Anew

14

Gripping his longbow, Tristan pulled back and let another arrow fly. The arrow was barely airborne before he retrieved, drew back, and released a second one.

Both hit the bull’s-eye, mere centimeters from one another.

Arrow after arrow, Tristan shot at the target board he’d nailed to a tall tree in the distance.

He was angry. He was frustrated.

And he was scared out of his mind.

Nothing was working. Over the past few weeks, he’d tried endless weapons, numerous tactics. But still, nothing.

Scarlet was going to die.

Because of him.

Whoosh.

Bull’s-eye.

Nate hadn’t found any weapons yet, so Tristan had been trying everything imaginable in the meantime.

Without success.

Whoosh.

Bull’s-eye.

Gabriel exited the cabin and stood in silence off to the side.

Whoosh. Whoosh.

Double bull’s-eye.

Tristan refused to look at his brother. He didn’t want to talk about it…the curse, the future.

But, apparently, Gabriel did. “So, no luck yet?”

Like luck had anything to do with it.

Tristan didn’t answer. He lined another arrow against his bow and let loose.

Whoosh.

Bull’s-eye.

Gabriel fisted and flexed his hands. “I think we need to go back to square one, Tristan. Start over.”

Tristan let another arrow fly before answering, “Square one? You mean find the fountain of youth? The fountain we’ve been looking for for years? The fountain we can’t find? Yes, let’s get right on that.”

Gabriel raised a brow. “Would you rather let her die?”

Whoosh.

Bull’s-eye.

Tristan’s heart started hammering. He didn’t want to talk about this.

“Listen.” Gabriel moved toward Tristan. “Since your murder plan isn’t panning out, we need to rethink our options. So, how about this.” He clasped his hands together. “I’ll stay here with Scarlet and you can go back to Florida and search for the fountain. Again.”

Tristan took a breath and raised his bow. He pulled another arrow back. “I can’t leave.” He let the arrow fly.

Gabriel shifted his weight. “It’s not like you’d have to go far. It’s only a few hundred miles away.”

Realizing he was out of ammunition, Tristan lowered the bow and started walking to gather the arrows in his target board. “No, Gabriel.”

Gabriel traced after Tristan, picking up a long stick along the way. “Why not?”

Tristan kept his face forward. “Because A: We’ve already tried to find the fountain and it doesn’t seem to exist. And B….” Tristan swallowed. “It’s worse this time. I can’t leave.”

Gabriel stopped walking as Tristan closed the distance between himself and his arrows. After picking them up, he walked back to where Gabriel stood.

“What’s worse? The pain?” Gabriel raised a brow.

Tristan nodded without looking at his brother. “I won’t be able to leave. I can barely stay in the cabin.” His affliction was progressing without mercy.

When he’d first arrived in Avalon, the pain had subsided enough to where he could breathe easily, he could sleep somewhat soundly, and he could live in the cabin, ten miles away from Scarlet, with minimal discomfort.

But now….

Now he couldn’t move without aching.

It was as though her beckoning soul knew he was nearby and was trying to draw him closer by the minute.

The torment kept him up at night. So much so, he’d contemplated driving to her house, parking on her street, and sleeping in his car. Just so his soul could have some peace and maybe even get some sleep.

Day after day, Scarlet’s heart howled in need.

But he couldn’t give in, no matter how fierce the call.

Gabriel nodded with a furrowed brow. “Okay, then. We’ll do some research and if we find it I’ll go. I’ll tell Scarlet I’m going on a family vacation or something.”

Tristan sighed, frustration and helplessness darting through him. “Has she remembered anything yet?”

Gabriel twisted his lips, darkness passing over his eyes.

“What?”

Gabriel looked at him suspiciously. “Yeah. She remembers this.” Gabriel drew a familiar design in the dirt with the long stick he held. “She sketches it all over her shoes. It’s incomplete, but close enough.” Gabriel looked back up at Tristan, hardness in his voice, “Isn’t that…interesting?”

Tristan’s green eyes fell on the design and his heart swelled. He understood why Gabriel was upset.

But still, he kept his face expressionless.

Now was not the time to explain why Scarlet would think that symbol was significant enough to remember.

Tristan tried his best to act casual. “So, what?”

Gabriel eyed him sharply. “You don’t think it’s weird that the first—and only thing—she’s remembered so far is this?” Gabriel pointed to the drawing in the dirt.

Tristan shrugged. He didn’t need to answer to Gabriel. Not now.

Maybe not ever.

What he needed to do was break the curse.

As soon as possible.

Tristan shrugged. “I think we need to focus on undoing the curse.”

Gabriel eyed Tristan for several long seconds. “Right.”

“So, you can start looking for the fountain again if you want. But I’m still going to pursue my plan.”

Gabriel kept his eyes narrow a moment longer before finally nodding. “All right, then. I’m going to start reaching out to our old contacts and see if anyone has any new information on the fountain. Starting with Nate.”

Tristan nodded.

Hopefully, Nate would keep his mouth shut and not give Gabriel any details about Tristan’s plan. The last thing Tristan needed was Gabriel interfering.

Gabriel turned to head back into the cabin.

Before Gabriel was out of earshot, Tristan asked, “How are her eyes?”

He didn’t look at Gabriel as he walked back to his shooting post.

Gabriel turned back around and fiddled with the stick in his hand. “Blue.”

Tristan lowered his bow, looked at Gabriel, and waited.

Gabriel rolled his eyes. “Normal blue,” he clarified. “She’s still healthy.”

Tristan swallowed.

For now.

Soon, though, Scarlet’s eye color would intensify, signaling the end of her life. Her eyes would become an electric blue and hope would be lost.

His palms started to sweat. “We still need to hurry.”

Gabriel nodded and headed back into the cabin.

Tristan concentrated on the large tree in the distance as he lined up another arrow.

Tonight, he’d have another chance. Another opportunity to kill.

Tonight, he could not fail.

Whoosh.

Bull’s-eye.

Time was running out.