by J. N. Colon
“I was wondering what was keeping you.” Brenna slipped inside, shooting Jayson a crooked grin. She was tiny compared to him, but still taller than me. She was a demure statue in cashmere and silk. “We’re kind of on a time crunch.”
Jayson’s gaze lingered over me as I walked toward them. I was surprised I didn’t trip over my own feet from the way his stare had my insides jumping.
“Hello, Lena,” Brenna said, her voice soft and lilting. “I’m sorry to interrupt your time with Jayson.”
I finally broke contact with my neighbor, my brows shooting up my forehead. “I’m not spending time with Jayson. He just came over to ruin my night and kick out my friend.”
“Austin is not your friend,” he growled.
Brenna chuckled and tucked a lock of onyx hair behind her ear. “I see.” Her eyes twinkled at Jayson. “I can call Seth for help, and you can stay with your—ur—Lena.”
I gave an unattractive snort. His Lena? Not a chance.
Jayson’s jaw ticked as he glanced between Brenna and me, a storm of indecision brewing beneath that expressionless mask. For some reason, he didn’t want to leave. He wanted to stay with me, which was so effing confusing. One minute he couldn’t stand me, and the next he was calling me Angel Eyes in that rough, sexy whisper.
Finally, he shook his head. “I need to go.”
Brenna rolled her eyes. “We can handle this one without you. We are all quite capable.”
“I know that. I just…” He dragged his fingers through his hair, mussing it up.
Gawd. This guy could don a muumuu and still look hot.
“Just stay.” Brenna began backing toward the door. “We can get this totem—” She winced at her slip up.
Son of a biscotti! There was that word again, totem. This had something to do with all the weird, freaky crap going on. Brenna’s eyes were probably going to start glowing gold any moment.
“What’s going on? What’s a totem?” I crossed my arms against my chest, tapping my foot.
Jayson scowled at Brenna.
“Sorry.” She shrugged and bit her lip, fighting a smile.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Jayson sounded like a broken record—one I wanted to toss at the wall.
I squinted, trying to see that hazy outline.
Jayson grabbed his jacket off the chair, his brows dipping. “Why are you making that face?”
I closed one eye and then tried the other. Nothing. “I’m looking for that halo thing I saw on you and Kale.” I didn’t care if I sounded nuts. I knew what I saw.
Brenna’s expression sobered. “You’re going to have to tell her eventually. There’s no getting around it, Jayson. You brought her into this when—”
Jayson’s deep growl shut her up.
Tingles rippled down my back. “Someone better start talking,” I hissed.
“Or what?” Jayson grabbed the knob, yanking it open. “What are you going to do, Lena?”
Heat boiled through my insides. This asshat thought he could get away with jerking me around? I knew something was going on, and Brenna just confirmed it. “Keep being a prick, and you’ll find out.” He was intimidating as hell, but I wasn’t about to back down.
His nostrils flared. “You have no idea what you’re walking into.” And with those ominous words, he stormed out, Brenna on his heels.
Chapter 16
I slowly chewed my pizza, sinking lower in the cherry-red vinyl booth at Jimmie’s Diner & Pizzeria to hide from the unwavering gaze of our young waiter. “Seriously, what is his problem?”
Jessica looked over her shoulder, shrugging. “Maybe he likes you.”
Jeff, our waiter, flicked golden curls from his sharp, pale face, his mocha eyes burning holes into my skull.
Liked me how? Roasting on a barbecue?
A chill rippled down my spine. What was it with these weirdos and me? First Tyler, then the creep from the parking lot, and now our waiter. What about me attracted them?
My nightmare in the cemetery sped through my mind. Jayson had called me an avis. Did that have something to do with it? When I’d googled the term, I got nothing but some car rental place. Obviously, that wasn’t it.
I rubbed my chest, still feeling the sharp pain from those demon claws. Something happened in that cemetery, and Jayson was there.
Fifties music from the jukebox in the back muffled the conversations at the chrome tables around us. Pizza, burgers, and fried everything sifted through the air. Jimmie’s was both a burger joint and a pizzeria. Mystic Hollow was so small you had to cram the two together.
Slick black and white checkered floors gleamed under the bright hanging lights. My brows dipped. I was surprised I hadn’t slipped on it yet. It was inevitable though.
My eyes landed on a booth across the restaurant where Seth and Emily were sharing a pizza. I was secretly hoping Jayson would show, but after an hour and a half, I gave up.
His ominous words stuck with me all day. He avoided me at school and practically ran in the opposite direction when I tried to question him. Something was going on beyond the normal scope of things. Brenna had said I’d find out because Jayson had brought me into this when he—did something.
“I might not be able to see you before school tomorrow,” Jessica said, grabbing one more slice of veggie pizza.
I tore my attention away from the booth across the diner. “How come?”
“Seb’s car is in the shop so I’m picking him up.” She playfully rolled her eyes. “He has to get his hair spiked just right. I could be sitting at his house for a good ten minutes.”
The slow smile curling her lips told me she didn’t mind at all.
I leaned my cheek in my hand, shooting her a knowing look. “Are you ever going to tell Sebastian you’ve got the hots for him?”
She dropped the slice of pizza back to her plate, sputtering. “I-uh-what?”
Nailed it.
I laughed and sat up. “Come on, Jess. It’s so obvious.”
Her cheeks paled. “To everyone?”
“Everyone except Sebastian.”
She slumped back in her seat as she slowly exhaled. “I can’t just tell him.”
“Of course you can.” I picked another pineapple off my pizza before taking a bite. I liked the sweet flavor with my ham, but I hated the actual texture of the fruit.
“What if he doesn’t feel the same?” She absentmindedly played with the straw in her soda, the melting ice tinkling. “I’d totally ruin our friendship.”
“What if you don’t tell him? What if he gets a girlfriend, and you have to watch them together all because you were too afraid to take that risk.” I couldn’t imagine having to watch the guy I liked with another girl.
The name Hannah popped up. I dropped my pizza having lost my appetite. I had no idea who the girl was, but Kale asked Jayson about dating her, and it had sent knots through my stomach.
“I’ll think about it,” she said, pushing her plate away. “Just promise me you won’t tell him.”
“I promise.” I wouldn’t dare take that choice away from her even though there was a pretty good chance Sebastian would return her feelings.
Jessica stood. “I should get going. I have a Calculus test tomorrow.”
“Okay.” I watched Seth and Emily turn their heads again, glaring at Jeff as he continued to stare at me. “I’ll walk home.”
Her brows knit. “Are you sure?”
I nodded. “I should probably do something to counteract all the pizza I just shoveled down.”
Jessica grabbed her jacket. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”
After she disappeared out the door, I headed across the restaurant. The bathrooms were down a short, narrow hallway hidden from the patrons. I dodged a box of broken light fixtures, part of the damage from the earthquake. My dad helped replace the broken window.
When I finished in the restroom, I opened the door, my heart jumping in my throat. McCreeperton Jeff was blocking my way back to th
e crowded dining area.
“You scared the hell out of me,” I blurted, resting a hand over my chest.
“Hello.” His low voice made the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. “Can I get you anything else, Lena?”
You can get the frack out of my way, super freak. “Nope. I’m good,” I said, crossing my arms in a defensive stance. “I was just leaving.” When I tried to step around him, he moved in my way.
“You can’t leave yet. You haven’t had dessert.” The smile stretching across his face looked anything but friendly.
I swallowed hard and attempted to keep my cool when I was really panicking on the inside. I wanted to scream bloody murder, but no one would hear me over the roar of the restaurant. “I don’t want any dessert.”
His smile grew, and he stepped closer, invading my personal space. “How can you not want dessert? You smell so sweet already.”
Warning bells shrieked in my head, mixing with the violent pounding of my heart. Something was not right with this guy. His eyes darkened a few shades.
I was getting vivid flashbacks of Tyler. Was this guy about to grab me in a bruising grip too?
“Hey.” A fierce voice echoed behind Jeff. “Is there a problem back here?”
Jeff’s jaw clenched. “No problem. Just tending to my customer.”
“I don’t think your customer needs help going to the bathroom.” Seth appeared behind the waiter, his green eyes rippling with gold.
So it wasn’t just Kale and Jayson.
Jeff glanced over his shoulder, shooting a sneer at Seth. “Whatever you say.” He mumbled something I couldn’t quite comprehend under his breath before pivoting and stalking down the hallway.
A breath of relief exited my mouth, and I leaned against the wall. “Thanks,” I said, attempting to slow my racing heart.
Seth stepped closer, examining me. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Just another encounter with the strange and unusual in Mystic Hollow.”
“You have no idea,” he mumbled. Seth jerked his chin in the direction of the dining hall. “Come on. Let’s go back out there.”
I peeled myself off the wall and followed him, but when I changed directions to return to my table, he gently grabbed my shoulder.
“Why don’t you sit with Emily?” He steered me toward their table. My jacket was already laying on the empty side of the booth.
These guys aren’t pushy at all.
Emily flashed an easy smile. “Hi, Lena.”
“Hey.” I slumped across from the gorgeous blonde, shifting awkwardly. I’d never spoken a word to her.
Seth didn’t sit. “I’ll be back,” he said, shooting Emily a knowing glance. “You girls enjoy dessert.” He pointed to the untouched piece of cheesecake in front of me and dashed out the door before I could respond.
I was officially in the twilight zone.
“The cheesecake is delicious,” Emily said, digging into her own piece.
My eyes traced her rocking body. I was surprised she wasn’t one of those salad-only girls. I couldn’t resist trying the cake, sugary goodness popping over my tongue. “Mmm. You’re right,” I said, forgetting all about my manners.
Please. What manners?
She pushed a full soda toward me. “I got this for you.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled around another bite.
“How do you like Mystic Hollow so far?” she asked, leaning her cheek in her hand while her blonde waves fell over part of her tan face.
“It’s okay. Some of the people are kind of weird.” She was one of them.
Emily made a humming sound. “Small town thing.”
It was definitely more than that, and she knew it.
“So,” she began, absentmindedly stirring her soda with the straw. “You and Jayson.”
My fork froze midair, a bite hanging precariously off the edge. “Me and Jayson what?”
Her eyes widened as if she had blurted something she shouldn’t have. “Just making conversation.”
“Nothing is going on between us,” I said as heat flooded my cheeks. “I-we-nothing.”
Emily bit back a smile. “Sure. I know.”
My brows slammed together. “Did he say something to you?”
She crammed a bite of cheesecake in her mouth and shook her head.
I was beginning to feel like everyone was let in on some secret—a secret involving me—that I was utterly clueless to.
That was going to have to change.
A cold wind blew, seeping through my clothes. I shivered and pulled my jacket tighter around me, crossing my arms against my chest. I dodged another crack in the sidewalk. Why the heck did I decide to walk home—again? Last time, I’d gotten spooked by that old guy and ran home. I could have broken my neck.
At least the sky was clear tonight. The moon bathed the street in a little more light. It also made sure that breeze was downright cutting.
If this was autumn in Mystic Hollow, I could only imagine how miserable winter was going to be. I’d need ten layers of clothes.
A groan tumbled out of my mouth. I missed Charleston. There were no earthquakes—not that I’d felt—or mysterious kids with dark secrets. My life had been normal and boring. Just the way I liked it.
Now it was beyond strange.
Another cold wind blew, gliding over my neck like ghostly fingertips. If I had known I was moving to Antarctica, I wouldn’t have cut my hair off. The extra protection from the elements would have been nice.
A dry, rustling echoed as leaves skittered down the street. Eyes were suddenly on the back of my head.
I halted and spun around, sure I’d find someone following me. No one was there.
My pulse accelerated, my breaths coming in quick puffs of steam. An eerie atmosphere descended. Something wasn’t right. I needed to get home.
I twisted forward, a yelp sticking in my throat.
“Oh, forgive me. I didn’t mean to frighten you, child.” The old man I’d seen a couple of times stood in front of me.
Holy flying monkeys!
I stumbled back, but his hand snapped out, catching my arm to keep me from crashing on my butt. A gasp slipped out at his firm, icy grip.
He was hella strong.
“Oh my.” He stepped closer, those obsidian eyes boring into me. “There’s something different about you, young lady.” Blue veins spiderwebbed beneath his sallow, papery skin.
I swallowed hard and tried to pry my arm free. It wasn’t budging.
He sniffed the air, a smile curling his thin lips. Yellowed teeth appeared in his mouth. “So very—heavenly.”
“Can you let go of me now?” My voice trembled, and I could scarcely breathe. There was something so terrible about him it had my knees quaking. Darkness seemed to ooze out of every pore.
He finally released me. “You should be careful walking around alone. With a soul like that, too many would want to taste it.” He licked his lips.
My stomach rolled. I was two seconds away from emptying everything inside of it.
The man tipped his hat. “I’ll be seeing you.” He brushed past me, whistling that unnerving tune.
I pivoted and marched down the sidewalk, my body trembling. I wanted to put as much distance between that old man and me as possible. He was not a good person. Something horrific had stared at me from the depths of those midnight eyes.
My head swiveled as I chanced a peek over my shoulder. He was gone.
But that ominous tune still lingered.
The air was thick and every hair on my nape stood stick straight. He, or something just as bad, was going to jump out at me any second. I was not going to become the star of a Dateline episode about a slaughtered teen in a small town. Murdered in Mystic Hollow.
I ran down the sidewalk, darting into the Mystic Hollow Cemetery. A graveyard—especially this one—was the last place I wanted to be, but it was a shortcut to my house. I needed to get home. That old man wasn’t just some creep. He was something dangero
us.
I skidded to a stop in front of two angel statues guarding the entrance to an older part of the cemetery. Ice sped through my veins. This wasn’t happening.
My trembling fingers reached out, running over the chilly iron fence along the border. The scene was taken directly from my nightmare.
Ignoring the warnings shrieking in my head, I stepped through the opening.
My breath caught as an electric sizzle crawled over my skin. A familiar mausoleum stood within the shadows and framing foliage. Gargoyles bared their teeth from the roof. The heavy iron door was whole again, no melting hole dripping lava.
My knees were weak, and it wasn’t from running. How could I have dreamed of a place I’d never seen?
Unless I had seen it.
My gaze roamed the area. Every detail was the same. Lichen and moss crawled up the massive, crumbling headstones. The angel statues were tall, looming over me with fierce expressions as if locked in an eternal battle of good versus evil.
Could I have wandered into this place before I hit my head and knocked the memory right out of it? It seemed like an unlikely place to forget.
A wind blew, shifting the colorful leaves on the trees and allowing splashes of moonlight in. Something silver glinted from within the waxy blades of grass. I bent and plucked out a button. Not just any button. This one was off my jacket, the one I’d been wearing that night. The one with five gashes slashed in the back of it.
The blood drained from my face as I collapsed onto my butt, the cold grass seeping through my jeans.
I’d definitely been here.
The dream flashed before my eyes, the sounds, sights, and smells too real to have been fiction. I reached up, touching my chest where the demon had sliced me open. The pain had been searing and unbearable.
And then Jayson was there.
He was leaning over me, agony piercing his hazel and gold eyes. The memory of his lips on mine seared through my vision. In the dream, he’d saved me, brought me back from the brink of death. Light had surrounded him, and I was safe.
My gaze landed on the angel I’d been hiding behind. My brow furrowed. I could have sworn he was in a different position a few minutes ago. Every angel statue seemed to be crowding in on me, warning me of something.