***
I sat in my silent car absently sorting my shades in order of frame color as I watched a construction crew using bright orange plastic fencing to cordon off an area to the right of the school’s main parking lot. For once, I’d gotten to school early after I’d dropped Gran and her bucket of wormy dirt off, then ran a quick errand.
I’d stopped by a flower shop (a different one) and ordered a dozen red roses (with cash this time). I’d given specific instructions for them to be delivered to: Cordelia Grant in Westminster’s recreation room at 4:40 pm. I’d signed the card: From your secret admirer, all the while thinking, I hope Clara chokes with curious jealousy. I knew Gran would soak it up for all its worth.
As students began to move toward the school’s entrance, I wished sending anonymous secret admirer flowers could also fix my problem. Jamming on my darkest pair of shades, I glanced at my car’s clock. The last bell should’ve rung by now. Normally I’d be scrambling to get to class on time, but the idea of spending another whole day avoiding Ethan made my heart ache. I wanted to believe him.
If I stayed away from him for two more days, I should get my dreams back. Then I could prove he wasn’t responsible for trying to stop me, though I didn’t want to think about the alternative behind the weird stuff I’d been going through either.
Normally I would’ve called Aunt Sage for advice. She’d always been a great sounding board in the past, but I wouldn’t betray Ethan’s confidence, even if I thought my aunt would understand. Knowing her, she’d probably agree with his “don’t interfere” philosophy. Plus, she had given my dad my cell number, so I was reluctant to discuss anything with her right now. God, I hope she hadn’t told him about my dreams.
Turning to the four text books I’d stacked in the passenger seat yesterday, I arranged them in order of which class was coming first, then slid the stack into my backpack. Like yesterday, I planned to avoid my locker and go straight to Homeroom. I glanced at the clock once more, then removed my keys from the ignition with a sigh.
A movement outside my window caught my eye. Ethan leaned against his passenger door. His hands were shoved deep into his jean pockets, black boots crossed at the ankles, his eyes locked on me. The brisk fall wind lifted the collar of his army jacket—amazingly paint-free—and ruffled his black hair. The impassive expression on his face gave nothing away.
My hand shook as I gripped the handle and pushed my door open. Just two more days. Two. More. Days. As I shut my door, I panicked, unsure what to say. Ethan’s heavy stare weighed on me, but I couldn’t look at him, so I focused on the school building straight ahead.
I’d only taken a couple steps toward the school when his voice brought me to a halt. “Not even a ‘hello’, Sunshine?”
His sweet nickname made my throat clog. Screw the two days. Gravel crunched under my shoe as I pivoted and dropped my backpack, stalking toward him. “All right. Here’s the deal. Give me something and then we’ll talk.”
Ethan blinked. “What?”
I waved my hand impatiently. “Tell me something interesting about today. Not about me, but about someone else.”
“Why?”
I could tell by his frown of disapproval “something” happened in my dream. “Because no matter what it is you’re not going to stop me. That’s why.”
Ethan stepped close and pulled off my glasses. He searched my face, looking for answers. “Why did you look so scared the other day? I’d never hurt you, Nara.”
The crisp air circled around us, stirring dried leaves, gravel dust and the scent of fall fires. I closed my eyes for a second and clung to his promise. Sighing, I admitted part of the truth. “My dreams have been with me for a very long time. It’s hard to let go.”
“You know I’d never let anything happen to you.”
He’d spoken with such intensity I desperately wanted to believe every word. I swallowed and tried not to let him see the turmoil I felt.
“I hope you believe me, and you’ll listen to why I think I have your dreams.”
His comment surprised me. “You said you saw my dreams before you touched me.”
“But I didn’t take your dreams until I touched you.”
I’d forgotten that part. “Why did you take my dreams?” I asked with a heavy heart. Would he admit that he’d taken them on purpose?
He set my sunglasses in my hand, then folded my fingers around them. The brief brush of his skin against mine made me ache.
“It’s the nature of my power, not a conscious thing, Nara. Maybe your dreams are your inner demon and that’s why they came to me. You definitely have this need to get involved. Even now you’re demanding to know something from last night’s dream.”
Not for the reason you think. Was he trying to make me feel wrong for using my ability to help others? My defensive hackles rose. “What about your powers? You see people’s worst nightmares, their negative thoughts or their inner demons, as you put it. When you know someone’s thinking about suicide, how can you not act?”
He sighed and raked his hand through his hair. “Most of the time I can’t tell who has the issue. You’ve seen my drawings. Do any of those creatures look like someone you’ve seen walking around at school?”
“I’ve seen you rescue a dog, Ethan.”
Glancing away, he knew he’d been caught. “I haven’t always stayed out of things.”
The pained look in his eyes made me feel bad for making him recall the past. I started to speak, but he cut me off.
“She’d been raped and the guy who’d done it knew she was afraid to tell. Every day at school he tortured her; his snide remarks turned into groping hands. People thought she was easy, but I saw the marks on her wrists, new wounds near old ones. She’d started cutting.” His voice hardened. “I decided to take care of the guy myself.”
“Was he the one you beat up at your last school?”
Ethan looked surprised I’d guessed. “Yeah, that was the guy.”
“See, you acted when you knew it was the right thing to do.”
“I’ll always watch out for you, Nara, but messing with others’ lives like you do…it’s dangerous. Let life around you happen as it was meant to. You and I, we might be different, but we should at least try to act like normal people.”
He sounded so sincere, my heart wanted to believe him, even as my mind rebelled. “Will you do this one thing for me?”
Ethan’s mouth set in a grim line, and just when I thought he’d say no, he said, “Sophia goes after Lainey during practice today, but instead of succeeding, she gets Lainey’s elbow and a broken nose.”
In order to prove Ethan’s innocence, I was going to have to save Sophia? My mind screamed in rebellion, but it was the only way. “Can you be there when I talk to Sophia after school?”
“That’s life, Nara.”
I ignored the disapproval in his tone. I just wanted him there. “By the lockers.”
“If you want.” He put a hand on my shoulder, his face determined. “We will talk after.”
“Uh, yeah, we should probably get to class now.”
“You go first. I’ll walk in a few minutes behind you.”
Gathering my backpack, I raised an eyebrow. “Why aren’t you coming?”
“It’s probably best if we don’t walk in late together, seeing how I’m such a bad influence and all,” he said, hooking devil-horn fingers above his head.
“Fine. Keep your tarnished image,” I snapped, irritated rather than amused by those devil horns. My stomach was in knots. I really, really wanted my first instincts about him to be right.
***
After the final bell rang, I leaned against my locker and tracked Sophia as she flitted from one football player to the next, flirting her way toward her locker. When Jared and Lainey walked past holding hands, Sophia’s entire attitude shifted. Her high laughter subsided and her wide eyes narrowed to jealous slits. Turning to her locker, she spun her combination with quick, jerky movements.
I
ground my teeth, wishing there was another way to prove myself wrong.
“I’m here,” Ethan’s low voice sounded behind me.
Exhaling a tense breath, I dragged my tennis shoe’s rubber sole down my pants leg to loosen the jean material—which currently clung to my socks as if magnetized. So annoying! After I did the same to the other leg, I squared my shoulders and nodded for him to follow me down the hall.
As I walked, static rode up my pants and hoodie, then filtered into my hair. Loose pieces of hair began to float around my head like gnats. I patted the strands down and casually leaned against the locker next to Sophia’s. “Hey, Sophia.”
Sophia glanced at Ethan standing behind me as she tugged her backpack onto her shoulder. Shutting her locker, she looked at me, her curly blonde hair bouncing with her movements. “What’s up?”
“Nothing much. I just—” A frigid chill jolted through me at the same time something pushed against me, pinning my shoulder to the locker. Glancing angrily over my other shoulder at Ethan, I rasped, “Stop it, right now!”
“Stop what?” Confusion creased his brow. “Are you okay?” When he reached for my arm, electricity arced and he immediately jerked his hand back. “What the—”
“Can you two fight on your own time?” Sophia interrupted. “What do you want, Nara?”
Sophia’s annoyed tone set me on edge. “I’m here about Lainey.” As soon as I spoke forcefully, the pressure disappeared and I was able to breathe and move again. Pushing myself off the locker, I continued, “Going after her during practice is a bad idea.”
Sophia’s uneasy gaze pinged from me to Ethan. “What’re you talking about?”
I snorted. “I saw you just now. You’re so jealous of Lainey and Jared, your eyes are crossing.”
She stared at me for a brief second, then flipped her hair over her shoulder. “You’re the one who’s jealous, but thanks for the heads up. I’ll be sure to let Lainey know you plan to take her out on the field.”
I wasn’t usually a violent person, but it took all my willpower to keep my fist by my side and not yank a handful of her blonde curls. “Things will not go well for you if you try to hurt Lainey, Sophia.”
“Are you threatening me?” She took a step back, glaring.
I shrugged. “Take it however you want.”
“Stay away from me,” Sophia said, then stomped off.
“That was just weird,” Ethan commented quietly.
I turned to see him staring at his hand as he rubbed his fingers together. Even though I felt bad he’d gotten shocked, I was also giddy with relief. Ethan wasn’t behind what had been happening. He’d seemed worried and concerned, but he hadn’t tried to stop me. “Sorry about that,” I said, grabbing his hand and rubbing the tips of his fingers with my palm. “I’ve been having major static issues lately.” Cheap dryer sheets.
“That was more than just a little zap, Nara. It felt like I stuck my finger in a socket while standing in a puddle of icy water.”
How odd. It just felt like a regular static shock to me. “You felt coldness too?”
“Yeah, I thought the air conditioner had turned on, but there aren’t any vents in the locker hall.” He clasped my hand, stopping my nervous rubbing. “What’s going on? You looked really freaked out when you told me to stop. What did you think I was doing?”
“I thought you were trying to stop me from warning Sophia.”
Confusion reflected in his eyes. “But I didn’t touch you or say anything.”
As I tried to think of the best way to explain, one of my teammates rushed past, cleats clacking on the hall floor. “Coach’s in a mood, Nara. Don’t be late.”
I checked my watch. “I’ve got to change for practice. Can we talk afterward?”
Ethan looked frustrated. “I can’t. I have to be at the shelter from four ’til close.” He touched my cheek, his thumb sliding along my skin. “Just tell me we’re okay. The rest can wait.”
Ethan deserved an answer to my strange behavior the past couple of days. “We’re okay. I’ll come by the shelter later.”
***
When I walked into CVAS, Roscoe lifted his head from his lamb’s wool bed beside Sally’s desk. Sally glanced up from her paperwork and grinned. “Hi, Nara. Came straight from practice, I see. Ethan said you’d stop by. He’s in the back getting a litter ready to go to a rescue group tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Sally.” I squatted to pat Roscoe, then headed back to the kennel area. My shoulders tightened with each step while I tried to figure out the best way to explain to Ethan what’d been going on with me. As I neared the kennel’s main door, my soccer flops must’ve announced my arrival, because the dogs all started barking at once.
With animals, you gave love and you received love in return. The same wasn’t always true with people. I smiled, seeing Ethan clearly now. I was pretty sure I understood why he preferred animals to people. They were a lot less complicated.
When I opened the door, Ethan was just starting to open a cage with three Sheltie puppies. “Great, you can help,” he said, waving for me to come forward. The tension between my shoulders eased as I approached.
We were on even ground with the animals.
“How’d it go at practice?” Ethan pulled out a black and white male Sheltie puppy and set him in my hands.
“Sophia’s nose remains unbroken.” I sighed heavily and cradled the puppy’s rear end, snuggling him close to wash away my disappointment.
“You and Lainey okay? Sophia didn’t cause problems?” he asked, while scooping up the two tri-colored Shelties.
“Sophia’s all bluff and bluster,” I answered as the puppy licked my chin enthusiastically. It loved all that salty sweat from practice. I smiled at his sweet puppy breath.
“She seems the type.” Ethan held the two female Shelties close and nodded for me to go ahead of him. “These pups are very attached, so I figured it’s best to bathe them together.”
Ethan and I didn’t speak while we bathed the puppies. We just shared the shampoo and traded the sprayer as needed. The puppies whimpered when they first got wet, then wiggled and squirmed through the shampooing phase. By the time we moved to rinsing them off, they’d grown braver, playing with and making tiny yipping barks at the spraying water as it washed all the bubbles away. Every once in a while I caught Ethan smiling at them. It was nice to spend time together doing something we both enjoyed—an activity that didn’t require any discussion about our abilities. Something…normal.
As Ethan began to towel dry the black and white puppy, he asked, “Why did you think I was trying to stop you from warning Sophia?”
I paused fluffing and buffing the first female puppy in order to pull the second puppy away from my sock. She’d decided it would make a great tug toy. When I was able to focus on drying the puppy again, I answered, “The cold sensation we both felt today, that wasn’t new. Each time I’ve tried to prevent someone from getting hurt, I’ve felt this cool pressure bearing down on me. Right before I spoke to Sophia, it pinned me to the locker. Sometimes the sensation’s accompanied by other freaky stuff.” I met his expectant gaze. “When you refused to share my dreams with me and then said you thought it was best if I didn’t interfere, I remembered you also tried to keep me on the phone the day I was trying to help Jody.”
Ethan picked the puppy up and rubbed the towel gently around his eyes, then his gaze locked with mine. “You know I never intentionally absorbed your dreams, but I called you that day, because while I was working on the roof, I got a bad feeling, a worried vibe. I don’t know…it’s hard to explain, but since I’d had your dream, I knew you’d somehow get involved with Jody. I won’t lie to you, Nara. I do think it’s best to let nature take its course.”
Now the other puppy decided the towel would make a good tug toy. Each time I rubbed her sister’s fur, she tugged on the other end of the towel. I paused my buff/tug routine between the two pups. “Count yourself lucky I didn’t let ‘nature take its course’ or th
at bomb in your locker would’ve gone off.”
Ethan’s rubbing hand stopped over the puppy’s neck. “Er, good point.”
“Anyway, that’s not what sent me over the edge, making me believe you were the cause of the sensations I’d been experiencing.”
“What did?”
I picked the puppy up and dried her sweet face. Setting her down, I gathered her sister and gave her face the same treatment. “Right after I rushed you off the phone so I could go talk to Jody, my car radio flipped around from station to station, saying, ‘Don’t Interfere’ over and over. Don’t you see…that’s the same thing you’d said to me about getting involved: don’t interfere.”
Ethan stilled. “You thought I was behind the radio thing?”
“I don’t believe that now. It occurred to me later that each time the weird stuff had happened before you weren’t around. When it happened again while you were with me today, and you felt it too, I knew you weren’t causing it.”
Realization dawned on his face. He didn’t look happy. “That’s why you wanted me there.”
“It was the only way I could think to prove you weren’t responsible for all the other weird stuff.”
“Whoa.” Ethan held his hands up, towel dangling from his fingers. “I’m confused. Slow down. What other weird stuff? And why did you think I was responsible?”
While I finished drying the two puppies, I told Ethan everything about the eerie supernatural events I’d experienced over the past few weeks. When I got to the part about the conversation I’d had with my aunt about him, his eyebrows shot up and his lips quirked in a smile. “Your aunt said I’m powerful and that I have an old soul?”
I threw a wet towel at him. “Don’t get cocky. That was just another nail in your ‘coffin of doom’. For all I knew, my aunt’s gut feelings about you meant that you had telekinesis and could,” I paused to tick off the list on my fingers: “prank call like a champ, fiddle with radios, fog mirrors, and block bathroom doors…all from God knew where.”
“What about us, Nara? Did you really think I would scare you like that?”
Ethan was sitting on the floor and the puppies had abandoned me for his lap. All three were trying their best to climb up his body to get to his face. Ethan’s big hands dwarfed their bodies, but he was so gentle with them. Seeing the hurt in his eyes and the puppies’ complete trust in him made my chest feel as if it’d just been sawed in half.
Dark Roses: Eight Paranormal Romance Novels Page 72
