Page 21 of Unraveling Fate

The path wove round one more stand of oaks to finish at a gate set into a low fence. On the other side of the gate, a dirt road ran perpendicular to their path. Taran walked all the way to the gate and rested his hands on the metal rail, staring past the road, eyes bright. Cadenza knew that look. It was the same expressionshe wore when driving through the hills with her father, face pressed against the window, yearning for Somewhere Else.

“Oh, look there! An owl.” Taran pointed across her, his arm brushing her shoulder.

Timpani exploded across her back, stealing her breath.

This was impossible. She never heard music from people. Never. The drums couldn’t be coming from Taran.

“Great horned owl, I think. Did you see it?” he asked.

“Think I missed it.” Cadenza’s eyes hadn’t left his face, so near to hers when he pointed out the owl. This close, she could see a small scar on the left of his chin. It made him feel real, and she wanted to trace it. His shoulder was still touching hers, beats weaving through her bones, rocking her insides until she couldn’t tell them apart from her own heart. “But thanks for showing me the road. It’s good to know how things…connect.”

Taran’s eyes glowed, the gold singing its own warm rhythm. “Anytime.”

Seven

31 Aug 2019

27 Days and $4572 (rest of airfare + bribe + living expenses). Sleep with pigeons in P. San Marco to cut out rent??

Cadenza’s voice mixed with the piano, hovering in the air of Thomas Learmonth’s office.

“These are for you.” He handed her a binder of sheet music at the end of the song. “For Friday’s show. The rehearsal with the band will be Friday afternoon at two. You’re welcome to stay here after rehearsal until the performance.” Thomas opened a new piece of sheet music. “This one is for a few weeks from now.” He adjusted his glasses—rose pink frames this time—and played the intro to “The Flower Duet” fromLakmé.

Her eyebrows shot up and he chuckled. “We’re having an opera-themed night for one of the shows this month. I thought you wouldn’t mind.” He swayed side to side while he played. “You take the soprano line.”

Cadenza didn’t need the sheet music. “The Flower Duet” was one of the first songs she’d ever fallen in love with, during one ofthe few peaceful times with her mother. The lyrics soared out of her, and she was six years old again.

Ilaria prepped at a vanity table in her dressing room. A guest artist in San Francisco, she had allowed her daughters to visit her backstage one evening. Cadenza played at her feet, sorting sequins she’d found on the floor, while “The Flower Duet” played on a CD player.

Cadenza’s heart swelled in the here and now, and the earth answered. Threads of melody grew from the ground, wrapped around her body, tangled in her hair. Earthsong shot through her chest and into her throat. Urgency roared through her.

She clenched her fists.No. I lead. Real singers are in control.She reined in the music, pushed it down. Stayed in control.

Thomas leaned his elbow on the piano at the end of the song, considering her, lips pressed together. She tensed. The notes had all been right. Her dynamics felt natural. What had she screwed up this time?

“You, my dear,” he said. “Have a singular instrument. But you’re holding something back. Can you feel that? Like you’re restraining yourself.” He made a fist in the air. “Or squeezing something too tight.”

Cadenza didn’t answer. There was no way Thomas knew she’d been wrestling with the earthsong—no one else could hear it. She didn’t even know if it wasrealor not.

“I’ll work on relaxing my throat.”

Thomas tapped a finger on his cheek like she was a tricky puzzle. “I’m not sure it has to do with technique. Are you experiencing extra stressors in your life? Or perhaps some kind of…external pressure?”

Cadenza didn’t meet his eyes.Sure, pressure from music that no one else can hear. But I can’t tell you that, can I?

She picked up the sheet music from the piano instead. “So, ‘The FlowerDuet.’ Who’s singing the other half?”

“Oh, yes.” Thomas snapped upright. “Your partner.” He fished a business card out of his breast pocket and handed it to her. “She’s actually located up near you, so I expect the two of you to get together to rehearse.”

Cadenza glanced at the card.

Reyna Weyland

Blacksmith, Gold Feathers Forge

Columbia State Park, CA

209-586-1004