Free Descending (The Rising Series) by Holly Kelly

things clear, are you opposed to a friendship with me, or would you rather I kept my distance?”
    He’d rather close the distance and pull her into his arms—that was the problem. He should break off all contact with her. Yeah, right. How could he protect her if he stayed away from her?
    “I’m not opposed to a friendship,” he finally said.
    “Good.” Gretchen crossed her legs and sat down near the pool’s edge.
    “As friends,” she said, “would you answer a few questions for me?”
    Kyros shrugged. “Sure.”
    “How long have you known Xanthus?”
    Kyros had to stop himself before he answered truthfully. He doubted she’d believe that they’d known each other for nearly eighty years. “A long time.”
    “ Well, I’ve only known Sara for a little over a year.”
    He blinked and held his silence. Only a year?
    “I know. It doesn’t feel like only a year. I can’t explain it, but when I met Sara, I felt like I’d known her forever. It’s like we had some kind of cosmic connection.”
    Kyros cocked his eyebrow and looked her over from head to toe.
    “No! Not that kind of cosmic connection.” Gretchen brushed her hair behind her ear as color rose in her cheeks. “It was more like sisters, only closer. We were like twin sisters. At least, I thought we were. But now…”
    “You’re wondering about her legs.”
    “Yes! I just don’t know what to think. Did you know she was lying?”
    Kyros knew she’d ask this question sooner or later. “I didn’t know ,” he lied. Telling the truth would just lead to more questions, questions he couldn’t answer.
    “ At least I wasn’t the only one. I just can’t believe it. Sara has legs, perfectly workable, normal legs. The whole thing with her being crippled and in a wheelchair, it was a lie. If she weren’t lying in a hospital, if she hadn’t nearly died to save me, I’d be pretty ticked off right now. I just don’t know what to think.”
    “I don’t know what to say about her lying,” Kyros said , “but I do know this. She didn’t hesitate to put herself between you and a shooter’s bullet. That kind of sacrifice is not insignificant.”
    “I know. And I’ve already forgiven her for the lie. I just don’t know why she lied.”
    Kyros didn’t know what to say. Telling her the truth was completely out of the question.
    Gretchen sighed and uncrossed her legs. He couldn’t bring himself to look away. Her legs were surprisingly appealing. She turned to lie on her stomach and propped her head on her hands. “How’s the water?”
    “Um, it’s a bit cold. I don’t think you’d like it.” Great! That was all he needed, Gretchen getting in the pool . He doubted she’d miss seeing a four and a half-foot-long, grey tailfin.
    He prepared to have to push her back. He didn’t care if she started hating him again for being rude. There was no way he could let her see his body.
    She furrowed her eyebrows. “Oh really?” She reached out and dipped her finger into the water, yanking her hand away like she’d touched burning acid. Scrambling back, she stood up.
    “That’s seawater,” she said accusingly.
    “ Yes, it is.” Kyros’s eyes flew open wide before he narrowed them.
    Gretchen took careful breaths and looked around, studying the pool. He could sense her trembling.
    “Why would Xanthus have a pool filled with ocean water?” she asked.
    Kyros didn’t skip a beat when he answered. “He’s health cons cious. Seawater has many benefits.”
    She still seemed startled. Her eyes searched her surroundings ; they lingered over a puddle inches away from her.
    “Are you okay?” he asked. “You look a bit pale.”
    She started to shake her head, but changed to nodding. “Um, oh yes. I’m fine. I’m just still in shock, what with Sara getting shot and having legs. Uh… it’s late. I should get back to bed.” She hesitated a moment before she turned and stepped out the door, but not before glancing back one last time.
    What in Hades