BENEATH THE ASHES

sa'

e wasn't quite sure what they were doing. Betty's words drifted

e smoothly, almost too sm

sabotage her chances or cause a scene. But he had

als, Nessa had watched Matt closely, searching for any sign of anger or frustr

ey, girl, you're a million miles away!" Betty joked, concern etched on her face. "

you. My famous 'Calm-Down-Chamomile' tea will sort you out."

u makes me feel better." Nessa asked,

have our heads if she knew I let you into her kitchen!" Nessa chuckled,

eep you company,

nodding. "Okay, but don't touch anyt

ly, I never thought you'd bring it up. I figured you both would avoid talking about it

"And what do you think no

emplative. "Now that I think a

rprise. "Funny?" she repea

strange around each other, avoiding conversations about the c

uth to protest, but

have I seen the two of you in the same place? And that last time when you were over and Arch

she looked away, a hint

r eye. "Not that I should be saying this,

k to Betty's, surprise w

cting you, Nessa, but honestly, he's being a fool about it. Instead of helping you, he's trying

I just hope he realizes his mistake before it's too l

ed by Betty's words. "I had n

emn, her voice barely above a w

if Nessa had finally seen Betty, truly seen her, and understood her co

ll go perfectly with the tea." She gest

fondly. "Of c

stressed and needed something

ns and two steaming cups of tea, towards the door, sh

of surprise on his face. "Nessa?

equal surprise. "Mal?! W

sa didn't miss the exchange. She turned to Betty, who looked like she'd rather be anywhere els

wary. "If you're here to spy on me, you

his voice firm. "I'

eyes wide with shock. "Elizabeth? explai

r face flushing. "Uh, I t

him. "Nessa, leave Betty out of this.

dignation. "What in the name

n't have to explain anything to you

his path, her face set, arms crosse

e spreading across his face. "Tell her to mo

sion as Nessa stood her gr

ce broke the tension.

e events of the last few minutes. She mu

bench by the window, his eyes scanning the space as if he'd been there many times b

and walked over to her brother. She set it down on a nea

etched on her face. "Nessa, don't

's

h. The taste was heavenly, and he closed his eyes, savoring the flavors. He chewed s

Betty cooed. "I'll make s

a snapped. He felt bad for Betty, she was making an

o placate Nessa, Mal's thoughts drifted to his

ad, trying to unravel the mystery

said. Betty simply apologized, but as for

quite frequently over the last few weeks," Mal st

st time I've actually laid eyes on her si

th her, turned to his sister, his expression stern. "Where have you bee

t into her eyes. Good,

ng my friends, Mal?" She t

them, his eyes blazing with intensity. He grasp

ng. "The only reason why I'm not dragging you out of here and

s words struck a chord. Her gaze faltered, a

s to your friend?" He sneered. "Mother isn't saying anything because you're entertaini

he'd hit a nerve. He lifted her c

ure Father finds out about your little escapades. Do you have any idea how devastate

h anger, but Mal could see the fear lurking beneath. He knew he shouldn'

's grip on her wrist remained firm. She

e starting to loose it's sig

, but his eyes seemed to bore

e barely above a whisper. "I've be

n her wrist tightening. "Clearl

om as if searching for an escape. "I...I've bee

eak in riddles so this

l. "What could you possibly be d

she pressed on. "I've been..

frozen in shock. "What? Nes

n his head of the last couple of d

I am serious, Mal. I've been training for weeks, now. In fact, I

is eyes searched his sister's face for a sign that she'd been

ipping with venom. "You're...competing in the

defiance, but her voice

yes blazing with fury. "Oh God! How coul

sa said, her voice barely above a wh

"How else am I to react?! How? How did you man

ooked guilty but said nothing. M

's you," he sp

with tears. "I'm sorr

should have known. You've merely been distracting me while my

s, shaking her head,

to do..." Nessa

sa, his face thunderou

eaded with him.

You're coming home with me, and you're

t tell you, Mal. I regret that. But nothin

egging. "The final match is today,

didn't waver. "

an that, Mal. You're supposed to be different...y

ence was

w it's generous and rash, but I was desperate. This was my last chan

an you live with your

all the answer she needed. Tears pricked at the corner

oked up at Mal. "I want to participate in the finals, Mal. That's

seemed to flicker with a mix of emotion

and even, he said, "

d and walked out of the house,