by Wendi Wilson
I walked through behind the Madsen boys, the Pattons crowding in behind me. I didn’t take in the room, my mind reeling at being called an Alt. The silver in my eyes must have been more noticeable. That’s the only way she could’ve known what I was.
But that wasn’t the only thing I was shocked about. “She was genuinely nice,” I muttered.
“Are people in the south not nice?” Slade asked.
“They can be,” I said. “I mean, they’re usually polite, southern hospitality and all that. But not to Alts. The boys usually get one of three reactions— disgust, fear, or…”
“Or what?” Silas asked when I didn’t finish.
“Nothing. Never mind,” I said, feeling my face heat up.
“She was going to say lust,” Jett said, blunt as usual. “Some of the girls down there look at us like we’re some kind of trophy. Like they’re hunters and we’re the game, just waiting to be shot, stuffed, and hung on their wall to show off to their friends.”
“Maybe we should go visit,” Silas said, rubbing his hands together.
I grabbed his wrists to stop the movement. “You boys deserve more than that,” I declared, staring into his eyes. “Those girls are disgusting.”
Silas smiled. “I was just kidding, Savanna from Savannah,” he said, his eyes flitting to Wyatt as he used the nickname Wyatt often called me. “Slade and I want nothing less than what you have with these three.”
I blushed, releasing my grip on him and stepping back into the circle of Pattons. Before I could respond, a loud buzzer sounded and the red timer above the door started counting backwards. I looked around, taking in the room for the first time.
“Is she serious?” I asked. “Vampires?”
Slade laughed and Silas grinned at me, saying, “I’m sure it was really the only open room. People here don’t usually care much that we’re Alts.”
“We’d better get started,” Jett said. “The clock is ticking.”
The Madsen brothers were smart, finding the first two clues on their own, making me wonder if they weren’t lying and had actually been in this room before. Beckett found clue number three and I found the fourth one.
I forgot all about the cliché coffins and bats hanging from the ceiling. I really got into the game, determined to solve all the puzzles and find all the clues to beat the timer. My boys were on the same wavelength as me, searching the room until Wyatt came up with a silver key.
“Got it!” he yelled, running toward the door.
He slipped the key into the lock and twisted it, but the door didn’t swing open. Instead, a small panel flipped out from the wall. It had a pin pad on it with the numbers zero through nine printed on ten buttons.
“Shit,” Wyatt cursed, glancing up at the clock. “Only three minutes left. What’s the code?”
We all looked at each other, shrugging our shoulders. The boys started searching the room again, but I stood still, staring at the keypad as I thought. Something tickled at the edge of my brain.
“Wait,” I said. “A pin number is usually four digits, right? And we had four clues before Wyatt found the key.”
“Yeah,” Slade said as they all stopped searching and crowded around me.
“Silas found the first clue over there in the coffin, right?” I asked.
“That’s right,” Silas said. “And Slade found the second clue mixed in the vials of blood.”
“Clue number three was inside one of the bats,” Beckett offered.
“And I found the last one on the back of the mirror,” I said, my mind racing as fast as the timer on the wall. “Two coffins, six vials of blood, four bats and one mirror. Two-six-four-one.”
I chanted out the numbers as I typed them in. As soon as I pressed the last digit, a horn blared and the clock stopped, showing one minute and thirty seconds left.
“We won!” Wyatt exclaimed, picking me up and swinging me around as the door swung open. “And we didn’t even have to ask for a hint!”
“Of course, we won,” Jett said, one of his rare, genuine smiles lighting up his face.
“We can do anything, as long as we’re together,” Beckett added.
“Oh my God, you guys are so corny,” Slade mumbled as we exited the room.
“One hundred percent corny,” Silas said, winking at me.
I laughed. We were pretty ridiculous sometimes, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Chapter Three
“Happy birthday, Savanna.”
A sleepy smile stretched across my face as I blinked my eyes a few times in an attempt to clear the sleep from them. The room was dim, telling me it was still early. Once my vision cleared, I focused on Beckett.
“Thanks, Beck,” I murmured.
“Happy birthday, babe,” Jett said, and I looked up to see him standing behind the couch I was still lying on. Wyatt was there, too.
“Happy birthday!” he exclaimed, a grin splitting his face.
I sat up, turning sideways so I could see them all. “Thank you,” I said, covering a yawn with my hand. “What time is it?”
“It’s twenty after six,” Beckett admitted, looking a little guilty. “Sorry it’s so early, but we wanted to give you your present before the others woke up.”
“I told you guys I didn’t need any presents,” I said, unable to repress the smile pulling up my lips.
“We know,” Wyatt replied, coming around to plop down beside me.
“Here,” Jett said, pulling a small box from behind his back. “It’s from all three of us.”
I took the gift from him, my hand shaking visibly. The box was small and flat with a hinged lid, something you’d get from a jewelry store. No one had ever given me jewelry before, and for some reason, I was nervous. Taking a deep breath, I untied the ribbon and popped open the velvet lid.
“It’s beautiful,” I choked out, my eyes stinging with emotion.
My fingers brushed against the gold chain, then the four thin rings it threaded through. One gold, one shiny silver, one dull titanium, and one rose gold.
“We wanted to get you something that represented us,” Beckett said, taking the box from me and pulling the necklace from it.
“One ring for each of us,” Wyatt explained, gathering up my hair and lifting it so Beckett could attach the clasp of the necklace behind my neck.
The rings settled low on my chest, right over my heart. Jett’s palm settled over them.
“So, you’ll always have us with you,” he whispered before pulling his hand away.
I smiled at him before returning my attention to the necklace. I pulled it out, away from my chest, so I could study the rings. Each circlet had a one-word inscription, letters so small I had to squint to read them. I stacked the rings together, reading the engraved words in order.
“Always together, devoted forever.”
My tears started in earnest. My boys were so thoughtful. I didn’t know what I ever did to deserve them, but I was determined to never take them for granted.
“Don’t cry,” Beckett said, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear before leaning forward and pressing his lips against mine.
He moved aside and Jett took his place. “Do you like it?” he asked, brushing a tear away with his thumb.
“I love it. So much.”
I kissed him, pouring all the emotion I could into the brief contact. As I pulled away, his lips turned up at the corners, a soft smile forming.
I turned to Wyatt, who still sat beside me. He opened his arms and I fell into them, my mouth pressing against his neck. He hugged me tight, whispering words of love and commitment in my ear.
When his arms loosened, I sat up, looking at each them in turn. I managed to force the tears back and swallowed hard so my voice wouldn’t crack when I spoke.
“Thank you, guys. It’s so beautiful. I’ll cherish it, always.”
“Happy birthday, Savanna!”
My body jerked, startled by Silas’s joyful shout as he, Slade, and their parents filed into
the living room. I couldn’t help but laugh at them, all wearing colorful cardboard birthday hats and huge smiles. Mrs. Madsen handed hats to my boys and Silas leaned over me to strap one over my head.
“You guys are up early,” I said, laughing.
“Anything for you, milady,” Slade responded, bowing flamboyantly.
Slade squeezed into the space between me and Wyatt, wiggling his butt until Wyatt scooted over to make room. He rested the large, pink box he held on his lap and flipped open the lid with a flourish. A sugary-sweet aroma hit me and my stomach grumbled, making him laugh.
“Fresh donuts for the birthday girl,” he said, pulling a ring of glazed perfection from the box and setting it on a plate his dad held out for him. “We got up extra early to go pick these up, just for you.”
Mr. Madsen stuck a candle in the donut and Silas lit it with a long fireplace lighter. In unison, seven voices joined together to sing the birthday song as Mr. Madsen handed the plate to me. My eyes burned by the end of the short song, but I forced the tears back.
“Make a wish, Savanna,” Beckett whispered.
I wish we could always be this happy. No fear. No worry. No evil zealot trying to kill off my kind. Just happy, together.
I blew out the candle and everyone cheered, making me laugh. I plucked the candle from the donut and took a bite, my eyes drifting shut as the sugary goodness melted on my tongue.
There are definitely worse ways to start a birthday.
Next came more presents. Silas and Slade gave me a t-shirt with the New England Patriots’ logo splashed across the front. They laughed like a couple of hyenas at the look on my face when I held it up. I wasn’t really into sports and they’d been appalled when I told them I’d never watched a football game and had no desire to do so.
“Try it on,” Slade said, giving me his best puppy dog eyes.
I rolled my eyes at him as I pulled it over the shirt I was already wearing. It was a snug fit, the ladies’ cut hugging my curves.
“Perfect,” Silas pronounced, his eyes shining with amusement.
Jett’s palm slapped against the back of his head and Silas rubbed the spot, his smile never wavering.
“What?” he asked, looking at Jett before returning his gaze to me. “It’s a perfect fit is all I was saying.”
“All right, boys,” Mrs. Madsen said. “That’s enough. It’s our turn.”
She placed a beautifully wrapped box on my lap and I thanked her. It was heavy. I untied the bow and ripped off the paper. I held my breath as I pulled the lid from the box. Unfolding the tissue paper inside, I gasped as I uncovered a brand-new pair of brown leather Doc Martens. I stared at them, unable to even blink.
“Do you like them?” Mrs. Madsen asked, worry coloring her words. “You wear the black ones all the time, so we thought you’d like another pair for a little variety.”
I met her eyes. “I love them,” I said, looking back down at the boots and lifting one out. “They’re perfect.”
I dropped the shoe back into the box and handed the whole thing over to Beckett so I could stand up. I hugged Mrs. Madsen first, then her husband, thanking them profusely for the gift. I was touched that they’d get me a gift, especially one that was so perfect for me. And so expensive. They were such amazing people. So kind and generous. We were really lucky to have them to depend on. I felt bad for ever doubting their motives.
After that, the Madsen family filtered out. The boys had to leave for school and their parents had to go to work. With a final few goodbyes and birthday wishes, they were out the door and I was alone with my boys.
“What do you want to do today?” Beckett asked, rubbing his palm up my spine and back down again.
“I don’t care,” I replied.
“Nope,” Wyatt said, shaking his head. “That is not an acceptable answer. It’s your birthday. You decide.”
“Seriously, guys, I don’t care as long as I’m with you.”
Wyatt opened his mouth to respond, but the doorbell ringing cut him off and he pressed his lips together. None of us spoke a word as we moved toward the front of the house, our footsteps light and soundless. An insistent knocking sounded when we didn’t answer the door quickly enough.
“Savanna, open up!”
I gasped as I recognized the voice, one I’d never expected to hear in this part of the country. I looked at each of the boys with wide eyes as I walked to the front door. I swung it open, arching an eyebrow at the girl standing on the front porch.
“Finally,” she said, pushing her way past me to enter the house.
“Nice to see you, too, Lizzie,” I uttered, closing the door behind her.
Chapter Four
“What are you doing here?”
Never one to beat around the bush, Jett fired out the question as soon as Lizzie emerged from the bathroom, where she’d gone the minute she entered the house. She frowned at him before looking at Beckett and Wyatt and me.
“Can I get something to drink? Maybe some food? It was a long trip and I’m famished.”
“First, you need to tell us why you’re here,” Jett argued.
“I’ll get her something,” Beckett offered, heading toward the kitchen.
“I always knew he was the nice one,” Lizzie said, taking a seat on the couch.
“Lizzie,” I said, my tone warning, as I sat down beside her. “Please tell us.”
Her shoulders lifted, then dropped with a sigh. “I ran away.”
“You what?” I asked, shocked at her admission.
“Well, technically, it’s not running away because I’m eighteen,” she answered. “I left home. Left my parents.”
“But… why?” I asked.
“It’s Brother Earl,” she said, her eyes moving to Jett and Wyatt for a split second before settling back on me. “He’s changed them. They basically worship him and will do anything he says.” Her voice dropped to barely a whisper, “No matter what it is.”
“What did he tell them to do?” Jett asked.
“Well, I already told you he made them force me to spy on you.”
Lizzie had been instrumental in Dr. Patton’s manipulations. She’d set me up on more than one occasion, putting me into positions where I used my power of persuasion in public. She also gave me Ecstasy at her party, making a video of my resulting behavior and spreading it around the school. That was how my relationship with the boys was outed.
But she’d apologized and helped us, proving that she really was sorry and was on our side.
“Yeah,” I said, responding to her statement. “Did they try to make you do something else?”
She shook her head. “I’ve been recruiting kids at school for months, talking up the church and the Purist agenda, but after you skipped town, Brother Earl was done with me. My parents didn’t want to lose favor with him, so they pretty much devoted all their time and energy into finding ways to please him.”
Beckett returned from the kitchen and handed her a glass of orange juice and a plate stacked with toaster waffles and strawberries. Lizzie nodded her thanks, taking a long drink and a few bites of the food, her eyes vacant like she was lost in thought. The rest of us remained silent, giving her time to eat and get her thoughts in order. After several minutes, she looked up at me.
“They’re planning something. They wouldn’t divulge what it is, but I can’t tell you how many times they fell silent as soon as I walked into the room.”
“You never overheard anything?” Beckett asked.
Lizzie met his eyes before looking back at me. “Yesterday,” she said, nodding. “I heard them mention some names before they realized I was within earshot.”
“What names?” I asked, dread welling up inside me.
Sympathy filled her eyes as she spoke. “Roman and Angela James.”
My breath caught in my throat and electricity zipped down my spine. “My parents?” I breathed.
She nodded. “I don’t know what they have planned, I swear. I asked them outright, and t
hey refused to say, telling me it was none of my business. They left for a meeting,” she said, using air quotes, “and I jumped in my car and drove straight through the night to get here.”
“How did you know where to find us?” Wyatt asked, scratching his chin.
Lizzie cocked a brow. “I searched my dad’s office last weekend, hoping to find information on what they’re planning. I didn’t see anything about Savanna’s parents, but I did find a file on the four of you. Pictures. Of you. Of the family that lives here. This address.”
“Wait,” Jett interrupted. “They have pictures of the Madsens?”
“Yeah,” she said, “but I don’t think they’re recent. The kids in the photos look like they’re about twelve years old. I’m assuming they are our age?”
Jett nodded, his eyes unfocused. “He’s been watching us, all of us, for years.”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “I just wish I had never agreed to help. I’m really sorry.”
“Your parents made you,” Beckett said, his voice gentle. “You didn’t have a choice.”
She shook her head, making her black curls bounce. “I could have fought them.” She paused for a moment, gazing at me. “I’d spent so many years hating you, letting Fiona’s words and actions poison my views. When Brother Earl approached my family with his plans, I thought it sounded fun. I’m a horrible person.”
I wanted to agree with her, and maybe I would if she hadn’t warned us about Dr. Patton. She’d made the right decision in the end, and that’s what counted.
“You might have been before,” Wyatt stated, voicing my thoughts, “but you’ve changed. That’s all that matters.”
“Thanks for that,” she said, stabbing the last chunk of her waffles with her fork and shoving it into her mouth. Swallowing, she continued, “I’m determined to make up for it. That’s why I came to warn you about what I heard. That, and to get away from my crazy ass parents.”
I could tell that last bit was meant to be humorous, but Lizzie couldn’t quite erase the sadness from her voice. I couldn’t imagine what it must have been like for her, having parents that placed more importance on their relationship with a cult leader than they did with their own daughter.