Chapter 9 #2
Baylee blows out air and points to the guy next to Madden.
“This is Aero St. James. He’s also a reaper.
And the girl is Lily Ridgemont. She’s also a reaper and may have some witch’s blood in her.
They have been best friends with Madden since elementary school.
Anyway, they are part of the fearsome four.
The guys are on the swim team together. They’re best friends.
Well, they were until you appeared anyway. ”
My gaze swings to hers, and my lips part. “What?”
She laughs and swipes to the next image.
Once again, it’s me and her making goofy faces, hanging up a sign for a school dance, but this time there’s another figure lurking in the background.
Another gorgeous man with white blonde hair, messy with that just-rolled-out-of-bed look.
I can’t see the color of his eyes, but they look dark, heated.
And he’s watching us with almost a scowl on his lips.
“And that is Killian Alden. He was Madden’s best friend.
It was always those three guys and Lily since they were little.
They were tight. When you got there that year, the dynamics shifted. ”
My heart races in my chest, and an uncomfortable flush creeps over my skin. “How?”
My voice is almost silent, but she hears me anyway.
Baylee drops her phone to her lap, flipping past more images.
Her, me. Madden and me. A group shot of all six of us.
“You didn’t really tell me much about what was happening between you and Madden.
In private, it was like you both couldn’t stay away from each other, but when it was a group, things always happened, and someone’s feelings were hurt.
Sometimes you’d hang out with just Killian.
As far as I could tell, it looked innocent, but Madden would get upset.
Rumor has it that he and Killian barely speak anymore.
Lily was scared of you, so she tended to stay away, which made Madden and Aero upset. ”
“Scared of me? Seriously?” I scoff and flip back to the image of the six of us.
Baylee nods her head. “She’s quiet and tends to be kind of a loner. The guys brought her out of her shell and would invite her to places, then spend the whole time protecting her.”
“Was I a bitch to her?” A frown pulls at my lips, once again remembering Madden’s words in detail.
“I don’t think you were a bitch to her. You weren’t exactly fluffy and friendly.
Honestly, I think she’s just too shy, and your personality was too bold for her.
You were the new girl, but you put yourself out there, jumped right into meeting people.
You didn’t back down to anyone. Plus, you’re gorgeous.
The guys tended to gravitate toward you.
” Baylee shrugs her shoulders before pocketing her phone.
We sit in silence for a few seconds while the information wraps around my brain, my magic warming my veins and testing the truth in her words.
Nothing about what Baylee told me feels familiar or strikes a memory.
Part of my fear in returning is having the memories flood back, but now I wonder if they ever really will.
Before I get a chance to talk, Aunt Loreli calls from downstairs that our food is here.
At dinner, Baylee fills us in on other happenings in River Falls, then I tell her about my life here. “Do you plan to stay at your dad’s when you go back?”
My lip curls, and I fight the urge not to roll my eyes. “No. Thankfully I don’t have to. I wasn’t planning to attend, so there’s only open student housing in the Freshman dorms.”
Baylee’s brow lifts. “My roommate was thinking of moving in with her boyfriend, but didn’t want to stick me with the lease on my own. Would you want to live with me? It’s an on-campus duplex. The girls on the other side are super nice. Human, but nice. It’s not as glamorous—”
“I’ll take it!” I jump in, cutting her off. Aunt Loreli laughs and swipes her mouth with a napkin.
“Oh, your dad is going to have so much fun with you. First the dorms and now an off campus place.”
I grin at her and Baylee. “He can make me come back, but he can’t make me want to be there. I’ll play along while I’m figuring things out, but once I graduate, I’m gone.”
Baylee bounces in her seat, her fingers flying over the keyboard on her screen. “Mandi is down for the move. She’s telling her boyfriend and will move out this weekend. When you get there, the room will be yours. Rent is paid for through this month already, too.”
My teeth worry my lip, and my gaze swings between the two women. “I have some money saved that I can use for next month. And I’ll get another job when I get there.”
Loreli tilts her head. “I’m sure your dad–”
“No.” I hold up my hand. “I know I lived another life where supposedly I lived with him, and things were fine, but that isn’t my reality. All I know is that now he wants me there. Now he cares. I don’t want anything from him. I don’t want anything that has invisible strings attached.”
Baylee’s frown deepens. “I can feel the truth in your words.”
“I don’t know him enough to trust him right now. Any of them,” I tell her, our eyes meeting. I can see the instant solidarity in her gaze.
The shadows in my room shift slightly, and my lips curl into a knowing smile.
With my unexpected visitor, he stayed away all day, even knowing it is one of my last here in California.
Slowly, I slip from my bed, careful not to wake Baylee, and make my way to the outside patio.
Azriel is standing half in the shadow and half in the moonlight.
When he sees me, noticing how calm I look, he visibly relaxes.
“I take it the visit was good?”
I laugh softly and shake my head. “It was informative.”
He watches me with those purple eyes, reading what I’m not saying out loud. “Does it change how you feel about going back?”
My shoulders lift and fall, and I make myself meet his questioning gaze. “Even if it did, you and I both know I don’t have a choice. He wants me there, for whatever reason. Ego, I’d assume, but don’t really care.”
“You plan to find out what his endgame is?” Azriel catches on quickly.
A smirk plays on my lips. “I plan to find out what game they’re all playing.
Those pictures that Baylee showed me…I don’t remember anything; I can look at myself, and I don’t recognize the girl in the images.
She looks blank. Nothing about the heels, bows, and boat dresses is anything like me.
She was comfortable around Madden, and I’ve learned that he is the last person I should be comfortable around. ”
“You didn’t do what they said you did,” he reminds me softly, his hand gently gripping my arm. The arm with the scar and tattoos that I’m still slowly getting used to.
“Baylee offered for me to live with her on campus. I’m going to keep as much distance as I can,” I tell him, my voice soft and scratchy. Taking the hint that I need a change of topic, Azriel nods in agreement.
“Sounds like a good plan, S.” He turns my body to his and wraps his arms around me tightly.
I instantly relax into his grip, the security that I’m going to miss, and my eyes sting with unshed tears.
Azriel pulls back and pushes a pendant into my hand.
A purple gem held with a thin brown leather string.
“Anytime you need me, I don’t care about the consequences, I’ll come to you. ”
My hand closes around the pendant tightly, knowing how much that promise costs. He isn’t allowed to leave this area, not when his job is too important, and the souls who need him to claim them would be left vulnerable. “I can’t ask you—”
“You can, Skully. You’re my family,” he cuts me off, his hand gripping tightly over mine with the stone inside. “This will only work for you. It just needs a drop of your blood on it, and I’ll be there as soon as I can. I promise.”
Warmth floods my chest, and a tear slides down my cheek. I flick it away as soon as I can and wrap my free arm around Azriel. “Thank you.”
He grips me back just as tight. “I have to go. It’s been a busy night.”
I pull back, concern pulling my brow together. “Is everything okay?”
Azriel’s gaze slides from mine, and the corner of his jaw ticks lightly. “I’m not really sure. There’s been a small surge since the blast. We’re not sure if it’s connected or not, but I’ve been busier…collecting. Same with the others.”
“My phone will still work on the East Coast,” I joke lightly, “Call me if anything happens. Call me if things are good, too.”
His lips twitch, and he steps back fully preparing to leave. “You’ll never get rid of me that easily, Sis.”
I laugh and watch as he slowly vanishes from my sight.
I’m alone again in the dark, the moon the only thing shining down on me.
Change is already in the air, the feeling tingling under my skin.
My magic brushes against my insides, reminding me how strong we are.
Strong enough to face whatever is coming.
Strong enough to head back to River Falls.