by Angel Leya
“Here you go,” Vicky said, setting everything down.
Kenzie licked her lips. “That was fast.”
Vicky shrugged. “I had a minute, so I took care of it myself. You two enjoy!” She winked, then spun off toward her other customers. How she managed to stay so peppy was a mystery. Kenzie wouldn’t have been able to keep that kind of smile serving the crowd they had, let alone find a couple of minutes to personally see to an order. Perhaps that’s why she’d never been interested in taking a job waiting tables.
A few bites of perfect apple pie helped Kenzie forget her bad feelings. Between that and the hot cocoa, it wasn’t long before the pair were laughing and joking like old friends. Kenzie liked that about Trevor. He had a way of getting under her skin until she felt like he’d always been a part of her life. If it wasn’t for the whole he-likes-me/he’s-just-my-friend drama hanging over her head, she might actually be able to relax around him all the time.
“When we were younger, I kind of had a crush on Helena. I wanted to impress her, so I decided to make a water heart for her. But when I did, I got so nervous, I lost control. Of course, the water spilled all down her front, making it look like she’d wet herself. I was so embarrassed, I ran to the bathroom to hide. Of course, Helena marched right in there and demanded I remove the water. But when she saw me in tears, she decided to lift the water herself, then squirted me in the face with it. When I asked why she’d done it, she said it was so I wouldn’t look like I’d been crying.”
“Really? Helena, the mer who likes to torture me for breathing the same air as her, Helena?”
Trever chuckled, shaking his head. “She’s not so bad, once she gets out of her own way.”
Kenzie swiped a finger along her plate, picking up the remnants of apple pie, and licked it. “Maybe if I just do like you did and wet her pants, we could become besties.”
Trevor threw his head back and laughed. “Uh, yeah, I don’t think that’s the way to her heart.”
Kenzie shrugged. “Oh well.”
He sobered, looking at Kenzie as if he was trying to figure out how to fix this, too. “You know, maybe if you’re the one to reach out to her—”
Kenzie shook her head emphatically. “No. I think she’s done enough of the starting that she can be the one to finish it.”
Trevor smirked. “Helena’s got way too much pride for that.”
Kenzie raised a brow. “And I don’t?”
Trevor scrunched up his face. “I don’t know if I’d call it pride, on your part. More like . . . stubbornness.”
Kenzie snorted. “Or both. I like to keep things interesting.”
“You certainly do.”
“How are you two doing?” Vicky asked, suddenly stopping as she was passing by. “Anything I can get you?”
Trevor smiled. “I’ll take the check.”
“Coming your way.”
Kenzie reached for her back pocket, but realized she’d forgotten to bring her wallet. She’d basically come as she was, no phone, no nothing. At least she’d remembered Leif’s gift and his key. And her own key card. Trevor could get them both in, but she didn’t want to get caught without the thing. “I’ll have to pay you back later. I forgot my wallet back at the Dome.”
“I’ve got this covered. No biggie.” Trevor grinned. “But if you’d like to pay me back in some other way, I wouldn’t be opposed.”
“Why? You want another beard, Santa?”
Trevor laughed as the waitress set the bill down in front of him. He threw some money in, glancing at Kenzie from under his lashes. “Only if you like the way it tickles.”
Kenzie’s heart fluttered. There was mischief in those ebony eyes. Part of her wanted to dive right in, while the other part of her still clung to the sliver of hope that her and Wes could work things out. Although the longer Trevor stared, the smaller that hope became and the more she itched to dive.
Chapter 23
Kenzie and Trevor walked hand-in-hand through the streets of Chicago, stopping to get things here and there. Trevor had offered to pay for anything she wanted to buy, and she’d promised to reimburse him, though he said it wasn’t necessary. Whatever. She’s wasn’t going to give her friends gifts someone else had paid for.
She got some items to replace the nuts and chocolates the imp had taken—or eaten—and even got a few extra gifts. As they neared a store boasting Native American inspired jewelry, Kenzie’s steps slowed. She and Wes weren’t a thing anymore, but she still wanted to get him something with turquoise in it. She might not have liked everything that went down, but she still wanted him to be happy, and if turquoise could help, then she wanted him to have it.
Kenzie tugged at Trevor’s hand and nodded toward the store. “Mind if we go in there?”
Trevor looked at the place, then back at her. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for that style of jewelry.”
Kenzie smirked. “Who said it was for me? We are Christmas shopping, right?”
Trevor squeezed her hand and followed her in. The place smelled of leather and wood, and something smoky and inviting, like an old lodge in the woods.
A woman came from the back. “How can I help you?”
“I was hoping to find something a little more . . . masculine?” Kenzie said, her gaze flicking to Trevor. His jaw twitched, but he held his posture, keeping his eyes on the clerk. “Oh, and no silver, please.”
The woman had a thoughtful look on her face, but she gave a nod. “I think I have just the thing over here.”
She led them through the displays until she came to one that held several cuffs. Most were silver, but a couple looked to be made of copper. Kenzie picked up one of the simpler ones. It had a tribal feel to it, understated and elegant. It had more design on the inside than the outside. Perfect for Wes. Kenzie flipped over the price tag and nearly put it back when she saw that it was upwards of a hundred dollars. She looked at Trevor, biting her lower lip. “Do you mind? Last purchase. I’ll totally pay you back.”
Trevor took the cuff from her and examined it, flipping over the price tag. He shrugged. “Sure. No problem.”
Kenzie looked to the woman. “It’s real turquoise, right?”
The woman smiled. “It is. That’s a beautiful piece, too. I’m sure your friend will like it.”
Kenzie reddened, looking at her feet. Wes couldn’t even be considered a friend at this point, could he? It was insane of her to want to get him a gift. For about the hundredth time since considering it, Kenzie wanted to abandon the purchase, but she held firm. She wasn’t the type to abandon people. This would probably be the last thing she ever did for Wes, but at least she could move forward with no regrets.
. . . And maybe Trevor had a point about Helena. Sigh. She and Lenore had made a point of making Kenzie’s life miserable, but maybe Kenzie hadn’t done enough to stop it. Maybe by ignoring the problem, she’d only made it worse. She couldn’t go back and change things, but maybe she could extend the first olive branch.
Funny how facing expulsion could change a person’s perspective on things.
The clerk finished ringing up the purchase, and Trevor paid. Kenzie was distracted by an odd feeling in her gut. It almost reminded her of her marked connection, but that was long broken. She looked over her shoulder at the darkening Chicago sky, wondering how it was going back at the Dome. Hopefully they’d located the imp by now. Maybe soon that whole nightmare would be over.
Trevor took her hand again as they walked out of the store. His pace was a little slower this time, and Kenzie took a moment to admire the lights coming on all over the place. Christmas music wafted out of different establishments, and in the distance, she could hear a bell ringing, calling for people to open their hearts and wallets to help the less fortunate. It was everything Christmas should be, yet she still couldn’t quite catch the feeling.
At least they didn’t have to worry so much about vampires. It was almost hard to believe this time last year the threat had been so bad that the school had i
mplemented a curfew. The shifters had done a good job upping their security of the city.
Trevor stopped short, looking up at a giant lit Christmas tree. Somehow, they’d ended up at Millennium Park. “Do you ever feel like you’re on a path that you didn’t choose? That maybe you’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere?”
Kenzie turned her head to look at him. His words reminded her so much of that conversation with Wes what felt like a lifetime ago. And they still felt as important as ever. Maybe even more so. “I think we have the ability to choose our own paths and change course when we’ve gone down the wrong one for us.
“Look, I know we don’t know each other very well, but I know deep down that you’re special.”
Kenzie bit her lower lip, turning her gaze back to the tree. Her heart hammered in her throat as she considered where this might be going.
“If you don’t mind,” Trevor said, tugging Kenzie around to face him, “I’d like to kiss you.”
Kenzie licked her lips as she looked at his. She couldn’t deny she’d wondered what it would be like to kiss him, wondered what it might tell her to do so. But part of her still screamed that she belonged to Wes, that she shouldn’t even be looking at another guy, let alone kissing him.
Kenzie pushed all her doubts aside as she rose on tiptoes and closed her eyes. Wes had rejected her. She shouldn’t feel guilty about giving another guy a kiss.
Besides, she had to know.
Trevor bent to meet her, and their lips met, soft and hesitant. Kenzie allowed her passion to ignite and pressed the kiss deeper, almost desperately wanting more. Despite the comforting feel of him, something was missing.
They pulled away from each other, both a little breathless. Kenzie’s eyes searched his for a moment, then found the ground. It would be easy to become lost in the idea of Trevor, to give in to his sweet ebony eyes and incredibly good looks. But despite the voice raging to keep that connection, that’s where the attraction ended. She liked Trevor, even considered him a friend, but he wasn’t her Wes.
Wes.
That thought alone sobered her. How had she ever doubted him? Sure, she was young, but their connection was undeniable. Too bad he’d severed it. She had a feeling she’d never find a love like that again. She wondered if she’d end up like Leif, desperately trying to get back what she’d lost.
“So,” Kenzie said, and cleared her throat. “I’m not her, am I?” It was a statement more than a question, and Kenzie hazarded a look at Trevor.
He gave her a half-smile and shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
Kenzie snorted. “Don’t be. I’m just glad we’re on the same page.”
Trevor nodded, looking at their still-intertwined fingers. “Do you . . . regret it?”
Kenzie shook her head. “Let’s just say it cleared the water.”
“Yeah.”
Silence stretched between them as the world moved on. All I Want for Christmas is You played in the background, people moved in all directions, chattering, shopping bags rustling, and lights continued to twinkle and shine.
“You’ll find her, you know,” Kenzie whispered.
Trevor gave her hand a squeeze. “Thanks.”
“We should probably get back to the Dome.”
Trevor nodded, pulling his hand from hers.
“Heh. You’re not getting away that easy,” Kenzie said, looping her arm through his.
Trevor chuckled. “I told you you’re special.”
Kenzie smirked. “Yeah. A special case.”
“No. I meant it.”
Kenzie pushed her shoulder into his. “I know.” They walked that way for a while before Kenzie spoke again. “Do you think they found the imp?”
There was a jingling sound, and Trevor’s eyes widened. He unthreaded his arm from Kenzie and reached into his pocket, pulling out his ringing phone. “Who would be calling me? Hello?” he said as he accepted the call and brought the phone to his face. His gaze shot to Kenzie, his brows raising. “She’s right here. Okay, yeah. Right away.” He hung up, stuffing his phone back into his pocket.
“Who was that? What did they want?”
“It was Brett. He said you’re needed at the Dome. Now.”
“What? Why?”
“The imp. They found him, but from the sounds of it, they’re not having any more luck containing him than we did.”
“Oh!” Kenzie’s thoughts galloped ahead, though her feet stayed planted. What was the imp doing now?
And if the shifters couldn’t keep him down, then what could?
Trevor tugged her hand, and her feet joined the race. Crap, crap, and crappety crap! This could not be good. The poor person trapped inside that creature . . . She worried if they didn’t catch him now, she might never be able to lift the curse.
And that was even worse than getting expelled. Maybe even worse than losing Wes.
THE RIDE THROUGH THE secret subway was eerily quiet. Trevor hadn’t said much, only holding her hand—a reassurance that he was still with her in this. Kenzie was grateful for the support. It seemed he was the last player on her team, and she had a feeling she’d need him before it was all over.
The car came to a stop, and the doors hissed open. Kenzie and Trevor exchanged a look, then made their way to the entrance. Trevor let the scanner check his eye, and the door beeped open a moment later.
Brett met them at the front entrance. “Dude, glad you could join the party.”
“What’s going on?” Kenzie asked, noticing the way Brett looked at their entwined hands. Whatever. She didn’t need to explain herself to him.
She and Trevor dropped their bags in the entrance as Brett motioned for them to follow him. “They found the crazy little guy, but no one can capture him. The halls are full of glitter, the floors lined with ice like a skating rink—watch your step—and little gingerbread men are running around, terrorizing the students. If it wasn’t so freaky, I’d be laughing my ass off.”
“When did he show up?” Trevor asked.
“Ummm, about four hours ago?”
“Crap, so right after we left,” Kenzie said. Crap, crap, crap. “Why didn’t you all call me?”
Brett smirked. “We did. Your phone went to voicemail.”
Kenzie smacked her forehead. “Oh, fudge. I left it in my room.”
“Leya was the one who suggested we try Trevor’s phone.”
Kenzie grimaced. Of course Leya would be the one to think of that. Hopefully the harpy wasn’t thinking the worst of her. “Where’s the imp now?”
Brett’s brows lifted, but he didn’t comment on her term for the creature. “Take a look.”
They’d reached the Dining Hall, and Kenzie nearly slipped on the ice when she saw the chaos inside. The imp was hanging from the ceiling, laughing. Several shifters stood below, and one burst into flames as he slipped into his phoenix form. The room, and pretty much everyone in it, was covered in red and green glitter. A dozen or so gingerbread men pattered by a moment later. Brett stomped on a few, and some other shifters doused them, the water immediately turning into more ice.
“Don’t hurt the creature!” Oberon called above the din. “We have reason to believe he’s one of ours.”
“How is that even possible?” someone else called back.
Oberon fixed them all with a stare. “Just don’t hurt him.”
“Got it, boss,” called another shifter.
Kenzie wasn’t sure who all had gathered, mostly because her gaze was riveted on the imp.
The creature must have felt her stare, because he turned to face her, his grin growing wider. “There you are. I’d come so far! I thought you’d miss my final gift.” He winked, and Kenzie’s stomach flopped.
No. Whatever the imp had planned couldn’t be good. He’d kept the entire school at bay with old tricks, but he had a new one up his sleeve, and now that she was here, he was ready to unleash it. Maybe she shouldn’t have come. Maybe if she’d just stayed away, he’d turn back and she could’ve ended this thing. But
she was here now. She’d have to face whatever the imp had in mind.
Trevor squeezed her hand, and she flashed him a grim smile.
The imp’s eyes narrowed. “Cozy, I see. Let’s make it three.”
Kenzie gulped. She had no idea what the imp had in mind, and she was in no hurry to find out.
Too bad the imp didn’t care.
Chapter 24
The imp waved his hand, and suddenly the video popped up. The one Kenzie never wanted to see again. The one she wished didn’t exist like she’d so blissfully assumed before it popped up. The one that sent shivers of fear and desire through her. She paled as she watched her and Adam’s lips collide once again, fell to her knees as the memories of her breakup with Wes came flooding back. No. This could not be happening again.
Trevor still held her hand, and he knelt by her, saying something her mind couldn’t quite comprehend.
The imp laughed. “Hehe! Trevor’s still there. It looks like he’ll share.”
Kenzie glared at the imp, still hanging onto the ceiling. Leya and June were up in the air a moment later, majestically fierce in their shifted forms. Kenzie wasn’t sure when they’d gotten there, but a surge of hope and pride swelled within her. Those were her friends. They’d come, despite the rift that had come between them.
Kenzie snarled. “Trevor’s my friend, just like the two fantastic women who are about to bring you down.”
Leya swooped at the imp like an avenging angel, while June conjured wind, her gryphon eyes glowing purple from using her powers. The imp dodged and ducked, hanging on, but it looked like he was losing his grip. Kenzie held her breath as she watched, rising to her feet and moving forward. She wanted to make sure the imp—or anyone else, for that matter—didn’t get hurt during the fall. Those ceilings were high.
The wind finally knocked the imp loose, and Leya dove, catching the creature. But the imp struggled in her arms until she could no longer hold him. He dropped, but thankfully Leya had managed to maneuver closer to the ground. Kenzie dove at the imp, determined to secure him at last and have this thing over.
