My Soul For You

by Morgana Phoenix

  Ashlee shoved her.

  “Hey!”

  “That was for being stupid,” Ashlee snapped. “Hello! The queen of inappropriate things, right here. The guy is severely hot. He’s nice and he likes you. So long as he treats you good … I’ve got nothing to complain about.”

  “Well, I’m sorry, okay?” Katie stuffed her hand into her pocket.

  Ashlee huffed. She sulked for a second before asking, “So, how was he?”

  Even as her face burned, Katie grinned. “Amazing.”

  Ashlee squealed and anchored her arm through Katie’s. “Tell me everything. All the hot, sweaty, naked details. Is he, you know, aptly equipped?” She waggled her eyebrows.

  Katie burst out laughing. “I’m not giving you details, or telling you that.”

  “What kind of friend are you?”

  “The kind that doesn’t give that kind of information.”

  Ashlee pouted. “I would tell you, and I would take pictures.”

  “I know you would, but Kaleb isn’t … he’s different.”

  Ashlee looked at her. “You like him.”

  Katie rolled her eyes. “Of course, I like him.”

  Ashlee stopped. “Oh no, no, I mean you like him. I bet you even have his name written in your notebooks.”

  Katie glowered. “I do not.”

  “Yet.”

  They continued walking in a calm sort of silence.

  “So what happened?” Ashlee asked as the school came into view.

  Katie didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “I don’t know. I just feel like he’s hiding something from me. Something really big.”

  She told Ashlee the events of Saturday, minus the whole reason she had gone to see Kaleb at the site in the first place. They were at the front doors when she finally finished.

  “Yeah, that doesn’t sound very good,” Ashlee agreed. “But it could also be that whatever he’s hiding is just too painful to talk about.”

  Katie looked at her. “What do you mean?”

  Ashlee shrugged. “Maybe he’s just not ready to talk about it. Maybe he needs time.”

  “Why wouldn’t he just say that then?” she demanded, frustration rolling off her.

  “Maybe you caught him off guard,” Ashlee suggested. “I don’t know. I’m not a therapist. You should talk to him.”

  Katie shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  She’d thought a lot about Kaleb and his secret. She had wondered if it was those secrets that X wanted and just how far he was willing to go to get them.

  “I think you’re on drugs, but that’s just me,” Ashlee muttered. “Are you still meeting me for lunch?”

  Katie nodded. “Yeah.”

  “You sure? Because you’ve been bailing on me a lot lately.”

  “I’m sure!” Katie gave her a playful shove.

  With a wave, they parted ways.

  It was sheer dread on her part when Katie walked into English Lit and found Kaleb scribbling on the board. There was a split second nudge at the back of her skull urging her to run, but she pushed it away and marched into the room.

  He didn’t look up, which she was thankful for. The last thing she wanted was to get lost in his eyes, not when she just finished telling herself she needed to let him go.

  He dusted his hands as the last student ambled into the room. He turned to face the group. Katie busied herself flipping to a clean page in her binder, but she felt the moment his gaze touched on her. She felt the tingle all down the length of her spine and in the way her skin prickled in response. Still, she didn’t look up.

  It’s better this way, she assured herself.

  Once Mr. McGuire stepped into the room, she no longer had to pretend to ignore him. It was an easier task by throwing herself strictly into note taking. She managed to get through most of class without looking in the direction of the figure standing in the corner of the room. Ignoring him was another matter entirely when she knew he was watching her. It was distracting. But it didn’t end there.

  After English, she had Algebra. It was a brief break before lunch, then Art where Kaleb was yet again. He was in two more of her classes before she was finally liberated from the torture house that was school and was left to wander home with a pounding headache and a hole in her gut.

  She fished into her pocket and retrieved her cell phone. She turned the thing on for the first time since that morning. Her heart gave a little leap in her chest when the screen lit up with a missed text message.

  “We need to talk,” it read.

  Katie sighed. She agreed. They did need to talk. She couldn’t go on avoiding him forever. Plus she had to talk to him about the letter.

  “I’m at the shop.”

  Tucking the phone into her pocket, she stepped into the shop.

  “Aunt Hannah!” She called, kicking the snow off her boots. “I’m home!”

  Her aunt was in the back, helping a customer in the change rooms, but she waved to let Katie know she was there.

  A woman came to the front, basket ready. Katie jerked off her coat and bag and hurried behind the counter to ring her through.

  She was still there when the bells above the door chimed and Kaleb walked in.

  “One second.” she told him, bagging a customer’s merchandise and waving her out of the store. “Aunt Hannah!” she called. “Can you take the front a moment, please?”

  Hooking a t-shirt onto a hanger, her aunt hurried over and Katie ducked out from behind the register. She motioned for Kaleb to follow her to the furniture area. She sat on the sofa and waited for him to do the same. He didn’t. He remained upright, rigid, and determined in front of her.

  “Katie…” He faltered. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. His jaw muscles seemed to be working overtime to mirror the conflicting emotions churning behind his eyes. “I know I wasn’t fair to you the other day,” he began. “I wasn’t prepared for your questions and I should have been. They were reasonable and you had every right to ask them. I just … I don’t know how to answer them.”

  Katie frowned. “Are you an illegal immigrant? Running from the law?”

  A ghost of a smile shadowed his mouth. “No, nothing like that. It’s more complicated than that.” He made a deep rumbling sound in his chest. It rang with frustration as he ripped his fingers back through his hair. “It’s not something I can just tell you. It’s something I would need to show you and I can’t.”

  That explained nothing. If anything, the thrum in her temples she’d carted home from school was now a full blown marching band between the walls of her skull.

  “Okay,” she mumbled, getting to her feet. “I have homework. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Katie!” He caught her arm before she could pass him.

  “What?” She ripped her arm free. “What do you want me to say, Kaleb? That it’s okay? That we can continue having this relationship without me knowing anything about you? Well I can’t. I want to know you. I shouldn’t be made to feel like a bitch for that.”

  “That isn’t what I’m asking,” he shot back. He threw his hands up and scrubbed them over his face. He growled once before stomping past her towards the door. She thought for sure he was leaving and her heart began to sink when he stopped and glanced back. “Be ready at seven,” he said tightly. “Dress in dinner casual.” He shook his head slowly. “Just remember I warned you.”

  Then he was gone.

  “Dinner casual?” Ashlee’s voice sounded as confused as Katie felt as she rummaged through her closet.

  “Yeah, then he left,” Katie said into the phone perched between her ear and shoulder as she yanked out a flowy dress with giant purple flowers. She stuffed it back in.

  “Maybe he’s going to introduce you to the parental units.”

  Katie frowned. “Have you been talking with Larson?”

  “I’m serious,” Ashlee said. “It’s possible.”

  “I know it’s possible, but I don’t think that’s it. Unless his parents a
re part of the Russian circus, I don’t see why he would be so … angry about it.”

  “Have you seen the Russian circus?” Ashlee asked.

  “No…”

  “Then why would you assume he’d be angry about that?”

  Katie rolled her eyes. “Focus, Ash.”

  Ashlee huffed. “I don’t know what to tell you. Just wear something nice and see what happens. How bad can it be?”

  Katie was wondering the same thing an hour later as she stood waiting for Kaleb to pick her up. She had chosen a short, lacy dress in soft burgundy with quarter sleeves and U-shaped collar. A thin belt completed the outfit and black, strappy heels. Aunt Hannah had loaned her a cute half-jacket in black to wear over top. She was as ready and as casual as she could get for someone who had no idea where they were going.

  “You look lovely,” Aunt Hannah said, as she waited with Katie to lock the doors behind her.

  Katie smiled nervously. “Thanks.”

  “Where are you guys going?”

  Katie shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  “Well, surprises are nice,” her aunt mused. She reached over and lightly touched a curl resting on Katie’s shoulder. It had taken her forever to get each one perfectly in place. “Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will, but I think it’ll be okay.”

  No sooner had she spoken when a light knock interrupted them. Kaleb waved from the other side of the door.

  Katie quickly kissed her aunt’s cheek and darted forward.

  “Do you have your keys?” her aunt called after her. “Your phone?”

  Katie held up her tiny clutch purse. “Check and check. Goodnight!” She unsnapped the locks and slipped into the cold with the dark figure standing on the other side. “Hi,” she said.

  Kaleb remained quiet for a long moment. His silence made her nervously brush her hands down the front of her skirt.

  “Is it okay?” she asked.

  He shifted, finally allowing the front lights to wash over his face and the familiar hunger in his eyes. “You look beautiful.”

  Katie blushed and dropped her gaze. “Thank you.”

  He stepped forward and offered her his elbow. Katie slipped her arm through the crock and let herself be led to his car.

  They walked in silence. Even when he opened the door for her and helped her in, neither said a word. Katie waited until he was seated behind the wheel before she broke it.

  “Where are we going?”

  He took a deep breath and expelled the single word the way one would a curse. “Home.”

  Home was an hour drive straight out of town. The country side rolled past them in a long stretch of dark flatlands. It would have been a beautiful drive if Kaleb hadn’t been holding the wheel like it had murdered his family.

  “How was your day?” she asked tentatively, needing to break the tension.

  “Long,” he mumbled.

  “Are you finished Dorothea’s daycare?”

  His eyebrows scrunched in absolute bafflement. “We only just set up the structure.”

  Katie bit her lip. “Right. Sorry.”

  He cursed and relinquished one hand off the wheel to rub at his face. “No, baby, I’m sorry.” He took her hand from her lap and brought it to his lips. “I’ve been having a really bad few days and coming here is always the worst. I didn’t mean to be an asshole.”

  “Don’t you live here?” she asked. “You said home.”

  He shook his head, never taking his eyes off the road. “I have an apartment in the city. But I grew up here.” He dampened his lips. “I guess I should prepare you before we get there.”

  Katie chuckled. “You make it sound like you’re taking me to the firing squad.”

  “Close enough,” he muttered without a hint of humor. “You’ll meet my dad and Joyce. My dad’s pretty laid back, but Joyce … she’s not your aunt, Katie. That’s the only way I can explain it. I want you to get your own opinion of her without my thoughts tainting them. I only ask that you please not hate me afterwards.”

  “Why would I hate you?” She squeezed his fingers. “That isn’t possible.”

  He said nothing.

  The three story English manor was lit up like the fourth of July. The elaborate stone structure seemed to pulse and gleam against the navy backdrop behind it. They pulled into the curved driveway to stop at the front door. Katie waited as Kaleb rounded the hood to open her door. She took the hand he offered and let him help her out, although she could have done it herself. It was nice.

  He kept a firm hold on her fingers as he led her up the three steps. He stopped at the top and turned to her. She was cold and wanted to be in the warm, gold place pouring through all the windows, but she didn’t say so when he rested his hands on her arms.

  “No matter what happens in there,” he murmured quietly. “The minute you feel like you’ve had enough, we’ll leave. I promise.”

  Katie touched the center of his chest. “Thank you, but I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

  He gave her arms a light squeeze before turning to the door. He knocked twice.

  Chapter Sixteen

  A man opened the door, tall and rail thing with a thin, narrow face. His beak nose flared at the nostrils as he peered down the curved length at Kaleb.

  “Master O’Reilly,” he drawled in a deep, British accent. “You have been expected.” Watery, black eyes roamed over to Katie. “Madam.”

  Katie wanted to giggle. She’d never been called a madam before. If only the look hadn’t been so condescending.

  “Tell Joyce we’re here,” Kaleb told him.

  “Not necessary,” came a rolling, feminine purr. “I saw you roll up in that quaint little vehicle of yours.”

  Joyce was exactly how Katie imagined a movie star would look like up close during the Oscars. She had the toned body of a twenty year old and the face of someone not accustomed to sunlight. It was milky white and unblemished. Her eyes shone like twin beacons of crystalline blue from a perfectly proportioned face surrounded by a riot of perfect, blonde curls. The blood-red lipstick painting full, seductive lips matched the slinky gown she wore. The thing was definitely not dinner casual. It was dinner with the president casual, maybe.

  It slung low over one shoulder and delved deep between both high, firm breasts in a dangerous V. The body-fitting material shimmered with a sprinkling of glitter around the bodice, shoulders, and down the full length of the skirt. A daring slit cut up the right side, exposing a long, toned leg and silver heels. Diamonds dripped from her wrists, her ears, and her throat. There was also a massive rock on one hand.

  Katie suddenly felt very under dressed.

  “You must be Kitty,” she said in a throaty purr.

  “Katie,” she corrected. “You must be Joyce.” She extended a hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Kaleb’s told me so much about you.”

  Blue eyes sparkled. It would have been pretty, like sunlight on water if it wasn’t mocking. But she accepted the hand offered to her by pinching Katie’s thumb with two fingers and a thumb. She shook it like she was taking back a dirty handkerchief and let go.

  “Pleasure.” She turned to the man still holding the door open, letting all the hot air out. “Please be sure to tell cook there’s one more for dinner.”

  Behind Katie, Kaleb stiffened. “I told you I was bringing Katie.”

  Joyce blinked. “It must have slipped my mind.”

  “You have a beautiful home,” Katie interjected quickly.

  Joyce smiled. “Thank you. Maybe Kaleb can take you for a tour later. Assuming you don’t have anything pressing to get back to.”

  Katie shook her head. “Nothing that I can think of.”

  “Fabulous,” Joyce said. “Why don’t we start with the sitting room for some drinks? You are old enough to drink, aren’t you, Kitty?”

  “It’s Katie and yes, I am.”

  She gave Katie that feline smile of hers before motioning them to follow.

  She walked like sh
e was hitting a Paris runway. Katie couldn’t have pulled that off even with training.

  “I’m sorry,” Kaleb murmured into her ear. His hand rested lightly on the small of her back.

  Katie looked up at him. “For what? She’s like the blonde version of Jessica Rabbit. I think I might be in love.” She gave him a wink before following his stepmom.

  The sitting room was a disturbing, mental hospital white. Katie was almost too afraid to touch anything for fear of leaving finger prints. But she lowered herself gingerly on the edge of a very stiff loveseat. Kaleb took the spot next to her and Joyce claimed the unyielding armchair. She was a harsh contrast to all the white.

  “This is my daughter, Stephanie,” Joyce introduced, gesturing to the armchair across from her.

  For one, terrifying moment, Katie thought the woman was referring to the chair itself. Then she noticed the figure in the chair and did a double take.

  The girl was impossibly pale, made even paler by her sheet of fine, cornsilk hair and white, lacy dress. There wasn’t a stitch of color on her, not even her eyes, which were a dull gray and her lips, which were white. She wore white stockings and sensible, white flats. She blended so seamlessly with the rest of the décor, Katie wasn’t sure what to say for a moment.

  “Hi!” she blurted at last, catching herself.

  Rail thin in a way that couldn’t possibly be healthy, the girl gave Katie a smile that looked almost pained. She inched her head down a notch in a slight inclination, but said nothing.

  “My husband will be joining us soon,” Joyce said. “In the meantime, why don’t you tell me how you met Kaleb?”

  Katie exchanged glances with Kaleb.

  At his gesture to go ahead, she replied, “At school.”

  There. Let the woman assume what she will.

  “Of course,” Joyce said like it made perfect sense. “So you’re a student?”

  “Yes.”

  “Katie also works at her aunt’s shop,” Kaleb piped in.

  Joyce’s eyes widened in with interest, but when she shouted, it wasn’t at Katie. “Bernard!”

  The butler appeared in the doorway as though by magic.

  He inclined his head. “Madam?”