A Discovery of Secrets and Fate (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 2)

CHAPTER 3

Finley

It’s surprising to me how quickly my plan went into effect. I barely slept last night, but the good side to that was I did a lot of thinking.

And now, less than twenty-four hours after I left Carrick’s condo, I’m officially in hiding.

It started first with a candid but “with boundaries” talk with my roommates early this morning. I told them that something bad had happened, I couldn’t tell them what it was, and Carrick Byrne was someone I felt the need to cut from my life. Incredibly careful with my wording, I told them while he was not a danger to me in any way, I felt the need to maybe get away from the house in case he wanted to seek me out.

Of course, they were all alarmed. There were a million questions I couldn’t answer, causing frustration for all.

Rainey was still thinking there was something romantic between Carrick and me, and that this was a broken-heart issue. I assured her it was not, and she said even if it were, she was still all in helping me to lay low.

Myles was worried something abusive had happened, and I assured him that was not the case. He was not convinced. I had to re-assure and continue to do so until the level of skepticism in his expression dwindled to acceptance. I hinted that my issues with him were of a more philosophical nature, but they were important enough I had to cut all ties.

Adira was worried about One Bean, as was I. Carrick is still my business partner, and he has taken an active interest in the coffee shop he helped me to purchase. I’m not stupid enough to think I can just ignore him if he wants interaction from me on a business level, because he has the power to destroy One Bean if he wants. So I have to play this very carefully.

I don’t plan on evading him if he reaches out for business reasons. I’m just going to do it from a distance and if he doesn’t like it, that’s tough. There is a part of me that is hoping—no banking—on this blowing over somehow. That Carrick will leave me alone. That he will appeal to his crazy gods to find another person to thwart the impending doom. That the prophecy will come to pass without me. That Fallon will be changed back into the sister I love.

That was probably naïve thinking, but the alternative is just not acceptable to me right now. Given what I saw last night and what I’ve learned, my psyche simply won’t allow me to consider any other options. Perhaps I’m just not strong enough to face this, and I am hiding.

There’s even a part of me that’s longing for the days I was thought to be mentally ill, because at least that was something I could have some control over through medications and counseling.

But this horror story I’m involved in right now… there is no control at all.

Thus, I decided to disappear for a little bit, at least until I can figure out how to handle Carrick’s involvement in my business.

The houseboat that will be my temporary hideout home is a treasure in Seattle. It’s called the Fantasia, and it’s located on Lake Union, just under the Aurora Bridge. At almost five-thousand square feet in size—four bedrooms and three baths—it’s the largest floating home in Seattle and known as the Jewel of Lake Union.

Not that I’ll be out and about much, but it sits at the base of one of my favorite places in Seattle—Freemont. It’s a suburb of cool indie shops, eclectic bars, and a very distinct bohemian vibe. It’s home to the famous Fremont Troll, which lurks under the Aurora Bridge and, ironically, a supernatural creature I’d always been drawn to. I wonder if perhaps that was because of my innate ability to see such things in real life?

It’s a crystal-clear day—I take that to be a meaningful sign—and as I sit on the top deck of the three-story houseboat sipping a cup of coffee, I can see Mount Rainier in all its glory. I’m lounging on a chaise with custom made cushions in navy and white while enjoying the late afternoon sun on my face.

“Mind if I join you?” Myles says from the sliding glass door that leads out onto this upper deck.

Tipping my head back and to the side, I give him a smile. “Of course not.”

I mean, how could I mind his company? It’s because of Myles that I have this luxury houseboat to hide out on until I can figure out how to cut myself completely free of this prophecy. The Fantasia belongs to Myles’ aunt and uncle, who are both top-level executives at Google. While they mainly work from the Mountain View, California headquarters, they also spend a few months a year working in the Seattle office, which is in Freemont. I think it speaks for itself they are so incredibly well paid they have a five-million-dollar houseboat in Seattle to stay just a few months a year.