Free Zoe Thanatos by Crystal Cierlak

eyes flickered up to Evan’s,
a question in them she could not verbalize in the moment. She quickly recovered
and looked back to Zoe, smiling her friendliest smile.
    “Call me Eva. So I hear you and my
brother just met yesterday? He mentioned something vague about meeting on a
boat?” she asked brightly. Whatever reservations she had about the little bit
of information Zoe knew about them, she kept them hidden well. She was polite
as ever, charming even.
    Zoe glanced at Evan. His eyes
softened and he smiled kindly, trying to assure that her secret was safe.
    “Yes,” he started. “In Ventura,
just south from here. Zoe was then kind enough to treat me to the best meatloaf
sandwich I’ve ever had.”
    Eva smiled broadly at each of them.
“How quaint!” she chirped.
    “I just came by to invite Evan to
brunch. There’s this beautiful little beach nearby with a great restaurant.
It’s a must for anyone who visits Santa Barbara. Eva, I’d love for you to join
us as well,” Zoe offered.
    “Actually,” Evan stepped in before
Eva could speak. “My sister is on her way home. Aren’t you, Eva?”
    “That can wait,” she shrugged while
smiling brightly at Zoe. “I’d love to join you.” She looked pointedly at Evan
and smiled.
    “Or you could just go home like you
planned?” he fired back.
    “You said yourself that could wait
a day. Besides, then you can come back with me and I won’t have to go alone.”
    Zoe’s eyes volleyed between Evan
and Eva, finally resting on him with the most curious expression on her face.
“You’re going home?” she asked, disappointment evident.
    “Not yet,” he replied, his gaze
still locked on Eva.
    “I don’t know how much he’s told
you about our home,” Eva began, “but my brother is quite important and his
presence is being requested.”
    “And an extra day won’t make a
difference.” His eyes trained on Zoe, wishing he knew what she was thinking.
 
    “You know what?” Eva interrupted.
“I just remembered I have an important errand to run. Why don’t I meet up with
you later?”
    “Are you sure?” Zoe asked.
    “Yes, but I would absolutely love
to meet you later. Maybe you could show me and my brother around?”
    “Sure,” Zoe smiled politely. “Evan,
shall we? It was nice to meet you, Eva.”
    “You as well, Zoe Thanatos.”
    Evan shot a look back to his sister
as he followed Zoe to the door.
    “Shall we?” she asked sweetly.

 
Chapter
7: The New Day
     
    Zoe sat on the couch for more than
an hour after Evan left. It had been a long time since she had watched the
changing colors of the morning light, so she sat on the couch, nibbling on
macarons and taking in the quiet splendor of her surroundings. She could feel
the last remnants of charged air from standing so close to Evan. For a brief
moment the thought crossed her mind that he might try to... No. She
forced the thought from her mind. It seemed pointless to dwell
    Looking around the house she
realized she hadn’t properly appreciated it for quite some time. She pulled the
curtains back from each window and opened them to let the fresh air in. Nothing
smelled better than citrus blossoms and the ocean. She went from room to room
until the entire house was flooded with light and perfumed with the Santa
Barbara air. She followed her nose outside and found that the backyard had
overgrown from neglect. The dark planks of wood that made up the deck
surrounding the lagoon-shaped pool were weathered and in need of care. The
thick plastic chaise lounges were years past their prime. Only the pool itself
looked maintained; it was crystal clear, clean and inviting. 
    Zoe walked to the deep end,
stripped off the ugly jeans and ratty old shirt she was still dressed in from
the previous day, and stood in nothing but her bra and underwear, welcoming the
feeling of the sun as it touched parts of her skin that hadn’t seen natural
light in far too long.
    She dove in with arms stretched out
high above her