Ouch. Score one for Ryan Fraser.
I headed downstairs and entered a tension-filled kitchen. A clean-shaven and almost baby-faced Lex was already there, flirting with Aunt D and making her giggle like a schoolgirl. Robbie sat quietly at the table, thumbing through a textbook and scribbling notes. And Ryan just sat there quietly fuming.
“Hello, sailor,” Lex said with a wink as I walked in. “Everything all right?” Should I have a little chat with duffer?
Not necessary. “Everything’s great. You guys ready for your first day of school?” I said, faking cheeriness.
“Oz! Rayden! Are y’all coming with me or not?” Ryan bellowed. “The bus is leaving, so get on board or get to walking.”
Rayden and Oz clambered down the stairs and out the door. Ryan shot a look at me, then slammed the door as he walked out.
“Duffer needs to work on his poker face,” Lex said.
“Aye,” Aunt D agreed. “He wears his heart on his sleeve, he does. Just like his da did at that age.”
“Are the twins still here?” I asked. Usually they were chomping at the bit to get out the door. The earlier they got to school, the better their social life.
“No, they caught a ride with a friend. Been gone a while.”
“Okay, then I guess it’s our turn. Let’s do this thing,” I said to Robbie and Lex.
Lex placed his palm on my lower back, sending a jolt of friction through my system. The hairs on my neck stood at full alert, and my heart tumbled for the umpteenth time since I’d met him.
Did he feel that, too? I glanced up at his smooth face to see a slow smile spreading, creating deep dimples on both cheeks. You’re not the only one.
“You’ve got to get out of my head,” I said as Lex opened the driver’s-side door for me.
“You’ve got to make me. Robbie and I will follow you. See you at school, sailor.”
I flipped him off and started the car.
He laughed. “You never fail to disappoint.”
The buzz about the hot new British guys made the rounds fast, so I was very popular by second period. A group of girls was waiting for me at my locker between classes.
“Who are they?”
“Where did they come from?”
“Do they need escorts?”
“How do you know them?”
I exchanged my books, rolling my eyes while they bombarded me with questions. When the hum and chatter died down, I finally said, “Lex is the taller one, Robbie is the quiet one. They’re my godmother’s nephews. They’ll be here for the rest of the semester. They don’t bite, so if you have any other questions, ask them.”
I pushed through the crowd to where Malia and Bridget were waiting to bombard me with the exact same questions. Bridget opened her mouth and I held up my hand. “Stop,” I said before she could speak. “I’m on my way to meet them. Walk with me and see for yourself.”
This was probably the worst idea I’d ever had. Well, if I really wanted Lex to, you know, continue noticing me, that is. Bridget with her auburn curls, freckled nose, sweet smile, and curves that should come with a danger sign attached. Then there was Malia with her exotic looks—darker skin, beautiful eyes, sleek black hair, and, again, curves that should come with a warning. I looked like a lanky, pale, blond dust mop compared to the two of them.
We reached the main office, where Lex and Robbie were finishing up their registration and getting their schedules. Lex was busy charming the office secretary, but when we arrived, he looked up and caught my gaze. Not even close to a dust mop.
I stopped short and swallowed. He had to stop doing that.
“You okay?” Bridget asked.
“Fine. Just, um—” I couldn’t break away from Lex’s stare.
“Just some major eye candy,” Malia finished for me. “Wow. No wonder you’re tongue-tied.”
Lex strolled out of the office, with Robbie following behind. I introduced them to my friends and was bowled over to see Malia smile and bat her eyes when she shook Robbie’s hand. Robbie’s eyes went wide, and his cheeks turned deep scarlet. For a brief moment, his poker face was gone. He was smitten. And by the look on Malia’s face, the feeling was mutual.
Very. Bad. Idea, I thought.
Agreed, Lex chimed in.
I shot him a look and he gave me a cheeky grin. Work for it, sailor.
“Let me see your schedule,” I said. “I’ll tell you where you’re going next.”
I glanced at the printout. “Looks like we have several classes together. Starting now. Let’s get a move on before we’re late. Being tardy in Crabby Crandall’s class isn’t the best idea—especially on your first day.”
As soon as we walked into Crandall’s classroom, I felt assaulted by the tension radiating from Ryan. He sat at his desk scowling straight ahead, his arms folded across his chest and anger bubbling out of every pore.
The bell rang as I took my seat. Robbie and Lex handed Crabby Crandall their schedules. She eyed them suspiciously, then said, “You barely made it to your seat in time, Miss Ashe. One more tardy this semester and it’s detention for you. Boys, take a seat. Class, this is Alexander and Robert Archer.”
The girls let out a collective sigh. Seriously, it was no wonder Lex had an ego the size of a large continent. Sure, there was some advantage to knowing every girl’s thoughts, but how boring would that be? No challenge.
I do like a challenge. Lex’s voice echoed in my head.
I glanced over my shoulder and cocked a brow.
He slowly grinned.
And just to be clear, I think you might be the biggest challenge I’ve ever had.
Chapter 9
The rest of the day seemed to fly by. I was almost surprised when the bell rang and school was over.
Lex and Robbie were waiting for me at my locker. “Ready to train?” Lex asked.
“Not yet. I’ve got prom committee now. We have a lot to do and no time to do it.”
“Prom? Oh, this should be fun. I think I’ll tag along. You comin’, mate?” he asked Robbie.
“It’s all you,” Robbie answered. “I think I can find somethin’ else to entertain me for a while.”
I followed his gaze to the end of the hall, where Malia stood. She was biting her lip and smiling in Robbie’s direction.
“Rob, not the best idea. She’s human. You can’t risk it,” Lex warned.
“Says the chap who has played with every human who’s tickled his fancy. There’s somethin’ about her, mate. Let me have this.”
“We’ll talk about it tonight. Just don’t be stupid.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Robbie said absentmindedly as he walked toward Malia.
“This is not good,” I said.
“Not good at all,” Lex agreed. “We’ll sort it out tonight. Now let’s go plan a prom.”
The committee was meeting with Mrs. Christopher to discuss historical details we could include in the decorations. She had been so excited when we told her the plans and the theme. I was still a little nervous about it hitting so close to home, but I was also secretly starting to get excited about the idea of being “out” for one night. Living life in the vampire closet wasn’t fun.
We were almost to Mrs. Christopher’s classroom when Lex stopped and put his finger to his mouth, warning me to be quiet.
Listen.
I focused and opened my hearing. Ryan was in the room with Mrs. Christopher, asking her some questions.
Very specific questions.
“Mrs. Christopher, you said something in class the other day about artifacts at the library. What kind of artifacts?”
“They’re on display in the lobby as well as in the Valley Springs archive room. Some pretty amazing pieces, actually. There’s a mortar and pestle that’s in mint condition. Really special.”
“Where were these artifacts found?” he asked.
“Well, many of them were passed down from my own ancestors. I will often loan out or rotate some of my family pieces for display. Other
pieces were excavated just outside of town—where the historical marker and that old church are located?”
He’s starting the rune search. Smart lad to start with her. Now that I’m here, he’ll never work with you.
I shook my head and opened up my senses. I had been working with Robbie on reading the moods of others. I took a deep breath and concentrated. I didn’t believe Ryan was going behind my back. Maybe I could read his mood and know for sure.
But as soon as I closed my eyes, a distant buzzing began to hum in my head.
We’re here. Listening. Watching. Join us. Embrace your destiny.
It was exactly what had happened in the fall when I touched the Serpentine Scrolls, but this time I didn’t need to touch a piece of charmed parchment to be pulled into another place.
My body felt heavy, like it was full of sand, and my skin tingled as it hummed.
One minute I was in the hallway at school, and the next I was surrounded by a crowd of chanting, hooded figures on a beach. The night air was damp and dark, and I could taste the salt from the ocean. The man with the ice-blue eyes stood next to me. He was holding out his hand to me, encouraging me to take it and join him. Just like he had done almost every night since the first moment I had touched the scrolls.
My mind was pulling away, but my hand was acting on its own, reaching out to him.
The chanting grew louder.
Something told me this wasn’t a parallel universe like I had always believed. And it wasn’t a dream, either. Wherever it was, it was happening in real time. And if I accepted his hand, somehow I would no longer be able to return to the halls of Valley Springs High School.
As much as I loved the ocean, this was not my idea of a five-star vacation.
Hooded Evil’s fingertips touched mine and I jumped.
If you take my hand, we won’t harm your mother.
In my heart I knew he wasn’t trustworthy, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself from reaching out to him.
You’re stronger than they are, sailor. Fight him. Fight them. Don’t let them win.
Lex’s voice was a lighthouse to my lost dinghy. I zeroed in on the sound. Please keep talking.
Come back to me or you’ll be late for prom committee. I’m not prepared to face those girls all alone. I need you to protect me.
There was a lot to be said for a man who could make me laugh while I was being wooed to the dark side by Hooded Evil.
I searched my mind for Lex and then I saw him. He was on the beach with me but standing outside the circle of doom. The lighthouse analogy really worked, as he was the only bright spot in the darkness.
Hooded Evil’s ice-blue eyes widened as I pulled away, walked through the crowd, and let Lex guide me to safety.
I squinted under the harsh fluorescent lights of the hallway. Lex’s warm hand held mine and I felt safe.
“Thank you,” I whispered as I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him softly.
He smiled beneath my lips and said, “After that kiss, I should be thanking you.”
Prom committee was painful. Everyone, including Mrs. Christopher, fawned over Lex. He spread his charm thick, like soft butter on a warm roll. But by the end of the meeting, we all had agreed that “Love Sucks” would be the theme and that dressing up as vampires or witches would be highly encouraged. Mrs. Christopher even generously offered the use of an old family tiara to crown this year’s queen.
But now we were back at the house under the protection of Aunt D’s magic bubble, where Lex was promptly kicking my ass—and enjoying it just a little too much.
You’d better work harder for it, sailor. Hooded Evil will come at you like a wolverine. We’ll do this all night if we have to.
I was flat on my back, with Lex straddling me. He had my wrists pinned above my head and a very dangerous look on his face.
Robbie had told me the reason Lex was so good at his job was that he was ruthless when it came to using the person’s weaknesses against them. I decided to do the same.
I smiled.
All night? Maybe I’ll just take you up on that.
Lex smirked. I found the inner strength to wipe my mind clean as I leaned forward off the ground. His grip on my wrists loosened enough that I managed to slip my left arm out. I put my hand on his cheek, slowly licked my lips, and pulled his mouth to mine.
Just as he breathed into me, I pulled my other arm free and, with the force of a wrestler on steroids, threw him off me. He flew backward, hitting the side of the house with a crash.
I jumped into the air and really tried to maintain a steady hover while I also worked at keeping Lex out of my head. It was hard, especially since I was so bad at the floating midair thing. Why the hell I hadn’t tuned in to my super skills earlier is beyond me.
Sweat poured out of me.
It took about a half a beat for Lex to recover. I couldn’t read his face, and because I still had him blocked, I had no idea what he was thinking.
Suddenly he flew at me like a bullet, and I lost my concentration and fell about fifteen feet. But intentional or not, this ended up being a wise move, because he flew over me, landing on a tree branch.
I flew to a branch just above him. I could feel the steady pressure of Lex pushing to get inside my head, so I pushed back. It was like trying to wish away a sinus headache. I had to keep moving, doing, flying, thinking, and working while I blocked him. Robbie said it should become second nature, like breathing.
It was hard to imagine this ever being like second nature. Because even with the aid of the horse pills, no matter how hard I tried to keep the door shut, Lex always found a way in.
Proud of ya, sailor. Got me good with that one. Next time, it won’t be so easy to push me away.
I mentally forced him out of my head.
“What makes you think there’ll be a next time?” I asked.
I grabbed the limb above me, swung my legs out, and kicked him off the branch. He landed on his feet, just like a cat.
“Nice landing, kitten,” I said.
His laugh came from low in his throat, and my belly flipped. I pushed my attraction for him into a dark corner of my mind, kept pushing him out of my thoughts, and dove for him.
Lex stood his ground, so the impact was a bit like hitting granite, but I managed to make him stumble backward a couple of steps, putting him in a defensive posture.
He worked on my mind, never relenting with his attempt to find a weak spot and push through. But I held strong while we duked it out like the vampire ninjas Oz talked about.
The fighting seemed to come naturally. I never had to think about my next move. However, I had a really hard time analyzing the situation and predicting his next move. It took so much effort to keep him out of my head and anticipate his actions.
And he could tell I was struggling, so it was no surprise when he swooped my legs out from underneath me and pinned me to the ground again.
“Told you there’d be a next time.” He leaned in, touched his lips softly to mine, then rolled off me.
I sat up and worked to catch my breath. As I leaned back against the tree, my head began to buzz like a swarm of hornets, and goose bumps tore across my skin. “They’re trying to get to me again,” I said. “Right now.” This time I wouldn’t give in to them.
“I can’t feel them or hear them. Are you sure?”
“Yes, my skin crawls and my head hums when they start digging around in my thoughts. Last year they did it through me touching the Serpentine Scrolls. Then they were quiet for a while, probably just waiting for me to let my defenses down. But now, for some reason they seem to have a direct line to my noggin.”
“I need to talk to Robbie and find out what’s up. This shouldn’t be happening. Especially within the protection bubble.”
“Okay. And while you do that, I’m going to talk to Ryan. I need to make sure we’re still on the same page.”
“And if you’re not?”
I took a deep breath. I really didn’t want to believe th
ere was a chance that Ryan didn’t trust me. “I guess we’ll go with Plan Lex then, whatever you decide that may be.”
Chapter 10
I stood outside Ryan’s door for what seemed like forever. I dreaded this conversation more than I dreaded second period with Crabby Crandall every day.
Lex said Ryan didn’t trust him, but he didn’t say why. If it was just jealousy, then we could work through that. At least I hoped we could.
With my heart pounding, I knocked on Ryan’s door. He opened it almost immediately.
“I was wondering how long you were going to stand out here,” he said. “C’mon in.”
His room smelled like him, and a rush of memories flooded over me and had me longing for last summer.
“What’s up?” he asked. “I’m getting ready to head out, so can you make this quick?”
“Um, well, a couple of things,” I said, pulling at my hair nervously. Why was I so anxious? “First, we need to make a plan to search for the runes. I have some ideas, and I thought maybe we could go out tonight after supper?”
“Sure,” he said with a shrug. “Sounds good to me. We need to get going on that if we’re going to find them and keep them hidden. I definitely think we need to get them into the house where they’ll be safe. Since evil has to be invited in, the runes should be well protected.”
“Which is also why we have to make sure Mom doesn’t leave the house—she’s safe here. So you’re still planning to work with me on this?”
His eyes widened. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked. “Look, I’m having a hard time dealing with your sidekick, I’ll admit that, but AJ, I can’t imagine you would ever do anything to hurt your family.” He paused, then amended, “Our family.”
I knew in my heart Ryan wasn’t going to cut me out. We meant too much to each other, and ultimately we shared the same goal—the safety of our family.
“I’m so relieved. I was worried that maybe you were letting some old feelings for me cloud your judgment of Lex.”
“I’ll admit it’s not easy seeing you with another guy. But then I realized I had no right to be jealous—now I know how you felt seeing Lindsey and me together, and I’m really sorry about that. I don’t like seeing you with Lex, but I’m sure that will eventually get easier. You deserve to be happy. I hope he makes you happy.”
Love Sucks! Page 6