Well, I dont like that. Not at all, and I wont tolerate it. So Ill talk to your caseworker about getting you another doctor, but Ill be honest. This is a small town and were running out of options. In fact, I remember the list from last time and there was only one other name. Dr. Morris Gray.
Mary Anns dad. Adens stomach clenched, even as he realized Dan truly meant to help him. Dr. Gray had been his doctor years ago. They both recalled that, and how Dr. Gray had tossed him out of his office because Aden had admitted to time-travelingexactly what Mary Anns mom used to claim to do. Hed thought Aden had stolen and read his journals about his wifes history, and had erupted.
Dr. Gray still thought so, because he didnt want to admit the truth, that his wife hadnt been crazy, that hed tried to medicate her for nothing. That shed died because no one had listened to her, helped her. Therefore, Aden and Dr. Gray did not get along.
No, Aden said with a shake of his head.
Wouldnt matter anyway. Dr. Gray already turned us down because he had too many other patients.
Yeah. Right. Maybe we could find someone in the city.
Thats close to a thirty-minute drive one way, and we just dont have time for that, but I promise you Ill be thinking. Something will be done. I dont want you to be uncomfortable. Okay?
Okay. That was more than Aden had hoped for, a dream come true. The adult responsible for his care had just proved hecared. How had such a crappy day taken such a wonderful turn?
When they reached the ranch, Aden hopped out of the truck. I want to wash up before I eat, he said, and after Dans okay, he trekked to his room.
The bunkhouse was empty, the boys already at the main house. Aden shut himself in the bathroom, happy with Dan, with the unexpected support, with the fact that he would never have to see Dr. Hennessy again.
At the sink, he twisted the knobs until warm water sprayed and soaked his hands. Guys? he whispered to the souls. One by one, they acknowledged him. Do you remember what happened in that office?
No, Caleb said. Im like a black hole right now, and its seriously messing with my mojo.
Who cares about mojo? I barely remember the day at all, Julian said.
Its like my memory has been scrubbed, Elijah said, and I dont like it.
So, what had been done to them during all those minutes inside Hennessys mind? Wait. Hed been inside Hennessys mind?
Even as the question formed, his own memory seemed to be sprayed with Windex and wiped clean. He frowned at his pale reflection in the mirror, trying to relive the past five minutes. Nothing. The last hour. Still nothing. Droplets of water splashed onto his hands, but he suddenly couldnt remember walking into the bathroom, much less turning on the faucet.
His frown intensified. What are we doing in here?
Cleaning up, Caleb said with an unspoken duh. Weve got a new tutor to meet.
Oh, yeah. He shook his head, rattling the sense of uneasiness working through him. Lets get this over with.
ONCE AGAIN, TUCKER found himself huddled in the underground crypt, dust in his nose, darkness a vise around him and a damp chill stroking him with bony fingers. He was shaking this time. Not because he was weakhe was physically stronger now than hed been last timebut because he could feel the menace pouring through the air. Thick, like blood. Acrid, like burning rubber.
What was in store for him? Nothing good, that was for sure. And why? Hed done everything hed been told. Hed followed Aden. Hed kept watch. Yeah, hed veered off course a few times, following Mary Ann instead, making sure she got to where she wanted to go without any problems, but hed always gone back to Aden. Always.
I am not pleased with you, boy.
The smooth voice came from just a few feet away from him, though he couldnt see the speaker, and jolted him far worse than if Vlad had yelled. IIm sorry. Im trying. Please, dont punish me. He couldnt make himself stand and run, no matter how much he wanted to. God, did he want to. But he also wanted to please this man, this deposed king, the need a part of him, as much as his lungs or his heart, and right now Vlad wanted him to stay put.
Punish you? Perhaps. You arent trying hard enough.
Youre not doing anything, either, he muttered before he could stop himself. Then he cringed, expecting a violent retaliation.
I am healing, you fool. My people cannot see me like this.
Of course, of course.
I have questions, and you will get me answers. How is the human, Aden, leading my people? Why are they following him? How is he still alive? Each question was more clipped than the last.
I dont I have no But he did. From everything Tucker had witnessed, only one answer made sense. Tell me!
Vlad had yelled the words, and Tucker had just realized hed been wrong. Nothing was worse than hearing this vampire shout his disapproval. The deep, rolling waves of his fury were tongues of fire, licking, feasting. Tucker gulped. Just as part of him wanted to run, part of him wanted to hold his next words inside.
That part of him lost to self-preservation. The wolves protect him.
The wolves. Silence followed. Thick, heavy silence. Gut-wrenching, sweat-inducing silence, but finally, blessedly, Vlad spoke again. Continue observing him. I have much to consider.
Not an order to kill, and yet, Tucker experienced a sickening wave of dread. That final order was coming. Of that, he had no doubt.
DINNER SUCKED.
Oh, the food was goodMeg Reeves was an excellent cookand Aden loved him some pot roast and potatoes. And this room, the formal dining room, was wicked cool. Aden never felt more like part of a family than when he was here. Something about the long, square table that Dan had crafted himself, the wallpaper with cherries and wheelbarrows, of all things, and the cabinet brimming with Megs favorite china. This was what a home should look like.
But the new tutorhe shuddered. Or perhaps shivered. The word hot didnt do her justice. However, the word fairy did. Thomas had been right. His family had come looking for him. The new tutor was none other than Ms. Brendal, his sister.
Aden had immediately realized how precarious the situation was, but he hadnt been able to bail. That would have looked too suspicious. So here he sat. And ate. And pretended to be as normal as the others.
All the boys were around him. Shannon and Ryder, who sat across from each other, refusing to look at each other, were too quiet. Seth was leaned back in his chair, one arm resting on the back slat, his gaze telegraphing come hither. RJ, Terry and Brian were openmouthed and dumbstruck. Dan sat at the head of the table and beautiful Meg at the foot. They, too, seemed to be under the fairys spell, raptly listening to her every word as if she were the savior of the world.
Even the souls were listening to her, waxing poetic about her face and body. Sadly, he wanted to join them.
Ms. Brendal sat across from Aden, and yeah, she was beautiful. Probably the most physically perfect being hed ever seen. She had big, sparkling brown eyes that were somehow familiar to him, but her long, curling blond hair was not. He didnt think. Her skin was so golden and luminous she could have swallowed the sun. And she smelled like jasmine and honeysuckle.
He loved jasmine and honeysuckle, more than anything. He loved Brendal, too.
His hands curled into fists. He had to stop thinking like that, but didnt know how. Even though he knew what she was, he was more drawn to her with every second that passedhad the urge to protect herhell, even to lay his head on her feet just to be near her. Caress her, kiss herworship her. And that was dangerous (not to mention embarrassing). For Victoria, as well as himself. This woman, this lovely fairy, was his enemy. She would want to murder him the moment she learned what had happened to Thomas.
A fact that Thomas delighted in pointing out, over and over again. The ghost stood behind her, desperately trying to gain her attention, screaming at the top of his ghostly lungs, kicking at the table, the chairs, tugging at Ms. Brendals hair, and when that didnt work, shouting threats at Aden. My sister will avenge me. This I swear.
Behind that delightful scene was Victoria. Shed come to the ranch a bit ago to wait in Adens bedroom until this dinner ended, wanting to talk to him, about what he didnt know. But then shed spied Brendal, and it had been game oneven thoughor maybe becausefairies hated vampires and preferred to kill them on sight, and Aden had the dubious honor of being king of the vampires. Victoria now paced outside the house, just in front of the window across from Aden. Only he could see her, she blended so well into the night, but that didnt help his sense of doom.
I hope everyone is ready for dessert, Meg said, standing. She was a petite woman, with delicate features and hair that couldnt decide if it wanted to be brown or blond.
Im always ready for one of your desserts, Dan told her with a warm smile. They loved each other, and Adens chest constricted every time he saw them together.
Ill just be a moment. Smiling, too, Meg skipped off to the kitchen.
You keep peering just over my shoulder, Aden. Even Brendals voice was beautiful, soft, like a song. Why? She turned to look, and Victoria swiftly moved out of sight.
Close, too close. He forced his gaze to fall to the tabletop. He was sure everyone was now staring at him, and he hoped like hell he wouldnt blush. He blushed. Fine. Better they stared at him than the window. He hadnt realized hed been so obvious. Is looking over your shoulder a crime?
A pause. Had his bluntness startled her? I much prefer my students to look me directly in the eyes.
She did, did she? Im not your student.
You could be, she said, leaning forward and reaching for his hand.
He snapped both into his lap just before contact. Im happy at Crossroads High.
And youve been attending for over a month?
Yes.
So you never spent time with Mr. Thomas?
Thomas knelt beside her, beseeching. Im right here. See me. Please, see me. He sounded close to tears, and Aden had to clear his throat to dislodge the lump growing there.
Aden, Dan said. Answer Ms. Brendal, please.
Had he just been sitting here in silence? What had she asked? Oh, yeah. Correct. He prayed he wasnt a neon sign of guilt. I didnt spend much time with Mr. Thomas. I only used up half an hour to kill him.
Necessary, Elijah told him, and he blinked. Usually the souls didnt hear his thoughts. Or had Elijah just guessed? No, he realized a moment later. The topic had given him away.
That, and were certified bad asses, Caleb said. I swear, God might have created the world in six days, but we could have done it in five!
That isnt something to joke about, Julian snapped.
Whos joking?
Aden hated when they argued, but that was far better than the poetry.
Meg returned with a large plate piled high with brownies. She offered Dan and Brendal first choice, then placed the treats in the middle of the table for the boys. Everyone dove in like starving dogs that had just spotted a meaty bone.
Now that were relaxed, Id like to ask some personal questions, Brendal said. She placed her brownie on her plate. I want to ensure my teachings fulfill your needs. In that regard, Id like to know what everyone thought of Mr. Thomas.
We didnt have time to get to know him, Seth said.
Brendal was undeterred. Then tell me what you think could have happened to him.
If hes missing, shouldnt you talk to the police? Ryder asked.
A moment passed in silence, and yet, in those quiet seconds any resistance the boys harbored melted away. Until the last brownie crumb was consumed, they, and even Dan and Meg, speculated about the mans sudden disappearance. Alien abduction was mentioned. A need for a fresh start. MurderAden tried not to squirmand even a car accident.
Tell her Im here, Aden, Thomas said, speaking to him without animosity for the first time since Brendal had entered the room. Their eyes met, clashed. Please.
He almost caved. That please I cant, he projected.
You owe me. The anger was returning to Thomass tone.
Aden shook his head.
Still Thomas persisted. She might be able to save me.
So you can kill my girlfriend? No. Not now. Maybe after the witches were dealt with, and only if Thomas swore to drop his quest for vengeance against the royal family. Until then, no deal. So he looked away, silently ending the conversation. Thomas began yelling again, snarling, stomping around, and guilt once again welled inside Adens chest.
Aden? Dan said, drawing his attention. Are you agreeable to Ms. Brendals suggestion, then?
Her suggestion? He could only imagine what she wanted. His head on a silver platter? His heart in her favorite trinket box? As much as shed charmed everyone, Aden doubted a single one of them would hesitate to please her.
He searched the boys faces. They were peering at him with envy. Except for Shannon and Ryder. Earlier theyd gone to such great pains not to look at each other, but now they were locked in some kind of livid staring contest. Both of their eyes were narrowed, both of their lips thinned with displeasure.
His gaze shifted to the window, but Victoria was no longer there.
Sure, he finally said, sweat beading on his brow. Imagreeable.
Good. Dan pushed to his feet, his chair sliding behind him. Everyone but Aden followed suit. The boys gave Brendal one last lingering once-overSeth even wiggled his brows at herbefore shuffling from the main house and back to their bunks. Dan walked to Meg and threw his arm over her shoulders. They waited, watching Aden expectantly.
What was he supposed to do?
Shall we go, then? Brendal asked him in that musical voice.
Uh, sure. Maybe he should have declined her suggestion.
She moved around the table and toward the front door. Aden remained in place for several seconds, peering out the window. Victoria suddenly reappeared and pressed her hand to the glass. If he wasnt mistaken, someone, a female, stood beside her.