“Sabine, why do you make me so crazy?”
“Do I?” I asked innocently, resting my head on his shoulder.
“So very, very …” He sucked in a ragged breath, staring deep into my face. “Very crazy.”
My skin trembled when his finger traced my jaw, lingering near my lips. My whole world was focused on his hands, his wonderful, rough, tanned hands. I sank against his warmth as his strong arms folded around me, drawing me only a breath away, a sweet cinnamon breath as if he’d eaten a pastry recently. I had the urge to taste his lips and—
Thump!
Sharp claws dug into my lap.
“Lilybelle!” I cried, jumping up. “Bad kitty!”
“Can’t blame her for wanting your attention,” Dominic said, scratching my cat under her scruff.
“It’s not my attention she wants. It’s yours. She’s jealous.”
“How do you know?” he chuckled. “Can you speak her language?”
“No, but I’d love to learn. Can you teach me how to talk to her, too, so she’ll obey me?”
“No one can make a cat obey. The trick is to convince them they want to do what you want them to do. Communication with animals isn’t about knowing the right words, it’s much more subtle.”
“I’m all for subtle communicating.” I nudged Lilybelle off his lap. Grasping Dominic’s hand, I brought his rough skin to my lips for a not-so-subtle kiss.
He slipped his arm around my shoulders, drawing me closer. I lifted my chin and his lips caressed my own, soft and sweet yet with a taste of wild, too. And my emotions boiled, tumbled, and intensified.
“If I asked for something,” I whispered, “would you refuse?”
“I can never refuse you.”
“So, do you want to … well …” My face burned. “You know.”
“Huh?” He scrunched his brow. “What?”
“I mean … don’t you want anything from me?”
He gestured to the fried chicken. “You already brought me food.”
Were guys really this clueless?
I was half on his lap, leaning in so my lips were a whisper from his. “Dominic, don’t you know what I’m trying to say? Only Nona knows we’re here and she won’t interrupt us.”
“You know why?” He looked deeply into my face, searching. When I only shook my head, he went on. “Nona trusts us. I don’t want to lose her respect.”
“Nona doesn’t have to know … if there’s anything to know,” I added, blushing. “We’re alone in our private paradise. Anything can happen.”
He touched my cheek with one finger, tracing my jaw down to my lips. “Are you sure you want anything to happen?”
I caught the husky fiber of his tone and fell deep into the blue waters of his eyes. I understood that I was at an intersection, one of those life paths that Opal often hinted at, where the choices that were made could change everything. I mentally paused, listening for my spirit guide’s voice, expecting her to butt in with her usual preachy advice. But I only heard the drum beat of my own heart. She’d abandoned me to adult choices.
And I wasn’t a child anymore; I was almost an adult, and ready to be completely a woman. I trusted Dominic even more than myself. All that existed for me in this moment was Dominic. Here, with me, his heart open and his hands on my skin. Softly moving, fingers reaching, his mouth whispering in my ear.
“Being with you feels so right,” I murmured. “But I want so much more.”
“More, what?” His lips brushed against my forehead, my nose, my lips.
“More you. Only you.”
“You have me.”
“Do I?” My voice caught as I saw beyond his words, to an image of him driving his truck on a lonely road far away. “I have this feeling that you’re still planning to leave.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Stay here and we’ll hide together,” I told him. “The animals can bring anything we need, and we could be happy here forever.”
“Until another investigator or the police show up.”
“What would it take to make you stay? I’ll do anything.”
He cupped my face in his strong, rough hands, staring deep and hard into my soul. My own emotions were so insane with desire, fear, and joy that I couldn’t see beyond them into his mind. What was he thinking? Did he know how far I’d go to keep him with me? I’d give myself completely to him, not only because I loved him so much but because I was sure that it would keep him here longer. Anything, anything … he only had to nod.
Instead, he shook his head and turned away.
There was a silence in the tree house that lingered like long barren seasons … spring blossoms dying, summer’s burning heart, fall’s loss of innocence, and brutal winter reality.
“Dominic?” I said tentatively.
He didn’t answer. His aura was charcoal gray and smoldering-fire crimson.
“Please,” I whispered, shifting on the couch toward him. His face, twisted in anguish, broke my heart. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
His granite gaze was distant, as if he’d gone far away while his body was still here. Fear slithered up my spine. When he reached for my hand, his skin sweaty hot, I knew something had changed.
“It all comes down to respect,” he finally said. “I don’t deserve any from you or Nona if I don’t respect myself, too. And I can’t respect someone who dumps his problems on the people he cares about and hides from his own mistakes.”
“You’re not like that. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I killed my uncle whether I meant to or not,” he said, in a chilly winter tone.
“What are you going to do?” I asked, my fears rising.
“Face my demons.” His gaze swept around the room as if he was seeing it for the last time. “Tomorrow I’ll go to the PI and turn myself in.”
I begged Dominic to let me call my father so he could have a lawyer protect his rights, but he refused. “I’ll handle this on my own,” he insisted.
“Then let me go with you,” I argued.
But he refused that, too. “I don’t want you or your family involved,” he said stubbornly.
“But loving you makes me involved! Nona too.”
“That’s exactly why I don’t want to burden you with this. I’ve been running for five years, since I was a boy. But I’m a man now, and I need to face this on my own.”
“You’re shutting me out. That’s not fair.”
“Don’t make this harder than it already is.”
“I just want to help you,” I said, my voice cracking.
“You can’t.” There was a bleakness in his gaze that hurt my heart. “Please, go.”
I stared at him. “Is that what you really want?”
When he nodded, it was like a door had been slammed in my face. There was no talking Dominic out of his decision.
Fine! If that’s what he wanted, I’d leave. And I did.
Without even a good-bye.
Alone in my bedroom, I totally regretted leaving and nearly ran back through the woods to Dominic. But what if he turned me away again?
Tonight was supposed to have been all about becoming closer to Dominic. Yet now we were farther apart than ever. Life would be all sorts of awful when Dominic turned himself in to the PI. I would try again to convince him to let my father help, but it all seemed so hopeless. Dominic had admitted to killing his uncle. His whole future—our future together—was over before it even started. Arrested, locked up for months, years … life? I saw myself growing old and alone, fading from blond to gray and never knowing love again.
To comfort myself as I got ready for bed, I chose an eagle-shaped nightlight, which was the closest I had to a falcon. Dominic was meant to be free like a wild creature, not caged without sky and sunshine. I had to stop him from ruining his life. I tossed and turned, tempted so many times to fly out of bed and return to the tree house.
At the edges of my mind, a dark-haired woman called my name. But I pushed Op
al out, not wanting to hear her say things like Being honest is its own reward and This will be for the best.
“Go away,” I thought to her. And she did.
Somehow I managed to sleep through the night, waking later than usual. It was Saturday, the first day of winter vacation. Through my window, I could see the morning shimmering in frost diamonds across the tree tops. I got up and dressed warmly, putting on my heaviest shoes and two pairs of socks, then grabbed a down-lined jacket. I felt the urge to hurry, hurry! There was no time to waste getting to Dominic.
I hadn’t found any solutions in my tormented dreams, except an understanding that hurt feelings didn’t matter when you loved someone.
So I went to find Dominic.
But when I got there, the tree house was empty. No birds, squirrels, or rustles from other wild creatures. All I found was a note pinned to the tree trunk.
My Sabine,
Sorry for what I said.
Please respect what I have to do.
I’ll always love you,
Your Dominic
I read this over and over. In my mind I could hear him say “My Sabine” like a whispered kiss. He loved me. I loved him. Why couldn’t that be enough?
When I tried his cell, it went straight to voicemail.
What had Nona said about the PI? That he was checking out of his hotel today? Dominic couldn’t have left too long ago; his aura and the faint scent of coffee lingered in the tree house. So if I hurried back, I could go to that hotel and stop him.
“Nona!” I called, as I bursting into the house.
I found my grandmother in her room, sitting in bed with a sleepy look. “What is it?” she asked, reaching over for her glasses. “Are you okay?”
“It’s not me—it’s Dominic. He’s turning himself in to the PI!”
Nona was out of bed quickly, slipping a robe over her purple silk pajamas. She led me to the kitchen and turned on the hot water. Instead of rushing off after Dominic, she made tea and invited me to sit at the table. When I protested, she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and assured me that we wouldn’t sit by and do nothing. We’d make sure Dominic had a good lawyer, no matter what he wanted. Then she held me. And we cried together.
I couldn’t eat anything, so I just went to my room. I curled up on the window seat with a blanket around my shoulders and stared out at the barn.
My thoughts were numb, as if the chilly weather outside had invaded my heart. This should be a happy, festive time. Two whole weeks of vacation, holiday gatherings with family and friends … but no Dominic.
I kept glancing at my cell phone, willing him to call me. But there weren’t any calls—not even from Jade.
Jade … what was going on with her, anyway?
With Dominic leaving, it had slipped my mind that Jade was in some kind of trouble, too. Of course, by now she was probably home. Curious, I called my father.
Still missing, Dad told me. His voice was sharp with anxiety. He’d contacted Evan, but that was a dead end (I cringed at those words). Evan said he hadn’t seen or heard from Jade. I asked Dad if the email from Jade had been any help, but he said he’d had no luck tracking down Grey. He wasn’t going to give up, though, and would let me know if anything new came up.
After I hung up the phone, I opened my email and reread Jade’s last note. I stared hard at the words: … FYI: Meeting Grey @ 9PM TT 2-nite.
That was Sunday night, almost a week ago. But what was “TT”? Since Jade was the paranoid type, they must have met someplace where Jade would feel safe, and also that Grey could easily find. A place both of them had been before …
I snapped my fingers. Of course!
I knew exactly where they’d met.
And I was going there, too.
*
Nona was leaning back in her office chair, talking on the phone. I waited for her to notice me, then asked to borrow her car. She nodded and tossed me the keys. She waved but didn’t ask any questions, just returned to her call.
I had my hand on the door ready to leave when I felt a poke in my side. Looking around, I didn’t see anyone, but I sensed a presence and heard a whisper calling me.
“Opal, I don’t have time for you now,” I told my spirit guide, shutting my eyes so I could clearly see her golden skin, critically arched black brows, and braided hair coiled into a crown.
If I can cross unimaginable boundaries to reach you, it would serve you well to make a moment for conversation, Opal lectured me.
“I’m in a hurry,” I insisted.
Haste creates missed opportunities. Adhere to my advice or suffer the agony of regret.
I sighed. Sarcasm was a highly evolved art for Opal. “What do you want now?”
To protect you from an unscrupulous enemy and cushion your crossings at a dangerous intersection. By giving yourself away to save another, you may lose your Earth life and find yourself lost among the living dead.
“What are the living dead?”
It is my fervent hope you never find out. Under no circumstances should you leave your dwelling, and you will then escape the gray winds of the gathering storm.
“I can’t sit around here doing nothing,” I argued.
The cusp of darkest night draws near and if you stray from your safe haven, you will face dire consequences.
“What consequences?” I asked, annoyed.
The window of warning is dim, without much information. Words come to me, and I’ll share them although I do not fathom their meaning: “Hold close the crystal staff to save heart, or the old soul seeking to command death will steal beyond life.”
“Huh? I totally don’t get it.”
Perhaps not now, but dwell on it at a future moment for protection.
“Do you enjoy confusing me?”
I do not enjoy your lack of appreciation and comprehension, which is to be expected in one limited by the gravity of ignorance.
I had a feeling she was calling me stupid, but it was hard to tell.
What old soul? What crystal staff? Could Opal possibly mean the cheap magic wand I’d found in Josh’s room? I started to laugh because the idea was so ridiculous. The wand wasn’t crystal, it was plastic.
Before I could ask Opal, I sensed her drawing away; having confused me completely, she was leaving. So typical!
I stood with my hand still on the doorknob for a moment, trying to decide whether or not to bring the silly magic wand, then finally decided that it wouldn’t hurt to have it with me. So I ran upstairs, tossed it in my tote bag, and headed for the neighborhood candy shop.
TT = Trick or Treats.
*
Do criminals have a demented desire to return to the scene of their crime? I wondered about this as I made the short drive to Trick or Treats. And I could now understand why Penny-Love felt compelled to go back to Jacques’ apartment.
But why would Grey meet Jade at the shop he’d vandalized? Coming back was risky—he could be recognized. Then again, the cocky jerk probably thought he was too smart to be caught. My brief glimpse into his aura had shown me splashes of the brazen red and charcoal black of reckless behavior and a damaged soul.
The brick building that housed Trick or Treats was half-hidden at the end of Maple Street. On the surface, Velvet’s store was just a candy shop filled with cases of mouth-watering chocolates and other delicious goodies, but if she invited you into the back room, you’d find a different kind of shop—one with crystals, candles, herbs, and a large collection of New Age and paranormal books.
Since it was still early, Trick or Treats wasn’t open yet. But Velvet’s car was there, so I knew she had to be inside. I knocked loudly and called out for her.
“Why, Sabine, what a lovely surprise,” Velvet said in her British lilt, her high heels clicking on the tile in a cheerful rhythm. She wore snug designer slacks with elegant jewelry and her hair was swept up in a chignon.
“Sorry to bother you so early,” I said, with a wistful glance at a glass case of caramel marshmal
lows decorated like wrapped holiday gifts.
“It’s no bother at all. I’m delighted to see you.” Velvet’s smile lit up her usually prim-and-proper face as she ushered me inside. Her skin was smooth and ageless, making it impossible to tell if she was in her thirties or fifties.
“I need to ask you something,” I told her, unsure how to begin. Sweet scents of chocolate, vanilla, and caramel made my stomach grumble.
“Ask away. I do hope your dear grandmother isn’t feeling unwell.”
“Oh, Nona’s doing great. Her health has never been better and her business is booming, too. She’s met a man who’s interested in merging his own dating service with Soul-Mate Matches.”
“Good for her.” Velvet gestured for me to sit beside her at a round marble table. “Now tell me about your problem. Your energy is heavy and troubled.”
“My half-sister Jade is missing,” I began, then launched into the whole story about Jade meeting Grey here.
“That boy was the vandal?” she exclaimed, clutching the edge of the table with a shaking hand. “I thought he seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place him. I did recognize Jade, though, since she looks so much like you.”
“So they did come here?”
“Oh, yes. Jade sat at that table over there, sipping a vanilla raspberry soda and staring out the window. I asked if she was waiting for someone and she told me she was meeting a friend. We sat for a few moments and chatted. I offered her a complimentary toffee sunburst bar. She was very gracious and thanked me.”
“Then what happened?”
Velvet frowned. “She waited for over an hour. I had a gathering scheduled so I had to close the shop up early. I didn’t want to rush her, though, and worried that she was being stood up. Just as I was about to go over and talk to her, the pale, tall boy came in.”
“Grey,” I whispered.
“His energy disturbed me,” Velvet said with a shiver. “I was surprised your sister didn’t introduce us.”
“Jade and I may share DNA, but not much else,” I said, scowling. “What happened next?”
“They left and I had the meeting.”
“In the back room?” I guessed, remembering when I’d gone there for a séance.
“Yes.” Velvet nodded. “Friends from my coven. So I don’t know any more about Jade. But I’m worried about her going off with that disturbing young man.”
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