Hed survived. Id survived. What a fantastic day! Being forewarned must be forearmed. And you know what? I could live with that. Literally.
We walked to the front door side by side. The moon was a mere sliver of gold now, the clouds gone and the sky dark though peppered with hundreds of pinpricks of light.
I was surprised when I noticed that Justin was scanning the bushes, cars and trees as we approached the porch. I was doing the same thing.
He missed a step, righted himself and snarled out, Cole.
What? Where?
I found him a second later. Cole was on the porch, leaning against the brick wall beside the door, a beam of light raining over him. He popped his jaw when he spotted Justin.
He wouldnt meet my gaze, was too busy glaring at Justin. Had he been waiting for me?
This is who you decided to come with? Cole asked, his voice dripping with disgust.
She knows a good guy when she sees one, Justin said stiffly.
Lips Id kissed pursed with irritation. I need to talk to Ali. Alone.
No way Id ever leave her alone with you. Youre not the kind of
Cole was in his face before Justin could finish that sentence. If you dont go inside, youll be eating your teeth. You know I can make you do it. I have before.
Enough! I got between them and pushed them apart. Still Cole didnt meet my gaze. Seriously, thats enough. Clearly these guys had some history, but come on. Ruining a party before it had even begun was overkill.
Why dont we let Ali pick? Justin said with a smug inflection that had me gnashing my teeth in annoyance.
Ali, Cole snapped. I waited for you for a reason. You can guess what it is.
I might have a vision, I realized. This was the first time Id seen Cole today.
Neither one of us knew what would happen when our eyes met. Ill, uh, meet you inside, I said to Justin.
His gaze whipped to me, hurt falling over his expression. You said you werent seeing him.
Im not. At least, not now. Hes my friend. Kinda sorta.
His friends die.
Yeah, but Justin had no idea why. Well, I wont.
Fine. Whatever, Justin snapped, and I realized Id probably lost his friendship sooner rather than later. I hope you enjoy being stabbed in the back, because thats all hes good at.
He stomped inside, leaving me alone with Colewho grabbed me by the wrist and tugged me into the shadows.
Do you have any idea what a snake that guy is? he demanded, pressing me against the cold of the wall. Are you working with him?
No! I kept my gaze down, on his boots. I dont even know where he works.
Cole mumbled something like Are you kidding me? under his breath. So youre just dating him, then.
Im not dating him. I want to date you. Were just friends. Kinda sorta.
Like were just friends? he sneered.
I balled my hands. I havent kissed him, if thats what you mean.
A pause. A sharp inhalation. Just so you know, hes the kind of friend who will go for your throatwhile youre sleeping.
Definite history there. He basically said the same thing about you. So what happened between you guys?
Thats none of your business.
His voice had risen with every word. In a few seconds, hed be shouting and kids would be spilling out of the house to discover who Cole was murdering. Lets just get this over with, okay? Look at me.
Not okay. Dont you want to know where I was this morning? he asked, settling his hands on my waist.
So warm, so strong. So distracting. I cleared my throat. Will you tell me if I say yes?
I was reinforcing your house. I saw the worry in your eyes when I mentioned that we draw theyou know, and not the you know you were talking about last night. I wanted to make sure your grandparents were protected.
That was, like, the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me. Thank you.
And then I find you here with Justin Silverstone. Anger pulsed from him, each wave slamming into me. He placed two fingers under my chin and lifted my head. So yeah, well get this over with and go our separate ways.
I had to purse my lips to hold in my protest. Had he meant go our separate ways permanently or just for tonight?
The moment I met those gorgeous purple eyes, the world vanished and my mind blanked. No longer were we standing
we were lying down, and he was on top of me. We were dressed, though my shirt had ridden up to just under my bra. Grass cushioned me. We were in a backyard, but it wasnt mine. Sunlight spotlighted us, but we didnt care. He had one hand on my stomach, and one on my face.
Are you sorry? he asked.
No. Are you?
Never. I just wish we could
Someone laughed from inside the house, and the too-short vision vanished in a puff of smoke.
I gently beat at Coles chest. I think we were destined to be interrupted every time.
He accepted the abuse without comment. When I settled, I murmured an apology, unsure how many others Id have to make tonight, and leaned my forehead against him, despite the fact that I wasnt certain of my reception. His heart thumped wildly, a mimic of mine, and I took comfort in that.
What do you think I was sorry about? I asked.
Your date with Justin?
I hit him again.
What? It was just a guess. At least the anger had drained from him.
That was, hands down, my favorite vision, even though we hadnt really done anything. Would have been nice to know what wed done before the conversationand what wed been leading up to.
Whatever the answers, happiness began to flood me. Everything wed seen had happened in some form or another. Therefore, Cole wasnt done with me permanently. We would sprawl in someones backyard and touch and talk andwhatever else.
Lets go inside before I do something Ill regret, he muttered, ushering me to the door.
Like what?
Like, I cant say. Knowing you, youll run.
Before he could open the glass, two boys Id never met peeked out. They leered when they spotted me, even issued my mouth an invitation to the party in their pantsor tried to. Their words tapered off when they noticed Cole. They frowned and backed away, the color draining from their cheeks.
You werent lying when you said everyones afraid of you, I remarked.
I know, and thats the way I like it. No one asks me any questions about what Im up to, they just expect the worst and keep their distance. You should take a lesson.
Ha! Im not afraid of you, and I never will be. I wouldnt mention the times I had, in fact, been afraid of him.
So you keep saying. But Ill keep trying to change your mind.
Cole held the door open for me, and I swept inside the house, purring, With your lethal manners? Good luck.
Funny.
Music thumped from speakers in the ceiling, voices and laughter mingling and creating a ragged soundtrack of chaos.
Kids meandered throughout, some drinking from plastic red cups, some chanting, Go Tigers! Some were more interested in talking, but a few were more interested in making out against the wall. I couldnt locate Justin in the crowd, but can I just say that there was more T and A in here than in a bucket of the Kentucky Colonels best? Shirts were more bralike than anything and skirts and shorts were totally butt-tastic. I was way overdressed in my pink tank and jeans, but that hardly seemed like a good enough reason for all the girls to be looking at me with disgust.
Surely I was mistaken. Except, equally weird, the boys couldnt keep their eyes off me, either, most of them leering at me just like the ones at the door. Twice I checked my zipper to make sure I wasnt flashing pantie. (I wasnt.)
Be careful of snakes, Cole said, and turned away from me. He tried to walk away.
I grabbed his wrist, stopping him. At least tell me what Justin did to
Nope, Im not talking about that here. He gazed pointedly at my hand.
O-kay. I released him. Whos running now?
The taunt worked; he stayed put. For a long while, we simply stood there, silent. Finally, he massaged the back of his neck and growled, Do you want to dance?
With your attitude? And after what had happened the last time wed danced in public? No. But that was not the word that left my mouth. Yes.
I should have continued my search for Justin. I shouldnt have allowed Cole to pull me into the center of the action, but I did. Everyone else rocked out at a swift pace, but he hugged me close and swayed slowly.
This was my night to pretend I had no troubles, and I planned to pretend my heart out.
What time do you have to be home? he asked.
Twelve-thirty. Why?
No reason.
For a long while I debated whether or not to rest my head on Coles shoulder. Debated whether or not I should lock my hands around his neck, toy with the ends of his hair, peer deep and meaningfully into his eyes. Im not sure what I actually did while I was debating.
Relax. Im not going to bite you, he said. Not tonight, anyway.
Funny.
Whos joking?
He was. He had to be. In the end, I did rest my head on his shoulder, if only to hide what Im sure was a bemused expression. Then I thought, what the heck, why not do all of it? Youre normal, remember? I locked my hands around his neck and toyed with the ends of his hair. He stroked his fingertips up and down my spine, then over my hips.
I could have stayed like that forever, but after a few songs, we both started to press even closer, rubbing against each other, sweating from the heat of the room, struggling to breathe properly. I straightened. Our gazes connected. He leaned toward me.
I think we realized the consequences of kissing in front of everyone at the same time because we snapped apart a split second before contact.
Come on, he muttered, leading me away from the dance floor. I dont want to leave you alone, but I cant stay with you, either.
I understood. Thankfully I spotted Kat, who looked as beautiful as always though she was even paler than shed been on her fake sick day. No worries, Ill be with Kat. I raced toward her, concerned.
I received more disgusted looks from the girls, and a lot more leering from the boys. Dang it! Why?
This might get ugly, I heard Cole say.
Because he planned to crush every boys face into the carpet for daring to look at me like I was Oh. Never mind. Because Frosty stood a few feet behind Kat, and any guy who attempted to approach her got a mouthful of threats and several F-bombs for his efforts. Kat flipped off Frosty every time he did it, but the moment his back was to her, she would grin.
Hey, you, I said when I reached her. Is something wrong?
Ali! She threw her arms around me in a bear hug that was surprisingly weak. Im so glad you came, and Im great, honest. So where have you been, naughty girl? If Im remembering correctly, and I always do, the boy youre with isnt the one you agreed to come with.
I sidestepped the question, saying, Apparently Cole and Justin are enemies, and I cant talk to one without infuriating the other.
Of course not, she said, blinking as if Id just told a joke she didnt get. Everyone knows that.
Well, no one told me!
Why would they? The thing between those boys is like breathing. You dont have to be told its happening, you just know.
A heads-up would have been nice.
And miss all the fun? Nah. She gave me a grinning once-over. All the boys want a piece of my Ali. And why wouldnt they? Look at you, all decked out. Love it, she added in a singsong voice.
Okay, so Id put some effort into my appearance tonight. Id had to, considering I needed to carry some kind of weapon. Not because Id known I would be seeing Cole. Really. Three different silver necklaces hung around my neck, each a different length, to, uh, choke the zombies if necessary. Though Id wanted to wear sequined flip-flops, Id worn boots and switched the plain white ties for pink lace because, uh, the pink were sturdier. You know, for choking zombies if necessary. I had a blade stashed inside the left one. I also had a knife-carrying purse looped across my middle.
Id covered my injured wrists and hands with gloves. Yes, gloves were out of style, but maybe Id bring them back. After all, I was the girl responsible for fringe.
You look amazing, too, I told her. A scarlet baby-doll dress clung to her curves and stopped a few inches under her butt. A pretty sweater comprised only of white lace covered her arms. Shed wound the top portion of her hair into several knots atop her head, the rest flowing in glossy dark waves.
Yeah, yeah, I know. Being this beautiful all the time is a burden, though, she said airily.
Poppy and Wren stalked over to us, both clearly on a mission, their serious expressions filling me with anxiety.
Whats wrong? I asked.
The girls shared a dark glance. They were such a striking pair, the redhead and the model-perfect African-American, both dressed to kill. Poppy wore all white, like an angel, and Wren wore a bikini top and glittery shorts.
Wren glared at me and said, I told you something horrible would happen if you went after Cole. Now theres a rumor floating around claiming you slept with him.
My wide-eyed gaze snapped to Kat.
She glowered at me, and I knew she was offended that Id first thought of her as the culprit. Hey! I would never say anything.
You knew? both Poppy and Wren gasped.
Im sorry, I said to Kat, ignoring them. I should have known better. To the others, I said, Everyone thinking I slept with Cole isnt such a terrible thing, but for the record, we only talked.
Well, thats not all we were told, Poppy interjected. Like Kat, she was pale, her freckles stark. The rumor also claims that you slept with Bronx and Frostyall in the same night!
Wren had nodded as her friend had spoken. Basically people are saying youre a huge slut and any guy who wants a piece of you only has to smile at you to get it. I told you not to go after him. I told you.
I didntI wouldnt Dang it! The words were snagging in my throat.
There was only one person who hated me enough to accuse me of something that skeevie. Mackenzie Love. Was she truly that vicious, though? I mean, Id seen my social death in her eyes; Id expected something from her end. But this, even though, according to Frosty, Cole had told his friends to be nice to me, was too much.
Fury burning like a fistful of acid in my chest, I searched the crowd for her. Id politely ask her if shed done it. Then, when she smugly proclaimed that she had, I would smash her stupid face into the floor!
Sadly, I found no sign of her.
Thanks for the intel, girls. Try and do a little damage control, and tell people how stupid they are. Kat twined our fingers and led my protesting form away. As for me, Im going to the bathroom and Im taking Ali with me, she called over her shoulder.
I glanced over at Cole. He was speaking to Frosty, but his eyes were on me. Surprise, surprise, he was glaring. He also stiffened with every step I took away from him. Had he heard the rumors, too? Would he do anything to his ex when the truth came out? If the truth came out?
When Kat bypassed the bathroom, I frowned. Uh, where are we going?
A place Reeve showed me last night and swore me to secrecy, since even shes not supposed to know about it, she whispered, sounding scandalized. But you dont count, since youre one of us. Besides, you need a moment to calm down and we need someplace to talk in private. Just get ready to be weirded out!
She pushed her way through the crowd, snaked several corners, went down a flight of stairs, and finally, we were alone. No matter where I looked, I saw plush furniture and shiny knickknacks. The walls were papered with cherubs, and there were even alabaster columns to guide us to each new room.
What do Reeves parents do? I asked.
Kat gave a sad little sigh. Well, her moms dead. Her dads a genius plastic surgeon with the hands of an angel, or so he likes to say. Every week hes dating someone new. Oh, and dont call him doctor. He insists we call him Mr. Ankh.
We worked our way down yet another flight of stairs, the fresh air turning musty, with a copper tinge to it. My nose wrinkled. I recognized the scent of blood. I wanted to hold my breath, but there was another odor infused with it, one that caught my attention. Was thatrot?
Kat, I said, tugging at her hold. I think we should stop.
No way. Its just a little farther.
My heart beat so hard against my ribs I feared they would crack. Youre loaded down with weapons, remember? Youll be fine. And Cole wouldnt be here if he hadnt used a What had he called it? A Blood Line. The house has to be protected.
When we reached the end of a long, narrow hallway, Kat stopped in front of the only door. I was shocked to my soul when she pulled a lock pick out of her bra and shoved the tip inside the tumbler.
Do you always carry one of those?
Of course. Frosty once told me I had to be prepared for anything. I said, What about being kidnapped, locked inside a room and held prisoner as some weirdos idea of the perfect female? And he said, Totally, then showed me how to free myself if that happened. He refused to tell me how hed learned, though. A twist of her wrist, and a click sounded. Aha! A little push and the door sailed open, welcoming us inside.
I allowed her to pull me past the entrance. Id find out what had caused the odor, make sure there was nothing nefarious going on, and then I would force Kat to bail with me.
A few steps in, she released me, held out her arms and spun. Well, what do you think?
I studied our new location. No longer was the floor carpeted with thick, soft fibers. There was dark, dank tile. There were several metal tables, some with cuffs for wrists and anklesand there were drains underneath every single one of them.
I thoughtI thought shed brought me to some sort oftorture chamber.
Trembling, I reached into my purse and palmed the blade. Before I could talk myself out of searching for clues, I slipped past her, doing my best to hide the metal behind my arm.
Are you thinking what Im thinking? she whispered. Whispered, yeah, but still her voice echoed.
Probably not, I muttered.
So you dont think Reeves dad needs to buy a case of Febreze? Well, then, do you think he does secret surgeries down here?
I think its none of your business, a male voice boomed from behind us.
Ohcrap.
I felt like a Tilt-A-Whirl as I jerked around, facing off with the intruder. He was only a little taller than me, which put him at just above five-eleven. His pin-striped suit did not look anything like the suits my dad had sometimes worn to church the few times hed attended. He had salt-and-pepper hair, skin tanned to a deep bronze and weathered with a few thin lines, though not unattractively.
For an older guy, he was pretty hotand he was eyeing us like we were rats in a cage.
With my free hand, I grabbed Kat by the forearm and shoved her behind me, and maybe I used too much force because she stumbled and humphed. Who are you? I demanded, more with bravado than anything.
I am the owner of this house, he said at the same time Kat muttered, Say hello to Reeves dad.
Kat peeked out from around me and waved. Hey, Mr. Ankh.
His jaw clenched as he nodded in greeting. Kathryn. To me, he snapped, And who are you?
Youve faced zombies. This is nothing. Im Reeves friend.
Yes, I guessed that. What is your name and what are you doing down here with Kathryn?
We were just looking for a quiet place to talk, honest, Kat said, and even I wanted to believe her. All that innocence in her tone seemed impossible to fake.
Footsteps sounded, and I was shocked to see Dr. Wright enter the room behind Mr. Ankh. You shouldnt have allowed your daughter to Lips glossed a bright red clamped shut when she spotted me. Her eyes narrowed to tiny slits. Alice Bell, what are you doing down here?
Kat clutched and twisted my shirt, whispering, Is that Dr. Wright?
Neither adult turned to her but continued to focus on me.
Its Ali, I said.
I am still waiting for a confession, Mr. Ankh said. After all, you are the one who arrived with a sneer Justin Silverstone, are you not?
Justin Silverstone? Dr. Wright asked with a clear flare of dislike. Every day shed wrapped her slight frame in some sort of business suit. Tonight she wore a soft, flowing dress completely at odds with her take-charge demeanor. Was she the new girlfriend of the week? Cole wont be happy about that.
Kat pinched me on the arm.
I wasnt sure what she wanted. I was too confused. Dr. Wright, the principal of Asher High, was hanging out with Reeves father in a room full of dried blood and gurneys, but her biggest concern was my escort?
Okay. She might care more about her students than her social lifeeven though her social life might just get her killed. Unlesshad Mr. Ankh kept zombies down here?
Yes, I decided a moment later, he had. That smell was too distinctive to spring from trash or mold.
Did Cole know about this?
I didnt have to think about that for long, either. Yes, Cole knew. Otherwise he wouldnt have let his entire crew take the night off and come here, not even with the Blood Lines. This had to be a safe place for zombie slayers. Which meant Reeves father was on our side. Which meant Dr. Wright was on our side, too, since she was with him, here, in this room.
And if all the slayers hated Justinand they must, considering the way theyd reacted to the mere mention of his nameI had to wonder if he was pro-zombie or something.
What could Mr. Ankh possibly do down here, though? Study the zombies? Experiment on them? Was that even possible?
Ali, you have some explaining to do, and I will not tolerate lies, nonanswers or evasions, Dr. Wright said, her dark gaze trying to X-ray its way to my brain. Did Justin tell you to come down here?
Well, well. There was confirmation of my suspicions. No, he didnt. And now Id like to return to the party with Kat. No reason to get her tangled up in this. Cole and crew would blame me. Were very sorry to have disturbed you.
Youre not walking away that easily, she said right before Mr. Ankh said, Very well, you may go. But if anything like this happens again
Youll regret it, I finished for him. It wont.
Dr. Wright had stiffened after Mr. Ankh overrode her decision, but she didnt protest.
I reached back and grabbed Kats hand. She remained silent as I dragged her out. Both Mr. Ankh and Dr. Wright moved aside to allow us to pass. I held my dagger tight and maintained as much distance as possible, just in case Id miscalculated and either one of them decided to attack.
Classic, Kat said with a giggle the moment we reached the top of the stairs. That was so wild! You were all, I dont care what you do to us, Im strong and brave. And they were all, like, oh, well do plenty, were stronger.
By tomorrow, when she retold the events to othersand she wouldI would have punched Reeves dad in the face and tied Dr. Wright to a chair. True story.
What do you think they were doing together? Because Dr. Wright is soooo not his type.
Discussing recent zombie activity? Planning a zombie attack? Wish I knew, I replied honestly.
In the distance, I heard shrill chanting, my ears twitching as I tried to listen. Was thatfight fight fight?
Kat must have heard it, too, because she paused and clapped. Five dollars says its Cole.
No way, I said, even though I suspected the worst. If you dont go inside, youll be eating your teeth. You know I can make you do it. I have before.
Are you kidding? Its always Cole.
We raced through the house. When we reached the living room, the cheers were so loud I cringed. I shoved my way through the crowd, only to discover that yes, Kat was right. It was always Cole.
The fight du jour? Cole versus Justin. Punches were being thrown and furniture overturned as the two rolled and flew throughout the circle of chanting teenagers. Justin had rage on his side, but Cole had experience and brute force.
Fight, fight, fight, everyone continued.
Cole could have pinned Justin in seconds, could have ended the entire ordeal. Instead he allowed himself to be hit in the face multiple times, in the stomach a few more, and in the groinwell, not at all. Only when Justin got down and dirty did Cole retaliate and really start to hammer at him.
Frosty worked his way to Kat and jumped in front of her, shielding her just in case the action was tossed her way. I spotted Mackenziefinally!and even Trina, their fists pumping toward the ceiling, their mouths stretched in wide grins. They were loving this.
Enough! I shouted over the cheers.
Neither boy looked my way or acted as if theyd heard me. Cole threw two more punches, only two, but that was enough. The hard double tap sent Justin to his back, where he stayed, unconscious.
I rushed forward, intending to check on him, but the dark-haired girl who enjoyed glaring at me on the bus beat me to his side. She felt for his pulse, then patted his cheek in an attempt to wake him up. He moaned, but failed to rouse completely.
Is he okay? I asked.
She looked up and scowled. Stay away from him. You and your boyfriend have done enough.
Is Justin okay? I insisted.
As if you really care. She returned her attention to Justin and smoothed her fingers over his cheek, clearly done with me.
I had no idea who she was, but I wasnt going to try and take over. Obviously she would take good care of him. Turning, I searched for Cole. He was still in the center of the room. Little beads of sweat dotted his brow. He was panting, blood smeared under his nose and on his chin, hands curled into fists. Mackenzie and Trina stood beside him, patting him on the back for a job well done.
He must have sensed my gaze because he found me in an instant.
Are you okay?
What? he said.
I knew only because Id read his lips. There was too much noise and too much distance between us to hear each other. He motioned toward the kitchen with a tilt of his chin, and I nodded.
I turned to Kat to let her know I was taking off, but she had her arms locked around Frosty and the two of them were kissing as if they needed the others oxygen supply to subsist.
O-kay. Feud over? All forgiven? I hoped so. I liked them both. And maybe then Frosty would go back to being on Team Ali. Maybe hed finally open up and tell Kat what was going on with the zombies, and I wouldnt have to hide anything from her. We could remain friends.
Cole beat me to the kitchen. He was leaning against the counter, waiting for me, his booted foot tapping impatiently.
Lets clean you up, I said.
No. He took my hand and tugged me to a spacious pantryalready occupied. As light flooded into the darkened area, sending the shadows diving for cover, Reeve andoh, wow. Bronx. Reeve and Bronx jumped apart as if a bomb had just detonated between them.
Their lips were swollen and red and damp. Twin pink circles appeared on Reeves cheeks as she peered over at me. I took pity on her.
I saw nothingexcept when I mention this to Kat. You know Ive gotta tell her, or well both suffer. But you might want to go check out your living room, I said. Cole and Justin had a slight, uh, disagreement and, well, they broke some stuff. Also, your dad is downstairs. Waaay downstairs.
Her mouth dropped open wider with each ball of information I tossed, and she finally pushed her way out of the pantry.
Bronx attempted to follow her, but Cole stepped into his path.
You know youre not supposed to hang with her.
A muscle ticked under Bronxs eye. He remained silent.
And yet you thought itd be okay with her father if you stuck your tongue down her throat?
Still refusing to answer, Bronx shoved his way out.
Why cant he hang out with I began.
Nope. Not discussing that with you. Cole snapped the door closed, every shadow returning.
Giving him a minute to calm down and myself a moment to adjust to the dark, I stood still and quiet. Bit by bit, I began to make out the different areas of the storage closet. As a whole, the enclosure was bigger than my bedroom. There were cans of food on the shelves, Crock-Pots and toasters on the floor. There was a ladder, and other things guys found necessary.
Reeves dad texted me, Cole said, and told me you were downstairs.