B008IJW70G EBOK

by Lane, Soraya

  Even if sometimes she had wished she was dead.

  “Once you’re done steaming,” her grandmother said with a chuckle, “I’d like you to meet someone.”

  Riley looked back at Sophia. She had to be kidding? Was she even taking her seriously?

  After a morning like she’d had, and with her head pounding like a truck was storming through it, now she had to be social?

  “No thanks.” She hadn’t wanted to show her temper but it was impossible not to sound snarky. Today had been beyond ridiculous already.

  “He’s waiting.”

  Riley looked around and didn’t see anyone.

  “Inside?”

  Guilt crawling through her belly at being rude mixed with disappointment. She was annoyed with Sophia, but she was her guest and she was stuck with her. There was no point getting all freaked out and in her face.

  If he was already inside, whoever this guest was, there was no way she could get out of meeting him.

  “He’s over by the tree there.”

  Riley followed her grandmother’s wave. She glanced toward the forest. And almost dropped the reins she held in each hand.

  A tall guy, long legs clad in denim, head hidden by the angle of the shade falling over his face, stood. Back resting against a massive tree.

  Riley sucked in a lungful of air as he raised one hand in greeting. She looked away, didn’t bother to return the gesture.

  Didn’t know if it was embarrassment, pride or something else that forced her to ignore him.

  “I need to talk to you inside first. Then you can meet Hunter.”

  The mysterious Hunter. She should have guessed.

  It didn’t matter that he looked like a bronzed track athlete. She didn’t want to meet anyone. Didn’t want to pretend that everything in her world was okay. Didn’t want to have fun, not without Claudia.

  And she didn’t particularly want to play nice when her gran had as good as fed her to the wolves by letting her go out in the forest alone.

  But a quick glance at Sophia showed she was serious. There was no humor in her eyes, just a steely determination that Riley hadn’t seen there yesterday. And it told her that saying no wasn’t an option.

  “Riley?”

  She nodded. She was smart enough to know when she could win a fight, and this wasn’t looking like one of them.

  Sophia held up her hand to this Hunter guy, gave him some sort of a signal, before he disappeared. Riley watched the slow, languid way he walked off, hands in his pockets, casual as hell. Why hadn’t he just come over? It wasn’t like she cared, but still.

  Riley knew she looked terrible. Her hair was like straw, flat against her head from the helmet, face probably smudged from mucking around with the horses, but she hadn’t cared about how she looked in a while. Had worn her jeans, steel-toed boots and a tank every day since finding her sister, because she no longer cared enough to make an effort.

  Making time for anything other than feeling sad just made her feel disloyal. Traitorous.

  Although Claudia would be shaking her fist at her from up above if she even thought about meeting a guy that cute without at least brushing her hair.

  A grin hit Riley’s lips. It was like Claudia had been with her then, the way they used to always be able to communicate without speaking. The whole twin-communication thing was what she missed the most.

  Riley laughed inside, grinning to herself. Okay. If Claudia wanted her to tart herself up, then that’s what she’d do.

  For Claudia. Not for the guy.

  If it meant she could make Claudia laugh from wherever she was, it was definitely worth making an effort.

  Riley’s grin faded as soon as she walked inside. The small bubble of happiness that she’d enjoyed gone.

  One minute, she’d felt like her sister was sitting on her shoulder, in her mind somehow, and now it was like she’d lost her forever all over again. And Sophia was starting to drive her mad.

  “Riley, you need to understand that I know what you’re going through.”

  Riley was sick of hearing people say that. Everyone said it. I know what it’s like. It’ll get better. Give it time.

  She’d lost her twin sister, not a damn pet bird. It was never going to get any easier, and no one understood. No one. Not Sophia, not her friends, not anyone.

  Anger bubbled in her throat, clouded her mind, but she kept her mouth shut. Talking just made it hurt more. She wasn’t going to defend herself, to try to explain it. It was easier to let it go rather than waste her energy on arguing.

  Riley was starting to think she should have just skipped off to meet Hunter straight away when she’d had the chance. Anything would be better than this conversation. Even mumbling, trying to converse with a stranger who you had nothing in common with. At least she could have ignored him.

  “And I know that look on your face, Riley. Like no one could possibly know what it’s like.” Sophia continued, reprimanding her, forcing her to stop and listen.

  Okay, so she had her attention. How the hell did she think she knew any better?

  “It’s like having one of your arms cut off but worse, because the wound never heals,” Sophia told her. “It just gets deeper, darker, until you don’t even know how you’ll be able to breathe. Like both of your lungs have collapsed, one on top of the other. You feel like you’ll never be able to claw your way back to the surface.”

  Suddenly Riley did find it hard to breathe. She sucked back air, gulping it like it was her last chance to fill her lungs.

  That was exactly how she felt. A lightness lifted her shoulders as she turned back to Sophia. Did she, could she, actually know what it was like? Who had she lost, what had happened?

  “How, I mean…”

  Sophia interrupted her, holding her hand in the air. “I lost my twin too.”

  “What?” How come she didn’t already know that? Why had no one told her?

  “I was the same age as you. My twin sister died of a heart condition. Or at least that’s what the formal conclusion was.”

  Riley felt like her head was a spinning top, about to fly off. What? That was exactly how Claudia had died, or what the doctor had told them anyway.

  “So it’s a family condition then?”

  Sophia chuckled. “You could say that.”

  Anger threatened to choke her. It wasn’t something to be laughed at. Claudia was gone forever. There was nothing funny about that.

  “What we have is not necessarily a condition, but you’re right, it’s inherited.”

  Riley was confused. Inherited but not a condition?

  “But the doctor said it was a freak heart thing. That he couldn’t explain it. If it happened to your sister too…”

  “Believe me, soon you’ll be pleased a doctor can’t diagnose what we have.”

  Riley shook her head. Maybe the old woman was getting a bit senile. Didn’t know what she was saying.

  Sophia smiled, as if to challenge her, as if she knew exactly what Riley had been thinking. As if she wanted to have to prove it to her.

  “We’re different, you and I, Riley,” Sophia said in a low voice. “You’re here for a reason. For a journey.”

  “I’m here because my parents don’t know what to do with me,” she snapped. “Because they’re sick of looking at me and being reminded of her.”

  Sophia just smiled again. Riley wished she wasn’t being so patient with her, so kind. She wanted to argue, to fight with her. Anything to get rid of what she was feeling right now. She didn’t understand. Didn’t get what Sophia was trying to tell her.

  “Just go with Hunter. He’ll show you what you want to know. What you need to see.”

  How the hell was he going to explain some freaky family heart condition better than Sophia could? “Can we just stop talking in riddles?” She stomped her foot, feeling childish before her heel even hit the ground. “Please.” Her voice was husky, weak now.

  “Go with Hunter. He’ll look after you. You don’t need t
o be afraid of him.”

  Riley twisted a lock of her long black hair around her finger. Nervous. She wasn’t afraid of what he’d do to her. That he wouldn’t look after her. Not if Sophia trusted him.

  A shiver hit Riley’s spine. But she was grieving, not looking for a date. She shouldn’t even be thinking about him like that.

  But if he could give her answers…

  “And then you’ll tell me? Actually explain all this to me? Tell me what your riddles mean?”

  Sophia nodded. “I promise. If Hunter can’t tell you everything you need to know, satisfy your curiosity, then you can ask me anything.”

  Riley tilted her head back, eyes to the ceiling, frustrated, before meeting Sophia’s gaze. “Where do I find him?”

  Sophia’s face lit up, like she hadn’t expected her to cave in so soon. “He’s waiting outside.”

  Of course he was.

  “Just keep an open mind, Riley? I’m counting on you.”

  Riley waved her hand in the air as she walked out the door. She wanted to know what the hell was going on. If this Hunter could tell her, if she could question him, then it was worth meeting him.

  But why couldn’t Sophia just tell her? And how the hell was this Hunter guy supposed to know the link between Sophia’s sister and Claudia?

  CHAPTER THREE

  Riley was having a hard time concentrating as she walked toward him. Describing this guy as cute would be an understatement.

  Hunter was waiting, just like Sophia had said. In the same chilled out, casual way as before. Like he didn’t care how long he had to stand there. Or what anyone thought of him.

  It made her feel awkward. And she sure as hell wasn’t used to that.

  “Hi,” she said.

  He smiled. “Hey.”

  “I’m Riley.” She stuck out her hand. “Sophia said you wanted to meet me.”

  He stepped away from the tree, killer smile still firmly in place.

  “Hunter.”

  He shook her hand, his palm wrapping around hers in a firm grip.

  He was more like a man than a boy–harder and with a tougher edge. More graceful than a ballerina, more masculine than a grizzly bear, and fitter looking than an all-star track athlete.

  And he was smart. She could tell, just from the way he was assessing her, looking at her. From the unsaid words behind those eyes.

  Hunter’s eyes twinkled as green as an emerald when she found the courage to meet his gaze. She found it hard to look away and she bet her knew why.

  Riley liked the look of him. A lot. She doubted there was a girl around who wouldn’t. But she wasn’t that type of girl. The kind that batted eyelashes and flirted. Especially not now.

  “Nice ride?”

  No, it had been terrible. But she wasn’t going to tell him that.

  “Fine, thanks.”

  “You look tense,” he said.

  He reached out to her, then dropped his hand. As if deciding they weren’t yet familiar enough to touch.

  Riley laughed. The kind of hysterical burst of laughter that could easily have turned to tears. “Yeah, funny that. When I’m riding a horse and a big cat crosses the track it tends to make me jumpy.” She paused, trying hard not to scowl, because she knew he was in on whatever her gran was keeping from her. “Although I’m told you were out there somewhere keeping an eye on me,” she said sarcastically.

  “Huh.”

  What the hell kind of answer was that?

  Hunter was too casual for her liking. Too unfussed by meeting her. Unworried, unbothered that he was disturbing her. And why was no one reacting to her seeing a giant wild cat.

  Riley looked away, when all she really wanted was to trace her eyes along his face. Drink in the buzz cut of his dark, almost black hair.

  She stopped herself from thinking about him. Tried. Or more importantly she tried to focus on his eyes looking back at hers and nothing else.

  Hunter had a white T-shirt on, but his tanned biceps were on display. Just what she needed to notice when she was trying to ignore how good he looked.

  Hunter grinned at her when she looked up again. Like he could read her mind. She wished they weren’t just standing here. She was awkward, he at ease. She didn’t like the balance of power. Or lack of power, in her case.

  “So are you ready?”

  Riley pushed her shoulders up into a shrug. “Ready for what?”

  “For a walk through the forest. I need to explain some stuff to you.”

  “Not really.” She wasn’t interested, no matter how cute he was.

  “Sophia wants you to. You know that, right?”

  Yeah she knew. But she was less than happy about the circumstances. It was too… what? She didn’t even know what it was her grandma wanted her to do. To learn.

  Why did they have to go into the forest anyway? It didn’t look like he had any weapons, and given the animal she’d seen before, she wasn’t exactly keen on going back in, especially without a weapon.

  “I’d rather stay here.”

  “Scared of a little cat?” he asked.

  His face was mocking her but she couldn’t help but react.

  “I think you’ll find that it wasn’t exactly a pussy cat.”

  That made him laugh and it only infuriated her more.

  What happened to being in charge of her own destiny? To wallowing in her grief, alone? She hadn’t planned on being bullied into making friends or having to brave it in a forest filled with predators.

  “You’re not thinking about him, are you?”

  That made her head snap up.

  “About who?”

  “The boy you were dating back home.”

  What? How did he even know? Had Sophia known she had a boyfriend? Her parents had hardly even known about him. In fact, they didn’t know about him.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but no.”

  They’d broken up just after her sister died. It had been nothing special, he was cute, they’d gone out a few times, but now? Hunter made him look like a child.

  Not that she wanted him to know that. But seriously? Hunter made the boys at her school look like pre-schoolers in comparison.

  “Good,” he said.

  Why was that good? And why was he interrogating her? Like he was some kind of clued-up stalker?

  “I’m sorry?” she asked.

  “It’s just that you’re best to be focused while you’re here.”

  She was sick of this conversation already. The type that went around and around in circles. Same conversation to the one she’d just had before with her gran, and still no answers.

  “You want me focused on you, you mean. Is that it?” Her cheeks flushed burning hot. She’d always had a quick tongue, gotten into trouble with her smart mouth, only she’d never been attracted to the people she usually argued with.

  He showed off those perfect white teeth again. “If you want to be.”

  “Argh! I’m not coming.”

  His laugh, deep and arrogant, rang out behind her. “I’ll be waiting.”

  Riley flicked a look over her shoulder as she stalked off. He was leaning against the big tree again, his tall body braced against it.

  He was driving her insane.

  An hour later, Riley looked out and he was still there. Just hanging out, daydreaming, like he had all day to wait for her. Like she was just going to give in and go with him.

  Even Sophia had kept her mouth shut when she’d stormed inside past her. But Riley had a feeling she couldn’t get away with ignoring him for long.

  She stalked outside and back over to Hunter.

  “Okay.” She glared at him as she spoke, tried hard not to notice his smile.

  It shouldn’t have been so hard.

  “So you want to come now?” he asked.

  She hated him. She actually hated him and she’d only just met him.

  “You want to walk, let’s walk.”

  He mocked her, face serious. “And talk.”

>   Riley shook her head, annoyed that he seemed to find their exchange so funny.

  “Fire away,” she retorted.

  Hunter grinned before walking down a beaten, narrow path, not waiting for her to follow. “This way.”

  She felt like he was leading her to her death. Seriously. He was so hot she could hardly stop looking at him, even though he was driving her insane, and he was treating her like some stupid kid. She hoped Claudia was looking down on this. She’d be getting some serious kicks.

  And probably enjoying the eye candy.

  Argh.

  “Question time?” he asked her.

  Riley didn’t even bother to look at him, her eyes scanning for danger. She wasn’t going to let a leopard or anything else catch her unawares this time.

  “Shoot,” she mumbled, too drained to fight him with words.

  “Actually, I was thinking you could ask me a question first.”

  She so wasn’t up for playing games. Riley sighed, hoping he got the hint.

  “Like what?”

  “You wondered about the leopard before, right?”

  He had her attention. “And the fact that no one seems to care.”

  Hunter stopped and sat down on a fallen tree in the clearing they’d come across, tanned forearms resting on the ripped knees of jeans. Riley stayed away from him on the other side of the path, not wanting to be any closer to him than she had to be.

  “This is going to sound kind of weird, but that was me you saw before.” He paused, a lopsided smile taking over his mouth. “The black cat.”

  Riley laughed. She actually laughed out aloud. But the look on his face made the noise die in her mouth with a gurgle. Like she was drowning, being choked with water.

  What the hell did he mean by that?

  This was just too weird. Her grandma was obviously a crackpot and so was this guy.

  She wished she had a weapon. Something to protect herself with. He was insane, there was no other explanation for the crap he was spinning. Definitely insane.

  “So you transformed into a leopard and then just happened to saunter out as a human after my ride.” Riley tried to keep her voice as non-hysterical as possible. “Like some, some, I don’t know. Creature?”