Tears stung Carly’s eyes, but she blinked them back as she smoothed the sides of the dress. Feeling sorry for herself wouldn’t do her any good. If she was going to have the great birthday that Abel had promised, her attitude would have to change.
What would Crystal do? Carly wondered as she examined her reflection once more. She ran her fingers through the loose blonde curls around her shoulders, and decided on lipstick. Crystal would definitely recommend red lipstick. Wouldn’t she?
Carly sorted through the makeup in her bathroom medicine cabinet, pulling out a tube of lipstick that Crystal had left after one of their sleepovers. “Must be fate,” she mumbled, and applied a layer.
Now for jewelry, she thought, stepping back into her room to sift through the pile on her dresser. She picked up a necklace and slid it on, but it didn’t look right, so she promptly took it off. Nothing looked right, so she gave up and headed downstairs. She couldn’t be expected to win every battle on her own.
“Carly,” Howard greeted her as she joined him in the kitchen. “Ha—”
“My dress isn’t too short,” she blurted out. “Mom’s the one who bought it for me, remember?”
“Yes, I remember,” Howard answered, a hint of mourning in his tone as he handed Carly a cup of coffee. “I was going to say that I see more of your mother in you every day, and you look absolutely beautiful. Happy birthday, Carly. Please, have a seat at the table. I’ll have waffles ready for you in just a moment.”
“Oh,” Carly replied, stepping toward the table. “Thanks, Dad.” She noted the black velvet box on the tabletop at her usual seat, and asked, “What’s this?”
“That? Oh, that’s just something that belonged to your mother. She was planning on giving it to you when you turn eighteen, but I figured we could sneak it in a year early. Go ahead, open it.”
Carly picked up the box and pried open the hinged top. “Dad…” Inside were a pair of diamond earrings that had belonged to her mother. Dad had bought them for Molly on their honeymoon, and Mom only wore them on special occasions. “Thank you.”
There was a tear in Howard’s eye as he set a plate on the table in front of her. “You’re welcome. Your mother loved those earrings very much, and I hope you’ll love them, too. You should eat. Abel’s going to be here soon to pick you up.”
“You talked to Abel?” Carly asked.
“He called a while ago. He seems quite concerned about making sure you have a special day.”
“Yeah, he…” But she didn’t know how to finish because if she started listing all the things she liked about Abel, she wouldn’t be able to stop. Instead, Carly focused on putting in the earrings.
Howard sat down across from her, smiling. “They really are beautiful on you.”
“Thanks again, Dad,” Carly said, fingering one of the diamonds. “I’ll always think of Mom when I wear them.”
“She’d love that, sweetheart. There’s, um, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you before our company arrives later today.”
“What’s that?” she asked, and cut off a bite of waffle.
“I’ve mentioned before that I’ve gone out to coffee with a friend,” Howard began. “Well, we’ve met several times actually, and she’s going to be here today.”
We’ve met several times, the words echoed in Carly’s thoughts. Crys and Abel had been right—Howard was dating someone. Which meant he was moving on from Mom. Already. “She?”
“Her name is Chandra, and it’s so funny, because you know her—she’s your friend Sharla’s mother.”
Dad was dating someone, and she was, of all people, Sharla’s mom. Sharla, who was hopelessly in love with Gabe and had hated Carly from the moment they’d met because of it. Sharla, who couldn’t like Carly any less.
“I know, I know—it’s going to take some getting used to,” Howard spoke before Carly could respond. “You’ve been wanting me to treat you like an adult; this is your chance to act like one.”
“Is that why you gave me the earrings?” Carly challenged. “To sweeten me up before you told me you’re dating someone?”
“Of course not,” Howard sighed. “I would never do something like that, Carly. And I’m not asking for your permission on this one. I’m telling you now because Chandra’s ex-husband, Sharla’s father, is flying into town today. He’s bringing his new wife and stepdaughter over for dinner this afternoon, and Chandra is convinced it’s going to be very difficult for Sharla. I need you to step up and make sure she’s okay through all of this.”
“You want me to make sure Sharla’s okay? Today of all days? Is this a joke?”
“This is going to be a difficult time for Sharla, and she could use a friend.”
“She could use a friend?” Carly snapped. “I already have to share my birthday with everyone I know, and you want me to buddy up to Sharla on top of it?”
“I really don’t think it’s too much to ask,” Howard replied.
“Dad—” The doorbell cut her off, which was probably for the best. Carly left her breakfast on the table and walked down the hallway to answer the door. She threw it open, her sour expression fading when she saw Abel.
“H-hey,” Abel gasped, his gaze lingering on her bare legs. “Happy birthday. You look incredible.”
Carly stepped past him onto the porch. “Can we get out of here?”
He grinned, his eyes falling to her legs once more. “Definitely, but I’d recommend a pair of shoes and a jacket. It’s only twenty degrees out, and I fear you’re going to draw enough attention as it is in that dress.”
“A jacket because it’s cold,” she remembered, and walked back into the house to rummage through the foyer closet. Carly found a pair of heels she needed to return to Crys and slipped into them as she grabbed a wool coat. She met Abel on the porch and closed the door behind her.
“I suppose it takes some getting used to—dressing for the weather just so you don’t look out of place,” he said, following Carly to his car. “You okay? Let me guess—you’d like some coffee first, and then maybe you’ll be in the mood to talk.”
“Maybe,” she managed, and slid into the car. She fumbled through Abel’s CDs as he joined her, and decided on her favorite Appleseed Cast album. He didn’t protest as she fed it to the stereo.
Abel didn’t say much as he drove to the resort, which was just fine with Carly. She was still trying to make sense of her father’s request. Did Howard realize what he was asking of her? Because this was more than just looking out for Sharla—this was accepting that he was moving on from her mother. He was letting go, and he wanted her to do the same.
Abel parked in the coffee shop lot, but made no motion for the door. “Your dad’s dating Sharla’s mom?”
“What?” Carly replied as her eyes locked with his. “How did you—?”
“I’m sorry, I can’t help hearing your thoughts. I sense you just found out?”
“Yes, and my dad expects me to be all—”
“Adult about the whole thing?”
Carly reached for the door handle. “Just because you can hear my thoughts doesn’t mean you should listen.”
“Do you really want me to stop?” Abel asked.
“I could use that coffee now,” she answered, throwing open her door. “Please.”
Abel waited until Carly had a cup of coffee in hand before he addressed her again. “What are you going to do about your dad? I mean, what choice do you really have?”
Carly looked out the window to the Great Lake, leaning back in her chair as she took a sip of her latte. “I don’t know what to do about my dad. If I’m freaking out, I can’t even imagine how Sharla’s reacting. Well, assuming she knows. Maybe her mother hasn’t told her yet. And supposedly, Sharla’s dad’s bringing his new family to dinner today. I’m sure that’s going to go over well.”
“I’m sure it is. Sharla’s not exactly the best at sharing.”
“No kidding.”
“Look, I’ll be the first to admit tha
t Sharla can be a lot,” Abel said. “But finding out that her mom’s dating your dad and meeting her new family all in one day? That’s intense for anyone.”
“Are you saying you agree with my dad?” Carly asked.
“Only in that you should cut Sharla some slack. She’s still got some growing up to do.”
“That’s an understatement.”
“Well, not all of us have everything figured out already, as you seem to,” he pointed out.
“I don’t have anything figured out,” Carly informed him.
“You had me fooled.”
“Look, I know I might be overreacting, but it’s my—”
“It’s your birthday, yes, I’m aware,” Abel interjected. “And for the record, I don’t think you’re overreacting. I promised you a great day, and believe me, I’m determined to make that happen.”
“Gabe, so nice to see you again,” Lila called from behind the counter.
Carly’s gaze shot across the café to Gabriel as he stepped through the door. She’d been successfully avoiding him, but there was no avoiding him now. Not when he was staring right at her.
Gabe tucked a strand of dripping hair behind his ear, and that’s when Carly noticed the dirt under his fingernails. She sniffed at the air, and the scent of lake water hit her. Had Gabe been swimming this morning?
Carly tried to probe at his thoughts, but Gabe’s mind was blank, black, fenced off. Kept from her in a way he’d never managed before. She pushed deeper, and Gabe melted into a cynical smile as he stepped toward them.
“Does your boyfriend know you’re trying to get in my head?” Gabe asked her.
“Merry Christmas to you, too, Hutchinson,” Abel spoke in a cheery voice. “Will we have the pleasure of your company this afternoon?”
Gabe didn’t move his eyes from Carly. “So, that’s it? You two are a thing now and we never happened?”
“You’re the one who determined the course of our entire relationship long before we ever met,” Carly reminded him, noting an even layer of grime under each of his fingernails. “You tell me.”
Gabe rolled his eyes, the shoulders of his t-shirt damp from his dripping hair. He’d definitely been swimming, and maybe even digging under the water…
Crap, Carly thought, hopping up from her seat to face him. If you’ve touched the amethyst skull—
“You’re the one who thought you were too good to sleep with me,” Gabe spat back at her. “Yet here you are, with him, dressed like a total whore—”
“That’s enough,” Abel announced, jumping up between them.
“Like you’d have any real hope of kicking my ass, Crawford.”
“I don’t know who you are right now, Hutchinson, but it’s not okay to talk to her that way.”
“What’s not okay is you turning Carly against me just so she’d have sex with you.”
Carly didn’t realize she’d smacked Gabe across the face until he winced from the blow. There was so much she wanted to scream at him, but she was too mortified to get any of it out. He’d crossed a line just now that she wasn’t sure she’d be able to forgive. But that wasn’t the worst part of it—the worst part was that she wasn’t sure if the amethyst skull was safe. It was one thing for Gabe to lash out, and quite another for him to put their community of shapeshifters in danger.
Carly turned from Gabe and Abel and the few other individuals who’d witnessed their drama and ran out of the coffee shop. She ran through the parking lot, down the trail that led along the coast, and finally into the woods. She used the cover of trees to shift into her primary, and fox feet carried her quickly up the coast to the swimming spot her friends favored.
She made out the golden glow of the skull from the shore without having to step foot in the water. Had the skull’s allure grown stronger somehow? And if so, was Carly the only one noticing?
She had the urge to lunge into the water, to dig up the skull, to… But she’d been wrong about Gabe disturbing the treasure, and she was wrong to rush into a decision to move it herself. Clearly, Carly was just overreacting because of what Gabe had said to her in front of the entire coffee shop.
She gritted her teeth and tore herself from the shore. If Carly stayed here, she’d only lose herself in temptation. Her gut told her to leave the skull where it was for now, and she listened as she sprinted back into the forest. Besides, it would be much more productive to keep running and blow off some steam. Especially if she was expected to play nice with Sharla this afternoon.
Carly’s life was crumbling in so many ways that it was getting hard to keep track. If only Mom were here, she’d know what to say to make everything better. If only Mom were here, Carly might actually want to be seventeen.
Carly was so caught up in her obsessive introspection that she didn’t notice at first that she’d wandered to the mouth of the caves. She wasn’t sure what had brought her here, and hesitated at the entrance. She’d only been in the caves without her friends on one occasion, and that time there had been a ruskah at her heels. This time, she was all alone, and the notion both terrified and excited her as she pushed her paws forward into the wide sulfur-scented mouth of the cave.
Carly couldn’t make any sense of her life right now, but she could run. So that’s what she did, winding her way around this turn and that. It was a real maze down here, but she’d played hide and seek enough to have gotten a feel for the place. She sort of kind of knew where she was, and welcomed the distraction of trying to figure it out. It was nice to think about anything other than the drama her life had become.
“…It’s got to be down here somewhere…”
The echo of a strange male voice hit Carly’s ears, and she stopped in her tracks. She’d never encountered another soul down here other than those in her small group of friends, and wasn’t sure what to think. Who else would be down here?
“…Because I don’t know where else to look, that’s why,” the voice continued, as if answering an invisible question. “Yes, I’m certain it’s among the families here… Yes, I’m certain we will find it… Because I refuse to leave this blemish of a town until that skull is in my possession, that’s why.”
Run. A chill charged down Carly’s spine, forcing her forward on her paws. She wasn’t sure where the command had come from, but she obeyed it. Her hind legs twisted around behind her, bouncing on the cave floor as she propelled herself ahead.
She’d decided to leave the skull where it was until she felt the threat of real danger. As far as Carly was concerned, some strange man in the caves talking about the skull was as close to real danger as she was going to get. The talisman had to be moved to a safer location, that’s all there was to it, even if Carly had no clue where to stash the thing.
It was safe in the secret passage in your room for years without anyone knowing, she remembered. What if you put it back there until you find a better spot?
Carly went through the pros and cons of such a decision as she wound her way back to the mouth of the cave. Apparently, all those wins at hide and seek had stuck with her. She glanced back over her shoulder as she hit daylight and affirmed she hadn’t been followed. It would be nice to have a face to put with that mysterious voice, but there were more delicate matters at hand.
Carly did a good two miles of figure eights to make sure she wasn’t being tracked before she circled back around to the beach. Part of her expected to encounter someone, anyone, along the way, but the sand was solitary as she sprinted into the water. It was only after Carly was immersed in the Great Lake that she shifted human.
The golden glow of the amethyst skull radiated from beneath the earth, calling to Carly as she pushed against the current to answer it. She swam to the spot where the treasure had been buried and didn’t hesitate to tear into the lake floor. There was no time to waste, and no air in her lungs to spare.
The tip of Carly’s left middle finger made contact with the skull first, its radiance coursing down into her arm, sizzling throughout her body. This was what
pure magic felt like—power never-ending. She yanked her arm back in hesitation as her lungs pled for breath. She was afraid to touch the skull again, but removed the choice as she dug the prize free, clamping onto it with both hands.
Complete euphoria permeated every cell, but Carly attempted to ignore the ecstasy as she floated to the surface. Her lungs received much needed air as the full intoxication of the talisman hit her, and she blinked back a wave of bliss as she battled her way toward the shore.
Get it together, Carly, she ordered in her mother’s voice. It’s in your bloodline to overcome any obstacle that gets in your way. So, overcome.
With a new sense of determination, Carly stepped onto the shore and, clutching onto the amethyst skull, made the supernatural transformation into her fox form. The skull was a part of her now, and like anyone or anything else that she’d ever taken into her shift, a part of the skull would remain with her even after their separation.
She finally understood why Gabe had chosen to bury the skull where he had, why he’d needed it close—because Carly didn’t want to be apart from it now either.
Carly circled Grant Manor several times to make sure she wasn’t being followed before she tiptoed out of the forest toward the back of the house. The chatter of voices inside reached her ears as she trotted through the yard—comments about how great the food smelled, and where was Carly so they could get started. Was it already time for Christmas Eve dinner? How long had her little adventure taken?
She backed away from the door and walked toward the north side of the house. There was a separate entrance to the cellar there, and the doors were often knocked opened from the wind. Both were closed today, however, although there was a significant notch in one corner just big enough for Carly’s muzzle. She dug her nose into the opening, swinging her head up to heave the door free. It didn’t work the first time but gave the second.
She disappeared into the cellar, using her right paw to trigger the secret passage door. It skittered open, and Carly guided her slim body inside. She clambered up three flights of stairs to her bedroom, Crystal’s voice echoing off the walls as Carly stepped inside.
Legends: Bloodline Book 2 Page 13
