We go to school, Riley said, still fighting his emotions. My brothers are currently letting every creature in town know we have a witch in our custody. Which means the fireworks should start tonight. Use today to catch up in all your classes. Tomorrow you might be toosore.
In other words, there was going to be a fight. Great. Worse, there was nothing else they could do right now. Except wait. And hope. And pray.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY, Aden expected a witch to jump out of every shadow and ambush him. Or if not a witch, then something, anything. A rabid gnome, maybe, or a vampire with a complaint. Even a fairy making a play for his head.
Instead, he arrived at school in time for lunch, ate, attended his next three classes, and boom, that was it. Class dismissed, time to go home. Nothing happened.
Aden was almost disappointed in the lack of combat. Just two more days until the death curse affected his friends. Two was too close for comfort. A year was too close. He had to do something.
Victoria walked him home and left him at the ranch, as silent and distracted as he was. In his room, he found another note from Dan, telling him not to forget to do his chores or his therapy. Like he could. Aden headed to the barn to muck the stables and feed the horses. He loved the horses and hated that he hadnt spent much time with them this past week. Sometimes, as a special treat for good behavior, Dan let him and the others go for a ride.
The souls loved the horses, too, and cooed at the beautiful animals while Aden worked. And yeah, it felt weird doing normal things. Acting normal, the other boys working alongside him. Redheaded RJ, punked-out Seth. Shannon, Ryder, Terry and Brian. RJ was due to turn eighteen next week, and Terry soon after that. Aden had heard them talking about getting a place of their own. Dan had asked them both to stay, to continue their studies, but the two were determined to get their GEDs and be free.
What was freedom, really? Once, Aden had thought he knew the answer: to be alone, without the souls, to be able to do anything he wanted, damn the consequences. Now he had friends, a girlfriend, and everything he did affected them. Consequences mattered.
No one could ever truly be free as long as they loved, and life wasnt worth living without love. So freedom? Overrated. Hed much rather have Victoria, Mary Ann and Riley, even the souls.
So how are you going to save them from the witches? The thought was his own, the souls still baby-talking at the horsesand maybe the horses could hear them, because they were calmer than usual, even with all the activity in the barnand he wished he could blank his mind. He couldnt.
Aden sighed. Once issued, spells took on a life of their own, he knew. So he couldnt stop the magic that had already been unleashed, even by threatening the witch they had locked up.
Hell, maybe they should release her as a gesture of goodwill. Riley would throw a fit, of course, but he would do what Aden told him to do. Aden was vampire king, after all.
Yes. King. The title was his and Aden shook his head, disrupting that line of thought. He wasnt king, didnt want to be king. The end.
When the barn was clean, the other boys trudged inside the bunkhouse to shower, change and prepare for dinner with the new tutor. Seth lagged behind, calling over his shoulder, Yo, Ad. You coming or what?
Never ceased to amaze him, how different things now were. Only a few weeks ago, this boy had treated him like a leper. In a minute, he returned. There was only one shower stall, so thered be a wait. Hed rather spend the time out here. Besides, he kind of liked the thought of going to therapy covered in horse shit.
Seth paused. He braced his arms against the sides of the barn door, keeping his back to Aden. Can I ask you a question?
Sure, he said, dread leaking into his voice. He pushed his rake into the ground and leaned against the long, thin handle. Ask.
I heard Shannon tell Ryder that youve got girls coming into your room at all hours of the night.
Okay. Not too terrible a topic. Only two girls, and yes.
Seth swung around, one corner of his lip curved up. You dating both?
Just one, but the other is taken, too. And Riley will gut you if you go near her.
Oh. Seths shoulders sagged. Maybe you could invite others and, I dont know, introduce us?
Aden almost grinned. Next week, maybe.
Yeah?
Yeah. I know a girl. Stephanie. Very pretty. And she has four friends who Im sure are pretty, too. No better way to get rid of his unwanted dates than to foist them off on other guys. I havent met them yet, but I know youll love them.
Thatd be great. Seth tossed him a parting grin and loped off.
Finally. We are alone, a female voice said from behind him.
Aden whipped around as one of the horses whinnied. An unfamiliar girl stood at the end of the barn. She wore a red tank top and a pair of black jeans that molded to her legs. Girls at Crossroads High wore similar attire every day, but on her it looked odd, out of place and uncomfortable.
He studied the rest of her. She had shoulder-length brown hair and dark eyes that slanted up at the corners. Her skin was pale, and she was smiling. That smile wasnt a happy one. Two sharp fangs poked into her bottom lip, revealing the predator she was.
Please tell me this is your next date, Caleb said, finally deigning to speak to Aden.
His next date? Aden tried not to groan.
She appeared older than Victoria by at least ten years, but he supposed that made her young by vampire standards. Vampires aged much, much slower than humans, and the older the vampire, the less their skin could tolerate the bright rays of the sun without blistering. Victoria was only eighty-somethingthat still made him chuckle, since hed once teased her about being his grandma Vickyand she could still roam freely.
I see youre looking at my clothes. Stephanie told us colors were now acceptable, and that you actually preferred them. What do you think? This new vampire twirled, dark gaze remaining on him as long as possible.
You look beautiful, he said, which was true. She did. She just wasnt his type.
Whats your name?
Draven.
An unusual and pretty name. Im Aden Stone.
I know. She moved toward him. Floated, really, so graceful were her movements. As she passed, the horses bucked, but she paid them no heed. Weve met. You do not remember? A pout curved her bright red lips. I was there the night you met each of myyour people. You told me you were so happy to make my acquaintance.
Oops. Uh, now I remember, he lied. Too many faces, too many names. No one stood out. And really, hed said the same thing to everyone.
Tell her shes hot and you could never forget someone like her, Caleb instructed.
We arent prowling for babes, Julian admonished. We do have a girlfriend.
Actually, I have a girlfriend, Aden thought, but they couldnt hear him.
Im here because every king requires a queen, and you are in need of one. And Ill be honest. I resisted the thought of being bound to a human at first, but I now think we would be a perfect fit. Her voice dipped huskily, her gaze on the pulse at the base of his neck. I still feel the pull of you, and I find itdelicious.
He liked when Victoria told him that. Draven? Not so much.
Lucky, Caleb said. Shes hot and she wants you.
Actually
Draven reached him and traced a white-hot fingertip along his jawline. You will discover that Im much better suited for you than Victoria. I, she added, leaning all the way into him and sniffing, will do anything you ask. Anything.
He wasnt dumb. He knew what she was implying, and so did the souls.
Ill take her! Caleb said.
Youll also get us stabbed and killed sooner rather than later, Elijah grumbled. Shes power-hungry. A man-eater.
Even better.
Dude. Julian tsked. Were you a pervert in your other life? Like I already said, weve got Victoria. We dont need this one harshing our mellow. Do you remember those trees Victoria battered? We flirt with this girl, and thatll be our head.
We? Aden had Victoria, and they needed to start remembering that. Thats sweet of you to offer, he told Draven, then coughed again. So uncomfortable. To do anything, I mean, but, uh, nothing like that will be necessary.
I think I hate you right now, Caleb grumbled.
You should be thanking him, Elijah said with a sigh.
Dravens eyes narrowed, her lashes fusing together. Well, if you change your mindthe offer has no time limit. Now, what shall we do for our date, hmm? Hot breath trekked over his face, and he stepped back. I know humans enjoy having dinner together. We could eat. Her attention returned to his pulse and she laughed. Or I could.
Id prefer not to be the main course, thanks. Or dessert, he added before she could.
She shrugged a delicate shoulder. Then lets get to know each other better. The words were purred. Thats why Im here, after all.
She couldnt be more obvious. Elijahs disgust was clear. She wants to be queen, nothing more. If you marry her, youll be in pieces by the time shes finished with you.
Yeah, I kind of figured that out on my own, he muttered. First, Aden wasnt marrying anyone. Not even Victoria. Not yet. He was only sixteen. Well, almost seventeen. Secondhe realized he didnt have a second point.
Figured what out? Draven asked, brows furrowed in confusion.
He had that effect on everyone. Oh, uh. Nothing. Listen. He backed up a few more steps, placing himself out of striking distance. For our date, we can sit there, in the hay he pointed to one of the empty stalls and talk about any laws youd like to see changed. Easy. Innocent.
The grind of her teeth echoed from the wooden walls. Sitting in hay and talking about laws isnt romantic.
I never promised romance. God, he wanted this to end. Did Victoria know Draven was here? If so, was she currently bottling her feelings? Part of him certainly hoped so. Unbottling her was fun.
You studied the stars with Stephanie. Irritation radiated from Draven. When she met with your councilmen, she extolled the virtues of such a pastime. Now, I would like to study the stars.
The candidates really were reporting their dates with him. Talk about embarrassing! Skys clear right now. If you want to look at the stars, youll have to come back tonight, he said, knowing full well he wouldnt be available. First, therapy. Then dinner. Then hed be in town with his friends, hunting. You arent allowed to drink from any of the humans here, though, and thats anorder. From your king.
Embracing the role of sovereign? Elijah asked.
No. Yes. Crap. Desperate times and all that. Hed only said what was necessary.
Draven popped her jaw, even as she bowed her head in acknowledgment of his command. I will not harm your friends, Majesty. You have my word.
Thank you.
However, I cannot visit tonight. You may not know this, but guards are posted around our home at all times. We all take turns protecting whats ours. Tonight, from midnight until six, I must patrol the grounds. Unless you relieve me of my duties She reached out and drew a fingertip across his collarbone. She was close enough to touch again, yet hed never seen her move.
He had to arch his back to avoid further contact. Im afraid I cant do that. That wouldnt be fair to the others. Impartiality, yeah, thats what he was all about.
Her hand fell heavily to her side. Very well, she said stiffly. We will postpone our date, then.
Not if he could help it. Great. Cant wait. Except that I can. Forever.
Until then. Draven turned and floated from the barn, leaving him alone with a sudden sense of doom.
EIGHTEEN
A few hours earlier
THE DAY PASSED in a haze for Mary Ann, classes and tests and friends mere blips in her mind. Riley had ignored her, even though they shared the same schedule. That was more than a blip, but not the cause of her upset.
There were only two more days until the witches death curse took effect. If it did. Health-wise, she still felt fine. And yet, shed never felt so helpless. Or more desperate. What if was a constant refrain inside her head. What if she went to sleep in two days and never woke up? What if her heart simply stopped beating? What if a car plowed into her?
If she had to round up every witch in the area and call a meeting to order herself, she would. And she wouldhey. Wait. Her eyes widened as her mind whirled. Maybe she could do that. What if she used heraptitude for sensing magic to find the witches, kinda like following her very own yellow brick road, and forced them into the same location?
Finally, a what if she liked.
Would calling a meeting to order herself count, though? Or would she simply earn the wrath of some very powerful women?
Worth trying, she thought. And besides, shed already earned their wrath. So, next question: when to begin? Aden would be busy most of the evening; he had an appointment with his therapist and a dinner at the D and M Ranch. But Riley and Victoria, and even Lauren, could help her. Theyd all planned to meet up anyway, but if Mary Ann struck out on her own, she could find the witches, call her friends, and they could bag and tag. Of course, Victoria and Lauren might wonder exactly how Mary Ann was able to sense witches now, and Riley had told her not to tell anyone about her new ability. With very good reason.
Crap. Victoria and Lauren were out. Mary Ann would have to rely on Riley. Only Riley. Her stomach clenched. He was clearly angry with her again. After all, she hadnt told him about Adens possible murder. And shed broken up with him, had meant it, and she wouldnt change her mind. Dont cry. That didnt mean they had to stay away from each other, though. Didnt mean they couldnt be civil. They could work together, amicably, to save their lives. Couldnt they? Yes. Yes, they could. And next time she saw him, she would tell him so. Even yell at him if she had to.