would you be?” I said. God, we’d had this conversation so many times since we were kids. It was getting so old.
“He knows I’m strong, Rafe. He knows I’m stronger than he is. He hasn’t been able to control me since we joined the military and it kills him.”