“Exactly.”
“Where are the seven stones? Where did Rye’s family hide them?”
“That’s the thing, all Rye knows is that they are somewhere in Whisper. But he doesn’t know where. I think they kept that from him so that he didn’t have to carry the burden of knowing the location of the stones in addition to helping you kill the horsemen.”
“His parents tried to protect him,” I whisper.
“Yes, that’s also why they cloaked this town so that it’s not easily accessed. But the Infinity group created Slip Demons, who keep track anytime a portal is opened. Then they run and try to intercept it so they can get here and find the stones.”
“That’s what Maya was running from when I saw her in the forest, right?”
“Yes, Slip Demons are always hanging around, looking for a way to get into this town.”
I lean against the wall and pinch the bridge of my nose. A woman I assume is our teacher approaches the door and goes to step inside, stopping to glare at us. She looks like a bird, her hair pinned up into a bun, her glasses slipping to the edge of her nose. She has blue eyes with age wrinkles framing them. Honestly, I think this woman could make any kid scared shitless with just one look.
Before she can say anything, Mel touches her arm gently and whispers, “We’ll be right in, Mrs. Wimble, you have class to start.”
“Oh, I have class to start. See you inside, girls!” Mrs. Wimble says, all cheery with a smile before turning back to the classroom, the door sliding shut behind her, sealing Mel and me in the hallway together.
“Dude, that was really cool,” I say, still a little shaken.
I mean, it was cool but also really freaking creepy. She shrugs.
“It’s just a thing. Don’t think too much about it. Besides, I did it to check in on you. Are you okay?”
Right. I had stopped and pretty much collapsed against the wall in a dramatic heap a moment ago. That would signal some kind of distress. But it seems like every time I think I am figuring out what’s happening to me, a new damn issue presents itself.
“It’s a lot. This whole thing is just…a lot,” I admit.
“Yeah, kind of makes you miss being worried about finals, right?”
“Yeah, I never thought I’d say this but I would kill for a chem or bio test right now.”
“Don’t worry, we are here to help you sort it out. First, you have to decide if you are in or not. You will need to know by midnight like Nexus said.”
“Oh yeah, the horse that will give me a rose. I think that chick is high.”
Mel laughs and says, “Yeah, I can see that. But she’s never wrong. If she says a horse will give you a rose, then that’s most likely what will happen. She has very strong foresight.”
“She’s never wrong?”
“No. And man does she like to brag about it.”
I’m starting to feel a bit better when I catch a flash of sandy hair and a perfect body. Rye.
“I’ll be right back,” I say to Mel.
I take off after him, ignoring anything Mel might have been about to say. Hopefully, she went into class. Maybe she can magic Mrs. Wimble into giving me an extension. This is turning out to be a great start to my first day. First, I arrive on a fucking wave, and now I’m skipping my first class.
“Rye,” I call out.
I am worried he can’t or doesn’t want to hear me, but then he stops and dips his head back before he turns to face me. It hits me again how attracted to him I am. Something tightens in my stomach and sets my legs on fire.
“Hey,” he says when I am right in front of him.
I’m close enough that I have to take one comforting step back to give us a little space. Swallowing my unease, I mutter a quick apology, but he doesn’t hear it the first time.
“I’m sorry. About earlier. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
He doesn’t say anything right away. He just looks at me, his eyes burning through me. I can’t hold his gaze because he makes me too nervous and these desires are stirred. Like, what would kissing him be like? What would his hair feel like in my fingers? Finally, he softens his shoulders but not his glare.
“It’s fine. Nothing to be sorry for. Everyone dies eventually.”
There may be a blaze roaring in his eyes, but his words are arctic cold. He’s in pain and it’s all my fault. I have to fix this, and here I was thinking he was being a dick. I am such an idiot.
“You know I only have a few hours left to decide if I am going to play my part in all of this. It would be nice to let off some steam. Maybe have a little fun? So, Rye, what do you guys do for fun around here?”
He sizes me up and then smiles, but it’s wicked and I am wondering if I should be regretting even asking. Never mind the horsemen and the end of the world. I’m in trouble right here, right now.
Just act normal. Be yourself. I mean, if he doesn’t like you for you then to hell with him. What am I thinking? This isn’t a date!
I look in my standing mirror one more time and spin side to side. I’m not usually one for wearing a dress, but this one is gray with long sleeves that sweep out wide around my wrists. It hangs to my knees and I get to sport some fuzzy soft leggings that I tucked into a pair of lace black boots and knee-high socks. Gotta layer up here. It’s not exactly summer weather.
I know it isn’t a date but it feels like it is. I didn’t actually expect Rye to
