Masquerade

by Cambria Hebert

  Arms surrounded me and for a moment I pressed myself closer, my heart beating unbelievably fast. He came back! But…something was off…his smell was wrong. It was too clean and light and I didn’t fit against him the way I should. I pulled away. “Cole.”

  He reached out and grasped my shoulders. “You okay, Hev?”

  “Yeah, sorry.” Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.

  “Come sit down, Heven,” Kimber said from the booth.

  “I have to go.”

  “Where are you going to go? I drove you here.”

  I stood there trying to come up with a response. Cole put an arm around me, and I dropped my head onto his shoulder. For so many days I had been panicked and the comfort felt good.

  “Come sit with me,” Cole said softly, and I went with him because I didn’t know what else to do.

  “I’ll get you a hot tea instead of this coffee.” Kimber picked up my discarded cappuccino and walked off.

  Cole smoothed the hair from my face, “It’s all going to be ok.”

  I was fighting tears so I didn’t say anything as he rubbed slow circles over my back.

  “What’s going on here?” The raspy deep voice sent my heart splintering. I pushed Cole’s arm away.

  “Sam!”

  His hazel eyes flashed at me, but then went to Cole and narrowed. “Get your hands off my girlfriend.”

  I pushed Cole away and ran forward, throwing myself against him. He caught me but the breath hissed between his teeth. I tried to pull back, to see what was wrong, but his hold tightened.

  “I’ve been so worried!” I said into his chest.

  “I know, and I’m sorry,” he said, leaning down, whispering into my ear. Goosebumps raced across my skin, the sound of his voice was exactly what I needed to hear.

  I went to grab my bag from the booth, and Cole stepped into my path. “You can’t go with him, Heven.”

  “What? Yes I can.” I pushed Cole back with my hand and grabbed my bag.

  Sam cleared his throat and came to stand at my back. “Hey, Kimber. I appreciate you looking out for Heven while I was, uh, gone.”

  “Where were you?” she asked.

  “I was sick, I couldn’t call.” He glanced down at the floor when he spoke.

  “You were sick? Are you alright?” I asked, turning to face him.

  “Can we go somewhere to talk?” He asked.

  “Of course,” I said, motioning that we should go.

  Cole stepped in front of Sam. His eyes were hard. “You don’t deserve her. Heven deserves someone who would treat her right.”

  “I don’t think you have much say in the matter.” Sam said tightly.

  Cole grabbed my arm and tried to tow me aside. “We need to talk.”

  “No, we don’t. I’m going with Sam.”

  Cole shoved a hand through his dark hair. “I don’t trust him.”

  Sam made a sound and then shoved Cole down into the booth, and Sam was pulling me along with him out of the coffee bar.

  “Why did you do that?” I demanded when we were outside

  “If that guy touches you one more time…” He growled, almost to himself because his back was to me. His fists were clenched at his sides and his back was tense.

  “Sam?”

  His shoulders dropped and he turned, his somber hazel eyes eating me alive. “I’ve missed you.”

  I groaned and went into his arms, hugging him hard. When he winced I stepped back. “What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing, I’m fine.” He tried to pull me toward him, but I could see pain in his face.

  “Are you sick? Hurt?” I began running my hands over him, feeling for any sign of injury.

  He caught my hands between his. “I’m all right.”

  There was a faint yellowing bruise along his jaw. I brushed a finger across it. “This?”

  He blew out a breath that ruffled his hair. There was a cut along his hairline. I gasped and reached for it. “This?”

  “Let’s go,” he urged, pulling me toward the truck at the curb.

  “What happened to you?” I demanded as we drove away.

  “It’s nothing to worry about. I’m sorry about not being around.”

  That’s all he had to say? I wasn’t about to accept that. I’d spent three days worried sick, and then he shows up clearly healing from some sort of injury and he says that it’s nothing? I don’t think so. He has some real explaining to do! “Where have you been?”

  “At home.”

  I didn’t even know where that was. “Where is home exactly?”

  “Across town.”

  I made a frustrated sound in the back of my throat. “You disappeared without warning for three days. You didn’t answer my calls or my texts, and I had no idea where to look for you because I have no idea where you live, and now you won’t tell me what’s going on.”

  “Don’t cry,” he said, hoarse.

  I turned my body away from him, angry at myself for being such a wimp. I couldn’t even be mad at him because I was so relieved he was all right. I wiped furiously at my eyes, ignoring that he was slowing the truck and pulling over. Broad hands caught me around the waist and hauled me backward until I encountered his solid chest. His arms wound around me and held on tight. His breath was warm and brushed over my ear, making me shiver.

  “I was so scared,” I admitted, fresh tears falling.

  “I know, sweetheart.” Somehow the tender endearment made it worse, and I cried harder.

  “I…didn’t know…if…I would see you again.”

  “I couldn’t leave you.”

  “But you did,” I accused, turning to face him.

  He sighed. He looked tired, and there was an echo of pain in his eyes that I thought he might be trying to hide. “I got in a fight, okay?” He pushed a hand through his shaggy hair. I caught another glimpse of the cut on his forehead.

  “A fight? With who?”

  “My roommates.”

  So I was right to think they weren’t really Sam’s friends. “But why?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” he said, his jaw hard, and his eyes flashing. Fear skittered along my spine.

  “You were hurt,” I began, pushing away my fear and tentatively reaching for his hair, lifting it to study the cut.

  I felt him tense, but he allowed my touch and didn’t respond to my words.

  “Lean down,” I whispered.

  He lowered his head, and I trailed a finger along the cut. It was red and slightly raised and looked like it had been pretty bad. I brushed his hair further back and wondered how a cut that looked so vicious could be closed already. “Oh, Sam.” I sighed, pulling away.

  I opened the glove box, and a small first aid kit fell out. Exactly what I was looking for.

  “I’m fine,” he growled.

  “That cut needs to be covered, or it’s going to get infected.” I found a bandage and some anti-bacterial cream in the kit and motioned for him to come closer. I knew that it was closed and wouldn’t get infected, but I felt like I should do something to help him. I thought he would argue but he didn’t, and I went about cleaning the cut and bandaging it. When I was done I took his face in my hands and tilted his head to study the yellowing bruise along his jaw. He had another behind his ear, but there was nothing I could do about bruises.

  “Why didn’t you call me?” I whispered.

  “I didn’t want you involved.”

  “I would have helped you.” My voice trembled as I put away the first aid kit.

  “I’m fine.”

  “But…” He cut off my words by pressing me into his chest and wrapping me in his arms. It felt good and safe, and I had missed being with him even more than I knew. I relaxed against him, surrendering to his warmth and love. We stayed like that a long time, but something intruded through my cloud of contentment. Sam wasn’t completely relaxed; he was holding himself a little stiff. I gasped and sat back. “Where else are you hurt?” I reached for the hem of his shirt, but he
caught my hand.

  “I’m all right, Heven. I’m just a little stiff and sore, okay?” His eyes begged me to let it go.

  After a few minutes I sighed. “You need to move.”

  “I’m working on it,” he muttered.

  I blushed, ashamed. He already worked two jobs. He was probably trying to save enough for his own place. “Sam?”

  His eyes softened when I spoke his name. “Yeah?”

  “Next time, call me, okay?”

  “I never meant to make you worry.” He held open his arms and I eased into them, not wanting to hurt him. Was he thinner than before?

  “I’m glad you’re back.” Everything inside me calmed and settled.

  “I wish I could spend the afternoon with you, but I have to work in an hour.”

  Disappointment washed through me, but I pushed it back. The more he worked the sooner he could move out away from his roommates. I tilted my head back and smiled. “We have just enough time to go get one of those Bubble Teas you like so much. My treat.”

  He smiled. “Deal.” Before releasing me he inched closer, his lips covering mine. Long moments passed as our lips met again and again. When he pulled back my heart was going a mile a minute. He stared at me so intently that I began to squirm in my seat, but then he blinked, pressed a kiss to my forehead and put the truck in drive.

  The Hate

  I spent three days chasing down a false lead. Three days wasting my time! All because some informant thought he could give me bad information. Now he isn’t giving anyone information. Except for the worms I buried his mutilated body with.

  To make matters even worse, I returned, expecting to see Sam back at home. To see that he learned his lesson. Only I was informed that he left three days ago and hasn’t been back. He’s been out watching that little bitch girlfriend of his, protecting her from me.

  Little does he know that he can’t protect her from me any more than he protected himself. Clearly, his lesson wasn’t harsh enough. Clearly, he didn’t learn anything.

  It’s one thing to see the parts or faces of bodies that you never knew. Let’s see how the pup does when he sees the bloody corpse of someone he loves.

  The Hope

  I’m frightened for them. How many more people are going to have to die so that virtue can triumph? Can one man really stop the evil one? One man who isn’t even pure of spirit.

  I pray that he can turn from the evil inside him, turn to the light.

  I don’t know how much longer she can remain in the dark. She must be made aware of the way she is being hunted. Perhaps they could work together to overcome what is coming.

  I pray together they can be strong.

  Heven

  Kimber lived on a lake. Even though the house was large, it looked like a cozy log cabin from the road. Only after you came down the driveway to park next to the four car garage did you realize just how big it was. It was a beautiful, peaceful place that had views of the lake from every room in the house. Full-grown trees canopied the lawn making it feel as though you were in your own private space all the way down to the water.

  I was surprised that Kimber wasn’t having a huge party like she had last year on her birthday. Instead, all she wanted was to hang out here at her place with the people she was closest to. Frankly, I was relieved. The last big party I went to didn’t turn out too well.

  “You look good tonight,” Sam said when he picked me up for the party, opening the truck door to help me in.

  I felt my cheeks burn. “Thank you.”

  I was wearing one of the new outfits I’d bought when Kimber and I were at the mall. It was a nice outfit, but more understated than what I would have chosen Before. Even though it was early spring, it was still pretty cold, so I was wearing a fitted pair of jeans with a few strategically placed rips, a pair of brown suede boots that came to the knee and a white button up shirt with ruffles around the neck instead of a collar. Over top I added a deep red military-style jacket with pewter buttons that I found hiding in the very back of my closet (leftovers from Before). The only jewelry I wore was the whistle, which was tucked beneath my shirt and the bracelet Sam had given me.

  Sam shut the truck door behind me and hurried to get it. He picked up a curl of blond hair from my shoulder. He rubbed the strand between his fingers before giving it a light tug and letting go. His arms wrapped around me and towed me up against his chest. All the breath whooshed out of me and my heart thudded. “Hey, beautiful,” he rasped.

  God, that voice of his. And he knew how to kiss. It’s like he knew exactly how to get to the very depths inside me and lure me out and into the palm of his hand. I could never go back to anything less ever again.

  He pulled back, and I was dizzy. When my head cleared a little I looked up – he was watching me with an amused yet smug smile on his face. Could he possibly know what he did to me?

  I cleared my throat. “Thanks for coming with me tonight.”

  “Where else would I be?” he asked, lacing his fingers through mine. “Besides, I like Kimber.”

  I tried not to think about when he was ‘dating’ her. “I guess you got to know her pretty well when you two were together.” I wanted to kick myself for those words. Dumb ass.

  “I wouldn’t really say we were together. Even then I knew she was totally hung up on Cole. Besides, I had my eye on someone else.” He looked over at me and winked.

  I laughed. “She must be pretty special.”

  “Eh, she’s okay. Sometimes she can be a real pain.”

  I put my hand to my chest in mock distress. Then I shrugged. “You should dump her.”

  He laughed then laced his fingers through mine. “That’s the thing. I kinda love her.”

  My belly flipped over and my heart skipped a beat.

  “Yeah? I bet that she really …” As I talked I noticed a dark shape – an animal – dart out onto the road. I screamed. The truck swerved violently, and Sam jerked the wheel and let out a colorful swear.

  “What was that?” I gasped, trying to slow my racing heart.

  “Probably just a deer or something.”

  It didn’t look like a deer, but I kept my mouth shut. His hands were gripping the steering wheel so hard that his knuckles were white. His chest was rising and falling as he took in short, deep breaths.

  I unhooked my seatbelt and slid closer to him. “Hey, are you okay?”

  “Put your seatbelt back on!” He demanded.

  I drew back in shock but used the lap belt in the center. When I was done I stared out the windshield.

  Sam’s arm slid across my shoulders and his hand splayed over my arm. “I didn’t mean to yell at you. We almost had an accident and then you took your seatbelt off. I was just scared you could get hurt.”

  I nodded and laid my cheek against his chest. Sam was very intense sometimes. One minute he was laughing and teasing but the next he was rigid and protective. I often wondered if he was so protective because I was all he seemed to have. I wondered about his parents and why he didn’t live with them. I was just about to ask when he spoke. The words vibrated his chest and tickled my cheek.

  “Please don’t be upset. I know that sometimes…I can be kind of an ass.”

  “You’re not an ass, Sam.” Then I smiled. “But you are bossy.”

  He snorted. “If I am bossy then you are pig-headed.”

  I gasped and sat up. “I am not!”

  He made the sound a pig makes and I laughed.

  Just like that the mood from earlier returned. We laughed and teased each other until we pulled into Kimber’s driveway.

  Sam got out and came around to lift me out of the truck. It wasn’t that high of a step but I let him help me because I enjoyed when he touched me. As he lifted, he brought me close and let my body slide down his. He made a deep sound in the back of his throat and his eyes darkened.

  “Kiss me,” I whispered.

  He lifted me back off the ground and covered my mouth with his. When he finally set me do
wn my skin was flushed and my vision was blurred. He chuckled at my state and put an arm around me, leading me toward the house.

  It wasn’t fair. I always seemed to be the one affected when we kissed.

  “How big is this party anyway?” Sam asked as we walked along the deck toward the back of the house.

  “She said just a few of her closest friends.”

  Sam looked over at me with a small smile.

  We rounded the corner of the house, and I stopped cold. I absolutely should have known. There were at least fifty people in the back yard. How had I not seen this one coming? I felt relaxed all day thinking that this was some sort of small get-together, so now seeing the crowd, my nerves skyrocketed.

  “You alright?” Sam asked, concerned, moving to stand in front of me. What a favor that was because he blocked everyone from my sight.

  “I guess I didn’t expect this many people.”

  “You didn’t see the cars out front?”

  I shook my head, dumbly. All I saw was him.

  “Hey,” he said softly. “Want to go?”

  “No! It’s Kimber’s birthday, I cannot miss this party. She’s my best friend.”

  He nodded and turned back to the party. I saw Kimber making her way through the crowd toward us. I took a deep breath.

  “Would you mind sticking close to me tonight? I don’t know many people.” He shrugged. “New kid and all.”

  Everyone loved him, and he knew it. He’d said that for me, and I loved him for it. “Like glue,” I said, grateful.

  “Happy Birthday!” I sang out to Kimber and went to hug her.

  “‘Bout time you got here!”

  “I thought this was a small party,” I laughed, hoping my nerves didn’t show.

  “It is,” she said, exasperated. “Gifts go on the table inside the door. There’s a bonfire with marshmallows at the fireplace, and the food and stuff is on the upper deck. The spiked punch is on the lower deck.” She leaned in to whisper, then laughed. Someone called her name, and she spun to wave. “I’ll be back,” she said, scampering away.