Chapter 36
THIRTY-SIX
CASSIE
This is no walk of shame for me. As I head down one flight of stairs to the guest rooms, it’s with a smile on my face. If I had any doubts about what we did last night, they have been chased away by a delicious smile and a soft kiss.
Frankie surprised me last night. He showed emotion and I like that in a guy. He is a closed book most of the time, but when he opens the pages it reveals the most addictive mystery. I am excited to read more of his soul and have no doubts about what happened last night. If anything, I am proud to be with a man like him and I don’t care who knows it.
I knock on Siri’s door and she soon opens it with a happy smile on her face.
“Oh my God, Cassie, I have so much to tell you.”
My heart sinks because I’m not sure I will share her enthusiasm, because for some reason I’m guessing it concerns Jack.
I am trying hard to process my feelings for my best friend since birth and they are a mixture of confused emotions.
“We’re heading out for breakfast in fifteen minutes. Are you coming?” I say quickly, noting she still isn’t dressed.
“Sure, I’ll drag something on and be with you.”
I’m surprised when I follow her into the closet and note that her stuff is already here.
“When did this happen?” I’m shocked, especially as I’m still wearing my clothes from yesterday.
“Jack helped me with it last night.”
“Jack did?” Her soft smile tugs sharply at my heart as she says dreamily.
“Last night was amazing, Cassie. We really got close and after you left, he asked if I fancied a stroll.”
She smiles dreamily. “We talked about so many things, and he’s the first guy I have ever done that with. He asked so many questions about my life and was really interested. Plus–” She giggles, which crushes my heart and says with a sigh, “We kissed. So many times. It was as natural as breathing and I never realized how good it could be.”
“You’ve kissed guys before, right?” I ask, unsure if she has or not.
“Of course. In high school, but Jack is a man, Cassie, and knows how to make a girl feel good.”
I bat away the memory of just how good Jack can make a girl feel and smile brightly. “So, you’re together now?”
“Under the rules of The Claiming, I guess we are.”
“But The Claiming aside. Are you?”
I’m prying, but I’m not sure if I’ll be okay with the answer and she shrugs. “Its early days. Kissing is all it’s been until now, but I’m hopeful.”
I raise my eyes and she blushes. “I’m not my mother, or any of my aunts. That virgin for marriage thing is sooo archaic these days. I’m having the full college experience if I get my way and I want it to be with Jack.”
I can’t argue with her because that was also my intention when I came here. I didn’t plan ahead, and Jack has complicated my new adventure. Why do I feel so guilty about having slept with Frankie? It’s as if I’ve cheated on him and I’m not sure why. Jack is a guy. He must have fucked hundreds of girls already. Frankie admitted it, so why would Jack be any different?
I hold on to that thought as Siri adds, “We stopped by the dorm and grabbed some of my things and Jack carried them back here for me.”
She smiles wistfully. “It was a special night.”
“Why, did you–?” I hold my breath and she shakes her head.
“We kissed. Nothing more, but perhaps it could be.”
She is so happy I chase away my own reservations and smile. “I’m happy for you, Siri. Both of you.”
“Are you though?” She surprises me by reading the script in my mind, and I falter.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
She shrugs. “I’m probably over thinking it, but I’ve seen how close you are. I know that Jack was pissed you left with Frankie.”
“He is just looking out for me, like Frankie does for you.”
I make light of the situation and don’t miss the relief in her eyes.
“I guess. Anyway–” She grins. “Life begins now. We live here with some incredible guys—my cousin apart and college life is looking fine and dandy.”
As I follow her out, I push down my concern about her growing relationship with Jack. I should be happy for them. I’m happy with Frankie and have no right to deny them something that could be amazing. I am just hanging onto the past and must grow up and face the future. Jack is my family and always will be and will never be anymore than that.
* * *
We head to the diner in town. It took a couple of cars to get us here and I love the sense of freedom that gave me. I’m not really used to freedom. Not really. If I head into town, it’s usually by virtue of a ride from one of The Reapers. I can drive, so can Jack, but my father is way too overprotective. Despite my mom’s insistence that I should be free to make mistakes like any other human on the planet.
It probably has a lot to do with the life we live. The job they do and the secrecy surrounding the way we live. It’s only now that I understand how important freedom is and it’s opened my eyes that are unlikely to close again any time soon. When I return home, I doubt it will be to the same rules which is probably why my father resisted my attendance here. Everything will change—has changed and as Frankie slings his arm around me as we settle into the booth, a spark of excitement lights my soul as I sense my life taking a different, more exciting new turn.
As we huddle together, choosing what we’ll eat, I am aware of Jack and Siri in much the same pose opposite us. I’m okay with that. Why wouldn’t I be, especially as Jack is giving her his full attention?
It’s still strange, but I’m settling into our new roles and as soon as we place our order, our attention shifts onto a more important subject.
“What’s the plan for today?”
Jack directs his question to Frankie and I’m surprised how easily Frankie has become the leader of our little group.
“I want to check out the tunnels again.”
I interrupt. “I spoke with Kennedy at the party and she confirmed that Abigail was first into the tunnel and Autumn was last. We left them first in the room and it wasn’t long before I heard a scream.”
Siri nods, her expression serious. “Me too, and it was almost immediate.”
I add. “Kennedy told me the centurion was in the tunnel with Abigail, which means he must have been there before the challenge began or he would have been seen by the others.”
“We must check the tunnel she crawled into. There must be a way in there I’ve missed.”
Frankie speaks in a low voice and I whisper, “Who do you think the centurion is, Frankie? He had a tattoo of a serpent on his wrist. Do you know anyone who has?”
“No.” He shrugs. “It can’t have been any of us. There were the five centurions taking part in the challenge, plus Jesse, Ali and Santi. Eight in total and they are all accounted for.”
Jack adds, “So the guy was aware of the challenge and where we got the robes and masks. Were there any spares?”
“Yes.” Frankie is thoughtful and his hand tightens on my shoulder. “I ordered ten costumes, so there are two extra.”
“We should check them.”
My voice raises in my excitement and Jack nods. “If one is missing, it must have been someone who had access to them or knew about them. That narrows it down a little.”
The server returns with coffee and we fall silent until she has gone.
Then Frankie says in a low voice, “They are kept in the house.”
I glance at the other table where Santi and Ali are locked in conversation and it strikes me that one very important person is missing and come to think of it, I never saw him when I left the party either.
“Where’s Jesse?”
Before anyone can answer that a cheery voice asks, “Did you miss me, guys?”
We glance up as Jesse stands by our booth and I’m surprised how Frankie’s arm tightens on my shoulder and his leg tenses against mine, as Jesse winks and joins the other guys.