Текст книги "Something Witchy This Way Comes "

Автор книги: Veronica Blade

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Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

“Same reason we allow you to meet with them. What are we going to do, make a scene? It’s not like getting ugly about it would make you think we’re pretty cool. In the beginning, before the recruit comes of age, they’re fairly tolerant.”

“Then why are you sneaking in and out of my bedroom?”

He grinned. “Maybe your bedroom is the only part of the house I’m interested in.”

I took a step forward. “Chait—”

“Hayden, no.” She blocked me, her arm shooting out in a move I’d taught her yesterday. She wasn’t supposed to use it against me.

I grudgingly retreated to my corner, hoping he’d say just one more thing to piss me off. One more thing.

“Focus, Chait,” she said. “Why do you sneak in?”

“If they see us, they see us,” Chait answered. “But if they don’t, all the better.”

I semi-recovered from Chait’s jackass comment and felt less violent toward him, so I ventured closer to Tessa. “Why haven’t they made contact all weekend? Do you know?”

“Maybe because they have people watching, they don’t feel it’s necessary to talk.” Chait leaned against the dresser and folded his arms over his chest. “They know you’ll be back under their control at school tomorrow.”

 “So they think,” Tessa said. “And what if I don’t choose sides for another month? Or three months. How long before they decide to eliminate me?”

“You could string them along for a while,” Chait said. “But why wait longer than necessary?”

Tessa lifted her chin and inhaled deeply. “I want to know who killed my sister.”

Oh, great, now she listens to me. Poking around would be too dangerous. I’d rather she choose the dark side and stay alive. But knowing Tessa, living a life that meant doing things she couldn’t be proud of wouldn’t work for her at all.

“I wanted to give you the heads up that Hayden’s being replaced tomorrow. If you don’t have any more questions, I’ll take off.” Chait walked the several feet to the window.

“Here, let me help you out.” I closed in, not to push him but to make sure he left.

“Hayden.” Tessa looked at me like I was an ass. Whatever. I wanted Chait gone.

He paused, one foot through the frame. “What scares you more? That I’m older and wiser? Or that as a sorcerer she could have a real future with me? Or is it that I have less… flaws than you?” He brushed his index finger along his own cheek, mirroring my scar.

“Chait, go. Now.” But Tessa looked at me when she ordered him. As if I’d been the jerk.

“It’s not fear, Chait. It’s boredom. You’re a mama’s boy. No personality. Bland.”

He flipped me off. I grinned, knowing my barb hit its mark, then closed the window and locked it.

Her hands went to her hips, cheeks blazing. “Why do you antagonize him? It’s not helping my situation. Would you please try to be nicer?”

Tessa’s words barely reached my ears. Waiting was getting old. I wanted her. Not to use and discard but for as long as I could keep her. No way would some pretty boy get in my way. If she was open and I made progress tonight, could I stop once we got going? Maybe. If I didn’t put the brakes on, she probably would.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” She canted her head and took a step back.

“Like what?” I asked.

“Like you’re about to kiss me.” She folded her arms over her chest. “I thought we had an understanding.”

Which would be worse – that she wouldn’t like me back or that she would and risk ruining her future by being with me? Tonight, I didn’t want to worry about doing the right thing. I just wanted Tessa. “You mean like the way you looked at me earlier at my house?”

“Before you remembered that I’m beneath you?” She cocked a brow.

“C’mon. You should know by now that if I felt that way, I wouldn’t be here.” I took a step forward. It was a terrible idea to put myself out there for rejection, especially when I knew I’d been a total jerk. But she was worth the risk. “I’d like you beneath me though.”

“This is a familiar conversation,” she said in a low growl. “God, Hayden. Like I’d really be in the mood to make out after you were so rude to Chait.”

Now she was pissing me off. I’d proved myself by being there for her earlier. Several times over the weekend, in fact. He hadn’t.

“Do you ever stop? I mean, right when I think you might be a decent human being, you remind me why I could never give in to you.”

She was right. Out of everyone that Tessa and I had dealt with so far, Chait was the only one who’d been straight with us. Just because he irritated me with his perfect face and perfect ideals didn’t mean he deserved to be treated like crap.

Damn. I’d totally blown my chance with Tessa for the night. Knowing there was no chance of anything happening between us anytime soon… Well, the upside to that was being able to fall asleep despite her being close by. Maybe.

Staying a safe distance from Tessa was probably for the best anyway. That’s what she kept insisting she wanted. The evening turned out exactly as it should have. Except that disappointment stuck in my throat, threatening a night of misery. “Chait’s a jackass.”

“In this instance, I’m going to have to disagree.” Her glare told me I was getting in deeper and deeper. Which meant Chait looked even better in her eyes. That pissed me off.

“Whatever. You’re defending him and you don’t even know him. He probably had this rosy childhood,” I said bitterly, “with parents praising him for every little stupid thing. It’s not that easy for the rest of us, you know. Some of us are too haunted. Things follow you. They’re always there.”

“What the hell are you going off about? Does this have to do with your parents?” She rounded on me, her eyes shooting daggers. “Poor Hayden. At least your parents know you’re alive. And all those trophies must have taken a while to win. Years?”

I shifted my weight to the other leg and looked away a moment, wondering what she was getting at. It felt like a trap. “Yeah, why?”

“You’ve been able to defend your mom and yourself for a while. Several years later and everything that goes wrong is still your dad’s fault? When is your life your responsibility?”

“Step-dad,” I corrected. That was a mistake. Her face flushed an even deeper shade of scarlet and she looked like she was about to pummel me.

“Get out of my room. Now.” She pointed to the door. “You can sleep on the couch or go home. Whatever.”

Chapter Nineteen

Tessa

No boy had ever spent the night at my house. Thankfully, my parents hadn’t come home.

I needed to get Bree to school but my car still sat in the driveway at Hayden’s house. Once again, I was at his mercy.

He darkened my doorway. “Hey.”

I spared him a glance, long enough to notice his bare chest and his well-defined arm muscles bracing the doorway to my bedroom. “What’s up?” I continued putting away the mountain of clothes I’d taken out of the closet during my quest for anything to wear that I wasn’t completely sick of.

“What time do we have to leave so Bree’s not late for school?”

So he remembered. A thin layer of last night’s annoyance peeled off. “Twenty minutes.”

“Okay.”

Unfortunately, his behavior and our argument the night before hadn’t dampened my lust for him at all. I stayed focused on my clothes, hoping he’d leave before I begged him to put a shirt on – or jumped him. I was grossly disappointed in myself and my compromised standards.

Why was he still standing there?

“Hey, I’m sorry about last night, with Chait. I, uhm…” His eyes strayed across the room. “I got a little jealous. It was a stressful day. It was late. Sorry.”

Did he have to go and admit he was jealous, apologize and be shirtless – all in one breath? And, Holy Mother of God, his sculpted six-pack threatened to override any good judgment I had left. The slow smile creeping over his face told me I’d been caught ogling. “Yeah, nice abs.” I took pains to make sure I sounded bored. “Now, would you please put a shirt on?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned. “I’ll be ready in about five minutes. Need any help with anything?”

The last bit of anger melted away and all I wanted to do was kiss him for his offer of help. “Would you mind finding Bree and make sure she’s ready and not playing? I’ll start on her lunch in a minute, then make breakfast.”

As we headed out the door twenty minutes later, I grabbed Bree’s lunch and my purse. “Bree, let’s go.” I’d seen her a minute ago. Where was she? What happened to Hayden?

“Yeah, but if you marry Tessa, you can read to me every night.” Bree entered the living room clinging to Hayden’s hand.

“I don’t think your sister likes me that much.” Hayden wrinkled his nose at her and she giggled. “C’mon, let’s get you to school, midget.”

I opened the door, feeling invisible as Hayden passed through the doorway with Bree, chuckling and poking her in the ribs.

“Are you picking me up from school today?” she asked, face hopeful.

“We’ll see. It depends on your sister though. Sometimes, when I’ve been bad, she throws me in the dungeon.” He gave her a look of terror. It was hard not to smile.

“The dungeon?” She squealed. “No way.”

Hayden chuckled, plopped her in the back seat of the borrowed SUV and buckled her up.

I could totally see myself doing this with Hayden every single morning forever. But who was I kidding? He’d last two mornings, tops.

 I couldn’t fall in love with him. Nope. Not an option.

* * * *

We stopped by the principal’s office before first period. I went inside to talk to Mr. Linton while Hayden waited in the corridor. Eager to be amenable, Mr. Linton agreed to have the recommendation letter ready after my last class. Then he asked me to relay to Hayden that his services were no longer needed.

If Linton didn’t tell Hayden personally, Hayden had less chance of being detected. I think I did okay at hiding my relief – not to mention my surprise that he hadn’t brought up the whole kidnapping fiasco. He was probably saving it for our meeting after school.

Now that Hayden was off the hook, he’d have little, if any, interaction with Fawn or the principal. I could tell Hayden what he was. I smiled, imagining his reaction at learning he had powers, like me. Once Hayden became comfortable with his abilities, Chait would never again wonder who’d win in a fighting match. Hayden would, for sure. Wait. Maybe that wasn’t good for Hayden to know.

I didn’t have a choice though. Hayden had to be told.

At lunch, I masochistically sat where I could watch several girls sit with Hayden, Brad and Skyler. A scan of the cafeteria told me the location of my new guard. A blond guy. Kind of cute. He was the only new student and he’d shared all my classes so far. He was very good at his job because I could never quite tell that he was watching me.

I didn’t need a guard. Not that I wasn’t in any danger, but both sides had told me that the real threat wouldn’t arise until I chose sides. More likely, the guard was a spy to keep them informed of my activities.

By the time Nadia and Corinne arrived, I’d already started eating.

“Where have you been all weekend?” Nadia took the spot next to me.

“I called four times. I was getting worried about you.” Corinne sat across from me, scowling.

I couldn’t tell them that two rival sorcerer groups were vying for my affection or that I’d been kidnapped. Although I had to admit, describing to them how Hayden rescued me would’ve been fun. But the only truth I could give them was that I’d spent the entire weekend with Hayden. Knowing my friends, they’d get their hopes up that I might snag the hottest catch in school. I had to present it in such a way that Hayden didn’t look like a hero or I’d never hear the end of it.

“Hayden monopolized me all weekend. I think he’s trying to pull a Blane.” I gave a little snort for emphasis, hoping they’d buy it.

“All weekend?” Corinne bumped her shoulder against mine.

Nadia’s leaned in. “Tell us everything.”

 “We weren’t making out or anything.” I set my burger down and gave them my somber face. “We trained at that karate studio on Fifth, then hung out after. I can’t imagine him actually being serious about me, can you?” I held up hands out in an empty gesture.

“I guess not.” Corinne’s shoulders drooped.

Nadia dejectedly unwrapped her sandwich. “Are you sure he’s not maybe a little bit sincere?”

“How long have we been exposed to Hayden and his friends?” I asked.

“When you put it that way…” Nadia sighed. “What a waste of a royally hot guy.”

Good. They were buying it. Though I hated lying to my friends.

“Speaking of hot guys, what was the deal with the dude at Delia’s Saturday night? I almost fainted when I saw him.” Corinne looked to Nadia for affirmation. “Wasn’t he the most gorgeous guy you’ve ever seen? Nice too, from what I could tell. What did he want?”

“Oh, yeah, super cute.” How could I explain Chait? “I met him at the liquor store when I stopped for a soda and mentioned I was working that night. He showed up. Who knew?”

Hayden sat his tray down next to Corinne. “Mind if I join you?”

“Not at all.” Corinne waggled her eyebrows at me. “Here, take my spot so you can sit across from Tessa.” Judas slid over and Hayden moved in.

I wondered what his friends thought about Hayden traveling in the wrong social circles. But those thoughts deserted me when I saw Brad zero in on, then move toward the same boy he’d pushed around last week.

“I’ll be right back.” I darted in front of Brad, blocking him from his destination two tables away. “Hey, Brad.”

He beamed. “Hey, Tessa. Tired of Hayden already?”

“Actually, I’m doing a favor for a friend and wanted to ask you something. It’s for a paper she’s doing.”

“Sure. Ask.”

I smiled. “Let’s just say you did something unspeakable, something so vile you would never tell a soul.” That was all I needed to say before his mental pictures rushed me and I had the ammunition I’d hoped for. “For instance, if it involved hot oil, duct tape and getting robbed by a prostitute. You wouldn’t want anyone to find out, right?”

He stared at me, mouth open, shaking his head.

I smiled sweetly. “I didn’t think so. So I’ll tell you what – never let me hear of you bullying anyone, and I mean anyone, ever again or that story goes public. Got it?”

He nodded, wide eyes fixed on me.

“I thought you’d see things my way. Have a nice lunch.” I patted him on the cheek.

Hayden was still watching Brad when I reclaimed my seat. “What the hell did you say to him? He looks terrified.”

“I saw him eyeing that boy again. You know the kid he always steals from when you stand by and watch?” I raised my brows, emphasizing the last words to make sure he got how I felt about it.

Hayden blew out a breath. “I’ll say something next time, okay?”

“Too late. I already fixed it. When someone’s in trouble, they shouldn’t have to ask for help. It’s called compassion.”

“You didn’t have to ask for help over the weekend, did you? Damn it, Tessa. I’m trying, okay?” He averted his gaze and brooded.

“Only because you want to sleep with me. That poor boy doesn’t have the same body parts, so no one thinks about him.”

He stared at his tray a moment, then stood. “Forget it.”

Nadia’s eyes followed his retreating figure. “Wow, what was that all about?”

“Damn, you really like him, don’t you? Pity the fool you fall in love with.” Corinne snorted.

“Corinne, really? You were with me for the whole Blane thing. You want me to go through that again? Because Hayden is the perfect guy for that.”

“I don’t know, Tessa,” Corinne said doubtfully. “Hayden’s used to getting his way with girls, but he’s not like Blane. Hayden says it like it is.”

Corinne spoke the truth. So why was I getting so worked up, grumpy and stirring up every other negative emotion? Because he’d been nice to my little sister and I’d imagined Hayden as part of my daily morning routine. God, I’d even fantasized about the three of us doing another day trip.

Time to ’fess up. I glanced from Nadia to Corinne. “I do like Hayden. Too much. He does these things that make me melt, you know? And—” My eyes found Hayden. “But he’ll never be that guy who’ll stay forever. I don’t know if there’s a forever guy out there for me. But if I’m going to invest, I need at least the hope of it. He’ll get tired of me. Don’t you see?”

Nadia covered my hand with hers. “He probably will break your heart,” she said solemnly, “but think of the wild ride getting there.”

I laughed. “You have no idea.”

“Does that mean he kissed you again?” Corinne gasped. “Did you sleep with him?”

“He kissed me twice total. That’s it.”

“Sounds tasty.” Corinne’s eyes twinkled. “I hate to have to remind you of this, but you’re only seventeen. You can date and have fun. It’s okay. No one will judge you.”

“Yeah, Tessa, it’s not life or death. Date him, have a good time. If it gets weird, dump him. It won’t make you a slut or a horrible person.”

“You guys don’t understand. If I do that, I’m going to sleep with him. I won’t be able to resist. It’s like… inevitable.”

“Oh, no.” Nadia’s hand flew to her throat. “That would be awful.” She nudged Corinne. “Can you see yourself sleeping with someone like Hayden?”

“I don’t want to imagine such a thing.” Corinne gave a mock shiver. “Get out now, Tessa, while you still can.”

I snorted in a half laugh. “Okay, I get it. You guys are no help.” I spied the boys’ table. Hayden was watching me. “I should go apologize. Be right back.” As I approached the table, Brad turned away. That was as good as a guarantee he’d never hit on me again. Fine by me.

“You can have my spot.” Skyler gave me a lopsided smile and made room next to Hayden.

“What’s up?” he asked as I sat.

“Sorry about that, you know, a few minutes ago. I was feeling a little bitchy. Stress.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He didn’t crack a smile and I guessed he was still mad. Maybe he’d finally gotten me out of his system? Maybe my crabbiness made him realize how stupid he’d been for pursuing someone socially inferior? I felt a pang of regret and loss in the center of my stomach. But I knew it would be good to end it all before I fell too hard.

Oh, hell. I’d already fallen. But it wasn’t the innocent kind of crush I’d had on Blane. What I felt for Hayden was real and deep and powerful. And so wrong since Hayden and I still wanted different things from life. The agony I’d felt over Blane dumping me would be nothing compared to what I’d suffer when Hayden and I eventually parted ways.

I was completely screwed.

He grinned at me and I smiled back, relief washing over me at his forgiveness.

“I was wondering what you were doing later today after our tutoring session,” I asked.

 “Hanging out with you, I hope.”

“Good.” I leaned into Hayden, hoping for a more private conversation. “We have to talk.”

The eavesdroppers at the table snickered. “I hate it when girls want to talk,” Skyler joked.

“It’s not what you think, Skyler. I have to update him on something. Which, by the way, is none of your business.” I glared.

“This one’s a keeper.” Skyler snorted and patted Hayden’s back.

When the bell rang, Hayden walked with me to our next class. “So what did you want to talk about?”

“Sorcerer business. Later though. I have to work tonight, so after we study in the library, I’ll cut my meeting with Phillips and Linton short.” I sighed, dreaming of running steaming hot water, lighting some candles and closing my eyes for about twenty-four hours. “I want to take a bubble bath,” I mumbled.

“What?”

“Nothing. I haven’t had much time to myself lately.” It was getting old. “Anyway, never mind about that. Will you be around to go over some stuff before I leave for work?”

“Yeah, sure. Just let me know what you need.”

Telling him what I needed would get me into more trouble than I already was. I wouldn’t be doing that any time soon.

* * * *

“Here it is.” Mr. Linton handed over an unsealed envelope.

I opened it and quickly scanned the letter. It was perfect. “What about his records? Are they clean?”

He handed me Hayden’s file and pointed to a square contraption at my right. “There’s the shredder. Get rid of anything you don’t like.”

“And his grades? Are they magically better?” I wanted Hayden’s grades to improve but wasn’t sure falsifying them was the way to do it.

“That’s where I ran into a snag since I’m not the only one with those records. His teachers would never go along with it. But I was able to arrange extra credit opportunities in all his classes. Everything’s on the up-and-up. All Hayden has to do is to talk to his teachers.”

I liked that much better.

“Looks like Hayden came through for you on the kidnapping,” Fawn said casually as she looped her thumb in the waistband of her slacks.

“Yeah. Where were you for all that? I thought your people were tailing me.”

“When our man spotted Hayden taking off after you, we realized once he arrived, they’d let you go. All of us, no matter whose side we’re on, avoid involving the normal folk.” Fawn handed me a stack of photos. “I was wondering if you’d recognize any of these guys from the kidnapping incident.”

The face of a dark-haired woman stared back at me from the stack. I didn’t recognize her. But what if I recognized others? “I was thinking…” I looked into Fawn’s eyes. “What if I met with them the way I meet with you? And what if, after all this, I choose you? How would you like it if I’d already given them information about you guys? The thing is, I don’t know which side to choose. So I’m not spying for anyone.” I handed Fawn the photos.

“Fair enough.” She studied me and I felt a familiar rush of energy seep into me, soothing.

My eyes narrowed. “And no more trying to work your mojo on me. If I want to calm down, I’ll read a book and make tea or something.”

She held up a hand in surrender. “Okay.”

“What do you know about my family?” Why not go for it, cut to the chase?

Fawn and Linton exchanged looks.

“You have a five-year-old sister,” Linton answered. “Your parents have a marriage of convenience. He’s into real estate and she… well, she’s at the gym a lot and lunches regularly at the Grand Mesa Hotel. And—”

I waved a hand. “I know the rest. What about my other family?”

An almost imperceptible eye twitch made me suspect that maybe Linton knew something else. “What specific family are you referring to?”

Perhaps he wanted to know what I knew so he didn’t accidentally give me new information. I wasn’t playing along. “You and I are both aware of other members of my family. I’d like to know everything you have on them.”

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes maintaining contact with mine. “Your mother had three children – one’s deceased. Grandparents on your father’s side are still alive but grandparents on your mom’s are deceased.”

Disappointment over their lack of new information weighed on me like a sumo wrestler sitting on my chest. But I wondered what specifically they had on Zoe. If they admitted to having knowledge of her being a witch, it would be as good as admitting they should have informed me. But if they had no information, my probing would draw attention to her. The less they knew, the bigger my advantage.

“My shift starts soon and I still have things to do.” I picked up Hayden’s file and dove into it, looking for anything negative. “Is there anything else you want to go over while I shred?”

“No. I guess not,” Fawn replied.

“I meant to double check something. You said our abilities weren’t hereditary, right?”

“Correct.” She paused. “Why?”

“In all the history of sorcerers, there has never been more than one per family?”

“I don’t know. It’s not scientifically impossible. But if there are cases on record, they’re anomalies, not the norm. If it were truly hereditary,” Fawn said, “we’d all be having little wizard babies since we generally pair with our own kind and some of us have children.”

And still, I didn’t know anything more than I knew before. Fawn and Linton excelled at appearing to give information without actually doing so. But if I pressed the issue, they’d get suspicious. I took a different tact. “Is there anything else I should know?”

 “What are you fishing for, Tessa?” Mr. Linton asked, intertwining his fingers in front of him.

I continued shredding and peeked at him from under my lashes. “You tell me.”

“Are you accusing us of something?” Fawn stepped forward, an edge to her voice. Or maybe she struggled to be heard over the shredder. I wasn’t sure but I needed to move fast since Hayden still needed his reality adjustment and I didn’t want to be late for work.

 “Of course not.” I flashed them my most innocent smile, then fed another sheet into the hungry machine. “I just want to know everything.”

“We haven’t lied to you,” he said.

I didn’t want to antagonize them but I wasn’t going to let them think they could manipulate me either. “You can’t deny that you’ve both kept things from me. The other guys have been more forthcoming with the 4-1-1 but they also kidnapped me. It’s hard to know who to trust. You’ll all just have to tolerate my skepticism for a while.”

Linton groaned. “I guess we don’t have a choice.”

“So what makes you guys better than Chait or David?”

I heard Mr. Linton’s sigh over the shredder. “Let’s talk about that when you’re not rushed.”

“Or shredding,” Fawn added through gritted teeth.

“Okay. I have something that only requires a quick answer. Who’s your boss?”

The principal grimaced at the shredder and leaned forward. “Boris Krostinova. He’s been leading us for over a hundred years now. He believes—”

I froze and the shredder idled while it waited for something to do. “A hundred years? He must be ancient. Does he order people around from his hospital bed? Geez, he’d have to be on machines or something.”

Fawn quirked a brow. “So they didn’t tell you everything either.”

“I’ve learned a hell of a lot more from them.” That wasn’t exactly true, but Fawn and Linton didn’t know that.

“Let’s move on.” The chair creaked under Mr. Linton as he squirmed.

Good, I’d thrown them.

“We live more than ten times longer than non-sorcerers.” Fawn lifted one shoulder. “Unless we get knocked off, of course.”

“Wow. That long?” I blinked. “What else?”

“There’s so much to go over.” She pursed her lips. “We have our mental powers, but we’re also physically stronger. Much stronger, actually. Our perceptions are better too.”

“And I haven’t noticed this because…” I continued flipping through Hayden’s file.

She smiled. “You haven’t tried. Just like with the mind tricks, you couldn’t do it until you knew you could.”

No wonder Chait thought he could take Hayden. He probably could. But once Hayden began using his powers and he combined it with his fighting skills, few would be able to handle him.

I fed more paper into the shredder. “Do we get stronger as we get older or anything like that?”

“That’s only with werewolves and vampires,” Linton answered. “They have no expiration date or any limit on how strong they get.”

My mouth dropped open. Vampires and werewolves? Their existence hadn’t occurred to me. “Are you joking?”

“No,” Linton answered. I believed him since he wasn’t the humorous type.

“Are we in danger from them?”

“All supernatural races are extremely prejudiced. We generally stick to our own kind. Werewolves are an especially grumpy lot. And they hate vampires.”

“Well, everyone knows that.” I snorted, suppressing a giggle.

They both stared, straight faced.

I turned off the shredder and handed Mr. Linton the much thinner file, putting on a professional air. “I appreciate you two being so generous with info. Did you want to meet tomorrow?”

“I have a faculty meeting,” my principal said.

“We’ll be in touch.” Fawn smiled, looking more relaxed than I’d ever seen her. Maybe she was trying a new way to soothe me, since using her powers on me only pissed me off.

“I have to go. Hayden’s waiting for me.”

“Oh.” She glanced at Mr. Linton. “I thought you told him we no longer needed him.”

“I did.” I felt the need to explain why they’d still see us together. “But we’re sort of involved now.”

We were, but not in the way they’d take it. My talent at playing with shades of the truth alarmed me slightly. It didn’t feel like me. Being deceptive wasn’t something I’d ever be comfortable with. But if I wanted to live to see my eighteenth birthday, I’d have to get used to it.

“Then he may have found out about us anyway?” Mr. Linton raised a brow.

“Oh, yeah. That.” Of course their spy would tell them that I’d let Hayden in on our secret. “They involved Hayden when they kidnapped me. I didn’t want Hayden going all Terminator on them. He’d get hurt. So I warned him. Don’t worry. He’ll probably dump me soon anyway. And with his reputation, if he spills, no one will believe him.”

I grinned and threw my purse over my shoulder.

“Tessa?” Mr. Linton said as I got to the door. I looked over my shoulder, wishing I’d moved faster. “We’d like to show you Headquarters, have you meet the rest of us.”

“I don’t know…”

Fawn chuckled softly. “We’re not going to kidnap you. But you’ve spent a good deal of time with them and we think it should be balanced. What do you say? Sunday?”

Oh, how could I get out of this?

“I’m sure your buddies will be right behind us, so it’s not as if we’d hurt you, even if we wanted to,” Linton said.

“I suppose,” I said for lack of an excuse. It’s not like I could reject them so early in the game. That could put me in danger even sooner.

“Tessa,” Fawn began. “Sometimes it’s difficult to tell what’s going on and who to trust. They were smart to have someone young and attractive contact you and make you feel comfortable. My guess is that they set up the kidnapping, so that Chait would look like the good guy when he got mad at them.”

They made a good point.

“If they did a decent job of presenting themselves, that’s all it means. That they’ve shown you exactly what they want you to see.” Linton stood and leaned over his desk, his palms on the surface. “You can’t always judge a book by its cover, right? Don’t let a pretty face sway you into making a huge mistake.”

I nodded and slipped out the door before they pushed me for a time on Sunday. They’d call or text me, but at least I’d have time to think about my answer before then.