Grin widening, she fell back onto the mattress and wished shed woken up sooner. Now that were both alert, we should probably talk about last night. We said some things that
Suddenly her bedroom door burst open, and her dad flew inside, scowling. What is going on, Mary Ann?
Dad! Panicked, caught red-handed, she jolted upright, jerking her comforter with her. What are you doing?
You shouted that boys name. I thought His gaze landed on Riley and he stilled, terror darkening his eyes. He was still in his pajamas, a flannel shirt and pants, so he must have rushed straight from bed. Mary Ann, listen to me, baby. Get up slowly. No sudden movements, okay? I want you to inch your way behind me. Okay? Do it now, honey.
Oh, God. This was so not happening. Dad. The, uh, dog is harmless, I swear. Biggest. Lie. Ever.
To prove his harmlessness, Riley licked her palm. Goose bumps broke out over her skin, and then heat flooded her cheeks. She didnt want her dad to think a dog turned her on.
How do you know that mangy thing is harmless? Her dad had always hated animals, feared them. Now, why arent you moving away from him and toward me? I dont want to scare you, but he could use your face as a chew toy, sweetheart. Riley stiffened.
I just do. Know, that is, she said. He wont hurt me. Hesmy pet. Please dont be mad, Riley, she thought, even though she knew he couldnt hear her. He has been for the past few weeks.
Her dads blue eyes widened, panic and fear giving way to bafflement. No. No, that isnt possible. I would have known.
Yes, way. See? She wrapped an arm around Rileys large frame and buried her face in his soft neck, cuddling him close.
No, her dad insisted, shaking his head. You would have told me. I would have known.
Oh, Dad. Theres a lot you dont know. She straightened, heart still hammering against her ribs. I know about your rampant animal phobia, so I kept him hidden. But, see? Hes trained. He doesnt cause any trouble. I swear.
He was shaking his head again before the last word left her mouth. That thing could have you for breakfast, Mary Ann. I want it out. Now.
Daddy, please. Please let me keep him, she said, and commanded tears to bead in her eyes. Laying it on too strong? Maybe. But she needed him to say yes. That way, Riley could come and go freely. Thered be no more sneaking around. Really, she should have thought of this before. He makes me happy. Sinceyou know. What happened between us. Reminding him of their fight was low, but she was desperate.
Finally, her dad softened. He might not have all his shots.
He hadnt said yes, but she knew. Victory would be hers. She wanted to laugh, to clap and dance. Ill take him to the vet myself.
A pause. A sigh. He pinched the bridge of his nose. You called him Riley.
Uh-oh. Yes.
So you named your pet after your boyfriend?
Uh, yes.
Why would you do that?
Was he reading all kinds of psychological reasons into the situation? It just seemedappropriate. Theyre both protective of me. There. A truth.
A bit more softening. Does Riley know?
Yeah, and he approves. He was flattered.
That just proves hes weird and you shouldnt hang around him.
Is that your professional opinion? she asked pointedly.
He was silent for a long while. I cant believe this. A mangy mutt in the house, all this time. Fine. Keep him. But if he soils the rug, hes out.
She pressed her lips together to keep from grinning. I understand.
He turned, throwing over his shoulder, And if he growls at you, even once, hes out. He looks wild.
I am, Riley snapped inside her head.
Do not laugh, she told herself.
Her dad paused at her door. Where does it stay while youre at school?
It. Nice. Outside.
You could be inviting fleas into our home, Mary Ann.
No. Laughing. Hes clean, Dad. I swear. But if I spot a single little bug, Ill bathe him.
That could prove interesting, Riley said.
And thank you, she added. For everything.
Youre welcome. The door shut, leaving her alone with Riley.
Finally allowing her amusement to bubble from her, Mary Ann fell back onto the bed and cuddled her mangy mutt.
SIXTEEN
SOIL THE RUG, Riley growled. As if.
Mary Ann continued to laugh until tears streamed down her cheeks. Thered been so much terror and suspicion, running and waiting, so much time spent dreading what would happen and what was to come that she felt a little weird finding humor just then, but she just couldnt help herself. Actually, she didnt want to help herself.
Riley didnt help. Fleas. Mangy. Another growl. Well see what he thinks of me when I chew through his kneecap.
None of that, now, she said between giggles, or youll be thrown out.
He gave another growl, but he did relax against the mattress, against her. My fur is silky, damn it.
Finally, she calmedyet her grin was wide and unhideable. Very. He sighed. Just go back to sleep. You need all the rest you can get.
She meant to protest. She really did. But as she lay there, petting him, listening to him practically purr his approval, his warmth and softness drugged her, lulling her back to the darkness as nothing else could have. Her cares melted away, leaving only a sense of bliss. Shed missed this, and knowing he would be here when she woke back up
When she next opened her eyes, yawning, Riley was still beside her. See! Still beside her. Mary Ann lifted her cell off her nightstand and glanced at the clock. She frowned. She had fifteen minutes before she had to get up and shower for school. She wanted an hour. She and Riley hadnt talked yet.
Oh, well. No help for it. Shed savor these fifteen minutes as if they were her last. In the stark light of the morning, however, all of her worries returned, flooding her mind, last night replaying over and over again.
We are dating, hed said. At least I think we are.
Ouch.
One day youll kill everyone I love, hed added. Hell, one day youll kill me.
Double ouch.
No, there would be no savoring. One day, if she was a Drainer as he suspected, she might kill him. Kill this boy who had brought her to life, tugging her from the safe world shed created for herself, where she had never truly felt, but had only operated on autopilot. No way would she let that happen.
If she had to leave him and everyone she knew and loved, she would. But. Big but. That didnt mean she was unwilling to do everything within her power to prove she wasnt a Draineror to do whatever was necessary to revert back to her old self if she was.
Hungry? Riley asked hopefully.
His voice slipped inside her mind, as warm as his body. She took stock. Her stomach was empty, but not tight or grumbling. No, she admitted, though shed wanted so badly to lie.
Sighing, he jumped from the bed and padded into her bathroom to change into his human form, as well as into the clothes he kept stashed there. This wasnt the first time hed stayed in her bedroom. Hopefully not the last, either. While he was up, she rushed to her door and turned the lock, then she sat at the edge of the bed to wait for him to emerge.
She didnt have to wait long. The bathroom door creaked open a few minutes later, and Riley stepped out wearing jeans but nothing else and her breath caught at the sight of him. So tan, so lean and muscled, he was every girls fantasy come to startling life. Seriously, you practically needed an ID to touch that six-pack.
Maybe that was why he exuded such an undeniable bad-boy vibe.
And hes mine, she thought proudly.
Maybe. For now.
Squaring her shoulders, refusing to slink into depression, she pushed to her feet. Ill just be a minute.
Okay.
He strode to the bed and she made her way into the bathroom. She quickly brushed her teeth and hair and took care of business. There were dark circles under her eyes, despite her peaceful rest last night. Plus, her cheeks were a little hollowed out.
Not for the first time, she found herself wishing she were beautiful like Victoria. Or Lauren. Mary Ann scowled. Lauren, who had dated Riley and only recently broken up with him. Lauren, who was probably a better kisser, definitely braver, utterly more confident, and wouldnt ultimately kill him and all those he loved.
Mary Anns self-esteem took another hit.
Disgusted with herself, she stomped back into her room. Once again Riley reclined on the bed, and she settled in beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. He was just as warm as when hed possessed fur. Hes mine, she thought again as his heart pounded against her temple. Not Laurens. Not anyone elses.
Maybe.
She stiffened. Maybe, again. The word was like a cancer inside her brain, eating at her, destroying her. The more time she spent with him, the harder she fell for him. That was a fact. Another fact? The harder she fell for him, the harder it would be to leave him, if thats what she ultimately had to do to save him. And she would leave him to save him.
Whats wrong? Riley had one arm tunneled under her, and that arm wrapped around her, fingertips smoothing over her brow.
Just thinking, she said.
About?
If I am a Drainer. When will we know for sure? How will we know for sure?
He sighed and, of course, he ignored her questions. Listen, I shouldnt have yelled at you last night. I was freaked out and worried about my family. But youre my family, too, and Im sorry. I shouldnt have treated you that way.
You dont have to apologize. That was the truth, but yeah, she did like those words on his lips. This is serious, dangerous stuff, and if something were threatening my dad or you I would react the same way.
Still. He pressed a soft kiss on her cheek. Moment I left you here to escort Victoria and Aden home, the thought of you in danger had me sweating and cursing and practically shoving those two into their rooms so I could return to you. And by the way, I will be sleeping here every night until the witches are no longer a threat to you.
Sweet boy. Just dont soil the rug, she quipped.
He gave a mock growl. Funny.
A thought suddenly occurred to her, and she frowned. You usually hide when you hear my dad coming. Why didnt you this time?
Riley shrugged, the movement bouncing her head up and down. I wanted him to see me. I want to be able to come and go as needed without fearing hell shoot me on sight.
Smart.
Genius.
Her lips twitched. Okay, returning to the subject at hand. I asked some questions a few minutes ago and you ignored me. Id really like you to answer now. So. First up. When will we know if Im for sure a Drainer?
Actually, lets not return to this subject. Lets forget the Drainer thing for now.
No. I cant. Not when he might be in danger. Answer, please.
He uttered another sigh, warm breath ruffling fine strands of her hair and brushing them against her brow. Food will make you sick, because your body no longer needs or wants it. Youll begin to crave close proximity to witches and other creatures, and youll know them, what they are, what they can do, before you ever even see them.
Stomach churning None of that helped her case. Shed already begun to sense when creatures were near. Shed known Marie was in town before shed seen her. And yeah, she would love to experience that rush of power again. Craved it, as hed said.
Tell me if any of that happens.
She would do more than tell him. She would show him. She pushed from the bed and strode to her desk.
What are you doing?
Finding out. Maybe she should have waited until she was alone, but he needed to know just as much as she did. Shaking, she pulled a candy bar from the top drawer, where bags of nuts and other candies rested. Her emergency study stash. She peeled back the wrapper, turned to Riley, who was stiff and anxious, and bit into the top.
Usually, she would close her eyes and delight in the sweetness of the chocolate. This time, the food was like ash in her mouth. Her stomach tightened up, ready to revolt, but she did it, she swallowed, and it was like swallowing a lump of coal.
Regret hit her first, then the sickness Riley had promised, strong, consuming, raking every inch of her. Bile rose, burning her throat. Any second now, she wouldEyes wide, she rushed to the bathroom, hunched over and vomited into the toilet. Over and over again.
When her stomach was finally empty, she brushed her teeth, once, twice, then swished mouthwash for several minutes, until every part of her mouth tingled from the alcohol. All the while, her shaking increased.
No. No, no, no.
Better? he asked when she entered the room. Fine.
Could be nerves.
Yeah. But she knew, deep down, she knew, and so did he. They might not want to face it, might want to deny it with every fiber of their beings, but they couldnt. Not any longer. She was different now. She had changed.
She was a Drainer.
Almost in a trance, she walked back to the bed and reclaimed her spot at his side. She would have to leave him. If she didnt, she would one day hurt him. Was this the last time she would ever be with him like this?
Im sure its nerves. A self-fulfilling prophecy, he said, voice devoid of emotion now. I told you that you would be sick, therefore you were.
Hed always been the realist, she the dreamer. Now it seemed their roles had reversed.
Riley, she said softly.
Nope, he interrupted, as if he suspected where she was headed. Weve covered that topic of conversation. Now we can move on. He pressed another kiss into her cheek. I want you to know that when I said we were maybe dating yesterday, I was still in shock. I didnt mean it, and I want to kick my own ass. We are dating, so dont you dare think about seeing someone else. Youre mine, and I dont share.