Anna saw Steph and pulled Derek over, “Hi Steph!” She waved in a friendly way.
Steph saw the jeweled bracelet on her wrist catch the dim light of the room and grew even more jealous.
“Glad you could make it, Steph!” Derek said.
“Steph, can you please tell Derek to dance with me?” Anna cooed. “He hasn’t budged all night!”
“Anna,” he whined.
“Your brother gave me a hard time coming, and I had to pull him here. In return I can get a dance at least.”
“Go, Derek” Steph said, forcing a smile. She still didn’t like him, but she felt bad for the state she saw him in. The smile that always clung to his face was gone. A dance might make him feel better, and at the very least she wouldn’t have to stand next to Anna. Steph was suddenly self-conscious about being compared to his hot date.
“Okay,” he gave in and Anna winked at Steph before taking Derek away.
“So, you’re Steph?” A girl stood next to her with streaks of red in her hair, matching her shirt. “I’m Jenny, Anna’s friend.” She moved her drink to the other hand and stuck it out for Steph to shake.
“Hi.” Steph said without interest.
“Don’t they look great together?”
“Yes, they do.”
“So what brings you to this small place?” Jenny moved to take up a spot right next to Steph, and she realized that the other woman was going to try having an actual conversation.
“On vacation.” Steph tried to be as blunt and uninteresting as possible without drawing too much attention for being rude.
“You chose Castle Pines for your vacation?” Jenny sounded genuinely surprised, as if she could not imagine anyone spending free time in her town on purpose.
“Yeah. Because Derek was here.”
“Oh yeah, I heard you two don’t see each other that often.”
Steph was beginning to get irritated at this woman’s presumption and shot back “How about you mind your own business?” She turned and headed through the crowd to the bar.
“Sure, whatever you say.” she heard Jenny sarcastically say behind her.
Steph wanted to turn back and show Jenny just who it was that she was messing with, but she was in no mood to. She had failed again tonight, and there was no need to risk losing everything just to show some party girl not to be nosey. She was so close to killing Alice but failed once again. She felt all kinds of emotions filling her brain, she took out her phone but remembered that Jane felt sick when Steph had called a few hours ago and most probably was in bed now. She needed a drink to drown her failure. Done for the night, she saw no reason to refrain from it. She pushed her way to the bar and waved for the bartender’s attention.
“Seven and seven.” she said, and got a nod back from the barman. He slid her drink to her and took a long sip as she turned back to the party.
Steph saw the people on the floor dancing to the music. She didn’t recognize the song, but it had a loud beat. Derek still looked sad and moved slow, but Anna didn’t seem to care. Most of the guys dancing were staring openly at her by this point. There would be more than one fight with a jealous girlfriend tonight, but Steph guessed that happened wherever Anna went.
“Can I buy you another round?” A guy said, sitting on the stool next to her.
“That is an old pick up line.” Steph told him.
“It’s only a pickup line if I actually pick you up. Otherwise, it’s nothing but a drink.” Steph had to smile at his confidence. If only he knew. “Hi, I’m Matthew.”
“Steph” she said with a nod. He followed her gaze back to the dance floor.
“What say we hit the floor too?”
“What’s the rush?” Steph touched his face and said in her flirty voice to her catch for tonight. “Let’s have that other drink first.”
CHAPTER 19
No one in the world could disagree that Anna looked hot, but Derek didn’t want her. But he didn’t want any other guysto dance with her either. He was sure that the ones who had come with a date would not approach, but there were some guys, especially one, who eyed her dress and heavily studded sapphire bracelet, ready to pounce on her like there was some invisible tag- Beauty with money. One of his friends, okay ex-girlfriend, in Philadelphia, who was much like Anna, had been drugged at a party like this. He wasn’t sure it would happen but he had a bad feeling. So he tagged with her until she left- after commenting for what seemed the hundredth time that he had to wear something more suitablefor tonight-with her friend Jenny.
He sat at the bar, not wanting a drink, just plain water to cool himself off. It was a relief to finally give his foot some rest. Steph came and occupied a seat next to him.
“You alright?” she asked. “I’ve been watching, something’s off”
“Hey Steph,” he spoke his mind at the moment. “Do you remember what dad said about Rosalie?”
Steph’s expression turned serious. The topic of Jacob and Rosalie had come out of the blue. “What are you talking about?”
“How special he felt about her and how he knew she was the spark of his life.”
“Yeah, you mean the vows,” she said.
Stephanie remembered everything. Derek could count on her to recall small details too. It was a gift she had.He was sure she could relate it word by word if she likedbut that wasn’t the point.
“I have that spark of my life in front of me, but I can’t get to her.”
“Is it Alice?”
“Yeah,” Derek said. “Twisted relationships are getting me nowhere. It is getting me more mixed up. I’m leaving tomorrow Steph. I will meet you in a few days; I have somethingto say, more like afavor I need.There is no one who can do it for me except you.”
“Why not tell me now?” Steph sounded surprised. “What’s the matter?”
“This is not the right time or mood,” he muttered. “I do not want to lose those I love the most.”
“Boy, you are mixed up.You sound drunk,”Steph added. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Now let’s leave.”
As they got up and Derek walked ahead, he winced with pain from the glass shard that had pierced into his foot earlier.
“What happened to your foot?”
“Just some glass.”
“Glass?” she asked, already bending down to take a look. “Show me.”
Reluctantly Derek removed the bandage and allowed her to see the place where at least half inch of glass had stuck to his foot.
“This hasn’t healed yet. You can get an infection.” She said and whispered. “Let me heal this.”
“No,” Derek jerked his foot away, troubled with what she said. “You what? You shouldn’t!”
“Or maybe I should,” she pulled him to Cloud which was parked ahead of all the others there,being guarded by a group of teenagers.
“Thanks Will,” Derek smiled handing a handful of money to a guy with blonde hair andwide blue eyes- Will Richards.“For you and your buddies.Go enjoy the party.”
“Anytime Derek.” He said following his group to the door.
“Still giving hand-outs?” Steph asked. “What’s his story?”
“Orphan. Lives with his uncle who owns a small repair shop.” Derek mentioned. “And I pay for services. Nothing more.”
“Very generous payments for your services,” she grinned before getting into the car. “Come on.”
“Steph please!”
“Show me your foot.” She demanded. “Now don’t lecture me that I shouldn’t be doing this.”
Derek wanted to do just that. Stephanie had once before healed him when they were younger. He wanted to attend a birthday party but a fall left him with a cut on his face. Steph had taken him to a corner saying that she would heal him. She had- quite remarkably- but it left her in great pain and Derek looked after her instead of going to the party at all.
“Let me help,” Steph kept her palm on the arch of Derek’s foot which now rested on her lap. “Just relax. This might sting a little.”
“You heal yourself without effort but why this pain when you heal others?”
Derek had seen it in fiction, people healing others, and it only left those ‘healers’ drained of energy not hurt as in the case of Stephanie. But that was just ‘fiction’ it seemed, real life was more complicated and extra-ordinary powers were off the chart.
“Maybe because it goes against demon’s nature- Grasp nature,” she winced. “I mean helping humans. I should be going.”
“I’ll drop you.” He hesitated before continuing, trying to not sound over-protective. “And I’ll stay until you feel alright.”
“That’ll be nice.” She said much to his surprise. “But my car.”
Derek caught sight of Will who hadn’t entered the party yet. “Give me the keys. I’ll ask Will to drop it off after the party.”
*****
Derek woke up at a little past nine, thanks to a nightmare of falling off a cliff, but still there were more pressing matters to look into today. He pulled on his shirt, and threw his bag over the bed. He had to get away from Alice; he needed to leave as quickly as he could.
He couldn’t let her know what he felt about her. They weren’t meant to be. Before everything would be destroyed, he had to leave because his feelings were getting the better of him.
After getting his laptop and accessories he rose to leave. He didn’t have to pack everything and that would save him time.
“Jared,” he said on his phone. “I’m leaving today. I need you to make sure my stuff gets back home... Wait a minute.” He put the call on hold to pick up a second call. It was Franny.
“Oh, hi sweetie. I hope I didn’t wake you up.”
“No Franny. What’s up?”
“There was an accident last night.” Franny began to say and Derek’s heart skipped a beat at the words. “And Alice’s Vespa is parked here in front of the bookstore. The key is here but she isn’t. She is not picking up my call. I am worried. The accidents around here have left us all worried these days.”
“The mystery… accidents?”
“Yes. The same.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll let you know when I find her. Keep this matter low.”
“Okay.”
Then Derek got back to Jared. “I’m not leaving. I’ve changed my mind. Thanks.”
Derek slipped on his shoes. Enough of running away, I will stand by her no matter what. I love her.
*****
Will was waiting with the Vespa on the driveway. He still wore the same teal shirt from last night, with shorts replacing the jeans. But it was not exactly a patient wait- he was pacing back and forth- and Derek guessed that he was worrying about his test the next day.
“I’ll let it be here?”
“Okay you can leave. Here you go Will. Thanks. I’m sure you’ll rock that biology test.”
Will’s eyes grew wider with the bills he saw. “Thank you Derek! Call me if you need anything else. Bye.”
With that Will strode away, letting Derek focus on the front door that was wide open. Where was she? Derek zipped his jacket, the cold was getting worse. He made it to Alice’s room which was freezing, he kicked the dead heater but it seemed of no use. Her closet was open, with the black dress to be the first on display. His eyes caught sight of the tag removed and feeling through the cloth there were signs of a tear near the waist and it looked a little muddy.
A loud splash distracted him, giving way Alice’s location.
“Insane,” he remarked, shaking his head, heading to the fence. Though he was sure that she was at the pool, he was surprised to see her in the bikini he’d seen with her clothes before. Alice ignored him.
“What are you doing woman?” he knelt beside the pool, uncertain of her reaction.
“Go away, you womanizer,” she shot back.
“Interesting,” he mused, staring.
“What?” She came closer to the edge in anger.
“Interesting that you plan to die in a bikini, die hot in the cold. Sexy choice, I must say.”
“You…..” Alice shot him ‘a bird’.
As soon as she was in reach, Derek held her firmly and pulled her out of the freezing water. She’s going to die of hypothermia if I don’t get her warmed up, he thought.
One moment she tried to pull away but the next moment she chattered, “Let...go,” she protested weakly.
Derek draped his jacket around her, but Alice couldn’t stand up, so he lifted her. He hardly looked ahead after his eyes caught the inscription on her thigh which he knew, instinctively, not ink. What did it say? I heart Lance?
The inside of the house was no warmer than outside. He lay Alice on the couch, lit the fireplace and pushed the couch closer to it. She held his hand, “Why… did you come...?” Her teeth were chattering from the cold. She was shaking, almost convulsing.
“I’ll get your clothes,” he said brushing her hand off. His sight caught the words on her thigh once more. He flinched again. Was it what the actual words said or just the fact that Alice cut them into her own skin? Or both? He would have to sort it out later, he thought.
He picked a pair of jeans and a shirt, plus her jacket and also a towel. It was freezing and without his own jacket now, Derek was going to turn into ice if he didn’t leave soon.
When he went back into the living room, Alice was staring blankly at the ceiling, still wet but not shivering anymore.
“Alice,” he called. She didn’t stir.
“Alice,” he raised his voice and she turned towards him. “Do you want me to help you put these on?”
“No, I’m alright,” she said softly, taking them from him. “I need to go to the church. I need to get help....”
“No you can’t do that.”
“But last night.”
“What about last night?”
“I was coming to the party,” she held her head. “The accident. A girl met with an accident. I was running… and Mrs Paul dropped me home… I woke up like this in the research area. Why can’t I remember everything?”
“Wait. Diane dropped you? She died at four this morning in Washington, Mr Paul informed me. She had gone there to meet her daughter Tiffany and died from a heart attack, so was told to him.”
“Mrs Paul,” Alice didn’t seem to be paying heed to what Derek just said. “Looked younger.”
“Shit,” Derek muttered to himself before talking to Alice again. “Now listen, you are messed up. Aren’t you sure that you were sleepwalking?”
“Vespa. I’d parked it near the bookstore. That could prove I had really left for the party. If so I will consult a priest. Is my Vespa there?” she asked hopeful.
“Yes, it is there.” Derek didn’t state the actual fact that Will brought it. “Mrs Paul wouldn’t have dropped you. There is a chance you didn’t go to the party at all.”
“I’m I going crazy? Is my black gown there? I wore that last night.”
“Let me check.” He went back to the room and picked up the dress. He threw it from the passage window and went back to Alice.
“I don’t see it there. You change until then I’ll fetch my phone from Cloud.”
Derek snuck outside and successfully hid the dress in Cloud’s trunk. When he went in, Alice was in her room, looking in her closet. Derek was worried about whether she saw him hiding it, but she didn’t after all.
“It was supposed to be right here. I wore it. Didn’t I?” She sighed. “Even if I didn’t, where is it? Why isn’t anything making sense?”
“You must not have come to the party at all.” Derek was suddenly all guilty. He didn’t know what he was doing was right or wrong but he couldn’t just standby letting Alice freak out. He had to convince her that everything was alright.
And then she looked up to him, remembering what had disturbed both of them
. “Why did you even come after what I did yesterday? The kiss…”
“Shhh…” He placed a finger on her lips, “Don’t say a word more. You need rest. Just listen. This house is crazy cold. You are coming to my place until we can get the heating system to work here.”
“Why your place?”
“Because… Anna isn’t home and you are acting crazy” He typed on his phone. “I’ll inform her that you are staying at my place today.”
CHAPTER 20
Anna wasn’t even outside when Derek’s missed call and message came. Stay inside for ten minutes. Do not come out, okay?
Anna replied and kept a watchful eye from the side of the curtain. Five minutes or so later, Cloud passed by. Derek wasn’t alone. Alice took a bite off a candy bar- the same one Anna had left in the car last night.
Anna had never been happy long in love. She had loved Derek during high school, but it didn’t work out. After her ex- Trey, life had given her another chance to get together with Derek and pained her to see it slipping away, like sand through her fingers.
“Anna!” Bell’s panicked voice boomed from upstairs.
Anna forgot about Derek for a moment and rushed upstairs to Bell’s room. Bell was just standing, there, not looking hurt or injured in any way.
“What?” Anna panted.
“My dress is ruined,” Bell was pointing to the little white strapless number lying on the table in front of the window. It appeared to be was stained with a dark liquid. Looking at the cup beside it, Anna figured it was probably black tea.
Bell picked it up and sighed, “It was so pretty, I bought it at such a great price. Now my whole birthday outfit is ruined. And I have no other new ones.”
“I have plenty. Wear one of mine,” Anna suggested.
“Yours are too prissy for me,” Bell snapped
“Not all of them,” Anna said, going to her room. Bell followed.
The Grasp of Nighttide Page 14