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I spent the next week waffling between great and disaster. The closer the day of the dance got, the more I was leaning on the side of disaster, and praying for bad weather.
Add in Misty bouncing higher and faster with every passing day, and by Saturday, I was ready to strangle her.
Despite all my prayers for a nice thunderstorm or even a flash flood, the weather turned out to be beautiful. Just my luck.
Misty had decided early on that we needed to get dressed together—and make a day of it. Seriously, a day? It didn’t take that long to try on the dress in the store. I gave in at the time, because I knew Mom would be giddy with happiness. Unfortunately, I underestimated her happiness.
With two girls to primp and fuss over, Mom was in her element. I had an idea that she missed this with me, but not how much, until she had the chance to do it.
I was the center of attention. Between Mom and Misty, they tamed and curled my hair, convinced me to try some makeup that wouldn’t make me feel like I was a reject from a beauty pageant, and actually produced some jewelry I wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear in public.
I was also exhausted at the end of it. Yeah—the dance hadn’t even started yet, and I was worn out just getting ready for the stupid thing. How did girls do this on a regular basis? Combing my hair and throwing on a hoodie was so much easier.
They wouldn’t let me near a mirror until they were done with me. I was anxious and grateful, because I was half afraid I’d look like a freak, trying to pass as a girl. When I was finally led to the full length mirror hanging on the inside of my closet door, I stared at the image, shocked into silence.
“Alex?” Misty appeared behind me, a vision in her white gown, her waist length blonde hair swept up on one side, with luxurious waves falling over her shoulders. “What do you think?”
“That’s not me,” I whispered.
How could it be? The girl in the mirror had big, smooth curls that were actually behaving, and curves. I don’t have curves. What I did finally see were what Sam always described as my sea nymph eyes. With mascara and a thin line of blue eyeliner, they looked—ethereal, otherworldly. Maybe I wouldn’t embarrass Sam tonight.
I touched the pendant at my throat. It was an impossibly delicate combination of blue stones and silver. In a word, gorgeous.
Mom moved behind me, such pride on her face I was glad I made the effort to enjoy this. “The necklace is from me and your father. It was your birthday present, but when you were—injured, I decided to hold on to it, for a time when I could share it with you.”
“Thank you, Mom. I—I love it.”
Misty bounced next to me. “It’s time to go, Alex. We’re going to kill it!” Mom raised an eyebrow, and Misty’s enthusiasm faded. “Oh—sorry, bad word choice. How about we’re going to rock it?”
“Better,” Mom said. Amusement lightened her voice, so I knew she wasn’t mad. “Now go have fun. There won’t be a curfew—just for tonight, Margaret. Please be careful, and don’t take advantage.” Pulling out my real name told me she meant it.
“Thanks.” I turned around, and stood on tiptoe to kiss her cheek. The surprise that flared in her eyes made me glad I followed my impulse. “Ready to go, Misty?”
She let out a cheerleader whoop and bounded out of the bedroom. I shook my head, smiling as I limped out after her. I was wearing a brand new pair of ballet flats, dark blue leather to match the dress. Heels are my mortal enemy, and that’s without a hinky ankle. There’s no way I’d even attempt them now.
Dad met us at the top of the stairs. “You look stunning, Misty.” He kissed her temple, stepped back to admire her. Then he turned to me. “Alex. When did my little tomboy become such a beauty?”
“Dad...”
He cradled my cheek, careful not to smudge any makeup. “I am so proud of you.” I blushed, and he smiled. “Have a good time tonight. You earned it.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Misty grabbed my hand, pulling me away from him and down the stairs. “Come on—they’ll be here any second.”
The doorbell chimed as I hit the bottom of the stairs. Since Misty was closest, she opened the door. We both froze when Jake stumbled in, bloody and half naked. I got to him first, grabbing his arm as he sank to his knees.
“Jake—what happened?”
He shook his head, refusing to meet my eyes. “I don’t—remember. I woke up in the yard at McGinty’s house, feeling like I do after I—change.”
Now I understood the evasion.
“Jake.” I touched his wrist, waited for him to recoil. When he didn’t I took his hand. “I need you to tell me everything you do remember.”
He ran one hand through his hair and finally looked at me. “I was talking to Oliver, about his ability to not change. He agreed to give Candace that blood she’s been nagging at him for. I went to my room before meeting him at her lab, and—nothing. I don’t remember anything. I came to next to the manhole in the yard of the McGinty house. I took what I’m wearing from the stash Sam keeps in the back bedroom.”
I didn’t know about that. And the fact that Sam felt the need to keep clothes there, plus not telling me about it, left me feeling unsettled.
Of course, he and Zach chose that exact second to appear on the porch.
“Jake.” Sam crouched next to him. “When?”
“Recently, according to all the signs.”
Sam closed his eyes, and I knew what he was thinking. If Jake was losing control, after being so successful with Candace’s trials, what hope did they have?
Before I could open my mouth to say I didn’t know what, Sam’s cell rang.
He pulled it out, and closed his eyes after glancing at the screen. “It’s Simon.”
Simon had been staying in the haven, since it was the safest place for him. He was supposed to be dead—and there were no good explanations if someone he knew in his former life recognized him.
With a sigh, Sam answered. “Simon, can I call you back? We’re in the middle of—”
He listened, his gaze sliding from Jake to the floor. That was not good.
“Okay—we’ll be down soon. Thanks.” He ended the call, and I thought he was going to completely ignore me. Instead he gripped my hand, his fingers shaking. “There’s been another murder. Simon found evidence that it was a Fenris attack this time.” He brushed my cheek. “We have to go back. I’m so sorry, Alex.”
“I’m going with you.”
“No—”
“Absolutely not.”
Sam and my parents denied me in unison. By the time I stood, I knew I wasn’t going anywhere.
Dad took charge, helping Sam get Jake on his feet. “I’ll call Candace,” he said. “Take Jake back to the haven, and do what you need to make sure he’s—safe.”
I swallowed, knowing exactly what Dad meant. If Jake had killed someone, the rules of the haven demanded that he be banned—permanently, and from every haven in the world. He’d have no place to go, where he’d be accepted for what he was.
Zach joined them, his aura glowing. “I’ll go down with you.”
Sam started to shake his head, but Jake cut him off.
“I’d appreciate that. I may have—hurt—”
He lowered his head, and I saw how much it cost him to even say the words. He hadn’t attacked anyone since last Halloween. And though he’d intended to tear us into edible bits, he never hurt me, or Misty—just scared the hell out of us.
I wanted to go with them, so badly it made my heart ache to stay behind. But I’d do what I could here, and it looked like I’d have plenty of time, since we weren’t going to the dance. Honestly, I thought I’d be relieved, but part of me was oddly disappointed.
Misty took my hand, and we watched Dad and Sam lead Jake back to Sam’s SUV, Zach following behind.
“Zach looks worried,” Misty whispered. “They both do. You don’t think—”
“I don’t want to. This can’t be happening, Misty.” I met her eyes. She’d understand, more than anyone. “Everything’s been so smooth with the haven. I did expect a fight here and there—but not this. Not murder.”
“Simon will find out who did this.”
“I hope so.” He did have one up on the police—the fallen angel who shared his soul. A side effect was Simon having access to Elias’ powers. “Since we’re not going to the dance, did you want to, um,” I still had a hard time asking for any friend-type favors.
“Spend the night?” Misty tugged on my hand. “That’s a no-brainer, Alex. We’ll need ice cream, and some chick flicks—to help us get through the pain of missing the dance.”
Her smile made me feel better, but I knew the real reason for the list of distractions—to keep us from thinking about what was happening underground.
~ ~ ~
“Alex.”
The quiet voice jolted me awake.
I sat, ready to grab the nearest weapon when I saw the shadow by the window—and slumped as Sam stepped into the circle of light from my bedside lamp.
Before I could say anything, he sat next to me and pulled me into his arms.
I held on tight, the feel of him under my hands telling me this wasn’t a wishful dream. He was really here...
Oh, God—Misty.
“Sam,” I whispered. “You have to go. We’re not—”
“Misty can sleep through a hurricane, when she’s tired.” He glanced over at the small twin bed right next to us. Dad had dragged it into my room earlier, before the chick flick/sugar marathon began. Misty was sprawled over the cover, like me still in her dress. We’d obviously fallen into sugar comas before we could change. He smiled, then buried his face in my hair. “I’ve been so worried about you.”
I eased back, until I could see him. “I’m fine. I’ve been worried about you, too.” He was wearing jeans, and a t-shirt under his jacket. With his hair tousled from climbing up to my window, he was six feet plus of gorgeous.
“Alex...” He kissed me, like he was dying of thirst and I was water.
His arms wrapped around me, and he pulled me down with him, until we were on the bed together. By the time we came up for air, he was on top of me, our legs tangled together. I could stay like this forever, his warm body pressing me into the mattress, his lips brushing every inch of skin he could reach.
Those talented lips paused at my throat, and he lifted the delicate pendant. The blue stones caught the light, the silver almost liquid as he held it in his palm.
“It was my birthday present,” I whispered. “Mom saved it for me.”
“It suits you. My mysterious sea nymph.” I didn’t have time to blush before he started kissing me again.
This time he took me deeper, his lips so possessive he left me gasping for breath. We were both flushed and aroused when he finally pulled away.
“Sam—”
“I should go.” He dipped down and captured my lips again, just long enough to leave me wanting more. “You tempt me, Alex, too much. I have to let you go before—”
With a groan he rolled off the bed. I sat, cold without him draped over me.
“When will I see you?” I didn’t want to sound desperate, or clingy. Please, God, not clingy. But I had to ask, had to know before he walked out of this room.
“I don’t know.” He ran one hand through his hair. “I can’t have you near the haven, not with people dying. I won’t put you in that position, Alex.”
“Sam—”
“No.”
I stood, pacing him as he backed to the window. He managed to trap himself against the wall.
“Find a way to let me know you’re okay, or I’ll hunt you down.”
He studied me, those grey-blue eyes narrowed. “You won’t—”
“Try me, Sam.” I slipped my arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe to reach his lips. “I need to know you’re safe. Even if it’s a smoke signal from one of the manholes, I need to know.”
He kissed me until I was lightheaded, his hands spread over my ribs. Then he let go and turned to the window, his knuckles white as he gripped the sill.
“I have to go,” he whispered. “Before I—” He lowered his head, and I barely heard his next words. “You’re so beautiful, Alex. So loving, when I don’t deserve it.”
I couldn’t stop myself; the pain in his voice drew me to him. He stilled when I wrapped my arms around his waist, leaned against his back.
“You’re it for me, Sam.” I knew exactly why he kept pushing me away. “And when I turn eighteen, you leaving me ends, for good.”
He lowered his head, and both hands closed over mine. “It’s going to be a long few months.”
“Yeah. But you get me as a Christmas present.”
His laughter eased the tension between us. I didn’t want him leaving like this, feeling like he had to put distance between us. Relief shot through me when he turned around and pulled me against his chest.
“I love you, Alex.”
I never get tired of hearing him say that.
“I love you back, Sam.”
He took a deep breath, and relaxed in my embrace. “I have to go.”
“Yeah.”
I held on for another minute, then eased back, giving him space to move away. He didn’t; instead, he framed my face with both hands, and kissed me with such tenderness my throat ached from the need to cry.
“Don’t get in too much trouble,” he whispered
Before I could say anything, he climbed through the window, and disappeared into the darkness.
I leaned out the window, looking for him—and saw movement, just beyond my neighbor’s yard. I watched him move, tall and graceful, until he turned the corner.
“Go, Alex.” Misty’s sleepy voice spun me around. She was propped on one arm, smiling at me. “He’s one lucky guy.”
“How much—” I pressed my hand to my heart, which threatened to break my ribs, it was beating so hard. “What did you—”
“Enough.” She sat, staring down at her dress. “Wow—too much sugar. We should change before we ruin them. Because I am so planning another double date.”
“Right.” That would have to be an argument for another time, when I was coherent enough to have a chance of winning it. “You can borrow a nightgown.”
“Thanks.” She headed for the bathroom attached to my room. “Oh, Alex?” She glanced over her shoulder, a smug smile on her face. “Sam was wrong. I don’t always sleep through a hurricane.”
She laughed at the blush heating my cheeks and closed the door.
~ ~ ~
My phone buzzed, jolting me awake.
After fumbling for a good minute, my eyes cleared enough to find it—but not enough to bring the screen into focus, so I answered the call blind.
“Hello?”
“Good morning, sunshine.”
I could hear the smile in Simon’s voice. Was he able to tell that I had a major sugar hangover, just from my voice?
“Simon? What time is it?” I rolled over, and found Misty sitting on the edge of the twin bed. She looked wide awake, and model pretty disheveled. Sometimes I really wish I could hate her.
“After ten. I was hoping that would be late enough, but it sounds like you girls had a late night.”
“Yeah. Any news?”
“The demon was killed by a Fenris, Alex.” I closed my eyes, praying the next words out of his mouth weren’t that Jake did it. “I’m afraid you may know the victim.”
My heart skipped. Not Hern—or his mother. Please, God, don’t let it be—
“Who?” I whispered. Misty’s weight shifted the bed, and I reached blindly for her hand.
“Gareth. He was a—”
“Screech demon.” Relief and anger fought for domination. Gareth was a recent arrival, but screech demons are so friendly, I got to know him pretty quickly. And yes, they screech. The sound can make your ears bleed, if you’re too close. It’s their defense mechanism, because they don’t have claws, and are pretty much in the coward category for courage. But he had a good heart, and didn’t deserve to be hurt, much less—this. “Is there any evidence?”
“Nothing definitive. From what Jake told me, unless there’s a claw missing or mangled, Fenris attacks are too similar to single out one from the other. I’m sorry, sweetheart, but until this is sorted, I’m keeping both Sam and Jake under observation.”
“Right. That makes sense.”
“And you are not welcome down here, until I say otherwise.”
I wasn’t surprised, but being banned still hurt. The haven had been my second home—my escape—since Sam started rebuilding it. “Simon—”
“No arguments. I won’t have you down here, not with a murderer running around.”
“I know.” And I did. If I even dared show my face Simon would turn me over to my parents. Stat. “I just wanted to say—please keep them safe.”
“I’ll do my best. Oh, and Hern is throwing all his affection for you at me. Literally.”
The amusement in his voice made me smile. “Give him a big, sloppy kiss for me, and tell him I’ll visit as soon as I can.” His snort widened my smile, and it felt genuine. “Thanks, Simon.”
“Anytime, sweetheart, you know that.”
“Yeah.” I ended the call and turned to Misty. “I’ve been banned from the haven.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” She grabbed my hand. “I don’t mean it in a bad way, Alex. I’ve been terrified since last night that you’d sneak down there, to see Sam, or make sure your favorite residents are okay.”
“I want to—but I know better than to try and win a face-to-face with Simon. It’s bad, if he’s warning me off. I’m worried about them, Misty.”
“Me, too. But we’re not going to mope around here all day. I’m taking you to brunch.”
“What?”
“You know—breakfast and lunch in one fun, multi-choice meal.”
I shook my head. “You’ve been hanging around me too much.”
“It’s only improved my sarcasm, which comes in handy with my little brother.” She smiled, then started bouncing on the bed. “Come on—it’ll be fun. We can go down the coast, get away from here for a while. Whether you think so or not, some down time will do you good.”
I knew it would—I just didn’t want to leave Sam.
“Okay,” I said. “Let’s do it.”
Misty jumped off the bed, started doing double fist pumps. “We’ll have the best time! And I’m going to pick your outfit. No hoodie, no worn jeans—oh, and you have to wear your necklace. Because we so didn’t get to show it off at the dance.”
I didn’t have the energy to argue, and I knew she couldn’t get me in too much trouble, since my wardrobe was, well, pretty much what she didn’t want me to wear. To say I was shocked when she found an outfit I’d never even seen before would be an understatement.
“These are so cute!” She waved the pale green and white flowered blouse and darker green trousers—oh, lord no, how did those get in my closet? Then I saw the tag, waving around with the blouse. Mom. She sneaks clothes into my closet, hoping I’ll wear them. I usually bury them in the back. “You have to wear this—I can fix your hair, since most of the curl stayed in. We are going to look hot.”
I didn’t want to look hot. I wanted to blend. It made getting things done so much faster. At least Mom knew better than to buy anything resembling heels. Misty pulled out one of my pairs of ballet flats, dancing around as she gathered up her own clothes. We hadn’t even started yet, and I was already exhausted.
Was this an everyday girl thing? If so, I decided I wasn’t sorry I missed out on it all these years. Being a tomboy is much easier.
By the time I got dressed, and Misty recurled my hair, it was closer to lunch than brunch. I must admit, I did feel less—desperate, about what was happening. Distraction is always good when your hands are tied.
I grabbed my black suede jacket, because there was just too much pastel going on for me. Surprisingly, Misty approved. She said it provided eye-catching contrast. Okay.
As usual, she looked amazing, in half the time it took me. I thought Dad was going to drop his coffee when he saw me.
“Alex.” He walked around me like I was a prize horse at auction, and let out a low whistle. “Look at you. Misty, you do good work.”
“Thank you, Mr. Finch. Now I’m going to go show her off.”
I rolled my eyes when she grabbed my hand, but I smiled at Dad as she dragged me past him.
“Have fun, you two. And Misty.” She paused on the sidewalk and glanced at Dad. “Keep her out late.”
She laughed, and let me go, pointing to the passenger side of her Mercedes. “In.”
Oh, lord help me. She was driving.
~ ~ ~
I survived the trip to the restaurant, and actually had a good time, once I was able to push my problems to the back of my mind and just talk. Misty’s good for that—she could talk anyone under the table.
She dragged me to the beach, and we walked for hours. I let the cold, crisp air and the sound of the waves soothe me, let my mind just empty. I was tired of thinking, of obsessing about a situation I couldn’t change—or even be part of, at this point. I never would have thought of it for myself, but it was exactly what I needed.
“Thanks for this, Misty.”
“I care about Sam, too.” She took my hand. “Even Jake, despite him wanting to tear me into edible bits at our first meeting.”
Laughter burst out of me. The day we discovered monsters were real was also the day I learned there was more to Misty than head cheerleader and most popular girl in school.
She had a streak of courage a mile wide, a brain behind those sky-blue eyes—and we had become friends in the space of a few minutes, while fighting for our lives.
“It’s getting cold out here,” she said, huddling in her thin jacket. “You ready?”
“Yeah.”
We walked back to her car. The end of a normal day. It felt great, and weird. I’ve had so little normal lately. I really thought I wanted it back, but to be honest—it was kind of boring.
I halted as the realization hit me.
I didn’t want normal anymore.
I wanted Sam, and all the crazy that came with him.
“Alex?” Misty studied me, concern in her eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m good.” I let out my breath, and a huge weight fell off my shoulders. “Really good.”
“So tell me, what momentous decision did you just make?”
I blinked at her. “That obvious?”
“You look like you’ve been fighting a battle in there.” She tapped my forehead. “Which side won?”
“The side that’s known since we were stalked by Jake that my life was never going to be normal again.”
“Wow. And I thought you were the smart one.”
“What?”
She crossed her arms. “I figured that out months ago.”
“You—what?”
“My boyfriend’s a fallen angel who tracks monsters. I’m so far from normal I can’t even see it anymore.”
“I want to be with Sam,” I whispered. My heart ached so much, I rubbed my chest. It didn’t help.
“Oh, sweetie.” Misty wrapped her arms around me. “We’ll get through this. I know Sam couldn’t have hurt Matt, or Leo—”
“But he could.” It hurt to say the words, but I had to get them out of my head. “He went after me, Misty, and he loves me.” She tightened her grip when I tried to escape. “Misty—”
“What do you believe, deep down? Spit it out, Alex. I can see how much you’re suffering.”
I let out a watery sigh, tears filling my eyes. “I’m afraid he’ll have to leave again, and that will be it.”
Misty finally let me go, only to grip my shoulders. “What would you do, if Sam turns out to be the killer?”
God, she was asking the hard questions. The questions I’ve been avoiding since the first murder. There was only one answer that didn’t tear me apart.
“I’d go with him, help him. I love him, Misty—more than I thought I’d love anyone.”
She nodded, like she already knew that’s what I’d say. “Then hold that in your heart, Alex. Know it, and put it aside, so we can find out who the hell is screwing with our friends.”
I blinked at her. “You want to—”
“Crash the investigation. I can’t stand on the sidelines and pretend I’m happy doing it. Not when my little brother’s best friend is in danger.” She shook me gently. “I’m a little in love with all those residents myself, Alex. And Hern has changed Kenny in ways I never imagined. I also consider Sam one of my best friends, and I won’t stand by and watch him accept the accusations because he can’t remember not doing it.”
“Wow.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“Are you with me? Say yes, Alex, because I already have a plan. Zach and I have been talking—”
“Wait. You’ve been planning something, with Zach, and you didn’t think to mention it until now?”
“You’ve been kind of—fragile lately. I didn’t want to dump on you until I was sure about details. Zach’s going to get info on the investigation from Simon, so we know what’s going on, and can come up with some angles of our own. You’re so good at pulling the truth out of obscure details, I think...what?”
“Fragile?” Yeah, that’s all I got out of the conversation. I’ve been called a lot of things over the years, but fragile has never been one of them. It made me feel—angry. I didn’t like the feeling, at all. Or the fact that my best friend felt the need to protect me. “I’m not—fragile.”
“Alex. You nearly died last year. Fragile comes with an injury like that. Maybe we’ve all been a little overprotective because of it—”
“You think?”
“But that’s done now. Okay? We’ll find out who’s killing our friends, and help Simon stop them. For good. We help, Alex, not do it. We have to get that clear from the beginning. I won’t be responsible for you being hurt like that again.”
Her voice shook over the words, reminding me again that my brush with death hadn’t only affected me.
“I promise, Misty. I won’t put myself in that kind of danger again. You know, I didn’t plan it the first time.”
“Yeah.” She cleared her throat, and let me go, wiping her eyes. “But you seem to attract it. I want to help find the killer, but I don’t want us standing between him and his next victim. No matter who the killer turns out to be.”
She didn’t have to say it, but the words screamed through my head. Sam could be the killer. Or Jake. I wanted to find the truth, for them as well as us. Once we got there, we’d figure out the next step.
Whatever it was, wherever Sam ended up, I planned to be standing next to him.