Unforgiven (Wanderers #3)

by Jessica Miller

  “Why couldn’t it be detected?”

  “It could be new or unknown or maybe he’s not willing to share.”

  “How can you find out?”

  “Ask him,” he said simply.

  “If I wanted to ask him I would have done that already.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Why do you care?”

  “I just… something about him.”

  “Do you have a bad feeling?”

  “I don’t know yet,” I said honestly.

  “If you want, I know someone whose power is detecting other powers. I could ask her to check it out. You know, on the D.L.”

  “You would do that, for me?”

  He sighed. “Ella, you’re my sister, of course I would. But only if you promise to stop kicking me.”

  “Yeah, don’t think I can promise that. You kind of deserve it sometimes.”

  He laughed and nudged me in the ribs. “Okay, what are you two talking about that is so secretive?” Josie asked.

  “We weren’t even saying anything?” I looked at her suspiciously, wondering if this was some special angel power she had.

  “It was written all over your faces. Clearly you two were communicating telepathically. So what’s the big secret?”

  “Dean decided to come out of the closet,” I joked.

  “It’s about time,” Josie said.

  “Please shrimp, you know I would never crush that little fantasy you have of me and you together,” he said, flicking her chin.

  “Ugh, please Dean. I do have standards.”

  “That’s not what I heard.”

  And that’s about when I walked away. I knew Josie and Dean would be at this for hours and I was not in the mood to participate. I sat down to change my shoes as I watched Ms. Whitney help Roman learn the steps. She wasn’t having any better luck than I was. “I think we’re done for today. I will see you all tomorrow,” Ms. Whitney said, limping to a chair and rubbing her feet.

  “Hey, I could give you a private lesson if you like?” I offered Roman.

  Hey smiled wrapping his arms around my waist. “Would this be a topless dancing lesson?”

  I laughed and kissed his lips. “If you’re lucky, I might wear just these heels and nothing else.” He lifted me up and turned to walk out the door. I threw my head back laughing. “Put me down,” I said, hitting his chest. He smiled and planted my feet back on the floor. I turned to grab my stuff. On my way out I found Lucas carefully watching me and once again I found myself shivering under his stare.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  I stared at my dress hanging on the closet door. I was nervous about tonight. Josie had already warned me if anything big was to happen she would know about it, but everything was clear. “Ella, relax and have fun tonight,” she had said.

  Lately relaxing was not something I knew how to do well. With Jack still out there and no new news from Billy, my mind was constantly on edge. Plus, the weird vision I had with Lucas, and wondering why Mackenzie was keeping her distance made me think something was waiting in the wings, something bad. I wasn’t complaining, but the silence just made Mackenzie more terrifying.

  Something in my gut told me tonight was going to change everything. I was going to have to face my demons. Something told me tonight I was going to have to fight.

  “Hey, where are you?” Josie asked.

  “Huh?” I said, looking over at her on the bed.

  “I can tell you’re somewhere else. So what’s on your mind?”

  “Nothing and everything,” I groaned. “Did you ever wish you could go back and change it all?”

  “Change it how?” She sat up, looking concerned.

  “This, all of this.”

  “Ella, I’m an angel, and that’s not something a lot of people can say,” she winked. I bit my tongue. “I mean, I wish I could go back and see what it was like to be a vampire a little longer, but this life, I wouldn’t give it up for the world.”

  I looked back at my dress and hung my head low. “I wish I could say the same,” I whispered.

  “Hey, enough of the sourpuss face,” she said, resting her chin on my shoulder. “If you want, I can ask Kyle to help you feel better?”

  “And how exactly is he going to do that?” I asked wearily.

  “It’s this thing he does, part of his angel thing. He has a way of making people feel better.”

  “Like my mom does?” She nodded. “Couldn’t you just do it though?”

  “I wish, but nope. Only Kyle can.”

  I wasn’t surprised. “Thanks, but I think I’ll pass. This isn’t something you can just wave a magic wand and poof all better.”

  “Ella, we’re angels. We don’t have wands,” she smiled.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “I have a better idea,” she said, skipping out of the room. The look on her face said she was up to no good.

  A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. I answered to find Lucas on the other side. “Hi,” I said surprised. He was the last person I expected and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous with him there.

  “I’m dropping this off for Josie.”

  I looked down at the large box he was carrying and quickly waved him in. I gestured for him to just put it on the bed. “What is all that?” I asked.

  He smiled coyly at me and opened the box. Inside was a huge supply of liquor, beer, and soda. “I hope this is enough,” he said.

  “Uh yeah, it’s more than enough. Josie does tend to overindulge. Thank you,” I said, hoping that was enough to get him to leave. I didn’t feel comfortable being alone with him.

  “Is this your dress?” he asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “I think red is more your color,” he smiled, walking out before I had the chance to comment.

  I stood there with my mouth open as Josie reentered. “Practicing for later tonight? Here’s a tip, you don’t need to open that wide,” she giggled.

  I came out of my daze. “What? Wait, no that’s not what I was…”

  “Uh-huh,” she giggled again.

  I looked back at the door where Lucas was just moments ago. He said red was more my color and I was wearing a red dress when we danced. He knew. He saw it too. I wasn’t crazy, but why did he deny it and why did he say that? Was he dropping hints? What was the game he was playing? “Hey, space cadet?” Josie snapped her fingers and I turned my attention to her. “What is up with you?”

  “Sorry, just got a lot on my mind. So what’s your plan for tonight? Besides obviously getting loaded.” I pointed to the box.

  She leaped from the bed. “Awesome, he came through.”

  “You plan on having a kegger?”

  “I didn’t think of that,” she said, tapping her finger on her chin and I could see the wheels turning in her mischievous little head.

  “Don’t even think about it,” I warned.

  “You’re no fun,” she pouted. “Ella, you need to –”

  “Live a little, yeah I know.” Taking Josie’s advice for once, I searched through the box of poison. The first bottle I pulled out was whiskey and instantly put it back. After Deirdre’s whiskey I never wanted to touch the stuff again. I tried for another and pulled out rum this time. “Ahh, good old Captain,” I said smiling. I needed just a little something to take the edge off. To keep my mind from wandering to all the horrible things that could happen tonight. All the things my mind cooped up. I told myself I was just being paranoid and I had to relax and I thought this would do the trick.

  Josie tossed me a cup and a cherry coke. “Oops, I forgot the ice. I’ll be right back.” Josie popped out and not a minute later I heard a scream. Josie popped back in with a bucket of ice. “I never get tired of scaring people,” she giggled.

  I poured myself a drink and began to get ready. “So what time is everyone meeting?”

  “Everyone is coming here around six. So that gives us a few hours to get ready,” Josie confirmed by checking her cell.


  We managed to get Josie a dress when we went shopping for school clothes. It was a hot pink, chiffon dress that grazed the floor. The top tied around the neck and cut low in the front. Josie liked anything that was low cut. She always said if you got’em, flaunt’em.

  Josie helped me with my hair and I helped her with hers. I smoothed out her hair into nice waves and let her borrow one of my barrettes to pin on the side. We curled my hair and piled it on top, letting loose tendrils fallout all over the place. By the time we were ready to get dressed I was already on my third drink and having a hard time getting into my dress. “Suck it in Ella,” Josie complained, trying to tighten the corset part of my dress. She was sitting on the bed with her one foot on my behind, pushing to pull the strings.

  “Josie, I need to be able to breathe,” I gasped as she pulled at one of the strings.

  “Do you want to breathe or look good?”

  “It’s not going to do me any good if I die from lack of oxygen.”

  “If your face turns blue then it will at least match your hair and dress.”

  “Just loosen it!” I yelped. It started to pinch my skin it was so tight. She cussed to herself and began to pull out the strings when Cameron knocked on the door, letting herself in.

  “What. The. Hell. Are you two doing?” she asked, looking at us disturbed.

  Josie still had her foot on my behind and was sitting in her bra and underwear. “Glad you’re here, now you can do this while I finish getting ready,” Josie said.

  “Wait, I think you bruised a rib,” I said, taking off the dress.

  “Stop being a baby.”

  I made a drink for Cameron while Josie did her makeup and I regained my breath. I skipped the next drink and opted for a snack instead. I was pretty buzzed and didn’t want to be too tipsy or worse…sick. “If you keep stuffing your face you’ll never fit into that dress.”

  “Shut up Josie,” I said, throwing a pretzel at her. “Alright Cameron, the boys should be here soon so I need you to help me back into this dress.”

  Thankfully Cameron had not tied it as tight as Josie and I was able to breathe. Just as we finished, Austin, Justin, and Riley showed up with Brennen in tow. “I hope you don’t mind I tag along,” Brennen said, looking like he felt like the annoying extra friend who couldn’t find a date.

  “The more the merrier,” I said, hoping to help him not feel like a third wheel. I offered him a refreshment and he dug into the beer, feeling better. Riley looked beautiful in her bright orange dress and by the looks of all her curls, I could tell Sienna had her hands in Riley’s hair.

  Sophia had joined us with Kyle as her date. He looked incredible in a tux. He looked just like he did the day we went to prom. The only difference was now he had a glow to him, one that only I could see. “Hi,” I said.

  “Ella, you look…beautiful.”

  “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself,” I said, adjusting his tie for him.

  He blushed slightly. “Thanks.” I smiled at him feeling my cheeks get hot. I was about to walk away when he stepped in front of me. “Hey…I’m sorry about the way I acted at the party.”

  “Hey, don’t worry about it. Friends fight, it happens.”

  “Friends, yeah,” he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

  I quickly turned to Sophia wanting to avoid the awkwardness. “Love the dress.”

  “Thanks,” she cheered. “Sienna let me borrow it.”

  “It suits you perfect. You guys can help yourselves to anything. If you’ll excuse me,” I said, making my way over to the door, but Kyle grabbed my arm to stop me.

  “Save me a dance?”

  I relaxed and smiled. “Yeah, I can do that.” He squeezed my arm once before he let go and this time his smile was genuine.

  Sienna showed up with Reagan and then finally Lucas and Roman. “Wow, how did I get so lucky to have the prettiest girl in the room as my date?” Roman gloated.

  I stifled an eye roll. “Maybe it’s because I’m so nice I took pity on you.”

  “Ha-ha,” he said, placing a gentle kiss on my lips.

  “Dude, if you’re going to date my sister how about keeping your hands to yourself when I’m around.”

  “Dean, get over it already.”

  “Gladly,” he said, taking a sip of my drink.

  “What is Mackenzie doing here?” I scoffed. She stood in the doorway looking disgusted. Like she couldn’t believe she was subjecting herself to this kind of torture.

  “She’s my date and before you start I asked her because I wanted to. It has nothing to do with your twisted plan so save it,” Dean projected, walking over to Mackenzie and offering her a drink.

  I couldn’t believe Dean asked her to be his date. Of all people he could have gone with, why her? He could have taken anyone. “Whoa, who pissed you off?” Roman asked, wrapping his arms around me.

  “You really have to ask?” I said, looking in the direction of Mackenzie.

  “Don’t let her ruin your night.”

  “I can’t believe Dean asked her. What was he thinking?” I said, fuming.

  “Ella, it’s Dean, he doesn’t think.”

  “But that…”

  Roman turned me to face him. “Ella, calm down. Let’s not let Mackenzie ruin tonight. Tonight it’s just you and me,” he said, pressing his lips to mine and pushing away any unwelcomed anxiety I was feeling a moment ago.

  “Thank you,” I whispered.

  “For what?” he asked.

  “For being you,” I smiled, laying my head on his chest and slipping my arms around his waist. I caught a glimpse of Dean who was seething in the corner. I rolled my eyes at him. Seriously, sometimes I swear he was worse than our dad. I felt prying eyes and I shifted slightly to see Kyle standing not far behind us. His lips were pulled into a tight line and I knew he had just witnessed the kiss between Roman and I. Josie, always the one to step in when needed, latched her arm with Kyle’s and turned his attention back to Sophia. Tonight was going to suck.

  Once Dixon and Cassidy arrived, we decided to make a toast before we headed to the dance. “To good friends and a good night,” Roman saluted, holding his drink in the air. I looked around the circle to see Lucas and Kyle watching me. I shifted my eyes and caught Brennen staring as well. A cold chill ran down my spine and I shivered.

  My head sprung up and the door to my room blew open. I seemed to be the only one to notice. I stepped out of the circle and took a step toward the door. I looked out into the deep dark hallway. I was being pulled closer and closer till I was at the entrance of the door. I placed my hands on the paneling and peeked out to the left. There was a figure standing not ten feet in front of me. The glow from his eyes was what froze me in my spot. I blinked and then he was gone.

  A strange hand was placed on my shoulder making me jump. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” Lucas said. “You okay?”

  “Yeah,” I lied.

  “You seem spooked,” he replied.

  “Just a little nervous. You know how we girls can get,” I laughed uneasily.

  “You’re not like most girls,” he smiled charmingly.

  “Ella, you ready?” Roman called.

  “Yes.” I hurried back to him, threw my arms around his neck, and kissed him with a passion. I ignored the giggles and jeers and the projection from Dean ‘to get a room.’” When I pulled back his eyes were glazed and his cheeks were red. I smiled and he blushed even more.

  “What was that for?” he asked.

  “Just because I love you.”

  He smiled and bent down for another kiss. “Alright you two, enough, or we’ll never make it out of here,” Cameron said, breaking us up.

  When we arrived, everyone was handed a mask to put on before entering the newly renovated hall. Each mask was intricately decorated and each one was different. Some were painted with delicate designs while others were plastered with feathers, jewels, and glitter.

  Roman helped me tie on my mask and then waited whi
le two men dressed in all black and wore plain white masks opened the door for us. We stepped into a fairytale. The celebration was known for its decadence. It was a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection. That was something I could relate to.

  The hall was decorated with gourds, pinecones, and different colored leaves. Ivy stretched up and down the pillars intertwined with tiny sparkling lights. Paper leaves fell slowly from the ceiling, crowding the dance floor. Each table had a colored bowl filled with apples and pomegranates, a tradition for this day. Brown, gold, and orange colors filled the room.

  Each student was allowed one glass of wine tonight to celebrate. After the many drinks I already had in my room I thought it best to sip mine slowly. The buffet style meal was filled with breads, nuts, and vegetables, another tradition for this night.

  With a group as large as ours, we occupied a few tables in the back and before we knew it the celebration was in full swing. “May I have this dance?” Roman bowed.

  “Why yes kind sir,” I curtsied as he extended his arm.

  Roman could dance when there weren’t certain steps involved. He claimed it was easier because when we danced together I took all of his concentration. He said admiring me and remembering what step to take next at the same time was too hard. I just shook my head and rested it on his shoulder. “May I cut in?” Lucas interrupted.

  Roman looked to me for an answer. I wanted to run away screaming, but he took the look on my face as if I was saying he needed to be nice. “Sure,” he said, moving to swap places with Josie.

  “Shall we,” Lucas extended his arm.

  I hesitated. “As long as we stay here,” I said, trying to catch him off guard and hoping he’d slip up and admit he knew what I was talking about.

  “Did you ever think that maybe you were so caught up in the moment that your mind took you to another place,” he said, sweeping me in his arms and guiding me across the dance floor, leaving me no choice but to follow his lead. “Ella, I’m not the bad guy.”

  “I never –”

  “You don’t have to say it. I can see it in your eyes. The way you look at me and how you pull away when I’m near.” He spun me away and then pulled me back gripping my waist tight. My breath caught and the song ended. “Thank you for the dance,” he bowed, kissing my hand. I was left standing on the dance floor completely lost.