by Julia Crane
“You did what?” She turned off the radio as she pulled onto the road. “Tell me everything.”
“Azura took me to her house, which was actually a tree, but a house.”
“You’re confusing me.”
“She lives in a tree!” I laughed. “But once you’re inside, it looks like a house. She had a room for me, and it was beautiful, Sierra.”
Her eyes flicked to me. “You seem okay with everything, better than okay.”
“I guess I’m finally accepting that the faery world is also my home. Not that I want to go live there forever or anything. I just understand now. That’s where I’m from.”
I gave her a breakdown of my night and everything that we said and did. By the time I was done talking, the car was already turned off in the school parking lot and Sierra was watching me raptly.
“It sounds amazing!” she said.
“I wonder if I could take you there sometime.”
Her eyes lit up. “Do you think you could? Is that even allowed?”
“Kallan told me it was rare for humans to cross over to faery world, but not impossible.”
“Speaking of…” Sierra trailed off and bit her lip. “Have you decided what you’re going to do about Kallan?”
“I don’t know. First thing I need to figure out is why he’s here.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“Ask him. He has to tell me the truth. Faeries can’t lie.”
“None of them?” she asked.
“Nope.”
“Not even you?”
“No.” I laughed at the excitement in her voice.
I didn’t like the devilish glint in her eye as she tapped her chin and murmured, “Interesting.”
I realized I probably shouldn’t have told her that when I hopped out of the car and started thinking about all the things she could ask me.
Halfway across the front yard of the school, someone came up behind me and covered my eyes. For a brief second, I panicked, wondering who it might be. Then I recognized Adam’s modern, masculine smell. I giggled and spun around.
We hugged, and his breath tickled my forehead as he said, “Hey. You didn’t call me again last night.”
I swore inwardly. “I’m sorry. I got caught up with Azura.”
That was two days in a row I’d had to apologize to him. I felt horrible. This wasn’t like me at all.
“Azura?” He wrinkled his nose. “I can’t get used to the sound of that name.”
“Yeah. I know it’s a strange one,” I said brightly, but thought, As if Oleander is any better.
“I guess you’ll have to make it up to me.” He gave me his contagious, crooked grin.
I laced my hand through his as we entered the building and walked down the long, narrow hallway. Someone banged into my wings, and I glared at them as I pulled them away. “How can I make it up to you?” I asked my boyfriend.
“Let’s hang out after school. I feel like we haven’t been spending enough time together.”
I smiled. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”
“Did you enjoy hanging out with that woman?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I admitted. “It turned out to be okay. It’s interesting to learn about my family history.”
I put my backpack in my locker and turned to face Adam. His eyes locked with mine, and I could see the love in them. My heart melted. I leaned against him for a minute, listening to his heartbeat.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Just hold me for a minute. I’ve missed you, too.” I closed my eyes and tried to relax.
He wrapped his strong arms around me and squeezed, then gently pushed me back and ran his thumb down my cheek. Softly, he touched his lips to mine. The kiss started off slow, and then turned more intense. When he finally pulled away, I was out of breath.
“I’ll see you later,” Adam whispered in my ear.
“Okay.” I bit my bottom lip.
After he left, Sierra took a couple steps towards me. “Well, that was...different,” she said, searching for the words.
“Mmm.” I could only agree.
On the way to my first class, I spotted Kallan in one of the common areas where a dark-haired girl stood next to him, her fingers running through his hair.
Jealousy coursed through my veins, but I quickly chided myself. Wasn’t I just doing the same thing with Adam? When Kallan helped me escape his world, I told him it was because I wanted to go back to my human life and be with Adam. So why was all the attention Kallan received upsetting me? I had no claim to him. In fact, I was trying to find a way out of this mess.
Kallan looked up and our eyes met. I pursed my lips, spun around, and walked away. Sierra chased after me without saying a word. We took a left down a side hall to English class, and for an entire hour, I gnawed on my pen as I thought about how to get Kallan alone and exactly what to say to him. I went through all sorts of scenarios in my head. The bell startled me out of my thoughts, and I glanced down at my notebook—I hadn’t taken any notes.
I sighed, mad at myself. I had no idea what the teacher had talked about in class. Hopefully there wouldn’t be a quiz.
My day only got worse when I saw Kallan again in science class, smiling as a different girl stroked his arm and batted her eyes. I marched past him and took my seat. Once again, the teacher’s lecture was completely useless as I watched him and her steal glances at each other.
During lunch, I sat with Sierra and Adam. “Where’s Ian?” I asked in an effort to make conversation instead of mooning over Kallan.
“I don’t think he’ll be sitting with us today.”
“Why not?”
“Things aren’t working out.” She popped a grape in her mouth.
“Oh, Sierra. I’m sorry.” I touched her hand.
“It’s okay. We’re friendly. I’d rather it end like that than in a fight.”
“So you don’t need me to beat him up?” Adam asked, his chest puffing up like a rooster. I rolled my eyes but laughed anyway.
Sierra chuckled. “No. That’s okay. But thanks for offering.”
“There had to be a reason?” I couldn’t believe she hadn’t told me earlier. I’ve been a lousy girlfriend and a poor friend lately.
She shrugged. “He was more into me than I was him. He dropped the L-bomb and it freaked me out.”
I thought back to when Kallan had surprised me in front of his father by claiming he loved me. I glanced over at his table and found him staring back at me, the cluster of girls around him chatting and laughing. My wings fluttered. Whenever he was around, it was as if I was hypersensitive. Just being in the same room as him made me flustered.
I couldn’t get out of the cafeteria fast enough. Somehow, I made it through the rest of the day, rejoicing when the bell rang. I got what I needed from my locker and as I walked with Adam to his truck, I felt Kallan’s eyes on me.
“Where are we going?” I asked when Adam and I were settled in the cab.
“It’s a surprise,” he responded.
“What is it?”
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
“I know. I know.”
It didn’t take me long to realize that we were heading towards the lake. It was a half hour drive from where we lived and a popular hang-out spot.
Adam parked and helped me out of the truck. After shutting the door, he said, “We haven’t been spending a lot of time together. I thought maybe we needed to get away for a couple hours.”
I hugged his waist. “It’s perfect.”
We walked along the banks, stopping every once in a while to kiss or throw rocks in. We found a spot under a large tree to sit and watch the sun set, our arms wrapped around each other.
Just as the sun went down past the horizon, I turned and cupped Adam’s smooth face in my hands. “I love you.”
He grinned. “I love you, too.”
Our lips touched, sending shivers down my body. His hands moved up my back and then down
my arms, holding me close. Our lips parted, the kiss deepening. After a few more minutes, we broke apart and smiled shyly.
That kiss had been exactly what I needed to get my head on straight again.
I woke up and the first thing that crossed my mind was Kallan. So much for Adam’s kiss.
I tossed my pillow across the room. He was driving me crazy. I had to find out why he was here, and it had to be today. I couldn’t stand not knowing. I got ready for school in record time. I knew it shouldn’t matter, but I made an extra effort to look nice. I turned side to side looking at myself in the mirror. The long skirt reminded me of the flowy clothes I’d worn in the dark world.
I found Kallan standing near his locker. There were two girls beside him making goo-goo eyes, but I didn’t care. I had a plan now. I marched up to him and looked him in the eyes.
I had a gift; I might as well use it. My gift was that I could use anyone else’s power as long as they were nearby. Kallan’s power was mind control, so when I was near him, I could use mind control, as well.
Meet me out back near the basketball court. Wait a couple of minutes before you follow behind me.
Kallan’s eyes widened in surprise.
I turned and walked away without speaking a word out loud. The two girls probably thought I was crazy. Whatever.
Outside, I ran my hands along the chain-link fence while I waited for him to arrive. When I heard the door open, my heart fell to my knees. Suddenly, I was really nervous about being alone with him. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea.
He strode out onto the court, both hands shoved into his pockets. He stopped in front of me, his face impassive. “I take it you willed me out here? One minute I’m standing at my locker in a conversation with other people, and the next I’m rushing out to a basketball court and missing my class.”
I shrugged. “It was the only way I could get your attention.”
“You always have my attention.” His eyes met mine, and it was obvious he wasn’t joking. Our wings fluttered.
His admission totally caught me off-guard. Focus, Rylie. “You said you were here for me. What does that mean? Are you here to take me back?”
“No. I’ll wait until you’re eighteen. You have a deal with my father.”
“Then why are you here? Why are you flirting with these other girls?”
“Are you jealous?” He raised his eyebrow.
I pressed my lips together, determined not to say anything.
“Well? Are you?” He wasn’t going to let it go.
“Yes,” I spit out. “Happy?”
“No.” His face softened. “I don’t want you to hurt.”
“Are you just trying to make me miserable? I was supposed to have this time with my friends.”
Kallan looked away. “And Adam.”
“Yes, and Adam.”
When he answered, his voice was low and apologetic. “I wanted to have a chance to prove to you that I’m the right guy for you. You don’t belong in this world, Oleander.”
I bristled. “Kallan, this is my world. And my name is Rylie.”
“I’m not going to get in your way, but I’m also not giving up either.” He touched my hand at my side, and the electricity that pinged through me from that small, brief connection made me feel guilty. “I love you, and I’m not walking away. I’ve been going crazy since you left.”
“You know I can’t get out of the promise.”
“I want you to come back on your own free will, not because of my father. Please, Ol—Rylie, just give me a chance.”
I felt too stifled by his presence, and took a step away. “I have a boyfriend, you know that.”
“Yeah, I know. Believe me, I know.” Kallan ran his hand through his coal-black hair. “I don’t know what I’m doing here. I can guarantee this is much harder for me than it is you. But it’s like something is pulling me here. I know it sounds crazy, but I can’t be anywhere else but here.”
My heart stopped, and I fought the urge to take another step back. That was kind of what Lorella had said when she looked into my future. “What did you say?”
“You heard me,” Kallan said as he took a step closer and laid his hand on my arm, sending warmth racing through my body.
I inhaled sharply. I almost forgot the effect his touch had on me. “Kallan, I can’t.”
He pulled his hand away. “I won’t force you. All I ask is that you spend some time with me. Get to know me a little better.”
A loud creak of the door startled us both, and a teacher poked her head out. She was middle-aged, with graying hair pulled up in a tight bun. I didn’t recognize her. Upon seeing us, her brow furrowed and she opened the door wider. Just our luck.
“What are you two doing out here?” she barked. “Report to the principal’s office, both of you.”
Kallan turned and stared at the woman for a long moment. Her knitted brow loosened and her face smoothed, then she walked back inside.
“What did you tell her?” I whispered, taking a deep breath as he finally let go of me.
He smiled, his teal eyes sparkling. “Nothing major. I just wiped the memory of seeing us. As far as she’s concerned, we were never here.”
“Thanks. My parents would have killed me if they knew I got sent to the principal’s office.” My hand was still tingling from his touch. “I can’t even imagine the mischief you got away with because of your power.”
“If you give me a chance, I’ll tell you all about it.”
His statement gave me pause. I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with this guy if Varwik had his way. It couldn’t hurt to get to know him a little better. It wasn’t like I was going to cheat on Adam. Just talking.
“Maybe.”
“That’s a lot better than hell no.” Kallan pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. “What’s your number?”
I hesitated and then reached for the phone and entered my number. Our hands brushed when I handed the phone back. I felt more alive when I was around Kallan, as if all my senses were heightened.
Adam, I reminded myself. I loved Adam.
“I’ll text you,” Kallan told me.
I nodded and hurried away, scared of what I’d just done.
As soon as we were settled in the car after school, Sierra narrowed her eyes at me. “Spill.”
“Huh?”
“What’s going on with you today?” she asked. “First you were late for class, then you barely spoke a word at lunch. And when Adam asked if you wanted a ride, you totally brushed him off.”
I groaned. “Did I?”
“Don’t change the subject.” Sierra threw the car into gear and shot out of the parking spot. “Answer my question.”
“I talked to Kallan,” I admitted.
“And?” she prodded.
“He wants me to get to know him better.”
She eyed me. “That’s it? That’s his master plan? Hang out and get to know each other?”
“Eyes on the road!” I yelled, grabbing the door handle as she veered towards the curb.
“Who’s driving this car?” she quipped, sticking her tongue out at me. “Are you gonna? You know, ‘get to know him.’”
“There’s no harm in talking to him.” I didn’t know if I was trying to convince her or me.
“You sure about that? It could lead to trouble.”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure about anything anymore.”
“I sense a broken heart in someone’s future.”
I groaned. She was right. One way or another, someone was going to get hurt.
We said goodbye in my driveway and I went inside, where I sat at my desk trying to get some homework done. My math was already overdue and science was due tomorrow. I needed to get all of it done.
I worked for some time, barely noticing as my parents came home, until Mom poked her head into my room. “Rylie?”
“Yeah?” I didn’t bother to look up.
“Azura is here.”
“I’ve got a lot of
work to do,” I said, motioning to the stacks of work scattered across my desk. “Can she come back tomorrow?”
“I think she just wants to talk for a minute.”
I sighed and dropped my pencil, annoyed at being interrupted. “Okay, fine.”
Mom held the door open, and Azura walked in. Great, so she’d heard my annoyance. I was definitely going to yell at Mom for that later.
“I won’t keep you long, Oleander,” Azura said softly. “I wanted to invite you to a festival this weekend.”
“A festival?”
“We are celebrating the spring equinox. It’s an important day for us: one of the two times a year that the sun is in complete balance.”
I had so much to learn about the faery world. It seemed like lately, everything Azura said intrigued me. I was totally curious about their customs. “When is it?”
“Saturday. I’ll come get you. It will be a lot of fun, and you can meet your cousins.”
“Okay.” I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure how I felt about having cousins.
She grinned happily. “Wonderful! I’ll see you then.”
I went back to work until my cell phone dinged. I slammed my pencil down in frustration; all these distractions weren’t helping the fact that I hated homework.
I knew immediately the text was from Kallan because it was so formal.
Could we see each other tonight?
For once, I was crazy happy to have so much homework. 2 much hw.
Hw?
Homework.
His texts took longer than Sierra’s or Adam’s—probably because it was his first time ever handling a cell phone, much less texting. When will you be finished?
IDK
?
I laughed to myself. I don’t know. I’ll text u back.
Okay.
It took another hour to finish my homework because I started thinking about seeing Kallan alone. Just the thought completely broke my concentration.
Feeling just a tiny bit guilty, I picked up the phone and texted Adam first. I told him I was done with my homework and I’d see him tomorrow. At least I remembered that.
Then I texted Kallan. Done but it’s late. Maybe 2mrw?