“The scorpion asked for a ride across the river, and in exchange promised to protect the frog from the stork. Of course, the frog was scared, but he wanted to survive.” Kalin grabbed a blade of grass from the rock, twirling it through his fingers. He had a pretty voice. Already deep, and he seemed older than fifteen.
Old enough to change his life. “We all want to survive.” Her voice came out sad, but she couldn’t help it.
He nodded. “Yes. We do. So, the frog let the scorpion jump on his back, and he started to swim. About halfway across, the scorpion lashed out and stung the frog.”
Something inside her ached. Right where her heart was. “Why?”
Kalin raised his dark eyebrows. “That’s what the frog asked, because now they were both going to die. You know what the scorpion said?”
“No,” Janie whispered. “What did he say?”
“The scorpion said, ‘because that’s my nature.’ ” Kalin threw the blade of grass onto the ground. “And they both died.”
They didn’t have to. They could’ve swum to the other side and both lived. Maybe even changed the way everyone lived. “I don’t like your story.”
Kalin shrugged. “Probably not. But you know who I am in the story, Janie?”
She drew in air, glad trees stood nearby. Even in dreams, she liked nature near, just like her mama. “Yes, Kalin, I do.”
“Good.” He jumped off the rock.
She stayed still. “You’re the stork.”
His head jerked back, surprise filling his eyes. “The stork?”
“Yes. Nobody knows what the stork is gonna do. He can do the right thing, and save them all.” Or he could watch them drown.
Kalin rubbed his chin, surprise turning to thoughtfulness. “You’re going to be a fascinating woman someday, Janie.” He glanced toward the forest and shrugged. “I look forward to proving you wrong. I’m not the stork.”
Janie followed his gaze, nearly taking a step back at the boy striding out of the trees. Zane. But not completely Zane. He’d grown taller, his black hair cut short, a purple bruise down his chin. Anger swirled in the deep green of his eyes. Something scary swirled around him.
Kalin stepped closer to her. “Well. If it isn’t the frog.”
At the moment Zane looked more like a scorpion. He’d dressed in all black, even his big boots.
Janie clasped her hands together. “I’ve missed you. Where have you been?”
He didn’t look at her, just kept his gaze on Kalin. “Leave now.”
“Or what?”
“I’ll kick your ass.”
Janie barely kept from gasping. Zane never swore. At least not in front of her. He was eleven, yet was as tall as Kalin already. And as big in the shoulders. She searched for something to get him to look at her. “Kalin told me the story of the scorpion and the frog.”
Zane’s eyelids lowered a little bit, making him seem more dangerous. “She’s too young for that story.”
Kalin laughed. “I figured she should know the players, Zane. Who we all are.” He took three strides toward the edge of the rocks. “I suppose you think you’re the scorpion?”
Zane shook his head before Kalin finished his sentence. “Nope. Not even close.”
Kalin threw back his head and laughed, quickly disappearing behind the rocks.
Janie waited until he’d left the dream before turning toward Zane. “Where have you been?”
He shrugged. “Training. I told you I’d be busy.” Finally he looked at her.
“What happened to your face?”
“My mother’s people train harder than my father’s.” Zane stretched his neck. “Why did you let Kalin in your dream?”
“I didn’t. He sat on the rocks when I got here.” She’d stopped being so careful about keeping her dreams private. “I talked to him before and thought he had changed.” Unlike the scorpion.
Zane shook his head. “Kalin isn’t going to change.”
“Are you?” The words came out before she could think.
“No.” The word was soft, but Zane’s eyes looked hard. “It’s you and me, Janie Belle. No matter what I have to do ... I promise it’ll be you and me. We’re gonna fix it all.”
She reached forward and took his hand. “Do you want me to come find you?” Everyone called her smart. A smart girl would figure out a way.
“No.” Zane’s smile finally showed up. The fun one she loved. “Not right now. When the time comes, I’ll find you.”
“You promise?” She wished she could hurry up and grow, so they could fix the world.
His smile faded. “I promise, Janie Belle.”
She grinned wider. “’Cause you’re the scorpion?”
He shook his head. Very slowly. “No, Belle. I’m the flood.”