by J. L. Weil
I yawned, and rested my head on his shoulder. My thoughts were spinning faster than I could keep up with them. The very idea of leaving Seaside Heights had panic slicing through my chest. Leaving home meant abandoning Jesse and Hannah. It meant I wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on my mom, make sure she wasn’t getting worse.
There were so many reasons to stay, but one important reason to go.
That reason trumped all excuses for me to remain close to those I couldn’t bear to leave.
I had to do the right thing.
Chapter Three
Blood pounded drumbeats through my temples as I dragged myself down the stairs, keeping one hand on the wall. It was a slow, agonizing process, and I was lured to turn around and go back to bed. The sun was too bright. The sounds from the kitchen were too noisy, and my body was screaming at me for staying out last night. The only thing keeping me going today was my birthday. I was expected to show up to breakfast with an excited smile on my face for a day of fun.
Problem was, I wasn’t feeling up to it. Between the overindulgence at the club and only running on four hours of sleep, I could have been an extra on The Walking Dead, without any makeup.
“What does the birthday girl want for breakfast?” Dad asked, offering me a boisterous smile.
A barf bag.
On birthday mornings, Dad always cooked a special breakfast. It had been something I always looked forward to. Today was an exception.
I stood in the doorway with my hand to my head, wondering if the lights in the kitchen were always so blinding. I blinked and croaked, “Coffee.”
“Just brewed a pot.” Dad was at the stove. The hair at his temples was peppered with gray, but it didn’t make him appear old.
I shuffled across the kitchen, seriously thinking about grabbing my sunglasses.
“So what will it be? Bacon, blueberry pancakes, Denver omelet?” Dad listed off my available options.
My skin turned greener if possible. “No bacon. Definitely not bacon.”
He ruffled the top of my head. “Happy Birthday, Kit Kat. Blueberry pancakes, coming up.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Opening the cupboard, I grabbed my Sweet and Sassy mug, although I was feeling neither sweet nor sassy at the moment.
He turned around and studied me. “You feel okay?”
I ran a hand through my tousled dark hair. “Tired. Turning eighteen isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.”
Dad chuckled and glanced at me from the corner of his eye as he gathered ingredients. “What’s the big plan for tonight?”
Little did Dad know the birthday celebration had already begun last night. I was thinking a nap and shower were first on my to-do list. I shrugged, pouring a cup of coffee. “Just hanging out with Jesse and Hannah. The usual.”
“No Devyn?”
I was surprised he didn’t choke over his name. My father let his displeasure of the Shaman be loudly known. “Nope. We’re going old school tonight.”
“Pizza and cake?” he guessed.
I sat down on a stool and got my first jolt of caffeine. “Am I that obvious?”
He smiled. “I think there is no better way to celebrate my little girl becoming a young woman.”
Images from last night flashed in my head, making my cheeks burn. I took a huge gulp of coffee, hoping to erase any lingering smell of sweet liqueurs.
Sitting at the table, I set down the mug and checked my text messages as Dad worked his magic in the kitchen. There was comfort in the familiar sounds and smells. I had two messages: one from Hannah and another from Jesse, both wishing me a happy birthday.
I replied to their messages, confirming we were still on for later today, and just as I finished my first cup of coffee, Dad placed a plate of pancakes in front of me. “Is Mom joining us?” I asked, cutting the stack with my fork.
Dad sat across from me with his own plate. “Not yet. She is still resting this morning.”
I tried not to be worried, and I could see from the half-smile on his lips that he didn’t want to put a dark cloud over my day. “We should bring her breakfast in bed,” I suggested.
“I think she would like that,” he replied.
After a quick shower, I changed into a pair of lounging pants and a T-shirt. Today was going to be a no-makeup-hair-down-why-did-I-get-out-of-bed type of day. The doorbell chimed, and delight bubbled inside me. They were here. No matter how tired I was, hanging out with Hannah and Jesse always put a smile on my face. I was in much need of senseless laughter, friendship, and a night in with my two favorite people in the world. I ran downstairs, swinging open the front door.
“Happy Birthday!” Jesse and Hannah sang in unison.
“You guys are late,” I griped, a ghost of a smirk playing on my lips.
“Better late than never.” Hannah hugged me. “Jesse took forever finding you the perfect gift.”
Jesse had a little gold box tucked under his arm as he walked into the entryway. “I’m not the one who had to go to ten different stores.”
“Hey, when daddy gives you his credit card, you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” Hannah defended.
“Yeah, well, some of us are on a budget,” he grumbled.
I weaved in between them before their little squabble escalated to a full-blown argument. “You guys didn’t have to get me anything.” We had this disagreement each year, and although none of us expected a gift, we always got each other something little. It was more about the sentiment.
“Happy birthday, K,” Jesse said, giving me a hug. I had to stand on my toes to wrap my arms around him. When he pulled back, he handed me the store-wrapped package.
I wanted to cling to both of them. The night had barely begun, and I was already feeling sappy. “Thanks. You guys are too good to me.” And that was the truth.
Jesse looped an arm around my shoulder. “How does it feel to be an adult?”
We meandered down the hall. “Is that what I am?” I said, glancing sideways at him. “Because, talk about a let down. I feel the same.”
“So, birthday girl, what is the plan for tonight?” Jesse asked, plopping down on my sofa.
I sat on the lounge, Hannah taking the other spot on the couch next to Jesse. “I was thinking something low-key. Would it be cool if we just hung out here, eat junk food, and watch a string of bad movies? I’m exhausted, and a night in with my two best friends is what the doctor ordered.”
“Are you sure?” Hannah asked, her brows rose in skepticism. “I always figured we’d do something epic for your eighteenth birthday, like skydiving or having a one-night stand with some hot college guy.”
Jesse coughed. “Uh, I think if K wants a night in, then that’s what she gets.”
Hannah rolled her baby blues. “Of course, you would think that.”
“Well, it beats the alternative of me hooking up with a dude, considering I’m straight,” he shot back.
Hannah’s lips curled. “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
Jesse scowled. “Are you saying you’ve hooked up with a girl before?”
How had this gotten so off topic? The two of them, I swear, but this was exactly what I wanted. Amusement tipped at the corner of my mouth. I could just relax and listen to them go back and forth for hours. I was going to miss the shit out of them.
But not tonight.
This evening was going to be all about laughs, memories, and friends.
“Who’s ready to get sick off angel food cupcakes and champagne?” Hannah asked, holding up a wrapped bottle.
My stomach rolled. “Don’t mention alcohol in my presence.”
Hannah sultry eyes narrowed. “Did someone start the party early?”
“We’re going to put this stuff in the kitchen,” I said between my teeth. “Jesse, find us a movie to watch?” I tossed him the remote, and Jesse made some form of guy grunt in the back of his throat, already scouring the library of movies my father had. I grabbed Hannah’s arm and dragged her into the kitchen.
We barely made it out of Jesse’s earshot before Hannah was shooting her mouth off. “Oooh, you have dirt. What kind of dirt? Juicy? Sexy? Scandalous?”
I was going to miss her blabber. “I went out with Devyn last night. He surprised me,” I informed.
She hunted through my cabinet, pulling out three glasses. “Details. Why aren’t you giving me details?”
I propped my hip on the counter. “It was sweet. He showed up at the exact time I was born. 12:01 in the morning.”
Hannah’s head whip in my direction. “How did he know what time you were born? I don’t even think I knew that, and I know your bra size.”
I sucked on my lower lip. “Um, I don’t know. Maybe Mom mentioned it the night we had dinner, when she had brought out the baby photos. It happens to be his birthday, too.”
“No shit. What are the chances?”
If she only knew. In the Second Moon, the probability was a hundred percent if you were a Kitsune. “Crazy, right?”
“I’ll say. Maybe it’s destiny. You were born to meet and fall in love.”
I choked. She had no idea how close to the truth the hopeless romantic theory was. “I’m sure fate has better things to do than compose my love life.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
“Devyn is complicated. I’m still trying to figure him out.”
“Well, don’t take too long. A guy like him doesn’t stay single for long.”
She was probably right. It made me wonder how many girls Devyn had dated, or if there was anyone waiting for him back in the Second Moon. We hadn’t really talked about it, but I assumed there was no one from the number of times our lips had locked. “We should probably see what bad Chuck Norris movie Jesse’s picked out. What is with him and martial art flicks?”
“Who knows? Maybe he was dropped on his head as baby.”
I chuckled. “I’ll grab some snacks and order the pizza.”
We strode back into the family room with provisions and drinks. Jesse was kicked back on the couch; the screen on the TV was paused. “Don’t tell me we’re watching another superhero marathon,” I grumbled, sinking down onto the recliner.
Jesse lips tipped downward at the corners. “I thought you had a thing for guys in tights.”
I rolled my eyes. “I do. I was just thinking something less supernatural.”
“Since when? You love that stuff,” Jesse said.
I did, until it had become my life. “How about a comedy? I want to laugh.”
“Like Jesse isn’t funny looking enough,” Hannah said dryly.
“Hey,” he complained, tossing a chip at her from across the couch. “I’ll have you know this face gets longing glances, not laughs.”
Hannah and I snorted, but truthfully, Jesse was too pretty for his own good. He could have dated any girl in school, and though he had his fair share of girlfriends, they never lasted longer than a few months, tops.
The three of us settled in to watch the movie and munch on snacks. Thirty minutes later, the doorbell ringed. “Pizza!” Jesse bellowed.
I hopped up, transferring the popcorn bowl from my lap to Hannah’s and trotted down the hall. Flipping open the door, my heart sunk. “What are you doing here?” I was about two seconds away from slamming the door in his face. Better question, how did he know where I lived? His creep radar went up ten notches. Was he a stalker? A serial killer?
Reilly—the bartender—stood in my doorway, smirking. “Is that how you greet all your visitors?”
I shot a quick glance over my shoulder, just in case Hannah or Jesse had followed me. “You need to leave. I have friends over.” Friends that don’t know what I am, I conveyed with my eyes.
Reilly winked, catching my drift. “Don’t worry. This won’t take long.”
I folded my arms. “Good. Now talk, quick.” Hopefully my curt behavior wouldn’t have any impact on Devyn and I being able to use the house his family owned in the Alps. The idea of going to another country was both exciting and terrifying.
“I wanted to warn you.”
Now he had my attention. I straightened up. “Warn me about what?”
He leaned casually in the doorway, as if he had all day, hiking up my frustration levels. “Be careful who you trust.”
“And why should I trust you?” I had only met this guy last night.
“The Second Moon is my home. I have family there, and I don’t want to see it ruined or fall into the wrong hands. I’ve heard whispers from the otherworld.”
“Could you be more cryptic? Are you implying that I shouldn’t trust Devyn? What whispers?”
“Tactics have been changed after the failed attempts on your life. The Sin Eater is proving to be a more formidable force than either Talin or Ryker had anticipated.” Reilly’s gaze shifted to the stone around my neck.
I sensed he wanted to touch it, which put me on defense. My hand lifted automatically, covering my soul stone with my fingers. Warmth emitted from it, and I angled my head to the side. “Are you a shifter?” I asked the question that had been on my mind since I had laid eyes on him last night.
“I’m not a Kitsune, but I do have another form,” he said.
I was beyond intrigued. “Are you going to make me guess?”
He grinned. “A dragon.”
Holy dragonballs. “You’re freaking serious?”
Reilly’s eyes glittered. “I’d be happy to show you.”
Behind me the TV grew louder, reminding me I wasn’t alone. “Uh, some other time.”
“Assuming we meet again, your highness.” He tipped his head in a tiny bow.
I scrunched my nose. “Just Karina.”
He nodded, and turned to leave.
I held my breath, half hoping he would go incognito and shift into a dragon, but he kept walking. “Reilly?” I called just as he was about to step off the porch. I leaned out of the doorway as he turned back around to face me, lifting a brow. “What about unicorns?” I whispered.
He chuckled. “Sorry to disappoint you, but unicorns are make-believe, even in the Second Moon.”
Did I just make a fool of myself? If Devyn knew, he would be laughing his ass off right about now.
Scowling, I returned to my friends, trying not to let Reilly damper the mood.
“Where’s the pizza?” Jesse asked, seeing me come back empty handed.
“It was a Jehovah Witness,” I mumbled, sinking back into my seat.
As I sat with my friends, a messy knot of emotion puffed in my throat. Fear grew inside me like a weed with fertilizer, crawling and twining its way inside my chest.
Chapter Four
Graduation day. The plan had been to get my butt out of the house early, so I could ride along with Jesse to school and the ceremony. That’s not what happened.
First, I overslept.
Then, I cut myself shaving in the shower. Blood everywhere, turning the water a nasty crimson red as it dripped down my leg.
As if bleeding all over the place wasn’t enough, I misplaced my graduation gown. Don’t ask me how. The thing was the ugliest shade of gold known to man, bordering on brown. Puke came to mind.
Instead of making Jesse late, I texted him, letting him know I would meet Hannah and him at the school. There was no point in him waiting around for me. I’d hitch a ride with my parents. I wasn’t thrilled with Mom’s decision to see me walk down the aisle, but she refused to be swayed, insisting this was a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and there was no way she was missing out. No illness was going to keep her from seeing her only child reach an important milestone in her life, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t worried about her health.
I wanted to argue.
She was safer at home.
A dull ache had taken up behind my eyes. The last few days had flown by in a whirlwind, and I still hadn’t told my parents or friends about my summer plans. It wasn’t like I was chomping at the bit to have to tell them I would be gone for three months…or more. The or more was what he
ld me back. It was going to be hard enough lying to them.
“Karina!” Dad yelled from downstairs, my cue to get my ass moving.
“I’m coming!” I hollered back, grabbing my cap off the dresser and stopped to look at my reflection one last time in the mirror. It was hard to see me as the same Karina. I told myself that under the new abilities and the fur, I was still her. No matter what happened or what I could do, I had to stay true to me.
So I kept repeating to myself.
I took a deep breath.
Just look at the next months as an adventure.
A deadly adventure.
Mom and Dad were waiting for me at the front door as I jogged down the stairs. “Let’s get this rodeo on the road,” I said, pausing on the last step. My parents were staring at me.
Mom’s hands flew to her mouth, stifling a squeal of excitement. “I can’t believe my baby is graduating high school. Where has the time gone?” Mist gathered in her eyes as she gave me a hug.
Here came the tears.
If she started crying, I was going to lose it, and what little makeup I’d been able to slap on was going to be ruined.
Pulling back, she held up a finger in the air. “Wait. Don’t move. I need pictures.” She fumbled with her camera, my father grinning like a proud papa bear behind her.
I hated getting my picture taken. Selfies? No way. They were hideous, but I indulged Mom. It was important to her, something to remember, and someday I would be thankful for the pictures.
Dad pressed a hand to the small of Mom’s back. “Okay, ladies. We need to be on our way if we want to see Kit Kat get that degree. We’re so proud of you, honey, and all your hard work.”
I gave them both a hug. “Thanks, Dad.”
It was a bittersweet moment. Their twin smiles of elation would soon be replaced with confusion. I hated that I had to leave, not knowing when I would see them again—so much so I was beginning to convince myself maybe there was a way I could stay and keep them safe.
Was there no other alternative?
There was still time to explore other options. It wasn’t like I had to pick up and leave the second I graduated. My mind wanted to believe there was hope. I had been prepared to go off to college, but leaving because being around me was dangerous hadn’t ever crossed my mind. Now it was all I thought about, day and night.
