“I expect it from everybody.”
I caught up to her in the parking lot after school.
“Hey.”
She turned around. “Oh…hi.”
“You didn’t wait for me outside your class. Did you forget?”
“No. Just wanted to get out of the rain,” she answered.
I nodded, not sure if she was being entirely honest but also not caring.
“Where did you even come from?” she asked with that familiar baffled expression on her face.
“What?” I laughed.
“I mean…you just appeared out of thin air again.”
I shook my head, suppressing laughter. Rudy—I was sure of it. “Really, Jane? Rudy is definitely seeding some crazy ideas in your head. I walked, okay? Same as you.”
“Mm hmm.”
“So are you going to make me give you directions again?”
She shook her head. “I can let you drive, but what about your car?”
“I’ll come back for it,” I answered, smiling. “You seem highly distracted, Jane. Is everything—”
“Fine,” she retorted, interrupting my sentence, which told me that she didn’t want to talk about it. She got out and walked around to the passenger’s side door, and I turned to smile at her, trying to make her feel a little bit more comfortable. I wasn’t sure what her expressions meant, but she seemed nervous and anxious over something.
“Aidan?” she started.
I turned to look at her.
“The roses…”
I chuckled. “Yes, I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.”
“Yeah, so I read.”
“Well, did you like them?”
“I did,” she answered reluctantly. “But…how did you know about the crash?”
“Rudy, of course.”
“Rudy said he didn’t tell anyone,” she answered suspiciously.
“Okay,” I confessed, unable to come up with an elaborate lie quickly enough. “You caught me.”
“Aidan…you didn’t.”
I couldn’t respond.
“Did you…follow me?” I could feel the anger in her voice.
“I’m sorry,” I said almost defensively, trying to calm her resentment. “I have this incredibly annoying urge to protect you. I only followed you to make sure you were all right. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to save you from the crash.”
She stared at me almost loathsomely through narrowed eyes.
“I really am sorry,” I continued. “Nothing creepy, Jane. It isn’t like I stared through your windows or watched you sleep.”
She sighed, and her face fell soft for a moment. “Really?”
“Yes. Really. I promise.”
“I don’t know why it’s so impossible to stay mad at you?”
I smiled, unable to hide it. “One of my gifts,” I teased.
We were silent for a few minutes, both of us waiting for the other to speak.
“Heading to the other side of the woods,” I said. “I want to show you where I was walking. There’s something I want you to see.”
I pulled over to the side of the road and walked around to her side of the car and opened her door. I lifted my open hand, insisting she take it. She lightly gripped my fingers, and her skin felt so warm and soft. It felt amazing to touch her. I stood there, just staring at her again, admiring the light that had turned her eyes to an amazing shade of amber. I felt the need to speak, to tell her how beautiful she was, but I couldn’t risk how she would respond. I wanted to hear her voice. My body was burning to hold her close to me, but I couldn’t risk that either.
“Come,” I whispered.
I was trembling the entire time and led her slowly into the woods. This was not a good idea, but I had to do something to make her understand. I pulled back some branches and moved a little farther into the deeper parts of the woods. I concentrated on the fact that the girl I was sent to kill was being led to the very place where it was supposed to happen. My mind couldn’t think of anything else. I couldn’t let them hurt her; I couldn’t let them find her wandering around in the woods. I was hoping the clearing would frighten her enough to stay away.
I looked straight ahead, ignoring the beauty of the trees. Again I pulled back a few branches, revealing that vile clearing.
“Most people don’t just walk into the middle of the woods,” I started softly, trying to keep my voice even and keep from trembling. “The trail leads around this. Most people follow it, Jane.” I smiled lightly and raised my eyebrows at her.
She was still silent and stared at me for a long time before she finally spoke.
“What is this?” she asked, locking her gaze on the blood-stained boulder in the middle.
“It’s an old place of sacrifice,” I said honestly.
“What?” she whispered. “Sacrifice?”
I nodded. She was frightened. Perfect.
I wanted to tell her the story while still keeping myself out of it. “There are stories of a tribe, some say a coven or cult, who would bring certain people here and open their throats and drink their blood.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know why, but they hunt people.”
My God. She was going to think I was completely mad, wasn’t she? She was going to laugh at me and walk away. But she didn’t. She just started shaking like she was freezing cold.
“Jane? Are you okay?” I asked. “Do you want my jacket?”
“No, Aidan. No, I’m okay.”
I nodded and prepared myself to ask her if she was sure since she hadn’t stopped shivering, but I stopped myself when I remembered how much she hated that.
“Thanks,” she said.
“For?”
“Not asking me if I was sure.”
I guess she hadn’t realized how badly I wanted to.
“Why did you take me here?” she asked.
I hadn’t planned on an answer to that question, so I gave her the best one I could come up with. “I guess to show you where Rudy gets his superstitions. Some things about his stories may hold truth, and I am simply warning you to stay out of the woods—especially at night.”
“You said they drink people’s blood.”
“Yes.”
“And Rudy mentioned acute night vision and strange abilities.”
Oh, no. I knew where she was going with this.
“Yes,” I answered hesitantly.
“You people are talking about vampires!” she almost yelled, suppressing laughter.
I chuckled, almost amused by her assumption. “I’m sure some people might call them that, but since vampires are mythical creatures, we stick to ‘hunters.’”
I knew Rudy must have told her the story, so it wasn’t anything new. Him telling her may have been a good thing.
“You believe in them?”
“Like I told you,” I answered, “to an extent. This wouldn’t be here for no reason. It’s just an interesting thing to see and hopefully a good reason to stay out of the woods.”
“If you knew, Aidan, if you knew that the woods were so dangerous especially at night, why were you there that night? When you rescued me?”
Because since I am one of them, they wouldn’t hurt me. I clearly had to lie again. I smiled falsely. “Most people follow the trail. First of all…I’m not like most people, and second, I told you about my ability to sense danger.”
“I wasn’t sure I believed you,” she whispered under her breath, bowing her head.
“Do you now?”
She nodded.
“Anything else?”
She glared at me and cocked her head. “Actually, yes. There are wolves in the woods, right?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t I see them that night? Why didn’t they bother us?”
“Wolves usually become active deep into the morning,” I said. “It was just after sunset when I found you.” I had no idea where she was going with that question.
She looked at me solidly again as if trying to re
ad through my lies.
I changed the uncomfortable subject. “So have you yelled at Rudy yet? I was pretty sure you were going to.”
She grimaced. “I’m not on speaking terms with Rudy right now, but when I am, I will definitely yell at him!”
I chuckled, not sure if I was actually amused. “He was only trying to help. You really shouldn’t be too hard on him. I came in thinking he was a burglar, and that’s when he attacked me.” Why in hell was I protecting Rudy?
“You’re not angry?” she asked, looking confused as she often did by my inconsistencies.
“Not really. He’s a decent guy. He cares about you. That’s all.”
“Yup, stranger than me,” she muttered.
I smiled again. She was so charming.
“Well, thanks for showing me this,” she said. “I will stay out of the woods.”
“Good.” I hoped she meant it.
She stood there just looking into my eyes, and my body wanted her close again. I reached for her hand and ran my fingers over her perfect skin.
“You have very beautiful hands,” I whispered. My mood had suddenly shifted, and I felt timid and nervous.
I could feel her uncertainty as she moved her fingers with my own. My heart was pounding the entire time. I interlocked our fingers, and she didn’t move, not to help me nor to stop me. I stared at her lifeless smile. She was silent still, so I felt the need to say something.
“Thank you for letting me take you here.” I paused. “For trusting me.” I had a strange feeling she didn’t trust me, but with her, I couldn’t be sure.
She finally looked at me. I noticed something behind her eyes. I couldn’t decide what it was, but it almost looked like fear. She tore me out of my speculations.
“Should I drive you to school?” she asked. “To get your car?”
I smiled and shook my head. “I’ll walk.”
“To the school?”
“Yes. Then I’ll drive home and…probably walk some more.”
“Aidan…”
That name again.
“Will you just let me drive you? Please?”
“You don’t need to do that,” I answered, almost trying to get away from her. I was terrified of what questions she may ask me.
“No, really. It would make me feel much better if you just let me drive you.”
I couldn’t tell her no when she looked at me with that beseeching look in her beautiful eyes.
I shook my head. “Fine, but only because you agreed to come here with me.”
The drive to the school was mostly silent, which was a relief.
“Thanks, Jane.” I felt that maybe she wouldn’t stop me if I were to touch her again. I leaned over and kissed her cheek. When I felt her acceptance, I lingered for a moment and kissed her a second time, still wishing as always for more.
“Good night, Aidan.”
I slung my school bag over my shoulder and shut the door. I drove home, left my school bag in the car, and just walked.
Chapter Fifteen
I walked aimlessly and ended up at Books by the Bay—of course. I ended up thankful to be there when I saw Jane yanking her arm away from Mike’s grasp.
“Really, Mike,” I heard her say. “I have to go.”
I recognized the expression on his face all too well; his fury had its own unique look. His cheeks were flushed, and his face was twisted into a mask of what almost appeared to be pain, his eyebrows pulling together.
“All I wanted was one dance,” he growled. “Now, I’m offering you dinner and you walk out on me.”
“I’m sorry. I just can’t tonight,” she said with obvious distress etched on her face.
“But you can!”
He was yelling now, and I was wanting more than anything to stop him, but I couldn’t give him the chance to think I was there simply to save her. There was no way of denying who she was now.
Jane opened the car door, and it slammed closed as Mike shoved her into it.
“Do not dismiss me again,” he snarled.
“Mike, please,” she begged. “Can’t we do this some other time?”
“Tonight is better.”
I saw that fury creeping further into his features, and I couldn’t let him hurt her.
“Jane?” I questioned.
“Aidan!” she called.
Mike took another step back.
I nodded my head and glowered at him. He stole another glance at Jane and walked past me. I punched his arm softly, making sure Jane didn’t see. He knew I was saying to meet me at home.
She let out a sigh. “Thanks.”
“Are you okay?”
She nodded. “My ribs are a bit sore, but I’m fine.”
“I should kill him,” I growled deep in my throat.
“Nah, I don’t think he’s all that dangerous.”
Shock crept into my face, and I realized I wasn’t able to let Jane know anything about us and our alliance, so I tried to hide the expression.
“Found me again,” she said, scattering my thoughts.
“Well, maybe you’re right,” I said, keeping my secrets again. “He probably wasn’t planning on hurting you. I was just walking aimlessly and ended up here. I didn’t sense danger the way I sometimes do. You’re just born for trouble.” That was at least the truth.
“You got here fast.”
“Did I?”
“Where are you headed?”
I opened my mouth to speak, unsure of what I was going to say, but I was interrupted by her high-pitched gasp. She pressed her back into the car.
“Aidan,” she hissed quietly.
I followed her eyes and found myself staring at a little gray wolf.
“Oh, it’s all right,” I said quietly. “Simply stay calm.”
I took a step toward it, sure of the fact that it wasn’t going to hurt me. Again I thanked my studies with Walter for being able to pick up emotion. The animal was frightened.
“What are you doing? Are you crazy?”
“It’s fine, Jane.”
I reached toward it.
“Aidan, you idiot, it’s going to bite your damn fingers off.”
“Jane, please!” I spat, still trying to whisper. “Be quiet!”
I touched its fur, and it became very still, and the growling moved into its throat. I began softly stroking its head.
“Go on,” I whispered, waving my hand.
The wolf turned and trotted away, back into the woods near the bookstore.
“My God. How did you do that?”
“Animals can sense fear,” I explained. “As long as you don’t show them you’re afraid, they won’t bother you.” I wasn’t sure if that was true, but it seemed to convince her.
“Can I give you a ride home?” she asked, changing the subject abruptly, which led me to believe she wasn’t convinced after all.
I nodded. “I think I’ve walked enough tonight.”
I got in the passenger’s seat and slouched down, sighing to myself over Mike’s constant annoyance of me.
“Thanks for rescuing me…again,” she said, tucking her hair behind her ear.
I smiled. “Always.”
“So now I guess we’re even.”
“How so?”
“I saved you from Rudy, and you saved me from Mike…and the wolf…and maybe a few other times. So see—even.” A smile crept along her face, and she seemed to suppress a laugh.
I chuckled, nodding. “Ah, yes. We’ll call it even.”
“I still don’t think I understand why you’re not angry at Rudy,” she said, reaching for the parking brake.
I smiled and tried not to laugh. “Actually, I found the whole trying to kill me thing quite entertaining.”
“Why?”
I was unable to contain my laughter then. “Well, because if Rudy knows so much about the hunters and he believed me to be one, then he should have known that he wouldn’t have been able to kill me.”
Her mood shifted. I could feel it in m
y very bones.
“Are you saying you’re a hunter?” she asked, her voice quaking.
I didn’t want to lie to her, so I couldn’t deny it, yet I knew I couldn’t confirm it. I didn’t know how to respond. “I didn’t say that, Jane.” The only thing that made sense.
“But you are.”
She stopped at the driveway of my house.
“Why don’t you just tell me what you are?” she asked.
“Just stay out of the woods, Janie.” I wanted to touch her again, so I grasped a lock of her hair and twisted it between my fingers. I resisted the urge to kiss her and bowed formally. “Stop listening to Rudy.”
As soon as I opened the door, I called to Mike. “I told you to let me do things my way.”
I turned and waved at her, trying to tell her to leave in case Mike tried something stupid again. He approached me at the door.
“Are you crazy?” he spat.
“Mike, please. You promised you wouldn’t betray me.”
“And I won’t,” he answered, “but you are making a huge mistake. How much longer do you think I can lie to Abraham?”
“As long as you need to!” I yelled.
“What do you plan to do, James?” I saw his anger almost showing in his features again. “Do you plan to just…run away?”
Run away… Why didn’t I think of that? Of course. Take Jane and run away…when the time was right.
“Perhaps I will.”
He sighed and turned away from me. “You are such an idiot!”
“No, Mike. I just know what’s right.”
“Nobody knows what’s right when their mind is clouded by love.”
“Love is the only thing that has ever made things clear!”
“So it’s true?” His voice fell. “You love her.”
Damn. “Mike, just let me do things my way—please.”
He stormed off but yelled as he walked toward his car. “You are making a huge mistake!”
I didn’t even remember school that Friday. I just found myself walking down the street by Jane’s house again. I glanced at her door, making sure it was closed this time. I continued walking and heard her voice from an open window a few houses down.
“A coven of people,” I heard, “who hunt other people—my guess is that they are insane, thinking they are vampires or…something.”
There was another voice I knew, and I strained to listen. “They’re sane,” he answered, “just not entirely human.” His voice was serious, and a tinge of fear trailed through his words. Rudy.
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