by K. C. Blake
“Do you have any idea how it feels to love someone who doesn’t get you? Instead of being supportive of me trying to get into a good college and becoming a lawyer, you get mad when I bring it up. Am I supposed to drop everything I’ve ever wanted just to be with you? Is that what you want?”
A spark of hope entered Jack’s heart. Regardless of what she’d been thinking about yesterday while he was eavesdropping on her, she had to have feelings for him. Why else would she be getting this upset? She cared about him, at least a little. It wasn’t too late. He hadn’t totally lost her.
Jack got to his feet, prepared to work things out with her, but he didn’t get the chance.
Footsteps alerted them to an intruder. They came together side by side and waited. Jack expected to see Jersey step out, but it wasn’t the former teacher. Isobel walked towards them with a smug grin on her face. Her hips swung in an exaggerated rhythm.
Silver turned accusing eyes on Jack. “You brought her into our dreams? How could you?” He shook his head, tried to deny the charges, but Silver didn’t notice. She yelled at him. “I know we aren’t dating right now… but this is still a major betrayal. Don’t talk to me anymore. I don’t ever want to see you again. We’re done.”
Jack reached out a hand, but she was gone. She was somewhere out there in reality, awake. He glared at Isobel. “How did you get into our dream? I didn’t invite you, so how did you do it?”
“Piece of cake.” Isobel’s smile widened, and she snapped her fingers. She leaned against a tree, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. “Smell that fresh mountain air. You have a sweet deal here.” She winked at him. “I can get into your dreams because you and I were together in another life. We’re connected. Nothing you or Silver ever do will change that.”
Great. Silver was never going to speak to him again. She wasn’t going to let him get close enough to her to explain. This would be the last piece of the puzzle, the heavy weight that dumped the scale onto the wrong side.
Isobel asked, “Why didn’t you meet me in the field? We were supposed to practice. Did you forget?”
“Some werewolves came to the house to kill me.”
“You didn’t try to suck their souls out, did you?”
He didn’t have to answer. The flush of guilt in his cheeks gave him away. He wondered how Silver managed to wake herself up anytime she wanted to. He’d give anything to be able to leave the dream right now.
Isobel said, “I’m surprised you’re still alive. What happened?”
“Silver and Billy saved me.”
“Hmm. Lucky you.”
His eyes went to the fake blue sky. Why couldn’t real life be as simple as a dream? He said, “I think Silver is right about this new power. I shouldn’t use it because we don’t know what it will do to me. Lovely didn’t mention it in her diary.”
“So?”
“If I was meant to suck out souls, there wouldn’t be any reason for Silver to be around. I would be the sole hunter. I’m not. So I don’t think I should mess with it.”
Isobel ate up the distance between them. She stood close enough for him to smell her. It wasn’t an altogether pleasant odor. The scent of werewolf clung to her like the smell of wet dog. She leaned in the way Summer used to and asked, “Are you a coward? Is that it? You’re afraid?”
He rolled his eyes. “Do you really think calling me names is going to get me to change my mind? I’m not five-years-old, and I don’t have anything to prove. I’m not playing around with the power anymore. There isn’t anything you can say to get me to flip on this.”
He walked away, hoping he’d somehow find a door to the outside world. Once he woke up he would try to call Silver. There was a chance she might answer. If not, he could leave a voice message. Maybe she’d listen to it—someday.
Isobel called after him. “What if I told you Jersey is coming for you? He isn’t waiting any longer, and Silver isn’t even close to being ready.”
“I would say I’ll just use the rock on him. Problem solved.”
The words were out before he could stop them. He turned and saw the huge I-got-you grin on her face. “I knew it,” she said with glee. “You do have the magic rock.”
******
Chapter Fifteen:
MISSING SOMETHING
The next few days passed in a slow blur. Each minute grew more boring, more unbearable than the last. Neither of the girls in Jack’s life bothered to visit him. Silver was pissed off about Isobel showing up in their dream, and Isobel had gotten the information she’d wanted. She knew about the magic rock. If she was working for Jersey, there wouldn’t be a reason for her to return to Jack’s house.
Since Billy stayed gone all night and slept during the day, Jack fell into the habit as well. It was kind of nice, sort of like stepping back into his old vampire self. The school still hadn’t reopened. The police weren’t finished with the crime scene, and they were hoping to figure out who’d killed Hardwick before letting the students return. That was fine with Jack. He was enjoying his unexpected vacation.
“You didn’t come back to finish school!”
Silver’s loud voice penetrated Jack’s brain and made him wince. Was he dreaming? He groaned and flipped onto his side. His eyelids parted enough to see the open window. Had Silver come for a visit? Was she yelling at Billy?
Silver shouted, “You’re here for Jack, aren’t you?”
“What if I am?” Isobel’s amused tone was almost as loud as Silver’s.
Both of the girls were downstairs. Jack bolted out of bed. He struggled into yesterday’s jeans while hopping out the bedroom door. In a panic he clattered down the staircase, listening closely to the verbal sparring while on his way to stop them before it got physical.
Silver said, “He’s... Jack and I belong together.”
Condescending laughter followed her statement. “Says who? A dead faerie?” There was a short pause. “That’s right. I know all about the diary.”
“How? Who told you?”
“Who do you think?”
Jack hesitated when he reached the bottom of the staircase. The sly werewolf was lying again. Tobias had told her about the diary, not him. He couldn’t be held responsible for something he’d done in another life. However, would Silver believe his denial? She hadn’t believed him about not inviting Isobel into their dream. Maybe he should just wrap his hands around Isobel’s throat and choke the life out of her.
Silver said, “Jack wouldn’t tell you about the diary.”
“Maybe you don’t know him like you think you do.”
Jack jerked the front door open.
“Shut your big, fat mouth!” Silver yelled.
“Make me.”
Jack stepped onto the porch.
Silver grinned at her opponent. “Thought you’d never ask.”
Oh yeah, there was going to be a fight. If he didn’t stop them, someone was going to get hurt, possibly even killed. Jack started to run, but a hand caught him by the collar of his shirt. Billy jerked him backwards and shook his head. . “I don’t know about the vampire world, but around here there’s a very important rule you need to learn. Don’t ever put yourself between two fighting chicks.”
“But she might get hurt.”
“Which one?” Billy stared at him, unblinking. “Seriously, Jack. Which one are you worried about?”
Fuming, Jack leaned over the railing and watched with his heart in his throat. Although he hated to admit it, Billy was probably right. Neither of the girls would appreciate his intrusion. Silver already hated him. If he was smart, he would just let Silver handle it. She was a trained hunter and could take care of herself. At least that’s what she kept telling him.
“Bring it, girl.” Isobel motioned for Silver to come and get her.
Silver spun around on one foot and lifted the other high enough to slam it into Isobel’s jaw, sending the girl flying backwards. Isobel hit the side of Billy’s car with an unrestrained grunt. She fell to her knees. Til
ting her head at an odd angle, she audibly cracked her neck. She wiped the blood from the side of her mouth and smiled. It was malicious in nature. “Is that all you’ve got?”
Isobel stood. Copying part of Silver’s move, she spun around on one foot, but she used the back of her hand instead of a leg. She struck Silver’s face. An angry red blotch appeared almost instantly on Silver’s cheek.
Watching the fight wasn’t easy. Jack cringed every time Silver got hit. He winced a couple of times for Isobel too. They were going to have some painful bruises tomorrow. Hopefully they would end the fight before either of them got seriously hurt.
Isobel slapped Silver hard. Silver’s entire head turned with an unsettling crack. Blond hair flew out in a fan before settling around her shoulders again. Her eyelids slowly lifted, revealing pure rage. She went down, swung her legs out to knock Isobel off hers before crawling up the other girl’s writhing body. They tried to use their fingers like claws and scratch each other’s eyes out.
Billy sighed and set his half-empty beer on the railing beside Jack’s arm. “Let’s break it up. You grab Silver, and I’ll get the cute little wolf.”
Now Jack was confused. “But you said we shouldn’t get between them.”
“That’s when I thought we were going to see an epic battle. Two hunters going at it and one’s a werewolf. It should have been awesome. It had a promising start, but now they’re just fighting like schoolgirls. It’s too pathetic to watch.”
Jack shook his head, mouth open. Unbelievable. Sometimes his baby brother was a total jerk. Jack stalked over to the scrapping girls and grabbed Silver around the waist. He lifted her high, still kicking and clawing, while Billy dug his hands into Isobel’s shoulders. Billy dragged Isobel off the ground and set her on her feet.
“Let her go!” Isobel yelled. She spit some blood onto the ground before adding, “I’m not finished with her yet.”
“Oh, you’re finished,” Silver shouted back. She struggled in Jack’s supernaturally enhanced grip. The heel of her foot stomped down on the toe of his shoe. “Get your hands off me!”
“Not until you settle down,” he said. His knees threatened to buckle under her weight, and the pain in his foot didn’t help his balance. Biting his lower lip, he strained to hold on to her. For a tiny thing, she was awfully strong. Anger gave her an added boost. If she didn’t stop fighting him soon, he was going to let her go.
Billy had a stupid grin on his face, enjoying the spectacle.
Isobel said, “Anytime you want to continue this, you let me know.”
“Don’t worry. We’re not done yet.” Silver jerked a thumb in Jack’s direction. “You stay away from him, or I’ll chop your head off.”
Jack stared down at Silver, wondering if she really cared who he spent time with or if old habits were just hard to kill. She’d already confessed to not loving him. Maybe it was one of those cases of not wanting the person you dumped to move onto someone else.
Isobel smiled at Jack. “I want him.” Her eyes returned to Silver. “What are you going to do about it?”
Silver’s body went slightly limp. “I’ll tell my parents everything and they’ll take care of you if you keep teaching him to suck souls.”
“What are you so afraid of? Do you think he might get over you once he realizes you aren’t so special? He can do what you do and a hundred times better too. Then he won’t need you.”
Jack’s hands moved up to Silver’s shoulders. They tightened for a second, silently belying Isobel’s cruel taunt. Then he released her. He wanted to tell her it wasn’t true, that he would always need her, but the words stuck in his throat. She didn’t want to hear them. She’d made her feelings clear. He took a step back, giving her space.
Silver ignored Isobel and looked over her shoulder at Jack instead. “Is this what you want now? Do you want her?”
“What if I do?” Would you care? The words swirled around his mind but refused to come out. Pride kept him from spilling his true feelings at her feet.
She sneered at Isobel. “Take him. He’s all yours.”
Silver stormed off without giving anyone a chance to respond. Jack took two steps in the same direction. He stopped cold. There wasn’t any use in talking to her now. He hadn’t meant to take the verbal jab at her. Of course he didn’t want to be with Isobel. Didn’t Silver know she’d taken possession of his heart the moment he saw her?
Billy shook his head at Jack. On his way to the house, he mumbled, “You don’t know anything about women.”
Isobel’s hand rested on his arm, startling him. He hadn’t realized she’d moved. She said, “Don’t worry. You can always work things out with her later… if you want to. But for now, we need to practice. We won’t be able to do that with her in the way. The more space she gives us, the better.”
Maybe the hunter slash werewolf was right.
Standing taller, he said, “I’m ready. We need to get started. I’m going to kill Jersey Clifford as soon as I can so I can have my life back.” And Silver could have hers.
“Confidence.” Isobel smiled. “That’s what I like to hear.”
Catapulted into the past, he heard those same words come from Jersey’s mouth. An old doubt resurfaced. Had Jersey sent Isobel? Was she his ‘surprise?’
******
Jack collapsed onto the sofa, breathing hard. Sweat soaked through his shirt. He’d kill for an ice cold drink. Isobel was in the kitchen, fixing them a snack after four hours spent practicing the art of sucking souls. It had proved to be a more grueling workout than he’d expected. Four hours and he had improved by a small margin. At this rate he would be in an old folk’s home by the time he was ready to take on Jersey.
It was just beginning to get dark outside, and Billy had already left. Car missing. No note. This made the tenth night in a row he’d gone out without saying a word. It worried Jack. If Billy was hunting, he was doing it alone. He didn’t even bother to invite Jack along anymore. When asked why, he’d replied, “You have enough to do. Write those reports. Hand them in. Graduate on time.”
Or maybe he was hanging out with his girlfriend. Either way, Jack didn’t like it. He wasn’t completely convinced she was human. Every time he requested a meeting, she had an excuse. If she was a normal person, why was she avoiding him?
Isobel came in with a tray of food. She knocked his feet off the coffee table with hard kick so she could set the tray down. There was an assortment of crackers, cheese, and fruit. Nice spread. He stacked a few items on top of each other, making a tiny sandwich. It was good. Isobel wore a huge smile, looking pleased.
“What?” he asked. Cracker crumbs flew from his mouth. He covered his mouth with one hand and chewed fast, swallowing as soon as he could. Then he asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
She shrugged. “Watching you eat, it’s an old habit. I know you don’t remember, but you used to love the meals I’d prepare for us.”
Feeling uncomfortable, he shifted in his seat.
Isobel sat in his brother’s chair and picked a cracker off the tray. She ate like a dainty lady of the Victorian age. She nibbled on the cracker, taking her time. Her tongue snaked out to lick her lips. Her lowered eyes lifted, looking straight at him. A silent invitation was sent.
Jack swallowed. Feeling out of his depth, he searched for a way to reject her without making her mad. Isobel wanted him. She hadn’t been lying when she’d told Silver she wanted him for herself. Now he was alone in his house with her. Trapped. After years of dealing with Summer he should be able to find an escape hatch. Isobel wasn’t the first girl who couldn’t take no for an answer.
Blanca strutted into the room. She stopped in the center of the floor and hissed at Isobel, full-force. Spit sprayed from the little cat’s mouth.
Isobel growled in reply. Her dark eyes flashed gold. She slowly rose to her feet, eyes never straying from the feline. Even though she’d almost killed Blanca, she seemed to be afraid her. “I think I’ll go now.”
&
nbsp; “Okay.” He walked her to the front door. It was hard to keep the smile off his face. He needed to give Blanca a treat for getting rid of the werewolf. Still, he couldn’t afford to make an enemy of Isobel. She wasn’t through teaching him to use his new power yet. “Are we practicing again tomorrow?”
“If you want.”
He nodded. “I do.”
She picked the time and place. He watched her go until the barn obscured her from view. Silver came to mind almost instantly. Memories flooded his head, one more painful than the next. Silver should be the one teaching him to suck souls. Not Isobel.
He wondered why Isobel had left in such a hurry. She hadn’t been afraid of Blanca when she’d attacked her and tried to kill her. Maybe she’d been worried Blanca would change because of her presence and reveal things about the werewolf to Jack. Didn’t matter. As long as Isobel was gone, he was happy.
Jack fed the cat before going upstairs. When he opened his bedroom door, his jaw dropped along with his heart. His mattress had been flipped. He ran to his bed. His hands searched in vain. The magic rock was gone. Someone had taken it.
Not just someone.
Isobel.
His eyes went to the window. Isobel was working with Jersey, and he’d been an idiot to leave her unattended in his house. While he had been sitting on the sofa, exhausted, she’d been rifling through his bedroom. No wonder she’d been in such a hurry to leave. She’d probably thought Blanca had seen the flipped mattress and was going to rat her out.
Jersey had won.
Unless he could somehow trick Isobel and get the rock back or learn how to suck souls out fast, Jersey was going to kill him. Then he would go after Silver, and she wouldn’t have a chance. Somehow Jack had to get that rock back before it was too late.