by R. L. Weeks
“I know, I know. I’m sorry,” I said. “I just didn’t want to burden anyone. It was a bad summer. My mom was upset.”
“Naturally,” Maria said with suspicion in her gaze. “But what about you? Aren’t you upset?”
“Of course I am,” I said a little too defensively. I dialed back my tone. “It’s just been hard for us both is what I meant. I’m really sorry I didn’t reach out.”
She dropped her arm and shook her head. “You should have come to me! I would have loved to help.”
“Right. Because your parents would have let you out to come and play therapist with me?”
She rolled her eyes. “I see his death didn’t change your sunny disposition.”
I smirk. “I see your still just as tactful and thoughtful as ever.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Have you at least spoken to Vanessa?”
My heart dropped a little. “No.”
“Hmm.” She paused and stopped by her locker. “Well, it seems you have bigger problems than me then. I guess I can give you a pass.”
“Have you spoken to her?” I asked tentatively. “Has she said anything?”
She shook her head. “Just the occasional text. I was busy this summer interning.”
“You can’t intern yet.”
She shrugged. “My mom got me a place at her work. It’ll look great on my application to Yale.”
I looked around as she continued harping on about Yale. I zoned out; I always did when she started rambling. Instead, I people watched. Everyone was staring at me as they passed us. I hadn’t noticed until now. They all looked sad—sadder than I was. Damn, the entire school was showing more emotion than I felt.
“Which is why Yale is so important…”
I zoned back in. “Right. Of course it is. You’ll get in.”
“Straight A’s won’t do it. I need more extra curriculum. I’m joining the chess squad.”
“You’re already in enough clubs,” I pointed out. “You’ll burn out.”
“Nope.” She waved a finger at me. “Burning out is for the weak. Class is about to start.”
I forced a smile. “See you later,” I said and suddenly felt a pang of panic as she walked away. I was alone.
Although she was relentless at times, at least she still liked me. I wondered the same about Vanessa and the other girls. They hated me for ignoring them. Maria was easily the easiest to win over because she didn’t have the time to stay mad. Vanessa did.
***
Lunch finally arrived, and while I usually looked forward to it, I didn’t want to go outside. Everyone was so excited for senior year. Natasha Young had boosted at least two cup sizes over summer and looked better than ever. She always looked so sheepish, but her breasts gave her newfound, arrogant confidence. It had to be surgery. There was no way they just grew so fast, not at our age anyway. The jocks were staring at her like she was a new prize for them to win, having already gone through the rest of the girls. Grayson, my ex-boyfriend and also a jock, waved at me from across the class. I couldn’t deal with him now. I looked away, hoping it would fester any future conversation.
I hurried out of class the second the bell rang and ran to the courtyard, avoiding confrontation with anyone who hoped to talk to me. I needed to get out unseen and head to the trees by the library. It was what I needed, a quiet spot to read where I wouldn’t be disturbed. I didn’t need food. I wasn’t hungry.
I heard chatting and turned my head. It was Vanessa and the twins. “Kathryn Bathory.” Vanessa’s girlish tone was laced with anger. I turned and took her in. Her hair was styled in beach waves. She’d dyed her hair two shades darker into a chestnut brown. It suited her light eyebrows still. Her face was smattered with freckles, but she looked more grown up. I guess I’d missed a lot over summer.
Grace and Jane stood behind her, their arms crossed over their chests.
“Going somewhere?”
I swallowed hard, trying to remove the lump in my throat. I’m guessing Maria told you I was back, I thought hastily. She must have texted them.
Grace chimed in. “We weren’t sure you were coming back.”
Vanessa waved her hand at Grace. “Let Kate explain. I’m sure she has a good reason for not uttering one word to us all summer.”
Her eyes were glossed over. I could tell she was hurt, but I didn’t know how to make her feel better. The truth was much more disturbing than the lie.
I searched my brain for any form of excuse. “After everything that happened with my dad,” I said slowly, feeling bad for using his death to avoid the conversation. “I just didn’t know what to do. I closed myself off to everyone. Even my mom. I’m sorry.”
I stepped back and hoped it would be enough. The corner of her eye twitched like it always did when she felt conflicted. “I just wanted to be there for you,” Vanessa told me, her voice breaking. “I came over three times and your mom said you were sick but then I saw through your window. You were laughing while watching TV.”
I exhaled slowly. Inside I felt like screaming, but on the outside, I looked calm and collected. “Everyone copes with grief in their own way,” I told her, reciting a line from one of the books my mom had made me read on losing a loved one. I was still stuck on the unwritten stage zero—numbness.
“You sound like you’re reciting from a script.” She tilted her head. “Something’s not right.”
I looked behind her at Grace and Jane—twins, identical in every way except for their personalities. Jane was meek and mild; Grace was confrontational and loud. They eyed me, waiting for an explanation too. What could I say? I searched my thoughts, but I didn’t know how to put my thoughts into words.
“Fine,” Vanessa said and turned her back on me. She only did it when she didn’t want me to see her tears. Being friends since we were five taught me everything I needed to know about her. Yet somehow, I didn’t care. I should have cared. I loved Vanessa. She had been my best friend since we were kids but losing her didn’t scare me. Being alone in high school with no friends did, and I hated myself for thinking that way.
“I’m sorry, again.” The meaningless words fell out of my mouth, and I walked away in search of a quiet spot. I hated knowing I couldn’t feel anything. I was frightened I would never be able to feel again.
The leaves had turned to brown and were slowly dying but celebrated by basic bitches. Everything pumpkin spiced will be coming soon, I thought sourly.
My thoughts quickly drifted away from Vanessa and the others. It was easier to not think about those sorts of things and focus on something else. I had become good at distracting myself since dad’s death. Just not thinking.
I heard someone walk up beside me.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
I sucked in a deep breath and asked God for some patience. I couldn’t catch a break. “Yes?”
Nicholas stepped in front of me. “Where are you going?” He looked around. “Alone.”
“It’s none of your business.” I tried to keep the sourness out of my tone, but it was never my strong suit.
“Calm down. I was only asking.”
“Why are you asking?” I demanded. “You’ve barely said a word to me since you came here and now you suddenly take an interest? Did I do something terrible in a past life?”
He smiled. I hated to admit it, but his smile was contagious. It actually made me feel something—only a small spark, but it was something.
He looked me up and down. “Well, perhaps I should have gotten to know you sooner.”
I shook my head. “Before or after my dad died? I mean, it’s strange you suddenly take an interest now. Don’t you usually go for the broken ones? The girls you think are easy targets?”
He licked his lips. “Not exactly. I guess they’re drawn to me. Look… do you want to get out of here?”
I laughed out loud. “Are you serious? Didn’t you hear a word I just said?”
“I did.” His smile didn’t waver for a second. “I figured you�
��d had enough of everyone staring, and your lack of friends tells me you’re not having the best day back.”
I pulled my book out of my bag. “Thanks, but I have a date already.”
His looked at my book and raised an eyebrow. “He’s very good looking.”
“You are so funny,” I said in a deadpan tone. “You should open a comedy show, but please, do it away from me. I want some time alone.”
He pointed at a group of girls. “You see them? They’ve been following you all day. Apparently, someone saw you going to the doctor’s office over the summer, and they’re all waiting for you to have a breakdown. I wanted to prepare you. You know what girls at this school are like.”
My stomach sank. Great, so everyone thought I was crazy, sent off the deep end by the death of a parent. “I’m fine. My mom made me go to help me sleep.”
His smile dropped, and concern etched its way into his expression. “You’ve been finding it hard to sleep?”
I furrowed my brows. “Why do you care?”
He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Can we talk? Go somewhere more private?”
“Your tricks won’t work on me. I’m not going anywhere with you, but thanks.”
I sat and took my place at the bottom of a tree trunk and nestled into the dry leaves around me. I opened my book to the bookmarked page and ignored him.
“Just tell me.” He continued, even though I had made it apparent the conversation was over. “When did it start? Not being able to sleep well?”
I didn’t answer him.
“Fine. At least tell me, do you have nightmares?”
That got my attention. I pulled myself away from my book and looked up at him. He almost looked beautiful in the sunlight, now that the sun had finally made an appearance. “Why?”
He pulled out a textbook and ripped out a page. He scribbled something down and handed it to me. It was his cell number. “Call me, after school. Please.”
I took his number, but he walked away before I could shred the paper in front of him. I went to tear it up, but something told me not to and to keep it. I shoved it into my bag and watched him walked to his friends, who were just as unsavory as him.
Next to them, the group of girls he pointed at were watching me. I just needed the day to end.
Continue reading Blood & Magic here:
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About the Authors
R. L. Weeks is an international bestselling author of various paranormal and fantasy books.
Rebecca is originally from England but now lives in Texas with her husband.
She also runs Dark Wish Designs where she designs cover art and branding for authors and small businesses, and co-runs Spellbinding Events, hosting annual book events for Indie Authors.
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Krystle Able grew up and still lives in Central Illinois with her husband, three children, and dog. Krystle knew she wanted to be a writer when she won a book-making contest in summer daycare when she was nine. After over ten years in retail management, Krystle took the plunge into writing full time in 2015 and also works as a freelance web content writer.
Krystle enjoys being a multi-genre author with releases planned in the romance, thriller, contemporary fiction, and paranormal genres.
Always a reader first, Krystle's favorite hobbies include supporting and cultivating relationships in the indie-publishing and small-press-publishing world and talking about literature. She is currently finishing her BA in English Literature at University of Illinois Springfield.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
(Untitled)
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
(Untitled)
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
(Untitled)
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
(Untitled)
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
The Supernatural Order Books
Chapter One
Blood & Magic Excerpt
About the Authors
