Whisper Page 5

  I sit there for a minute, unsure of what to do with myself. I don’t take breaks outside of lunch. It’s not even ten o’clock. The phone rings, and the sound nips around my nerves. I hop down from my chair and grab my wallet. Screw it.

  David rushes up to the desk just as I’m rounding the front. He dives for the phone and hastily brings it up to his ear. “Xacharias Corp, hold please.” He takes a second to catch his breath, then flashes me a grin. “Hi, Jade.”

  I give him a stiff smile and follow my uncle down to the lobby.

  Enid doesn’t even look up from her phone when we get there. She smacks hard on some gum and blows a big bubble that I’m very tempted to pop, just to see how she would react. Arthur catches my eye after the bubble disappears back into her mouth, and he laughs like he’s thought of doing the same thing. Or he’s actually done it, knowing him.

  We get various teas and lattes and carry them across the street. Behind a strip of clothing stores, there’s a small park with a trail and an array of trees and colorful bushes.

  Arthur and I lag a bit behind Cece and Enid.

  “You looked stressed up there,” he says.

  Why do people keep saying that? Do I actually look that bad? My mind starts to wander to something that could be stressing me out, but I squash the thoughts at once.

  “It’s…yeah. I guess.” No point in lying to him. It’s apparently inked all over my face.

  “When’s the last time you took a day off?”

  I don’t even have to think about it. “Never.”

  Arthur lets out a low whistle. “Jade.” I peek over at him and find him shaking his head. “You gotta take some time off, especially in that position. Do you know how many receptionists we went through when I was working there?”

  “Forty?”

  He laughs. “Close. That job sucks. You need to really like people and being busy for the sake of it. Even when people love what they do, they need time away from it all. To relax. To regroup.”

  I think about telling him that I have plenty of time to relax after work. I have no life and no friends and no reason to go anywhere. But instead I just listen to the birds chittering around me. It is nice to be out of the office. I didn’t realize I had knots in my neck until they started unwinding.

  We walk out from under a tree and sunlight plays across my face. I scrunch up my nose. It’s odd having the sun on my skin like this, but if I’m being honest, it’s also kind of nice to be able to enjoy it and not have to rush across town somewhere.

  “Have you talked to Owin about doing something else?” Arthur asks.

  I snort. “Sure. You know what a great listener he is.” I think about that model he took into his office the other day and wonder if Arthur knows about it.

  “Yeah.” He pats the back of my shoulder. “Take some time off. Everyone needs a break from the grind. Go…exploring. Figure out what you really want to do.”

  I squint at him. “Take off and go where?”

  “Anywhere you want. Where do you want to go?”

  I shrug and bury my face in my iced green tea. “I’ve never thought about it.”

  “What sounds interesting to you?”

  A number of countries fill my head, but honestly, even getting out of the city again would be nice.

  “You have options, Jade, I don’t know if you realize that.”

  I watch his thoughtful expression as he takes in the greenery around him. No one’s ever told me that I had options before. It was only go to this appointment, attend this suffocating school, do this horrible job, live in this sterile penthouse. Of course, being forced to live in a penthouse isn’t the worst thing in the world. Complaining about it makes me feel like an ass.

  Arthur turns his eyes to my face. “It’s okay to want something else. It’s okay to ask for things.”

  I sip my tea so I don’t have to talk.

  “I want you to come over to the mansion,” he says.

  “Why?” He knows how I feel about that place.

  “A box of Alara’s things are still there. You might find them interesting.”

  My feet almost skid to a stop. I didn’t know that. And moreover, I didn’t even know that I was interested in her things until now. I almost ask him to bring them to me, but I’ve been avoiding my grandfather’s mansion since I’ve been out of school. I suppose I can’t stay away forever. Or until he dies. Men in this family live a long, long time. So unlike the women…

  “Okay,” is all I say, and Arthur smiles, accepting that single word as confirmation that I will definitely show up soon.

  8

  Open Mic

  Since I had a good day, I don’t try to talk myself out of making a second trip to the coffee house for open mic night.

  I grab a cappuccino and settle in a shadowy corner in the back of the room. Jerod is near the front with his girlfriend and Logan, but I don’t feel like being around her right now. Or Logan.

  Griffin is already on the small stage, playing guitar and singing an upbeat, yet soulful, tune. I’ve heard him play and sing during a few holidays growing up, but it’s been awhile.

  I try to remember what Jerod told me and Arthur the other day about Griffin’s plans for the future, but I can only remember something about musical theater. I think for a bit about what it would be like to sit up on that stage, behind the piano that’s currently pushed to the back of the platform. It sits under an abstract mural of two people dancing under starlight.

  I’ve never given any thought to singing in public before. I wonder if I would like it.

  Griffin starts a new song, a slower song, and somehow, his smiling dark eyes find me in the back of the room. I smile back automatically. The song seems to go perfectly with the painting behind him. He stares at me while he sings and watches me so long, people start to twist around in their seats to see who he’s looking at. I drop my eyes and laugh into my mug.

  I sweep my long braid over my shoulder and stare down at the ends for something to do. But honestly, I really do need to trim my hair.

  When I look up again, he’s still watching me—along with several other people.

  Well, this is no way to be incognito. And I know what they’re thinking. Who is that weird girl in the drab outfit? I resist the urge to look down at my clothes. I guess I could have changed first. The thought didn’t even cross my mind.

  I stare back at him, like it will help me read his mind. The guitar gives the song a slow rock feel. I didn’t know that was his style. At holidays, he would always just play and sing whatever was requested. He has a pretty good range. I didn’t know that either. I can almost envision myself accompanying him on the keys, maybe even singing along with him.

  He finally lowers his gaze to the guitar while he plays out the final notes.

  Applause fills the room as he stands and nods to the spectators. I absentmindedly stir my cappuccino to distract myself from the several pairs of eyes that are boring into my face.

  A shadow falls over my table as Griffin takes the chair across from me.

  “Thanks for coming out,” he says with a grin. “What did you think?”

  “It was nice.” I gesture to a group of girls sitting at a large, round table behind him. “I’m getting some interesting looks from your fan club over there.”

  He barely glances over his shoulder at them. “What did you think of the lyrics?”

  I wasn’t really listening to them. All I can remember is a line about having been through enough from the second song. “They’re good.”

  He laughs. “They’re about you.”

  “Oh…” My voice catches. That was the last thing I was expecting him to say.

  “Is that weird?”

  I laugh, probably out of nervousness. “I don’t know…are those the only songs about me?”

  “No, I write about you quite a bit.”

  “Why?”

  He shrugs. “I just think about you a lot. What you’ve been through.”

  I really don’t
know what to say, so I hide my face in my cup.

  “It’s weird,” he says.

  I swallow hard and shake my head. “Maybe.”

  We both laugh.

  “You’re talented,” I say when the laughter dies down. “I didn’t realize your voice could go that high. It’s nice. It’s a nice sound.”

  “Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”

  I think about asking why, again, but instead I swallow down the rest of my drink.

  A girl has taken to the stage now. By the round of whistles that start up as she takes a seat and positions her guitar around her, an electric one, I’m guessing she’s really good.

  She grins and brushes her long, inky bangs out of her eyes. And then I recognize her. She’s one of Marley’s friends, another photographer and super bubbly. The one portfolio I let Marley show me was full of colorful birds and ponds.

  I’m expecting something fast-paced and contemporary, but the music that comes out of her takes me by surprise. It’s heavy and dark and powerful.

  “Kristi Kato,” Griffin says. “She’s really popular.”

  “I see that.”

  Her voice is mournful and beautiful.

  “You don’t see too many people who play electric guitar like that,” he adds. “We’ve done a couple of duets together.”

  “Yeah?”

  He nods. “Back when she first started, I sang with her a few times to help her get used to the stage.”

  “Oh. That’s nice.” She’s certainly gotten confident since then.

  “Do you still sing?” he asks.

  “Oh, no,” I say automatically, even though I know I was singing just last night.

  “You don’t write music anymore?”

  I peek at his face. His own is pensive and laser-focused on me. I feel exposed.

  “Um…”

  “Tell him.”

  I almost shush the voice in my head but catch myself just in time. “Uh…sometimes.” This is really not a good time to be hearing stuff.

  Griffin smiles. “Can I hear something sometime?”

  My throat feels tight, like the walls are closing in around me. “I don’t know…”

  “You’re always so protective of your work. Your brother has said great things about it though.”

  Yes. He was always so nosy.

  “I feel like you and Kristi would sing well together.”

  I nod without thinking. But I agree. Kind of. Not about us singing together, but I really do like her sound.

  “Or you and I could sing together. Maybe. One day.”

  My lips curve up, just a bit. “If I lose my mind.”

  He laughs and peers into my empty mug. “Do you want something else?”

  “I’m good. Actually, I might head back up.” To my fancy penthouse. My stainless-steel dungeon. I want to get out of here and calm myself down before the voice gets too loud—see if I can make it stop.

  “I’ll walk you.” He grabs the guitar he’d propped up against the table and walks out with me.

  Kristi Kato’s voice follows us out into the lobby.

  “You don’t have to,” I say by the elevators.

  “I want to. Besides, I need to grab something from the office anyway.”

  I stare at him. “Oh yeah? What?”

  He laughs again and turns his head to the side for a moment. “Okay, fine.” He grins over at me. “I just want to talk to you some more.” The elevator dings open but neither of us move. “We don’t talk a lot.” He catches the doors before they close again, and we step inside.

  “We’re busy.” The silver doors encase us in silence. And also, why would we talk more? But I don’t say it.

  “What do you think of Fallon?” he asks.

  “I hate her.”

  He smiles. “She isn’t great.” A look crosses over his eyes for a moment, like he wants to say something else about her.

  “What?”

  He shakes his head. “I don’t know. I don’t really trust her. I don’t know why.”

  “I don’t either.” We exchange glances. He’s been around her quite a bit more than I have. If he doesn’t like her, then I’m definitely not wrong in how I feel.

  We step out into the darkened foyer of the office.

  “Did Jerod put you up to this?” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.

  Griffin’s brows rise, the movement lightly scrunching his forehead. “No…I mean, he did tell me to keep trying.”

  “Keep trying?” My brother is a meddler now.

  Griffin runs a hand through his hair, further ruffling it. “You know. I feel like I’m always trying to talk to you, and you’re either busy or distracted or…I don’t know. Maybe you’re just not interested?”

  It’s my turn to raise my brows. “Hmm? Interested in what?” Part of my brain tells me I already know, but I ignore that part.

  Griffin sweeps his eyes across the empty, open space around us. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”

  “Well, you know me.” Obviously better than I know him. Jerod is dead. I’m going after him with one of those switchblades I keep in my nightstand.

  “I like you, Jade.” He motions to the space between us, then his hand falls heavily to his side. “You know that.”

  I twist my lips to the side and try to keep from smiling, but it breaks across my face a moment later. “I’m woefully unobservant. But Jerod told me the other day.”

  Griffin lets out a breath. “That rat bastard.”

  “I know, right?”

  “Is this weird?” He looks at me full-on, uncertainty lining the corners of his eyes. “I’ve known Jerod my whole life, almost. He’s like a brother to me, but…I didn’t see you as much. At least I have his blessing, right?”

  “Oh, God.” I laugh a little. This is so awkward.

  “I’ll just ask.” Griffin is quiet for a few breaths. “Do you—” He stops and laughs at himself.

  I really should help him. Or say something.

  He squints at the elevator doors.

  “Fine,” I say.

  His eyes cut to my face and widen slightly. “Yeah?”

  “I’m not doing anything else.”

  He laughs, full-body.

  “And for the record, I don’t think it’s weird. It’s just…I don’t like dating. People act strange or stiff or they’re trying too hard. But we already know each other, kind of, at least. It’s not too different than hanging out as friends. And if it goes bad, it’s not like you’ll be working here forever. And it’s been established I don’t pay much attention to people anyway. So…fine.” Why am I doing this? I don’t even know how I feel about him. But at least he already knows I’m insane. I don’t have to hide anything.

  He grins. “Cool. Well, I have your number. When are you free?”

  “Often.”

  “Cool.”

  “Let’s just keep it casual, okay?”

  “Sure.” He doesn’t stop smiling.

  “I’m going to head up.” To the absolute nothing I have to do on the top floor.

  “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “Yeah.” Thankfully, the elevator on the other side of the foyer opens immediately. Jerod is such a jerk. I wave to Griffin as the doors close. Then I lean back against the cool, reflective walls and close my eyes. Everything will be fine. It’s just Griffin. He’s personable. And nice. And normal.

  “I like Griffin.”

  “Oh, shut up.”

  The voice sighs, a low and hissing sound, close my ears, coming from everywhere at once. “Do you want to see something interesting?”

  I open my eyes. I’m in here alone. But the voice continues to speak in words as loud as my own.

  “Come find me.”

  The elevator comes to smooth stop and opens on the dimly lit hall. At least Marley isn’t up here. She’s probably in the coffee house, having a life and supporting her best friend.

  “Come find me.”

  I
shake my head. “No...”

  “Come find me.” The voice grows more insistent. And more clear.

  I stay in the elevator. “How? You’re not real.”

  “I’m real. You know I’m real. Come find me.”

  Goosebumps break out and race up my arms. I wrap my hands around them and try to rub them away. “What do you want?”

  “Accept the truth, Jade. Come find me.”

  I stay silent and close my eyes again. I take long breaths, as deep as I can make them. It’s not real. It’ll go away. I’m okay. Everything is fine.

  “Take the utility elevator.”

  I open my eyes again. “What? I don’t even know where that is.”

  “I’ll show you.”

  “How?”

  “Follow my voice.”

  9

  The Tunnels

  The whispering starts off low and grows louder the closer I get to the utility elevator. I find it at the end of the corridor closest to my desk, the one that leads to the mailroom. The elevator is tucked off to the right, next to a door marked STAIRS.

  I never knew there was an elevator here. The exterior is so plain and beige. I’ve always mistaken it for a mop closet. My fingers hover over the side panel for a moment. Then I pull back and take the stairs. I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe I just want more time to think about what I’m doing and want an easier escape in case I change my mind.

  The light is bright in the stairwell and buzzes faintly. I descend with slow steps and grip the cold metal railing tightly. This is absurd. I stop and look back to the door behind me, before I round the corner and can’t see the exit anymore.

  “Come.”

  I hesitate.

  “Don’t you want answers? Don’t you want to know what your family has been hiding from everyone?”

  I turn away from the door. “Hiding?”

  “Yessss. Many lies. Many secrets.”

  I continue down the steps, my heart pounding hard. “Like what?”

  “Come.”

  The hissing follows me all the way to the bottom, where the steps level off into a tight space. There are two doors here. One straight ahead and one to the right.