Freaky Hearts

by Amanda M. Lee

  “I would never want you to be disloyal to Max,” Kade offered. “I know you were in a tough position. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if our roles had been reversed. That doesn’t make it hurt less.”

  “You would’ve done the right thing and told me,” I said, and I believed the words completely. “That’s the type of man you are. You’re a better person than I am.”

  “I don’t believe that for a second,” Kade said, getting to his feet. He looked almost reluctant to leave the room. That didn’t stop him from maneuvering toward the doorway. “You’re the best person I know.”

  “Since when do good people lie?”

  “When they’re protecting the people they love,” Kade replied, heading toward the front door of the trailer. “I’ll see you at breakfast. We have a lot to do today. We’re going to need everyone at his or her best. You should make sure you fuel up before you start working.”

  “I’ll be out after I shower.”

  “I’ll see you there.”

  Kade didn’t bother looking back. I watched the empty spot from which he disappeared for a full minute before swinging my legs from beneath the covers and focusing on the window next to my bed. I narrowed my eyes when I saw the distinctive metal wing prongs extended – as if the screen had been removed but never locked back into place. I ran my fingers over the wings, confused, and when I tried to push them back in they didn’t fit. I kicked out the frame and left it on the ground outside before closing and locking the window. I wasn’t surprised to find Luke waiting along the backside of trailer row when I headed toward the fallen screen.

  “How are you feeling?” Luke asked. He seemed genuinely curious … and a little cocksure, which was annoying on the surface.

  “I’m a little tired, but okay,” I replied, kneeling next to the screen and studying it up close. “Why do you ask?”

  “I didn’t see the trailer rocking last night, but that doesn’t mean you and Kade didn’t make up,” Luke teased. “Did you two finally complete the jigsaw puzzle last night?”

  I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “We didn’t make up.”

  Luke’s smile slipped. “What is wrong with him? Do I have to draw him a diagram to get him to do things correctly?”

  “That might be a fun distraction,” I murmured, playing with the bent wing for a moment. “The screen is broken.”

  “So?”

  “It was fine yesterday,” I replied. “Both of the wings are bent. They don’t fit into the slots. That had to happen sometime after we left for the lake yesterday and when I went to bed. I would’ve noticed otherwise.”

  It took Luke a moment to realize what I was saying. “Do you think someone broke into your trailer?”

  “I … don’t know.”

  “What else could it be?” Luke asked, jerking the screen from me so he could study the bent wings. “You’re right. You need a new screen. This is weird.”

  “What are you guys doing?” Kade walked around the side of the trailer and focused on us, his expression unreadable. “Everyone is waiting for you so we can eat breakfast together. They’re expecting Poet to dole out assignments.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, remembering my responsibilities. “I got distracted. I’ll hop in the shower right now.”

  “Distracted by what?” Kade asked, glancing at the screen. “Is that from your unit?”

  “The flaps are bent,” Luke volunteered. “It won’t lock properly in place now.” He flicked the metal wings for emphasis, causing Kade to frown.

  “When did you notice this?” Kade was all business as he focused on me.

  “About two seconds after you left.”

  “Do you think it means something bad?” Luke asked.

  Kade shrugged. “You guys are the ones with paranormal knowledge. What do you think it means?”

  Luke tilted his blond head to the side, considering. “I think it means I need to make a run into town. They have Catholic churches here, right? I mean, I know this is Mormon country, but they have Catholic churches, too, don’t they?”

  Kade shrugged. “I don’t know. What do you need from a Catholic church?”

  “Holy water and as many crucifixes as I can get my hands on.”

  “Does that really work?” Kade seemed surprised. “I thought that was movie stuff.”

  “Some of it is, but Hollywood had to get it from somewhere,” Luke replied. “I need to run into town before I start work.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Kade offered. “I’ll have this screen fixed while I’m there.”

  “That sounds like a plan.”

  I widened my eyes as I watched them work together. “Don’t you think you guys are jumping to conclusions?” I asked finally. “We have no idea if some person … or creature, for that matter … was really in my trailer last night.”

  “Take a look at your neck and say that again,” Kade ordered. “We’re leaving for town in twenty minutes, Luke. Don’t be late.”

  “I’ll meet you by your truck.”

  And just like that, I was dismissed. The men were working together and I was somehow relegated to the damsel in distress. How did that even happen?

  LUKE SHOVELED food in his mouth as if the zombie apocalypse was imminent and pancakes would soon be on the endangered species list. I tried to ignore the action, but he chewed so loudly I couldn’t.

  “Do you have to eat like that? Take a breath. At least take smaller bites, because you might choke if you’re not careful.”

  Luke took a moment to swallow and then frowned. “Hey, missy, slow your roll. I’m doing this for you.”

  I rolled my eyes. “That saying is as old as Raven’s Tabu perfume. Pick a new saying.”

  “Why? That one works fine.”

  Raven glared at me from the other end of the table. She’d been largely silent since breakfast began, but I could feel her shooting death lasers into my brain when she thought I wasn’t looking. The fact that Kade slept on my couch the night before – even though nothing happened, nor was likely to happen if there was a repeat performance – spread like wildfire throughout the fairgrounds. The whispers had already begun and Raven wasn’t happy about the turn of events. Me? I was strangely hopeful. That made me feel pathetic. It really was a glass half full situation.

  “I’m sure the screen thing was just a coincidence.” I decided to change tactics even though, deep down, I didn’t believe myself. Something about seeing the dislodged screen upon waking unnerved me. The pain in my neck had diminished to a low throb, but the marks reminded me that something very odd happened the night before … and that was before my former almost boyfriend watched me puke and then slept on my couch.

  “Oh, you’re so full of crap,” Luke countered. “I saw the look on your face. You were freaked out. I don’t blame you. You have bite marks on your neck. I wouldn’t be so worried if you weren’t sleeping alone.” He cast a pointed look in Kade’s direction as the security guru ate his own pile of pancakes several seats away. “You’re tragically back to being a nun, though, so it’s my job to worry.”

  I patted Luke’s shoulder in a placating manner. “You’re a good friend.”

  “I know.” Luke shoveled a huge wad of pancakes into his mouth and proceeded to talk with his mouth full of food. “And don’t you forget it.”

  I was thankful when Percival interrupted the vulgar display and appeared at my side. “Do you need something?” I asked, turning to him.

  “I do indeed.” Percival’s accent was on full display. At one time it charmed me. Now that I knew it was fake it irked me more than Luke’s eating habits. “I was hoping we might have a moment alone.”

  “Is it important?” I asked, wiping my hands with my napkin. “I have a lot to do today. I’m really behind thanks to my trip to the lake.”

  “I … well … it’s important to me.”

  “Well, why don’t you take a shot and tell me what it is right here,” I suggested. The idea of going somewhere private with Percival gave me t
he heebie-jeebies. “I’m sure it will be fine. No one will gossip about whatever it is you tell me.”

  “Oh, well, right.” Percival tugged on his polo shirt to smooth it and then flashed a winning smile. “I was wondering if you might be so kind as to accompany me on a private picnic under the stars this evening. I wouldn’t be so bold as to call it a date, but … well … it’s a date.”

  I choked on the coffee I was trying to swallow, the question catching me off guard. I dissolved into a coughing fit as I tried to wrap my head around the question. Luke smacked my back to dislodge the coffee and I could feel my cheeks burning as everyone turned to stare. I decided to buy myself time. “I’m sorry, but … what?”

  “A date,” Percival repeated. He clearly didn’t read the warning signs and think fast enough to save face. “I was hoping you would do me the honor of having a private meal with me. I believe we’ll both find something stimulating about each other’s company. Now that you’re unattached, I thought it would be a prudent time to make my intentions known.”

  “Uh-huh. That’s what I thought you said.” I risked a glance at Kade and found him gripping his fork so tightly his knuckles whitened. His glare was searing and painful, but Percival’s back was to him so he missed the obvious signs of Kade’s distress.

  Part of me considered accepting the date, because I knew it would make Kade jealous. I had no interest in Percival, though, and I’m not mean and nasty by nature. I didn’t want to lead on Percival when I had no interest in following up over the long haul. Plus, I was well past the age when high school hijinks are considered acceptable behavior. Sure, I play a few immature games with Luke when the need arises, but I wouldn’t tread on people’s feelings – including my own – for a moment of empty satisfaction.

  “Well, I thank you for the invitation,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “I don’t think that works for me, though.”

  “Because you’re still hung up on Mr. Denton?” Percival refused to let it go, which was annoying.

  “Because I don’t think we’re very well matched,” I clarified. “I am flattered by the invitation, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. I’m sorry.”

  “I see. Well … I guess that’s that.” Instead of reacting with disappointment, Percival merely shook his head and walked away from the table. He didn’t look worked up in the least about being shot down so publicly.

  “Oh, well done.” Luke feigned a golf clap and grinned. “The men are coming out of the woodwork. One of them bites you while you’re sleeping and you don’t even notice, and another wants to take you on a moonlit picnic. It’s all so … delightful.”

  I scorched him with a dark glare. “Are you finished?”

  Luke shrugged. “For now. But this is Mormon territory. You might not want to turn down every guy. If you’re not careful, you’ll have no choice but to become someone’s sister wife.”

  I ignored the dig and focused on Melissa, Nixie and Naida. “So, who’s ready to get some work done?”

  9

  Nine

  I spent the morning readying my tent, setting up the table before dragging the chest that held my divination trinkets to the corner so I could sort through it. I surveyed the environment when I was done, testing the lights and smoothing the patchwork tablecloth before turning to leave. I pulled up short when I found Max loitering at the door.

  Max has looked exactly the same since he found me on the street and I introduced myself by trying to lift his wallet. His hair was always white, his eyes lit with some eternal youth I didn’t quite understand. He looked like a changed man now, though. He appeared to have aged at least ten years in nine days, and it was disconcerting, to say the least.

  Pity rolled through me even as anger flashed hot and bright. The anger won.

  “Well, I see you finally stopped feeling sorry for yourself and decided to do your job,” I sniped. “Should I thank the gods above or simply bask in your presence until you decide to flee again?”

  If Max took umbrage at my words he didn’t show it. “How are things?”

  Ignoring my anger was worse than yelling back. He knew it, and that’s why he did it. My frustration doubled despite the fact that he refused to engage. “How are things? Is this some sort of joke? Am I on a reality television show and no one told me?”

  Max ignored the sarcasm and heaved a sigh as he crossed the tent and sat in one of the empty chairs. “I thought perhaps your fury would dissipate given time. I see I was wrong. Let me have it.”

  He was weary, beaten down. That only made me angrier. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to let you have, Max. You upended everyone’s lives, crushed Kade’s heart and then left me to pick up the pieces while you hid like a coward. That’s not the man who plucked me from a burgeoning life of crime. I don’t know what sort of man you are now, but I hardly recognize you.”

  “I guess that’s fair.” Max licked his lips as he surveyed the tent. “I see you’re ready to open. That’s good. How is everything else running?”

  “How is everything else running?” There was a very real chance I was about to explode. I didn’t believe in human combustion until now, but it seemed like a legitimate possibility given my fury. “Seriously?”

  “Repeating all of my questions back to me seems like a waste of time,” Max noted. “If you want to yell, do it. If you want to pout, do it. I’m here to check on my business and people. If you don’t like it, well, that’s too damned bad.”

  Instead of stoking my temper, his words drained me and I trudged to the opposite side of the table and sat. I stared at him a moment, my mind jumbled. I had no idea where to start. Because I was feeling a bit petulant, I ultimately landed on myself. “Things have been hard for me since you fell off the face of the Earth. The only reason I even knew you were still around is because your trailer moved between three locations.”

  “I’m sorry I abandoned you, Poet.” Max reached out to pat my hand, then thought better of it, returning his clenched fist to his lap and locking gazes with me. “What I did was hardly fair. I was spiraling, though, and when my emotions are out of whack my magic tends to be out of whack, too. It’s dangerous for people to be around me when that happens.”

  Max is a mage. I’m not exactly sure what that means. He’s never been forthcoming when it comes to his powers. I’ve seen him in action, though, and he’s terrifying when he’s focused. I would hate to see him when that focus slips. Accidents most certainly could happen … and they would be devastating.

  “Then you should’ve told me that was the reason behind your absence,” I argued. “I’m not a child, Max. You groomed me to run Mystic Caravan when you’re unable or unwilling to do it yourself. I don’t mind the work. I quite enjoy it actually, but it’s been a rough week and a half.”

  “For you more than me, perhaps.” Max exhaled heavily as he leaned back in the chair. “Has Kade forgiven you?”

  “No.”

  “Really?” Max seemed surprised by the answer. “I thought that was a possibility when I noticed him coming out of your trailer this morning. I figured he wouldn’t be able to stay angry with you for an extended period of time. That’s the one thing that’s kept me going. I knew he would have you to lean on during his time of crisis.”

  “Oh, Max, give it a rest,” I ordered, irked. “You don’t have to placate me. You know Kade better than I do. He can’t forgive a betrayal of this magnitude. Your betrayal is worse, don’t get me wrong, but I promised to be forthcoming with him and then immediately covered up the truth of his parentage. He won’t forgive that.”

  “He’ll forgive it.” Max sounded certain. “He’s hurt and angry and needs someone to take it out on.”

  “Perhaps you should’ve shown your face so he could take it out on the right person,” I suggested.

  “That would’ve been a mistake. Kade needs time to decompress before seeing me. He’ll explode and possibly storm off if we get into it too soon. I want to make sure he doesn’t leave.”

 
; “He says he’s not ready to abandon the job yet.”

  “Just you and me, huh?” Max laughed, the sound hollow as it echoed throughout the tent. “He’ll forgive you, Poet. He’s a good boy. He has a good heart.”

  “I know he has a good heart. That’s why I lost him. He doesn’t understand betrayal. It’s not in his genetic makeup.”

  “He understands it. You didn’t betray him. I did. You remained loyal to me. He’ll see that in time.”

  “Yeah? How much time? Percival asked me out on a date today and everyone else thinks I’m depressed. Even Luke has muted his attitude in deference to me. I’m sick of being everyone’s pity party poppet in the group.”

  “I’d assumed you’d already made up when I saw him leave your trailer,” Max admitted. “I’m surprised it hasn’t happened yet. That means it will happen soon. Your long nightmare is almost over.”

  “Oh, puh-leez.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Let’s change the subject. I can’t talk about this one second longer.”

  “I will in just a moment,” Max said. “If Kade wasn’t in your trailer to make up, why was he there?”

  “Oh, well, I had a really weird nightmare,” I admitted, switching topics. “I couldn’t breathe and thought I was suffocating. Apparently I screamed – which I don’t remember, mind you – and he came running to the rescue.

  “I got really sick after and then Kade noticed these,” I continued, gesturing toward the marks on my neck. “He was worked up, so he slept on the couch. Then, this morning, I realized the screen to my trailer wasn’t working correctly. He and Luke decided they’re going to kill a vampire – although I’m not sure why they settled on that threat – and they went to town to get a new screen and holy water.”

  Max took a moment to digest the information and then barked out a laugh. This one was genuine compared to his previous offering. “Well, it sounds as if you had a full night.” He sobered as he leaned forward. “Let me see the marks on your neck.”