Chapter 8
A PLANE TO CATCH
The Bronco idles in front of the gate as it opens with a groan.
Dad didn’t need his car today, so he let me drive myself to school.
I grip the steering wheel—frustrated, cold, and tired.
Today’s visit to Mistress Bramble’s was no more successful than yesterday’s.
Jude wasn’t at school for the second day in a row.
Lainey continues to play dumb. And I hardly slept last night.
On the few occasions I did manage to nod off, I slipped into the same dream over and over again—my mother, running through the woods.
Me, chasing her with a pack of rabid hounds.
Every time she fell, I would gasp awake, then spend the next hour checking my inbox for a reply from Megan Carlisle or staring at the sour cream container in my windowsill, willing something to grow.
I pull to a stop in front of the carriage house and stare at the sprawling manor.
She was in that house, my mother.
She went into the Overlay with Simon.
Why did I have that vision when I touched the seed?
Was it real?
Something moves in my periphery.
I glance toward the patio and do a giant double take.
It’s Jude, standing from one of the chairs.
My mood lifts considerably.
I turn off the car and climb out of the Bronco. “Hey,” I say with a smile.
“Hey,” he says in reply.
I step into his waiting arms and gaze up at him. It feels like it’s been weeks, when really, it’s only been two days. “Are you on the mend?”
“I don’t think I’m contagious.” He gives me a half-smile, his right cheek dimpling as he gently pulls a burr from my hair. “Where have you been?”
“Talenwah Run.”
“Alone?”
“I brought pepper spray.”
He frowns. We both know he’s not worried about things that can be pepper sprayed.
“Any luck?” he asks.
“Not even a little.” I sigh. “Wanna come in?”
“Actually, I came here to tell you I’m headed out. My roommate’s in New York City for the week. I promised him I’d visit.”
I blink at the news. “Your roommate from boarding school?”
“I’ll be back for Night of the Howl, if it’s any consolation.”
Night of the Howl is Saturday.
Today is Tuesday.
I’ve never gotten the impression Jude is particularly close with his former roommate from boarding school.
He’s only ever mentioned him a handful of times.
But now he’s going to visit him in New York City while we have another massive mystery on our hands?
Where is his sense of urgency? How can he just leave like this?
Jude kisses my neck. His mouth moves to my jaw, then my lips, slowly distracting me from my crushing disappointment. And just as I’m really sinking into it, he pulls away with a look in his eye I can’t quite comprehend.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” he says, his arms still around my waist, his voice light. “What happened that night? On Halloween.”
“What do you mean?”
“How did you…” He seems to grapple for the right words. “Start my heart again?” It’s obvious he can’t stomach the phrase “bring me back to life again.” His good sense won’t allow it, even if it is what happened.
“The ruby.”
“I know, but what happened, exactly?”
I stare up at him, perplexed.
“You told me the other day we were booted out after the curse broke. And I realized, I never asked for details. It seems like something I should probably have a better understanding of.”
I don’t know why I’m so suspicious.
I’d want to know every detail if it were me.
But this is Jude, who operates under a need-to-know basis when it comes to the supernatural. His sudden curiosity is as strange as his departure to New York City.
“You collapsed. Your heart stopped. Twig found the ruby in the grass. It was still pulsing, so I set it on your chest and… I don’t know.
I begged the stone to bring you back, and your heart started again.
” I slide my hand over his chest, relishing the steady beat of it against my palm. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine.” He sets his hand over mine and pulls it slightly to the side. “I just wish I hadn’t promised to visit Greyson.”
“Your roommate.”
“It feels like something I should do.”
I tilt my head. “Are you sure you can’t come in?”
“I’ve got a plane to catch,” he says, nodding toward the gate, like he doesn’t have his own private jet and the ability to leave whenever he’d like. “Would you do me a favor, though?”
I wind my hands around the back of his neck.
“When you return to this Bramble woman’s cabin tomorrow, will you please not go alone?”
“Twig’s boot makes him slow.”
“Selah.”
“Fine,” I say, rising on my tiptoes to give him a kiss. “I promise to bring Twig with me.”