Masquerade

by Cambria Hebert

  Masquerade

  (Heven and Hell #1)

  MASQUERADE Copyright © 2011 CAMBRIA HEBERT

  Smashwords Edition

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form without written permission except for the use of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Otherworld Publications, LLC

  125 ½ Main Street

  La Grange, KY 40031

  www.otherworldpublications.com

  Interior design and typesetting by Lynn Calvert

  Cover design by MAE I DESIGN

  Edited by Amy Eye, The Eyes for Editing

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Paperback ISBN: 978-1-936593-25-5

  Hard Cover ISBN: 978-1-936593-28-6

  Masquerade

  Dedication

  I dedicate this book (at the risk of sounding corny) to anyone who has ever had a dream. To anyone who has had a fire in their belly and a determination in their bones. Don’t ever give up, even when it seems like the world works against you. If my dream can come true then so can yours.

  And also,

  I dedicate this book to myself. What? I worked really hard.

  And always,

  For Shawn.

  Acknowledgements

  Being a writer is a solitary journey but becoming an author takes a team of people. My journey from writer to author could not have been possible without the help and support of a lot of people.

  First, I want to thank my husband, Shawn, who patiently endured my far away moods when I was lost in my own head. For not saying a word when the house fell into disarray because I was pounding at the computer, chasing a dream that might not ever be realized and for always believing that it would. Without you I might never have put my butt in that chair (and stayed there) long enough to see this through. I want to acknowledge my children who patiently waited while I wrote “just one more line” before getting up to play.

  I am lucky enough to have a great group of friends who never told me I was crazy (even if they thought it) when I announced I was writing a book. To Andrea, who always read everything first and would call me at all hours of the night so we could dish about it all. Our talks kept me motivated when my motivation dipped. To Jenn Pringle, who has been there to support and champion me. Your support got me through some stressful times. To Christy, who listened to me go on and on (and on) about cover design, characters and networking. Thanks for never acting bored. And for reading everything and always giving me the truth when I asked your opinion. Oh yeah, and for naming your daughter Heven, so that I might come along and borrow it. For Melanie, one of my oldest childhood friends, the sister of my heart, your unflappable personality and phone calls sometimes got me through the day. And to my Mom and Mommom, who never asked me why I didn’t get a ‘real’ job because you understood that this was the only job that would ever matter.

  To my editor and good friend, Amy (theeyesforediting.com), your eyes saw things that mine never did and you made me think about my characters in ways I never had. Without your insight this book would not be as good as it is today. I never dreaded the red on the pages because I knew that with the red would come laughter. You are my accomplice in all things literary and my partner in crime. Thank you for all your support and willingness to do whatever you could to see this book in print. To Regina Wamba (Mae I Design), your cover designs blow me away every single time and so does your willingness to work until it’s just perfect.

  To Lynn and the entire staff at Otherworld Publications for taking a chance on me and this book. You saw potential where others did not and you gave me the path to my dream.

  Finally, to all the others in my life who have supported me and cheered at the top of their lungs when I told you the news. I am beyond blessed because your names alone could fill pages of this book. Never doubt how much every single bit of support or praise I received meant to me. You all honor me by being my life and nothing could ever replace you.

  Chapter One

  Heven

  The street was dark and deserted. I wished, not for the first time, that I had a car. But I didn’t, and I’d spent too long in the library, so now I had to walk home in the dark. It was a clear night, and there were a million stars nestled in the sky, twinkling brightly alongside the moon. I was nearly home, my street just yards away. The night was quiet, exaggerating the sound my heels were making on the pavement. Usually, I liked the clicking sound; it made me feel womanly, and it announced my arrival. However, at this moment, it seemed I shouldn’t announce my presence. I slowed slightly, gentling my steps and glanced to my right at a wooded, overgrown lot. I imagined something hiding in the brush, watching. I laughed a little at my silliness, but quickened my pace. This time, allowing my heels to slap loudly on the pavement, hoping the sound would ward off any animals that might be around. Behind me I sensed movement and whirled around to confront it.

  There was nothing there.

  I began walking again. I’d walked this street many times, I knew it was safe.

  Wasn’t it?

  Just as I passed an empty lot, I heard some rustling and turned back. Something was definitely there, a dark shape unfurling from the weeds.

  My heart beat fast, and my stomach cramped with nerves as I began to run. I wasn’t fast enough, and whatever was stalking me caught up. I fell forward, something heavy and warm pressing me down onto the cold pavement. I tried to scream, but the sound lodged in my throat. A hideous sound built low and filled my ears…

  I bolted upright, heart pounding. It was just a dream. A stupid nightmare. Except it wasn’t stupid, and it wasn’t just a dream. I tossed the covers off and headed to the bathroom, feeling sticky and clammy with sweat. The water was cool and felt like silk running through my fingers. I scooped the water in my hands and splashed it on my cheeks. I froze, fingering the raised, puckered scars that distorted the left side of my face. No, it hadn’t been a stupid dream. It was an unnecessary reminder of reality.

  The dreams had been haunting me so long I knew that it would be impossible to find sleep again tonight, so I didn’t bother to go back to bed. The soft sheets and fluffy pillows didn’t offer the same comfort they had Before. Bed was now the place I was haunted by unanswered questions. I shut off my alarm and turned, glancing at the window. A strange feeling of being watched crept over me, and I padded over to peek out from behind the curtain. I don’t know what I was looking for, only that I had a feeling that something was there. Chills raced along my skin and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end as I looked out into the dark. I resisted the urge to turn and look over my shoulder, but then something caught my eye – a movement within the shadows. I squinted and pressed closer to the cold glass of the window hoping for a glimpse of whatever was there. After long, tense minutes, I gave up. Of course, there wasn’t anything there. I was beyond exhausted from lying in bed at night worrying, paranoid about being watched, knowing that I wasn’t. Why couldn’t I shake this feeling that I wasn’t safe?

  With one last look at the empty yard and a deep sigh, I went back into the bathroom, careful to avoid the mirror. I went through my usual routine of brushing my teeth and washing my face. I grasped my brush and looked up into the mirror above the sink. I began brushing the very long, very blond thickness of my hair, taking care to part it low on the right and smooth it over to conceal as much of my face as possible. I tried distracting myself with the features that weren’t so bad like my sky blue eyes and pimple free skin. There was a light smattering of
freckles over my nose and cheeks and my lips were full and a natural peach color. How close I came to having the left side of my lips ruined. I shivered, and the action sent my hair momentarily away from my face, revealing what I hadn’t wanted to see.

  A large, raised scar began at the corner of my eyebrow and ran jaggedly down, dangerously close to the corner of my eye and didn’t stop until well past my cheekbone. It was puckered and dark pink. If that wasn’t hideous enough, it wasn’t alone. A pair of wide scars, one on each side of the larger scar ravaged my skin, making me look like a freak. Adding to my freakish appearance, I had nerve damage, and the left side of my face was slack…the skin not as taut as it once was. When my hair concealed as much as it could, I left the bathroom to get dressed. It didn’t take me as long to get dressed as Before. I didn’t see the point of dressing nice when my face was ruined; whatever effort I made with my clothes wouldn’t matter. I selected a pair of jeans and slid them on, adding an oversized hooded sweatshirt. Getting ready so early, I had to wait for what seemed like forever before I went downstairs to make a show of grabbing a granola bar and carton of orange juice from the fridge.

  “You look nice this morning.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” I said, mustering a smile even though I didn’t feel like smiling. I know she was trying to be supportive, trying to make me feel good. I appreciated her efforts even if they never worked.

  “Gotta go, I’m late.”

  “Have a good day,” she called behind me.

  I paused just before walking out the front door. Get it over with. Taking a deep breath I stepped back and prepared myself to look up. You’d think after months of this routine it would get a little easier. It didn’t.

  I gazed into the mirror at my reflection, making certain my hair covered as much of my face as possible, knowing it was what everyone would be whispering about when I walked through the halls at school. They still whispered, even after all this time. You would think they would forget, I wanted to – like I ever really could. It was my face after all, and it was disfigured.

  Kimber pulled into the driveway just as I shut the front door behind me. The bright red VW Bug was a happy announcement that she was here, an exclamation point that was her life. I used to love that car and all the attention that it drew. I’d hoped for something like it. But that car didn’t fit into my world anymore; I’m no longer the girl who would drive something so flashy. But I rode in it anyway, grateful not to ride the bus.

  “Hey, girl,” Kimber chirped as I slid in the passenger seat.

  “Hey.” I smiled and shoved the uneaten granola bar and juice into my bag. It would join the rest of this week’s uneaten breakfasts in the bottom of my locker. I was aware of Kimber watching, but she didn’t say anything. Her eyes were hidden behind a pair of sleek, dark purple sunglasses.

  As she backed out of the drive, I checked out her outfit. She was wearing a pair of dark skinny jeans and a pair of tan Uggs that came to her knee. Her top was white but far from plain. It was a long sleeved, button-up with a bunch of ruffles along the chest. The first three buttons were unbuttoned, and a sparkly silver tank peeked from beneath it. To top it off she had on at least four necklaces. One had huge aqua colored beads on it while another had small yellow pebbles. The other two were silver and sparkled when the sun hit them. It should have been way too much, but on her it was perfect. It was exactly like something I would have worn. Before.

  Her Blackberry began singing a Taylor Swift song, and she sighed. “Who is it?”

  I picked the phone up from the cup holder and glanced at the screen. “Cole.”

  “Ugh.” She took the phone, hit the ‘ignore’ button, and dropped the phone back into the cup holder.

  “Are you fighting with him again?” Kimber and Cole have a definite love-hate relationship. They’d started dating freshman year and had broken up and gotten back together so many times in the past two years that I’d stopped counting. It used to amuse me. Now I wondered why they bothered.

  “I broke up with him.” She sniffed.

  “I’m sure by lunch everything will be fine.”

  “Not this time,” her voice cracked.

  “Kimber, you know this is the usual pattern with you two.”

  “I caught him kissing Jenna last night after the game.”

  “He wouldn’t!”

  “Oh, yes he did! I know we usually fight and make up, but this is different. He cheated on me!”

  “With a skank!” Jenna Hoffman was a snotty brat. She flirted with everyone’s boyfriend and talked about everyone behind their backs. Unfortunately, the teachers all thought she was great. She got straight A’s and sucked up to all the right people. It didn’t hurt that she was next in line to be head cheerleader, and that her parents had serious money.

  A giggle escaped Kimber.

  “What?” I asked. Dealing with Jenna was no laughing matter.

  “You said ‘skank’.”

  “So?” I shrugged. “You act like I’ve never called anyone that before.”

  “It’s been a long time. I almost forgot how…” She pressed her lips together and fiddled with the radio.

  “How fun I used to be.”

  “I wasn’t going to say that.”

  I snorted.

  “It’s just nice to see you excited about something.”

  I didn’t think calling Jenna a skank for acting like one was me being excited. “So what are you going to do?” I asked, wanting to avoid this conversation.

  “About the skank?” Kimber grinned. “Nothing.”

  “About Cole.”

  Her grin faded, and she stared at the road. “He keeps calling me.”

  “Have you talked to him?”

  “I told him to leave me alone.”

  Her phone went off again, and I picked it up. “It’s him.”

  “Just turn it off.”

  This was serious. She never ignored his calls. She always answered to yell at him and then hung up. It was part of how they worked things out. Suddenly the idea of Kimber and Cole breaking up – for good – seemed like too much. I always thought they would be together, fighting forever. It was something I counted on – a constant. In a world full of change and uncertainty, I always thought I could count on them to be there…well, fighting.

  “You okay?” Kimber asked, slowing the car.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” Breathe.

  “You having a panic thingy?”

  “I am NOT having a panic attack.” Please, not now. I took a deep breath. Then another. The tightness in my chest eased. Kimber was watching me.

  “Need me to pull over?”

  “No. I’m fine. Sorry.”

  She nodded, and we rode in silence for a few minutes.

  “I’m sorry,” I said as we pulled into the student parking lot at school. “That was really crappy of Cole.”

  “Yeah.”

  “You going to be okay?” I asked, reaching out, laying a hand on her arm.

  She looked momentarily startled that I touched her, but she recovered fast. She smiled and said, “Shopping? After school?”

  Shopping was the last thing on earth that I wanted to do. All those people. All those bright lights and mirrors. “Sure,” I agreed. She stood by me through a lot this past year and without her I probably would have gone insane. I would never be able to repay her, but this was one small way I could make a dent in the debt I owed her for all she’d given me.

  She let out a loud groan as she pulled into her usual parking spot. I looked out my window at the car parked next to us. Cole was leaning against his dark blue pickup waiting with his cell clutched in his hand.

  “I can’t do this right now,” she confided.

  “Go,” I said, “I’ll talk to him.”

  “Thank you.” She grabbed her book bag and scurried from the car. I heard Cole shout her name.

  Kimber kept running, yelling over her shoulder, “Do not follow me!”

  I was slower to get out of the car, reluctan
t to begin the day, but still I moved faster than normal. Surprisingly, Cole listened to Kimber and stayed behind. He stood at the back of her car, his hands shoved in his pockets, watching her run into the building.

  I slammed the car door and dropped my book bag at my feet; reaching up to pull the hood of my sweatshirt up, I made sure my hair was smooth around my face. Cole turned to look at me. He looked miserable.

  “Jenna, Cole? Really?” I sniffed.

  “It wasn’t what it looked like.” He walked over and stood in front of me.

  “So you weren’t kissing her?”

  “No – I mean yes!” he yelled, frustrated.

  I flinched.

  “Sorry.” he sighed, bending to pick up my bag to hand it to me.

  “It’s all right.”

  “No, it isn’t.”

  “Really, I’m fine.” I was busy pulling at my hood.

  Cole noticed me pulling the hood even further forward and said, “Quit hiding all the time.”

  “You gonna to tell me about Jenna?” I avoided his words because I always felt like hiding.

  He sighed and ran a hand through his rumpled, dark hair. It stood out all over his head, and his normally bright blue eyes were bloodshot. Even looking as wrung out as he did, he was still good looking. He stood almost six feet tall with the broad shoulders of the football player he was. He was a popular guy, one of the most popular in the class, but he was still a nice guy. Even though he did a lot of things to make Kimber mad, he never did anything like cheat. We began walking toward the school entrance.

  “I could explain if she would just talk to me.”

  “How do you explain what she saw?”

  “It didn’t mean anything. It was a dumb bet. She shouldn’t even have seen it.”