I gape, dry mouthed and slack jawed, remembering last Friday when he claimed the very same thing. So distracted by Damen awakening I forgot all about it til now.
I press my lips together as my gaze meets his, my hope rising for the first time in days, knowing its just a matter of time until the antidote is mine. I just need to find a way to get it from him.
Oh, look at that. He smirks. Seems you forgot all about our date with destiny.
He lifts his arm and I start to plow through, then he lowers it just as quickly, laughing as he locks me in place.
Deep breaths, he coos, lips grazing the edge of my ear, fingers sliding over my shoulder, leaving an icy cold wake in their path. No need to panic. No need to get all spazzed out again. Im sure that between us, we can come to some sort of mutual agreement, find a way to work something out.
I narrow my gaze, disgusted by the price that hes set, words slow and deliberate when I say, Nothing you could ever say or do could convince me to sleep with you! just as Mr. Munoz opens the door, allowing the entire class to overhear.
Whoa Roman smiles, hands raised in mock surrender as he backs into the room. Who said anything about bumpin uglies, mate? He throws his head back and laughs, allowing his creepy Ouroboros tattoo to flash in and out of view. I mean, not to disappoint you, darlin, but if its a good shag Im after, a virgins about the last place Id look!
I storm toward my desk, cheeks burning, gaze fixed on the floor, spending the next forty minutes cringing as my classmates burst into hysterics every time Roman directs a disgusting wet smoochy sound my way, despite Munozs numerous attempts to quiet them down. And the moment the bell rings, I make a run for the door. Desperate to get to Damen before Roman can, convinced Roman will push him too far and hell snapan act neither of us can afford now that Roman holds the key.
But just as I turn the knob I hear, Ever? Got a minute?
I pause, classmates piling up behind me, eager to get to the hall where they can follow Romans lead and taunt me some more. His mocking laughter trailing behind as I turn toward Munoz to see what he wants.
I did it. He smiles, posture stiff, voice anxious, but still eager for me to know.
I shift uncomfortably, moving my bag from one shoulder to the next, wishing Id taken the time to learn remote viewing so I could keep an eye on the lunch tables and ensure Damen sticks to the plan.
I approached her. Just like you told me to. He nods.
I squint, returning my focus to him, gut churning as I begin to understand.
The woman from Starbucks? Sabine? I saw her this morning. We even talked for a while, and He shrugs, gaze drifting away, obviously still very taken by the event.
I stand before him, breathless, knowing I have to stop it, whatever it takes, before it gets out of hand.
And you were right. She is really nice. In fact, I probably shouldnt tell you but were having dinner this Friday night.
I nod, numb, shell-shocked, the words glancing over me as I peer into his energy and watch it unfold in his head:
Sabine standing in line, minding her own business until Munoz approachescausing her to turn and grant him a smile thatsthatsshamefully flirtatious!
Except that theres no shame at all. At least not on Sabines part. Nor Munoz for that matter. No, the shame is all mine. Those two couldnt be happier.
This cannot happen. For too many reasons to mention this dinner can never take place. One of them being that Sabine is not just my aunt, but my guardian, my caretaker, my only living relative in the whole entire world! And another, possibly even more urgent reason, is the fact that, thanks to my pathetic, maudlin, overly sentimental, ill-advised moment of weakness last Friday, Munoz knows Im psychic while Sabine does not!
Ive gone to great lengths to keep my secret from her, and theres no way Im going to be outed by my love-struck history teacher.
But just as Im about to tell him that he absolutely cannot, under any circumstances whatsoever, take my aunt to dinner and/or divulge any information I mightve accidentally confessed during a weak moment when I was sure Id never see him again, he clears his throat and says, Anyway, you should get to lunch before its too late. I didnt mean to keep you this long, I just thought
Oh, no, its okay, I say. I just
But he doesnt let me finish. Practically pushes me out the door as he waves me away, saying, Go on now. Go find your friends. I just thought I should thank you, thats all.
CHAPTER 5
When I get to the lunch table I sit beside Damen, relieved to find everything as normal as any other day. Damens gloved hand squeezing my knee as I quickly scan the campus, looking for Roman as he thinks: Hes gone.
Gone? I gape, hoping he means gone as in not around, as opposed to gone as in pile of dust.
But Damen just laughs, the smooth melodic sound reverberating from his head to mine. Not annihilated. I assure you. Justabsentthats all. Drove off a few minutes ago with some guy Ive never seen before.
Did you talk? Did he try to provoke you? Damen shakes his head, his eyes peering into mine as I add: Good. Because we cant afford to go after himno matter what! He has the antidote! He admitted it! Which means all we have to do now is find a way to
Ever. He frowns. You cant possibly believe him! This is what Roman does. He lies and manipulates everyone around him. You have to stay away from himhes using youhe cant be trusted
I shake my head. This time is different. I can feel it. And I need for Damen to feel it too. Hes not lyingseriouslyhe said
Not even finishing the thought before Haven leans forward, eyes darting between us as she says, Okay, thats it. Just what the heck is going on here? Seriously, enough already.
I turn, noticing how her friendly yellow aura beams in such sudden sharp contrast to the deliberate harshness of her all-black ensemble. Knowing she means no ill will though shes definitely disturbed by us.
Seriously. Its likeits like you guys have some kind of creepy way of communicating. Like twin speak or something. Only yours is silent. And more eerie.
I shrug and open my lunch pack, going through the motions of unwrapping a sandwich Ive no plans to eat, determined to hide just how alarmed her question has made me. Knocking my knee against Damens, telepathically urging him to step in and handle this since Ive no idea what to say.
Dont pretend its not happening. Her eyes narrow in suspicion. Ive been watching you guys for a while now, and its really starting to creep me out.
Whats creeping you out? Miles gazes up from his phone, but only for a moment before hes back to texting again.
Those two. She points a short, black painted nail with a chunk of pink frosting stuck to its tip. I swear, they get stranger every day.
Miles nods, setting down his phone as he takes a moment to look us over. Yeah, Ive been meaning to mention that. You guys are weird. He laughs. Oh, and the whole Michael Jackson, one glove thing? He shakes his head and purses his lips. So not working for you. That look is so played even you cant bring it back.
Haven frowns, annoyed by Miless joke when shes trying to be serious. Laugh all you want, she says, gaze steady, unwavering. But somethings up with those two. I may not know what, but Ill figure it out. Ill get to the bottom of it. Youll see.
And Im just about to speak when Damen shakes his head and swirls his red drink, leaning toward Haven as he says, Dont waste your time. Its not as sinister as you think. He smiles, gaze fixed on hers. Were practicing telepathy, thats all. Attempting to read each others minds in place of talking all the time. So we stop getting in trouble in class. He laughs, causing me to squeeze my sandwich so hard the mayonnaise squirts out the sides. Gaping at my boyfriend whos just arbitrarily decided to break our number one ruleDont tell anyone who we are or what we can do!
Calming only slightly when Haven rolls her eyes and says, Please. Im not an idiot.
Wasnt implying you were. Damen smiles. Its quite real, I assure you. Would you like to try?
I freeze, body solid, unmoving, as though witnessing a disaster on the side of the roadonly this particular disaster is me.
Close your eyes and think of a number between one and ten. He nods, solemn gaze meeting hers. Focus on that number with all of your might. See it in your mind as clearly as you can, and silently repeat the sound of it over and over again. Got it?
She shrugs, brows merging as though in deep concentration. Though all it takes is a quick glance at her aura, morphing into a dark deceitful green, and a brief peek at her thoughts to see shes only pretending. Choosing to concentrate on the color blue instead of a random number like Damen said.
I glance between them, knowing shes baiting him, sure that his one in ten chance of hitting the right number works too much in his favor. Holding her ground as he rubs his chin and shakes his head, saying, I dont seem to be getting anything. Are you sure youre thinking of a number between one and ten?
She nods, deepening her focus on a beautiful shade of pulsating blue.
Then we must have our wires crossed. He shrugs. Im not getting a number at all.
Try me! Miles abandons his phone and leans toward Damen.
Eyes barely closed, thoughts hardly focused before Damen gasps, Youre going to Florence?
Miles shakes his head. Three. For your information, the number was three. He rolls his eyes and smirks. And by the way, everyone knows Im going to Florence. Sonice try.
Everyone but me, Damen says, jaws clenched, face gone suddenly pale.
Well, Im sure Ever told you. You know, telepathically. He laughs, returning to his phone again.
I peer at Damen, wondering why hes so upset over Miless trip. I mean, yeah, so he used to live there, but that was hundreds of years ago! I squeeze his hand, urging him to look at me, but he just stares at Miles with that same stricken look on his face.
Nice try with the whole telepathy angle, Haven says, swiping her finger across the top of her cupcake until its coated with strawberry frosting. But Im afraid youre gonna have to try a little harder than that. All youve managed to prove is that you guys are even weirder than I thought. But no worries, Ill get to the bottom of it. Ill expose your dirty little secret before long.
I hold back a nervous laugh, hoping shes just messing around, then peering into her mind only to see that shes serious.
When are you leaving? Damen asks, but only to appear conversational, having already uncovered the answer in Miless head.
Soon, but not soon enough, Miles says, eyes lighting up. Let the countdown begin!
Damen nods, gaze softening as he says, Youll love it. Everyone loves it. Firenze is a beautiful, charming place.
Youve been? Miles and Haven both ask at the same time.
Damen nods, gaze far away. I lived there oncea long time ago.
Haven glances between us, eyes narrowed again when she says, Drina and Roman lived there too.
Damen shrugs, expression noncommittal, as though the connection means nothing to him.
Well, dont you think thats a little strange? All of you living in Italy, in the same place, then all of you ending up herewithin months of each other? She leans toward him, abandoning her cupcake in search of some answers.
But Damens solid, refusing to cave or do anything that might give it away. He just sips his red drink and lifts his shoulders again, as though its hardly worth going into.
Is there anything I should see while Im there? Miles asks, more to break the tension than anything else. Anything that shouldnt be missed?
Damen squints, pretending to think, even though the answer comes quickly. All of Florence is worth seeing. But you should definitely check out the Ponte Vecchio, which is the first bridge to cross the Arno River and the only one left standing after the war. Oh, and you must visit the Galleria dellAccademia which houses Michelangelos David among other important works, and perhaps the
Definitely hitting David, Miles says. As well as the bridge, and the famous Il Duomo, and all the other items that make every guidebook top ten list, but Im more interested in the smaller, off-the-beaten-path kind of placesyou know, where all the cool Florentines go. Roman was raving about this one place, I forget the name, but its supposed to house some obscure Renaissance artifacts and paintings and stuff few people know about. You got anything like that? Or even clubs, shopping, that kind of thing?
Damen looks at him, gaze so intense it sends a chill down my spine. Nothing offhand, he says, trying to soften the look though his voice betrays a definite edge. Though any place that claims to house great art but isnt in the guidebook is probably a fake. The antiquities market is loaded with forgeries. You shouldnt waste your time on that when there are so many other, far more interesting things to see.
Miles shrugs, bored by the conversation and already back to texting again. Whatever, he mumbles, thumbs tapping quickly. No worries. Roman said hed make me a list.
CHAPTER 6
Im amazed by the progress youve made. Damen smiles. You learned all this on your own?
I nod, gazing around the large, empty room, pleased with myself for the first time in weeks.
The moment Damen mentioned he wanted to rid the place of all the overly slick furniture hed filled it with during Romans reign of terror, I was on it. Jumping at the chance to clear out the row of black leather recliners and flat-screen TVs, the red felt pool table and chrome-covered barall of them symbols, physical manifestations, of the bleakest phase in our relationship so far. Taking aim at each piece with such unchecked enthusiasm thatwellIm not even sure where it went. All I know is its no longer here.
Looks like youre no longer in need of my lessons. He shakes his head.
Dont be so sure. I turn, smiling as I push his dark wavy hair off his face with my newly gloved hand, hoping well get that cure from Roman soon, or at least come up with a less hokey alternative. I have no idea where that stuff even wentnot to mention how I cant possibly fill up this space when I have no clue where you stashed all the stuff you used to have. Reaching for his hand a second too late, and frowning as he walks over to the window.