Carrier of the Mark. Leigh Fallon

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СКАЧАТЬ nudged my dad. “Do you mind if I go for a walk?”

      “Meg, it’s late. I don’t think so.”

      “Caleb, let her go for a walk. It’s very safe around here, and she’s well able to look after herself,” Petra said, giving me an understanding smile.

      My dad caved. “Okay, but stay close and don’t be too long, okay?”

      “I won’t. I’m just going to wander down to the marina.”

      I stepped out into the night air and filled my lungs with a deep, fresh breath. I exhaled slowly, looking up at the stars, and then started walking along the waterline. The yachts swayed gently where they were moored, creating a musical tinkling sound. I punched in the code to the jetty at the marina and opened the gate. Finally I found a secluded spot and sat down between two big yachts. I let my feet dangle over the edge, toward the water. Funny, it didn’t look scary at night. In fact, it had an almost magical quality in the dark.

      I was so caught up in my thoughts that I almost didn’t notice the person gliding quietly up the gangway in my direction. The flat, calm water shimmered and pulsated, then rose slightly up, as if there was something just below the surface. I watched in amazement as the water took on a life of its own and followed the person as he walked along the wooden jetty and then moved out of sight behind a boat. I shrank back into the shadows of the yachts as he walked past.

      “Adam,” I breathed quietly, enjoying the tingling sensation that ran through me.

      He was wearing heavy sailing pants, boots, and a padded sleeveless jacket. He climbed nimbly into the yacht beside me and disappeared inside. My heart was pounding. Then I heard the flapping sound and a cawing. I looked up. That freaky crow was sitting on the railing of the yacht, his head cocked to the side, watching me.

      “Go away,” I whispered, but he cawed down to me again and disappeared in between the boats. Just then two big boots hit the deck above my head and Adam peered down over the railing, squinting into the darkness.

      “Who’s there?” He turned on a flashlight and shone it down in my direction.

      I played with the idea of pulling myself farther into the shadows and hiding, but quickly realized that it was virtually impossible.

      I leaned out into the beam of light and waved up at him. “Hey, Adam.”

      He looked around worriedly. “How long have you been down there?”

      “Don’t worry; I won’t say anything.”

      “What do you mean?”

      “About the water. I saw it, but I won’t say anything.”

      “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Really, Megan, you shouldn’t be hanging around the marina at night. It’s dangerous. You should go home.”

      “But … the water …it was glowing.” I stopped, doubting myself for a second.

      “Megan, honestly, you’ve lost me. I’m guessing you’ve been listening to all the stupid stories about my family. Do yourself a favor—go home.” He sighed and started to turn away.

      My temper flared. What made him so goddamn superior? “Hey,” I called up at him, “that’s not fair.” I stumbled in my haste to get up off the gangway and teetered on the edge. He jumped down and steadied me.

      “You were saying?”

      “Oh, nothing.” I was furious at myself for still aching to touch him.

      “Wait,” he said, rubbing his jaw. “I’m sorry.”

      “You should be.”

      He laughed and turned off the flashlight. It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust to the darkness again. “I mean it,” he said softly, very close to my face.

      I could hardly breathe. “Forget it,” I managed, and turned to flee.

      But he was quicker; he caught my hand and spun me back to him. “Honestly, I’m sorry.” He lowered his eyes to mine. “But the marina is not the place to be hanging around after dark.”

      I lifted my chin defiantly. “You’re here, aren’t you?” I looked him straight in the eye.

      He held my glare for a moment or two; then his eyes softened. All traces of my irritation melted away as he moved closer.

      I felt like we were being pulled together by some unknown force. With his face now only inches from mine, I could feel his hot breath on my lips; it tickled the end of my nose. Every nerve in my body was screaming for me to throw my arms around his neck, but his eyes held me still. My lips parted, eager to taste his breath on the tip of my tongue.

      His eyes shifted and flickered up toward the pier. He took a step back, the spell broken.

      “Yeah, but I work here,” he said softly. “See you at school on Monday.”

      He walked back down the gangway into the shadows and disappeared into the blackness.

      “Megan,” my dad called from the pier. “Are you down there?”

      “Yeah, Dad,” I shouted back, still looking in the direction where Adam had disappeared.

      “Come on. It’s getting late.”

      “I’m coming.” I ran up the gangway to the gate and into my dad’s view.

      My crow swooped up the gangway above my head and landed on the gate by my dad.

      “What is it with these Irish birds?” my dad said. “They’re persistent, aren’t they?”

      “You’ve noticed too!” I blurted out. “I thought it was just me. That crow is a menace. I swear he’s been following me.”

      “Have you been reading Stephen King again?” he asked, laughing. He threw his arm over my shoulders and changed the subject. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to you much at dinner. How’s school been?”

      “It’s fine. I wish people would stop talking about my stupid drowning incident, though.”

      He chuckled. He knew I despised being the center of attention.

      “Caitlin was talking about going into Cork City tomorrow. Can I go with her?”

      “Sure. You haven’t been outside of Kinsale since we got here, and you need to learn how to get around.”

      “Great! I’ll let Caitlin know I can go. Thanks, Dad.”

      “Come on. Let’s get back to the car; it’s getting cold,” he said, pulling me closer. “Did you see how tall that guy from the guards was?”

      “I did. He was pretty hard to miss. And it’s pronounced Guard-ee, Dad. The ‘i’ with the fada on it is pronounced ee.”

      “Since when do you know so much about the Irish language?”

      “Since СКАЧАТЬ