The Devil's Heir

by Leilani Lopez

  Luke pushes open the passenger door for me, and I slide into the car.

  It’s impossible not to laugh as I settle into the heated seat.

  Luke wipes off a raindrop from my cheekbone with his thumb. Our eyes meet, and I can see the hesitation on his face before he pulls his hand away from me.

  This is the first time I want more of someone’s touch.

  Luke faces forward. “Are you hungry?”

  “What?” I ask, still enjoying the tingle from the graze.

  His fingers curl around the steering wheel. His knuckles whiten under his tight clench.

  “Are you hungry? There’s this great place just a town over if you’re interested in going.”

  His eyes aren’t even on me, yet I feel completely entranced in the moment. The spacious car seems to shrink in size. I tell myself that my heart is beating fast and my breath shortens because I’ve never been alone with a guy before. Nothing more.

  Relax, it’s just a car ride.

  “I like food.” I cringe when my words reach my ears.

  He snickers and glances over at me. “It’s only twenty minutes, if that’s okay.”

  I shrug a shoulder. “I don’t have anywhere else to be.”

  “Good,” he says with genuine relief. “I’ve been craving this place but can never get myself to spend twenty minutes there and back with my sister.”

  Luke Hale is attempting to make a joke, and I’m actually inclined to laugh. So, I do. “I can see why.”

  He pulls the car back onto the main road. “She’s been that way her whole life, if that was your next question.”

  “I didn’t realize you’re a mind reader.”

  “I’m a lot of things,” he says simply.

  Yeah, I’ll bet.

  “Can I borrow your phone? I should let my aunt know I’m not going to be home.”

  Luke passes his phone to me, holding it by the tips of his fingers.

  “Thanks,” I tell him.

  He hums in response.

  My aunt picks up on the third ring. I do my best to whisper into the phone, trying to avoid the embarrassment of knowing that Luke is glancing at me from the corner of his eyes.

  Aunt Polly is thrilled that I’ll be having lunch with Luke.

  She hangs up on me without another word.

  Unlike my aunt, Luke doesn’t bother to turn on the radio. With the blaring music in Aunt Polly’s car, I always felt like my thoughts were safe. Now, in the absolute silence, even my own breathing is too loud for comfort.

  “Have they cleared your name?” I ask, referring to the rumors being spread.

  Luke’s jaw ticks. “Can’t be charged of anything you’re not involved in, right?”

  “That’s what I’ve been saying.”

  “Seems like no one wants to believe us.”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time someone didn’t believe in me,” I say quietly.

  He’s silent for some time. “Do you?”

  I look up at him. “Do I what?”

  He holds my gaze far too long to be labeled a safe driver. “Do you believe in me?”

  I sense a new seriousness in his question. Do I believe in the rumors? That he’s the Devil? Or the son of Satan? Considering I’m stuck in the car with him, I don’t want to think about it.

  “I don’t think you killed those people,” I finally say.

  “If it’s any consolation, I don’t think you’re a killer either.”

  I snort. “Coming from the Devil, that means a lot.”

  Luke winks. “Careful what you say, rumors spark easy in this town.”

  I change the conversation, wanting to cease all thoughts of the butterflies that form in my stomach when his eyes are on me.

  “What brought you to town, anyways?”

  He squints just a fraction, as if his mind is working hard to find the right words. “It seems like I just ended up here.”

  “Looks like we have that in common,” I tell him.

  “I think we have more in common than you’d think.”

  “Oh yeah?” I ask. “Like what?”

  Luke glances over at me. “I can’t let you in on all of my secrets just yet, but I make it my job to know everything about the people around me.”

  “Is that how you knew about Sasha’s mother?”

  He nods.

  “And how is it that you know all of these things?”

  “Just because we haven’t been here in many years doesn’t mean we don’t keep tabs. Diablo is in my blood, after all.”

  “And by we, do you mean your father?”

  Luke clears his throat. “Yes.”

  A coldness washes over him at the mention of his father. Almost as if he’s perfected it over the years. “Will you tell me more about him?”

  He looks at me from the corner of his eye and says softly, “Maybe later.”

  I’m surprised I’m not denied. I want to tell him about the other night, get him to trust me, but I can’t. The sheriff was very clear about keeping quiet until they know more. And the last thing I need to do is drag the Hale family into another investigation.

  “Lily will tell me.”

  He barks out an uneasy laugh at the mention of his sister. “Yes, she likes telling you our secrets.”

  “It’s only fair, since you apparently know all of mine.”

  Luke’s hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Nothing can stop my sister from doing anything she sets her mind to.”

  “She has a big personality.”

  Her brother smirks but doesn’t deny it. “Let’s just say that her attitude lives up to her reputation.”

  “Because she’s a redhead?”

  “Amongst other things.”

  I don’t want to push him any further, or risk him asking me equally challenging questions. “So, where is it we’re going?” An easy question, nothing too territorial or reason for him to lie.

  He glances over at me from the corner of his eye. “This little restaurant I found a few weeks ago. They have the best chicken and waffles I’ve ever had. It’s a secret I’ve kept to myself.”

  “I’m honored,” I tell him, and I really am.

  I stare at him, unashamed. Plenty of times I’ve caught him looking at me, so why should I feel weird about it in return?

  I hate to admit it, but Luke Hale is so pretty.

  So pretty that it hurts to stare at him.

  Every feature about him is almost too perfect. Almost like there’s something otherworldly about him. If he’s anything like his father, I’m afraid to see what Mr. Hale looks like.

  I’m not a vain person, not in the least, but his indifference does make it harder that everyone else seems to think we belong together.

  That sickening feeling in the depths of my stomach that forms whenever Sasha and all of the other girls try to throw themselves at him? It’s jealousy, I know that. I have no right to feel that way, but I’m mature enough to call myself out on it.

  Maybe if I had previous experiences with boys, it wouldn’t sting as much.

  But when those black eyes meet mine…I don’t really understand what I feel.

  It’s something I’ve never felt before. I just wish I knew what they were saying to me. Is he intending to drive me mad? Does he get off on it? I’ve never seen him even acknowledge any of the other girls who outright stare at him. But any time Lily even suggests there’s something more between us, he denies it and crushes me all over again.

  I force my eyes away from him because…what’s the point? Why torture myself?

  I’m sure I’m alone in these feelings anyways.

  The trees make the trip fly. The gorgeous, lush, greenery is thankfully more distracting than the brooding figure next to me. A large “Welcome to Haven” sign pops up as we enter the neighboring town.

  It seems like the town is set up much like Diablo.

  Luke finds an empty parking spot right in front of a cafe marked Hailey’s Diner.

  I put my hand on the handle b
ut stop when Luke reaches over to hold the door shut. “Wait.”

  I watch, frozen in the leather seat as Luke quickly rounds the car to hold the door wide open for me.

  From this position, I can see why he’s intimidating. Though I doubt most people are lucky enough to have Luke Hale reaching his hand down to them. He radiates power and dares anyone to mess with him.

  I hesitate to reach out, but he doesn’t give me much of a choice. It’s either grab his hand or…well, that’s the only option. He’s blocking the door otherwise.

  I take Luke’s hand and regret it instantly. A shiver runs down my spine, and he smirks in response.

  He shuts the door behind me and presses a black button on the handle to lock the car. I try to remove my hand from his, but he doesn’t allow it. Taking control, he leads us onto the curb and into the restaurant.

  Luke pushes open the door and a bell rings.

  Every table is filled with groups of high school kids with a few random tables seating adults. The smell of fresh French fries and something sweet hits me and my stomach growls in response, eager to have anything the place has to offer.

  A young girl in a pink apron approaches us. “Just two?”

  Luke and I nod.

  She takes two menus out from behind the counter. “You love birds can follow me.”

  My initial instinct is to correct her, to assure her we are not a couple despite his sudden need to hold my hand, but he doesn’t respond and neither do I.

  The hostess leads us to a small two-person booth in the corner of the restaurant, and as we sit down she hands us a menu. All I can think about is the fact he didn’t say anything when she called us lovebirds.

  I peer at him over the top of the menu. Why didn’t he deny it?

  He’s completely oblivious to my attention.

  “I recommend anything,” he says with his face buried in the menu.

  An older woman approaches us with a notepad in hand. “What can I get you kids?”

  Luke responds right away. “I’ll have the chicken and waffles.”

  She writes down the order and turns to me. “What about you, sweetheart?”

  I blurt out, “I’ll have what he’s having.”

  “Anything to drink?”

  “We’ll share a vanilla shake,” Luke says.

  “You betcha,” she says with a wink and leaves us after taking our menus.

  “So, how did you end up finding this place?” I ask to break the silence.

  “I was passing through one day and stopped by for a bite to eat. I’ve been secretly coming here ever since.”

  “Getting away or driving toward something?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Were you running away from something or going toward something when you were passing through?” I cock my head to the side to get a good look at him. “There doesn’t really seem like there’s anything worth exploring around here.”

  He snickers after a moment. “I guess you can say I was running away. I need a break from my sister as much as the next person.”

  “I’ve known her for five minutes and I already need a well-deserved break.”

  “Yeah.” He rubs the back of his neck with his hand. “Sounds about right. I don’t know how many times I can apologize to you for her erratic behavior.”

  “It’s been too many times already, but I still like to hear it.”

  He studies me and I do my best not to shrink under the intense gaze. “You have more to say than you let people think.”

  I’m taken aback. “What do you mean?”

  “You come off as this small, damaged girl, but you have more of a bite than people think. You actively hold yourself back. Why’s that?”

  I blink in surprise at the accusation. My immediate reaction is to defend myself, retort that he doesn’t know me enough to have to right to question me, but he’s not wrong. I’ve always been complacent. I avoid confrontation and do everything in my power to stay invisible.

  At least, I did.

  “I guess you just press a nerve in me.”

  He snickers. “You did it again.”

  “What?”

  “You use sarcasm to avoid answering me.”

  We’ve been in the restaurant for all of three minutes and he sees me better than I do myself. “I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing.”

  “Well now that you do, why do you think you do it?”

  “Why are you pressing me?” I ask instead.

  He studies me again, and I give my best poker face. “I’m trying to understand you.”

  “And how’s that been so far?”

  “Inconclusive,” he says.

  “So we’re on the same page.”

  Luke and I start a stare off. Neither of us speak, but I’m sitting here questioning both of our sanity. His in general and mine for deciding to come here with him.

  Our milkshake is placed between us, and Luke doesn’t break eye contact when he reaches out and takes a long sip from the glass. His cheeks hollow in from the amount of effort he has to put in to taking a successful sip, and it’s the most vulnerable I’ve ever seen him. For once, he comes off as a regular teenager struggling to drink his milkshake instead of what the rumors make him out to be.

  He licks his top lip. “Delicious.”

  My tongue mirrors his movement, as if it was his tongue on mine instead. I flush with embarrassment when I realize what I’ve done.

  “So.” I clear my throat to gather myself. “Where were you before this?”

  “Everywhere,” he says. “But, specifically, I was in London.”

  “Did you like it?”

  “Sure,” he says slowly. “I’ve been a few times so it wasn’t anything new to me.”

  I reach forward and attempt to take a drag from my straw. Luke doesn’t even blink at what I’m sure is an equally ridiculous face. “Did you have tutors growing up? With you moving around so much.”

  He nods. “Something like that.”

  “So, if London wasn’t exactly your favorite place…what was?”

  “Hm,” he responds. “Probably Greece. The view is unimaginable and the little treasures the islands have to offer are endless.”

  I can only smile. “I don’t even think my imagination could do it justice.”

  “Probably not.” He takes the shake from my hand. “Maybe I’ll take...maybe you’ll go one day.”

  Our conversation pauses but we’re rescued when our plates are set out in front of us.

  As promised, the plate smells divine. Mounds of syrup slide down the thick waffles and onto the porcelain plate while the chicken on top is steaming. The smell alone makes my mouth water; the sweetness from the syrup mixed with the savory, fresh fried chicken is to die for.

  “Un délicieux repas avec une jolie fille,” Luke says. “Thank you for joining me.”

  I who should be thanking him, but I don’t tell him that. “So, how many languages do you speak?”

  He ignores me and takes a bite of his still-steaming food. A deep-rooted groan escapes his mouth and my breath hitches. His tongue sneaks out to lick away a drop of syrup. My eyes follow the movement.

  I want that sound burned in my memory.

  For the next hour, I feel like I can forget about our pasts and make sure I don’t miss a single one of Luke’s smiles.

  The rule of three claims an event needs to occur at least three times to be considered a pattern. And this is the fourth time death has crossed my path.

  Aunt Polly received a call from the police station informing her that I was no longer a suspect. She didn’t even bother to ask me what I was a suspect for in the first place, she simply relayed the information to me and kept on making dinner.

  Posters of the identified body are plastered all over the front of the high school. I recognize him immediately from the odd encounter I had at the antique store with Mrs. Winthrop.

  As we didn’t see the face, this is the first time I’m seeing who the body
belonged to.

  What’s most horrifying about this moment is now I recognize where else I’ve seen this boy before. He was in my nightmare one night. It comes rushing back to me.

  I remember the entire scene vividly.

  Him kneeling beneath me, blood dripping down his chin as he promised the others would come for me.

  It was almost the same conversation the last person in my nightmares said to me.

  I rub the dull ache in my chest from the bruise that hasn’t seemed to go away. In fact, it only seems to have worsened and is a constant pain. I must be sleeping wrong.

  Something catches my attention from the corner of my eye and I turn to see Luke grabbing something from out of his locker. I call his name and wave at him, my smile genuine. There might not be a romantic relationship between us, but I take pride in knowing perhaps a friendship is forming.

  Luke looks over his shoulder at me, and then starts walking in the opposite direction.

  I call out his name again and run to catch up with him. “What’s wrong?”

  I recognize the expression immediately. It’s the same one he gave me the night we met. Murderous.

  “What?” he says.

  “Nothing,” I tell him. “I just wanted to say hi and ask if you wanted to walk to the assembly together.”

  He stares at me like the answer should be obvious. “Why would I want to do that?”

  My shoulders lower at the harsh tone. “I just thought—”

  “You thought what?” he snaps. “That we’re friends now?”

  My entire body shivers at the venom dripping off his words, and when I let out a cry of embarrassment, anger, disbelief, he takes a step back and his eyes change from predator to…regret? Sorrow?

  He clears his throat. “I asked you stay away from me and my sister. We don’t need to be involved in another scandal. This town has been after us since we got here.”

  I watch in utter confusion as he rounds the corner, leaving me alone.

  Scandal. Now I’m the scandalous one?

  Me? The girl who has done none of the accusations thrown at her?

  The principal’s voice echoes through the hall, reminding all lingering students to get to the auditorium immediately. My feet carry me there while my mind is elsewhere.

  The sheriff demanded the entire student body attend an assembly before the service the town put together for the boy’s family.