Halflings Page 15

  So much for safe places and fog that takes the shame away. She shouldn’t have brought him here. But as they walked up the hill to return to Mace’s car, he slipped his hand into hers, thoroughly confusing and equally thrilling.

  Another day passed without incident, other than a strange conversation she overheard between her mom and dad. Nikki hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but her folks were acting strange. More so than normal and she couldn’t shake the conversation between her parents this morning when they didn’t know she was sitting on the stairs listening. She replayed it again and again. “Something’s wrong, Dale. It’s horribly wrong. I keep having these nightmares that Nikki is taken away —”

  “Nikki’s fine, honey. You’re just worried because she’s nearly eighteen, and you know what Vessler —”

  “Stop it!” her mother had ordered. “I can’t deal with this. He’s coming and we have no way to stop him.” That’s where Nikki tuned out. It was stupid to worry about a conversation she’d only gotten bits of … especially when there were so many other things to concentrate on, like staying alive. So far so good. At least she had help with that one.

  One of the Halflings graced each and every class she attended. Grateful for their protection, she refrained from complaining about the constancy of a sidekick. Besides, a part of her was almost enjoying the attention. Okay, so having attention from Mace had always been nice. But Raven? Not as much. Except now she was starting to look forward to science and English, where Raven was her guardian. She hated to admit that she anticipated seeing him, but fact was, she did. More and more.

  The Lost Boys appeared nonchalant, but their continual assistance caused a flurry of unwanted attention from other male students. Josh Nolens — football star and general hottie — had suddenly started talking to her. Gag. She’d been crushing on him for the better part of forever, but now he seemed so … shallow. One dimensional. Ordinary.

  After the last bell, Nikki and Krissy meandered down the long, narrow hall. The scent of fresh sweat accosted them as they passed the gym doors.

  “I’ve hardly seen you the last few days,” Krissy said.

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  Her best friend heaved a drama-laden sigh. “So, have I told you about running into Raven and Vine at the bowling alley?”

  The night of the laboratory fire. Krissy had told her, but Nikki wouldn’t admit it. Her friend loved the story too much, so it was best to act interested when really, Nikki just wanted to get outside to her bike and to a waiting Mace, who would follow her home.

  “Okay,” Krissy bubbled, hugging her pink, sparkly notebook. Her lips flashed with the same silver flecks that also graced her fingernails, and Nikki wondered how much time she’d spent planning the ensemble.

  As Krissy launched into her bowling alley story, Nikki scanned her own T-shirt and jeans. Krissy’d given up on her after the first week of school, leaving new clothes with tags still dangling hanging lonely in Nikki’s closet. A stab of regret surprised her. Sparkly notebooks, boys at the bowling alley, the hope of a homecoming date … Nikki filled her lungs and hefted her own heavy exhale. No shred of normalcy anchored her life. Except Mace. But actually, things had been a little weird there too. They’d be all cozy, almost couple-ish, then he’d shut down. Mace and his infernal boundaries were wearing on her patience. Raven never pushed her away — his reactions were quite the opposite. Nikki scolded herself. Don’t go down that road. There’s a nasty drop off at the end.

  Krissy talked on. “Suzy Carmichael is going to ask the young one, Vine — isn’t that the coolest name? — to go to homecoming. She swears she’s going to do it, but I think she’ll wimp out. She’s terrified he’ll laugh in her face or puke or something. He’s only fifteen, but who cares? They’re all like a million feet tall and …” Something at the end of the hall stopped Krissy’s forward momentum — a mammoth task, to be sure.

  Nikki followed Krissy’s gaze. At the end of the hall, Mace lounged against the doorframe. His face came alive when he saw them, eyes dancing and strands of hair fringing his cheekbones.

  Krissy’s glances split between him and her best friend as the girls lessened the gap. “Well, at least someone is dating one of them.”

  “I’m not dating one of them!” But Nikki’s heart betrayed her by jumping into her throat and making her denial resemble a pig’s squeal. Normalcy was highly overrated. As were football players. But Halflings …

  Krissy held her sparkly hand up. “Stop. Can’t lie to a BFF.”

  “We’re just friends,” Nikki hissed as they paused in front of Mace.

  His gaze settled on Nikki, and Krissy grinned.

  “Hey, chicken.” He smiled down at her, his light-gray T-shirt disappearing into frayed jeans that hugged his legs oh-so-nicely.

  Krissy’s brows rode high on her forehead. “Chicken?” she mouthed, leaning closer to Nikki. “That’s his pet name for you? It’s not very romantic.”

  Nikki elbowed her in the stomach. “It’s apropos.”

  Krissy held up a finger to Mace. “Excuse us, best friend chat.” She dragged Nikki to the corner of the building. “Enough of the secrecy. I want to know what’s going on. It seems like one of them is with you all the time. And Mace looks at you like you’re the only human on the planet.”

  Nikki feigned innocence. “You’re the one who said we should show them around town, help them acclimate.”

  “Yes. We.” She grabbed her shoulders. “We, Nikki.”

  Nikki barely heard her. She was grinning at Mace and he was grinning back.

  Krissy threw her hands up. “You know what, never mind. Keep your dirty little secrets.” Her glossy bottom lip tipped out in a pout. “Just tell me one thing?”

  “What?”

  “When did he nickname you chicken?”

  Nikki’s grin turned into a full-on smile. “Right after he kissed away my boo-boos.”

  Krissy’s gaping mouth released a sigh and she clenched her notebook tighter.

  Nikki returned to Mace and the two locked arms and walked toward the parking lot, into what was surely a beautiful fall afternoon. Around them, classmates loitered at vehicles, and off to the right, the football team ran drills in the field. Not that Nikki bothered to notice. Mace’s gaze was only upon her, and she returned the gesture by ignoring everything but him.

  Raven watched from the opposite corner of the building. Faded jeans hung low on his hips. His hands sank into the pockets. A graphic T graced his chest. He could feel the weathered, thin material hugging his lean muscles. The dark gray and black graphic featured a knight slaying a dragon. The word vengeance spread across the chest in ornate, bone-white, old-English lettering. His eyes trailed to Nikki.

  She stopped at her motorcycle and her dark hair flowed in the afternoon’s breeze. Tilting her head, strands feathered over one shoulder. Mace said something to her and she laughed, contractions of joy causing her shoulders to bounce.

  Raven’s heart squeezed. In moments like this he was thankful for his ability to slow motion. A giant oak leaf tumbled toward her, flipping end over end. Its intricacy caught Raven’s attention. He followed its path, examining each detail of the veins on either side. They stretched like fingers, once alive, now dead, reaching, straining for life.

  Life. Ha. Raven longed for death. Sweet sleep, then resurrection. But he’d likely never taste death, never have the privilege of hearing, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.” Mouth filling with the distaste of his fate, Raven spit on the ground.

  His gaze returned to Nikki. She was a light. She was hope. Before heading in her direction, he cast a glance to the ground where he’d spat.

  The grass had withered.

  Chapter

  16

  You’re sure you don’t mind, Nikki?” Mace asked. Apprehension seemed to lace his words.

  She waved to Raven sauntering across the lot toward them. “No, I’ll meet up with you later.”

  Even from the distance, Raven could see Ma
ce’s reluctance about leaving Nikki alone with him. Smart boy.

  He and Mace exchanged a nod. As soon as Mace climbed into his car, Raven turned to Nikki and raked his eyes over her. “So, lover boy has to dump you for the afternoon?”

  “FYI, he’s not lover boy, and he’s not dumping me. If you don’t want to hang, that’s fine. I’m a big girl and I can get myself home safely.”

  A flirtatious smile curved his lips. “Fire sparks in your eyes when you get mad. Did you know that?”

  “No.” She cocked her hip. “Is that why you keep provoking me?”

  “It’s sexy.”

  She blushed.

  “Come on.” He slid onto the back of her bike and grabbed the extra helmet.

  Her face lit, and his heart jolted.

  She didn’t bother to hide the excitement. “Guys usually don’t want to ride on the back. Mace just follows me in his car.”

  “I’m not Mace. Let’s go for a ride, Nikki,” he purred. “I promise you won’t forget it.”

  “Seriously?” she said, fingers tightening around her helmet.

  “Why not?”

  Nikki slid onto the bike in front of him and tugged on her helmet. She tossed a look over her shoulder. “You ready?”

  Her voice was threaded with anticipation. He slipped his hands onto her back, then took his time sliding them around her midsection. One tug, and he’d pulled her snug against him. “I’m ready for everything you’ve got.”

  Nikki gunned the engine and they tore out of the parking lot, barely pausing to wave at Krissy.

  Krissy’s eyes and mouth rounded even more, the pink-polished, sparkly lips forming a perfect O. Raven sent her a half smile. Her bottom dropped onto a car hood. When the vehicle’s alarm sounded, she didn’t bother to move.

  Halflings were hot and Raven knew it. She could tell by the way he moved, worked that half smile, rocked those frayed jeans. She knew Raven was dangerous, yet she couldn’t help the little jolt she got whenever he looked at her. The girl who never notices boys suddenly loves the attention. But these weren’t boys. And Raven’s looks hadn’t always thrilled her. To be honest, they’d scared her at first. That fear had melted into a grudging appreciation of the unique protection he offered, an innate confidence in his powers that Mace couldn’t always carry off — but now it was melting again into some new compound she couldn’t name.

  “Where to?” she hollered over her shoulder, and realized he was drawing the breath she released. Why does he insist on doing that?

  “Arkansas.”

  She slowed, eyes leaving the road. “It’s about an hour away.”

  “Not the way I drive.” His hands left her stomach and grasped hers on the handlebars. He squeezed the throttle and the bike jumped forward.

  When they squealed around a corner, she couldn’t stop the tremor that coursed through her. “Isn’t this dangerous?”

  “Nikki, even if you were to fly off the bike, I’d catch you before you touched the ground.”

  “Well, I’d just as soon not put that to the test,” she hollered.

  Once across the state line, Raven took his hands off hers and she breathed a sigh of relief. The Ozark Mountains that had disappeared behind them led way to higher and rockier mountains separated by long areas of woods. The bike cut a shadow on the road that appeared and disappeared in tandem with the sun’s rays. Raven removed his helmet.

  She brought the bike to a stop beneath a massive oak tree anchoring a mineral spring. “That was incredible.” Her eyes were watery from the wind and she was sure color flushed her cheeks.

  “Yeah,” he said with a yawn. “I guess.”

  “Stop it. You were having as much fun as I was. I could feel it.”

  “You could feel it?”

  “Yeah.” She threw her leg off the bike. “It’s really weird, but around you guys I’m so much more in tune with what’s happening around me.” And somewhat cautious about how you all make me feel. It was different, of course, with Mace. With all three she felt alive, strong, powerful. But with Mace, there was a deep river of security. Raven … he caused these fluttery, almost alarming jitters, the kind one would get in a cage with a sleeping lion. That was it: Mace was safety and Raven was danger. Only a sick, twisted mind would be drawn to both.

  He studied her in that way he had; half curiosity, half strategy, and all question. He draped a hand across one handlebar, then hooked his foot on a chrome foot peg. “Show me what you mean,” he said, but there was a strange sound in his voice, something suggesting understanding was only a breath away.

  “How should I show you?”

  Raven’s tongue darted out and licked his lips as he stood. “Close your eyes.”

  She shrugged, obeyed. Why argue now?

  He was straddling the bike and she was close. Close enough for him to lean over and kiss her. Is that what he intended to do? When his shadow slowly shifted across her face, she knew it was. Before his lips met hers, her hand flew between them.

  “That’s pretty good,” he said. “Open your eyes.” Inches apart, he dropped the kiss onto the palm of her hand.

  She stood breathless and confused. What had his little stunt proven?

  “Come on.” He tossed his leg off the bike and tugged her away from the motorcycle. As he dragged her into the woods, he said, “I want you to show me what you can really do.”

  Strips of sunlight slashed across the pine-covered ground where they stopped in a clearing. Alive with chatter, the woods closed in around them like a cotton cocoon.

  In the distance, a waterfall rushed a continual stream over the rocky mountainside and deposited water and bubbles into a pool below. Rich vegetation glowed green, lush from the fall’s constant spray. She really tried to focus on the soothing nest it created, but all she could think of was the kiss she narrowly escaped. Raven’s kiss. She shouldn’t be here. She should be with Mace. But wasn’t it Raven who’d seen through her artist’s mask? He’d seen her for the fraud she was and liked her anyway. She was no artist, just a good copier. The heart of the painting really had laid in the significance of the broken pot, and in some small way, that did make her an artist, not just an imitator. But she hadn’t known until … Raven saw it.

  Mace had looked at the painting and saw possibilities. To him, the gate was an invitation.

  Mace was her invitation. He embraced her destiny, saw her as a future warrior, and swore to see her through.

  And that made Raven her broken pot. The one who embraced the person she was right now. Odds were, he’d likely stand beside her and die to protect her as well, if she gave him the chance.

  Which one understands the real me? She bit the inside of her cheek.

  Raven leaned against a pine tree, his words pulling her from her thoughts. “What’s Mace been teaching you?”

  “What do you mean?” She kicked at a clump of dirt and hoped he hadn’t been reading her mind.

  “About self preservation? Come on, I know he’s not stupid enough to spend all this time with you but not show you how to fight or at least how to defend yourself.”

  She frowned. She’d spent quite a bit of time with Mace, but the subject had never come up.

  He dragged his weight from the tree. “Nikki, these are eternal enemies. Surely he’s preparing you.”

  She shook her head, a bit of panic settling over her. Were she and Mace playing infatuated teenager games when she should be in training for this realm-crossing war?

  “Oh, I get it.” He stepped closer. “He has to be your knight in shining armor.” Raven reached up and tugged on a branch. “Pathetic. Well, don’t send a boy to do a man’s job. It’s time for you to learn.” When the branch snapped, it flung bits of bark in all directions. He dusted the mess from his hands and raised his fists.

  Fear jumped in her stomach but she slowly slid into a fighting position. “Wha-what are we doing?”

  He winked. “Come after me. Or are you scared?”

  She pulled two pencils from her
jacket pocket and twisted them into her hair. “Am I scared? Are you kidding? You’re half angel. Of course I’m scared.”

  “Also half man, which means I have weaknesses.” He winked again, and the motion was accompanied by a long, slow perusal of her from head to toe. “So use them against me.”

  “Stop it,” she ordered. Raven was always a little over-the-top with his flirting, but the way his gaze trailed over her and lingered here and there was way too bold, even for him.

  “Make me.” His eyes passed over her again with painful slowness. “Come on, Nikki, don’t prove me right.”

  “Right about what?” Her fists opened into flat hands, war hands.

  “That you’re a sissy.”

  She ran for him, determined to teach him good manners the hard way. Two leaps and they were face-to-face, fighting distance apart. But she stopped, catching herself. This was crazy. He wanted to fight her? He actually wanted her to attack him? But it was okay, right? Raven wouldn’t hurt her.

  Would he?

  He stiffened. “Come on.”

  Distributing her weight, she rolled onto the ball of her back foot, then threw a front kick to his stomach.

  He caught it easily, moving in a flash. While he held her foot, she used his grab as a springboard and kicked toward his face with her other foot. The jumping front kick landed in his other hand. With one smooth sweep, he flipped her up and over. She landed on her stomach with a thud.

  “Sorry,” he said, and gently used the toe of his boot against her hip to coax her onto her back. But there was a distinct laugh in his voice when he reached to draw her to her feet. “Now it’s my turn. You defend.”

  She felt her blood drain.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll take it easy.” He intertwined his fingers and straightened his arms so that every knuckle in his hands popped. When he rushed toward her, she cowered.

  “No,” he yelled, and skidded to a stop. “If you’re afraid to take a hit, I’ve already beaten you.”