The Binding

Chapter Eleven

The ceiling hovered above me, glowing as the morning light gleamed off the white paint. I stayed under the blankets, unmoving. At some point during the night, I had managed to work my way under the covers, but I didn't remember a single moment past Ezra's silent walk out my door.

I watched shadows drift purposefully across the walls as time-shifted around me unnoticed. I thought vaguely that I should be doing something, but I couldn't remember what. I decided I didn't care. A soft knock on my front door wound its way to my consciousness. Shadows swayed playfully on my walls and across the bed. They were much more interesting than the persistent knocking.

Static electricity flitted across my skin as the knocking grew more demanding. I groaned inwardly but steadily refused to move.

"Kaja," Leif's voice rang out, demanding and impatient. "You can't hide. I can feel you."

My foot strayed to a cold spot on the bed. I enjoyed the contrast from the warmth I had been savoring the moment before and sighed pleasantly.

"I know you have questions," Leif called out stubbornly. "I have answers." Current crackled against my legs, climbing from my ankles to my upper thighs. I groaned as I closed my eyes and threw aside the blankets. The swelling on my ankle had disappeared along with most of the pain. There was only a dull ache when I applied pressure to my foot. I was still wearing my clothing from the previous night. I opened my door.

Leif was alone. I knew he would be.

His face was drawn, haggard but sympathetic. "Thank you," he said quietly after a moment. "Your paper." He handed me a folded newspaper. I glanced at the floor outside the door. I hadn't been home in days. There should have been a small collection of newspapers. One of my neighbors must be taking them.

"I'll make some tea."

"Ezra handled things... badly."

"I should make some tea," I muttered again. "Or coffee. Maybe coffee."

"I know what happened."

"When?" I asked.

"What?"

Sure, he knew what happened, but when? What happened last night or what happened to that family thousands of years ago? Did it make a difference? No.

"When?" I repeated.

"Last night." He sounded confused.

"Tea. Tea would be better. I should make tea."

"Kaja!"

"What?" I looked at him directly for the first time.

"I think you're putting too much faith in the magical healing properties of a pot of tea."

The stereo from a car thumped as it passed by on the street, I felt the sound vibrate lightly across the floor. Suddenly I turned, walked to the bathroom and climbed into the bathtub. I stretched my legs out in front of me, and I settled into the back of the tub.

Leif slowly followed me into the bathroom. He gazed down at me quietly. "Why are you lying in the bathtub?"

I shrugged. "I thought the cold porcelain would feel good."

"Does it?"

"Yes."

A small smile played against his cheeks. "That's about right." He sat down on the edge of the tub, his legs curving smoothly beneath him down the side.

I watched the white tile climbing the wall in front of me. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It wasn't my place. But you're right. You should have known. We thought we would have more time."