“Oh,” I commented, trying to act nonchalant about it, but knew I'd failed miserably at hiding my disappointment. There was so much I needed to catch up on. They had no idea.
My mother dimmed the lights in the room as she turned to go with my dad and Dalyn in tow. In the brief second, before the door closed, I saw my father approach two policemen lingering outside my room. I shuddered at the thought of having to talk to them and hoped my dad might convince them to let me rest. Soon after, the door to my room pushed open and an officer stepped inside.
“Rayna, my name is Officer Olsen and I’d like to ask you a few questions about last night.”
Thirty minutes later, after reliving my side of the story to Officer Olsen, a nurse appeared in the doorway of my room wheeling in a tray of food. She smiled as she parked the cart beside the bed. “You must be hungry,” the nurse greeted me with a smile. “I’m Nurse Flynn and I’ll be taking care of you while you're here.”
“Thank you,” I replied, forcing a smile.
“Now, you’re mildly dehydrated, so it’s important that you slowly replenish with clear fluids and get lots of rest. You are still running a fever, so you don't have to eat much if you’re not feeling up to it. I want you to focus on getting some water back into your system,” she instructed, handing me a bottle of water. I nodded and Nurse Flynn proceeded to set the tray of food in front of me. Moving around to the side of the bed, she busied herself removing the IV from my arm. “Don't need this anymore,” Nurse Flynn smiled, gathering the bag and its parts. “Buzz if you need anything,” she told me before stepping out of the room.
I stared at the food on the tray. Salad, chicken noodle soup with crackers, a small bowl of fruit and two water bottles. I glared at the bowl of soup. There was no way I was eating it. Just seeing it there made me want to call Nurse Flynn back into the room to have it removed. Instead, I closed my eyes, wishing it away.
There was a small knock on the door and for a moment I thought maybe my wish had worked and Nurse Flynn was back. Instead, Harlow's head popped into the room and when he saw me awake, he slipped inside.
“What are you doing here? My parents said they sent you home,” I told him, though I was glad to see him.
“They did,” Harlow confirmed, pulling a chair up beside the bed. “You think I'd up and leave so easily? Besides, I couldn’t go without doing this—” With a hand on my arm, Harlow leaned in, closing the distance between us as he placed a gentle kiss on my lips. His actions were so delicate like he was afraid he might break me. And I appreciated his caution, but the fleeting kiss left me wanting more.
When Harlow leaned back into his chair, I was finally able to get a good look at him. The bags under his eyes were dark and swollen; he clearly hadn’t slept in days. His skin was pale and his mood barely somber. I felt sad for him. “How did you get to me?”
Ignoring me, Harlow's eyes dropped to the water bottle in my hand. “Drink something first.”
I swallowed uncomfortably. “I would, but can we do something about all of this food in my face first?”
Harlow stood and moved around the bed, picked up the tray of untouched food and placed it back on the cart Nurse Flynn had left.
“Thank you,” I said, taking a slow sip of water as he returned to his seat. “Stop looking at me like that,” I insisted, reaching for the bowl of fruit and tossing a grape at him.
Harlow frowned at me then popped the grape into his mouth. “I feel responsible.”
“Well, you shouldn't. This isn’t your fault.”
“Yes, it is. If I hadn't given you the necklace...”
I shook my head at him. “You don't know what would have happened. Necklace or not, Harris still could have used me as leverage,” I pointed out, adjusting my position. “How did you get to me, Harlow?” I repeated, taking another drink.
Harlow hesitated. “We don't have to talk about it now.”
“Yes, we do.”
He sighed. “Fine. You fainted at the school. I overheard Dr. Patel say later that it was from dehydration,” Harlow began. “The others had to bail to avoid suspicion, so I brought you in.”
I shook my head. “You know that's not what I'm asking you,” I complained.
“I know, I'll get there.”
“Okay, so how much do my parents know?”
“They know Harris abducted you, but they’re still trying to figure out why. I told them I received an anonymous message about your location and was instructed to come alone.”
Scrutinizing his face, I replied, “That's not true, is it?”
“No. First Dean and I drove back to where you were abducted and tried to follow your scent, but the Venators expected this and found a way to mask it. When you spoke to Ivy you talked about a tunnel so we assumed you were being kept underground somewhere in town. And even though Harbor Glenn is a small town, there are a lot of buildings. So we started at the high school. It seemed like a logical starting point because Harris works there and you said the witches dagger was in his desk drawer. We thought if we broke into his classroom or office we might find something that could lead us to you.”
“And you did.”
There was a far-off look in Harlow's eyes as he nodded. “Harris has a lot of research and books on werewolves and other mythology in his office. But we found a blueprint of the school, albeit an outdated blueprint from before the gym was renovated. He circled the fallout shelter on the blueprint. Then because of the renovations, it was just a matter of finding out which basement door would lead us to the tunnels. So we split up to cover more ground.”
“And Dean and Sloan got to me first.”
“Yes.”
“And Harris?” I probed.
“Sounds like the cops caught up with him this morning. I pointed them in his direction after I brought you here. Everyone in town is pretty shaken up about the whole thing.” Studying me he asked, “What did you tell the police?”
Clearing my throat I said, “The truth. I just left all of the supernatural stuff out of it.”
Harlow stiffened. “Rayna did you tell the police Harris took Sloan?” he pressed.
His reaction worried me and for a second I thought I’d made a terrible mistake. “No,” I answered, “Should I have?”
Harlow’s posture relaxed at my words. “No, you did the right thing.”
“Where is Sloan? And what about the Venators?”
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth at my endless parade of questions. “Sleep,” Harlow encouraged as he started to get up.
“Please,” I begged, catching him by the sleeve of his jacket.
Caving to my request, Harlow sighed but didn’t return to the chair. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed beside me. “The Venators still have Sloan,” he began. “Ivy has been working on a locator spell, but she thinks whoever the witch is that's working for them has been working double time on a cloaking spell. Nick, Blake, and Dean have been scouting the area, but we still haven’t found anything that might lead us to her. Don’t worry, Rayna, we’ll find her.”
“I know you will. And the dagger? Was it even the real one?”
“I think it’s a safe bet. Harris still has it as far as we know. But,” Harlow continued in a hopeful tone, “we still have the necklace,” he reminded me, pulling a small box out of his jacket pocket.
“You brought it here?” I asked in shock.
Dangling the iron moon between us Harlow said, “It felt safer to have both you and the necklace with me. But listen, Rayna, the Venators are getting too close. We need to hide the necklace,” he paused, seeming deep in thought. “Bury it somewhere, safe from Harris and his loyal band of hunters. I’ve been thinking under the oak tree in our clearing.”
Eyeing Harlow skeptically I asked, “But you just said you feel safer having the necklace with you so why change that? What if the Venators, I don't know, find it, Harlow? Isn't finding stuff in their job description?” I argued. “We know they're tracking your guys' every move alrea
dy. So what, you're just going to throw in the towel? That's it, Harris wins?”
“Rayna, if you don't calm down someone is going to hear you and I'll get kicked out of here.”
I scowled at him. “What happens to you if Harris gets the necklace, Harlow? What then?” Tears threatened to escape me at the thought of what might happen to him and the rest of the pack if his reckless plan backfired.
“I need you to trust me.”
The stern look in his eyes and the sense of urgency in his voice sparked concern within me. “You're not telling me something,” I accused.
Harlow didn't answer.
“You know!” I practically shouted at him. “You know what will happen if Harris gets the necklace! Ivy figured it out, didn't she?” Now I was crying. “Didn't she?”
Harlow took my hand between his. “No, she didn't,” he whispered, trying to calm my nerves.
Ripping my hand from Harlow's grasp, I retorted, “I don't believe you!”
“That's fine,” he replied shortly, proceeding to stand up.
I stared up at him, pleading with my eyes. When he still said nothing, I caved, “O-kay,” I began, not wanting him to leave. “I trust you,” I blurted out. Contemplating Harlow’s silence, my eyes wandered to the window. There, in the hallway outside of my room, stood a man in a familiar black jumpsuit, staring directly back at me. I froze when his identity registered in my mind. “Walsh!” I yelled, grabbing Harlow’s arm tightly.
“What? Rayna, calm down!” Harlow insisted, matching my startled tone. He whirled around to catch a glimpse, but Walsh had already disappeared. When Harlow's eyes landed on me again he said, “No one is out there, Rayna.”
Shaking my head violently in disagreement, I replied, “I saw him! I'm telling you, Walsh is here!”
“You're safe here. Now try to get some sleep,” Harlow suggested, kissing me on the forehead. “I’ll be here when you wake up. We’ll bury the necklace as soon as you're feeling up to it.”
My heart still raced in my chest long after Harlow had gone. Sleep was easier said than done. It was hard to shake the fact that I was merely a pawn in the Venators' game.
chapter eighteen
AS SOON AS I STEPPED THROUGH MY FRONT DOOR, Monday morning, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. It felt great to be home and all I wanted to do now was curl up under my blankets and stay hidden from the outside world for awhile. I went into the living room and plopped down on the couch.
“Welcome home, sis,” Dalyn said before scurrying up to her room.
I had been home for less than an hour when I heard a familiar loud voice from the other side of the front door. “Rayna Pierce! You open up this door right this second!” Lacey’s muffled voice demanded.
“Are you ready for visitors? I can tell them to come back in a few days,” my mom offered in a suggestive tone.
I contemplated her offer but decided it’d be good for me to see my friends. I knew they were worried about me. “I want to see them, Mom.”
She gave me a concerned look. “Well is there anything else I can do? I just want you to be comfortable.”
“Could you bring down the blankets from my room?”
She nodded with a soft smile and headed upstairs.
Lacey practically tackled me with a hug as I opened the front door to greet her.
“Nice to see you too, Lace,” I breathed, catching my balance, as she squeezed me half to death. I could see Arianna over Lacey’s shoulder beaming her beautiful smile at me.
“We missed you so much!” Lacey said as she freed me from her vice grip, relocating her hands to my shoulders. “Rayna, if I ever see that nasty Mr. Harris again I swear to God I’m going to kick him straight in his manhood.”
“Or slash his tires,” Arianna suggested as a far less physical approach.
“Please do,” I encouraged between laughs, hugging Arianna next, relieved to have two of the most important people in my life with me.
“What a creep,” Arianna agreed. “I’m so sorry this happened to you, Ray.”
A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. “I’m just glad to be home,” I told them, my voice breaking a little as a wave of emotion hit me. Fanning my shaking hands in front of my face, I cleared my throat. “I'm okay, I'm just a little overwhelmed I think.”
We moved into the living room, sitting on the couches just as my mom reappeared with the blankets from my room. She greeted my friends as I held my arms out, allowing her to dump the pile in my lap.
“While I was upstairs, I remembered this,” she said, pulling a sleek, white, cell phone from her pocket. “I wanted to wait until you got home to give this to you. And now that you’re here…” she trailed off, a little choked up.
“Mom,” I sighed at her emotional state before thanking her and accepting the phone.
“Unfortunately, the guy at the phone store couldn’t restore any of your contacts without your old phone, so you’ll have to add most of them yourself. I added family contacts and Lacey and Arianna of course.”
I smiled at her. “Thanks, Mom.”
My mom paused to stare at me, pressing a hand to her lips for a moment before fanning herself as if to fan away her emotional state. “Okay,” she said, clearing her throat, “I’ll get out of your hair now and let you girls catch up.”
Lacey sat beside me staring while biting her fingernails. “Are you really okay?” she asked, her expression full of worry.
“I'm still shaky, and slightly paranoid, to be honest.”
“Well, the whole town is talking about you,” Lacey began.
“Great,” I replied unenthused by the news that I had inadvertently become part of Harbor Glenn's latest headline.
“Oh, you should go on social media!” Arianna added brightly. “Lacey came up with a hashtag for you and it's full of well wishes, pictures, and all kinds of gifs and memes and stuff. Even people from other states are using it!”
My eyes darted to Lacey. “No, you didn't!” I objected, embarrassed.
She shrugged guiltily. “What?” After a beat, Lacey continued, “Did you hear about the school board meeting they held last night? Apparently, half the parents in Harbor Glenn showed up in full force after your story broke. Rumor has it things got pretty heated. Mr. Harris lost his job and now I guess they’re scrambling to find a replacement before the school reopens. And that’s not even the half of it. Some of our idiot classmates had the brilliant idea to break into the school during the meeting in search of the entrances that lead under the building—granted they got caught because of the ongoing investigation, but still, people are ridiculous! And there's another rumor going around—and you can correct me if I'm wrong here—that Harlow was the one who found you and brought you to the hospital. Are you guys back together or something?”
It took me a minute to wrap my head around everything Lacey had just laid out. “He did, but not all on his own. Harlow's brother was there and a few of Nick’s friends, but you wouldn't know them...” my voice carried off at the memory. “Sorry, Lace, I’m not really ready to talk about it.”
“That's okay,” Lacey smiled sympathetically, resting her head on my shoulder.
“But what about you and Harlow?” Arianna asked with a glimmer of hope in her tone.
“I mean, it's kind of messy so I don't know where we stand right now, but I will say that as much as I've tried to forget him and move on, the universe disagrees.” It was truer than Lacey or Arianna knew. As hard as Harlow had tried to remove me from his life, from his pack’s troubles with the Venators, I couldn’t manage to escape any of it. I was in too deep and had been for a long time.
“You sound a little disappointed,” Arianna pointed out.
I shook my head. “I don't mean to,” I tried to explain. “It's just—”
“Well, regardless of where you guys are now, I always thought you two were cute together,” Arianna interjected, letting me off the hook.
We spent the next half hour discussing all the latest gossip. V
ince Barnes was still obsessing over Lacey—which I could tell she enjoyed more than she cared to admit. Her winter break crush, on the other hand, had been ignoring her, but, in her words, “his loss.” Arianna still spoke with Caleb, her ski instructor crush, every day, but her mood showed that the initial excitement of a new guy had worn off. We all knew that she and Rider were meant for each other. Caleb didn’t stand a chance.
By the time Lacey and Arianna left, my life started to feel like it was gradually getting back to normal. A loud banging on the front door jolted me from that thought.
“Who the hell…” my dad grumbled as he removed himself from the recliner. He opened the door to find a Harbor Glenn police officer standing on our front step.
“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Pierce, I’m not sure if you’ve been watching the news at all, but...”
The officer’s voice faded into the background as I grabbed the remote from the arm of the couch and changed the channel to a news station just in time to see a picture of Harris on the screen. My stomach hit the floor at the sight of him, fear creeping up on me again.
The news anchor reported, “Our very own Silvia Hernandez is standing by at Harbor Glenn High School with more on this story. Silvia?”
“Thank you, Alice. I am live outside Harbor Glenn High school where seventeen-year-old Rayna Pierce, who was previously reported missing over the weekend, was found alive. We are told that she is currently recovering at home with her family tonight after what some might call a frightening ordeal—the details of which are still under investigation. Harbor Glenn High School teacher Avery Harris was arrested early Sunday morning on suspicion of abducting the seventeen-year-old minor. He was interrogated for several hours at Aroostook county jail before being released just a few short minutes ago due to lack of evidence against him in connection to the abduction. Still, Alice, law enforcement is advising that all residents in the area proceed with caution. In the meantime, the school board has terminated the former foreign language teacher—”
I stopped listening to the reporter after that. Harris was a free man. A guilty, yet, free man. The thought made me so sick to my stomach, I barely registered my dad and the police officer still talking at the front door.
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