Sea of Memories Read online

  “I think that plate is clean now.” She took the dish from me with a teasing smile. “You’ve been washing it for the last couple of minutes.”

  “Oops. Sorry!” I paid more attention, finished washing the last few dishes, and then helped her dry.

  “I know we’re not close,” Deanna said after a moment. “But if you need to talk, I’m here.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “That’s very sweet. I’m really good, though. Kieran surprised me, but I do love him. I couldn’t be happier.”

  She wrapped her slender arm around my waist and hugged me. “I’m happy for you, too.”

  Spending time with Deanna made me realize how much I missed my girlfriends. Where was Kim now? Did she stay in Wisconsin and go to a UW school like her parents wanted or had she convinced them to let her move to Montana? Katie, my friend and Evan’s younger sister, was in Halifax at college, but I couldn’t see her. She would ask too many questions. I was sure Evan told her we broke up, but there was so much more to explain.

  “Are you ready?” Kieran stood in the doorway with a handful of papers. “There is a jewelry store close by, and a car rental near it.”

  Evan stepped around Kieran and caught my eyes. “Are you sure we can’t give you a ride?”

  “Thanks, but you’ve already been generous enough.” It was a clear day. Sure, it might be cold to walk, but the sun was shining. I crossed to Evan to hug him, and he pulled me close.

  “Stay in touch,” he said, his voice choking with emotion. “Whenever you can.”

  My eyes welled with tears. I didn’t know when I would see him again. Blinking them back, I smiled through my pain. “I will.”

  After another round of hugs and goodbyes, we were on our way. Kieran swung his arm around my shoulder again and pulled me close. His body heat chased away the chill in the autumn air.

  “Was it a bad idea to stay there?” he asked after a few minutes. “You seem upset.”

  “No.” I stopped walking and faced him. “It was a wonderful gift. Thank you.”

  Tears slipped from my eyes and ran down my cheeks, despite my best efforts to stop them. I was a regular faucet these last twenty-four hours. Kieran wiped them away with a frown. “Do you still love him?”

  “Yes,” I said and watched his face fall. “But not the way you think, and not like I love you.” How could I make him understand? “Evan is a warm hug, comforting and familiar, but you are the song that feeds my soul.”

  He laughed, looking pleased, and cupped my face. “Very poetic.”

  My heart hammered in my chest as I watched him lower his mouth to mine. I never grew tired of kissing him, and I loved being in his arms. The world fell away. “I love you,” I whispered when he pulled back.

  His eyes sparkled. “Good.”

  In a considerably lighter mood, we picked up our pace and quickly reached the jewelry store. Kieran insisted I wait outside while he picked out the ring. There was a bagel shop next store, and he handed me money to get a snack. The bills were Canadian, and I didn’t know where they came from. I didn’t ask either.

  I wasn’t hungry. After all, we just ate breakfast, but I also didn’t want to stand on the sidewalk and lurk outside the jeweler either. With a sigh, I went into the bagel shop. The yeasty and sweet smell of baked goods almost tempted me to buy a cookie. Instead, I ordered a Diet Coke. So much for letting go of bad habits, I thought and sat at a table with a view of the sidewalk. I’d see Kieran when he finished. It didn’t take long. He grinned at me through the window and motioned for me to come out. I glanced at the shiny, silver bag in his hand. “Do I get to see?”

  “Not yet.” He took my hand and started walking again. “First, we rent the car. After that, I have another stop planned. It’s a surprise.”

  “Aren’t you just full of them?” I murmured, amused and touched at all of his planning. “But can’t you just give me a little hint?”

  “No.”

  I playfully complained, “You’re killing me.”

  It was only partially a joke. Two of my least favorite things were waiting and surprises. Waiting for surprises topped the list.

  As we entered the car lot, I wondered how he planned to rent said vehicle and if he could even drive it. A salesman approached us and asked, “Can I help you?”

  “We need to rent a car,” Kieran said. “Preferably something with no roof that’s fast.”

  I winced. He wanted to rent a convertible sports car? While fun to drive, they weren’t the cheapest vehicles. And insurance would cost a small fortune.

  The salesman didn’t blink, although a small smile passed his lips. I was sure he was seeing dollar signs. “Of course. Right this way.”

  They had the standard Mustangs and Corvettes, but oh no. Kieran went for the luxury rental, an Aston Martin Vanquish. “You’re not serious,” I whispered as he ran his hand lovingly along the cobalt-blue paint. “Do you know how much this car costs?”

  “We’ll take it,” Kieran said, ignoring me and handing the salesman a wad of cash. “Will this cover it?”

  “I’ll need your driver’s license,” the man said, looking slightly flustered as he thumbed through the bills. “And proof of insurance.”

  Kieran looked at me helplessly. Now he wants my help, I grumbled to myself. So much for having it covered. Pretending to be flustered, I patted my side and made a dismayed noise. “Oh no! I forgot my purse at that bagel shop. I’ll be right back.”

  Kieran gave me a wicked grin, which I ignored as I hurried off in what I hoped was the direction we came from. Once I was out of their sights, I stopped and closed my eyes. Dad locked our stuff in a storage facility not far from here. He brought the sentimental items to Ronac, but he left the paperwork and other non-essentials stored in Halifax. I pictured the garishly painted building in my mind, and the small, dark room came into view. Using my magic, I sorted through the contents of the locker until I found what I wanted and transported it to me, breathing a sigh of relief that my license was still valid. The insurance was expired, but we could work with that. Mr. Moneybags would just have to purchase insurance from the car rental salesman.

  The man took my license, made a copy, and gave me a stack of paperwork to sign. I didn’t even want to know how much money Kieran handed over in total, but within a half hour, we were walking through the lot toward the blue rocket on wheels. Kieran twirled the key on his finger and whistled a tune.

  “Do you even know how to drive?” I asked.

  The wolfish grin returned. “How hard can it be?”

  “Give me the keys.” I blocked the driver-side door until he relented. “This is not the car to learn in. Why did you rent something so ludicrous?”

  He shrugged. “Why not?”

  I shook my head and climbed into the posh interior. The buttery leather seat molded to my body. The engine purred with grace and power when I started it. Okay, this was nice. Not that I’d admit it to Kieran. “Where to?”

  He was fiddling with the stereo, but he glanced up with a smirk. “Mirage.”

  “The dance club?” Talk about memories coming back. That was where we first kissed. Regrettably, I was still dating Evan at the time.

  “Yeah.” He found a song and cranked the volume.

  “Why?” I asked over the noise. His taste in music didn’t exactly match mine.

  He leaned close and ran a finger down my cheek. “I want to tell you something.”

  With a shiver of anticipation, I pulled out of the lot and sped down the street in the direction of the club.

  Mirage. The neon sign announced the dance club’s name to all who passed by. Humans had such ridiculous labels for things. What inspired this one? There was nothing mirage-like about the low, plain brick building. The windows and doors, shaded black, made it nearly impossible to see what was going on inside. Muted lights in red, blue, green, and yellow flashed behind the tint, and loud, pulsing music escaped whenever the door opened. It was a preview of the sensory overload awaiting the eager te
enagers who stood in line. Kieran rubbed his temples, sensing the migraine building at the nape of his neck. He rolled his shoulders to work out the tension while he waited. How anyone could see this assaultive environment as a means of entertainment was beyond his comprehension. And yet, she would be here tonight. That was enough for him.

  If only he could get his companions to see things his way. Farren, Liam, and Cole joined him willingly enough on the journey from their home near California to Nova Scotia, Canada. They longed for adventure, and he intrigued them with stories of David’s half-human daughter. Once they arrived, however, Kieran made it clear that David’s daughter was his target. They were simply brought along to assist. With that news, their eagerness faded. At the moment, they glared at him in accusation.

  “Alexios would never make us come here,” Farren complained. He was the most outspoken of the three. The other two grunted their agreement.

  Kieran checked his anger and sighed. There was no use irritating the men further, and he wouldn’t admit that he had no more interest in this club than they did. It was simply a means to an end. Still, he couldn’t resist admonishing them slightly. “My brother is not here, is he? Nor would it matter if he were. I am the eldest. You must listen to me, not him.”

  It was unfortunate, really. As identical twins, Kieran won the right to rule by mere minutes. Yet his brother, Alexios, truly had the personality that inspired loyalty in others. His charisma and natural desire to lead gained him untold friends and followers. Kieran only managed to piss everyone off. His father originally thought he’d grow out of it, but after Kieran celebrated his hundredth birthday, even Stephen gave up on that notion.

  There was one thing Stephen did trust his eldest son with above all else—reconnaissance. Kieran’s ability to uncover information and hidden motives was uncanny. He bested his own father’s skills, and Stephen was a renowned warrior. When Stephen made him an elder of their clan, Kieran headed every important mission. This excursion was no different. As close as Stephen and David were, Kieran knew his father still desired first-hand knowledge about David’s daughter. The directive was clear. He was to find her, determine her level of power, and decide whether she was a threat to their kind or not. Simple enough. The problem had been getting her alone. Between David and his two sisters, the girl was carefully guarded.

  “Why are we at this hellhole anyway?” This time Cole spoke. There was less bite in his question. Of the three of them, Cole was the one Kieran most considered a friend.

  “We’re looking for the girl,” Farren responded before Kieran could. “David’s daughter.”

  “What are your plans with her?” Cole asked, his expression mildly curious. The other two looked at Kieran as well. He hadn’t told them anything about tonight’s mission. They knew that she was expected to show up here, but that was all.

  “Don’t know yet.” He shrugged and continued to search the crowd. It was an honest enough answer. He’d been tracking her for months, occasionally tapping into her thoughts. That was how he discovered she was coming here tonight. It wasn’t the honorable thing to do. He actually felt rather sleazy about it. She was unaware of his intrusion. If he hoped to win her trust, he’d have to own up to his actions at some point. For the time being, though, his visits into her mind served his purpose. Like now, he thought and smiled to himself. An older silver car stopped next to the curb. The doors opened, and three of the four females struggled to get out.

  David’s daughter—her name was Meara, but Kieran hadn’t shared that information with his men yet—tripped as she got out of the car, catching herself before she face-planted on the pavement. Thankfully, he resisted the impulse to run over and try to catch her. She managed on her own, although she teetered dangerously in her strappy, heeled shoes. By her giggling, Kieran knew she was okay, probably more than okay.

  A quick dip into her thoughts confirmed it. The girls had their own pre-party back at the house. He stifled a laugh when the thin brunette tried to stand up prematurely and bumped her head on the roof of the car. It was rather interesting to watch the intoxicated trio try to get their bearings. After wrapping their arms around each other, Meara and the brunette wove their way to the line at the club entrance. The driver came out of the car last. She was tall with straight, blonde hair. With a shake of her head, she put her arm around the shoulders of the other girl. This one’s hair was a mass of curls that bounced as she swayed on her feet. The driver swore loudly and scolded the lot of them. Obviously, she was the only sober one in the group. They ignored her. Her petite companion swayed and hiccupped, making Kieran chuckle. It was an amusing sight watching them make their way into the club.

  The entrance line, which had been long, shortened during the time the guys awaited the girls’ arrival. It didn’t take long for the girls to be admitted. Kieran waited a moment before motioning for his men to follow him. They skipped the remaining line and were admitted immediately.

  The club was crowded, but Kieran tuned into Meara’s thoughts to find her. The girls placed their jackets on a table to claim it and were heading onto the dance floor. Dancing was something Kieran knew and understood. The moves came naturally to him, and he found himself anticipating this first encounter with her.

  He stopped at the edge of the dance floor and felt the others standing behind him. Meara danced with abandon. It was clear she consumed enough alcohol that she wasn’t worried about what anyone thought. Her moves were free and joyful. Her sable hair hung in waves over her shoulders, and she’d done something to her eyes. They were smoky and dark, rimmed in black. Her dress clung to her curves. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  “They’re attractive, I’ll give you that,” Farren mused, and then added, “I’ll take the blonde.”

  “Which one?” Liam asked. It was the first time he’d spoken since they arrived. Even that much speech surprised Kieran. Liam must’ve had an interest in one of the two girls. It took something important for him to talk.

  “The taller one with the straight hair.” Farren raised an eyebrow and waited to see if there was an issue. Liam relaxed and nodded.

  So the petite blonde caught Liam’s eye. It mattered not to Kieran. His mission was clear. He was focused on Meara and no one else. He would uncover what he needed to know and report to his father. “That leaves you the brunette,” he told Cole, who grinned in reply.

  At Kieran’s word, the men bid their time, watching the human mating ritual unfold on the dance floor. It was rather bold, but interesting all the same. The males strode up behind the females, placing their hands on the women’s hips or shoulders, touching them in ways that Kieran found somewhat intimate for strangers. Then again, one look at Meara sent a thrill of electricity coursing through him. How would it feel to place his hands on her skin? To feel and really know the power that flowed beneath, power that she herself was not aware of yet?

  Now that they understood the expected behaviors, it was time. Kieran motioned for his men to follow him. As he ordered, they would each engage their targeted female in dance. Kieran slid behind Meara, his movements bold and sure. Inside, he was anything but. What if she rejected him? What if she knew what he was and confronted him? If he messed up this encounter, would he get another chance? David kept her close to his wing. And if her father wasn’t around, then her boyfriend, Evan was. Not that Evan would be much of a challenge. He was more boy than man. However, he had her heart, which gave him a slight advantage. No matter, now was not the time to dwell on it.

  Taking a breath, he placed his hands on Meara’s hips. It took all his strength not to let that same air whoosh out when her power slammed into him. It left him lightheaded and reeling. Momentarily, he wondered if that was how she had been feeling when she first arrived. He ignored the ridiculous desire to grin like an idiot or ravish her delicious mouth. Focus, he told himself.

  “I haven’t seen you before.” He spoke next to her ear, so she could hear him above the music. “Do you come here often?”

  H
er body trembled. He wondered if he’d scared her until he realized she was laughing. What was so funny? She shook her head, but otherwise, she did not speak. “What’s your name?” he persisted.

  “It’s Meara!” the brunette shouted and winked.

  “Meara.” Kieran said her name slowly, pretending he was hearing it for the first time. At any rate, he enjoyed the sound of it on his lips. Tuned into her emotions, he felt her indignation at her friend, followed by her response when he said her name. She relented, just a little. The notion thrilled him. She was attracted to him, too.

  She was smaller than he expected. Most of the females back home stood almost eye to eye with him. Meara barely reached his shoulder. She danced well, her movements fluid and graceful, if not a bit reserved. That pleased him. He didn’t want her comfortable dancing with strangers. He didn’t want her comfortable dancing with anyone but him. The jealousy surprised him. He knew so little about her. What concern should it be of his who she danced with?

  She looked up into his eyes, her sharp intake of breath pleasing him. Her mouth was slightly open. Kieran didn’t think she realized it. It made her that much more appealing, and he longed to cover her soft lips with his own. Resisting the urge, he smiled and said, “I’m Kieran.”

  “Do I know you?” Meara frowned at him. He knew she was trying to place him. She had seen him twice before, once at the hockey rink and once on the college campus. She didn’t remember that, though. He was sure of it.

  “We haven’t met.” He winked. “You would have remembered.” When she rolled her eyes, he tightened his grip on her hips, feeling her muscles flex as she moved. He caught the beat and moved with her. “You’re not from here, are you, Meara?”

  She shook her head.

  “I didn’t think so.” Kieran wished she’d told him where she was from. He wondered where she’d been hiding. David contacted Stephen the month prior, excited that he finally found his daughter. It was only because David and his father were long-time friends that Kieran knew about Meara at all. Where had she been?