by Мишель Роуэн
"You're freezing," he said.
"It's December."
"You should go inside."
I nodded. "I'll see you soon. Just. . just don't tell my father."
He smiled. "You don't think he'll figure it out?" "What's the penalty for breaking the law?" His smile faded. "I don't know."
"Hopefully not the same as the one for touching a unicorn." Before he could reply to that I kissed him again. "Are all Shadows good kissers?"
"I wouldn't know." He grinned. Then he took my hand in his and kissed the back of it. "Good-bye, Princess."
"Nikki," I reminded him for the millionth time. "And good night, not good-bye."
"Right." He kissed me one last time, tangling his fingers into my hair to pull me closer to him. "Qood night, not good-bye. Nikki."
I gave him back his sweatshirt and immediately started to shiver without its meager warmth. I watched Michael walk away, my lips tingling from our forbidden kiss. I wished he could stay here and go to school with me so I could see him every day, but I knew he couldn't stay in the human realm. He had to live in the Shadowlands and I had to live here.
And we weren't supposed to like each other in the first place. If my father found out… he was going to be very upset.
It would have to be our little secret.
"What are you doing lurking around out here at this hour of the night?" a very unfriendly voice snapped.
I turned to my right. Robert stood in the driveway next to his Chrysler LeBaron. His right arm looked awkward in the cast and in his left hand he held a. . suitcase?
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Away from you."
I felt a sudden stab of concern. "Where's my mother?" "Inside."
"What's wrong with your eye?"
Even in the darkness I could tell that a bruise was developing around his right eye. It looked puffy and sore.
"Wouldn't you like to know," he growled. "Your mother has a mean left hook on her."
My eyes narrowed and I felt my Darkling swirl inside of me. "As mean as your left hook?"
He glowered at me. "Some women require discipline."
I clenched my fists. "You touch my mother again and I swear to God-" "Don't worry. I'm out of your lives forever. And I never want to see either one of you again."
"The feeling's mutual."
He didn't say anything else. He took his suitcase, his broken arm, and his bruised eye socket, got in his car, and pulled out onto the street. I watched until the car's taillights disappeared in the distance.
Then I rushed inside, feeling frozen to the bone, but overflowing with concern and curiosity. I found my mother in the kitchen pouring herself a large glass of red wine. A quick check of the wall clock confirmed that it was half past midnight.
"Oh, hi, honey," she said before taking a big gulp of the drink. "Did you have fun at the dance?" Her gaze moved down the front of me. "Is that a grass stain on my Versace dress?"
"I just saw Robert. What's going on? Did he hit you again?"
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "He tried to, but I hit him first. He's gone. He's not coming back. It's over. Four strikes for me now. I don't think I'm going to get married again."
I went to her and gave her a big hug.
"I don't know what's wrong with me." Her voice was shaky. "Why can't I find somebody who'll love me and treat me right?"
"I love you."
"Thanks." She pulled back and smiled at me. "Just the two amigos, then, huh? You and me. Like it's always been."
I had a horrible thought then. "Does this mean we're moving again?"
I hated the idea that we would have to leave and go somewhere else to start all over again. I'd lived so many different places and finally, despite my problems with Chris, I was somewhere I wanted to stay. I valued Melinda as a friend. I liked my classes. I even liked some of my teachers.
And would I be able to get to the Shadowlands from anywhere? How did that work? I didn't know and I couldn't leave until I knew for sure.
She shook her head. "I'm sick of moving around so much. Besides, you know I grew up near this area. I think I've finally found my home again. We'll stay in Erin Heights for a while, anyway. At least until you finish high school. Is that okay with you?"
I felt a surge of relief. "That's definitely okay."
"How did things work out with Chris?"
I grimaced. "Not so well. I won't be seeing him again."
"I'm sorry, honey." She stroked the hair back off my face and tucked it behind my ear. "Maybe one day we'll both get to have our happy endings."
"I thought you said that was only in your books."
She shrugged. "Maybe I was wrong. Life is full of surprises, after all."
I wanted to tell her all about Michael. I wanted to tell her about my father so much, too, but I held my tongue. I'd respect his wishes.
For now.
Maybe someday I'd be able to share the truth with her, both about me and about him. There was a reason he had a painting of my mother on his wall-a reason he wanted to protect her from the truth about him. It was because he'd never forgotten about her. Because he still loved her. Maybe that's the reason she'd searched so hard to find love but it had never worked out. Because my father was the perfect man for her.
Even though he was a demon.
But then again, so was I. Half demon, anyway.
I'd always believed that demons were evil, but my father wasn't evil.
I wasn't evil.
However, there was one person who might disagree with that statement. Chris had seen me in full Darkling form. I was willing to bet that he'd stay very far away from me from this moment forward.
That was just fine with me.
But would he tell anyone what he saw? Was my secret safe? I didn't know for sure.
Everything was going to be okay, though. I could feel it. And if it wasn't, then I'd have to do something to make it okay because no one better mess with me or anyone I loved.
After all, mess with the demon and you get the horns.
Cute horns. But still, horns.
FB2 document info
Document ID: ooofbtools-2011-5-18-21-54-57-1487
Document version: 1
Document creation date: 18.05.2011
Created using: ExportToFB21, FictionBook Editor Release 2.6 software
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