A shadow crossed his face, his expression turning hungry. He bent his head toward me, lips inches away. Then his mouth brushed mine, and he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me in close. Closing my eyes, I melted into his lips and the taste of Dr. Pepper.
Suddenly an image flashed into my mind. Shadowy, snake-like wraiths hissed and swirled around a single burning candle.
I jerked away, yanking myself free from whatever strange force just pulled me into this guy’s tractor beam. The can tipped and spilled Dr. Pepper all over the counter, wafting a dampness through the air.
“What was that?” I put some much-needed distance between us, tearing off paper towels from the roll by the sink.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.” He hung his head, but his face lit up in that annoying half smile.
“You’re not sorry. Not even close.” I tossed a paper towel at him.
“Too soon?” He stared me down like an eager pup waiting for a scrap.
“I wish it wasn’t.” The paper towels sopped up the sticky liquid at my fingertips. “I wish I was normal, like every other girl who doesn’t have a care in the world.”
“You’re not normal. You’re Lucy.” His smile widened as he reached over to help clean up the mess. “We can take this as slow as you need. Okay, gorgeous?”
Part of me wanted to go back to my room and analyze what just happened. Part of me wanted to kick myself. I couldn’t go back to the party now.
“Don’t call me that.” I could’ve smacked that smirk right off his face after the stunt he pulled. But the concerned look on his chiseled face made my knees go weak again. “I’m beat. Tell everyone I turned in for the night.”
“You got it. I’ll see you tomorrow at the initiation.” He reached over and ruffled my hair, much like Dad always did. It sent a shiver down my neck. “Don’t worry, I’ll figure out a way to tell you what I can about James.” He waved goodbye as he pushed open the kitchen door.
I crushed the empty soda can with one hand, then chucked it at the door after him. Why did I let him kiss me? It only made things way more complicated.
I trudged up the back stairs to my room.
Better question—why couldn’t I stay away from this guy? It felt like I was sucked into the moment, almost like he had me under a spell. The complete opposite of Bryan.
Last week I might’ve chosen Will. Before the ring debacle tonight, I’d started leaning toward Bryan.
Maybe these flip-flopping feelings meant I shouldn’t be on the market right now. My stomach clenched. Deep down, I knew neither one of them would want me if they knew the truth. I still had only one mission, to figure out what happened to my brother. Nothing else mattered.
~
The smell of burning wax singed the air as I stepped into the dark dome of the observatory. Shanda’s gasp drew my eyes upward. The giant telescope hung from the cavernous ceiling like a chandelier, the dome completely closed in for tonight’s initiation. All of my muscles tensed, as if bracing for impact. If Will was really going to tell me the truth about James, I knew I couldn’t turn down this opportunity. Even if I had to join the Nexis ranks … for now. That thought shivered down my neck.
“So wrong.” She whispered as Colleen prodded us into the center of the room. The only light came from the flickering white pillar candles evenly spaced of five-foot-tall pedestals in a wide circle. Their tongues of fire floated in mid-air above the dark circle, the iron stands practically disappearing into the charcoal floor.
Faces emerged from the shadows, one by one. Cloaked in black robes shrouding their heads, they surrounded us. Something prickled the back of my throat with a taste like acid, a definite sense of dread. But these students weren’t the ones who banished my brother. I had to do this for James.
“You have been carefully selected to join an elite international group.” A commanding female voice spoke from my left. All heads turned toward her. “Only twelve members from each class are offered this opportunity every year. Juniors, welcome to the Nexis Semigod Nations.”
“The what?” Shanda snarled in my ear. “Are they serious?”
“I hope not.” I hissed at her, and Colleen hushed us. My brilliant plan to give Nexis a chance didn’t seem so brilliant anymore.
“If you survive the night, you will become a Nexis member forever.” The male voice boomed from my right, and my focus shifted to him. “We have chosen you, but you must also choose us. By completing a series of trials, you will learn about the group, what we believe, and what your role will be. Choose wisely.”
Those words rang like a gong in my ears. Hadn’t I heard them before? Harlixton said that same phrase in one of my classes.
“First, you will learn the twelve tenets of the Nexis Nations.” Another girl’s voice, higher-pitched this time, chirped from dead ahead. Sounded like Monica’s candy voice. It rubbed me raw just thinking about what she supposedly said about my brother. “At each ceremonial flame you will collect an item that represents one tenet of Nexis truth. Once you collect all twelve, you’ll have everything you need for your survival kit. Then you will move on to the next task.”
“The first tenet of Nexis is the most important.” Will’s clear voice rang out from behind me. The whole group spun around and gathered in front of him.
He hoisted a giant antique magnifying glass in front of the flame. “Seeing is believing. Find the one who sees, and the rest will believe.”
His gray eyes narrowed at me as if I were under the magnifying glass. A chill shot up my spine. He passed me an odd-shaped canvas
