I opened Torin’s book and got busy. Once again, I could only identify the symbol of a goddess. She might be Hel for all I know.
An hour later, I was ready to throw the stupid book across the room. Without the translation into English, the book was useless. Going to Torin for help was like waving a white flag and screaming surrender. I wasn’t ready to beg for his help yet.
Taking a break, I went downstairs, shoved a tray of frozen lasagna in the oven, grabbed my backpack, and started on my homework.
***
My cell vibrated hours later. “What are you doing?” Cora texted.
“Just finished homework. You?”
“I haven’t started. Don’t feel like it. Want to go to The Hub for lattes?” she asked.
“Sure, but I can’t drive.”
“I got my keys back. I’ll be over in a few.”
I changed my top and put on some gloss, before grabbing a jacket and heading downstairs. The scent of lasagna filled the air. I reduced the temperature to keep it warm. The French bread would wait until I got home.
Cora honked her car horn, and I ran outside to join her before Mrs. Rutledge came out to complain about the noise. Cora looped around our cul-de-sac and took off with squealing wheels.
The Hub was a video store at the corner of 2nd West and Baldwin Street. As usual, it was packed with students, including the ones from Walkersville. The store also sold books and was thriving, despite the disappearance of national bookstore chains. The fact that it sold comics, manga, offered free wi-fi, and sold beverages was a big draw.
A couple left a corner table just as we arrived, and we hurried to claim it, placing our jackets on the chairs and bags on the table.
“I’ll get us drinks. Caramel macchiato?” I asked.
“Grande.” Cora slumped on the chair and stared into space. She was taking Kate’s death pretty hard. I placed our order, added a blueberry scone, and joined her. She was on her cell phone. “Keith,” she explained before I asked. “He’s still doing volunteer work at the hospital. I don’t understand why when he already has an academic scholarship to U-Dub.”
“I wonder if he’ll play for the Huskies.” U-Dub, or University of Washington to non-Pacific northwest people, had one of the best lacrosse teams in the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League. Their recruiters came to our high school every year. “Do you think we should start volunteering more? You know, before we apply to college?”
Cora made a face. “We do enough. More than enough actually, and Ms. Lila will write glowing recommendation letters for us. Besides, until swim season is over, our evenings are taken.”
Ms. Lila Chavez was the head of the English as a Second Language program for adult literacy at our school. In the last two years, we’d volunteered at the ESL program during summer and off swim season. But I knew students who’d built homes on Indian Reservations, South and Central America, even Africa, which made our civic services unimpressive by comparison.
“Your mom is still involved with the Habitat for Humanity, isn’t she?”
“Yes, but I’m not crawling out of bed on Saturdays to build some stupid house.” She got up and headed toward the manga section. I followed her and browsed, until we found some of our old favorite manga.
“Why did we stop reading these?” Cora waved a copy of a manga about a girl who was transported to feudal Japan, met a handsome half-demon, and journeyed with him to find pieces of a magical jewel.
“The animé was more fun. You had a crush on Lord Sesshomaru, like, forever,” I teased.
“He’s still my hottest hero.”
We grabbed a few copies, turned the corner and almost bumped into Maliina and Ingrid. I turned to walk away, but Maliina said, “Hey, Raine, Cora.”
Cora looked at them in confusion, obviously not recognizing them. “Hey.”
“I’m Maliina, and she’s Ingrid.” Maliina waved toward Ingrid, who smiled. “We met at the park during Ultimate Frisbee. We are new to the swim team,” she added when Cora still stared at her blankly.
Cora’s eyes widened. “You’re exchange students from Norway. You have a friend with silver hair.”
“Andris,” Maliina said.
Cora glanced at me and grinned as though remembering Andris had been staring at me at the park. If only she knew why. “I remember now. How long have you guys been in Kayville?”
“Just a few days and we already love it.” Her accent seemed to be stronger, which was probably for Cora’s benefit. “But I think we’ll be more at home when we start swimming next week and connect with some girls. We don’t know many people, and our host family has only boys.”
“We can show you around,” Cora offered and glanced at me. I shook my head, and she scowled. “Raine and I know all the cool places. Not just here, but in Portland.”
Maliina grinned. “That would be wonderful. Were you guys leaving?”
“No, we just got here,” Cora said. “We have a table up front and just ordered drinks.”
“But we’ll be leaving soon.” I grabbed her arm, intending to pull her away from the two evil Immortals and somehow warn her against associating with them.
Maliina grabbed Cora’s other arm and laid it on thick. “We drink coffee, but nothing fancy like you guys have here. Can you recommend something?”
“Excuse us, Maliina,” I said and tugged Cora’s arm.
Ingrid made a face. “You don’t want to help us?”
“Of course we do.” Cora threw me a surprised glance and yanked her arm from my grasp. As Maliina led her away, Ingrid hesitated as though she wanted to tell me something, then followed. This was a nightmare. Cora taking these two under her wing was a disaster waiting to happen, which meant I had to find a way to stop her.
While Cora helped them choose a beverage, I took our mugs of macchiato back to the table and went for the scones. Maliina kept glancing my way as though to check what I was doing. I loathed the girl. Sipping my drink, I plotted her demise. The fact that the runes would only heal her and bring her back to life didn’t stop me from being creative. I bet she wouldn’t stay dead if I chopped off her head. She might even run around like the Headless Horseman.
“They’re going to try macchiato, too,” Cora explained when they joined me.
“Nice.” I smiled even though I didn’t feel like smiling. Since there were no seats available at our table, I’d hoped they’d sit elsewhere. Fat chance. The two Immortals curled up on the floor beside our table, all chatty and smiley. Luckily, Cora didn’t take her generosity too far and offer them her seat.
“Your favorite style is breaststroke, right?” Maliina asked, laying it on thick.
Cora nodded. “Yeah. You?”
“Butterfly.”
“You’ll be competing against Raine. She’s our best butterflyer. At state, we usually have two relay teams, the main team and subs. The best swimmer in each stroke makes the first team.”
Maliina grinned. “May the best swimmer win, Raine.”
Bring it on, I wanted to say. “Sure. We should leave, Cora.”
“Not yet.” Cora lifted her drink and sipped. “Ingrid, what’s your stroke?”
Ingrid glanced at Maliina before answering. “Breaststroke, but I could use some help. Do you think you could help me?”
“Doc always pairs us with anyone struggling with their technique,” I said, not liking the direction of the conversation. It sounded rehearsed. “I’m sure you’ll get all the help you need, Ingrid. Remember, tryouts go on for a week before he decides who makes the team.”
“He already told us that, but I’m talking about this week. I really need help. Someone recommended you, Cora,” Ingrid said.
This was ridiculous. What did they want with my best friend? “Cora—”
“It’s okay, Raine,” Cora said. “We can’t use the pool at school because the season hasn’t officially started, but we can use the club’s. We are members and can sign Ingrid in.”
“That’s great,” Ingrid s
aid. “Can we start tomorrow evening? Maybe after dinner?”
Cora squinted as though mentally checking something. “It’ll have to be after seven. Seven thirty? Where do you live so I can pick you up?”
“I think it’s better if you two meet at your club,” Maliina suggested. As Ingrid and Cora exchanged phone numbers, she shot me a triumphant glance. Whatever they were planning, it wasn’t going to happen. Not while I was around.
“So what do you guys do when not swimming or drinking coffee in quaint little stores?” Maliina asked, focusing her attention on Cora again.
“We hang out, go online. I have a vlog, which I update every week and visit every day to interact with my fans. Raine and I were discussing about volunteering more. We help adult immigrants learn English, but we might do more. Build homes for needy people.”
I rolled my eyes. Whatever happened to not waking up in the mornings on Saturday?
“We’d like to help, too,” Ingrid said.
Maliina nodded. “Count us in. What do you do for fun?”
“We go to the movies, concerts in Portland. Cliff House on 14th North has arcade games, bowling alleys, and rock walls if you’re into rock climbing. Friday nights at L.A. Connection is teen night, so that’s another cool place to hang out.” Cora frowned. “We were there last weekend during the blackout.”
“Isn’t that where a student died?” Maliina asked as though she didn’t already know. “I heard there was a party or something.”
Cora’s chin trembled, and I knew she was about to start crying again. Whatever game these two were playing had to stop.
“Cora, we should go,” I said.
“We threw Raine a birthday party,” Cora said at the same time. “Kate died at the hospital, but she was hurt at the club. She was really nice.”
Maliina reached out and gripped Cora’s hand. “I didn’t know she was a friend.”
“She was one of us. I mean she was on the swim team.” Cora stared at her hands, a tear rolling down her face.
Maliina knelt beside her chair and hugged her. “Did you know her too, Raine?”
I wanted to punch her, but I couldn’t without explaining why to Cora. I stood and gathered my things. “Let’s go, Cora. I promised Mom I’d have dinner ready by the time she gets home. Your drinks are ready, Maliina. You can take our seats.”
Frowning, Cora stood and picked up her jacket, keys, and coffee. “Nice talking to you.”
“See you at school,” Maliina said, moving to the seat I’d just vacated.
“Don’t forget to text me about tomorrow,” Ingrid added.
Not if I could help it. I ushered Cora outside.
“Ohmigod, Raine. What’s wrong with you?” she asked. “You were totally rude to them.”
“I don’t like them.”
“You don’t know them well enough to dislike them,” she retorted. “I don’t understand you.”
“It’s simple. They’re liars. I saw them at the club on Saturday. They came to the party, Cora. Andris even asked me to dance, but back there, they acted like they didn’t know Kate was hurt at the club.”
Cora frowned. “Then why bring her up?”
“Because they are not nice. I saw them after I turned down Andris, and Maliina was a total bitch. She acted like I was after Andris.”
“You hate him.” Cora was quiet as we drove home. “Is Ingrid as bad as Maliina?”
“I don’t know.”
Cora pulled up to my house and stared into space with a pensive expression. She glanced at me, a stubborn light in her eyes. “Okay, this is what I’ll do. I’ll coach her tomorrow night and then call it quits.”
It was better than nothing, but I planned to be there too, just in case Maliina showed up.
“Okay.” We hugged, and Cora drove off.
I glanced at Torin’s house as I walked toward my door. The lights were on downstairs. Should I tell him what happened with Maliina and Ingrid? It was obvious they were using Cora to get to me. I paused, thought about it, and reached a decision. This was my problem, not Torin’s.
8. DAMAGE CONTROL
“Thanks for making dinner, sweetie,” Mom said when she walked into the kitchen. She picked up a toast of garlic bread and took a bite. I’d just pulled out the tray from the oven. “Oh, crunchy. How was school?”
“Terrible.”
She frowned, putting the toast down. “What happened?”
“Kate Hunsaker died.”
“Oh, honey. Come here.” She gave me a hug, then leaned back and rubbed my arms. “You should have called me.”
I shrugged. “The principal talked to us, and there were grief counselors for those who needed one. Some stupid guy confronted me and Cora in class and said it was our fault. You know, because of the party.” Mom’s back grew stiff, her green eyes flashing. I couldn’t believe I’d said that to her. “That was before we were told Kate died.”
“Who’s this guy? What’s his name?”
“It doesn’t matter, Mom. He’s an idiot.”
“People are always lashing out when they grieve.” She peered at me. “Listen to me, sweetheart. I feel terrible Kate died, but it wasn’t your fault or Cora’s or Eirik’s. If the blackout was meant to happen, it was going to happen. If it was her time to die and move on, nothing and no one could have stopped it. You should not feel responsible for what happened,” she stressed, starting to repeat herself. “None of you should.”
“Do you really believe everyone has a time to die?”
“Oh yes. Death is the one thing you can’t escape. When it’s your time to go, you will go.”
I bit my lower lip. Did she believe it wasn’t Dad’s time to go? Was that why she didn’t believe he was dead? Or was she just being delusional like Mrs. Rutledge claimed? I didn’t dare ask.
After dinner, Mom disappeared upstairs. I was surprised when I didn’t hear from Eirik. Sleep didn’t come easily. I kept checking to see if Torin was home.
“Wake up, Raine.”
Mom’s voice reached me as though from afar. I squinted, trying to find her. “What?”
“You slept through your alarm, sweetie. You’re going to be late for school.”
I flung the covers aside and saw the time. I had twenty minutes to get my butt to school. I showered and changed in record time and raced downstairs. There were several texts from Eirik and one from Cora asking if I needed a ride. I called them back, but they were already at school.
“Do you want me to come get you?” Eirik asked.
I stared at my car and chewed my lower lip. He was so sweet, but I didn’t want him to be late for his first class just because of the stupid runes on my car. “It’s okay. I’ll drive. See you later.”
I closed my phone and slowly walked toward my car, staring at it like it was a viper. I could ask Mom for a ride, but she would want to know what was wrong with my car. Of course, finding out that it was okay would only reinforce her belief that something was wrong with me.
“Need a ride, Freckles?”
I exhaled and turned to face Torin. “No, thanks.”
“I could get you to school in two minutes flat.”
It took me ten minutes most mornings. “Is that before or after you get a speeding ticket?”
“The cops would have to see me to give me one,” he bragged and extended his helmet toward me. “Unless of course you want to drive your car and learn firsthand the curse associated with those runes.”
My stomach hollowed out. “Curse?”
“Or blessing. Depends on how you look at it. Come on.” He disappeared inside his garage.
I studied my runes-covered car, then crossed our yards. He was playing with my head again, yet curiosity drew me to him. Could he really get me to school in two minutes? He was already straddling his bike when I reached him.
“How come you live on your own while Andris and his harem are living with a host family?”
“No one would have me.”
Was he serious?
He grinned, and I knew he was teasing me again. “You should have seen your face. Don’t ever feel sorry for me, Freckles. I have money and can afford to live on my own. Come here.” He lifted the helmet.
My heart pounding, I moved closer. He placed the helmet over my head and tucked my hair behind my ear, the gesture so gentle and unlike the violent guy I knew him to be. He snapped the strap in place, then rolled a lock of my hair between his thumb and fingers.
“You have soft hair,” he murmured in a husky voice.
I somehow found my voice and said, “Thank you.”
He smiled. “Okay, uh, do you have a waist strap for your backpack?”
I nodded and secured it with hands that weren’t steady. Usually, I went toe-to-toe with him on anything, but today, a shyness I couldn’t explain had crept in on me, and I hated it. I glanced up and found him staring at me.
“It’s going to be okay,” he said, his voice gentle.
I believed him. I didn’t think he’d hurt me or anything like that. It was just that being close to him messed with my head. Having to actually wrap my arms around him scared me. I straddled the bike and sat.
“Closer. I don’t bite,” he teased. “No, that’s not true. I do, just not when nosey neighbors are watching.”
I glanced over my shoulder at Mrs. Rutledge’s and caught a movement behind a curtain. Oh well, here’s something for you to gossip about. I scooted closer to Torin’s back, our bodies touching, his warmth enveloping me. A shiver shot through me. I didn’t understand this effect he had on me. It was both scary and exciting.
“Give me your hands,” he said huskily. I did. He took my wrists and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Hold on tight.”
I tightened my grip. He slipped on his sunglasses and started the engine. Talk about sitting on such a powerful machine and hugging an even more powerful one. The difference was a bike could be controlled. Torin couldn’t. He was an unknown entity. Unpredictable. All muscles, heat, and forbidden desires.
Firm muscles flexed under my knuckles as he took off. The T-shirt he wore was so thin he might as well be shirtless. I tried my best to pretend he was Eirik, someone safe, loving, and kind. It wasn’t happening. Both men had their special scents, and Torin’s was intoxicating.
Runes (Paranormal Romance, YA,) Page 12
