Nightingale (The Sensitives) Part 31

"Not anymore."

He points out at the vast interior. "Shall we?"

I wait for my guards to give permission. Ryker has come down from the rafters and stands near Annalise and Oliver where the three of them study a tablet Annalise holds. I clear my throat and their heads pivot in unison. "Can I go to work?"

"The area is secure. Ping if you need anything," Annalise says, resuming her work.

After our dramatic entrance, it feels almost like a let-down to be wandering off with a man I just met. Granted, my guards can see me from pretty much anywhere in the building, but still.

I push all thoughts of snipers and food riots from my mind, and let the excitement of being here take its place. The smell of freshly churned dirt fills my nose. This is the life I imagined, only instead of having Beck by my side, I have Ryker -a guy who swings from rafters and kills people as a career.

Could be worse, I guess.

I grin. There are no prying eyes to prevent me from using magic. No appearances to maintain. I can just be myself.

I stretch my back and survey our work. In just a few hours, Crispin and I have planted and harvested six fields. Huge heads of cabbage, long green beans, tall stalks of corn. It won't feed the entire Society, but it's a start. Perhaps it's even enough to help calm the riots.

"Can you plant one more today?" Crispin asks. In the two days I've been here, he hasn't said much to me beyond instructions. The way the Light witches, the ones who haven't fled, eye me with suspicion reminds be of being at Summer Hill.

"Of course." I pick up the seed spreader and wedge it into the ground. "What do you want here?"

"Rice," he grunts. "We'll have to flood the field when you're done."

I drop a seed into the spreader. With a wave of my hand, the entire row sprouts tiny buds. I lift the spreader from the ground and repeat the process until the whole field is planted. Then I stand at the edge and imagine a flood covering the dirt. Instantly, water covers everything. Feeling exhausted, I step back and wipe my brow.

"You need to get it to grow and harvest it, too," Crispen says, dryly.

"I know." The back of my neck aches. "I need a minute to let my magic rest. I'm not used to using this much."

He squats and jabs a stick into the freshly tilled dirt. Since being here, it's become clear why Mother didn't send me to the Ag Center even though I had the apt.i.tude: the Light witches who work here don't want my help. In fact, I think it's fair to say Crispin wishes I would leave. The sooner the better.

"Heya, Lark," Ryker says as he jogs over to me. My heart flutters at the way his standard-issue Enforcer uniform compresses his already fit frame into something seemingly more muscular and lean.

My heart spasms and I grin.

Oh, G.o.d. What is wrong with me?

I scrunch up my forehead and press my lips together. Other than on the day we arrived, Ryker hasn't come to the Ag Center. Instead, he spends his days doing things he refuses to tell me about and at night, he doesn't come back to our room until I'm fast asleep.

Not that I mind. I'm still not use to sharing a room with him. He's not as messy as Beck, but it feels like he takes up more s.p.a.ce. Probably because he takes up one half of the bed. Something Beck never did.

"What are you doing here?" Every nerve in my body tingles, and I keep my eyes on the field, afraid that if I look at him, he'll see the effect he's having on me.

"I wanted to see you. When are you done?"

I lift my eyes and focus on Ryker's smooth, tanned skin; high cheekbones; deep brown eyes. He looks like himself until he tilts his head to the side and gives me a grin I'd recognize anywhere.

Beck.

My hands fly to my mouth, trying to control the scream growing in my chest.

One. Two. Three.

Dirt swirls around my shins where I kick at the ground. Why is he so reckless? And where is Ryker? Surely he didn't approve this idea. I know he wouldn't.

When I turn around, Ryker-no, Beck-is biting his lip.

Are you stupid?

His face falls. No. I thought about this.

I doubt it. And if he gets caught...My stomach rolls. This is so much worse than sneaking into my bedroom.

Through clenched teeth, I say, "I need to finish harvesting before I can leave. So maybe in an hour?"

Crispin grunts in confirmation.

Ryker/Beck straightens his back. "I'll meet you at the house."

He walks away. The ache in the back of my throat grows stronger.

Crispin points to the paddy of full-grown rice. "It's time to harvest. You need to drain the water and dry it out."

With a bowed head, I lift my index and middle finger toward the field, and allow magic to swirl within me. When I exhale, the water evaporates and a brisk wind rustles the rice stalks.

An hour later, after the field is harvested, I gather my things. "I'll be back tomorrow."

"Hmpf."

"Have a nice evening." I shuffle off toward the rest area where my guards wait. I'm relieved when I notice Ryker isn't with them. Still, if he's not here, and Beck is at the house waiting for me, where is he?

My finger twitches over my wristlet. "Ryker Newbold," I whisper.

"Cla.s.sified."

I scowl. Either he's out on official business or he's somehow blocked me from seeing his location. Either way, it doesn't calm my nerves.

When they see me, Oliver and Dawson jump to their feet, but Kyra yawns and flips up a weird device she has strapped over her eye.

"Where's Annalise?" I ask.

"Malin needed her." There's a red ring around Kyra's eye.

I point at the device. "What is that thing?"

She tosses it in the air and catches it. "Something new. It's called an eyepiece. It lets me see conferences and lectures. And your mother. All very boring, but extremely necessary according to Annalise."

"Fascinating." I adjust the strap of my satchel against my shoulder. "I'm done for the day."

Instead of walking to the estate where we're staying, we transport. With the riots and general unease, it's not safe for me to be out on the streets.

As soon as we land in the foyer, my heart goes into overdrive, sputtering and flipping. Which means one thing: Beck's here. And Ryker is still MIA.

Kyra stares out the double French doors that lead to the garden. "That's weird. Why is Ryker outside, reading a book? Shouldn't he be at work?"

I search for a reason. "Didn't you see him at the Ag Center? He came by to tell me he had the afternoon off."

She gives a sideways glance at Oliver. He shrugs.

Beck has to leave before Ryker-the real Ryker gets home. He's going to get all of us in trouble.

Muggy summer air lodges in my lungs when I step outside. Across the lush green lawn, Beck lounges against a pergola reading a book.

The wind catches his s.h.a.ggy hair and tousles it. The sleeves of his Enforcer uniform are pushed up to his elbows and his chest muscles strain against the tight fabric. He looks handsome.

As Ryker.

Beck.

I guess it looks nice on Ryker who is really Beck? If I find Beck attractive when he's masking as Ryker, does that mean I find Ryker attractive? Or am I only finding him attractive because I know it's Beck?

I sigh. This is going to make me crazy.

Beck's so lost in his book, he doesn't notice me as I scuttle down the pebbled walkway. I pluck a purple flower from a hydrangea plant and fold my fingers over the delicate petals. I imagine a b.u.t.terfly like the one Eloise created all those months ago. Only I don't plan on turning this one into an apple and eating it.

Soft wings brush against my palm and I release the creature. It flits across the gra.s.s toward Beck and lands on his book. He raises his eyes slowly, his smile growing and growing until I'm afraid it's going to swallow his face.

"You're home." He says it so naturally. Like this is normal for us.

I stay on my side of the hydrangea bush. All I want is to feel his arms around me, taste his lips on mine, and never, ever have to worry about hurting him.

But that's not realistic.

I kick off my sandals and scrunch my toes in the cool gra.s.s. You need to leave.

He frowns and sets his book aside. Is that what you want?

My chin crumples. I don't want to hurt you.

I surprised you earlier and you didn't attack me. He's so calm and sure of himself. It's the complete opposite of my ragged breath.

To my left, near the house, Annalise has joined Kyra and Oliver. They maintain their distance, giving Ryker and me privacy.

"Lark," Beck says, reaching for me. "I've missed you."

Like a magnet, he draws me to him until we're standing just inches apart. "It's so cool under here," I say, forcing my hands into my pockets to keep from touching him. My fingers graze my necklace and I twirl the chain around them. Above us, the leafy vines above us blot out the harsh sun.

"A spell," he whispers. "I couldn't take the heat after a few minutes."

"Smart."

Kyra and Oliver watch us from edge of the gravel path. As much as I want to wrap myself around Beck, my guards would find it odd if Ryker and I kissed. Suspicious even. And I can't forget that Annalise is aware that Beck can mask.

"Can we go somewhere? Alone?" Beck asks in a low, husky voice.

I shake my head. What I wouldn't do to have a few minutes alone with him, but we can't be too careful. This is the best we can do right now. Especially since I don't know where Ryker is or when he's coming back.

You have to act like Ryker.

Beck scowls, but I smile at him. "I want to play with magic," I say. It seems safe enough. Like something Ryker and I would do.

"Oh?"

My fingers twitch and I lace them together in front of me. "Oliver taught me how to materialize objects." I roll my shoulders and clear my mind. "Do you want to see?"

"Why do I have the feeling I'm going to regret saying yes?" He pushes on my nose.

"You have nothing to worry about. I'm a fantastic student, remember?" The magic tugs at me, begging to be set free. With a quick flick of my hand, a herd of sheep appears on the lawn.

Beck stares at me, speechless.

"Sheep?" Kyra calls from across the lawn. "Did you do that?"

"It was the first thing I thought of," I answer.

"You better know how to get rid of them." Beck reaches out to stroke a black-faced ewe. "They're going to destroy everything." He kneels and the ewe nuzzles his neck. He laughs. "This one is cute though."

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Kyra staring at Beck oddly. "Since when do you like animals?"

A lump forms in my throat.

Beck immediately drops his hand and backs slowly into the pergola. "I'm sorry, I tried. But those things are creepy."

"I can't believe you're afraid of harmless sheep," I tease, hoping it seems natural. My gaze flits to Kyra and she has her eyes narrowed. She's not buying our act.

But Beck persists and with a wicked smile, he shoves off the wall and sends a wave of magic toward me. I dodge and it hits the bushes. The branches growing up the side of the pergola reach out and tickle me.

"Stop!" I squeal. "Make it stop!" The branches wrap themselves around my arms and legs and run their soft flower buds over my exposed skin.

"Not until you get rid of the sheep."

"I can't use my hands," I sputter between giggles. "I can't do magic if I can't move my hands."

"Then you're not a very good witch, are you?" Beck taunts, but at the same time, the bushes release me. I lose my balance and stumble forward before landing on my hands and knees.

Beck helps me to my feet and his fingers skim along the underside of my arm, sending my heart into an erratic patter. No matter how many times he touches me, I'll never get used to it.