“Actually, it’s because I can’t believe anyone would use such a line and expect me to buy it,” she said through her laughter.
“Ouch!” He held his heart. “Are you suggesting that I need practice with my pick-ups?” His chest hiccupped as he stifled a chuckle. He stared down at her, towering just a head taller.
She raised her chin to meet his eyes. “Well, you have to admit that was quite a line.”
“So, if you haven’t stolen my heart, do you think you’ll try?” He lifted a brow and stared.
Kitty regarded the young man and smiled. “If it can be done, I can think of no better task.” She couldn’t believe her boldness. She’d never flirted like this with someone she’d just met. She thought it best to keep composed. “Where’s your sister?”
Dominic lifted a shoulder, as he turned to rest against the porch rail. “She’s not here, if that’s what you’re wondering. It’s just the two of us.” With a twitch of his brow he flashed a wicked smile.
“I’m afraid I can’t stay, I’ve got ice cream—Rocky Road. Would you like to come to my house and share?” Kitty bit her lip to keep from smiling too big. She didn’t want to come across as silly or too girly as she had with the giggle, but the heat creeping into her cheeks betrayed her.
“No, I’m afraid I must be going soon myself, but Rocky Road is very interesting,” he shoved his hands in his pocket and studied her. “Ice cream flavors tell a lot about a person, or so I’ve heard.”
“Really,” Kitty said, smiling at his matter-of-fact tone. “So tell me, what does mine say about me?”
Dominic stepped up onto the porch and began pacing, staring down at Kitty as if he were a shrink and she were his patient. “Well, I’m guessing you’ve had some rough times, and you’re a romantic. You also like a bit of adventure, but mostly you’re…aggressive.”
“Aggressive?” Kitty laughed heartily. That was the last thing she expected him to say.
“Again, it’s just what I hear.” Dominic raised his hands defensively, and he and Kitty shared a laugh.
“Well, the rough times part was spot on, I suppose.” Kitty glanced up to find that Dominic was awaiting more. “My parent’s recently split up and the night we met, my best friend and my crush ditched me for each other.” Saying the words aloud made her feel silly, and she didn’t want Dominic to think she was pathetic.
“Sounds like those two are made for each other, and you deserve better.” He stepped back down off the porch and approached her, taking her hand. “Meet me here tomorrow night and maybe we’ll stare at the stars until the rest of the world fades away.” He searched her eyes awaiting her response.
“Sure, I’d love to,” Kitty said, as a flutter tickled her heart causing her fingertips to tingle. She hadn’t felt that, not even with Colt. She wished she didn’t have the stupid ice cream now, and wondered if she should pitch it over the cliff. That would make me seem desperate and silly. “Guess I better go get this in the freezer before I have to drink it. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She couldn’t help but let out another girly giggle as she drove away.
Chapter Three
Dominic watched Kitty until she was out of sight and then disappeared, reappearing mid-stride in the upstairs hallway of Whisper House. He was headed toward the back balcony where his sister was waiting.
“You were up early, Brother. Perhaps next time you could wait on your dear sister to join you with your guests.” Dahlia leaned up against the balcony railing and studied her long fingernails, which were painted blood red to match her pouty lips. “It’s not like you to sneak about.”
“No, I agree. That’s more your habit. Besides, I wasn’t sneaking about, and your sleeping in is your own fault. The sun’s been down for over an hour now.” He regarded his sister, shaking his head.
Dahlia raised a brow and scanned her brother up and down. “Well, did you catch anything on your little fishing trip?”
“She’s not what we’re looking for. I think we should wait a while and see who else shows up. That one is far too headstrong, and—“
“And you’re crushing on her.” Dalia stamped her foot and took a step toward him. “You know that’s unacceptable, Dom. We can’t have any attachments. We either spell her or kill her, but I have no use for pets.”
“She’s not your pet, and you will not speak of her that way. We need to find someone else and that’s all there is to it.” Dom walked into the house and slammed the French door behind him. His sister appeared as if she’d passed through it and kept after him.
“Don’t you walk away from me, Dom. You know I’m right. You’ve got feelings for her. I know you better than anyone, and I can see it in your eyes. You’ve got to stop it now before it gets any worse. If you care for her, we’ll find another, but she’s got to stay away. You know the rules, Dom.”
“I know the rules, and I didn’t ask for this, Dahl. One fling with a vampire, an impossible stepmother, and this is what I get for defending my own sister.”
Placing her hand on his shoulder, Dahlia stared deep into his eyes. “It’s a hundred years, Brother, not forever. Besides, it’s your chivalry that got you into this mess. It wouldn’t have been nearly as awful if you’d just stayed out of it. You owe it to me to see it through.”
“Don’t put this all on me. I was defending your honor. You were the one running around with that blood-sucking maggot. And as for these sacrifices, it’s not us, Sister. It’s not how we are. We’re not killers.”
“Maybe it’s what we are now because it’s all we can be. There’s hardly any changing things now, so let’s just finish out this dreadful sentence so we can get back to our eternity. We’re almost halfway through it. We’ve come this far.” She glared at him. “Our only other option is to forfeit our power and longevity—to be human.”
He let out a sigh and glanced up at his sister. “I’m weary and lonely. Just once I’d like to meet someone and be genuine—not plotting to eat them like some animal.”
“Well, forgive me for being such a demon, Brother, but I intend to do whatever it takes to be the witch I was before—anything it takes. I’m sick of being weak. I’m not about to disobey the curse and be human just to save someone who is going to be worm meat long before me anyway. So if that’s where this is going, get it out of your head. I’m not letting you do it either.”
Dominic hadn’t really thought about it. He hated this existence, but he had never dreamed about being anything other than a witch. They were of a rare and rich bloodline, and to entertain such thoughts would be call for permanent banishment. Not only would he lose his powers, but his coven as well. Being cursed by your own stepmother was embarrassment enough, but as long as the two stayed away to fulfill their punishments, they would remain Dane’s. “Don’t be dramatic, Dahl. I’ve never said anything of the sort.”
“See that you don’t, and end this now,” said Dahlia. “I was hoping we’d use her and one of her friends she’d mentioned. It would have been perfect, Dom.” She threw her arm across her forehead as if the emotions were too much. It was a gesture he’d seen his sister do far too many times when she wanted him to think things were much too unbearable. “This has gotten me so upset, Dom. I must sit down.”
Dominic gritted his teeth and pounded his fist on the wall creating a crack in the plaster. He knew his sister was not some fainting delicate flower, but once she got to the point of pouting, she was even worse to deal with. Bringing the girl anywhere near his sister was dangerous, and he could kick himself for going back around her. Knowing that Dahlia was getting worse and worse each year was weighing on him, and even though she’d promised him that she’s never pull another stunt like she had before, he just didn’t trust his sister like he used to. She was up to something, and he had an idea what that something was. “Fine, I’ll end it. But we find someone else.”
A slow sly smile spread Dahl’s lips. “It’s for the best. You’ll see.”
***
Kitty moaned and covered her head with the pillow afte
r slapping the alarm clock to the floor. Sleep had not been her friend since the first night at Whisper House, but she wasn’t sure if it was the betrayal or Dominic that kept her up all night. She stretched and then reached down between the nightstand and bed to fetch the clock. A warm feeling grew deep within as she realized she only had one grueling day of school to get through before she’d see Dominic again. The thought got her blood pumping fast enough to give her a boost. Taking to her feet, she straightened out the covers and then went to her closet.
Her clothes were so boring compared to Jenna’s, who had a thing for black lace and layers. Kitty looked too pale in black, and her closet was more like an Easter rainbow—pastels, jewel tones, ruffles, and cap sleeves. She had the style of an eight year old whose mother still dressed her, not that of a rock star like her best friend. Ex-best friend. She held a sunny yellow top up to her chest then tossed it on the bed before finding her most comfortable jeans. She thought about Dahlia and how her own style was more akin to Jenna’s. Then she thought of Dominic, who didn’t seem to care what she wore because he was always staring deep into her eyes. She let the thought stay with her while she dressed for school.
She made it halfway down the stairs when her mother ambushed her with a list of after-school chores. “If you could log in my orders for me later and get the hamburger browned for dinner, I’d appreciate it. It’s taco night. Also, I need you to pop in at Blue’s on your way home for some milk. I saved you the last for your cereal.” Annie pulled the pen from behind her ear and jotted down another note.
“Good morning to you too, Mom,” Kitty said, pausing at the bottom of the stairs before going to fix her breakfast. As she poured the last of the milk over her cereal, her mother finally responded.
“Oh good morning, honey. I’m so sorry. I know it’s been so crazy lately, but I appreciate the help. I think I’ve just about paid off the washer and dryer, so that will take a load off soon. No pun intended. There’s nothing like unforeseen expenses to throw things out of whack.” Kitty understood, but she hated to see her mother over-worked.
Chewing her first bite, she sat at the table littered with her mom’s paperwork. “Yeah, but it sure beats lugging everything to the washateria,” said Kitty. She frowned, remembering how dirty the place had been. It certainly wasn’t a place you wanted to bring things to get them clean. The old building probably hadn’t been updated since it was built back in the sixties. Not much was new there in the closest town that was a twenty-minute drive from her lakefront subdivision. Willow Haven had even less in the way of convenience. The one big service station, Blue’s, had been there for years and luckily kept enough groceries stocked that she and her mom had everything they needed. If they wanted to dine out, then it was Blue’s Heavenly Pizza. She never would have thought it before the place came along, but a person could only eat so much pizza before it was no longer appealing, unless you were Colt, of course. Watching her mother jotting down notes, she finished her cereal.
***
After her mom, dropped her off at school, only ten minutes late, and she’d finished up in the office getting a tardy pass, she crept into homeroom quietly and took her seat beside Jenna. When they were best friends it was perfect, now, not so much.
“Hey Kitt,” said Jenna like it was old days. Kitty glanced back and then turned around shaking her head, listening to Mrs. Ladd’s instructions. She’d do her best to ignore the girl and hope the hour flew by fast.
Kitty’s heart sank with the teacher’s next words: “Okay class, now everyone pair up with your assigned partner, and I want you brainstorming on ideas for your project. I want to know what you’re going to do by the end of class.” Kitty had forgotten she and Jenna had been assigned as partners for the project. It was the best assignment they’d had since school started back, and everyone was looking forward to it, but now Kitty didn’t want to participate—not with her ex-best friend. Mrs. Ladd wouldn’t let her switch partners at this point, especially since the students got to pick who they’d be assigned with. If she said anything, everyone would know it was because of Colt, and she didn’t want to let on how much it bothered her. There was no way out of it.
She turned in her seat to see Jenna smiling warm and friendly, but also with a hint of pity. “Sorry, I guess you’ll have to talk to me now,” she said.
Kitty let out a long breath. “Let’s just get this over with.” She didn’t want to be mad at Jenna. Truth was, she missed her, but she was also deeply hurt by her. The more she thought of how Jenna did her, the more she realized how mad she still was.
“Are you ever going to forgive me, Kitty? I mean, we’ve been friends for so long, and I’d hoped you’d just want me happy.” She batted her long, mascara-caked lashes.
Shrugging off Jenna’s delusions, she really just wanted to get to the project. “So are we doing the Whisper House tour or what?” she asked.
“Colt already said we could use his camera, so yeah, I hoped we’d do the tour like we talked about.” Jenna tossed her hair to the opposite shoulder and waited with hopeful eyes for Kitty to respond.
Kitty was lost in her own mind, remembering the last night at Whisper House with Jenna. Surprisingly her thoughts drifted to the latter half of the night, when she’d met Dominic and Dahlia Dane. She pursed her lips to keep from smiling, but Jenna noticed.
“So is that a ‘yes’ smile you’re trying to hide?” she asked. She was smiling big too and seemed to be searching Kitty for clues to the sudden pinch of happiness.
Remembering Dominic and the fact that she’d be seeing him later was enough to soften her just a tad. “I think the Whisper House tour will be fine,” she said, smiling bigger.
“Oh, I’m so glad, Kitt. I was afraid after…well after what happened that you might not ever want to go back.”
“It’s fine, really. I’m over it Jenna. I mean, I won’t ever trust you or Colt again, but now that I’m seeing someone else, there’s no need for me to be so cold. Besides, I’m going back to the house later anyway.” She hoped she hadn’t spoken too soon, but she was determined to steal Dominic’s heart like she’d promised.
“You are? Wait, you’re already seeing someone else? Who?” asked Jenna with a surprised expression.
“I met him the night at Whisper House, just after you and Colt left. Well, he and his sister. I have a date with him tonight, actually.” She lifted a shoulder and kept her smile hidden inside not wanting to seem too eager to share.
“Well, that’s wonderful, Kitt,” Jenna bounced in her seat. “What’s his name?”
“Dominic Dane. His sister’s is Dahlia. They showed up to do some stargazing at Whisper House after you left and asked me to join them. I saw him just last night and am going to see him again tonight.” Kitty was much better being able to share the news with someone. Dominic had seemed too good to be true; and the only thing worse than not knowing if he was, was not being able to tell someone about him.
“Dominic and Dahlia Dane, I’ve never heard of them. Where do they live? Are they permanent residents or weekenders—visiting relatives?” Jenna leaned on her elbows and waited for an answer.
“You know, I’m not sure where they live, but Dahlia said they just moved back. I’m supposed to meet him later at Whisper House for some more stargazing, so perhaps I’ll ask or maybe he’ll take me there.” Kitty tapped her pencil on her notebook. “So, how do you think we should do this tour?” she asked, getting down to business. She’d shared enough about Dominic, and now she knew better than to share him too closely with Jenna.
Jenna’s face fell as the subject changed. “I think we should be tour guides taking the viewers through the house on a ghost tour. Discuss the haunted history of the place and take some cool shots of each room. Who knows, if we’re lucky we might even catch a ghost on film or an EVP.” Her eyes widened. “Oh that would be perfect. We’ll use the spirit board too.”
Kitty threw out the first idea that had come into her mind, not letting Jenna take too much c
ontrol. “What if we dressed in costumes and acted like we were the ghosts or at least former residents? One of us could interview the other.”
“That’s a brilliant idea. We could be the lingering spirit experts. We could dress in some creepy lace dresses— the kind with high collars and cameos. Oh, I can’t wait.” She made a little squeal and grabbed Kitty’s forearm in her excitement. Kitty pulled away not wanting to be touched by her. They’d shared excitement before, and in that very same time, Jenna was putting a knife in her back. Things would never be the same.
Chapter Four
Kitty’s chores were done by the time the sun was taking its plunge into the lake. She imagined its sizzle as it dipped down into the rough water. It always seemed that Willow Lake was churning, and there were very few times had she seen it calm. It gnawed at the land, constantly washing in and chewing it up, causing the erosion that would one day devour Whisper House.
She pulled to a stop behind the azalea bush and sat there thinking of the last time she was there and how she sat so boldly on the front lawn where anyone would see her and tell her mother where she was hanging out. Staring off into the distance, she let her mind drift. She thought of Dominic and his piercing eyes. Just as she was imagining him close—close enough to kiss—footsteps sounded behind her. Smiling big, she just knew it’d be Dominic standing there, but found Colt instead. Her smile faded as she saw Jenna too. “What are you two doing here?”
“Colt wanted to test the cameras for night filming. I told him you might be here. Hope we’re not intruding,” Jenna said. Kitty knew better. That was exactly why they were there—to intrude and catch a glimpse of Dominic, perhaps, to see if he truly existed.
“Well, he hasn’t gotten here yet. But when he does, I’m sure we’ll be up on the balcony, so you won’t be in our way.” She tucked her keys into her pocket. “I think I’ll go wait inside.”
Darkness Echoes: A Spooky YA Short Story Collection Page 9
