Fire and Beauty (The Vampires of Shadow Hills Book 3)

by Willow Rose

  Could she really have killed Mrs. Sharpe?

  If she got lost or maybe was hiding in her garage when she turned, and then had one of her blackouts, then yes. It was probable. It could very well be her. But I didn't like it. Melanie was no killer, not even in her wolf shape. I didn't believe she was. But how could I be certain?

  I looked out the window and glanced at Jayden's house. He was in a house filled with wolves. Was he safe? I thought about what he had told me and how he was engaged to some girl he had never met and was expected to marry her. That was even worse than what my mom had put me through. At least she hadn't already promised me off to someone else.

  I returned to my computer screen when my phone vibrated. I looked at the screen. It was Duncan. I picked it up.

  "Hi there, Sprinkles."

  "Sprinkles?"

  "Yeah…you know because you're so colorful. You put sprinkles on my dull and boring life."

  It was a little tacky but also sweet. It made me chuckle. "What can I do for you?"

  "That was slightly formal and cold, don't you think?"

  "Sorry. Been a busy morning."

  "I heard. A wolf, huh? Can't say I’m surprised. I’ve never trusted those creatures."

  "Really? And why is that?" I asked, looking at Jayden's house again, wondering what he was up to today. He was probably going running as usual on Saturdays.

  "They're just…you know, animals. Savages."

  And their bite can kill you, I thought, but of course didn't say it out loud. Which makes you mortal enemies.

  "I see."

  "So, what do you say?"

  "To what?" I asked.

  "To having lunch with me today?"

  "Is this a second date? I’m asking for my mother."

  He laughed. "If it will make your mom happy, then yes, let's call it that. I just want to see you again. I enjoyed your company the other night."

  I exhaled. I had enjoyed his too, but I didn't want to tell him.

  "Pick me up at noon," I said and hung up.

  I stared at the phone and smiled. I couldn't wait to get out of the house and eat real food again. Maybe if I played my cards right, I could stay away all afternoon too. Tonight was game night, so I couldn't stay away from that, but at least I would get a little time away from this nut house.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Jayden was terrified. This morning's events had him feeling sick to his stomach, and when his mom asked him if he was ready for their usual run, he turned her down. He simply didn't want to. He refused to continue life as usual when people were being killed on his own street. He hated how people had started reacting to this like it was just another one. It was like they were getting used to it. Used to people being killed now and then. And he especially hated the way his own parents seemed to brush this off like it was nothing, like it was almost normal, even. Why weren't they appalled? Why weren't they disgusted by this? He had heard them talking about it in the kitchen after they got back and to him, it seemed like they weren't that shocked. Why weren't they shocked?

  Jayden grabbed his book from his backpack and opened it. He started to read. He was supposed to read it for school and thought maybe it would be able to distract him a little. But it didn't. His glance kept returning to the window and to Robyn's house. He remembered the hurt he had seen in her eyes when he had told her about the engagement and the future his parents had prepared for him. It was obvious that she was worried about it. He couldn't blame her. He would be too if she told him she was engaged to that Duncan-fellow. It would completely break him. It was tough enough to know that she had to spend time with him to please her mother.

  Maybe we should just elope? Get out of here?

  It wasn't the first time he had the thought, but where would they go? They had no education, no money, and no skills. No, they had to wait till they were done with school. As soon as he turned eighteen, he would tell his parents that he wasn't going to do it, any of it, and then if they didn't take it well, he would leave.

  The book didn't really grab him, so Jayden went downstairs to get a cup of coffee. His mother was out running on her own and, as he passed Logan's room, the door was left ajar, and he approached it and peeked inside. He spotted Logan sitting on his bed, staring into thin air, fiddling with something between his fingers. Jayden pushed the door open. Logan looked up at him with a grin.

  "What are you doing?" Jayden asked.

  Logan shrugged, still fiddling with the thing between his fingers, rolling it back and forth. Jayden got a decent look at what it was.

  A silver necklace with a small heart in it.

  His brother got up and put the necklace into a drawer, then grabbed his sports bag.

  "I was on my way to the gym," he said and walked past Jayden, knocking his buff shoulder into his so forcefully it hurt Jayden.

  "Beat it, Stumpy," he said. "Get out of my room."

  Jayden hurried back to his room, where he opened his laptop and found the local news. On the front page, they had a picture of Mrs. Sharpe. He used to have her for art class at the elementary school. And he particularity remembered the necklace she wore around her neck that she often fiddled with between her fingers when talking to her students.

  In the picture, he could see it closely and especially the small silver heart dangling from it.

  Oh, dear God.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Much to my surprise, Duncan didn't take me to some fancy place this time either. No smart café with coffee names I couldn't pronounce. He picked me up in his limo—and my mom sent me off, her eyes gleaming with pride—then drove us up in the mountains where he had arranged for a picnic. We ate looking out on the mountainside. It was a little cold, but very, very beautiful. Duncan lent me his long coat and didn't seem to be cold himself at all. He was wearing sunglasses and a hat to shield him from the sun.

  He had packed a picnic basket and, to my great surprise, there was a chicken sandwich in mine. For so long, I had yearned for a chicken sandwich, so badly I almost kissed him in happiness.

  "Thank you," I said to him, taking a huge bite. "You have no idea how happy this food makes me."

  "I have a feeling," he said. "You kind of hinted how you loved meat the last time we ate together."

  I paused, a little embarrassed. "Oh, that."

  "No. No," he said. "Don't be ashamed. I liked it. It was endearing."

  "Really?" I asked, not sure if he was just trying to be nice.

  "Yes, really. You have no idea how boring the girls I usually date are. They hardly ever eat. I told you. You're the sprinkles on my life."

  "What flavor?" I asked.

  "What's that?"

  "The ice cream. You say I am the sprinkles on your life, then your life must be the ice cream but what flavor?"

  "I don't really eat ice cream." He laughed, then looked pensive. "You sure are something, aren't you?"

  "So I’ve been told," I said and took another bite.

  We sat for a little while, staring at the mountains. I kept thinking about Melanie and wondering if she was here somewhere. Did she even know what had happened? Would she even know if she had killed someone? She had told us she often had blackouts when she was a wolf. Had she killed Mrs. Sharpe during one of those?

  I felt terrible for her. Especially for the fact that she had to run away, that we couldn't keep her in that shelter at Amy's house. If it was Melanie who had killed Mrs. Sharpe, then I guessed we were just as much to blame as she was. Us and Amy's parents, right? It wasn't a good feeling.

  "Strawberry," Duncan finally said.

  I looked at him. "Because of the color?"

  "What?"

  I shook my head. At least he hadn't answered vanilla. "I'm more of a cookies and cream type."

  He chuckled. "I figured."

  "Really? Why?"

  He was about to answer when my phone buzzed in my pocket and I looked at it. It was a Snapchat from Jayden and I opened it immediately. It showed a picture of a necklace
inside a drawer and the caption read. FOUND THIS IN LOGAN'S ROOM. MUST MEET. USUAL PLACE?

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Jazmine received the Snapchat while she was lying on the couch with her computer. She had been there all day, hoping the rest would make her feel better. Her mother had been all over her, serving her food and drinks, and constantly asking her if she was all right. She had realized she enjoyed the attention for once and having her mother care for her. It had been a while since her mother had spent any time with her.

  Now, she was looking at her as Jazmine read the caption and realized she had to meet the others by the lake. Her mother was holding a coffee mug between her hands while staring at her daughter, her long fingernails tapping on the side of it, where it said FEELING WICKED.

  She slurped her coffee, then spoke. "Say…you wouldn't happen to have been to the attic recently?"

  Jazmine looked up and her eyes met her mother's. Then she shook her head. "N-no. Why would I?"

  Her mother bit her lip. "Oh, no reason. I just…"

  "You what?"

  "Was just wondering, is all. I don't want you to go up there, all right?" she said.

  "I won't. I don't even know what’s up there."

  "Okay. Good," she said. "It's just that…well, if you did go up there and happened to read certain words out loud, then that might be…what I mean is, you get tired. It can almost wear you out…reading those words. Using them to… When you're not used to it, that is."

  Jazmine stared at her mother, blinking. What was she trying to tell her?

  "And I don't want you to talk to that man in number three down the street, you hear me?"

  "Mr. Aran? Why not?" Jazmine asked.

  "Just promise me you'll stay away from him and his house. Don't get too close to him. If he approaches you, turn around and run back home. This is important, Jazzie. That guy is bad news. I don't trust him. And don't you ever let those spiders come close to you."

  "But…why not?"

  "'Cause I say so, that's why."

  Jazmine looked at the window where a bird was pecking at the glass. Behind it in the grass, a family of deer had camped for the day. She was getting used to having them around but still wondered why they were following her. She wanted badly to ask her mother about it but how could she? What if she got mad at her for sneaking into the attic and reading the book and using that fire spell?

  "What is wrong with me, Mom?" Jazmine asked.

  "What do you mean, honey? You just got a little overworked, that's all. You have to remember you're growing too."

  "But…what about the animals?"

  "Like I said, you’ve always had a way with animals. It's a gift, I guess."

  "Or maybe a curse?" she asked.

  Her mother smiled and shook her head. "No, baby. You just don't know how to control it yet. It'll come."

  Jazmine bit her lip, thinking about the fire she had managed to ignite. Was that why she had been so sick? Was it simply because she was new to all this? Had it drained her somehow? Because she was still so young? Her mom had to suspect that was why. Or she wouldn't have asked her if she had been to the attic.

  Of course.

  She sat up. The room only spun a little. "I’m better now, Mom," she said. "I think I'll go outside a little to get some fresh air. Probably take a walk around the lake."

  "Are you sure you're well enough for this?" her mother asked.

  As long as I don't use any witchcraft, I think I will be.

  She nodded. "I am positive."

  Chapter Forty-Five

  I was a little late to our meeting by the lake. It was hard to explain to Duncan that I had to leave so suddenly. I told him I needed to help a friend with something and that it was important. Duncan seemed sad as we drove back in the limo, disappointed maybe. To please him, I leaned over as the limo stopped in front of my house and planted a kiss on his cold cheek.

  I looked into his eyes. "Thank you. Today was lovely."

  He smiled, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me. "So, does this mean I can take you out again?"

  I pretended to be thinking about it. "Will there be meat involved?"

  "I bet."

  "And ice cream?"

  "Cookies and cream."

  "Then my answer is yes."

  He sighed and grabbed my hand in his. His touch was cold, but it didn't make me shiver the way my mother's usually did. He kissed the top of my hand, then let go.

  "Until next time."

  "Until then."

  "Now, hurry up. Your friend is waiting."

  I laughed and jumped out of the limo, then ran to my house. I sprinted to my bedroom, changed, then told my mom I was going for a run.

  The others were already there when I arrived.

  "Where were you?" Jayden asked, approaching me. His voice sounded slightly angry, but he was suppressing it. He reached out and grabbed me by the waist, then pulled me close. Jazmine and Amy rolled their eyes and Amy mouthed, Get a room.

  "I was worried," Jayden continued.

  "I'm fine. I was just out when I got the message. Took a while to get back," I said. I felt like Jayden was holding me a little too tight.

  "Were you with him?" he asked.

  I looked into his eyes. "If you must know, yes. He took me to the mountains for lunch."

  I sensed how his entire body began to tremble. "I hate that you have to be with that guy."

  "It wasn't so bad," I said. "I got chicken for lunch. Do you know how long it has been since I last had chicken?"

  He stared at me like I had gone mad.

  "Meat is important to me," I said. "I know it's nothing for any of you, but when you can't have it, it's a big deal. Anyway, what's happening? What’s with that necklace?"

  Jayden sighed and let go of me. "I found it in my brother's room."

  "And?"

  "It belonged to Mrs. Sharpe. It was in the newspaper, in the old photo of her from the school."

  I stared at him. "Oh, dear," I said. "Are you sure about this?"

  He nodded. "It's hers."

  "But…surely there could be other necklaces like it out there with the same heart on them?"

  "And with the inscription JS on the back of it? As in Julie Sharpe?" he asked, lifting his eyebrows.

  I shrugged. "It's possible."

  "You don't have to make excuses for my brother," Jayden said. "No matter how you look at it, Logan killed Mrs. Sharpe. And why stop there? He probably killed Natalie Jamieson and Blake Fisher too. I mean, I had a feeling it might be him all along, so it's really just a confirmation of my suspicion."

  I approached him and put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

  He sniffled. "Well, it's hardly your fault. But what I need your help for is, what do I do now?"

  "Go to the police?" Jazmine asked.

  "His dad is the police," Amy said.

  "And if anyone would cover for his son, it's Officer Smith," Jayden added. "Family comes first. Before anything."

  "Can we tip off the police somehow anonymously?" I asked.

  Jayden shook his head. "My dad will hear about it and make sure the necklace is gone by then."

  "Can you talk to your mother about it?" Amy asked.

  Jayden exhaled. "Maybe. But what can she do? It's her son."

  "I think it might be worth a try," I said. "Knowing your mother, she will take you seriously. She’ll listen. Maybe she can ground him or something. At least make the killings stop if she knows. She is, after all, his mother."

  Jayden nodded. "That might actually work."

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Do you have a minute, Mom?"

  Jayden waited in the doorway to her bedroom. His mom was hanging up newly washed clothes. She smiled.

  "Of course, son. Come on in."

  He went inside and closed the door. He had the necklace in his hand. His mother sat on the bed and patted it next to her.

  "Come sit."

  She was smiling so happily it made Jayden feel broken
inside. He was about to crush her heart; how could he when she was so happy?

  "It's been a while since you wanted to talk to me. Ever since we told you about your future, to be exact. I know it is a lot to process and don't feel bad if you need to take your time. It's completely understandable. Your dad and I are completely onboard with giving you the time and space to deal with it, but you must know we are here should you need to talk. And now you have come, so let's talk."

  Jayden sighed. "It…I…It wasn't about that."

  She looked disappointed. "Oh. Well, then what is it about then?"

  Jayden swallowed, hard, then showed her the necklace. "I found this. In Logan's room."

  His heart was beating so fast he didn't even know it was possible without exploding. The look on his mother's face was that of confusion.

  "I don't…understand?"

  Jayden was prepared for this and brought out his phone. He showed her the initials on the back, then the picture of Mrs. Sharpe wearing the necklace. Then he waited. His mother stared at the picture, then the necklace, and then back at the picture once again.

  Finally, she lifted her eyes and looked at Jayden. "And you say you found this in Logan's room?"

  Jayden drew in a deep breath, then nodded. "Yes."

  His mother grabbed the necklace, then held it up to the light. She looked at Jayden again, then smiled. It was strained to say the least.

  "Your dad and I will deal with this, Jayden. Now, have you told anyone about this, Jayden? Anyone?"

  He shook his head. "N-no."

  She scoffed. "Good. Let's keep it that way, okay? This is a family matter, okay? We'll deal with it ourselves. No one else needs to know. I hope you understand."

  "O-of course."

  "Good, son. You did well in coming to me first. I am proud of you. I wasn't so sure of your loyalty until now. Your dad kept telling me you understood the concept of family first, of being part of a pack, but now I see what he means. You have what it takes."