I stayed in bed the next day. I couldn’t be near Jane again. I had no idea what I might have done if I got too close. Luna made dinner that evening for me and Walter.
“No school today?” Walter asked me, sitting at the table.
I shook my head.
Luna stared at me, giving me an accusing look. I sighed heavily and got up from the table.
“James,” she called. “James, you have to eat something.”
“No, I don’t, Luna,” I called from the other room, “and my name is Clem!”
I would even settle for Aidan, but James—just the very sound of it made me sick.
“I’m going for a walk.”
“Wait!” Walter pleaded, grasping my arm as I reached for the door.
“What?”
“I wanted to know,” he started, “if you…well, my…grandson.”
My heart sank. “Oh…Walter, I haven’t seen him yet.”
“If you do…?”
I nodded. “Of course I will watch out for him.”
“Thanks, Clem. Um…enjoy your walk.”
I put my hand on his shoulder and gave him a formal nod. Again I stayed away from the clearing, not sure if Abraham had called together another meeting. He didn’t seem foolish enough to call a meeting in the woods, not now that the Callahan girl was here in North Bend, but I couldn’t be sure. Abraham worked in odd ways. I was enjoying the quiet and the serenity, but the sound of that odious name pulled me out of it. I turned around.
“James!” Mike was running toward me. “James…” He put his hands on his knees to catch his breath.
“What is it?”
He stood upright and smoothed back his tousled blond hair. “There's something going on tomorrow night.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s a party,” he said. “I’m sure the Callahan girl will be there. She seems overly social.”
I nodded. So he did think she was Becky. Perfect.
“So you’re coming, right?”
“Where is it?”
“About three blocks away,” he said, pointing behind him. “Andrew Gallagher’s.” He handed me a slip of paper. “That’s the exact address in case you can’t find it.”
“Sure, Mike. Thanks.”
I sighed as he sauntered away. Great. Now I would have to suffer through a party. Anything to keep Jane out of trouble. I was thinking about heading to the bookstore for an innocent cup of coffee, this time wishing Jane wouldn’t be there. I decided against it when I realized it was Friday and school was out. That’s probably exactly where she was. It was like her refuge, her safe haven. I had to stay away—at least until Monday.
Chapter Eleven
By the time Saturday night approached, I was already completely prepared to try and stay unnoticed at the party. People seemed to notice something about me was different. Not that I minded much. It was better that way. It was strange but better that quite a few people actually seemed afraid of me. Oh, if they only knew. I ran down to Pony Village Mall to rent a costume before the party. Dracula. Simple enough and traditional. Nobody would think twice.
I threw the costume on and didn’t worry about my hair or any kind of accessory necessary for Dracula. I left slightly early, and when I got there, the house was already flooded with people. I could hardly identify anyone through the flashing black lights.
“Hey.”
I looked up. “What’s up, Andrew?” I yelled over the pounding music, doing my best to sound casual—and seventeen. He gave me some lame high five and offered me something.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“E,” he said.
“What?”
“Um…E...ecstasy?”
“Oh!” I laughed and put my hand up. “No, thanks, man.” I wasn’t here to take drugs or get drunk.
“Whatever,” he murmured and walked away from me.
I kept glancing at my watch every ten minutes and eventually began to think Becky wasn’t going to show up. She probably had a date with some senior. Either way, I couldn’t stand the atmosphere. I walked outside, feeling as if a boulder had been moved off my chest. It was so congested inside. I stepped down the steps, taking intentional notice of the well-carved jack-o-lanterns set on the steps.
I was almost to the end of the driveway when my senses started screeching inside my head again. Jane? No way! I raced to the house as fast as I could just in time to launch myself forward and grasp her arms as she fell backward off the steps of the porch. High heels do not help uncoordinated people like Jane.
“You’re a walking accident,” I said, setting her down in the grass.
She thrust her hand to her chest. “Oh, Aidan.”
I could tell she was glad to see me. Exactly what I wanted but was still hoping not to receive.
“Quick hands,” she breathed.
“Only when there is a need. Are you all right?”
“Fine, thanks to you.”
I smiled at her.
“I didn’t even know you were behind me,” she said.
I couldn’t respond. I had no logical reason I could tell her.
I noticed she was staring at me, so I saw no harm in staring back. She was wearing a tight, black corset, which could have easily driven me insane if I were to focus too hard on it. Her legs were covered by a black skirt and fishnet stockings. Her red hooded cape matched the dangerous red heels she was wearing. Her skin was perfect as it had always been, but the pounds of makeup I was sure were courtesy of Becky.
“You look…beautiful,” I murmured before I could stop myself.
I saw her cheeks blush. “Loving the Dracula costume. We match.”
I chuckled and figured I would come up with something to make her smile. I held back my satin-lined cape, bowing formally.
“Vladimir Dracula,” I said, forcing the Romanian accent, which I was sure was a terrible attempt.
She laughed, which was exactly the reaction I was looking for, and responded with a curtsy. “Elizabeth?”
“You know your history.”
“Sort of. So what’s it like in there? Anything going to jump out at me when I walk in?”
“I don’t think so, but”—I glanced at my watch again—“I was just leaving.”
“Why?”
The truth was enough to get her to leave as well. “I don’t care for the atmosphere. Drugs and alcohol are not really my idea of a good time.”
“I’m not sure I want to be here either,” she muttered.
“But Becky—”
“I know,” she mused. “She tried so hard to get me here.”
Not at all what I was going to say. I was going to say it was more Becky’s thing and that I was sure she wouldn’t mind if Jane left. I left it alone.
“To be honest, I’m surprised to see you here,” I said.
“I’m surprised to see you here.”
I tried not to laugh when I saw her press in tooth caps she flashed as she smiled at me. I didn’t want her to stay. In fact, I wanted the opposite. Jane shied away from attention, so I came up with a perfectly believable scenario to get her to just go home.
“You should stay,” I said.
“Why?”
“Well, there’s a costume contest later, and you look very beautiful. I’m sure it would be a lot of fun.”
“Becky would crush my hopes,” she said, “and nobody else would have much of a chance either.”
I laughed. “She looks great, I’ll admit, but honestly, Jane, you don’t give yourself enough credit.”
That much I meant one hundred percent.
“I’ll make an appearance,” she said, “but I don’t plan on staying long.”
Perfect.
“Well, can I get you a drink?”
“Sure.”
“Be right back.”
I picked up a red, plastic cup and filled it with punch, which I was sure was spiked. This party wasn’t turning out exactly like I had planned. I saw Mike approach Jane over by the stai
rcase about twenty feet away from me. Oh, no, you don’t. I walked back to her quickly and glared at Mike, amused by his Indiana Jones costume. I could tell he was high. So much for Mike following orders. He wasn’t here to have fun. I hoped he didn’t have a chance to get her name. I doubted very seriously she would have told him, considering how hard it was for me to pry it out of her.
I handed her the cup.
“Thanks,” she said and downed it in one quick gulp.
I laughed. “Want another?” I asked, offering her my drink.
“Oh, no, thanks. I have to drive, remember? I owe you one for rescuing me again.”
“It was nothing.”
I followed Jane’s gaze and saw Becky across the room, fall hard onto the floor as the guy she was dancing with dropped his entire drink all over her devil costume. She just laughed like Becky usually did. That was one thing I actually found amusing.
I knew that second that Jane had no intention of leaving. She would suffer just to make sure Becky was all right. I could see that kind of love in her. I had to get her away from this party before anyone took too much notice of her, particularly Mike.
“Hey,” I started, more nervous than I thought I would be to ask out a girl. “I don’t think I could tempt you into a movie, maybe dinner?”
She forced a smile. I could tell it was artificial.
“I don’t know, Aidan. It’s late.”
“You said you owed me,” I pleaded, “and we both know you have to come back for Becky.”
“Like this?” she said, putting her hands up, displaying her costume.
“Yeah.” I laughed falsely. “We won’t be the only people dressed up. It is Halloween after all. People dress up at work all the time.” That part I knew was true. Come on, Jane. Just say yes. I smiled at her again, hoping she may find me charming.
My body almost forced me to leap into the air when I saw her nod. “I’d like that, Aidan.”
I couldn’t hide the huge smile that spread across my face. I shouldn’t be so happy to get my target to go out with me.
I stepped outside and draped my vampire cape over her shoulders.
“You must be freezing,” I said.
“I’m all right. Thanks.”
Very like Jane, always putting on the strong, independent act. I knew it was an act simply because it wasn’t difficult to get her to agree to something. She wasn’t one who enjoyed confrontation even though she could get sarcastic and cynical.
We walked to her car.
“Don’t you drive?” she asked.
“Oh, I live just a couple blocks away. I walked here.” That was an easy truth to tell. It felt good not to have to lie to her, at least not yet.
“I see,” she answered, clearly uninterested.
“I’m guessing you want to drive?”
“Right.”
“Do you know where you’re going?”
“I’ll know where to go once you tell me.”
“Well, I can’t argue with that,” I said, smiling.
She turned on the light and started taking out her unattractive cat-eyed contacts and plastic fangs. I took off my gloves and sat there, waiting a moment before speaking.
“They’re having what they call Flashback Week at the theatre,” I started, “showing old horror movies. What did you think of Halloween?” I was hoping for a classic movie. One I had already seen in case I couldn’t focus on it.
“Loved it,” she said.
I nodded. “Sound good?”
“Perfect! You know,” she started, changing the subject abruptly, “you’re quite good at rescuing me. You’re not stalking me, are you?”
I laughed and shook my head. That was the Jane I was waiting to see. “You’re different,” I said.
“Yeah, as if I haven’t heard that before.”
“No.” I laughed. “That’s not how I meant it. I meant different than you were in the bookstore the first time I rescued you. But it’s a good thing.”
“You’re different too,” she said, “but also not so different at the same time.”
“So why did you come to North Bend?” I asked.
“I lived in California, but my parents divorced, and I couldn’t stand living there anymore after my brother died.”
My heart plunged into my stomach, and my throat tightened. I had to remain composed. “Your brother died?” It was a struggle to keep my voice steady and torture to make her explain.
“Three years ago.”
My chest burned.
“Murdered and dumped in an alleyway.”
An alleyway? Oh, Alex, you bastard!
“I’m sorry,” I forced out, my voice half caught in my throat. “That’s awful. Did they catch the person who did it?”
`“The bastard fled. They still haven’t found him.”
They won’t, darling. I wished I could have told her that. I wished in that moment I could have told her everything. I was silent.
“What about you?” she asked. “Why did you come here?”
Time to lie.
“My family wanted to move here—for some God unknown reason.”
“You don’t like it here?”
“Oh, the place is fine. The school is fine too. It’s just the people. They seem to find me…intimidating.”
She laughed.
“What?”
“Intimidating doesn’t even begin to cover it. You captivate people’s attention, Aidan, almost effortlessly.”
“Have I ever captivated yours?”
“You have,” she answered. “After saving my life a number of times.”
I tried to laugh but wasn’t at all amused. I was anxious of where all of this was going and what kind of trouble my betrayal was getting me into. “So…what kind of movies do you like?”
“Scary,” she said.
“You’re different, and this time I do mean it that way.” I snickered.
“I know.”
Chapter Twelve
It seemed most everybody who worked at the theatre was dressed up. People stared more often than usual. The room was dark and lit by lights on the stairs, and my shoes stuck to the floor. I hated it. I had only been to the movies a few times as a kid; I didn’t remember it quite like this. The red seats were hard and not comfortable. I kept my eyes locked on the screen, trying to act interested in the movie when my thoughts were just scrambling around trying to come up with ways I could organize this mess I had gotten us into.
It was a relief when the movie ended, though I could have used more time to think. Jane instantly started with the questions.
“So why did you act that way the first day of class?” she asked as soon as we walked out of the theatre.
“I don’t think I know what you mean,” I answered, hoping she wouldn’t catch on that I was lying. It was obvious I couldn’t tell her the truth. Well, Jane, because if I was nice to you, my former cult of assassins would strap you to a stone and serve your blood in silver goblets. I’m sure you understand.
“Never mind. It was probably my imagination,” she said.
“Do you need to get home?”
“I’m tired, but thanks for getting me away from the party. Should I take you home?”
“Back to Andrew’s,” I said. “I left my jacket there.”
She nodded. “Okay. I need to go back there anyway. I need to make sure Becky can drive.”
I laughed. “I can guarantee Jared can’t.”
She chuckled quietly. I wasn’t sure if she was actually amused. “Oh, you saw that?”
“Who didn’t see that?”
When we got back to Andrew’s, Jared was passed out on the bathroom floor. I had Jane help me carry him to the couch. I watched as she rushed over to Becky, who was what she would call “dancing” with a guy dressed as a Jedi Knight. I was surprised to see she wasn’t also passed out on the bathroom floor.
I couldn’t hear their conversation, but it wasn’t hard for me to see that Becky was clearly not sober, and Jane was making
sure her Jedi friend would make sure she got home all right.
Jane didn’t even say a word to me before rushing out the door. I slung my vampire cape over my shoulder and started down the street, replaying in my mind how I had actually asked her out. Was I crazy? I had definitely planned on finishing what I started in the theatre, thinking of ways I could fix this, so a walk was the solution I came up with.
Mike found me at home again and told me that I had the wrong girl.
“We were wrong. That girl at the party, the one you gave a drink to, she’s the one,” he said, drama in his voice.
Damn! I screwed up.
“No,” I retorted, “I don’t think so, Mike.”
“James, I swear to you. I’m sure of it.”
“Look, Mike,” I started, standing up from the couch, “this is my mission, all right? You’re great as my right-hand man, but stay just that. Let me take care of this my way.”
“As you wish as long as your way won’t get you killed by Abraham.”
I shunned him even though I knew he was right.
I avoided the bookstore but had to do something. I went for a walk again, this time just down the main streets. It was such a quaint town; I’d have actually adored it if it wasn’t for everything constantly being so soggy. The rain didn’t bother me, just the glumness of it all. I was minding my own business, and one of Abraham’s men recognized me. It was Jason.
“What do you want?” I demanded.
“Come this way,” he said. He led me into the woods off the road. “What are you thinking?” he hissed.
“What are you talking about?”
Summers' Shadow (Hunters Trilogy Book 2) Page 8