by Karina Halle
Meanwhile I’m staring at his purple and gold polyester shirt with the first few buttons undone. “You have the nerve to make fun of my sweater when you’re wearing that?”
He shrugs and grabs some serving plates. “You try finding something to wear in this house that fits.” He looks down at the shirt and moves his arms slightly, showcasing how small it is on him, the buttons straining.
I have to say, despite how gaudy it is (which makes me think it’s Jacob’s), it does a good job of showcasing his muscles. Was he always built like that? Either I never paid much attention to the way he was put together, or being in Hell made him even bigger than he was before. A similar thing happened to Dex—he went into the Veil and came out all jacked—except Max was already built like a Mack truck before.
I manage to tear my eyes away, lest I give him an ego boost, and pick up the glasses. “I’m still going to take you shopping,” I tell him. “Nevermind the fact that you’re going to look like one the Bee Gees until I do. And no, we’re not shopping at Eddie Bauer or Cabela’s or wherever it is you used to get your clothes.”
I take the glasses out to the living room where Sage and Jacob have appeared, Jacob talking to my father, Sage putting some music on. They all have beers, with Dawn setting out the dip on the table, which is already piled high with other appetizers and booze.
I say hi to Sage, nod at Jacob, and set down the glasses while Dawn picks up the Prosecco. “We have the Dom in the fridge for the countdown. But I say we start with this bubbly just because.”
“Suits me,” I tell her. Honestly, I could drink the whole bottle and then some. The fact that it’s New Year’s and I had that shitty dream, which I’m starting to think might have actually been real, has me wanting to get super drunk.
And drunk I get. Actually, everyone gets drunk, including my dad. He’s been drinking a lot lately so it’s not a stretch, but to see him relaxed around these people makes me feel a bit better for dragging him over here.
It isn’t until later, when my father and Dawn start grooving to the Jackson Five, that Jacob pulls me aside. “Do you mind if I have a word with you, love?” he asks politely. Okay, I guess not everyone is drunk. Jacob seems as sober as anything, his clear eyes cutting into me.
“Sure,” I tell him, hoping he’s not going to tell me anything that will ruin my buzz. Fat chance.
He motions for me to follow him down the hall, and I do so until I find myself in a small library of sorts with a desk in the middle. Max is already there, leaning casually against the desk with a beer in his hand, still looking ridiculous in that shirt. I remember what he said about getting easily hungover the other day, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s been taking it slow with his drinking.
“What’s going on?” I ask. “Am I officially in trouble now? You know I was waiting for the lecture.”
“No lecture,” Jacob says to me. “Though I have to say, you disappointed me, Ada.”
“That sure sounds like the beginning of a lecture to me,” Max says under his breath.
“Disappointed?” I repeat. I point at Max. “Because I saved his life? He would have been trapped there forever if it weren’t for me.”
“Actually, I would have been trapped there if it weren’t for Perry,” Max points out.
“Yes, fine, Perry. But I pulled you out. Don’t you forget that.”
Max gives me a steady look. “You really think I would?”
“It was a dangerous move, Ada,” Jacob says, his eyes narrowing. He can be fun and easy to be around, except when he gets this edge to him like he’s getting right now. Makes me feel unsettled.
“Well, what would you have me do? Perry told me there was a problem. Believe it or not, I like the guy.” I jerk my head toward Max. “I wasn’t going to let him spend eternity in limbo.”
“I had a plan,” Jacob says calmly. “A plan that you fucked right up.”
My mouth drops. “What plan? Perry told you what was happening and you basically told her she was shit out of luck.”
“No, I told her it wasn’t wise to do it herself in case someone else comes out at the same time.”
“You meant Samantha. Right?”
“The witch? Sure.”
“Sure?” I repeat. “What do you mean, sure?”
“She didn’t come out,” Max says. “She stayed in the Veil.”
Jacob’s golden eyes snap to Max. “Yes, so you said. You also said a demon did get out.”
“I put him back in,” I tell him. I dust off my hands together. “Piece of cake. Is that what’s bothering you? That I was able to do it even though you specifically told Perry I wasn’t ready?”
“I didn’t say that,” he says smoothly, bringing his attention back to me. “I said you couldn’t handle it.”
“Well then, how does it feel to be wrong for once?”
Jacob lifts one shoulder in a light shrug. “I’m not wrong.”
I look at Max for back-up. He’s watching the two of us with interest.
“You’ve done something, Ada,” Jacob says carefully as he eyes me. “Something you don’t understand. Something that has consequences. For the both of you.”
“Me and the undead ginger?”
Jacob isn’t amused. But then again, neither am I. He’s famous for being excruciatingly vague.
“You’ll understand soon enough,” he says. “But that’s not why I wanted to speak to you.”
I shouldn’t let it go. I need to know what he’s talking about. What has consequences. But I also want to know why he really wanted to talk to me.
Jacob clears his throat and walks around the desk, having a seat on the plush leather chair. “I haven’t gotten a chance to discuss this with Maximus yet, but I figure it’s best to approach the both of you at the same time.”
I exchange another confused glance with Max and walk over to stand next to him, staring down at Jacob. If it felt like I’d been called to the principal’s office before, now it really feels like it.
“Well?” Max prompts impatiently. “If you don’t mind, there’s a party I’d like to attend. I’ve missed out on a few New Year’s.”
“Three, to be exact,” Jacob says, folding his hands in front of him. “Listen, I foresee myself being quite busy in the time to come. There’s been a disruption in the worlds.”
“A disturbance in the force?” I joke.
Max laughs, which I appreciate. Jacob remains serious.
“Yes,” Jacob says. “If you want to be glib about it. It’s just a feeling I have, and I know to trust my feelings. Anyway, I won’t be around as much going forward.”
“Where are you going?” Max asks.
“Nowhere for now,” he says. “Just that sometimes there are things I have to deal with. Don’t worry, I’ll come back. I know the both of you would be completely heartbroken if I didn’t.”
I narrow my eyes, wondering if that was a dig about Jay.
“But,” Jacob goes on, leaning back in the chair, “that means I won’t be able to train Ada properly. And before you say anything, yes you still need training. Whatever you did in that house doesn’t mean anything.”
“Hey, I’m right here,” Max says.
Jacob gives him a dry look. “I can see that. What I mean is that perhaps she got lucky.” I’m about to yell at him but he raises his palm. “And if it’s not luck, then we need to make sure to build on that. Take advantage. Anyway, all of this is to say that, Maximus, I think I need you to take over my job.”
Max and I stare at each other, both our brows raised to the ceiling.
“What?” Max asks, looking back to Jacob.
“Yeah, what? Him?” I jerk my thumb at Max.
Jacob grins at us. “You both seem so surprised.”
“Can you even do that?” I ask Max. “You’re not…I mean you very much retired. And then you died. So that’s like double retirement.”
“He can,” Jacob interjects. “But this time around, it’s not up to me. He’s a free agent
.”
I look back at Max. He’s staring at his bottle of beer, brow furrowed. There’s no way he’s going to agree to this if he doesn’t have to. As for me, well, honestly, I would much rather have Max teaching me than Jacob. Talk about a no-fun teacher. Max at least is way more relaxed, even a bit of a joker. It could be a lot more interesting.
But what’s in it for him?
“Maximus?” Jacob prods him.
Max eventually looks up and then at me, shrugging. “Okay.” He finishes off the rest of his beer.
“Okay?” I say. “Just like that? You know you don’t have to do what Jacob says, right? He just said you’re a free agent.”
Max tilts his head at me and smiles. “Believe me. I know that. But what the hell else do I have to do?”
“That’s what I thought you’d say,” Jacob says, getting to his feet. “Then it’s settled.”
“But, but,” I say, raising my hand. “How do we even know he can? I mean, he’s just a…a…well he’s a normal dude, right? A mortal? Like he gave up all that shit for that—” I want to use an insult but I manage to rein it in, in case Max is still in love with the ingrate, “for Rose. How can he train me?”
“It’s not like I’ve forgotten,” Max says. “I’ve been doing it for all my lives.”
“He’ll be fine, Ada,” Jacob says, patting me on the shoulder as he walks past me. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, a glass of scotch is calling my name.”
I watch as Jacob exits the room, as if he’s about to celebrate being free of me. Not that I blame him.
And now Ginger Elvis is stuck with me. I give Max an apologetic look. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For making you take a shitty job.”
He laughs. “Don’t sell yourself short, sweetheart. I’ll be fine.”
“Will you? Don’t you want to, like, do what you said and go to Mexico and open a beach bar? Instead, you’re stuck with me and apparently I’m a major pain in the ass. I mean, the last two teachers I had quit…” I trail off because that’s when I realize what I’m saying is true. First Jay, now Jacob. Circumstances were different, but still. Ouch.
“Ada,” Max says, coming over to me until he’s a foot away.
I crane my neck to stare up at him.
“This is a good thing,” he says, peering down at me, his green eyes seeming to glow emerald. “It gives me something to do for a while. I can’t promise I’ll be any good either, so I reckon you’re the one stuck with me. Now come on. Let’s get drunk. I think Jacob sobered us up a little too much.”
He reaches out and takes my elbow, leading me out of the library and back into the rest of the house where the booze is flowing and the music is blaring.
The rest of the evening passes in a blur, but it’s fun. Eventually my dad says he’s going home, not making it till midnight. Jacob escorts him over, which was nice of him since my dad is pretty drunk, but I’m still a bit pissed at him for earlier, being totally ungrateful to me for getting Max out of that house when he couldn’t.
“Five minutes!” Sage bellows, running into the living room with a bottle of champagne raised in the air. “We officially have five minutes ‘til ball drop.”
He comes around and fills up everyone’s glasses. I’ve been standing by the stereo with Max as he flips through Sage’s vinyl collection and oohing and aahing over all these bands I’ve never heard of.
“She hasn’t even heard of King Crimson,” Max says to Sage as he fills my glass with champagne.
“Hey, I’ve been trying to educate her,” Sage says, giving me a mock disappointed look.
I roll my eyes. “It’s not my fault everyone in this room is old as shit.”
Max bursts out laughing. Sage quickly elbows him. “Right, Max, like you’re a spring chicken.”
“You’re a mean drunk, Ada!” Dawn yells at us from the bar, which makes Jacob chuckle.
I give her an exaggerated shrug. “What can I say, I’m by far the youngest here.” I look at Max. “And you’re like what, thirty?”
Max gives me a dry look. “Thirty? I’ll go with that.”
“Well, what does it say on your driver’s license?”
“Don’t have one, darlin’,” he says, taking a sip of his drink. “Remember?”
“So, your clothes survived Hell, but your wallet didn’t?”
“Got a passport and birth certificate in New Orleans.”
“What do they say?”
He shrugs. “I don’t remember. Maybe I’m thirty. Thirty-three?”
I lean in close to him. He smells like something spicy and woodsy, cinnamon and pine needles. Or maybe that’s the Christmas tree in the corner.
“So, how old are you really?” I ask him, voice lowered.
“Way too old for you,” he says.
I scrunch up my face and slap him across his chest. Ow. My hand.
“Shut up, no one is asking,” I say with a scoff.
Another smirk slides across his face. I’d slap him again if only my hand wasn’t still stinging.
“It’s starting!” Dawn yells, turning up the TV.
I look to see Times Square on the screen and the ball going down, the crowd chanting down from ten. We start chanting too.
“Ten.”
“Nine.”
“Eight.”
“Seven.”
“Six.”
“Five!”
“Four!”
“Three!”
“Two!”
“One!”
“Happy New Year!” everyone yells.
“Happy New Year!” I yell, noticing Dawn and Sage kiss.
I turn to face Max, who’s been standing behind me.
I stare at him, at his lips. Those are a dangerous pair of lips and I’m pretty sure he knows how to use them to his advantage. A New Year’s kiss would seem innocent enough, wouldn’t it?
“Don’t you dare,” I warn him, jabbing my finger in his face.
“What, kiss you?” He smirks at me. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Blondie.”
Then he puts his big hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze as he leans in close to my ear. “Happy New Year, by the way.”
Then he pulls away and saunters over to the kitchen, and I feel oddly disappointed. Yup. This is why it sucks to be single on New Year’s Eve. No one to kiss at midnight. I mean, I guess it wouldn’t have hurt if I kissed Max, but it’s a little too late for that.
I catch Jacob looking at me intensely. He raises his glass of champagne and nods. I do the same, wondering what’s going on in that head of his.
Then I decide I don’t want to know.
I go about getting more champagne.
I plan on starting the new year with a hangover.
Five
“You’re solid gold, I’ll see you in Hell.”
– You Can’t Quit Me Baby
I’ve been training with Max for a few weeks now, and if you’ve seen the opening sequence of Silence of the Lambs, then you’ll know what I’ve been going through. I mean, before school, before it even gets light out, he has me jogging with him around our neighborhood for forty-five minutes, through rain, sleet, it doesn’t matter. He got his old apartment back downtown, somehow, but he’s been living at the Knightly’s for now, I guess so he can be cracking the whip before sunrise.
Then, after school, it’s like I’m in some slayer boot camp, where he has me working out in the park, in the dark. I’m doing burpees and jumping jacks, and then doing the jungle gym, hanging from the monkey bars, climbing rope, doing a million things that make my muscles burn.
Then he has me in the Knightly’s backyard, which is super private, meaning no other house can look in on it, including my own. Which is good because my dad doesn’t need to see me running and jumping all over the place, fighting both imaginary opponents and Max.
That’s right. Unlike Jacob or Jay, Max has me try to fight him. As if he’s the demon and I have to take him out. Which means there’s been a l
ot of me running across the grass and then leaping onto Max, getting up on his shoulders like I’m climbing a tree, trying to twist his head off.
At first, I was a bit wary about hurting him, especially when he tells me to really let loose. After all, I got him in the nuts pretty bad that one time. But he seems to take it all in stride.
Of course, he handles me well.
Like, it’s crazy.
I can come running at him from behind, pretending I’m opening a portal while I’m about to toss him in there, and he just sticks out his arm and grabs me by the waist while I’m in mid-air. His reflexes are lightning-fast, faster than anyone’s should be, and he’s insanely strong. So much for him being a mere mortal. I’m starting to think maybe if you’ve died once, you won’t die again? Either way, he’s impressive and he knows it. It’s like he’s relishing in his abilities.
And relishing in his ability to inflict pain, because the ground is soaking wet in the backyard and he’s making me do push-ups because I didn’t execute a roll perfectly. Did I mention he can be a total hard-ass?
“Okay, get up,” he says, motioning at me with his hand.
I groan and slowly push myself up off the ground. The thing is, sometimes I can get a boost from the energy I have inside me, the energy of the supernatural variety vs. the one I get from eating a protein bar, but most of the time I just feel like I’m getting my ass kicked. I think my body reserves the good stuff for the life-or-death situations.
I get to my feet and try to catch my breath, staring up at the low, grey sky. Perry and Dex are in Hawaii right now, which is total bullshit. I know this was a present from Dex, who did good for once, but I hate that her Facebook has turned into a tropical slideshow while I’m here in the ever-present winter gloom of the PNW.
“You ready?” Max asks, placing a hand briefly on my back. I feel a warm jolt of energy from his palm, energy that starts multiplying inside me. Jesus! What was that?
I straighten up quickly and look at him.
He’s got fucking flames in his eyes.
“Uh, Max,” I say, nodding to him. “Your eyes are like…on fire?”
The flames are nearly taking over the green in his eyes, but he just stares at me. “Did you feel that?”