Rae offered Elle a kind smile. “I suppose I always knew that deep down, there was good in you. No matter how mean and hateful you were to other people, you’ve always been great to me. I figured that counted for something.”
She nodded. At least she could take a small measure of comfort in knowing that she’d been good to at least one person.
“And it sort of feels like we’ve always been friends,” Rae added.
Elle instantly caught hold of the peculiar meaning of the words. “What do you mean?”
Rae pulled the magazine in front of her and began absently leafing through it. “I dunno, you’ve heard the phrase kindred spirits? That’s what it feels like we are.”
“Like we’ve known each other before?”
“Yeah.”
Elle’s heart began to pound as she remembered the sensation of having been in that castle, and Adele admitted as much. Had Rae also been there? Silence settled between them as Elle tried to figure out how to tell Rae about the shadow crawler and the other unbelievable things that kept happening with Adele. Rae would think she was crazy for sure, but maybe if she approached it from the angle of them having known each other before …
Rae’s phone buzzed. She retrieved it from her pocket. “Great! I’ve gotta get home. My mom needs the van to run to the grocery store.” She closed the magazine and hopped off the bed.
Disappointment settled over Elle. She would have to wait until another time to talk to Rae about the shadow crawlers and Adele.
“Alridy then, I’ll see you tonight at practice.” She cut her eyes towards Rush’s house as a wicked smile played on her lips. “Good luck with your English essay.”
Elle rolled her eyes. “Thanks, I’ll need all the help I can get with the imbecile.”
* * *
Elle was powdering her face and applying lipstick when Josselyn barged into the room. She made a face. “Don’t you ever knock? I would appreciate it if you could respect my privacy.”
Josselyn ignored the comment. She sat down on the bed. “Going somewhere?”
“Nope.” Elle deliberately kept her answer short. The less Josselyn knew about the details of her life, the better. Elle tried her best to stay out of Sera and Josselyn’s path as often as humanly possible. Of course that was hard to do considering they lived in the same house. Her dad was always working and was rarely ever home, so he couldn’t act as a buffer between Elle and her devil stepmother. Nor could he save her from her annoying stepsister that was helping herself to the rest of Rae’s Cheetos. She glared at Josselyn. “What do you want?”
“Can’t I even come in and say hello?” Josselyn said innocently.
“No, you can’t.” She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, waiting to see what Josselyn had up her sleeve this time.
Josselyn cocked her head. “How’s Rae?”
“Fine.”
They sat there, sizing one another up, until Josselyn finally spoke. “You know, you really should learn to keep your door shut. I heard everything the two of you were saying.”
Elle’s blood began pumping faster and her eyes narrowed, but she managed to keep her voice even as she spoke. “You were eavesdropping.”
“I wouldn’t call it eavesdropping, exactly.” A malicious light settled into her eyes.
“Then what would you call it?” Elle’s voice cracked like a whip through the stuffy room. “Is your life that boring? Do you really have nothing better to do than to sit around and catch crumbs of my conversations? Pathetic,” she muttered.
Josselyn chuckled lightly, but her lips twisted into a cruel smile. “I couldn’t help but overhear the part about that sweet letter you wrote to Edward—the one that has you all confused about your feelings for him.”
The hair on Elle’s neck stood on ends. “How dare you!”
“How dare me?” She leaned forward. “How dare you!” Her lips curled into a snarl, reminding Elle of a dog about to attack.
Elle met her gaze full on, not backing down an inch.
“I wrote that letter to Edward!” She pointed to her chest. “Me!” She was near yelling, and there was a crazed look in her eyes.
Hesitancy crept over Elle. “What do you mean?”
Josselyn shot her a look filled with pure hatred. It jolted Elle, but she tried hard not to show it. “You don’t care a hoot for Edward. You never did! You don’t have the capacity to feel those things that I expressed in that letter. So what did you do? You snuck into my room and copied it. Then you turned around and wrote them to Edward, pretending that they were your thoughts and feelings.”
The accusations were pummeling her faster than she could field them, stripping away her defenses. A silent scream started in her throat and exploded in her head. She closed her eyes in an attempt to block it out.
“You are a horrible person! Horrible!” she screamed. “I hate you!”
Elle opened her eyes, trying to sort through it all. She looked directly at Josselyn, trying to figure out if she was speaking the truth. “So, you’re saying that I stole that letter from you?”
A harsh laugh forced its way out of Josselyn’s throat. “Oh, yeah, that’s right. You can’t remember anything. How convenient.”
“I’m not the person I was before,” Elle shot back. “You know that I don’t remember anything! You could accuse me of stealing the moon, and I wouldn’t know the difference!” Tears formed in her eyes, but she rapidly blinked them away.
“Well, you did this! I promise you that! You said yourself that you couldn’t believe you wrote those things to Edward. It’s because you didn’t!”
Elle sat there, stupefied, looking at the expression of rage on Josselyn’s round face. Apologizing wouldn’t do an ounce of good because Josselyn would only deem it as a weakness. There was nothing she could do to undo the wrong. She’d spent all of this time worrying about that stupid letter—trying to figure out how she could’ve felt those things before the accident when she didn’t feel them now. The irony of it was suddenly too much, causing something to break loose, and she started laughing at the ridiculousness of the entire situation. She doubled over and laughed until tears were streaming down her face.
Josselyn gave her a disdainful look.
Elle held up her hand. “I’m sorry.” She took a deep breath and tried to get control of herself. “I’m sorry,” she repeated, wiping at the tears.
“I can’t believe you’re sitting there, laughing at me!”
“I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing at my crazy, mixed-up life.”
“You’re crazy and mixed up!” Josselyn hurled at her, but the insult missed its mark as Elle chuckled.
“Yep, you’ve got that right.” She looked straight at Josselyn, hoping the sincerity of her words would somehow make it through her stepsister’s block-headed stubbornness. “Look, Josselyn, I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of, and I know apologizing to you now won’t making any difference. If it would, I would tell you that I’m truly sorry for all of the terrible things I’ve done to you.” For a split second, Elle thought she saw Josselyn’s expression soften. Hope fluttered in her breast, but it was dashed in the next second when Josselyn drew herself up, her eyes narrowing into angry slits.
“Save it! Save it for someone who believes it! You’re still the same evil stepsister you’ve always been. You’ve just learned to hide it.”
Elle let out a humorless laugh. “Yep, I’m the evil one,” she said sarcastically. “How’s that for the pot calling the kettle black.” She’d known apologizing was a waste of breath. “I don’t mean to cut our little conversation short, but was there anything else you wanted to accuse me of? If so, you’d better get to it.” She glanced at the clock on her phone. “Because I’ve got someone coming over to work on an essay in the next few minutes.”
Josselyn’s face turned a deep red, and Elle could’ve sworn she could almost see steam coming out of her ears. She stood. “Don’t cross me! One word to my mother, and I can make your life a livi
ng hell.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Well, I’m already doing my chores and the majority of yours, I really don’t know what else you could do.”
“I’m warning you,” Josselyn seethed. A smug smile twisted over her face. “I could make it so that you’re grounded.” Her voice became taunting. “No more band practices, dates with Edward, late-night rendezvous with Rush on the roof.” She waved a hand. “You get the point.”
A hot anger seared its way over Elle, and she wanted to smack the snarky smile off of Josselyn’s face. Then, a sliver of apprehension went down her spine. If Josselyn made good on her threats, she would be in a whole heap of trouble! She rolled her eyes, acting as though she couldn’t care less. If Josselyn thought she had the edge, it would all be over. “Yeah, yeah … whatever. My dad would never stand for that, and you know it.”
“He’s putty in my mother’s hands, and you know it.” She lifted her chin triumphantly.
Elle eyed Josselyn, trying another tactic. “Think how mortified you would be if Edward were to learn how you feel about him.”
A furious expression twisted over her face. “You wouldn’t!”
“Only if you push me.”
They glared at each other, each of them trying to discern if the other would make good on their threat. Finally, Josselyn let out a growl. “I hate you!” she cried, balling her fists. When she got to the door, she turned. “For your information, I’m way over Edward. I’ve got someone else coming over tonight.” She gritted her teeth. “So, stay out of my way!”
“Gladly,” Elle muttered as Josselyn stomped off. She stared into nothingness for a moment, and then it hit her! She didn’t write the letter. Mixed emotions warred inside her, but she mostly felt relief. Maybe she knew herself better than she thought. She couldn’t imagine feeling such strong feelings for Edward when it was Rush who consumed her thoughts … drove her stark raving mad! Her thoughts shifted to Josselyn. As mean and spiteful as Josselyn was, she hadn’t deserved to have her letter stolen. Passing off Josselyn’s words as hers? Really? This was a new low—even for her. She cringed. Ew! She had been a terrible person. Despondency settled over her, but then she remembered Adele’s words. Adele believed in her, as did Rae. She was a different person now—a better person. She glanced at the mirror. “I am better,” she said vehemently.
The doorbell rang, and she jumped up. Rush was early. It was five minutes till five. Her hands went sweaty, and she rubbed them on her jeans before glancing in the mirror to make sure she looked okay. She halfway expected her reflection to smirk or laugh in her face, but this time, it only stared back. She bounded down the stairs, her heart in her throat. Then she paused. The worst thing she could do was to look too eager. After all, just because Rae thought Rush was trying to make her jealous by dating Lynessa didn’t necessarily mean that it was true. The only reason Rush was coming over was because he was forced to write the essay with her, and he had come to the front door rather than through the window. Still, the thoughts of spending a couple of hours alone with him thrilled her on some primal level she couldn’t fully comprehend.
She was so caught up in her thoughts that she nearly ran headlong into Sera at the bottom of the stairs. “Oh, sorry,” she mumbled, stepping out of the way.
Sera’s angular face drew up like a ball being deflated as her cold eyes raked over Elle. “In a hurry to get the door, I see.” She cocked her head. “Whom are you expecting?”
“My essay partner.”
Her eyebrow went up into a sharp v. “And that is?”
The doorbell rang again.
Elle moved to answer it, but Sera held out her arm, blocking her way. “I asked you a question.”
Fury shot through Elle, and it was all she could do to keep her expression neutral. “Rush Porter and I were assigned to work together on an essay.”
“Were you really assigned to work with Rush, or is this a lame attempt to get him up to your bedroom again, so the two of you can make out? I wonder what his mother would say about that. Perhaps I should give her a call.” A callous smile split her lips.
She wondered again how this bitter woman had managed to get her claws into her dad. No wonder he stayed gone all of the time. Work was probably an excuse to get away from her. She lifted her chin in the air. “Go ahead, call her if you want, but I can assure you that Mrs. Porter is perfectly fine with it.”
“Really? And what makes you so sure?”
“Because she’s the one who made the assignment.” It was delicious to watch Sera’s eyes bulge as her face went as gray as her sweater. Elle had to swallow the laugh building in her throat.
The doorbell rang again. This time, more insistent.
“Excuse me.” Elle pushed past Sera and opened the door. Her jaw went slack when she saw who was standing there. Alarm pulsed through her veins as she took a step back from the hulk that was towering over her. “Huntsden,” she croaked.
He gave her an insinuating smile. “Hello, Elle.”
The way he spoke her name suggested some sort of intimacy that left her feeling nauseous. Then she bristled. “I told you to stay away from me.” He was so large that she had the uncanny impression of being a helpless mouse that was trying to fend off the cat. Where was Adele when she needed her? She could use a bit of magic or whatever power she had right about now.
He laughed. “I’m not here to see you.”
“He’s here to see me.” There was a smug tone in Josselyn’s voice as she stepped up to the door. She flashed Elle a bright smile that held zero warmth. “I see you’re monopolizing my date. Is that because you can’t get your own?” The bite in her voice seemed to amuse Huntsden, and he sniggered.
Elle’s eyes flew open wide, and she simply shook her head.
Huntsden smiled down at Josselyn. “Don’t worry, I would never be interested in her while you’re around.”
I wouldn’t give you the time of day if you were the last man on earth, was the first thing that ran through Elle’s mind. There was so much she could’ve said in this moment, like how the jerk was only using Josselyn to get to her, but Josselyn would never believe it. She would think Elle was trying to sabotage her. Or worse, that she was trying to steal Huntsden. She shuddered. The very sight of him made her stomach churn.
Josselyn laughed and then shot Elle a vindicated look. She motioned. “Come on in.” She snubbed her nose at Elle. “I promise, she’ll stay out of our way.”
There was a warning edge to her voice that made Elle want to burst out laughing. Did Josselyn actually believe she would be interested in that thug?
As Huntsden stepped through the door, he made a point of brushing against Elle. She flattened herself against the door in an attempt to get as far away from him as possible. He leaned down and whispered. “Just remember, I tried to do this the easy way.”
Josselyn glanced back over her shoulder and frowned. She gave Elle a murderous look. “What’s going on?”
Huntsden offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I tripped over the threshold.”
When she didn’t look convinced, he stepped up to her and wrapped a finger around one of her corkscrew curls and playfully tugged it. “Love those curls,” he drawled. Then he pulled Josselyn into his arms. “Weren’t you going to show me your private DVD collection?” She giggled and practically melted into him before taking his hand and leading him up the stairs and to her room.
The sight of them together was revolting. Elle shook her head and closed the door. Then she saw Sera standing nearby and realized she’d been watching the entire thing. She shook her head in disgust. “Her private DVD collection? Really? And you’re accusing me of making out with Rush in my bedroom? It seems to me that you should be more worried about Josselyn.”
Sera’s eyes went as hard as the wood on the floor. “I trust my daughter implicitly. You, on the other hand, are an entirely different matter. You watch yourself, young lady.” She turned on her heel and walked away, her stilettos making sharp clicks against the floor
.
Chapter Eight
Trust
Seraphina leaned forward and glared at Cinderella while drumming her long fingernails on the intricately carved wooden arms of the chair. “You have made a terrible mess out of everything, and now it befalls me to repair the damage. You will do what I say.” Her eyes bore into Cinderella’s. “Am I making myself clear?”
“Aye, I understand thee perfectly,” Cinderella said evenly, a subtle challenge in her eyes. She began speaking in low tones. “I did as you asked and came to the castle with Edward. I did it to save the manor.” Her eyes misted. “I put aside my own personal feelings, cast aside my hope for true love—all for the sake of family. I did it for you and Josselyn and to preserve the reputation of my father.” Her voice broke.
Seraphina’s face puckered like she’d bitten into a sour grape, and she made a flourish with her hand. “So dramatic.” She dabbed at her eyes. “I can hardly contain the emotion,” she exclaimed as her lips pressed into a hard line. “You are engaged to a prince—the Crown Prince,” she hissed, glancing over at Millicent to make sure she hadn’t overheard them. “How hard would it have been to love him? How hard would it have been to become a princess … eventually a queen. I did not ask thee to do a hard task! Our debts are being called in, and you are the only one who can save us!” Indignation flared in her eyes, and Cinderella could tell from the way her jaw moved that she was fighting to control her temper in front of the maid. Had they been alone, her fury would have known no bounds.
“I tried all that I could to help. I want to help you still, but I cannot do what you are asking,” Cinderella said quietly, biting her trembling lip. She kept her voice low so that Millicent wouldn’t hear. “I will not do it!” she said vehemently. They locked eyes, each of them fighting for control. Unable to take the heat of Seraphina’s scorching glare, Cinderella looked away, tears pooling in her eyes.
Love Spell: Book 2 of The Grimm Laws Page 10