***
My dreams fluttered away when I opened my eyes. The morning burned my eyes, and I sat up, freezing my movements. Beneath the shade of the willow tree, Jessica Taylor’s bright blue eyes blinked as she stared at me. “You’re awake.”
“Looks that way.”
“I didn’t mean to wake you up,” she said, and I breathed.
How long had she been here?
“Better you wake me up than stare at me,” I said, and her face went scarlet. I couldn’t help but laugh. “It was a joke.” Kind of.
“Right.” Her voice was strained and quiet.
I looked up, fighting a frown. Guilt consumed me. Between how I treated her and the nameless shade, I didn’t deserve forgiveness. I needed to apologize, but how could I?
Oh, hey, Jessica. My guard and best friend of the Dark—this supernatural community you know nothing about—threatened to use you against me, and I had to leave if I was going to have any freedom at all. My bad.
“I’m sorry I didn’t show up Friday,” I said, allowing the truth to take over again. “I honestly tried, but something came up.”
“I didn’t show anyway,” she lied, and I had to hide my face. She was a horrible liar.
“Whatever you say, Jessica.” I didn’t want to discuss the truth any more than I had to. Plus, I’d have to mention Robb, and I definitely didn’t want to discuss him. “When do you want to reschedule?” I asked. “It’s due next week.”
“Reschedule?”
I stared at her. “Unless you don’t want to.” Wasn’t this project a big deal or something?
“No,” she said, straightening up. Her fingers dug into her jeans. She was an anxiety attack waiting to happen. “I want to.”
“Are you available tonight?” I asked, climbing to my feet. My entire body burned from the dream. I had to get out of here. “We can meet at my house.”
Jessica didn’t respond, and I heard her breathing cease. I turned to her, and her mouth hung open. I’d seen this reaction once or twice from Mindy—generally, when I took a moment to talk to her.
Suddenly, I was the tense one. Was my house too intimate? I didn’t want her to think I was asking her out, because I wasn’t. I definitely wasn’t. I only wanted to avoid public.
I found the words. “Unless that’s intrusive—”
“It’s not,” she said, and I reached into my bag for directions. “I know where you live,” she added, and I got whiplash turning to her.
“Maybe you were staring at me.” And stalking me.
“Robb showed me.” Her face paled after she spoke.
Of course he did. “I see.”
“So how about seven?” Jessica asked, finally standing. I relaxed, happy she wasn’t sitting anymore. I felt strange looking down on her, but she was still shorter than I was—by a lot.
“Sounds good.”
“Camille?” I sent out a telepathic message, hoping my guard was out of solitary, and I felt her Light energy bubble through my brain.
“What’s wrong?” She had felt my dream.
“I’m at the willow,” I responded, knowing that was all I had to say. She’d be here any minute. She was never far away—especially now that Luthicer caught us.
Crystal’s high-pitch shout rumbled my eardrums, and I winced, glaring in her direction. Did these kids ever leave Jessica alone? “Looks like you have to go,” I said, and Jessica frowned.
“Yeah.” She bit her lip. “I guess I do.”
I turned away from her before I was overcome by my thoughts. I actually wanted to ask her what was wrong. Apparently, I was acting strange too.
“Where are you going?” Jessica’s voice trailed after me, and I forced myself to walk forward. “School’s that way.”
I barely looked at her. “I need to get stuff done, if I’m going to be able to help you tonight,” I said. Like training. I had hours of it to complete, and I couldn’t avoid it any longer. I had to go.
Minutes Before Sunset Page 23
