by Brenda Drake
His lips quirked at the right corner of his mouth, creating a dimple. There was something in his eyes for just a brief second that I recognized. Admiration. He had looked at me like that before.
Before Emily.
And just as suddenly as the glint in his eyes had appeared, it was gone. The joy rushed from me like water down an unplugged drain. Maybe I was wrong, or stupid to even try, but I had to find out if Emily had placed a mark on him.
The next time we were in range of each other, I grasped the neck of his shirt and yanked as hard as I could, hoping to rip it off him.
He wrenched from my grip. “Bloody hell, are you trying to choke me?”
All the Sentinels paused their fighting and stared at us.
Arik stomped off and tossed his sword into the pile by the equipment room.
Carrig sounded his whistle. “All right, then, take to the showers. I gave Sinead my word I’d be ending practice early today so you can get ready for the party tonight.”
I weaved between the other sweaty Sentinels to Jaran. His short dreadlocks glistened and his forehead shined with sweat. Abre’s dark eyes looked disdainfully at me, her short hair sticking to the wetness around her face.
“What?” I raised my palms at her. “You have something to say?”
“Why did you grab his shirt? You must keep your emotions out of the fight,” she said, sauntering by, and added over her shoulder, “We only have each other when in a battle. Mistakes mean death.”
Jaran wiped his forehead with his towel. “So why did you try to strangle Arik?”
“I wasn’t choking him. I was trying to get his shirt off.”
He dragged the towel around his neck and smirked. “You wanted to undress him here? Are you getting desperate?”
“No. Not like that. I was looking for something.”
He pulled on his jacket.
“Aren’t you going to shower?” I said.
“I’m missing my show. I’ll shower at home.”
“But can’t you just shower here?” I rocked on my feet. “Plus you could stream it on your phone.”
“I like it on the big screen.”
I gave my best pleading look.
He studied me. “All right, what are you scheming?”
I told him everything about Emily, the hidden cemetery, and that she might have branded or tattooed a spell on him. In the end, he agreed to shower there and see if he could find anything.
I hurried to the girls’ locker room and took the quickest shower I’d ever taken.
Lei watched me curiously as I raced to get my clothes on. “Where’s the battle?” she said.
“I have to get home. You know, Afton is coming in at five.”
She glanced at the clock above the mirrors. “It’s only a little after four.”
“I don’t want to risk being late.” I tied my wet hair up in a ponytail and bolted out the door.
Waiting, I pretended to search my bag for something. One by one, Demos, Kale, and the other male Sentinels trickled out.
“Who are you waiting on?” Demos said, hoisting up his bag.
“Jaran. Is he almost done?”
Jaran pushed open the door. “Yeah, I’m done.”
The others walked off for the outside doors.
I dragged him across the mats toward the door. “Did you see anything on Arik? A burn mark or a tattoo?”
“Nothing. His skin is flawless. Not even a blemish.”
I deflated. “Are you sure there wasn’t any kind of mark?”
He dropped his bag in front of the doors and retrieved his jacket. “I saw every square inch of him. It was a difficult task. Trust me.” His grin said it was anything but difficult.
I forced a smile. I really believed Emily had done something to Arik. That he hadn’t rejected me. It was time to face it. He didn’t want me anymore. “Thank you for doing it,” I said, defeated.
“It was entirely my pleasure.” He bumped my shoulder, the wide grin still fixed on his face. “Listen, why don’t you just let him go already? When you do, you will open yourself up to new possibilities.”
“I’m working on it.” I leaned into his shoulder. “How about you embrace all your possibilities, too? I dare you to bring a date to the party tonight.”
The grin slipped from his face. “I don’t have anyone to invite.”
“I heard Cole and that soccer player broke up.” I jerked open the heavy door. The sunlight blinded us, and I squinted at him. “Plus, I caught him checking you out at lunch the other day.”
“You’re not teasing me, are you?” Jaran rushed after me as I crossed the parking lot to Pop waiting in his Volvo.
“Just call him.”
“All right, I’ll call him,” Jaran said. “Only if you invite Bastien.”
Pop lowered his window. “Hurry up. Afton’s train will arrive soon.”
I yanked open the door, glancing at Jaran. “I already did. He can’t make it. See you tonight.”
He waved as we drove off.
I buckled the seat belt, wondering if Arik would bring anyone to the party. My heart sank at the thought of him bringing Emily. I really needed to get a grip and let him go. But it was like telling my heart to stop beating. My lungs to stop expanding and deflating. My brain to stop working. I didn’t know how to stop loving him.
Chapter Seventeen
Falling snow created an icy confetti celebration for Afton’s arrival at the train depot. We held each other in a tight embrace, not caring about the cold. “I can’t believe you’re actually here,” I said, releasing her. “And I definitely can’t believe you ditched the hair weave. You look amazing in short hair, like a young Halle Berry.”
She stepped back, her eyes looking past me, past Pop. “I never thought we’d see each other again.”
“He’s not here,” I said, answering the question on her face.
“Who isn’t?” she said.
I slipped my arm through hers and pulled her along the wet platform. “Come on, it’s me. I know you were looking for Nick.”
“He didn’t want to come and see me?”
“He’s working at his parents’ restaurant tonight. Said he’d come in the morning for breakfast.”
We reached Pop. “Here, let me take that,” he said, grabbing her suitcase.
We folded into Pop’s Volvo. I let her take shotgun and hugged the back of her seat to talk to her.
“How are the parents?”
“Not good. My dad and that woman broke it off, but my mom refuses to take him back.” She fastened her seat belt. “She said their relationship is too damaged to fix. It’s horrible. She cries all the time.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.” I leaned back and fastened my belt as Pop backed up the car.
He guided the Volvo out of the parking lot and onto the street.
“Maybe she could come down for Christmas Day?” I said.
“We’d love to have her,” Pop added.
“I’ll text her and ask, but she’s sort of a hermit right now.” She stared out the window, and I could see her sullen face reflected in the darkened glass.
Afton’s family had always been the kind of family I dreamed of having—a two-parent home. She had a brother and sister, but they were ten years older than her and already out on their own. Afton was a surprise pregnancy. The Wilsons always had fun together, going to movies, plays, and just kicking back at long dinners. I never saw the breakup coming. I bet Afton hadn’t, either.
I decided to change the subject. “The house is going to be full of life with you and Nana here. It’ll be fun to have everyone together. Nana is staying in Pop’s room, and Deidre offered to stay with Faith so we can share our room.”
“That’s nice of her. Are you two getting along better?”
“Yes, she’s actually not so bad.” The seat belt tightened against my shoulder as Pop pressed on the brake to make a turn. “Nana and Faith put together a party for your arrival tonight. They’ve been cooking
all day.”
The Volvo’s headlights lit up the driveway to our house.
“Oh, they shouldn’t have gone to—”
A light shone behind us and illuminated the inside of the Volvo. I twisted around to see who it was. “It’s Nick’s motorcycle.”
Pop glanced in the rearview window. “I thought you said he had to work?”
“He does. I don’t know why he’s here.”
Pop hit the remote to the garage door, and it wobbled a little as it raised. He parked the Volvo in the bay. Nick rolled his bike to a stop behind us. The headlights flashed off.
I popped open the door and met Nick in the driveway. “Hey, I thought you couldn’t make it.”
“Ma practically forced me to come,” he said. “She said it would be rude not to be here on Afton’s first night.”
Afton bolted around the hood of the car and collided with Nick, wrapping her arms tightly around him. “I’m so happy to see you.”
He hesitantly encircled her in his arms. The hard look that had been darkening his face ever since we came to Branford softened. His eyes crinkled in a smile and his shoulders seemed more relaxed.
They held each other until it became awkward—for me, not them. I wanted them to be together. They were perfect for each other, but I also cared for Deidre and didn’t want her to get hurt. Thinking of my twin, I figured I should break the two of them up before she saw their inappropriately long hug.
“Afton, you should freshen up for the party,” I said.
They released each other. “It feels good to have us all together again,” Nick said.
She smiled and squeezed his hand. “I’ll see you in a few.”
In my room with Afton, it was like old times, primping for the party. She rejected each outfit I held up for her approval.
There was a quiet knock on the door.
“Yeah?” I said.
“It’s Deidre. Can I come in?”
“Of course,” I called at the door. “It’s your room, too.”
She seemed uncomfortable as she came in. The red dress she wore played up the rouge in her cheeks and on her lips. She had curled her short platinum hair, and she sort of looked like Marilyn Monroe. I wondered, as I watched my exact twin, if I could pull off the same look as effortlessly as she had. It was all about attitude, and Deidre had it in spades.
“You’re not dressed,” Deidre said, sitting on her bed.
“I can’t find anything to wear,” I answered.
Afton looked through the mirror at me as she crimped her eyelashes. “The only dresses she owns are summer ones. She doesn’t even have a cocktail dress.”
“I’ll give you the perfect thing.” Deidre popped up and searched her closet.
“Me wearing your things is getting to be a habit,” I said.
“I don’t mind.” Deidre removed a hanger holding an A-line emerald-colored cocktail dress with a bell skirt made of taffeta and a beaded bodice. “How about this?”
Sinead loved shopping with Deidre. She had tried to get me to go a few times, but I’d always found an excuse.
“Ooh!” Afton squealed. “I love that. With a side bun you’ll look amazing.”
“Can I at least wear my ballet flats?”
Afton frowned at me for several seconds. “It would be nicer with heels. Maybe a better necklace. What is that thing you’re wearing?”
I covered the glass locket with my hand, as if I could protect it from her dislike. “Uncle Philip gave it to me. It’s important. I can’t take it off.”
“I think flats would work fine,” Deidre said. “I have black satin ones.”
Afton dropped the eyelash curler into her makeup bag. “You’re probably right, and she’s a little clumsy on heels.”
“She’s right here,” I said, “and she thinks she’ll wear the heels.”
Afton’s lips turned up at the corners as she applied lip gloss, and I knew she’d just played me. All someone had to do was say I couldn’t do something and it made me want to prove that I could.
I picked up my root beer–flavored Lip Smacker from the dresser and slathered it on. “Ready?”
“You haven’t grown out of the lip balm, yet?” Afton stood and smoothed down her dress.
“Nude lips are classic,” I said, as if I knew what I was talking about. “I’m wearing eye shadow and mascara—that has to count for something.”
“You both look amazing,” Deidre said, making her way to the door.
Trays of food and a large punch bowl sat on the dining table pushed against the wall, leaving a small area in the middle of the room for dancing. Deidre hooked up her iPhone to the speakers on the entertainment center, and music instantly filled the room. The entire house looked like the North Pole with all the decorations, figurines, and snow globes crowding every available surface. The perfectly decorated Christmas tree dominated the corner nearest the big bay window. The red and gold balls dangling from its branches glinted in the flashing white lights.
Arik, Demos, and the other Sentinels stood together by the table, holding tiny plates filled with appetizers. Kale had his arm wrapped around Lei as they leaned close to each other on two of the chairs lining the walls. Pop, Miss Bagley, and Nana were in deep conversation on a few chairs down at the end of the row. Missing from the party were Jaran, and thankfully, Emily.
Faith, wearing a human glamour courtesy of Sinead, carried in a tray of plastic champagne glasses. Her black shimmery dress skimmed her body. She stepped carefully over to Afton and me. “You two look amazing tonight.”
“Thanks, and I like this glamour on you,” I said. She had more curves than her normal illusion. She sort of looked like Jennifer Lopez.
“Too bad it doesn’t last long. I have to keep having Sinead reapply it.” She extended her tray toward us. “Take one. It’s soda and sherbet. This, of course, is an alcohol-free party.”
“Thanks. You’ve done a wonderful job with everything.” I lifted a glass from the tray.
Afton took one. “Yeah, you should totally go into the party planning business.”
Faith beamed. “That’s so kind of you to say. Nana has taught me so much. I hope she stays with us forever.”
Forever? I never thought about us hiding out forever. I had always thought of this as temporary. My stomach suddenly felt queasy. Boston was my home; I felt misplaced ever since we left. I couldn’t imagine never returning, never eating at the North End, never walking the Common, and not being able to see Afton whenever I wanted.
The door opened, letting in an arctic wind causing the hair on my arms to bristle. Every gaze shot to the entry. Jaran strolled in with Cole Jensen beside him. He took Cole around and introduced him to everyone.
I smiled against my champagne glass at his courage. I smiled because of how everyone accepted them. I smiled because Emily wasn’t there.
I smiled because Arik was checking me out as he headed over to us.
He sauntered up to me with his easy stride. His blue dress shirt and black pants hugged his body perfectly. He wore his hair longer nowadays, and it brushed his collar in the back. I preferred his hair shorter. He probably grew it out for Emily.
“You look lovely this evening,” Arik said, stopping beside me.
“I bet you say that to all the ladies.”
“Not all.” Lately, whenever he wasn’t with Emily, he seemed almost normal again.
“Where’s the ball and chain?” I used something Pop always said to Nick’s father as a joke.
He pinched his eyebrows together. “I don’t understand.”
The lights dimmed, the music turned up, and Deidre dragged Nick to the middle of the room to dance.
“Why isn’t Emily here?” I raised my voice over the music.
“She went with her uncle to spend the holidays with relatives.”
The music was too loud to keep up a conversation, so we stood watching our friends and family move across the tiny dance floor. To me, they’d all become family. And family came
in many colors and didn’t necessarily need the same roots to grow. It was in that moment I realized Arik would always have a piece of my heart, even if it were as a brother instead of something more.
The music slowed.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked.
I blinked. Did he just ask me to dance? I blinked again, not sure if I was hearing things. “What?”
He nodded toward the others. “Dance?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said.
“Why?”
Really? Why? I wanted to shake him. “Ask your girlfriend.”
I missed him.
I missed us. But I wasn’t sure what it was about us that I missed.
Tears trickled down my cheek and he brushed them away with his thumb. My startled eyes met his warm brown ones. The Arik I knew and loved was back. His hand cupped my cheek.
“Gia,” he whispered.
I swallowed hard. “Arik—”
The door opened and winter rushed in again. I instinctively pulled away from Arik, backing up several steps.
“Hello,” Emily’s voice trilled into the room.
At hearing her, the warmth in Arik’s eyes went cold.
She hurried to Arik, embraced him, and planted a kiss on his lips. “We couldn’t make it through the storm, so I guess we’re staying here for Christmas. I hope you don’t mind, but I invited my uncle to the party.” She glanced over her shoulder at a balding man with long legs and hunched shoulders.
“Of course not.” Faith met him at the arched entry. “May I take your coat?”
“Yes, thank you,” he said, removing it.
I was riveted to the spot. No matter how hard I willed my feet to move, they wouldn’t budge. Emily practically groped Arik in front of me, and I still couldn’t move. He had touched my cheek, his eyes had looked longingly at me, and he’d been about to say something. What was he going to say? My hands curled into fists, and my nails biting into my skin did nothing to make me move.
“Did you want something, Gia?” Emily’s sculpted smile was so fake it could easily shatter if there were a small tremor.
Afton slipped a gentle hand in mine. “Gia, I thought you were going to show me Faith’s room. I can’t wait to see her artwork.” Always the rescuer, Afton guided me away, my legs almost failing with each step up to the third level.
