How to Live and Die in Crescent Rock (Crescent Rock Series)

by Bree Wolf

“You’re never nice to me without a reason,” Cora said, still eyeing her sister suspiciously. “Which makes we wonder what that reason is.”

  Quinn shrugged. “I just thought you looked a little bored. That’s all.”

  Cora didn’t look convinced.

  “Really,” Quinn stressed. “I’m not trying to play you.” She shrugged. “Just think of this as the exception to the rule.”

  Cora relaxed a little. “Do you think I have to go back in there?”

  Grinning, Quinn shook her head. “No, stay here, call your friend, chat. I’ll deal with our parents.”

  “How much longer do you think we need to stay?”

  “Maybe half an hour.” Cora’s shoulders slumped. “If we ask them to leave now, there’s just going to be lots of whining and complaining.”

  Cora grinned. “They’re like children.” Retiring to the far corner of the kitchen, where the voices from the sitting room could barely be heard, Cora dialed and was soon absorbed in what seemed to be a more interesting conversation with Jo.

  Still busy with the coffee making, Quinn flinched as her father suddenly came to stand behind her. “Everything going alright? Can I help you?”

  “Thanks, dad, but I got it.” Setting the cups and saucers on a tray, she grabbed a few tea spoons from the upper drawer by the stove. Then she placed the coffee pot in the middle for balance.

  “You really know your way around this house,” her father said, smiling at her. As she turned surprised eyes to him, his brows arched in a knowing way that almost screamed Got Ya.

  Not knowing what to say, Quinn stammered, “I ... eh ... guess so.”

  Her father smiled, and Quinn noted that there were neither suspicion nor anger on his face as he said, “Listen, Quinn, it’s pretty obvious that you are more familiar with this house than you want us to believe and—“

  “Dad, I’m sorry, I just—“

  “Quinn, I’m not upset,” her father said, cutting her off. “I can see that you’re worried. About what, I’m not sure I want to know.” There was an amused and maybe slightly worried gleam in his eyes. “You’re almost an adult and I understand that you don’t feel like sharing everything with your parents. Just a piece of advice?”

  Quinn nodded, still amazed at her father’s nonchalant behavior.

  He grinned at her. “If you want us not to know that you like Arnaud, lie better!”

  “What?” Quinn’s eyes opened wide. “What makes you think I like Arnaud?”

  Her dad shrugged. “Well, no offense, but what other explanation could there be?”

  None I could give you, Quinn realized.

  “So, you do like him?” her father inquired.

  Without an available and at the same time reasonable explanation at hand, Quinn said, “I guess I do. Is that a problem?”

  Her father shook his head. “Not at all. That’s not why I brought it up. Actually I just wanted to let you know that you don’t have to lie to us, if you want to go see him or cut weekends with your family short to spend more time with him.” Quinn’s face fell apart. “Your mother was actually the one to figure it out,” her father explained. “So, since the cat is out of the bag, you can just tell us, if you plan to come over here, alright?”

  Quinn nodded. “Sure.” Smiling at her, her father took the tray and headed back to the sitting room. “Thanks dad,” she called after him.

  ***

  When they finally left, Cora looked ready to be committed. The phone call with Jo had simmered her down a little, but spending a school night tortured with boring stories of times past was more than she was willing to take.

  “Next time I’m not coming,” she hissed, rushed upstairs and banged her door shut.

  Quinn too felt exhausted. The two halves of her life simply didn’t mix. Always feeling like she needed to stay ahead of things and constantly watching her words wasn’t something she cared to repeat any time soon.

  Saying goodnight to her parents, she headed upstairs to her room, hoping for a good night’s sleep. But when she opened the door, she saw that her day wasn’t over after all.

  “What are you doing here?” Quinn asked, closing the door behind her.

  “I was in the neighborhood,” Arnaud said, grinning. “And thought you might want some company.”

  “That is beyond a doubt the most pathetic excuse I’ve ever heard.” Taking off her shoes and flinging them into a corner, Quinn turned to look at him. “So? What is it you really want?”

  “I heard something interesting tonight,” Arnaud replied, his voice completely casual, as he inspected her bookshelf. “Not much of a bookworm, are you?” he asked, looking at her. “Or do you have a hidden library somewhere?”

  “None of your business and, you’ve been eavesdropping again?”

  He shrugged. “I thought we’d already established that I can’t help it. It’s like you being mad at me for the color of my eyes or something. Completely irrational.”

  Annoyed, Quinn sank down on her bed. “Oh, don’t give me this It’s-not-my-fault crap! It’s getting old!” She dropped her voice a little when she heard footsteps on the stairs. “Why don’t you just say what you came here for so we can deal with it and I can finally get some sleep?”

  “Sounds fair,” he said, crossing the room and sitting down beside her.

  Eying him suspiciously, Quinn said, “What do you think you’re doing?”

  But Arnaud ignored her. “I heard you like me.” There was a twinkle in his eyes.

  Completely taken off guard, Quinn stared at him. “What? How do …? I mean, what are you talking about?”

  He grinned at her. “Nice safe!”

  Needing more distance between them, Quinn got up. Pacing up and down her room, she turned to look at him again. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Do you really need me to tell you?” Arnaud asked, also rising to his feet, coming toward her. “I heard you talking with your dad, in the kitchen back at my place. Ring any bells?”

  Quinn’s eyes opened wide as realization dawned on her. “C’mon, what should I have said? That was the most logical explanation. Or would you really have wanted me to explain to him that, for a reason we don’t know yet, my life seems to be in constant danger at the moment, and that that is why I’m hanging out at a friend’s house because he happens to be a vampire and currently the only one able to keep me from kicking the bucket?”

  “Is that the only reason?”

  Confused, she shook her head. “The only reason for what?”

  For a moment, Arnaud just looked at her, his eyes searching her face. “You know,” he accused. “Your heart just skipped a beat.”

  Trying to keep deeper emotions from showing, Quinn concentrated on the anger she could once again feel rising, drawn to the surface by his incredibly obnoxious I-know-it-all attitude. “What are you? A lie detector now?”

  In the blink of an eye Arnaud stood before her, lifting her chin to make her look at him. “Don’t try to distract me,” he whispered. “It won’t work.”

  Indisputably captivated, Quinn dropped her act, her anger suddenly gone. She held his eyes, unable to deny that she felt drawn to him.

  “Do you want me to kiss you?” Arnaud asked. For a second his eyes wandered down to her lips only inches from his.

  Not angry anymore, Quinn smiled. “Pretty cocky!”

  His lips curled into an answering smile. “Isn’t that why you like me?”

  “Who said I did?”

  “Your heart gave you away,” he said, pulling her closer.

  “What about what you want?”

  “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”

  Her eyes searched his face, still undecided but considering. “So, if I say yes, then—?”

  “Then you better mean it.”

  For a moment, she was tempted to say yes, but something held her back. The way he looked at her, with that note of confidence on his face, lit a small flame of resistance within her. She felt the sudde
n urge to take charge of the situation.

  Without another thought, Quinn reached up and pulled him into a kiss.

  For a second, Arnaud seemed surprised. But it passed quickly and he didn’t complain about her taking the initiative. Instead, his arms closed around her so tightly that she felt almost lifted off her feet.

  “That enough of an answer,” she whispered, feeling pleased with herself.

  Not wasting time with words, his lips came down on hers again, not giving her time to breathe. Quinn wrapped her arms around his neck, when he suddenly froze.

  Frowning at him, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Arnaud whispered, glancing at the door. In the next instant he was gone, leaving behind an open window and billowing curtains.

  Before she knew what was going on, there came a knock on her door. Annoyed, Quinn sighed at the really awful timing parents sometimes had.

  Chapter 32 – A Second Self

  “Thanks for the ride,” Quinn said, glancing at Julia, who kept her eyes on the road. Again back in school, Julia seemed to have recovered a bit of her old self after all, but her eyes still held a sadness that Quinn couldn’t bear. Now and then she smiled and laughed, but there was no spark. Only Luke was able to light it. But whenever he was not around, Julia seemed to live in a world without sun.

  “No problem,” Julia said almost mechanically.

  Staring out the window, Quinn felt the silence between them weighing her down. There had always been an ease between them that hadn’t needed words. Only now that feeling was gone. They almost felt like strangers, unable to speak about the elephant in the room. Sometimes Quinn was sure to see memories of the night, that had changed their relationship, cross Julia’s mind. Yet her friend didn’t say anything, never asked a single question or demanded an explanation.

  “How is Luke?” Quinn asked, unable to bare the silence any longer. “Still chewing hair?”

  Stopping at a red light, Julia turned her head, and for the first time looked at Quinn. “He is fine,” she said, her voice almost a whisper.

  For a moment the two friends just looked at each other. Quinn could see the indecision in Julia’s eyes and knew that she regretted what had happened to their bond as much as Quinn did.

  As the car behind them honked, Julia turned onto Main Street. “Why don’t you come by and see him some time?” she said, a faint smile on her face as she glanced at Quinn. “He misses you.”

  Quinn’s heart beat faster and she felt a wave of relief wash over her. “I miss him too,” she said, her face betraying her emotions at the unspoken words hanging in the air.

  Julia nodded, her eyes appearing a bit more lively. “He seems to be in a good mood lately,” she continued. “He’s laughing all the time. Sometimes I find him just staring at the wallpaper, and he is giggling. The last few days he’s been quite content on his own. He doesn’t demand constant entertainment, but it’s still the cutest thing to just watch him.”

  Quinn nodded, her eyes beaming. Maybe the ease that had once existed between them was not gone forever. Maybe they could get it back.

  Stopping in front of Mr. Blake’s auto shop, Julia sat back. Her eyes drifted to Quinn now and again, but still there was a distance between them that wouldn’t yet allow for a more open, heart-felt conversation. “Just let me know if you want to come over,” she said, a faint smile on her face.

  “I will,” Quinn promised, opening the door. “I definitely will.”

  “See you tomorrow then,” Julia said, lifting her hand for a short wave before pulling out into traffic.

  Quinn stood and watched her drive away, feeling optimistic for the first time in over a week. Suddenly the world seemed a much friendlier place and she realized how much Julia meant to her.

  As though the reconnect with her friend had set a precedence, Mr. Blake had her jeep ready as promised. She even avoided another uncomfortable run-in with Andrew. Being unable to tell the truth was burden enough, Quinn realized. She didn’t want to add more lying to it than absolutely necessary.

  Before heading over to Arnaud’s, she stopped at her parents’ diner for a quick hello. Lately they’d been complaining about her constant absence and before they got really cranky, Quinn decided a pre-emptive strike was in order. A little chit-chat around the water cooler did wonders, and when she turned to go again, both her parents seemed pleased. Mission accomplished, Quinn thought.

  As she headed out, she saw Mr. Duncan sit in the corner over a piece of her mother’s famous apple pie. He waved at her and she walked over.

  “Hello Mr. Duncan, enjoying the pie? Can I get you anything?”

  “That’s so sweet, dear.” Leaning over, he whispered conspiratorially, “To tell you the truth, I’m already on my second piece.”

  Smiling, she promised, “I won’t breathe a word of this to anyone.”

  “That’s my girl,” Mr. Duncan said, beaming. “And in return for your silence, if you’re interested, I could tell you a few good stories about the gods and their secrets.”

  A little surprised, Quinn maintained her smile. “Sure, Mr. Duncan, that sounds lovely.” He probably had a million stories to tell, and not enough people to listen.

  “So, if you ever have questions, you know where to find me.”

  “I do,” she said and waving a goodbye, headed out.

  Driving over to Arnaud’s place, Quinn felt lighter than she thought possible under the circumstances. Right then and there everything seemed so promising that she couldn’t keep from smiling. She remembered the kiss they’d shared the night before and felt a hint of nervousness as his home came in sight. Again parking under the tall sycamores, she almost rushed up the steps to the front door. Pushing it open, she wondered where they would go from there.

  Since the dark curtains had disappeared, the house appeared friendlier. Quinn wondered how she could have ever thought it dark and gloomy. With every time she came there, she felt more and more comfortable and at ease in this place. As though she belonged there.

  “Arnaud!” she called, peering into the sitting room. “Tate!” The kitchen was empty as well. But returning to the foyer, she heard footsteps on the stairs. However, as she rounded the corner, it was neither Arnaud nor Tate, who stood there at the bottom of the stairs, a hand on the banister, eyeing her curiously.

  The young woman, clearly of Asian descent, was in her early twenties, Quinn guessed. Her straight, dark hair was tied into two ponytails, sitting almost at the top of her head, and even braided still reached as far down as her hips. The olive complexion of her skin with her dark-brown hazel eyes gave her otherwise square features a softer tone. She was dressed in a simple t-shirt with some common print on the front and khaki, rather baggy pants. Her outfit was completed by shoes, Quinn would never even allow in her closet and barely consider if forced to hike through wilderness.

  “Quinn, is it?” the woman said, her eyes gliding over her.

  Quinn felt a little uncomfortable at such open judgment and answered the challenge by lifting her chin and giving the newcomer the same once-over she had just received. “It is,” she said, her voice strong, controlled. “And you are?” Quinn asked, knowing full-well who she was facing.

  “Soo-Ji,” the woman said, a corner of her lips curling up as she nodded her head. It was quite obvious that, whatever other gifts this woman might possess, she read people well. Quinn made a mental note to be careful around her until she knew more about Arnaud’s so called friend from Korea.

  “Yes, Arnaud mentioned you,” Quinn said, as though she had forgotten a minor detail. “I hope you had a good trip. Can I offer you anything?”

  An amused smile showed on Soo-Ji’s face as she shook her head. “Thank you. But Arnaud already showed me around. This is a beautiful place. He’s told me so much about the house of his childhood. But seeing it now makes me fully understand why he came back here.” Only a subtle, melodious slur in her manner of speaking betrayed her origin.

&nbs
p; Keeping a friendly face, Quinn nodded. Quite obviously they were close and she knew him well. Arnaud had told her of his past. And although Quinn hadn’t asked him, she was sure that Soo-Ji knew what he was.

  The two women eyed each other with caution, assessing the other’s relationship to someone they obviously both cared about, when the person in question came strolling down the stairs, cell phone to one ear. “Don’t worry! He should be there soon.”

  As Arnaud found them standing in the foyer, his eyes shifted from one to the other, half his attention still focused on the person on the phone. “No, there is no need. You know how he gets. I’m sure it’s nothing serious. Just let Tate handle it. I’m sure everything will be fine. Okay? Alright, talk to you soon.”

  “Something wrong?” Quinn asked as he hung up.

  Arnaud shook his head. “Not really. Tate got called away. A family emergency, but I don’t think it’s anything serious.” His face held a hint of worry though.

  “His brother?” Soo-Ji asked, placing a hand on his arm. It was just an offer of comfort, but Quinn’s eyes narrowed slightly.

  Arnaud nodded. “Yeah, he disappeared again. But you know him. It’s what he does.”

  Soo-Ji smiled at him encouragingly. “Tate will handle it. He always does.”

  Suddenly Quinn felt like an intruder, like she didn’t belong there. They knew each other very well, had known each other for a long time. They had shared in the other’s life, had history.

  She however was new.

  “So, you’ve met?” Arnaud said, an easy grin back on his face.

  “Barely,” Soo-Ji said and turning to Quinn she added, “So, you’re the one with a price on her head? Am I correct? You’re quite young.” She looked Quinn up and down. “However did you manage that?”

  Arnaud laughed. “She is quite capable of infuriating people.”

  “Speaking from experience?” Soo-Ji asked good-naturedly.

  Again Quinn felt like they were a unit while she was an outsider, and she didn’t very much care for it.

  “Well, I’m not one to back down,” Quinn said, trying to join in their conversation. “And neither is he. So we butt heads at almost every occasion.”