by Alyson Noel
“Just play it cool. And whatever you do, do not kill him. Daire gave strict orders to hold off for now.”
I’ve barely uttered the words when a shadowy figure fills the space next to Lita and moves in to hug her, though she’s quick to bat him away.
“Dream on, Richter.” She shoves a hand hard against his chest. “That show’s been canceled, and there’s no scheduled reruns.”
He laughs in a way that’s meant to be intimate, but it comes off as creepy. “I can’t believe you’re saying that when we’ve shared so many good times. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already?”
“Trust me, I’m drawing a blank.”
“I’d be more than happy to remind you.” He leans toward her again, prompting her to lean so far back she’s about to topple right off her stool.
“Back off, Coyote.” She keeps a firm distance between them. “You smell like smoke, evil, and demons. Must be the scent of your soul.”
Cade throws his head back as a loud, raucous roar fills the space. “Coyote?” He lowers his chin, swipes a hand through his hair. “Where’d you get that?” He switches his focus to me. “Little blind girl telling you stories?” He keeps his tone light, but his energy betrays him. It’s dark, menacing, meant to intimidate.
Lita tips forward, angling her hand as though readying to slap him. “You little—” she starts, her words suddenly stalled when he catches her wrist in his fist.
“I always liked it when you got feisty.” He tightens his grip and pulls her so close I’m not sure if he’s going to kiss her or bite her. “If you’re looking to reminisce, darlin’, I can take you somewhere much more private than this.”
She yanks her wrist free, jerks out of his reach. “Time for you to vamanos,” she says in a tone that leaves no doubt she means every word. “You overstayed your visit from halfway across the room. So why don’t you go back to pretending to mourn over your brother?”
“I’m done mourning,” he says. “It’s like the say, life is for the living, right? Besides, no matter how cool you try to play it, I saw you watching me, Lita. I saw the way you looked at me. I figured you were ready to apologize.”
I concentrate hard on her energy, trying to subdue it with mine. Paloma’s only just taught me this trick, but if there was ever a time to use it, it’s now. Cade’s tossing her a hook thick with bait, and Lita can’t afford even a taste.
“I was staring at Phyre, not you.” Lita’s energy settles, stifled by mine.
“Phyre?” Cade’s lips quirk with amusement. “What’s the matter, Lita? Can’t replace me so you thought you’d give girls a try?” He bursts into laughter, acting as though he said something funny. “Or perhaps you’re upset to watch her claim your place so easily?”
Lita responds with a sigh and a groan.
“Your pride is wounded. It’s perfectly understandable. Still, I gotta admit, that was the quickest popularity coup I’ve ever seen. That kind of thing never would’ve happened when you were with me. And I’m afraid you got used to it, took it for granted. Didn’t realize just how good you had it when you were protected by the entire Richter clan. But now, out here on your own, you have no idea just how vulnerable you’ve become.”
His words chill. Just as he intended. And for the first time since he’s joined us, Lita’s guard falls, and I watch as she grows increasingly nervous and twitchy.
Cade notices too, seizing the moment to say, “While I’m willing to forgive your transgressions, don’t take too long to decide. If you insist on keeping this sort of company”—he quirks a brow at me—“well, I’m afraid there won’t be much I can do to protect you.”
“I don’t need your protection!” she snaps, practically spitting the words. But she’s agitated, uncertain, and Cade senses it as clearly as I do.
“Clock’s ticking, Lita. Your days of grace are about to run out.”
“The days of you and me have definitely run out. So why don’t you go hook up with Phyre? I’m sure she’s more than willing to ignore your putrid Coyote breath.”
He grins, tipping a hand to his brow as though to salute her. “As you wish. Just don’t be too upset when you see us together. Remember—it could’ve been you.”
He starts to move away, appearing as a glob of gray making for the other side of the room, when he dramatically smacks his palm against his forehead, makes a hasty U-turn, and decides to rejoin us. A feigned move if I’ve ever seen one.
“Almost forgot, I have something for you.” He reaches into his pocket, and offers Lita something small, dark, and ominous. “It’s a tourmaline,” he says, urging her to take it from him.
“And why would I want a tourmaline from you?” She shifts uncomfortably on her stool, keeps her hands in her lap, unwilling to claim it.
“Because it’s a rare blue stone and it’s extremely valuable. I was meaning to give it to you before you dumped me. Yes, I said it. You dumped me, and you left me completely heartbroken. See how much I’ve grown? I’m able to admit that it was you who walked away and left me devastated by the loss. And while I know you won’t believe it, it’s important for me to remind you that not every moment with me was as bad as you’re determined to believe. I’m hoping this stone, given to you with no strings attached, might help to remind you of that.”
“I know where you got this,” she says.
“I’ve no doubt you do.” He shifts toward me, clucking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. Turning to her with a lowered voice, he says, “Don’t be a fool. Don’t let your pride get in the way of common sense. If nothing else, the stone is extremely valuable. You can sell it if you want. But I hope you’ll decide to keep it. It would really mean a lot to me.”
“All the more reason to flush it,” she says, watching as he places it on the table before her.
“Up to you.” He shrugs. “Though I hope you’ll reconsider.”
He makes to leave as Lita raises her arm, aiming the stone at the back of his head. But I stop her before she can release it, and force her arm back to her side.
“What’re you—crazy? I don’t care how much he claims it’s worth. You think I actually want this thing?”
“No. But Paloma might.” I keep my voice purposely low.
“Why? What do you see?” She leans toward me.
“You go first,” I say. “I don’t want to taint your impression with mine. Describe it exactly as you see it.”
She places it back on the table and rolls it from side to side. “It’s surprisingly large. Probably worth a fortune, like he said. It’s shiny, and perfectly polished and cut. It appears to be flawless, but I can’t say for sure. Oh, and the color is a really deep blue. It’s kind of mesmerizing. Or at least it would be if I didn’t know where it came from.”
“Is that all?”
“In a nutshell, yeah. Why—what do you see?”
“To me it looks just the opposite. Like a dark, murky, and ominous blob.”
She jerks backward. “Well, now I really don’t want it!” she says, watching as I scoop it right up. “And I don’t want you to have it either. I think we should ditch it. I don’t think it’s safe.”
“Not to worry,” I tell her. “The Richters can’t touch me. Besides, I don’t plan to keep it. I’m thinking we can drop it by Paloma’s as soon as we’re out of here and see what she makes of it.”
“Well, shouldn’t we go now?”
I shake my head and say, “Not when Greyson just got here.”
twenty-six
Daire
A soon as we reach the vortex, I look at Axel and say, “This is the part where you become less of a solution and more of a problem.”
He stares blankly. “I’m not sure I get what you mean.”
“Well, for one thing, are you even allowed to cross into the Middleworld for extended periods?” I ask, reminded of the time Paloma’s Wolf made the trip to the Middleworld to help restore her soul. He grew increasingly weak the longer his visit dragged on, forcing Leftfoot to rush hi
m back to the Lowerworld as soon as the task was completed. And I can’t take the chance that the same thing will happen here. I can’t be expected to race Axel back to the Upperworld when I barely escaped from there myself.
“I’m not an animal,” he says, tuning in to my thoughts.
“Right, you’re a Mystic. A Mystic who reads minds.”
He shrugs, clearly having no concept of just how annoying, not to mention invasive, his mental eavesdropping is. “And your other concern?”
“I have no idea how to explain you.”
“I’m not sure an explanation is necessary.”
I groan in frustration, wishing I could’ve handled this alone. I hate being in Axel’s debt, and I can’t wait for our involvement to end.
“The only entry I know of is via the Rabbit Hole, and it’s usually packed. Or at least it was when I left. Which is not only incredibly risky and dangerous for Dace—I can’t afford for the Richters to see him in his current state—but also, to the outside world, you’re a bit odd. They’ll see you as a deathly pale guy with unusual eyes who’s wearing a dress. You won’t exactly blend in.”
“I’ll handle it,” he says. Responding to my doubtful expression, he adds, “Really. Consider it already handled. Just lead the way.”
“This is the way.” I motion toward the filmy veil before us. The last in a very long succession of them. He nods, motions for me to go first, but I refuse to so much as consider it. “Oh no,” I say. “No way am I turning my back on you.”
“Seems like something I should say to you, no?” He cocks a brow, challenges me with a sharp purple gaze. Still, he falls into place, stepping through the vortex with Dace braced against him as I move to join them.
“It’s late,” Axel says, the first to reach the hallway. “Or early, depending on your perspective. Either way, the place is vacant.”
“Maybe so, but it’s packed with surveillance cameras,” I tell him, remembering my first visit here, how I found my way into Leandro’s office in search of my cell phone, only to find Cade vigilantly watching the wall of TVs projecting the goings-on inside the club.
“They can’t see me. Not to worry.”
“And you know this because…”
“Because I cannot be seen by most.”
I study him, not one bit convinced.
“It’s the way the light bends around me. I can only be seen by those who are meant to see me.”
I frown. “But your magick isn’t working, remember?”
“It’s not magick—it’s just, me. It’s the way that I’m made.”
“Cade saw you,” I press, unwilling to give in so easily.
“And while I have no explanation for that other than it was a special circumstance, if I come across him again, I’m sure he’ll look right through me.” Responding to my look of distrust, he adds, “Ninety-nine percent sure.”
With no other option but to gamble the odds, we make our way through the club. Suddenly faced with a new set of worries when I realize there’s no way to exit without setting off an alarm.
I’ve got to find a new vortex! It’s not the first time I’ve thought it.
“The Richters control the town and the people within it,” Axel says. “I’m sure they see no need for that kind of security.”
He makes a good point. Still, I refuse to exhale until he swings the door open and proves good on his word.
Making our way across the lot, we’re halfway to Dace’s truck (Axel swears he doesn’t need the key to start it), when I spot Auden’s old, beat-up wagon parked a few spaces away. And I’m flooded with relief to find my friends have ignored my advice and decided to wait for me.
I rap my knuckles against the driver’s side window and peer inside. Auden and Xotichl are up front talking to Lita and a boy who looks vaguely familiar who are sitting in back.
Lita sees us first. Swinging the door open, she leaps from the car. Her dark eyes flashing, cheeks widening into a grin when she sees Dace. Until she notices his wounded, weakened state, and she turns to me in distress. “What happened? Is he okay?”
“He will be. But I need to get home to Paloma’s, and quickly.” I cast a wary gaze toward her friend in the back. Unwilling to say anything more until I know who he is, and maybe not even then.
“Oh, that’s Greyson.” Lita jabs a thumb in his direction as she focuses hard to my right. “And you are?’”
I glare at Axel accusingly. So much for light bending.
Before either of us can reply, Auden and Xotichl are out of the car and rushing toward Dace. Seemingly unaware that Axel is supporting him, they barrel into his space. Causing Axel to jump away in surprise, as Dace lists precariously to the side.
“Is this the friend you were waiting for? Looks like he’s had one too many,” Greyson says, coming to stand beside Lita.
In Dace’s current, unconscious state—he really does appear to be suffering from a hard night of excess.
“He’s fine,” I say, stepping in to take Axel’s place. I clutch Dace tightly to me. The sharp edge in my tone warning my friends to say nothing more while Greyson is here. “But we need a ride home.” I shoot Auden a pointed look, and the next thing I know, he’s slipped behind the wheel with Xotichl beside him, as Greyson says an awkward good-bye to Lita. Clearly longing to kiss her, but settling for a handshake instead.
Dace and I settle into the large space in back, as Lita claims the space beside Axel in the row just before us and greets him by name.
I balk, Axel goes paler than I’ve ever seen him, as Xotichl tilts her head toward us, and Auden squints in the rearview mirror, trying to discern who she’s talking to.
“Am I missing something?” he asks, as Xotichl shifts until she’s fully facing them.
“Nope.” I sigh. “There really is an invisible man back here. I can see him, Dace can see him, and, apparently, Lita can too.”
“Kind of hard to miss a guy with platinum hair, pale skin, and purply eyes. I knew right away it was you.” She pokes a finger at his shoulder. “You’re exactly like Daire described you.” She studies him in a way that’s a little too appreciative for my comfort.
And I’m just about to say something, anything, to distract her, when I notice the glimmer in Axel’s eyes when he returns Lita’s look.
twenty-seven
Daire
After calling Paloma to give her a recap and tell her we’re on our way, I turn to my friends and say, “So, any news? Any sign of Cade?” I keep a close watch on Dace, alarmed by his irregular breath, the way his skin remains clammy, despite my attempts to warm him.
“Oh, we saw him. We talked to him too.” Lita glances at me. “He was acting all flirty. Trying to convince me to take him back. As if.” She peeks at Axel sitting beside her, her lips sneaking into a grin. And I don’t know what bothers me more—Cade’s attempt to win her back or the way Lita leverages it to get Axel’s attention.
“He hit on you in front of your date?” I ask, the question undeniably pointed. “That’s pretty aggressive, even for Cade.”
“Greyson stopped by later.” Lita switches her focus between Axel and me. “Besides, it wasn’t a date. Or at least not on my part—”
Before she can go any further, Xotichl interrupts. “None of that’s newsworthy,” she says. “But this might be.” She drops something into Lita’s hand and urges her to pass it to me. “It’s a tourmaline,” she explains, as I stare at the shiny blue stone on my palm. “What do you think? Are you getting anything?”
I focus on the stone, trying to glean from it all that I can. Noting how it feels disturbingly warm. But that might be because it was in her purse, or because I’ve grown used to Dace’s icy-cold touch. The only thing I know for sure it that it came from Cade’s ill-fated mine.
“I’m not sure what to think.” I rub my lips together and continue to study it. Unable to detect anything out of the ordinary. Or at least not on the surface. I’ve no doubt there’s more to this thing than meets the eye. Cade�
�s not known for being altruistic. A gift from Coyote always comes at a price. “Did he say why he gave this to you?” I curl my fingers around it, close my eyes, and strive for a deeper impression, but come up empty.
“I guess he misses me. Can’t envision a future without me.” Lita sneaks another peek at Axel. “So he’s determined to win me back, and he thought a priceless gem might help. As if I could be bought so easily. Please.”
Worked for Marliz. The image of Marliz gazing at the new tourmaline engagement ring Gabe gave her blazes in my mind.
“The stone has a strange and troubling energy,” Xotichl says, cutting into my thoughts. “And while I can’t get a clear read on it, I figured we could give it to Paloma and see what she says.”
I continue to flip the stone in my hand. “It feels warm,” I say. “That’s all I’ve got. Then again, I’m not as good with the energy reading as you are.”
“Can I see it?” Axel reaches for it. His lips pressed and grim, he assumes a thoughtful expression as he makes careful study of it. “You said it feels warm, but for me, it’s just the opposite. Almost like it’s been refrigerated or something.”
“That’s how it felt to me too.” Lita grins, eyes flashing flirtatiously. “It felt as cold as Cade Richter’s heart. Yet another reason I was eager to ditch it.”
I snatch the stone from Axel and drop it into my bag. “I’ll show it to Paloma and see what she thinks,” I say, already swinging the car door open the second I spy Paloma’s blue gate, well before Auden’s had a chance to properly stop.
Paloma meets us at the door with a darkened gaze and grave face. Casting a concerned look at Dace’s wounded, unconscious state, she hurries us into her office where we get him settled on the padded table she saves for more serious cases. Then we quickly edge out of the way and give her enough space to work.
“Where’d you find him?” she asks. Having assessed his energy, she wipes her hands on the sides of her housedress, and busies herself with her numerous jars of potions and herbs.
