Эприлинн Пайк: Illusions

“Sorry,” David murmured. “Didn’t see you.”

Tamani glared at David for a moment, then he lowered his eyes and mumbled an apology as he retrieved his books and slid out into the hallway.

“What was that?” Laurel asked as she and David fell into step beside each other in the hall.

“It was an accident,” David said. “The bell rang and he came barreling out. I didn’t have time to move.” He hesitated before adding, “He didn’t look happy.”

“He’s mad at me,” Laurel said, watching Tamani’s back disappear into the crowd. “I don’t know why.”

“What happened?”

Laurel explained as they walked to their side-by-side lockers. Being a senior was not without its perks.

“Is it because I’m not that worried about Shar?” she asked.

David hesitated. “It could be,” he admitted. “Don’t you get mad at him when he doesn’t seem worried about me? Or Chelsea?”

“Yeah, but that’s different. You and Chelsea aren’t like Shar. Tamani doesn’t worry about you because you don’t matter to him,” Laurel said, stifling the anger she always felt at Tamani’s general scorn for humans. “ I’m not worried about Shar because he is totally capable of taking care of himself. It’s… a respect thing.”

“I get that, but if Tamani’s worried,” David said, lowering his voice, “don’t you think maybe you should be too?”

It made sense, and Laurel felt her old grudge melt away — for the moment. “You’re right,” she said. “I should apologize.”

“Well, you’ll have plenty of time this afternoon,” David said in a deceptively light voice.

Laurel laughed, giving a mock gasp. “David, are you jealous?”

“No! Well, I mean, I’d love to spend the afternoon with you, so in that way, yeah, I guess so.” He shrugged. “I just wish I could go.” He paused, then looked at her with transparent innocence. “I could wait in the car.”

“It’s probably not a good idea,” Laurel said softly, thinking about the conversation she’d just had with Tamani. “We’re trying to get into Avalon without advance notice as it is. Bringing you with us would probably just put them on edge.”

“Okay.” David paused again, then leaned his head closer to her and said in a fierce whisper, “I wish I could go through that gate with you.”

Her throat tightened. Avalon was the one thing she could never share with David. And it wasn’t just that the fae would never let him through the gate — Laurel was a little worried about how David would be treated even if he were allowed. “I know,” she whispered, reaching her hands up to touch his cheeks.

“I’ll miss you,” he said.

She laughed. “I’m not leaving yet!”

“Yeah, but you’re going to class. I’ll miss you till it’s over.”

Laurel slapped his shoulder playfully. “You are so sappy.”

“Yeah, but you love me.”

“I do,” Laurel said, folding herself into his arms.

When class let out for the day, Laurel headed straight for the parking lot, knowing how anxious Tamani was. And, admittedly, she was a little curious to see what kind of car he drove. She shouldn’t have been surprised to see a convertible. Tamani said nothing as he unlocked her door and lowered the car’s top.

For the first couple of minutes, Laurel was simply fascinated by the sight of Tamani driving. The novelty of seeing him in distinctly human situations was starting to wear off, but it wasn’t gone yet.

As Tamani pulled onto the highway, Laurel finally broke the silence. “I’m sorry,” she said.

“For what?” Tamani replied, donning a convincingly unaffected air.

“For not taking you seriously. About Shar.”

“It’s okay,” Tamani said guardedly. “I overreacted.”

“No, you didn’t,” Laurel insisted. “I should have listened.”

Tamani was silent.

Laurel sat, not knowing what to say next.

“If anything happened to him, I don’t know what I’d do,” Tamani finally said, his words coming out in a rush.

Not wanting to interrupt and make him clam up, Laurel simply nodded.

“Shar is… I would probably say he’s like a brother, if I knew what that was like.” He glanced over at her for a second before returning his eyes to the road. “Everything I am now, I owe to him. I wasn’t even technically old enough to be in the guard when he took it upon himself to make a proper sentry out of me.” Finally, Tamani smiled again. “He’s the main reason I got to meet you again.”

“He’ll be fine,” Laurel said, trying to sound confident rather than dismissive. “From everything you’ve told me and everything I know about him, he’s really amazing. I’m sure he’s okay.”

“I hope so,” Tamani said, edging his speed up a little higher.

Laurel watched the road, but out the corner of her eye she could see Tamani stealing glances at her. “You hardly talk to me at school,” Laurel said a few minutes later as Tamani sped down the passing lane, overtaking a convoy of RVs. She was impressed. He had a manual transmission and was shifting through gears way better than she had when she was a new driver.

Tamani shrugged. “Well, we’re not supposed to know each other, remember?”

“Yeah, but you talk to me in Government. You could at least wave in the halls.”

Tamani glanced her way. “I’m not sure that would be a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Because of Yuki. Klea. Trolls. Take your pick.” He paused. “I worry about too many faeries being together in one place. I’d like to,” he added, smiling, “but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Oh, absolutely!” Laurel said in mock cheerfulness. “We should hide our friendship instead, and then if anyone sees us driving around like this they’ll assume I’m cheating on my boyfriend. That’s a much better idea. Why didn’t I think of that?” She glanced sidelong at him. “Trust me, in a small town, scandal draws way more attention than group vegetarianism.”

“What do you want me to do?” Tamani asked.

Laurel considered that. “Wave in the halls. Say hi. Don’t ignore me in Speech class. In a couple of weeks, it won’t seem out of the ordinary to anyone. Not even Yuki or Klea, assuming they care.”

Tamani grinned. “Don’t you think you’re brilliant.”

“I don’t think,” Laurel said with a laugh, leaning her head a little to the side so the wind caught her long, golden hair and threw it back behind her. “I know.” After a pause she added, “You could be David’s friend too.” She glanced at Tamani when he said nothing. He was frowning. “The two of you really have a lot in common, and we’re all in this together.”

He shook his head. “It wouldn’t work.”

“Why not? He’s a nice guy. And it would do you good to have some human friends,” she said, hinting at what she suspected was the root of the problem.

“It’s not that,” Tamani said, gesturing vaguely with one hand.

“Then why?” Laurel asked, exasperated.

“I just don’t want to cozy up to the guy whose girl I have every intention of stealing,” he said flatly, without looking at her.

Laurel stared silently out the window for the rest of the trip.

WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THE LAND, TAMANI TURNED to her. “Stay here,” he said, his eyes on the tree line. “Just until we know it’s safe,” he added. Laurel relented; after all, he was combat-trained and she wasn’t. He unbuckled his seat belt and sprang out of the convertible without bothering to open the door.

Just before he reached the shadow of the trees, someone in green leaped out from Tamani’s right and toppled him over. At first Laurel couldn’t identify the blur that knocked Tamani to the ground, but as soon as she realized it was Shar she opened the door and hurried to them.