The Girl and The Raven

by Pauline Gruber

  The bedroom would be perfect for anyone else. White walls. Layers of expensive, filmy fabric hang from ornate rods over the windows. The massive bed is covered with a fluffy white comforter and looks as big and pillowy as a snow-topped mountain. The white carpet is so thick my toes sink in and disappear. I make messes. Someone forgot to tell Jude that. And all this white hurts my eyes.

  “Where are Persephone and Henry?”

  “They’ll be back soon.” He takes a seat across from me and nods at my soup. “You need to eat. Get your strength back. Dylan’s going to pick you up in an hour and take you home.”

  My stomach seizes at the thought of facing Sheldon and Bernard. I left for the dance with Marcus last night, but return home with Dylan today. What do I tell them? I look down at my new blue jeans and emerald-colored top. Gifts from Jude. The top makes me think of Darcy. I recall the way she looked at Dylan while in her feline form and I shiver. She’s not so great after all.

  “We need to talk,” Jude says.

  I nod slightly and feel a tightness at the back of my head. I walk my fingers along the back of my skull gingerly. The oblong gash—hidden beneath my hair—is jagged and bumpy against my fingertips. I can’t stop touching it, not since I discovered it this morning. I keep expecting it to hurt, but it doesn’t.

  Memories come flooding back to me. The crushing sensation in my chest. The inability to breathe. The crunching sound as my head smashed into the tree.

  I can still hear Daphne’s screams as Jude turned her into a human fireball. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that sound…or the smell of her burning flesh. I push my soup away.

  Jude frowns at my lack of appetite, then leans back in his chair, smoothing the fabric of his dark gray slacks.

  “How do you like the room?” He sweeps his hand around the space. “I had it decorated specially for you.”

  I make an effort not to grimace. He doesn’t know me at all. Besides, I’m never coming back here.

  “White doesn’t stay white for long,” I tell him. “Where’s Marcus?”

  He hesitates before answering. “On the roof.”

  The anger and desperation hit me so hard and fast, I’m breathless. “Why?”

  Jude holds his hands up defensively. “On your roof. Persephone and Aiden are watching over him. Henry, too. I’m not involved.”

  “Promise me that you’ll leave him alone. Forever.”

  He arches an eyebrow. “Forever is a long time.”

  It’s Jude’s first attempt at teasing me. I don’t like it.

  “Promise me.”

  “I promise.” His black eyes burn into mine. Neither of us looks away. “And in return…”

  I swallow my sigh. I knew this was coming. “I will become your dutiful daughter.”

  Chapter Forty-Six

  “You called your uncles?” Dylan asks as he carefully ushers me into his car, treating me like an invalid. I tell him I’m fine, but he doesn’t listen. We pull away from the mansion. Jude stands on the porch until we’re out of sight. If he had it his way, I’d never leave. The trees are strangely silent. I have a feeling Jude did some exterminating.

  “Yes.” I grimace recalling the stern conversation. They’re mad, just not at me. Poor Marcus. “What did you tell them anyway?”

  “I told Bernard that you and Marcus had a huge fight at the dance, that you were super upset and curled up with a box of tissues and a container of Ben and Jerry’s on my couch.”

  The ice cream was a good touch. “I can’t believe they were okay with me spending the night at your house.”

  “They like and trust me.”

  That’s the problem. My uncles like Dylan too much. My face flushes as I recall my feelings for him last night. Was it because we were fighting side by side in a life-threatening situation? Our demon bond? Or maybe it was his lack of judgment. He never once treated me like a freak last night.

  I gasp and jump at the sound of Dylan’s cell phone vibrating on the dashboard. He shoots me a look of concern. I smile reassuringly. Is this how it’s going to be from now on? I jump over every little noise? He reads the screen, then tosses it back on the dash. “Unbelievable.”

  “What?”

  He stares out the windshield, his expression stony. “The rumor mill’s at it again. You and I are the hot topic of conversation. I’ve gotten around a hundred texts today, all eager to know the scoop about you and me.”

  “A hundred?” I ask weakly. For the first time, I’m extremely grateful that Marcus and I don’t to go the same school.

  I imagine the wrath I’m going to face with Ella in first period tomorrow. The silent treatment I’ll get from Caroline during lunch. I lean my head back against the seat. Images of my too-still body on Jude’s dining room table flash through my thoughts, Jude’s blood-soaked shirt beneath my head. The excruciating pain as he healed my cracked skull. I purse my lips, a tremor passing over my skin. I imagine Uncle Zack’s face. His voice rings out as if he’s sitting right next to me. “With all that you lived through, don’t you dare tell me you’re afraid of a couple of bullish school girls. Besides, you have superpowers now, sis.”

  I smile.

  “So…you wanted to talk about it, what happened after…” Dylan says.

  So much for happy thoughts. “I know that Seamus got away.” I wrap my arms around my stomach, the fear curling painfully inside of me. The gray-haired demon tried to kill me three times. I’m still alive, but how much longer can my luck last? And what about Marcus? There’s no way he could survive healing me again.

  “Yeah.” Dylan poofs out a sigh of disappointment. “Jude and I were freaking out over you…your injury.” Dylan grips the steering wheel. “I turned away for less than a minute. When I turned back, he was gone.”

  “That’s a good thing, Dylan.” I can’t hide my panic. My biggest fear was that Seamus would hurt him and Marcus. “And don’t even think about blaming yourself.”

  Based on his tortured expression, he’s not taking my advice. “Everyone worked hard to save you, well, except for me. I did absolutely nothing—“

  I grab his arm. “Stop it!”

  “Why? It’s true. Everyone contributed something. Even the big bad demon—that’s Dad to you. I thought he was going to have an aneurysm with how hard he fought. Then there’s Marcus who, according to Aiden, was in a weakened state, having just been changed back. That didn’t stop him. He immediately went to work on you. Hell, half-dead birds helped save you.”

  “Dylan, don’t do this to yourself,” I plead. “You were surrounded by powerful people. You may be half-demon, but you don’t know how to use your powers yet,”

  Dylan looks at me, his expression desperate. “I’m used to carrying the day, getting the big win. You know?”

  “I know.”

  We hold hands as he tells me about his big talk with Jude, who explained Seamus and Uncle Zack, then dictated how things will work going forward.

  “He expects me to train with him on weekends. Demon training.” His nods at me. “Don’t think you’re in the clear just because you nearly died. He’s expecting us to train together.”

  How am I going to explain Jude to my uncles? And with school, my job and demon training, when will I see Marcus? My friends? “This sucks.” I sink low in my seat. “All I want is a normal life and what do I get?”

  “Jude,” Dylan says as he turns away from me and clears his throat. A moment later his body shakes.

  I gasp. “Are you laughing at me?”

  He turns back to me, his eyes brimming with tears as he tries to fight it.

  I can’t blame him. After everything he witnessed last night and learning that he’s half-demon, it’s a better alternative to crying.

  Dylan’s laughter is contagious and before long, we’re both gasping for air.

  “You have to admit, that really does suck,” he says. “I thought my dad and stepmonster were bad, but…man oh man…you have me beat!”

  “I know, right?” I wip
e my eyes and my mood suddenly grows serious. “Although, not for long…”

  “Yeah. It’ll be like I have two dads.” Dylan peeks at me from the corner of his eye. “So…this whole shared blood thing. Jude’s your biological father, but to me, he’s basically just a blood donor. We’re clear on that, right?”

  “Yes, dear brother,” I tease.

  Dylan narrows his eyes at me. “Not funny.”

  We fall silent for a few minutes. Dylan squeezes my hand. “You know, for an evil guy, Jude fought like hell for you.”

  Harder than Momma ever did. I reach for the scar on my head. Jude just wants to protect me, to love me. My skin tingles and my breath stalls. The very thing I’ve been looking for my whole life turns up in the form of Jude.

  “What’s the story with those damn ravens?” Dylan asks suddenly.

  “I don’t understand it myself. Not yet, anyway. To me, Lola was always a pet.” What I do know is that something shifted from Lola to me last night. I remember the bright light, the vibration in my body. But I’ve felt nothing since then. Well, nothing witchy. Persephone has promised to fill me in soon and to mentor me.

  Dylan glances at me, his expression serious. “You scared the hell out of me,” he whispers. “I need you. The pipsqueaks need you. You can’t leave us.”

  I can’t get words past the lump in my throat. Dylan, Ethan and Brandi are part of my life now—part of my family. I was terrified I’d lose them. Yet, it never occurred to me how they would feel about losing me. Jude has promised to leave Ethan and Brandi alone. I don’t know what caused the change of heart, but I’m relieved.

  Dylan continues. “I know what Marcus means to you. It makes me jealous as hell, but I get it.” He tugs gently on my arm, making sure I’m paying attention. “But don’t stop being my friend just because you’re dating him.”

  I nod and smile. “I won’t. I promise.” Especially now that he’s been promoted to the rank of best friend, along with Katie.

  Dylan pulls up to the curb in front of the three-flat. He grips my shoulders, staring into my eyes. “I need you to promise me something.” He doesn’t wait for me to respond. “I’ll keep an eye on you and…you’ll let me know if anything weird comes up. Anything at all, you contact me right away. Do we have a deal?”

  He watched me hurl fireballs and blow up doors. He witnessed the transfer of Gram’s powers from Lola to me. Dylan’s afraid for me. Or is he afraid of me? “We have a deal, but only if it’s mutual.”

  “Fine, if I start feeling like a demon, I’ll let you know.” He tries to make light of it, but I hear the catch in his voice. “Or if you happen to notice that I’m slicking back my hair and torturing people, say something.”

  I smile tightly and nod. We leave the safety of his car and walk up the sidewalk. “And you can call me if you need a dose of lighthearted girl talk, too. We can talk about Marcus. His great hair. His brooding nature. His killer taste in music and how sexy he looks when he plays guitar. He’s so dreamy!”

  I playfully elbow Dylan but I can’t help laughing as he gushes about Marcus in a girly falsetto. After last night, I didn’t think I would ever laugh again. It feels good. Dylan slings his arm around my shoulders as he walks me to the door and my uncles, who happen to be waiting in the doorway.

  “Lucy, where’s your dress?” Sheldon asks, eyeing my new outfit and the sandals from last night clutched in my hand.

  “I tore it when I fell…leaving the dance.” More lies. Will they ever end? “Dylan’s going to take it to his dry cleaner and see if she can fix it.”

  “She’s really good at fixing stuff,” Dylan adds. This sounded better when we rehearsed it in the car. The truth is, I don’t know what happened to my dress. I assume Jude threw it away.

  “Great to see you, Dylan,” Bernard says brightly. The enthusiasm in his voice causes a stab of pain inside of me. They’ve got the wrong idea about Marcus, but I can’t tell them the truth.

  “Congratulations again on the Homecoming game. You were impressive,” Sheldon says. “Lucy was disappointed to miss the game.”

  He just shrugs and smiles. “We’ll get her to come next season.”

  “You’re welcome to stay for dinner,” Bernard says and it’s obvious by his voice that he wants Dylan to stay. “We’re having pork chops.”

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  I lean against the garage with my eyes closed and listen as Marcus plays guitar. I recognize the song immediately from the second mix cd he made for me. The one he tucked beneath my pillow the night of the homecoming dance. He must’ve slipped away for a minute during the chaos of taking photos. When I found it the next night, I immediately downloaded the songs to my phone and have listened to them every day since.

  Suddenly his voice, rough and textured, washes over me. My insides ache at the sound. Three weeks feels like forever as I waited for him to heal. I used every excuse possible to get away from my uncles and visit Marcus on the roof. Persephone and Aiden grew accustomed to my daily visits, asking how much longer it would be. Aiden called me thirty minutes ago while I was eating breakfast with my uncles. “Perhaps you and Lola should go out back, check out the garage.” That’s all he said. Not even a hello. Then he hung up on me. I made an excuse to my uncles, tried to act normal, fought to keep my legs from racing out the back door.

  “Come on, Lola-Bean,” I cooed to her. I didn’t have to ask her twice.

  I watch Lola soar high above me as Marcus moves onto another song. It’s gut-wrenching and beautiful. My skin tingles at the pain in his voice. After all he’s been through, it makes sense that happy songs aren’t on his set list. I want to burst through the door, but I’m afraid. Will he be different? Does he hate me because of what Jude did to him? He wound up in this mess because of me. I wouldn’t blame him if he told me we’re through.

  When he finishes the song, there is silence. I can’t wait any longer. I need to see him. I take another look at Lola, who’s in no hurry to come down just yet, then go inside. My heart swells, threatening to burst out of my chest at the sight of him. He’s focused on his guitar, plucking at strings, as if he’s looking for a certain chord to inspire the next song.

  His complexion is gray. The pine-green colored sweater and brown corduroys hang loose on his body. He looks years older than he did at the dance. Persephone and Henry reminded me of the toll it took for him to heal me. No doubt they were preparing me for this moment.

  I want to rush to him, tell him I love him, how miserable it’s been without him. But I stand frozen, afraid he’ll reject me. My whole body trembles.

  Marcus looks up at me and a slow smile spreads across his face. I take that to mean he doesn’t hate me. But does he still love me?

  “Hey,” I whisper. “I finally got to hear you play.”

  His gaze burns into mine. “Is it true?”

  I start to cry at the sound of his voice. I nod. My feet refuse to move, so I stand there stupidly, biting my lip.

  Marcus gets up from his chair. He sets his guitar aside, and walks over to me. His high cheekbones stand out over hollow cheeks. The dark patches under his eyes give him a haunted look. I can’t hide my alarm. “Marcus…”

  “It’s okay. I’ll get better.” He takes my hands in his, pulling me into the middle of the room, into the sunlight where it’s warmer. He’s not wearing his cologne and I miss it.

  “I never thought Jude would give us his blessing.” He hesitates, as if he still doesn’t believe it.

  Blessing is a funny word to use with Jude. “I didn’t either, but he’s grateful that you saved me.” I can’t stop staring at him. I touch his face, his hair, his shoulders. He’s all warm flesh and moveable limbs, instead of cold, hard stone. And that velvety voice, the one I’ve listened to over and over in old voicemail messages. “And he’d rather have a pain in the ass like you in his life than lose his second child. That’s a direct quote.”

  Marcus’ smile is strained. I doubt he can find humor in anything related to Jude. I s
troke his cheek. I ache being this close to him. I want to throw myself into his arms, but I’m afraid I’ll knock him over.

  “I need to know what happened that night. How did Jude get you from the dance? Was it Jack Callow and his two friends?”

  Marcus’ expression turns dark. I hate to bring it up, to make him go through it all again, but I have to know. “If you mean three guys whose ring leader had dark, cropped hair, then yes.”

  Anger swirls in my belly. I’ll get them back for this. I swear I will.

  “They pulled me aside in the gym while you were off dancing with Dylan.” His face tightens and I’m flooded with guilt. The last thing Marcus should be worried about right now is Dylan. “They told me Seamus McAllister was waiting for you in the parking lot.”

  “Did you suspect it was a trap?”

  Marcus frowns at me. “Of course, but I couldn’t risk not checking it out. What if it really was Seamus?”

  I clench my fists, my anger flaring. They knew exactly what to say to get Marcus outside. “Then what happened?”

  “I went outside and found Daphne. That girl’s always been trouble.” Marcus shakes his head. “Before I could say a word, she’s spouting something…something in Latin…and when I come to, Jude’s slapping me, telling me to wake up and pay attention.” His expression turns frantic. “I was sure that Jude and Seamus were working together, that Seamus would get to you at the dance. I needed to get out of there, but that wasn’t possible with a black panther—a real live panther—and three huge dogs guarding me. Along with Jude and Daphne.” His expression droops. “So I did what I had to do…I went after Jude.”

  “Marcus…no!”

  “I couldn’t sit there and do nothing!”

  I wrap my arms around him and take a shaky breath. He could’ve been killed. “That’s when he turned you to stone.” It’s not a question. With my face pressed against his chest, I listen to his heartbeat, his breathing, wait for his words.