Enlighten Series- The Complete 3 Book Collection

by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  He looked back at Stella, still smiling. “I guess I am. Then I get to see your pretty face, again.” He touched the tip of her nose.

  “Stella, it’s way past your bedtime. If Mom or Dad—”

  “Okay, okay,” she said with a giggle. “I’ll leave you alone. Good night, Shay.”

  “Good night, Stella.” He pointed at her then at himself. “Remember, this is our secret.”

  “Okay, bye,” she squeaked as she shut the door behind her.

  I leaned against the door and glared at him. “I thought you could hear when my parents were coming?”

  “I can. But she’s not your parents, and she was already upstairs.”

  I rolled my eyes then walked to my window. “So? You still could have given me a warning. What if she tells them?”

  “Relax. It’ll be fine. Besides, we may need her help in covering for us when Kieran or I are staying here.” He came to stand next to me and put a reassuring hand on the small of my back. “She already knows Kieran, so she won’t tell on him. I figured it this way: If it’s a secret between her and me, she’d be more willing to keep it.”

  “Kieran was right about you. You are a smooth talker.” I sighed. “All right. Wait here. I’m just going to say goodnight to my parents so they don’t come check on me. I’ll be right back.”

  My parents sat in the living room watching the local news channel.

  “Goodnight!” I called. “I talked to Shay, and he’s in for dinner this week. Let me know which night works best, and I’ll tell him. And I’ll ask Kieran tomorrow morning.”

  “Okay. Goodnight, Zoe,” Mom said.

  “Night, honey,” Dad said.

  I gave them a hug and a kiss then sprinted back up the stairs. Shay stood in my room, examining my wall of photos: a baby picture of me, vacations at our lake house, Christmases, group shots with all my friends, and lots of random pictures of Kieran and me.

  “Cute,” he said as I closed the door. He pointed at one of the baby pictures, grinning. For whatever reason, my parents had thought it would be hilarious to put me in a brown paper bag. “And before you ask, I’m staying the night so I can protect you.”

  Oh my.

  I didn’t say anything, just walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist, leaning my head against his shoulder blade. He wrapped his hands around mine.

  “What do you think about us being soul mates?” I asked. It was easier to ask from this position, since I didn’t have to look him in those gorgeous aqua eyes. My stomach churned, fearing rejection. Maybe he wouldn’t want to be my soul mate. Then what? Would he be stuck with me forever even if he didn’t want me?

  He turned from the wall and his eyes found mine. “I’m glad we know what it means. I was afraid it might mean something awful, like nature telling us that it wouldn’t work between us, so it’s a relief to find out it’s the exact opposite.” He smiled. “I’m glad it’s you.”

  “I’m glad it’s you, too,” I whispered.

  He leaned down to kiss me, a soft, tender touch, and when he pulled away I couldn’t open my eyes for a moment. He cleared his throat to bring me out of my daze.

  “I should get ready for bed,” I said quickly, remembering those words: staying the night. “It’s late, and I have school tomorrow.” I reluctantly pulled away from him, and I felt his eyes on me as I reached my bathroom and shut the door. While there, I changed into yoga pants and a tank top, brushed my teeth, and washed my face. I even ran a comb through my hair.

  When I opened the bathroom door, Shay stood at the window, gazing out. He’d turned out the light in the room, but a streetlamp illuminated one side of his face.

  “Anything interesting out there?”

  He smiled. “Not as interesting as in here.”

  “Are you planning to stand there? I think my neighbors might call the police if they see someone looking out the window the whole night.”

  One eyebrow lifted, and the corner of his mouth curled into a smirk. “I was hoping to find a more comfortable place.”

  My heartbeat took off then, so I left his side and walked over to the bed, needing to keep my hands busy. I folded down half the covers and climbed into the side nearest the window. Inhaling deeply, I pulled the covers over me then reached over and turned back the other side of the comforter. In a rare, unsure moment, Shay hesitated, until I patted the empty side of the bed. He walked around the room, removed his boots, then stood in the half-light, staring at me.

  Oh my God!

  He dropped his eyes to the bed and raised them back up to mine, making sure I was all right with it. He wanted me to know I still had time to change my mind.

  “I trust you,” I told him.

  A moment later, the side of the bed sank under Shay’s weight. I held my breath and stared at the ceiling, my heart beating a mile a minute. What I’d said was true: I did trust him completely and knew he would be a gentleman, but still ... the whole situation was both thrilling and terrifying.

  “Zoe, are you okay with this?” He broke the silence. “I can sleep on the floor.”

  “I trust you, Shay,” I said again, but the words were barely a whisper.

  “I need you to say it out loud.”

  “I’m okay with this.” I felt for his hand above the covers, and the familiar tingle calmed me. I squeezed it and grinned in the dark. “Goodnight, Shay.”

  “Goodnight, Zoe.”

  We were both too nervous to actually sleep—at least I was. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could clearly see the outline of his body, lying perfectly still beside mine. I watched his chest move up and down with his breathing.

  “Are you going to stare at me all night or are you going to go to sleep?” he whispered.

  “I thought you were sleeping.”

  “How can I protect you if I’m asleep?” His head turned toward me on the pillow. “You should be the one sleeping.”

  I rolled to face him. “You’re not going to sleep at all?”

  “I will, just not now.” He rolled toward me and kissed my forehead. “Go to sleep and have pleasant dreams.”

  Smiling, I scooted my body closer to his and placed my head on the cushion of his chest. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, and I laid my arm over his waist, enjoying the electrical current as it tingled down my neck and arm. I fell asleep, warm and safe in his arms, his breath on my hair, like a soft tickle of reassurance.

  A promise.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Zoe

  I woke Monday morning to an empty bed. The mattress was still warm on the side where he’d slept—or not slept. I smiled, staring at the creases in his pillow and running my fingers over where he’d been. It had been the best sleep I’d had since my life had turned upside down. Flipping over, I checked my phone for the time and saw I still had thirty minutes before the alarm would go off.

  I lay in bed, thinking about the night, letting my worries bob to the surface. Physically, he hadn’t pressured me to go any further than kissing, but now that we were boyfriend and girlfriend, I wondered what he might expect of me. After all, technically I’d only been on one date with him. I didn’t consider myself to be a prude, nor was I specifically waiting until I was married before I moved any further, but I had always planned to wait for the perfect guy. I’d found the perfect guy, and he might even be my soul mate.

  As I rolled out of bed, I decided the easiest thing to do would be to not think about it. The right time would present itself when I was ready.

  Needing to redeem myself after Friday’s pumpkin fiasco, I selected a pair of black skinny jeans and white Mary Janes. My purple tank top had a pretty, white lace trim on the top and bottom, and I paired it with a white cardigan that had little flowers on it. Since I was up early, I still had time to curl part of my hair and wear it up.

  As I sat on the kitchen bar stool eating my breakfast, my parents walked in. Mom leaned in and kissed my cheek.

  “You look nice,” Dad said. “Is there a r
eason you’re all dolled up today?”

  “No ...”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Oh, so it wouldn’t be because of a certain young man who drives a sweet ride.”

  Busted. I studied the granola in my yogurt. “Maybe.”

  He reached for a bowl then dug around the silverware drawer. “You know, he must be a hard-working young man if he can buy that kind of car these days. Most adult men can’t afford that kind of vehicle.”

  I had to change the direction of this conversation. “You like him? I would’ve thought you would’ve hated all the guys who wanted to date your daughters.”

  “Not necessarily.” He bent into the fridge, still speaking. “We trust your judgment. You’re not going to pick someone who isn’t up to your standards, which means you’ll pick a nice guy, someone who will treat you right. Probably someone just like your old man.” Standing and turning to Mom, he asked, “Do you know where the milk is?”

  “Have you tried moving the items around in the fridge?”

  “Ah ha!” He pulled out the milk carton. “Thought you could hide from me!”

  Mom sighed, but was smiling. “Your dad and I thought Wednesday night would work best for dinner,” she said. “Think about what you want me to make. Did you ask Kieran yet?”

  “Crap. I’ll ask him when I see him in a bit,” I replied, putting my dishes away and picking up my backpack. “I’m sure he can come. I gotta go. See ya!”

  As promised, I met Kieran at the end of my driveway. Before he could say anything, I blurted, “Can you come to dinner on Wednesday night?” I told him my parents wanted to get to know Shay better and they’d invited him, too.

  “Sure, no problem.”

  We ambled along Sandbar Lane and turned onto Lake Avenue, heading toward Coffee Grind. A long line had formed, and I guessed it must have been a rough weekend for everyone. I glanced behind us, feeling paranoid, as if someone was watching. I didn’t notice anyone staring at me or anything out of place, so I brushed it off. Kieran caught me looking, which prompted him to scan the area, too.

  “I don’t sense anything,” he said. “It’s okay.” He frowned and kept his eyes on the lineup in front of us. “So how was the first watch?”

  Shay’s shadowed profile on the pillow next to mine flashed in my memory, and I blushed. “Do you want to know, or are you just asking because of Shay?”

  “Don’t get all defensive.” He held his hands up. “I just want to know if any unusual incidents happened, or if you had any unwanted visitors.”

  Phew. “Sorry. Nothing to report.”

  I finally placed my order, but even then I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being watched. I looked around again, but saw nothing. After my order arrived, Kieran and I walked the last three blocks to school.

  We rounded the corner and entered the school lot where all the upper classmen parked their cars just as Sidelle drove by in her green Mini Cooper convertible Turbo edition—a small but fun, fast car that packs a punch. Now that I knew she’s a fairy, I better understood her car choice. It suited her. She waved when she saw us, then our view was cut off as more people started to arrive. I heard bits of conversations about Cali’s party and what a fun time it had been. Some even commented on the strange weather—and who hooked up with whom. None of them seemed to know what had happened to the strangers after they’d left the yard. I wasn’t about to explain it, either.

  When we grew closer to the main doors, Morgan walked up to us with a sneer on her face. “So, you guys must have made up?”

  “Yes.” I grinned.

  “We are not dating and never were,” Kieran declared, then he nudged me with his shoulder. “But we’ve always been best friends, and we still are.”

  I smiled up at him, so happy. We were good now.

  “Well, whatever.” She stormed away.

  Sidelle joined us as we headed into the school. “So what’s the plan, Stan?”

  “What plan?” I asked, battling my locker.

  “You know, about my changing classes. I already know you have Advanced Bio for—”

  “Actually, there’s a slight addition to the plan,” Kieran interrupted. He leaned against the lockers and waited for us both to pay attention.

  “Oh? Do tell.” Sidelle held up one hand. “Oh, wait. On second thought, let me guess. Hmm.” Her eyes glazed over, then her smile grew. “I see. Yes. It’s better that way.”

  She turned to me, grinning wickedly. “I know what it is, and you’re gonna love it, doll!”

  “What what is?” I asked. “What are you guys talking about?”

  Kieran nudged me aside and easily opened my locker, but he kept looking at Sidelle. “We didn’t want you to look suspicious by changing most of your classes.”

  “Okay,” she said. “Whatever. Just let me know which other classes I should change, if any. It’s no biggie. Zoe and I have to go to history now, so see ya.” As we turned, she grabbed my sleeve and yanked it toward her. “You’ll also have to give me the full double scoop on the first watch.”

  “Uh ...” I would not be railroaded by her again. Even if that’s what girlfriends “did,” telling each other about their love lives. Last night was just between Shay and me.

  Kieran winked at me before he headed toward his first class. “See ya in math, Zoe,” he said, chuckling as he walked.

  Sidelle smirked. “Come on, Little Grasshopper. It’s time to go to class.”

  Ms. Hart started the lecture from where she’d left off on Friday. We had a discussion about the ramifications of the United States’ entrance into WWII, basically asking if we thought President Roosevelt might have chosen differently if he’d had more information. Would our history have been different if we had entered earlier or later? Or would he have had the courage to fight evil for the sake of the country, knowing the outcome and the high number of casualties to come.

  The questions made me think about the coming war Kieran and Shay said we would soon be fighting. We’d need to win that. If I was the answer to the prophecy, what would have happened if I hadn’t been born? And now I needed to have the courage to fight Sam and the demons, to save the world.

  President Roosevelt had found the courage. So must I.

  Class ended before I knew it, and I started walking toward math in a state of confusion, not even noticing Kieran standing outside the history room. Students bustled around me, whispering and giggling, but I couldn’t focus on what any of them were saying. When I entered with Kieran at my side, I sat in my usual seat next to him, and still didn’t speak.

  “Hey,” he said, breaking me out of my daze.

  I frowned. “What’s all the chatter in the halls about?”

  He shrugged and smiled. “You doing okay?”

  “Just tired.” I opened a notebook and scribbled down notes as Ms. Miller explained something I had no clue about. Something to do with Ys and Xs. My brain immediately went to sex education and babies. Where did that come from?

  After math, I noticed the sounds of excitement in the halls, again. I stopped Olivia as she ran past me. “What’s going on, Liv? What’s everyone talking about?”

  She rolled her eyes, looking exasperated. “You haven’t heard yet?” She glanced at Kieran, then back at me. “We have a new student! Melanie heard it from Angie, who was in the principal’s office this morning sorting the mail. That’s when she noticed—and I quote—‘the hottest guy ever’! He told her he’d just transferred in.”

  Kieran looked off to the side. The movement looked very deliberate, and I could tell he was fighting back a smile.

  “Oh yeah? What’s he look like?” I asked, my eyes still on Kieran.

  “Angie said he wore all black from head to toe—sort of a biker bad-boy—but he had the coolest color eyes ever. Like aqua blue, you know?”

  “Huh. Did she get his name?”

  “Shay. Isn’t that the hottest name?”

  He enrolled at school! I nudged Kieran hard, knocking him off his step, but he didn’t
stop smiling.

  “Wow,” I said. Olivia beamed, obviously thrilled at this news. I couldn’t help giggling. “Okay. So, Liv, slow down and don’t forget to breathe.”

  “I know, right?” she squealed.

  “Were you at Cali’s party on Saturday?” I asked. “He was there, you know.”

  Kieran shook his head, but I ignored him. The beginnings of annoyance were starting to sprout in me. So the vultures would be taking their hands off Kieran, but now that Shay was in the spotlight they’d moved into my territory. That wasn’t about to happen. They wouldn’t be getting their talons on my boyfriend.

  “There were a ton of new people at the party, but oh my God, Zoe.” She flapped her hands at her face, fanning herself. “This is totally different now that he’s a student! Hey, Tracy!” She yelled down the hall. “Hey wait up! Have you heard the news?”

  Kieran snorted beside me. “And so the madness begins.”

  “Hey, be nice.” I pinched his arm. “They’re coming after you next, you know.”

  “I am being nice. It was my idea, after all.”

  I stared up at him. “It was?”

  “I thought having all three of us watching and protecting you at school would be better. And this way Sidelle doesn’t have to change her schedule.”

  I didn’t say anything for a few steps, then I nudged him again, more gently this time. “You know, you’re going to have to be nicer to him. The cover is that he’s living with you, so how will it look if he’s there, but you can’t stand each other? Good friends who open up their homes would be nice to each other.” We arrived in front of my classroom. “I’ll see you at lunch?”

  “Save me a seat.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Zoe

  During PolySci class, most of the girls huddled together and talked about the new student: what he looked like, where he came from, his class schedule. I had to wonder how they’d gotten so much information. I was his girlfriend, and didn’t know most of it.