Chapter 16: Crossroads
From Zyrons Point of View
Slith, a sophisticated fusion of warmth and class, was where we were sitting at the bar station within Ryker's family-run resto-bar. The background music was light indie, and the place had a low hum of clinking glasses and chatter. Trixy's voice poured into the air like honey, raw and beautiful, from the stage across the room. Though only appeared to tighten around my heart, every note she sung wrapped around the environment.
Ryker tapped me with his elbow and hoisted his glass, "You've been staring at her for likewhatten minutes straight now? If you look any harder, youll burn a hole through her."
I turned to check my drink after a half-hearted laugh. "Ryker, shut up."
He said, resting on the bar, "Seriously, bud. What's holding you back? You like her. She absolutely cares about you. Youre closest friends. It follows a tried-and-true slow-burn love story.
Sighing, I drank a lengthy sip of my whiskey, the flavor harsh and bitter. "Its not that easy," I said.
It never is, but come onwhat's stopping you? "
I responded rather slowly. Rather, between lines I observed her laughing with Luna. Even among strangers in a room, her enthusiasm felt like sunlight following days of rain.
Quietly I remarked, "I'm safeguarding her."
Ryker cocked an eyebrow. "From what? &"
From me.
His smile turned off. "You think you're a threat to her? "
I averted his gaze. "She has no idea what I am involved in. What I have observed. Should she ever find herself involved, should I ever cause her damage from which she suffers? "
"You're doing that thing again where you martyr yourself and act as if your emotions count for nothing. "
"My emotions are unimportant," I responded frigidly. "Not if they endanger her."
Ryker finished his drink and moved closer. "Then you better get real comfortable watching from the sidelines, because if you're not going to step up, someone else will. "
My eyes flashed to his, jaw tensing. "Are you saying you"
Interrupting, he grinned and said, "Im not saying anything. Relax. Im not that reckless. But Im telling you, shes not going to wait around forever. •
I reflected upon the stage. Trixy was gently rocking to the beat; her fingers moved across the strings as though it came second nature. Her presence had a purity to it, untainted by the darkness I bore.
For that reason I needed to stick to this side of the line.
If I crossed it, I could bring her light along with me.
Still, damn, it was difficult not to want her.
Trixys Point of View
We came off the stage to light clapping. Not only the performance but also something else had my heart pounding. Something unspoken. I had no idea how to express it.
Luna gave my arm a light pinch. We were superb.
I laughed. We certainly did.
Before we could even take a sip, Jazmin, a bartender, rushed over.
Breathless, she said, "Trixy," then added, "Someone asking for you."
My brows bent. Who? "
She pointed toward a table far at the corner. A man in a black t-shirt and shredded jeans sat with a lady with short silver hair and a denim jacket. While their table was calm, the atmosphere around them was. . . confident.
The woman smiled as we got close.
You're. . .
She murmured a modest nod and said, "Angeline. " Lead vocalist of SYNRISE. And Mark is our drummer; he's this.
I blinked. Synrise. Id has covered their songs innumerable times. They were exactly what I hoped to be someday.
I at last said, "It's an honor to meet you both. "
Angeline inquired, "Can we sit and talk?
Naturally, I responded and motioned for the girls to come along.
She leaned in a little once the introductions were over. "A friend of ours told us about this place. On impulse we stopped in but we didnt anticipate a show especially not one this caliber.
Luna responded, "Thank you so much. We perform here often. This is somewhat of our home platform.
Angeline gazed straight at me. "You have a gift, Trixy. Your voice has something special. It's all there: emotion, control, weakness, vulnerability.
"Wow. I remarked, feeling my cheeks flush, and that means a lot.
"Have you thought of participating in contests? Mark asked.
I turned to the girls, not sure how to reply.
"Were all full-time students," Phoebe added. "College keeps us busy. "
Angeline nodded and said, "I get it. But if the right opportunity comes, promise me you will take it? "
"What sort of opportunity? " Sydnee inquired.
Angeline said, "There's a national music camp. Auditions are online. " Send in a video. If you make it, next year you will play live. Its a really big deal; record label scouts, producers, everything. "
The girls gave each other startled looks.
Mark continued, "Its an amazing shot. We were found via it."
"But we have school," Sydnee added. "And finals. And life. "
Angeline said gently, "All valid. But talent doesn't always wait for the ideal timing. Sometimes you just have to leap. "
Her statements lingered in my mind.
We sat in quiet for a little while after they left. Everybody seemed to be thinking similarly.
Luna shattered it first. Should we try? "
Sydnee chewed her lip. "What about our schedules? "
Phoebe bent forward. "Well never know if we don't at least try."
I glanced down toward my hands.
The fact was, I was hoping for it.
Terribly.
Still, another truth pulled at me, heavier and stronger.
Father could never comprehend.
He sought organization. Concentrate. Success in studies. To him, music was merely a diversion, not a future career path.
And I despised the feeling of leading two lives. The one when I was a good daughter. . . and the one when I felt freedom.
Getting the chilly night breeze on my face, I rose and gently strolled out to the rear patio.
I sensed footsteps behind me. It was Luna.
"Are you alright? "
I agreed. "Yeah, just considering.
She stood still next to me for a minute.
You genuinely want this, right?
I examined her, my voice hardly a whisper. "More than anything. "
Luna smiled gently, knowingly. Then together let us work it out.
Her words felt like a warm blanket around my chest.
Looking out the window, I saw Zyron at the bar. Though his gaze weren't on me, he was there. He could always watch without ever needing to be seen.
And then I questioned oneself.
Was he also holding back too much?
same here.