by Mandi Oyster
“Sorry about that.” I resituated my bag.
She grinned, pulled the door shut, and we walked down the hall. “But I’d’ve missed out on so much more.”
Her parents had arrived before the sun crawled above the horizon. They’d loaded everything into their SUV. Then Wayne had taken Deana by the hand and led her away, telling Samantha they’d meet us in Althea for lunch.
I threw my bag into my truck and pulled the tonneau cover down. Then we went to Dracaena Hall to see if Dan and Cody needed help.
We bounded up the three flights of steps and down the white and green hallway. When Dan opened the door, Cody stood across the room, pulling a white t-shirt over his head.
“Just finished.” Cody’s words lifted my gaze away from his abs.
“Do you need me to throw anything in my truck?” I asked, making my way over the green carpet to his side.
“That’d be great.”
“We’ll meet you in Althea,” Dan said as he and Samantha stepped into the hall.
“Sure.” Cody waved before the door clicked shut.
Wrapping my arms around him, I said, “At least we live in the same town. They’re barely going to see each other.”
Cody’s hands slid over my arms. “Won’t be the same.”
“No.” I sighed. “I can’t imagine our parents would be okay with us sleeping in the same bed, fully clothed or not.”
He tilted my chin up. “That’s not all I meant. Will you be okay?”
“I hope so.” I rested my palms on his chest, feeling his heartbeat through his shirt. Neither of us knew if my nightmares had been held at bay by his presence or because nothing evil was waiting to descend upon me. “I’m not ready for more monsters.”
Leaning his forehead against mine, he said, “Six weeks.”
d
Deana looked around the table at Rocky’s Bar and Grille. Her soft brown eyes met each of ours before moving on. “This is so wonderful.” A smile lit up her whole face. “I’m so glad Sammi made such good friends. You’ll have to get together before next semester. You’re all welcome to stay at our house.”
Wayne clasped his hand over hers and shook his head. I couldn’t help but smile at them. I loved how Wayne’s tranquilness balanced Deana’s enthusiasm.
Cody and Dan ate peanuts, tossing the shells on the floor. I felt sorry for the poor sucker that had to clean up the mess. Country music filled the spaces between conversations. Dan and Samantha held hands under the table, leaning in toward each other. Samantha barely touched her food.
Lunch finished too soon. We all stood on the boardwalk out front. Butterflies fluttered to the baskets of petunias. A soft breeze ruffled my hair. Deana gave everyone a hug. Then Wayne dragged her off to their SUV. I gave Dan a quick hug but drew out Samantha’s.
“I want to know if anything happens,” Samantha said. “Anything.”
“Promise.” I pulled away. Her face blurred. I wiped my eyes and smiled. “I’ll miss you.”
She hugged me again. “I’ll miss you, too.”
Cody and I stood, holding hands while Samantha and Dan walked away. They stopped in a grassy area behind the restaurant. Sobs shook Samantha’s shoulders. Dan held her, his arms around her waist and his head resting on hers.
“Ready?” Cody asked.
I lifted my shoulders. “Not really.”
He turned me around. “I’m only a coupla miles away.”
I hugged him, too tightly, not wanting to let go. His lips brushed my forehead. My eyes. My cheek. Then pressed against my mouth.
The kiss started tender. Cody held my face, his lips moving slowly over mine. He slid one hand down my back, clutching me against him. His other one tangled in my hair.
I slid my hands into his back pockets, and the kiss became searing, urgent.
Somebody bumped into me. Only Cody’s hands kept me from toppling over.
“Take it somewhere else,” the culprit said.
Heat flooded my neck and face, and I stepped back from Cody.
His fingers lingered against my face. “I’ll follow you home.”
I pulled my truck’s door shut and felt a pang of loneliness spear my stomach. Cody would be close by, but Samantha lived three hours away.
Aurelia and Arion disappeared three days ago. She’d left me a note that said, “Duty calls,” the keys to several safety deposit boxes, and a suitcase brimming with magical items and treasure.
I cranked the radio and rolled the windows down. With the wind whipping my hair around my face, I drove home, singing at the top of my lungs.
Chapter 45
Nice Kitty
Walking home from Cody’s house, lightning bugs flash through the trees. Crickets chirp, owls hoot, and bugs hum, filling the night with their chorus. Stars sprinkle the night sky. A crescent moon hangs low over the horizon, smiling down at me.
A slight wind stirs the Aspen trees. The leaves tremble, filling the air with their unique song. Warmth spreads through me.
Suddenly, everything quiets. I stop walking, searching the trees for the source of this silence.
Fiery eyes glare at me from the cover of the forest.
Inching backward, gravel crunches under my foot.
The beast growls. Stalking toward me, a massive black panther emerges from the woods. Sinewy muscles ripple beneath onyx fur. Flames burn in its eyes.
I glance over my shoulder thinking there must be a blazing inferno behind me, but nothing is alight.
Turning back, the beast is nearly upon me. Its shoulders are even with my waist.
The panther’s lips pull back, revealing fangs as long as my fingers.
My heart races, but I stand, mesmerized by its eyes.
The creature prowls closer. I lift my arm, and sparks dance over my fingertips. Flinging my hand out, a lightning bolt blasts into the beast’s hide and disappears.
The panther pounces, knocking me to the ground. My breath whooshes from my lungs. The creature’s weight presses down on me.
It lowers its head. Red, orange, and yellow flames undulate in its eyes. Its low growl is menacing.
Fear twists my stomach. The panther’s hot breath wafts over my face. Its head springs forward, and its teeth sink into my neck.
Pain flashes, bright and intense before dulling to nothing. Blood gushes over my skin onto the ground. Darkness surrounds me.
d
Sunlight streamed in through the window. My pink sheers do little to stop the brightness. I’m gonna have to remember to pull the blinds tonight.
Stretching, I tossed the covers to the side and rolled out of bed. My pillowcase was soaked in blood.
Visions from my nightmare crashed into me. I slumped to the ground and held my head in my hands.
So much for a peaceful summer.
The End
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Acknowledgments
I think writing the acknowledgments is the hardest part of writing a book. There are so many people who helped along the way, and I’m afraid I might leave someone out.
First I’d like to thank everyone who read my first book. It was scary to publish it. I was terrified that nobody would enjoy reading it. You’ve given me the courage to continue publishing my books and to continue writing.
I would like to thank my cats: Bella, Westley, Galadriel, and Merida. They offer their support and “help” daily. In all honesty, though, they do help relieve my stress and give me some inspiration for characters.
Once again, I’d like to thank all the critters at Critique Circle who helped me improve my writing: Kathryn Sparrow, Stone Jeffers, Travis Sullivan, Nadin
e Ducca, and Astrea Taylor. There were many more who weren’t mentioned because I couldn’t contact them to get their real names or permission to include them here. I’d also like to thank all the other people who helped me along the way: Marva Mitchell, Berni Stevens, Cheryl Gage, Tammy King, Eileen Sharp, Linda Hirscher (RIP), Curtis A. Cooper, and Peggylou Beazley.
Thanks to all the people at 20BooksTo50K® for the wonderful information and the encouragement. Without them, I’d feel even more lost in this self-publishing wilderness.
Most of all, I would like to thank Jeff, Jami, and Jesse for their support and their love. My life would be incomplete without them.
A special thank you to Rob Thomas, Lifehouse, and Daughtry for providing much of the music I listened to while writing my books.
And, of course, Go Cubs!
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder.
About the Author
Mandi Oyster dreams of living in a world where dragons and unicorns abound. For now, she lives in Southwest Iowa with her husband, two children, four cats, and two chinchillas. By day, she works as a Digital Prepress Supervisor for a local printshop. By night, she makes stories come to life.
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