by J. N. Colon
Mac’s eyes widened. “No. Of course not. We would never…”
I nodded, feeling a small sense of relief spread through me.
“But Rubi.” He interrupted my respite with a hint of warning in his voice. “It’s still dangerous for you because you can’t be compelled.” He came close again, worry prevalent in his face. “If the others found out it would be very bad.”
I kind of figured that.
“So you have to pretend it does work.” Mac’s hand found my cheek again, his thumb gently stroking back and forth as if it had a mind of its own. “You have to pretend to forget about this night as if I did compel you to. And you can’t tell anybody.”
I nodded. Like anyone would believe me.
Mac sighed in relief. “We just have to act normal and pretend this didn’t happen.”
Pain sliced through my chest at the realization, knowing exactly what he meant. “You’ll go back to pretending I don’t exist.”
Regret flashed in his eyes. “Rubi…”
I shook my head. This might be incredibly stupid of me, but I was tired of his Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde crap. He told me I was beautiful yet he couldn’t be seen with me.
Total B.S.
“It’s fine. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
“I’m sorry Rubi.”
I moved away, far from his grasp. “I’ll find my own way to my room. You can go back to the party.”
“All right,” he mumbled, a hint of sorrow lacing his voice.
I strode away and as I did I breathed in the scent of his sweater.
He was so never getting this back.
Chapter 13
“Ouch!” I huffed, reaching up to yank my hair out of a low tree branch. Not only did I have a psycho guy who thought he can hypnotize me, a wild animal possibly lurking around, and another guy who ignores me in front of people, but now the trees wanted to attack me too.
Great. Just great.
I trekked to Madison’s dorm to meet up before dinner. I kept my mouth shut about what happened last night. I wasn’t even sure what happened. Aspen was still asleep when I got back, snoring like a bear. I curled up under my blankets and attempted to sleep without much luck.
Not only did Brant have several cameos in my dreams, but that stupid nightmare I had before coming to Highland wriggled its way in. This morning Aspen woke up, thinking she’d gone to the party and had a fabulous time. I was so weirded out I ran out the dorm with mismatched socks.
Luckily I hadn’t seen Brant yet. I didn’t know how I was going to look him in the face, knowing what he did and pretend he was just a normal guy and not a psycho witch-boy. And then there was Mac. I really didn’t want to see him at all.
Of course that was a total lie.
An icy wind blew through the trees, lifting my hair in the back, and touching my neck like ghostly fingertips. I shivered, but it wasn’t from the cold. No. Eyes were on me again, watching my every move. I could feel them in the shadows, studying me with dark intentions hovering just beyond the dimly lit horizon.
My pulse raced and breath quickened, blowing quick puffs of steam from my mouth. I peered through the night, seeing only twisting trees and the usual creepy fog swirling between them and in the distance.
This was so stupid. Nothing was going to get me. Nothing at all.
Of course I was lying my ass off to myself and the sinister feeling enveloping me called me on it. I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans, praying there wasn’t a wild animal stalking me, ready to make me its next meal.
Or Brant. I hoped he hadn’t decided to have some more fun with me.
I gulped and picked up the pace, my feet crunching loudly on the dead leaves blanketing the ground beneath the fog. Only two seconds passed before I was at a full run, heading toward Jenkins Hall, the pewter stone building standing out like a barely visible beacon in the pitch sky.
I burst through the double doors, slamming them loudly and leaned against them, panting.
This was crazy. Was someone really following me?
My muscles trembled and my knees wanted to give out as I reluctantly peeked out the window, my breath fogging the glass. Nothing was out there.
Madison answered the door panting as hard as I had just been. “Hey,” she breathed, motioning me in.
“Why are you out of breath?”
“Oh.” She laughed as she shut the door. “I was in the bathroom—all the way down the hall—and realized what time it was. I didn’t want you to have to wait so I ran.”
My brows met. “It wouldn’t have killed me to wait in the hall for five seconds.”
“You never know,” she joked.
I shook my head.
“Let me just grab a scarf and put some shoes on and I’ll be ready.” Madison was wearing black tights under holey jeans and a scarlet blouse so naturally she went with a purple scarf.
“Okay let’s go.” When she reached for the door I noticed a splash of crimson on her finger.
“What is that?” I asked, pointing to the mark.
Madison glanced down and blinked. “Nail polish.” She skipped to her desk and pulled out a cotton ball and polish remover. “I tried that red color you had on, but it didn’t look as good on me.”
I glanced at my now barren nails. Maybe I should let her paint them again, except a different color. One that didn’t remind me of blood.
“No.” Madison tugged me off the sidewalk. “Let’s go this way tonight.”
My brow furrowed as we changed directions and took a dirt path directly through the trees. “Why?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“Now I do.”
She stalled, messing with her short hair and spreading the scarlet streaks around. “I saw Mac and Paisley up ahead and they were looking super friendly,” she finally admitted.
My heart twisted and I didn’t need to tell Madison thanks. My silence was enough.
The only sound as we walked was the crunching of leaves beneath our feet. I was attempting to swallow the giant fist-sized lump stuck in my throat. The night was cold, our breath fogging in front of us, and dark clouds settled above. If I was alone on this path I probably would have walked a little faster.
Finally Madison cleared her throat. “So… have you thought anymore about going to the dance with Jackson?”
I groaned, the thought of any boy leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. “I don’t know.”
She rolled her eyes and huffed exasperatedly. “Is that the only response you’re capable of when it comes to Jackson?”
“I don’t know.”
She shot me a disbelieving glance and we both laughed—until a strange, struggling noise caught our attention and our giggles died.
“What is that?” Madison whispered, her breath ominously steaming in front of her.
Unease settled around me and I wanted to run to the dining hall without a second glance, but Madison pulled me along, tiptoeing closer. A splash of wetness on the trunk of an ancient oak glistened in the silvery moonlight, giving me an all too familiar sensation I never wanted to experience again.
My fingers trembled as I reluctantly reached out, touching the spot before bringing them to my face to examine the unknown substance. It looked dark. It looked red.
“It could be a hurt animal,” Madison said, but the fear lancing her dark eyes made me think differently.
We stepped around the thick trunk… and it was no animal.
Our gasps reverberated and we fell to our knees next to Patrick. Blood gushed from his throat and chest, coating his sickly pale skin, but his brown eyes were still alert, struggling in the grips of death and fear. He was still alive.
I pressed my hands to his neck to stop the bleeding. “What happened?”
He made choking, gurgling sounds as he tried to speak.
“Rubi,” Madison hissed, pushing my hands away and throwing her purple scarf over his neck. “Go get help.”
Patrick’s face was paler than fresh snow while blood trickl
ed into his blonde hair, staining it scarlet. His eyes were wild and he kept reaching for me as if he was desperate to tell me something.
“Rubi.” Madison shook my shoulder. “Get help now!”
I jumped up and sprinted for the dining hall. Every muscle in my body trembled, threatening to give out. My feet crunched on the dead leaves, echoing loudly through the trees. Too loud. What if the animal or beast was still out there, listening to my noisy flight?
The moonlight suddenly caught my hands, revealing the dark glistening blood that smothered them. My stomach heaved and I thought I was about the pass out when someone caught my shoulders.
I screamed.
And not just a little yelp, but one of those bloody murder screams that put your hair at soldier’s attention. In this case mine already were.
“Rubi.” Headmaster Norrington shook me. “What is it?” His gray flecked hair was more wild than usual and his tweed jacket was unbuttoned, his tie hanging loose.
I held up my shaking, bloody hands and his face darkened. “He’s still alive,” I choked.
“Where?”
We ran to the oak tree where Patrick and Madison were, but I could tell by Madison’s sobs the situation had changed.
She turned to us, tears streaking her delicate face. “It’s too late,” she cried. “He’s dead.”
I felt sick. I sort of knew Patrick. Even though that hour we spent together looking for Tatum he was totally out of it…
Wait. Was there a connection here? Alyssa was hanging around those strange, witchy, rich kids too. Maybe she went to that secret room. Maybe Brant took her to that secret room like he took me.
My mouth went dry and the trees begun to spin in a swirling, dizzying motion. If there was a connection… could I be next?
“Rubi?” Headmaster Norrington put a hand on my shoulder, halting the tilt-a-whirl I was unwillingly riding . “Do you need to sit down?”
I shook my head. The thought of moving made want to hurl not to mention the slick wet feeling of Patrick’s blood on my hands.
“Oh Rubi.” Madison suddenly hugged me and I carefully wrapped my arms around her, hoping I didn’t stain her sweater.
My eyes flickered to Patrick again—all gross and bloody—and I saw Madison’s purple scarf still lying on his neck now wet and dark with blood.
Chapter 14
I sat on my bed with my knees curled against my chest, staring out the darkened window. Something was not right at Highland. Something or someone was killing these kids. Could it be witchcraft or was it really simply an animal?
I rolled my eyes, wondering what the hell I was supposed to do about it. What if Alyssa and Patrick got killed because they knew too much and what if those kids figure out I knew too much? I’d be next.
Screw that.
A knock resonated on the door, making me jump. Aspen was hanging out in Paisley’s room—thankfully—but when I answered the door I instantly wished she was here.
Those unmistakable hazel eyes and blonde halo of hair swept chills over my spine.
“Rubiks. How have you been?” That crocodile smile spread Brant’s lips as his eyes roamed over my holey jeans and red tank top.
Fear sparked in my chest and I struggled to keep my heart quiet. This was the first time I’d seen him since the party. How was I supposed to act like I didn’t remember one of the most terrifying nights of my life?
He lasciviously leaned against the doorjamb, crossing his arms over his chest and bulking up those sinewy muscles beneath his sweater. “Am I so hot you’ve lost the ability to speak?”
“What do you want?” I meant it to be a hiss but it came out more like a shaky breath.
“That’s a loaded question.”
My heart dropped, fearful he would attempt to hypno me again and bring me to that secret room to have his way with me.
There was no controlling my quivering pulse now.
Brant unexpectedly reached out to touch my hair, but I flinched back, his brow furrowing in surprise. “Why so jumpy?”
I swallowed hard, finding it difficult to speak. He could probably feel the fear pouring off me not to mention see the beads of sweat forming across my forehead. “Maybe it’s the dead bodies I keep finding.” My voice trembled. It wasn’t a lie. It just wasn’t the only thing making me jumpy.
Brant’s face sobered and he dropped the crocodile smile. “Yeah. You did find both of them.”
I nodded.
“That’s horrible. You must be having nightmares.”
I silently shrugged, caught off guard by his sympathy.
He crossed the threshold, gazing down at me with unusually serious eyes. “You’re just too young and sweet to see things like that.”
My heart had just started to slow and muscles relax when Brant put a hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed.
“Maybe I could help.” His voice was soft, too soft to be trustworthy coming from him.
He had said the same thing after I found Alyssa and I still wondered how he expected to help. As his eyes brightened and turned liquid I had a sinking feeling I knew exactly what he had in mind to help. He wanted to make me forget.
Panicked, I suddenly shrugged out of his grasp. “Did you come here for some reason?” I blurted, hoping it derailed his thought process. Unless of course he came here for me.
Brant blinked, his hazel eyes returning to normal. “Oh right.” He strode toward Aspen’s dresser and plucked a gold necklace off.
A sigh of relief eased out my mouth.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for this thing.” He held up the gold chain with a pendent dangling from the center, baring those suspicious Celtic knots.
My curiosity bubbled inside, but the questions stuck in my throat when I remembered Mac’s warning. I didn’t know what Brant would do if he knew what I suspected about him.
He touched my shoulder again. “I’m sorry about you finding those bodies.” An attempt at a comforting smile split his lips. “I hope you don’t find any more.”
I nodded, my brow furrowing in confusion. Why was Brant suddenly trying to be so nice to me?
He walked into the hall and turned back. “I heard Patrick was still alive when you found him.”
Sickness rose in my throat and my stomach churned at the horrifying images flying through my mind. I nodded.
Brant cocked his head, a quizzical expression breaking across his face. “Did he say anything?”
I froze, my entire body dowsed in cold fear. “No.” My voice was barely above a whisper.
His eyes darkened. “You sure?”
Ice froze my lungs while my flesh exploded in goose bumps. I silently nodded unable to make my voice work again.
Brant straightened up and flashed a smile. “Okay. See you later then.” He turned and disappeared down the hall.
I leaned against the door after I shut it, my heart hammering and muscles weak. Was Brant checking to see if Patrick revealed what or who the killer was? Say like maybe him?
Was he onto me?
Dread sank deep into my chest, planting itself permanently.
A knock echoed on my door, sending my heart into my throat again. My mind dredged up all kinds of terrible scenarios all of which ended with Brant ripping me to shreds with some kind of ritualistic spell.
My hand shook as I reached out and turned the brass knob.
“Hi Rubi.” Jackson was standing in the hall, a mask of concern visible over his face.
I stared at him wide-eyed and stunned afraid I was hallucinating and he was going to morph into Brant.
“Rubi? You looked like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I shook myself and finally remembered how to speak. “Sorry. I just wasn’t expecting you.”
“I heard what happened and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Oh.” It was all I could manage.
It was acceptable for the kids of this dorm to visit the other ones, but it was rare and almost gasp-inducing for one of them to come here.
I managed a smile at his bravery. “Thanks.”
“It’s so horrible for this to happen to you not once, but twice.”
I nodded, leaning on the doorjamb.
“Oh.” His soft whisky colored eyes glimmered when he bent down to retrieve something from the floor. “I brought you this.” He handed me a plastic container warm to the touch.
My brow furrowed, waiting for an explanation.
Jackson fidgeted nervously with the bottom of his frayed t-shirt. “You didn’t have dinner so I thought I’d bring you something just in case.”
Well that was thoughtful. “Thanks,” I mumbled, peeling up the lid.
“It’s gumbo,” he said. “And I made sure they put more meat than vegetables.”
A ghost of a smile spread my lips and my chest warmed at his sweet gesture. “Thanks.”
Jackson returned the smile, his soft eyes gleaming with pride.
I sat the soup on my desk, thinking maybe there was more to Jackson than I thought.
“Well I should let you get some rest,” he said, bashfully ruffling his auburn hair.
I made a split second decision I hoped I didn’t regret and stepped forward, embracing him in a hug. “Thanks.”
He wrapped his arms around me, squeezing. “Any time.” He spoke into my hair, surprise riddling in his voice.
He wasn’t the only one. But I had to admit it was—nice. He smelled like soap and it was warm and comforting against him.
When I pulled back he sported a dazed, dreamy expression. I almost laughed until I saw someone glaring at us as he passed by. Mac’s face appeared paler than usual and his jaw was clenched hard as if grinding his teeth together in anger.
My brow arched as he disappeared around the corner, wondering if that was jealousy I’d seen flashing in those hypnotic green eyes.
Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to go to the dance with Jackson.
***
I was sleeping restlessly when I pried my eyes opened and saw something incredibly creepy.
“Aspen, what the hell are you doing?”