Chapter 106 Changes
1059words
"I think both look amazing on you," I said truthfully. "You could wear a potato sack and still rock it. What's the occasion?"
"Really?" her face brightened, shedding the anxious look she'd been carrying since we walked into her room. "Well, I'm sort of going out with Rake later."
"What?" I gaped. "What happened that I missed?"
"I don't know," she sighed. "I really think he's telling the truth. Or, maybe it's just me being hopeful."
"Honestly, I have a feeling he is telling the truth, too," I admitted. "But I'm having a hard time trusting people lately."
"I know. I don't blame you." Ember sat down next to me on her bed. "There's still a big part of me that's having doubts over this. But if he can help us get my sister back and we…" she breathed out another sigh. "I just want things back the way we were, you know?"
"It will work out." I gave her a half hug. At least, I hoped it would.
"You think he'll like the dress?" Ember asked suddenly.
My brows shot up. "Ember, I think he'll like you in anything. Just to get to spend time in your company is already more than he could ever ask for."
"But really, do you think the—"
"He'll love the dress, relax," I snorted a laugh.
"Okay," she frowned at herself again in the mirror. It was beyond me how someone like her could have doubts in her appearance when she looked like a freaking goddess, but okay.
A soft knock sounded on Ember's bedroom door. "Yeah?" she called out.
The door cracked open and Kayn appeared. When he spotted me sitting on the bed, surprise wiped away the scowl on his face. "I had no idea you were here."
I shrugged. "Been here for over two hours."
"What?" he gaped at his sister. "Why are you getting dressed up?"
"She's testing out new looks," I quickly said when Ember seemed to be struggling to form words. When Kayn frowned my way, I added, "it's a girl thing. You don't need to understand it."
"Right." He peered at his sister. "The old man is missing."
"What do you mean he's missing?" Ember asked, picking up two gold hoop earrings and started putting them in.
"As in, he isn't on the island."
Ember stiffened. "He never leaves. Did you check the woods? Maybe he thinks someone stole one of his—"
"Mom can't sense him nearby either," Kayn continued. When he saw my confused expression, he added, "Our mom can sense our kind. Sort of her special ability."
"Oh." I tilted my head to the side. "If she can do that, how come she could never sense me?"
"She still can't," he shrugged. "We don't know why."
***
"I've got a few errands to run," Ember announced when we reached Bowmore.
"You're ditching us already?" Kayn scowled, climbing out of the raft and turning around to help me out. "What errands?"
"I'm on my period. I need stuff," Ember deadpanned.
Kayn paled. "Fine, whatever. See you later."
I bit down a smile as I offered Ember a knowing look. "See you later."
"Call me if you hear or see anything," she said. "I'll keep my eyes peeled too."
Ember didn't waste another second to take off in the opposite direction we were planning to go.
I glanced at Kayn. "You think he'll be with her?"
"I don't know where else to look," he said. "If he's not there, I really don't know then."
"Okay," I breathed. "Let's go find him."
I moved past him and he caught my hand, falling into step beside me. "So, your mom."
"What about her?" I raised a brow, glancing at him as we walked.
"About this morning. How did that go?"
"How do you think she reacted?" I scowled. "After you deliberately kissed me in front of her and walked out like you had the night of your life?"
He bit down a smirk. "I did no such thing."
"Yes, you did," I snapped, trying to tear my hand from his. But, of course, he held on with the grip of steel. I cursed. "Why did you do that?"
"Kiss you?" he asked, quirking a brow. I huffed angrily, turning my gaze from him. He suddenly leaned in, whispering into my ear. "Maybe it's because I actually like you?"
"It was in front of my mom, you idiot!" I smacked him on the arm and he rumbled with laughter.
"You clearly don't think I'm such a big idiot if you kissed me back," he shrugged casually.
"Idiot," I repeated, my cheeks hot. I hated to admit it, but he was right. It wasn't like I put much effort in it to fight him off.
"She's going to see him, isn't she?" Kayn sighed.
I peered up hesitantly. "Who knows."
"I can feel you're hiding something," he gave me a knowing look. "And my sister went above and beyond with her appearance just to test a new girly look. Also, the fact that she kept checking her hair on her phone's selfie camera all the way over here isn't suspicious at all."
I snorted. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Look, if you're worried about me making a scene, I won't," he said. "If it's worth anything, I get it. I may not like it at all, but I get it."
We rounded the corner by the bookstore to find Martha's bench completely empty. Kayn cursed.
"You think he came for her and took her somewhere?" I asked.
"No, he won't risk it." He turned to me. "He's a lot of things, but there's nothing he values more than her. Something's not right. Can I borrow your phone?"
I nodded, pulling it from my pocket and handing it to him. "What happened to yours?"
"I lost it," he deadpanned.
"You lost it?" I snorted. "How?"
"If I knew I would have found it by now," he sighed, holding my phone up. "Thanks."
Kayn dialed a number I didn't recognize and pressed the phone to his ear. I turned, noticing a tall man with sunglasses ducking in behind the hotdog stand across the street.
"Kayn," I nudged him. "I think we're being followed."
