His eyes widened with shock.
So, truce?
Seriously? He didnt know if a truce would mean theyd also look out for each other at the ranch, too, but he didnt care. Truce, he said. Honestly, could this day get any better?
Shannon, you forgot your syllabus.
Aden recognized the lilting female voice, but it was the surge of needle-sharp wind over his skin, the moansand then the silencethat told him exactly who approached. Mary Ann. The day could get much better, it seemed.
His gaze quickly found her. Her arm was extended, a piece of paper clutched between her fingers.
Shannon turned. His shoulders immediately hunched, as if he wanted to hide inside himself.
Adens heart began slamming against his ribs. Finally. He was with her again.
The sun gleamed behind her, framing her in gold. She tripped over her own feet when she spotted him, her skin leaching of color. Thankfully, she didnt hit the ground, just slowed her step and lowered her arm.
Aden?
Hello, Mary Ann. The urge to hug her returned. So did the urge to run. Caleb would have said she was heaven and hell wrapped in the same pretty package. A friend and a foe. Both a hunter and the prey.
Wary, she stopped in front of him. I didnt expect to see you again.
Had she preferred it that way? Her neutral tone gave nothing away. As of today, Im a student here.
Thats wonderYour eyes, she said, blinking up at him. Theyre blue. But I thought they were black. Or rather, lots of colors then black. Not one solid color.
So. Shed noticed the way they changed each time one of the souls spoke. He fused his top and bottom lashes, blocking the color from her view. They change with what I wear, he lied. A lie he used often.
Oh, she said, but she didnt sound convinced.
How could he ever have mistaken her for his brunette? he wondered. Even momentarily? Yes, they both had dark hair and yes, both were pretty, but up close, he could see that Mary Ann was more planes and angles; Vision Girl was more curved. Mary Ann even had a few freckles scattered over her nose, while Vision Girl had none.
II should g-go, Shannon said to him, acting as if Mary Ann werent present.
Mary Ann hugged the paper she held to her chest. Her gaze darted between them. You two know each other?
Both he and Shannon nodded.
OOh. Fear sparked in her eyes, and she backed up a step.
Was she frightened of him? Why? She hadnt seemed afraid of him at the coffeehouse.
You live withDan Reeves? she asked.
Ah. Now he understood. She knew about the ranch, feared the boys insideand what theyd done to be sent there. He didnt want to lie to heragainthis girl he so badly wanted to befriend, but he didnt want to confirm her fears, either. So he ignored the question. My official first day here is tomorrow. Maybe we have a few classes together. Hopefully.
S-see you at the h-house, Aden, Shannon said, clearly done waiting. He ripped the paper from Mary Anns hands.
She gasped as Aden said his goodbyes. See you, Shannon.
Shannon walked away without another word.
Aden and Mary Ann stood in silence for several seconds, kids rushing around them, brushing their shoulders, eager to reach the buses or their rides.
Hes shy, Aden said to excuse the dreg.
I noticed. Mary Ann squared her shoulders and her pretty features glazed with determination. Look, Ive felt bad for the past week about the way I treated you at Holy Grounds. Ive wanted to apologize over and over again.
You dont have to apologize to me, he assured her. She might have been in a hurry to ditch him that day, but she hadnt called him a freak or made him feel like one. In his world, that was, like, the royal treatment.
I do, she insisted. I was rude. I would have called, but I didnt have your number.
Seriously, no worries. I would have called you eventually. He stared down at his feet, realized what he was doing, and forced himself to straighten. I just, well, I was sick. I spent six days in bed.
Sympathy softened the angle of her mouth. Im so sorry.
Thanks. He smiled over at her. This was the longest conversation hed ever had with someone. Well, without being interrupted by his companions or losing track of what was being said. He never wanted it to end. Maybe we could meet here tomorrow and you could show me around.
Mary Ann hooked a lock of hair behind her ear, cheeks suddenly blooming with red. I, uh, well
Had he pushed for too much too soon? Had he made her uncomfortable again? Suddenly, he hated not being able to talk to Eve. He needed advice. Needed to know the best way to befriend a girl, the right things to say.
In the end, he opted for the truth. Im not trying to score or anything, I swear. Besides Shannon, youre the only person I know at this school and I could really use a friend.
A friend. She chewed on her bottom lip.
Only a friend, he said, and he meant it. Vision Girl was the only one he was looking to date.
The chewing continued as she shifted from one foot to the other. I have to tell you something, but Im afraid it will hurt your feelings. And you may not want to be my friend once you know.
That sounded bad. Really bad. His stomach twisted into a thousand knots. Tell me anyway. Please. He could take it. Whatever it was. Maybe.
I feelstrange when Im with you. The color returned to her cheeks. God, that sounds even worse out loud.
He wonderedwas it possible? Did she feel the wind and the sickness too? Strange how?
I dont know. Like Im being pummeled by a freak wind and my skin is crawling, and I know thats a horrible thing to say, and Im so sorry. I really am. But then when that sensation finally fades, I have the weirdest desire to first hug you like youre my brother or something and then
Run, he finished for her. It was possible. They had the same reaction to each other.
Her eyes widened. Yes!
I feel the same way.
You do? she asked, relief and confusion giving way to insult. Her mouth curled into the cutest grimace.
He nodded, unable to stop his grin.
What do you think it means?
Both attracted and repelled, he thought. Like the magnets hed played with as a child. One side possessed a positive pole. One side possessed a negative pole. When two different sides were pressed together, they bonded. When two like sides were pressed together, they created pressure, repelling each other. Were they like magnets?
And if so, did that mean she was like him? Or his opposite?
He studied her more intently. Did she know anything about the supernatural? If she didnt, and he started babbling about raising the dead and trapped souls, she would call him a freak. He would ruin his chances with her.
I have to get home, he said, opting for escape. Hopefully, he would have figured this out by morning. Im on curfew, but I would love to talk to you tomorrow and
Mary Ann, a boy suddenly called. Footsteps clomped, then an arm was wrapping around her waist. The owner of that arm was wide and as solid as a boulder. Who you talking to, babe?
She closed her eyes for a moment and pushed out a firm breath. Tucker, this is Aden. One of the new students and myfriend. Aden, this is Tucker. My boyfriend.
Friend. Shed called Aden a friend. He couldnt stop himself from smiling. Nice to meet you, Tucker.
Tuckers iron-gray gaze flicked to Adens shirt and the insulting words scribbled there. He chuckled. Cute.
Aden lost his grin. Hed been flying so high all daypassing tests, making truces and friendshed forgotten about the T-shirt. Thanks.
Why dont you beat feet and join your friend S-Stutter. It was a command, not a question. Mary Ann and I have things to discuss.
Message received. He and Tucker would not be friends. That was fine with him. Only person he cared about right now was Mary Ann. Well, and Vision Girl, but she wasnt here. Where was she? What was she doing?
See you around, Mary Ann, he said.
She smiled, and it was warm and genuine. Ill meet you here in the morning and show you around.
A muscle ticked under Tuckers eye. Im sure hes busy. Isnt that right, Crazy?
Aden knew his next words would define the type of hate-filled relationship he and Tucker would have. If he agreed, Tucker would feel superior, assume Aden was properly intimidated and taunt him for his weakness. If he didnt, Tucker would view him as a competitor for Mary Anns attention and attack every chance he got.
He couldnt afford another enemy, but he raised his chin, refusing to back down. Im not busy at all. Ill see you in the morning, Mary Ann. He nodded to them both and ambled away as if he hadnt a care.
MARY ANN WALKED TUCKER to the football field for practice, calmly but firmly explaining that calling people names like Crazy and Stutter was how they developed complexes and why they later needed therapy.
You should thank me for the future business, since you want to be a shrink, he said, rounding on her.
She was so shocked by his response, she stood with her mouth hanging open. Hed never talked to her so sarcastically.
His eyes narrowed. Well, Im waiting.
Waiting for what?
First, for that thank-you I mentioned. Then you need to tell me you wont see that guy again. I dont like him and I dont like the way he was looking at you. And if he ever does it again, I will knock his teeth right out of his mouth.
The menace radiating off him was like needle pricks in her skin. She actually found herself backing up. What was wrong with him? Why was he acting this way? Youll stay away from him, Tucker. Do you hear me? I dont want you hurting him. And just so you know, Ill be friends with whoever I want. If you dont like it, you canwe can
You are not breaking up with me, he growled, crossing his arms over his chest. I wont allow it.
That hadnt been on her mind, but she suddenly found herself contemplating the idea. The Tucker standing in front of her was not the Tucker she knew. This Tucker wasnt making her feel pretty or special; this Tucker, with his scowl and his threats, was alarming her.
This was the Tucker who had somehow helped throw a snake at Shannonwhich she still needed to question him about. This was someone who had laughed at another persons fear. This was a Tucker she didnt like.
You cant stop me if thats what I decide, she said.
To her surprise, his expression immediately softened. Youre right. Im sorry. I shouldnt have butted in like that. I just want you safe. Can you blame me for that? Oh, so gently, he reached out and traced a fingertip along her cheek.
She moved away from his touch. Look, I she began, but one of the football players called for his help.
Oblivious to the tension still rolling through her, Tucker kissed the cheek hed just caressed. Well talk tomorrow, all right? He didnt wait for her reply but rushed off.
Reeling, she turned and headed toward the parking lot. What was she going to do with that boy? The way hed treated Shannon and then Aden, and then callously excused his behaviorthe way hed expected her to thank himshe ground her teeth together. Yeah, hed apologized. But had he meant it?
Pennys Mustang whipped around the corner just as Mary Ann stepped from the curb. There went her ride. She could call her dad and wait for him to come get her. She could walk home aloneand perhaps be a tasty bit of wolf baitor she could chase Aden down.
Aden, she called as she rushed forward. She couldnt see him, but she knew he couldnt have gotten far.
The sleek black wolf, taller than she remembered, bigger than she remembered, jumped out in front of her the moment she passed the line of trees that blocked off the school. She screamed, hand fluttering over her heart.
He gave an irritated growl, his green eyes bright. Settle down. I wont hurt you.
The word yet hung in the air, unsaid but palpable.
Though the voice came from in front of her, she whipped around, expecting to see someone behind her. But no, she and the wolf were alone. Who said that? The words trembled from her.
As I happen to be the only one around, I think youre safe in assuming that I did.
This time, the words came from behind her. Once more, she faced the wolf. No one was standing beside him. This isnt funny, she said, a little more substance to the words now. Her gaze tripped left, right. Breath sawed in and out of her throat. Hot. Too hot, burning. Whos there?
I love being ignored, I really do. Look, Im big, Im black. Im right in front of you.
She scanned the bright emerald foliage around her. There was no sign of life. I told you. This isnt funny.
Youre wasting time searching for someone else, little girl.
Again her attention fell to the wolf and she laughed without humor. You cant be talking to me. You just cant. Youre ayou areyoure not human.
Smart of you to notice. Youre right about the other thing, too. Im not talking. Out loud.
No, he wasnt. His harsh voice was echoing inside her mind, she realized, dazed. This is ridiculous. Impossible.
One day youll laugh about what you just said, because baby, Im about to open your eyes to a whole new world. Werewolves are just the beginning.
Shut up! Mary Ann rubbed her temples. More than ridiculous, this was insane. Utterly insane. Or rather, she was insane. This had to be a hallucination. Nothing else explained it. A wolfor rather, a werewolfwho had walked her to school and clearly waited for her. A werewolf who was speaking directly into her mind.
What would her father say?
She thought she knew the answer. That shed been working too hard, not resting enough, never enjoying herself, and this was her minds way of taking a vacation. Hed tried to warn her this morning, in fact.
What if, now that shed fallen over the edge, she needed medication? The thought scared her, and she laughed without humor. She didnt want this kind of breakdown in her medical files; most likely, it would haunt her for the rest of her life, ruining her chances of landing the internship she wanted. Who would trust her to handle their problems when she couldnt handle her own?