He’d promised Mr. Temple he’d take care of Gray Beauty and that was what he intended to do. Earlier that day he’d prepared Draoi’s barn, and he led the mare into the empty, bedded stall and unbuckled the bridle. Maddie had just vanished inside with his jacket, so he unbuttoned his cuffs, grabbed the body brush from the grooming bucket, and leaned into his strokes.
“I guess you could say this evening didn’t go exactly as I’d planned.” The horse didn’t respond, just tugged a mouthful of hay from the hanging net, and he continued. “I thought she might be a little angry at me. Maybe we’d talk about it, or something. But I couldn’t just say, ‘Hey, you want to promise yourself to me?’ and then turn around and lie to her.” He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, remembering the way she’d stared at him when he’d done that in the cave. She must have just caught on to the action.
Brush replaced in the bucket, he checked her hoofs, patted her one final time, and secured the stall door behind her. Mr. Temple would pick Gray Beauty and her gear up in the morning and take her home. Missing his jacket in the cooling night air, he sauntered slowly toward the house. Lights backlit the curtains, giving the house an eerie glow.
As if someone lived there who’d be at home with a flying monster. Right.
Chase didn’t stop in the dark, wax-scented living room, but proceeded upstairs. Maddie was just leaving the bathroom as he hit the landing. She shuffled her feet as he approached, but didn’t run away. Instead, quickly, she pecked his cheek. She seemed fragile and it would be easy to frighten her; he was afraid to move. She turned on her heel and entered her room, the door clicking shut behind her. Already the closeness they had shared seemed to have melted away.
He studied the door. Maybe she just needed time to process what he’d told her. It couldn’t be easy, knowing your boyfriend sometimes turned into a gray beast with wings.
He entered his own room and found she’d laid his jacket over the back of a chair. The thoughtfulness clenched his teeth and he paced. Tensed up from telling her and waiting for disaster to strike, there was no way he could sleep. Comfortingly, soft snores emitted from Maddie’s room, and he breathed more easily knowing she slept.
Moonlight filtered through the bedroom window and pooled across the table. Silver keys sparkled. Might as well work, if he couldn’t sleep. Keys and wallet gathered, he secured the house and climbed into the truck.
Ten minutes later he entered the hardware store, already emptied and half of the lights put out. When the bell dinged above the door, the owner turned and frowned at him. Apparently a last minute customer wasn’t what he wanted.
Chase rushed to buy what he needed. With everything stacked in the bed of the truck, he drove back to Draoi’s. He entered the silent house, walked upstairs, cracked Maddie’s door, and peeked inside. She lay curled on her side, peacefully sleeping.
Time was limited. Downstairs he dragged a white paper suit over his clothes and mentally categorized what needed doing.
By night’s end the room would look completely different.
Chapter 33
The alarm blared. Maddie rolled onto her side, slapped the snooze button, and closed her eyes for nine more blissful minutes. When it blared the second time, she groaned and struggled her way to a sitting position. She stretched like a Cheshire cat, climbed from bed, grabbed her things, and headed to the bathroom.
Finally dressed and ready and with only minutes to spare, she grabbed her backpack and ran for it. But a whistle left her lips when she’d bounded downstairs. She dropped her chin and her fingers relaxed, sliding her backpack to the floor.
“You shouldn’t throw your things,” said Chase’s tired voice. “I just cleaned there.”
She glanced around and found him in the kitchen doorway. “Chase,” she paused to take in a breath, “when did you have time to do this?” She pointed to the freshly painted walls. The room glowed a pale gold shade, new and inviting. She loved it.
“Last night.”
“When did you sleep?”
He shrugged. “Sleep is overrated.”
She hugged him and kissed his cheek, more grateful than words alone could say. Grandma Draoi would love it, too. She just knew it. “Chase, you didn’t have to.”
He clasped her upper arms and ran his hands along her goose-pimpled flesh. “I know, but your grandma didn’t need to come home to that mess.” He released his grip and Maddie shuddered from the loss of warmth. Turning away, he said, “Grab your books and let’s get on down the road.”
She complied and they left for school. The day was uncomfortable. Chase acted standoffish, like he wasn’t sure about them any more. And Maddie didn’t know how to rectify the situation. Instead of focusing on her failed relationship, she studied Dougal. Their discovery of last night had her searching for clues to his alter ego.
School ended as if she’d dreamed the day and Chase drove Maddie directly home, rather than stopping by his house for dinner. She found herself missing his little brothers already.
Neither of them mentioned his revealed secret. Maddie wished everything could go back to normal, or that she’d find and live some version of that word. Why couldn’t he just be a regular hot guy and her a regular plain girl? Why couldn’t they have the normal problems that came from being a teenager, like acne, bad hair, and what to wear? Granted, she really liked his wings…
Scenery flashed by the speeding vehicle. How was it possible the entire outside world was still the same when her world was falling apart?
Chase turned onto the driveway and braked at the far end. The truck shuddered to a halt, arousing her from her thoughts. A strange sedan waited in the driveway. Chase helped Maddie out of the truck and they walked toward the house.
“Have you ever seen that car before?” he asked in a hoarse whisper.
“No.” She shook her head. “Nor have I ever seen it in the church parking lot.”
“Who do you think it is?”
“I’m not sure.”
A middle-aged woman, her arms laden with boxes, pushed roughly through the front door. “I’ll just throw these away, Mrs. Casey-Brennan,” she yelled over her shoulder. Facing them, she narrowed her eyes. “Hello. Can I help you?”
“I’m Maddie Clevenger.” Maddie extended her hand.
The woman dropped the boxes at the trunk of the foreign-made car, dusted her hands on her pant legs, leaned back, and cocked one brow. “I’m sorry. Is that name supposed to mean something to me?”
Surprised by the woman’s rudeness, Maddie said, “I’m Draoi Casey-Brennan’s great-granddaughter.”
“Oh, yes.” The lady paused and eyed Maddie curiously. Finished with her blatant perusal, she added, “She has spoken of you.”
Maddie waited for more but the woman clamped her heavily painted lips. She loaded the boxes in her trunk, climbed behind the wheel of her car, and sped down the road.
“How rude!” said Maddie.
“Agreed.” The vehicle disappeared from sight, and Maddie and Chase entered the house. “Your grandma is asking for you. Are you going to be okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Then I guess I’ll go. I’ll pick you up in the morning.”
Already. Her heart felt as if it wanted to stop beating. “Will you call?”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and snuggled his nose against her neck. “Just try and stop me.”
She planted a kiss on his cheek, glad for at least a small semblance of normality. “You better go. I’ll be fine and if I’m not, I’ll call.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” She couldn’t stop a small smile.
Maddie waited in the front yard until the dust settled. She dragged her feet as she drew closer to the porch. She was glad her grandma was home and yearned to speak with her; she needed to convince herself that Grandma Draoi was all right, but a tense ache filled her heart at being separated from Chase. Even if part of her was still aggravated with him over concealing the truth of his identity.
“Grandma?”
“In here, dear.”
In the living room, Grandma held a broom like a partner and danced. A smile creased her lined face.
“Grandma, are you okay?”
“Never better.”
Well, she sounded good. “Can I get you anything?” Maddie eyed Grandma with curiosity and clutched her hands behind her back.
“Nope, I’m peachy.” Grandma Draoi and the broom whirled together around the room. Neither one bent very well, though.
“Are you sure you’re my grandma?”
She laughed, a strong and delightful sound. “Of course I’m your grandma. And I’m so happy to be alive.”
Relieved, Maddie hugged her. “I’m glad you’re alive, as well. Please don’t scare me like that again.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I’m glad you’re home.”
“So am I. Did Chase bring you home from school?”
“Yeah. He’s been staying with me since you’ve been in the hospital.”
“Did he paint?” She and the broom whirled in a perfect circle.
She hesitated.
“Answer me, child.”
“Yes.”
“Was there a reason he painted my walls?”
“Yes.” Maddie gnawed the inside of her cheek and tried to avoid saying more.
Grandma Draoi, despite her exertions, didn’t seem breathless. “Well?”
She gulped. “Someone broke in and spray painted the wall.”
The broom clattered to the floor and Grandma Draoi grabbed Maddie’s upper arms in a vise-like grip. “What did the words say?”
Surprised, she stuttered. “Th-there were the obvious bad words a-and one word I’d never seen before.”
“What was it?” Grandma’s grip relaxed.
Maddie stepped back and massaged her arms, trying to make sense of everything. Surely she’d understand more if Chase was still there with her. “The word was eochair.” She pronounced it phonetically. “Do you know what it means?”
“Yes.” Grandma slid onto the couch and studied her worn hands. Her former partner lay unnoticed on the floor.
Maddie waited. When Grandma didn’t say more, she asked, “Are you going to tell me what it means?”
“We’ll discuss it later.” She patted the seat beside her. “Tell me, how was school today?”
“Fine.” But Maddie didn’t want to discuss school. “How do you feel?”
“Fine. Great. Fabulous! Never better.”
She sounded it. But strangely, Maddie didn’t find that comforting. “Did the doctor give you any information on what happened to you?”
“No.”
Figured. “Oh.”
Grandma Draoi slapped her palms onto her upper thighs and bounced to her feet, as if the strange conversation had never happened. “Why don’t you do your homework? After you finish, we’ll eat supper and I’ll tell you a story.”
A story… Maddie’s heart leapt. Like she wanted to do homework. Anxious about Grandma’s health, and now convinced something was going on, she wanted to spend every available moment downstairs observing. But Maddie shook herself, agreed, and went to her room. Books spread on the desk in front of her, she struggled to focus. All she could think about was talking to Grandma later.
Sometimes homework passed the time. Sometimes it didn’t. That afternoon, it didn’t. Chase called, but even he couldn’t do the trick. She was so distracted they didn’t talk long.
Suppertime finally arrived, but still Grandma spoke of nothing but frivolities, as if she’d never been in a hospital in her life, as if their lives had never been interrupted. Maddie’s patience wore thin. Tired of waiting, she said, “Grandma, when are you going to tell me what you know?”
Grandma Draoi chuckled. “Impatient, are we?”
“Yes!”
“I thought I would tell you a bedtime story.”
“Fine, then I’m ready for bed.”
Grandma grinned. “Okay, you prepare and I’ll meet you upstairs.”
Even though the sun had barely set and she still had enough energy to run laps around the forest, Maddie rushed upstairs and pulled on her pajamas. She skipped to the bed like a little girl and jumped in, her heart pounding. She’d learn something, and if the price included humoring Grandma’s strange whims, then it was a cheap price indeed.
Soon Grandma ambled in, pulled the desk’s chair close, and sat down. “What were we going to do?”
“Grandma!” Not funny.
Grandma giggled. “I’m just joking, child. Where should I begin? First of all, close your eyes.”
“But—”
“Don’t argue with your elders. Close your eyes.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. Now, let me see. How to start? Ah, yes. Long ago in a small town far away, there lived a beautiful young auburn-haired girl.”
Maddie cracked open one eyelid and peered curiously up through her lashes. Grandma leaned back in the chair and a dreamy expression covered her face.
“The young girl lived in a village that was terrorized by a brutal army. One day, the beautiful young girl’s sister disappeared. The young girl looked for her sister but couldn’t find her. While hunting, she ran into a warrior and in desperation, she enlisted his help.”
A warrior… The word echoed in Maddie’s head as if shouted in a cave. …warrior… Her eye closed on its own.
“In exchange for his help, he made the young girl give him a promise. Actually, he asked for two things. One was her love. The other was even more important — she was to be a key.”
“A key?” Maddie’s body grew heavy as sleep threatened to overcome her. Wait, what had happened to all her energy, her impatience? If she hadn’t known better, she’d have accused Grandma Draoi of casting a spell on her. A spell… magic…
The room darkened and her eyelids grew heavier.
“Yes,” Grandma said, her voice measured and dream-laden, “a key. The warrior magically created an ivory tower and he planned to lure the brutal army inside. Once they were trapped, he would sneak out and she would lock the door. Special words were to be spoken which would seal the door, hopefully forever. Because once sealed, the door could only be opened by the girl’s touch or by the touch of her descendants.”
The last sentence was muttered in a breathy whisper and Maddie wasn’t sure she’d heard it correctly. Before she could ask, Grandma Draoi’s voice faded away and Maddie fell into a deep sleep.
Chapter 34
Dougal tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. How could he get Maddie away from Chase? He’d tried the jealousy route using Stephanie, but it never seemed to work. If anything, it seemed to be sending Maddie closer to him.
Cool air struck his face and a hint of lavender drifted toward him. He abhorred the scent. Why was he still picking Stephanie up and carting her to school?
And then there was her voice.
“Hey, babe, why don’t we go to the movies this afternoon? I hear that…”
He winced.
She droned on and on, but all he heard was blah, blah, blah. Yup, getting away from her was a must. He had one nagging woman at home in the cave; he didn’t need one at school, as well.
Stephanie was still talking when he braked the SUV to a halt outside the school. She jumped out, still talking, and he released a pent-up breath. To get rid of her, he would have to do something dramatic, really dramatic. A simple we’re through would never be enough. Perhaps he should kiss Maddie. A smile twitched his lips. That would do more than just get rid of Stephanie.
He ran his hands through his hair, thinking about Maddie’s kiss.
“Are you coming?” Stephanie peered through the driver’s side window.
He jumped. He hadn’t even heard her approach. Maybe he should just open the door and knock her to the other side of the parking lot. That would do the trick.
Instead, he carefully stepped from the vehicle without touching her.
“If you don’t want to see the movie, then we can go to the diner. I’m good either way.”
They entered the school and he headed for his locker. Of course she followed him. His puppy dog was never far behind.
Marley rounded the corner. A smile tilted her lips and she waved in their direction. Hope lifted his spirits. He might have just found his saving grace. Dougal waved her over. Eyebrows arching, Marley pointed to herself. He nodded. She dipped her head and let her hair swoop over her eye. She was the perfect candidate. Now he just needed to wait for the right time.
The halls filled with teen chatter. He hated it.
He laid his arm across Stephanie’s shoulders. Since their romantic evening, Chase and Maddie had been growing close, too close. He needed a drastic action so she would know he was still interested in other people, in her. Serena might not approve, but why did he care? Let her torture Gregory and leave the key to him.
As he should have done all along. He should have never listened to Serena’s whining.
He arched his head back and sniffed. Ah, there, her scent; the key was close. He narrowed his eyes, feeling her mental touch. She watched him. Perfect.
He slid his arm free and shoved his hands in his pockets, secretly watching Marley’s progress. She didn’t count, either — only the key mattered now — but as a tool, she’d do.
Stephanie bumped his side. “Hey, what gives?” Her eyelid twitched.
He almost laughed at her worry, but instead clasped her hands and stared into her eyes. The dull, lifeless eyes of a normal person. Disgusting. “Stephanie, it’s over.”
“What?” She blinked.
With an exaggerated motion, he shrugged. “You’re just not as popular as I thought. And your clothes!” He tsked and roved his eyes over her. “Totally last week. I can’t date a girl who wears ugly clothes.” Marley’s approach brought her close enough. He grabbed her and pulled her into an embrace, stroked a strand of hair behind her ear, and smiled. She gaped like a dying fish. “Now you, you are gorgeous.”
The Key Page 26