Realizing how thin my T-shirt was, I crossed my arms over my chest.
Chase walked over to the dresser and picked up my journal. “What’s this?”
I grabbed the journal away from him and hid it behind my back. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” He grabbed a bottle of perfume and held it to his nose.
I let out a grunt. “Didn’t Gavin say to watch me from outside?”
Chase scoffed. “He’s not the boss of me.”
“You sound very mature. I feel safer already.”
“Cool. Is this a jewelry box?” He flipped it open, and the dancing ballerina twirled to the music. “Nice.”
I slammed the lid down on the box. “Would you please stop looking through my things? You’re not going to find a Reaper in my jewelry box.”
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he searched my face. “Did you take your potion tonight?”
I sighed and walked over to sit on my bed. “Not yet.”
I pulled the tobacco tin out of my nightstand. I hated to think what assumptions Dad would have if he found it. Good thing Dad wasn’t the snooping type.
I tapped the tin against my leg. “It hasn’t kept me from wandering.”
Chase scratched at his jaw. “Maybe it needs time to kick in. Like antibiotics.”
I hadn’t thought of that. “I’ll get some water. Don’t touch anything.”
He almost smiled. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
I felt weird leaving him in my room, but we only had cups and glasses in the kitchen. Hoping Dad stuck to his routine of snoring along to whatever sports program was on, I hurried down the stairs and slipped into the kitchen. Just as I had filled a glass with tap water, a shadow moved near the dining room table. I gasped.
“Sorry, Zadie.” Dad held an apologetic hand up as he neared. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
I forced myself to keep my composure. “It’s okay. I should have turned on the lights. I was getting some water.”
“I’m glad I caught you.” Dad ran a hand over his face. I guessed he really had fallen asleep in front of the TV. “The hospital called. They reduced Mom’s meds. Said she’s responding well.”
I rubbed my fingers against the glass. “That’s great.”
“The doctor’s set to evaluate her, uh, mental state after her body adjusts to the change.”
“You think they’ll let her come home if… you know?” If she passed the tests? If she proved to be sane? If she didn’t start panicking, hurting herself again, and screaming to anyone who would listen that something evil was out to get her?
Dad put a hand on my shoulder. I tried not to flinch when his fingers brushed my scar.
“Let’s hope.”
I nodded, offering a small smile. “’Night, Dad.”
When I got back to my room, I found Chase sitting on the bed reading my book. I cleared my throat and set the water down.
Chase closed the book and hit it against his hand. “Interesting reading. Though I’m not really a big fan of love triangles.”
“Shut up.”
The smallest hint of a smile touched his lips. He took the tobacco tin and opened it. As if he’d done it a million times, he pinched off some of the powder and dropped it into my glass. His eyes were on me as he picked up the glass and swirled the water around. He tipped his head slightly as he handed the glass to me.
“Thanks.” I finished off the mixture in three gulps, cringing from the bitter aftertaste.
He patted the spot next to him. “Time for bed?”
Scowling, I pointed to the corner. “See that chair over there? That’s where you sit.”
He leaned back on his hands and raised a brow. “Why so nervous, Zadie?”
“I’m not nervous. I just…like my space.”
He smirked as he stood. “Right.”
I climbed under my covers, and Chase settled into the white, wicker chair in the corner. He straightened his coat out from under him and then leaned back. My bedside lamp barely cast light on the angled features of his face.
“Can I ask you something?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know why you always ask me if you can; you do it anyway.”
I shrugged. “It’s just something I’ve always wondered about.”
“Well, now my curiosity is piqued.”
“Why do you always wear that trench coat?”
He scratched an eyebrow. “I guess if anyone would believe the story, you would.”
“What story?”
His gaze hit the floor for a moment, then intense gray eyes landed back on my face.
“It happened to me in Portugal. There was a Vila there who lived by the ocean. She was out of control, on the verge of losing her mind. She had fascinating control of her powers though. I was trying to help her, but she misunderstood my intentions. She attacked me one night on the beach. Controlled the water. It… grabbed me. Pulled me into the sea, as if it grew hands. I could barely keep my head above water. Then she used her power to change the temperature. Froze the water around me. She left me there.” He shivered.
“I was trapped like that until Hunter finally found me. But it was more than hypothermia that got me. Something in her magic. It’s like the ice is still inside me. My body temperature has run low ever since. Not so low as to kill me, but cold enough I need to take extra steps to keep warm. I’ve lined this coat with a mixture I made myself. It keeps my body temperature normal. That’s why I wear it in the winter too. It adjusts to outside conditions and levels out to the right degrees.”
“That’s amazing.” I shook my head. “So when you take it off, you get cold. Even in the summer?”
He shrugged. “Yeah.”
I remembered prom. Chase didn’t have his trench coat on then, and when I grabbed his hand, it was like ice. Now I understood why.
“That’s got to suck.”
He smirked.
“Couldn’t you just line some other piece of clothing with the mixture for the summer? Like a long sleeved shirt or something?”
“The mixture would seep through. The inside of this coat is sealed with a special airtight material, and that material is sewed into the lining. Something like that on the inside of a shirt would look ridiculous.”
I almost laughed, picturing it. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Aren’t I always?”
“Well, you could put it into a leather jacket. That might look a little less weird than that trench coat.”
He laughed. “I’ll put it on my to-do list.”
“I have another question. Notice how I didn’t ask you if I could ask it.”
“Duly noted.”
“Lilura’s last name is Black, like yours and Hunter’s.”
He nodded once. “Correct.”
“But that means your Mom’s last name was Black before she married your dad. Did she not take his name?”
Letting out the smallest of sighs, he came over and sat on the edge of the bed. I scooted a couple of inches to give him room. “She did.”
“Did she not give you and Hunter his name?”
“She did.”
“Then why is your last name Black?”
He rubbed at his chin, eyes cast to the floor. “We used to have my dad’s name. But when my mom… died, he changed it back in her honor.”
“Oh.” I felt the urge to reach out and put my hand on his, but I resisted. “That was sweet.”
“Yeah.”
I wondered if he missed his mom the way I missed mine. I’m sure his pain was worse. I felt guilty that I could at least go visit my mom, even if she wasn’t really “there” to interact with me. And if things went well, I’d have her back for good. Chase could never have that luxury.
“What did it used to be?” I asked. “Your last name.”
“Hudson.”
“Oh.” My hand flew over my mouth as a yawn escaped.
“You should get some sleep.”
My eyelids drooped. “Hmm.”
“I could give you a backrub, if that would help.”
I let out a tiny laugh.
“No funny business.” He put a hand on his heart. “I’m a man of honor, Zadie. I certainly wouldn’t do anything to earn your disrespect.”
I gave him a sideways smile. “Still, I’ll pass.”
He stood. “I had a feeling you would.”
He gazed at me for a moment before pulling my comforter up to my shoulders. His shadow played on my walls as he headed to my window.
“I’ll be right outside,” he said.
Just as he was about to climb though it, I sat up a little. “Chase?”
“Yeah?”
“I didn’t mean to hurt that man.” Though we hadn’t found out what happened to Rudy yet, something in my gut told me I might have really harmed him.
His eyes locked with mine. “I know. You’re not like that. You have a good heart.”
I smiled and slid back down to my pillow. Outside my window, he sat on the portico roof and winked at me before he ducked out of sight.
Chapter Fourteen
I straightened out my dress for the hundredth time. Not because I felt I needed to look good, but because I was getting impatient. Mara was taking forever to get ready for the graduation ceremony. Dad, dressed in an old suit and tie, read the paper in his chair and occasionally glanced at his watch. I leaned back against the couch cushions and checked my phone again. It had been two days since I heard from Gavin, and I was beginning to worry.
The doorbell rang, and I jumped to my feet. “I’ll get it.”
The hope in my heart and the prayer on my lips were answered when I opened the door to find Gavin. Gavin was back! I rushed out onto the porch. I didn’t care about the wrinkles my dress was sure to get from crushing myself against him. I was just happy to have him back, safe and sound and in my arms.
“You came!” I said against his lips.
He smiled against my mouth. “I told you I would.”
I held him at arm’s length. My eyes took in every inch of his face. “You look really, really good.”
He smirked. “So do you.”
“Nice suit and tie.”
He pulled me closer again. “Nice lips.”
I closed my eyes as we made up for all the missed kisses. We parted when Dad’s cough traveled out to us from the living room. I was glad he couldn’t see us or our display of affection.
“So, did you find out what happened?”
He looked down at our joined hands. “Yeah.”
Why was he so quiet? “Do you want to talk about it?”
His brow creased, his eyes on his feet.
“It’s okay. I understand.” I didn’t want to press him. It was obviously something he had to deal with on his own. For now, anyway. “When you’re ready, I’m here for you.”
His brilliant blue eyes found mine, and he reached up and stroked my cheek.
“Okay, I’m ready,” Mara called as she skipped down the stairs.
I pulled Gavin inside the house. Dad nodded to him as he stood from his chair. Then all eyes were on Mara. Silver high heels peeked out from the bottom of her dark blue gown. Strawberry blond waves spilled out from beneath her graduation cap.
“Wow, Mara.” Dad ran a hand through his hair, his smile wide. “You look great. I dreamed about this day. Seeing my baby girl getting her diploma. I only thought… Well, congratulations.”
I knew exactly what he was thinking. I only thought Mom would be here too.
It was unfair that she wasn’t here to share this day with us. She’d been robbed of so many family moments. I couldn’t stand the thought of her missing more. My chest filled with motivation. Mom would come home. And I would make sure no Reaper would ruin her return.
Mara rode with Dad to the school, and I sat happily in Gavin’s passenger seat. It felt like he’d been away for so long, I didn’t want to let him out of my sight for a second.
The parking lot was beyond crowded, littered with cars and families taking pictures. We eventually found a place to park and managed to get through the crowd of people headed for the football bleachers.
A couple of Mara’s classmates waved her over. She smiled at Dad and me.
“I’ll see you out there, I guess,” she said.
“I’m proud of you, honey.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
The bleachers were full, but luckily, Dad, Gavin, and I found three seats together. Unfortunately, the sun was directly in our eyes. Gavin was smart and put on sunglasses. I squinted onto the field and smiled when I spotted Mara.
“Zadie!”
I turned to see who shouted my name. A few rows back, Naomi sat with her family. Her parents had their phones aimed at the field, undoubtedly snapping pictures and video of Naomi’s brother, Nate, in his graduation outfit. I waved at her and made a note to talk to her after the ceremony.
After the valedictorian made her speech, the diplomas were handed out. Mara’s face lit up when they called her name, and Dad took a million pictures. I stood and clapped, genuinely proud of my big sister. Glad she was alive and well and could enjoy this milestone in her life.
After the last student’s name was called and the school principal congratulated the class, a storm of graduation caps filled the air. Families and friends piled out of the bleachers as if every second counted. I knew there was no rush. Mara had people to talk to and pictures to take. I told Dad to go on ahead, and I would see him for Mara’s dinner. Naomi joined Gavin and me, and gave me a big hug.
“Sorry I’ve been MIA,” Naomi said. “The extended family is in town for Nate’s big day, and Mom’s appointed me official hostess.”
“It’s okay. I did miss you, though.”
She hugged me again. “I missed you too. And you’re coming to the party tonight, right? Danny’s coming.”
“Of course. We’ll be there.”
“Good. Because a ton of people already backed out to go to Kelly’s party.” Naomi pouted.
I winked at her. “You can count on us, chica.”
As the crowd thinned, Chase appeared by the side of the football field. His expression was always stoic, but this time he looked like something was on his mind. Gavin and I exchanged a look and then approached him.
“What’s up, Chase?”
His hands were in his trench coat, brows drawn down. He nodded a quick hello to Gavin before he spoke. “We found Rudy.”
I couldn’t breathe.
“Where?” Gavin asked.
Chase looked over his shoulder before continuing. “In the hospital.”
“He’s alive?” I could barely get the words out.
Chase nodded. “Beat up, but, yeah. Alive.”
“Thank God.” I placed my head against Gavin’s shoulder.
“I talked to him,” Chase said.
Naomi’s eyes widened. “You what?”
“Yeah. I told him I used to be the paperboy. He was pretty out of it, so it wasn’t a problem.”
There was a pinch in my heart. I held my hand over it. “What did he say?”
“He can’t remember what happened, really. Said he was sleeping and somebody broke in. Attacked him. He couldn’t remember if he locked the door or not. His head was bashed, he’s bruised up, and he has some gashes in his chest. They found wood splinters stuck in his skin. But he can’t connect you, so you’re probably okay.”
I swallowed back the bitterness lodged in my throat. “That’s not my biggest concern here.”
Chase dropped his gaze. “I know.”
Gavin pulled me close. “He’s going to be all right, Zadie. We got lucky.”
I took a deep breath and let it out. Yes. At least he survived. I didn’t kill anyone. Not yet, at least.
Chase raised his chin and looked me directly in the eyes. “You know it wasn’t you, Zadie. You were being controlled.”
I pressed my lips together, knowing he was right but still feeling the guilt in my heart.
“Lilura wan
ts you and Mara to come train today. She might have an idea of how to call the Reaper out.”
I rubbed my hands together. There was so much to do, and so little time to do it in. “We’ve got Mara’s graduation dinner.”
Naomi elbowed me.
“And then Naomi’s party.”
Chase regarded me for a moment. “Tomorrow, then. First thing in the morning.”
***
“Yay, you’re here!” Naomi gathered me into her arms as soon as she opened her front door. “Come in, come in. Congratulations once again, Mara.”
Naomi and my sister exchanged a quick hug.
“Thank you.”
When Gavin, Mara, and I stepped into Naomi’s living room, I was surprised it wasn’t jam-packed like it had been the previous year. I guessed word of Kelly’s huge bash had made its rounds, leaving this party very low key. If I had to be honest, I was glad. I wasn’t in the mood for a rowdy party anyway. Just Gavin and I relaxing side-by-side on the couch, surrounded by our best friends and my sister, sounded like exactly the evening I needed.
Nate, Naomi’s brother, sat near the fireplace with his girlfriend and his closest friends, both male and female. Even though I hardly ever saw him—in or out of school—he’d always been friendly to me. Not just because I was his little sister’s best friend, but also because that was the type of guy Nate was. He waved a quick hello in our direction before focusing back on his girlfriend’s story.
“Hey, buddy.” Danny stood from a chair and fist bumped Gavin. “Where’ve you been hiding?”
Gavin slapped him on the shoulder. “You’re the one too busy to call.”
“Full-time summer job. Look it up, slacker.”
Naomi linked her arm with mine and giggled. “I’m so glad you came. If you haven’t noticed, the turnout hasn’t exactly met my expectations. But who needs anyone else if you’re here?”
“It’s their loss,” I said, giving Naomi’s arm a squeeze. “You’re the hostess with the mostest.”
“I brought a DVD.” Gavin handed it to Naomi with an impish grin.
“Figures.” Smirking, Naomi took the DVD and skipped over to pop it into the player. She held the case up and read the title: Curse of the Swamp Creature.
Mara chuckled. “This is probably the real reason nobody showed up.”
My Tethered Soul: Volume 2 (Reaper's Rite) Page 13
