I couldn’t believe it. In fact all I could do was blink at him, then down at my ring. A plain silver band with intricate carvings surrounded by three sparkling purple stones. Nothing like an engagement ring.
“It was my sweet sixteen present.” When I turned to Bryan for backup, instead of the outrage I expected to see, his face scrunched into a frown.
“Hey, wait a sec, can I see that? What’s written on the inside?” Bryan’s eyes went wide as he yanked the ring off my finger, holding it up to the light as he examined the inscription. “Gratiam Coram Domino.”
“What’s it to you?” I snatched the ring back. My heart slowly sank into a puddle on the couch cushions, like the rest of me. “It’s some verse from the Latin Vulgate. It’s a family heirloom.”
“Sorry, I was just curious.” He slumped next to me like a deflated balloon, then whispered in my ear. “It’s Genesis 6:8 isn’t it?”
“I don’t know.” I crossed my arms and glared at him. “How would in the world do you know what it is?”
“I’m sorry, this isn’t your fault.” He looked around at the group and scooted away from me. “I’m just confused, that’s all. We should talk about this. Later.”
“About the ring? How did you even know there’d be an inscription?” I hissed back at him. “And you’re the one who’s confused?”
A sadness filled his sea-blue eyes as they roamed over my face. “I can’t explain now. Later, I promise.”
Later was all I ever had with this guy. If only I could rewind the last few minutes, to see that smile on his face again.
“You promise?” I held up my pinkie finger.
When he hooked his pinkie around mine, the corners of his mouth curled. “Promise.”
I couldn’t stand the heaviness in his sigh, like something weighed down on him. All because of a ring? I squinted down at it, the center amethyst glinting back at me.
“Now that we’ve established Lucy is not engaged, can we get back to the game?” Shanda’s annoyed timbre silenced the hushed murmurs.
“Go for it.” Will plopped back down, a satisfied smile on his face.
Everyone closed their eyes for the next round, except Will. He kept smiling at me, a smug grin like he’d just won a battle. The anger seeped from my pores until it pooled in my balled up fists.
“I think I need a Coke.” Without a glance back, I shot up, weaving across what was left of the party toward the kitchen. A nice moment ruined, and I didn’t even do it myself. I smacked the kitchen door so hard it almost came back and hit me in the nose.
“Watch it.” Will’s arm slid around me to prop open the door. “Don’t hurt yourself.”
“Smooth.” I spun on my heel, shooting flaming arrows at him with my eyes as I backed into the kitchen. “So, you want to tell me what that was all about?”
“Calm down. You don’t have to get so mad. Though it’s pretty cute.” He sauntered up to the stainless refrigerator and opened the door, as if the last few seconds hadn’t happened. “Coke, right?”
“Fine, whatever,” I mumbled, but it wasn’t fine. Hot anger still sizzled up and down every nerve ending. “I don’t get what happened out there. Besides me looking like an idiot in front of a whole bunch of people. Thanks for that. I guess you bring it out in me.”
“C’mon, it wasn’t that many people. I’m just trying to watch your back, Lucy.” He tossed me a can of Dr. Pepper. “Sorry, no Coke.”
“That’s my favorite, anyway.” I popped the top and sipped the fizz. The coolness slid down my throat, evaporating some of the rage.
“I had a feeling.” Will plunked down on a barstool at the center island, patting the seat next to him. “Come sit by me. I don’t bite. You know, I used to find James in the kitchen late at night, totally asleep.”
“Really, that’s what you want to talk about?” I rubbed my fingers against the cold aluminum. No random comment about my brother could make up for what he did, even if that lopsided expression on his face looked like he actually meant it.
“Don’t you know how much I want to tell you everything?” He combed his short sandy hair with rough strokes. “If you’ll just come to the Nexis initiation, I’m sure I could bend the rules a little.”
“After that fiasco out there, you think I can believe anything you say?” The words burned like fire in my mouth. I doused my tongue with sweet soda bubbles.
“Listen, I know I owe you an explanation.” He twisted his stool and lifted his chin toward me, his best feature. As if I’d be helpless against his charm. “I didn’t mean to make a scene.”
Acrid laughter rose in my throat. “Ha!”
His hand shot straight up, like he was about to swear on his Dr. Pepper can. “Honest, I didn’t mean for it to go down like that. You weren’t picking up my subtle hints. That guy was reeling you in.”
“What, so you were jealous?” The smoldering ball of fury simmered down, a little bit. Of course he really didn’t mean to embarrass me, he just couldn’t help himself. Hmm, smug or cute?
“We were supposed to go out this weekend, and then you’re hanging all over Bryan. I don’t like that guy. He’s bad news.” He slammed his can into the counter.
I jumped back and bumped into an empty stool, which seesawed back and forth. “You never called to set something up.”
“Yeah I did. Don’t you check your messages?”
I tugged my phone out of my pocket. It showed four missed calls today, after my talk with Mindy. “Oops, I didn’t notice.”
“No kidding, I guess you forgot about me.” His voice softened on those last words.
“That’s not true. And it doesn’t give you the right to embarrass me like that.”
Sandy tufts of hair fell around his eyes. “I know, I didn’t mean to make such a big deal out of it. I just lost it. I’m sorry.”
The muscles I’d tensed slowly relaxed, the anger evaporating, too. Those annoying little butterflies swarmed in my stomach, enough that I couldn’t deny it. I was still attracted to him, even if he was utterly obnoxious. “If you hadn’t been so rude about it, I’d almost think you were kind of sweet. Wanting to look out for me and all.”
He looked up. “Really? Most girls would call it possessive.”
“They have no idea what it’s really like, then.” If you wanted possessive, you didn’t have to search any further than my ex.
Will tapped the countertop with his fingers. The soft sound brought me back to him. “I’m sorry. I heard a bit about your last boyfriend. One drawback of our moms being friends. Anyway, you deserve better than that, and definitely much better than that Bryan guy out there. He broke my friend’s heart and kicked her out of the Guardians. Plus he’s ultra-religious. Trust me, he’s the wrong guy for you.”
“You mean Colleen?” When he nodded, I stuck my hand on the swaying stool, trying to regain my balance. After what Mindy said, it was hard to get on Colleen’s side. But Will was obviously right about Jake. Could he be right about Bryan, too? “So what does that make you?”
“Just a guy who wants to be with you.” He inched forward, eyes searching mine. They stayed locked on me for one long moment.
“I, uh ...” My lips parted, but no sound came out. I didn’t know what to say to that. Against my will, my heart flip-flopped around in my chest. I couldn’t move. He had some kind of hold over me, like a snake charmer luring me under his spell.
A shadow crossed his face, his expression turning hungry. He bent his head toward me, lips inches from mine.
Suddenly an image of Jake and Becca flashed into my mind. Why couldn’t he stay in Indiana? But this time it was different. Will was there, too. Whoa, that couldn’t be right.
I jerked away, yanking myself free from whatever strange force just pulled me into this guy’s tractor beam. The can tipped and spilled Dr. Pepper all over the counter, wafting a dampness through the air.
“What was that?” I put some much-needed distance between us, tearing off paper towels from the roll by the
sink.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.” He hung his head, but his face lit up in that annoying half smile.
“You’re not sorry, not even close.” I tossed a paper towel at him.
“Too soon?” He stared me down like an eager pup waiting for a scrap.
“I wish it wasn’t.” The paper towels sopped up the sticky liquid at my fingertips. “I wish I was normal, like every other girl who doesn’t have a care in the world.”
“You’re not normal. You’re Lucy. We can take this as slow as you need. Okay?” His smile widened as he reached over to help clean up the mess.
“What? No.” Objections piled up in my head, and I shook them free. “We’re not taking anything slow. I can’t date you, or anyone. Not yet.” What would Bryan say if he saw us? How had this happened? And why did Will think he could embarrass me in front of everyone and then try to kiss me? Thank God I hadn’t let him. I traced my lips with my fingers, those traitors.
“But Lucy, I have feelings for you.” He grabbed my hand, his thumb caressing the back of my sticky palm. “And they’re not going away.”
The softness in his gray eyes cracked any resolve I had left, but couldn’t break it. “I’m sorry, I just can’t go there. Not right now.”
“If that’s what you want.” He climbed down from his stool, his smile gone now. “I bet they’re wondering about us. Why don’t we head back to the party?”
“Good idea.” I followed him to the door.
He turned and offered me a real smile, so his chin cleft showed. “Don’t make me wait too long.”
“If you’re waiting for me, it’ll be on other side of never-gonna-happen.” How could I make promises I couldn’t keep? Mom would probably kill me right now, but it was still too complicated.
I didn’t want to go back to the party. Part of me wanted to go back to my room and analyze what just happened. Part of me wanted to kick myself. Then it hit me—I couldn’t go back in there and face Bryan.
“Do me a favor.”
“What, sweetie?”
“Don’t call me that.” I could’ve smacked that smirk right off his face, but I played it cool. “I’m beat. Tell everyone I turned in for the night.”
“You got it. I’ll see you tomorrow at the initiation. Don’t worry, I’ll figure out a way to tell you what I can about James.” He reached over and ruffled my hair, much like Dad always did. It sent a shiver down my neck. He waved goodbye as he pushed open the kitchen door.
I crushed the empty soda can with one hand, then chucked it at the door after him. Why did he try to kiss me, then blackmail me with promises about my brother? Why did I let him get that close?
I trudged up the back stairs to my room.
Better question—why couldn’t I stay away from this guy? It felt like I was sucked into the moment, almost like he had me under a spell. The complete opposite of Bryan.
Last week I might’ve chosen Will. Before the ring debacle tonight, I’d started falling for Bryan.
Maybe these flip-flopping feelings meant I shouldn’t be on the market right now. My stomach clenched. Deep down, I knew I’d have to choose one, eventually. Right now, I just wasn’t ready to let go of either one of those guys, let alone choose between them.
* * *
The smell of burning wax singed the air as I stepped into the dark dome of the observatory. Shanda’s gasp drew my eyes upward. The giant telescope hung from the cavernous ceiling like a chandelier, the dome completely closed in for tonight’s initiation. Did I really want to know what happened to James this badly? If Will was really going to tell me the truth, I knew I couldn’t turn down this opportunity. Even if I had to join the Nexis ranks.
“So wrong.” She whispered as Mindy prodded us into the center of the room. The only light came from the flickering white pillar candles evenly spaced in a wide circle. Their tongues of fire floated in mid-air above the dark circle, the iron stands practically disappearing into the charcoal floor.
Faces emerged from the shadows, one by one. Cloaked in black robes shrouding their heads, they surrounded us. Something prickled the back of my throat with a taste like acid, a definite sense of dread. But I had to do this, for James.
“You have been carefully selected to join an elite international group.” A commanding female voice spoke from my left. All heads turned toward her. “Only twelve members from each class are offered this opportunity every year. Juniors, welcome to the Nexis Semigod Nations.”
“The what?” Shanda snarled in my ear. “Are they serious?”
“I hope not.” I hissed at her, and Mindy hushed us. My brilliant plan to give Nexis a chance didn’t seem so brilliant any more.
“If you survive the night, you will become a Nexis member forever.” The male voice boomed from my right, and my focus shifted to him. “We have chosen you, but you must also choose us. By completing a series of trials, you will learn about the group, what we believe, and what your role will be. Choose wisely.”
Those words rang like a gong in my ears. Hadn’t I heard them before? Harlixton said that same phrase to me in his office.
“First, you will learn the twelve tenets of the Nexis Nations.” Another girl’s voice, higher-pitched this time, chirped from dead ahead. Sounded like Monica’s candy voice. It rubbed me raw just thinking about what she supposedly said about my brother. “At each ceremonial flame you will collect an item that represents one tenet of Nexis truth. Once you collect all twelve, you’ll have everything you need for your survival kit. Then you will move on to the next task.”
“The first tenet of Nexis is the most important.” Will’s clear voice rang out from behind me. The whole group spun around and gathered in front of him.
He hoisted a giant antique magnifying glass in front of the flame. “Seeing is believing. Find the one who sees, and the rest will believe.”
His gray eyes narrowed at me as if I were under the magnifying glass. A chill shot up my spine. He passed me an odd-shaped canvas bundle tied with twine. “Hand these out around the circle.”
I reached for the bundle and grazed his palm. Suddenly a black shadow slithered across his hand, then up the sleeve of his black robe. I shook my head, but the snake-like shadow lingered, shining in a dark coil on top of his cloak. This couldn’t be happening, not again. I closed my eyes and inhaled a deep breath. It was so dark I couldn’t be sure I saw anything clearly.
I opened my eyes, and the shadow morphed into a cobra that writhed up his neck.
“What the—” I jumped backward. The package tumbled from my hand, crashing onto the hardwood floor. The canvas came loose and magnifying glasses spilled everywhere.
Yet that wasn’t even the strangest part. Will’s gray eyes sparked at me like he knew everything I’d just seen.
He slid his hand across my upper arm, those gray eyes softening in a wash of concern. “Are you okay?”
I blinked at him, the vision gone now. I swung my gaze around the room. Candles illuminated only faces in the crowd, eleven uncloaked ones stared at me. Had I imagined the whole thing?
“I’m sorry, I’m so clumsy. Please continue.” I crouched to my knees to pick up the magnifying glasses.
“Here, let me help.” He knelt beside me, scooping up the plastic toys. “Good thing I got the cheap ones, huh?”
“Yeah, that makes me feel better.” I sneaked a peek at him, catching an eyeful of that adorable cleft under his grin.
He turned to me with a kinder look than I deserved and grabbed my elbow to help me up. This time his touch felt normal, no strange images. I must’ve been seeing things. I’d always been afraid of the dark, especially when I was little. Mom said it was only my overactive imagination, and I desperately hoped she was right.
“You’ll need these for your survival kit. They’ll be crucial in the next task.” He passed out the magnifiers.
Each inductee moved on to the next station until I was all alone beside him.
“Don’t be so nervous. It’s adorabl
e, but completely unnecessary. You got this, sweetie.” His whisper sent another shiver crawling down my neck. I snapped my head his way. It wasn’t what burned my nerves.
“I’m not your sweetie.” I hissed at him.
“Not yet.” He edged close to me, close enough I caught a familiar whiff of spice. “But you will be, as soon as you’re ready.”
I clenched my teeth down hard, but I couldn’t let it go. Not this time. “I hate arrogant guys.”
“I’m not arrogant, I just know what I want. Do you?” His white teeth glowed in the candle flickers.
I pursed my lips together and narrowed my eyes at him.
“Don’t look at me like that, or I’ll have to kiss you for real this time.”
“Enough.” I backed up, but his hand clamped down on my shoulder, holding me in place.
“Just finish the next task and bring back the book. Then I can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about James.”
“Is it really worth it?” A tremor laced my question, so close to him in the dark. How I hated the weakness it betrayed.
“Absolutely.” He squeezed my shoulder, pressing his lips against my hair. “Now go on, you don’t want them to leave without you.”
He nudged me toward the next station, his laughter rumbling in the darkness.
Chapter 13
The chapel clock struck midnight as eleven juniors pounded down the sidewalk of the dark quad beside me. Why was I doing this? The sky grew blacker as we left the path and skirted along the edge of the woods. My parents couldn’t possibly have done this too, but James was always up for anything. Did they have this kind of Nexis initiation? The questions halted as we froze in front of the library doors, our final destination.
Mindy reached out to yank open the doors. A brave first step, but the steel-encased glass barely moved an inch. “Now what?”
“Step aside.” The recruits parted for her as Shanda pushed her way forward. “I’ve got this.”
She unhooked a bobby pin from of her hair and straightened out the metal. With deft fingers, she inserted it into the lock and twisted as if she’d picked locks all her life. A minute later, the doors popped open like magic.
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