Page 56 of Warrior

Kade

Where are you?

Leaving rehab place.

??

Antonio.

Come to Starlight.

My tattoo shop? I gulp. The sudden anxiety that takes flight in my chest is foreign. I don’t getanxious. And I do not come when called.

Bite me.

If you’re into that…

I shake my head and delete his texts. Iwasgoing to head to Starlight, funny enough. Now, I’m going to avoid it. I grab a sandwich from the local deli, then make my way to North Falls. I’d like to see that Bow & Arrow is being looked after first-hand. Vittoria might say she’s got things under control, but she can’t be in five places at once.

Except it’s not open when I get there, and I don’t have a stupid key to get into the club.

Turning on my heel, I pause long enough at the car to empty my pockets, kick off my shoes, and tear off my shirt. I’m left in jeans and boxers. I rub my hand over the hourglass branded on my chest. Of all the things that happened last year, that was one of the worst.

The inked skin under the angry, raised brand is blurred, some sections gone entirely where scar tissue took over. The important thing is that it didn’t obliterate the tattoo I dedicated to Nyx—a galaxy over my heart.

My skin prickles. The weather is slowly shifting, summer sliding headfirst toward winter. The water will catch up later, but for now… it should be manageable. Nice, even.

I cross the street, then the boardwalk, and finally put my feet in the sand. The waves at this section are gentler, better for swimming, while farther down tends to favor the surfers. It’s strange how different the ocean sounds at different points.

It’s angry at Olympus, beating the cliffside.

It’s soothing at Jace’s house, and also at the jump spot halfway between here and Olympus.

And here, it’s calm.

Calm is good.

I walk into the ocean, and it’s weirdly reminiscent of the day Elora died.

The same water, which is nearly warmer than the air, greets me with little splashes against my thighs. It comforted me and held me close when I wanted to pitch myself in and let it take my last breath.

And when they dragged me out…

I wade in up to my waist, then dive under an oncoming wave. I swim out past the break and pause. Considering.

Only a mile or so down is the remnants of Kade’s house.

I swim in that direction, my thoughts on my breath, my stroke, the waves that push me toward shore and back out. A rocking lull.

I approach the house sooner than I expect, and I angle toward the beach. It isn’t until unusual splashing draws my attention, and I jerk my head up a second too late.

Someone collides with me.

Our limbs tangle, and I’m dragged under a wave. I kick, forcing some distance between us, and come up just as Kade’s head pops above the water.

“What the fuck?” I snap.

He laughs. “Why are you cursing at me? You’re in front of my house.”

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