One of the guys turned in our direction, a big grin plastered on his face.
“Hey.” He waved. His buddies spun around in unison, like robotic monkey toys with cymbals and scary grins.
“I hope they don’t think they’re tapping this ass,” Kadie muttered under her breath.
“Can’t blame ‘em for trying.” I covered my mouth to stifle a giggle.
“You two have dates?” The guy slowed so we could catch up to him. His smile looked more like a sneer and his glassy eyes gave me the creeps. He acted too smooth, his spiked hair too perfect.
With a pretend smile, I nodded my head. “Yeah, sorry. Maybe we’ll see you inside though.”
“You can save me a dance.”
“Or not.” Kadie snorted. “My boyfriend doesn’t like to share.”
“Well in case you change your mind.” He leaned into me. “My name’s Jake.”
My skin crawled like there were millions of ants marching beneath it. I pushed closer to Kadie, but he remained close.
At last, we came to the window where we paid our cover and got our red bracelets, indicating we were minors. Then we stumbled into the club. The lights pulsated, throbbing to the music as large silver disco balls spun, casting star-like sparkles on the ceiling and floor.
There, standing next to one of the tables was Gareth and Zac. “Wait, you planned this?” I glanced at Kadie.
“Yes, I did. And you’re welcome.” She rushed over to Zac, who hugged her and led her out onto the dance floor.
“Gareth! Why didn’t you let me know you were here?”
“Kadie caught me at Perky Joe’s today on my first shift back and she came up with this.”
Relief flooded me as I turned and gave him a hug. Cheeks on fire, I pulled back. “Sorry. I’m kind of a basket case right now. I—I’ve missed you.” And I had. More than I realized.
He winked. “Don’t worry. I’m used to women throwing themselves at me.”
With a snort, I glanced around. “So what are you really doing here? I mean, other than the fact that Kadie probably paid you.” I tried to play it cool.
The song changed from a techno dance to a slow, sultry, screw me now piece. Some people left the dance floor, while other couples sauntered on, pressing themselves together.
He followed my gaze. “What do people normally do at dance clubs?”
“Um—dance.” A grin played at my lips.
“There’s your answer.” He held out his hand to me. “And by the way, I wanted to be here.”
I smiled at him. “Well, I’m glad you came.” He continued to extend his hand.
I must be crazy. I laced my fingers through his, letting him lead me between the swaying bodies.
We found a spot in the middle of the crowd, right beneath one of the disco balls that glowed purple and blue.
Gareth’s arms wound around my waist, drawing me to him. I locked my hands behind his neck, bombarded by thousands of thoughts. I’d been close to him often, but dancing was different…intimate.
Feeling shy, I tried to look anywhere except at him. I watched a couple kissing beside us then turned my attention to another guy groping his girlfriend. From across the room, Kadie gave me a big, dorky thumbs-up.
“I’m not going to bite you,” Gareth said in a soft voice, making me glance up at him.
I laughed. “I know. God knows you’ve had plenty of opportunities before now.”
His gaze seemed to see right through me. “You’d do well to get on with your life.”
Nevin. He knew about him?
“She’s destroying you, which means she’ll win.”
“She who?”
Gareth lowered his head, his lips lingering near my ear. “How quickly you forget the danger. Winter may be over, but she still seeks you.”
The creature in the woods.
“How do you know all this?”
“By paying attention, which you’d be wise to do.” Gareth’s eyes narrowed and I followed his gaze to the door, where Colton came in with some friends from school. “I see he hasn’t given up on you yet.”
“Just because he’s here doesn’t mean he’s here for me.” But even as I said the words, I knew otherwise. Not that Colton had approached me since Valentine’s Day, but on those few times I went out, he always showed.
“Oh, he’s here for you, trust me. He’ll do anything to win.” Gareth eased me closer. “We need to be more wary of him. He’s been making lots of trips into the woods lately.”
“What do you mean?”
“Something doesn’t feel right. I can’t explain, I just want you to be more aware of things.” He gazed down at me. The answer was vague, but he had been the only person so far to want me to be more aware of the situation. Just the fact that he was trying was worth more to me than any pinball game or ballroom dance.
Colton seemed to search the crowd, his eyes coming to rest on me. We stared at one another for long seconds. I trembled, wondering why he wouldn’t just leave me alone. Gareth, pressed me against him, swaying to a haunting love song. I held tight to him. I needed his strength. His friendship. I needed him. Period. And he felt so right.
Colton glowered at Gareth, and I glanced up to see my dance partner smiling as though he dared him to come get me. One of Colton’s friends tugged his arm and he turned away, heading for a nearby booth.
The music changed to something faster, but Gareth and I still swayed back and forth together like we were stuck in the slow song.
“Why do you and Colton hate each other so much?” I asked.
“Old feuds die hard.” Gareth touched my chin with his thumb. “Do me a favor?”
I chewed on my bottom lip, wondering if I wanted to know what the favor was. “Sure.”
“Smile. Because I want you to be happy.”
I managed a sorry excuse for a grin…okay; it was closer to a grimace. “There, better?”
Gareth chuckled. “Much. Now, for a word of advice. Make sure you know who or what you’re choosing before you choose.” He released my chin then spun me around until I was dizzy with laughter.
I contemplated his words for the rest of the night
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Since my grandparents had made plans, I found myself looking after their place for the weekend. I stood in the kitchen devouring my last bite of oatmeal, the scent of apple cinnamon clinging to the air. I’d spent the better half of the night buried in books and ledgers in the hidden room. I found more references to Kassandra, indicating she had some type of ability to heal people. There were also several witness accounts accusing her of witchcraft.
I turned the faucet on to rinse out my bowl and watched the water bubble up over the sides. Rippling water.
The pond. Maybe it was time to face my fear head on. To prove, I could beat this. The curse. My fear of winter. The pond.
But I couldn’t do it alone. I slid my phone from my pocket and dialed Gareth.
“Hey, so I wondered if you could come to my grandma’s?”
“Sure, is everything okay?”
“I think it will be. Oh, and bring a pair of swim trunks.”
“Do I want to know what we’re doing?”
“Probably not.”
“I’ll be right over.” He hung up and I went to the door to wait for him.
When he pulled in, I hurried out to meet him. “Hi.”
He chuckled. “Excited to see me?”
“Always. But when I’m done explaining what I want to do, you might not be happy to see me.”
“I don’t think that’d ever happen, but go on, what’s your plan?”
“I want to get over my fear of everything,” I said at last. “Everything started the winter I fell through the ice on the pond. So I thought, maybe if I just dove in and tried to swim in it, I could prove to myself that there was nothing to be afraid of.”
He caught my hand in his. “Are you sure you want to do this? The water will still be cold.”
“Yeah. I have to.
And I want you there with me. That way if something doesn’t go right, you can save me. Because I know how much you like doing that,” I teased.
“Lead the way.”
We went through the house and out into the backyard. Gareth followed me down to the dock, where he stripped down to a pair of blue swim trunks, his t-shirt stretched tight over his muscled chest. He definitely looked the part of a lifeguard.
“Okay, I’m gonna count to three, then run and jump in,” I said. Nervous, I took a deep breath. Already, my hands and legs shook.
“Salome?” Gareth said from beside me.
“Hmm?”
“I’ll be right here.”
“I know.” I squeezed his fingers. With one last breath, I counted aloud. Pockets of fog sat atop the water like a steaming bathtub, inviting me in.
“One. Two. Three.” With a running leap, I splashed into the water. The frigid temperature stole my breath. I tried to open my eyes and get my bearings, but it was too murky. Too dark. My hands against my chest, I sank into the depths. Something brushed my leg. Something that felt a lot like seaweed, which was impossible in a freshwater pond. I kicked to propel myself to the surface for air. My legs scissored me upward, but the aquatic plants tangled and jerked me back down.
Oh shit. My strokes became frantic, which made the weeds wrap me up tighter. My lungs burned. Too much dark, too cold. More plants wound around me like snakes. Dragging me deep. I reached out, trying to grab something. Anything. No. I had to fight. I struggled again, trying to break free.
A splash next to me sent the water stirring and strong arms pulled me from the grip of the deadly pond. We bulleted to the surface, my arms flailed, lungs almost exploding as I sucked in deep breaths of air.
Gareth dragged me to the shore. “Shit, Salome, are you trying to kill yourself?”
I focused on him. He was sopping wet, green algae smeared across his cheek. His eyes were wild with fear. “There was magic at work. I never should’ve let you jump in. Damn it, you could’ve died.”
“Magic? But it’s not winter. I’ve never had a problem once it got warmer.”
My body shook and I held tight to him.
“Please don’t leave me.” I clung to him for all I was worth.
“I never will, Salome.” He wiped my wet hair from my eyes, clutching me close to him. His chest radiated warmth; I pressed myself into him, focusing on the heat of his body to keep me conscious.
Reality sunk in. My life had almost been taken again. What had I been thinking? Then I remembered Gareth’s warning while we danced. “She’s destroying you, which means she’ll win.”
I understood. I wouldn’t be safe until this curse was broken. No matter what I did, she’d still be out there, winter or not. My hand found Gareth’s and I knew he’d always be there for me.
He bent down, his lips a breath away.
“Gareth,” I whispered his name. I craved his warmth, his nearness. I needed him.
His hand wound in my hair as he pulled me closer. My heart beat out of control.
He looked at me, his fingers trailing my jawline, sending tingling feelings swirling throughout my body. It was like I was on fire.
He gently leaned me back on the dock, his body propped up above me. So many things splayed across his face. His eyes stared into mine, irises swirling with emotion.
I tugged his head closer, but before our lips touched a shout reverberated around us.
Startled, we leaped apart.
Nevin.
My eyes scanned the property. But there was no one there—just shadows and woods.
“I trusted you, Gareth. What are you doing?” Nevin’s voice sounded.
“Protecting her.”
“By letting her almost die in the pond?”
“I had a momentary lapse.”
“Someone used magic.”
“I know.”
“Then find them.”
Gareth tensed next to me as he stood. He held out his hand to help me up. “Go on home, I’ll call you later.”
“This wasn’t you’re fault, you know that, don’t you?”
“I never should’ve let you go in. I put you in danger.” He frowned.
“It was my choice. I can’t keep living like this.”
“Perhaps, but I never should’ve let my guard down.” With a sigh, he said, “I have to trace the magic, find the source.”
“It’s her, isn’t it?”
“Salome,” Grandma hollered from the deck. “What’s going on?”
“Go on up and explain things to her. I’ve got to track this, while the residue is still fresh. I’ll call you later.” He squeezed my shoulder, then hurried off.
“I-I thought you were going to be gone the whole weekend.” I shivered, still dripping with pond scum.
“We were gonna be, but then I got this strange feeling that something was wrong. So we turned back around. And here you are covered with half the pond.”
“I was trying to overcome my fear.”
“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do then.” She ushered me into the house, watching Gareth’s retreating form.
“And so do you,” I countered, stopping outside the bathroom door. “Why won’t you tell me anything?”
Grandma appeared startled by my outburst. “Salome, I can’t—”
I stomped my foot. “No, that is not good enough. You keep avoiding the question. I want to know what’s going on and I want to know now.”
With a sigh, Grandma stared at the floor before raising her eyes to me. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, child. I can’t.” She reached for my hand but I backed away. “It’s part of the curse. Everything I learned I had to research.”
“I don’t understand how the curse can affect you.”
“Not me, our bloodline,” Grandma answered, her eyes weary. “And Nevin. Bad things happen to people who talk about it.” She shivered. “The more I say, the more likely I won’t be around to provide you any protection.”
“Because something will happen to you?” I trembled. “So you can’t help me?”
“No, you must figure this out on your own. The answers are all around you, pay attention.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
When I got home, I grabbed a pop from the fridge and went onto the deck, plopping into the porch swing. It rocked back and forth. The chains squeaked with age. I pulled my knees to my chest, resting my chin on top of them. Was it too much to ask to have just one thing go right?
The cool breeze licked my skin as if a gentle caress feathered across my cheek. I sat straighter, closing my eyes.
“How much longer should I let you live?” a voice sounded. “Eighteen comes soon.”
I jerked my head up then leaped to my feet. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?” I backed up until I pressed against the house.
An eerie laugh floated in the air around me. “It’s not you I’m trying to hurt. It’s him. He will grieve for you when you’re gone. It’s so much fun toying with you both. Never knowing which day I’ll pick.”
My hands covered my ears to shut out the voice. Maybe I missed something, but my idea of not hurting and hers were two different things.
“You have to die, Salome. It’s the only way…”
After school, I sat in my Jeep, head propped up on the steering wheel. I was supposed to go right home but I needed to make sure Gareth was okay. He wasn’t in school, and I hadn’t seen him since I’d almost drowned in the pond.
Suddenly I craved cookies and cocoa—with several questions for a certain tall, golden, badass guy. So I headed into town, pulling up in front of Perky Joe’s.
The smell of freshly baked sweets and coffee swarmed me as I walked in. I was disappointed to find Gareth wasn’t working.
“Can I help you?” a perky blond asked.
“Yeah, I need two chocolate chip cookies and a cup of hot chocolate.” I took a few bills from my purse.
She put the cookies into a small brown bag and went to pour
my cocoa.
“Do you know when Gareth’s supposed to work next?” I asked.
The girl grinned, giving me a you don’t have a shot in hell kind of look. “Sure, he’ll be in on Thursday.”
“Thanks.” I wanted to smack that smirk from her face. What a bitch. Instead of leaving, I took a seat at one of the mosaic tables and ripped open the bag of cookies. The chocolate melted in my mouth. I closed my eyes to savor each bite.
The bell above the door jingled and my lids opened to find Gareth sauntering in, his mocha-colored eyes landing on me. The girl behind the counter gave him a flirty wave. He nodded and headed right for me.
Seeing her surprised glance made me grin.
Gareth sat down across from me, a look of concern on his face. “You all right?”
“Thank God you’re okay. I’ve been worried. You left to follow that trail—I thought…” I fought back the tears. I took a sip of my cocoa, studying a paisley napkin. I glanced back up at him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call. Things just took longer than I expected.”
“But you’re okay?”
“Yeah.”
“When both you and Colton were missing today from class, I thought the worst.”
“Well, I doubt Colton’s gonna come around you for a long time.”
“W—what’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means he’s bad news and he’s been warned to stay the hell away from you.” Gareth stood, catching my hand. “Come on. Let’s go somewhere we can talk in private.”
“Wait, you had something to do with his leaving?” My eyes widened, not sure if I should be grateful or angry.
“Not fully, but I did pay him a visit. The magic trail I followed ended at his house.” He led me outside to where his motorcycle was parked against the curb.
“I have my car.”
“We’ll drop it off at your place then you can go for a ride with me.”
“My mom doesn’t want me going anywhere after my recent swim in the pond.”
“Do you always do everything you’re told?”
“Yes,” I snapped. “Believe it or not, I try to be a good girl.”
“Being good is overrated.” He grinned, starting his motorcycle. “And for the record, you don’t always listen. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here protecting you.”
The Winter People Page 23
