He gives me a wry smile. “You leave your father to me. Now come on.” He reaches over and grabs my wrist, turning my hand over, “It’s healing up, but you still need a little help. At the very least, Dawn will put her oversized aloe vera plant to use.”
He tugs me toward the house and I follow, his hand eventually falling away. I walk behind him, marveling at how this giant redwood tree of a man in his jeans and brown flannel (yes, I took him shopping, but now I’m pretty sure he manipulated the saleslady into feeding him nothing but plaid), is depending on me to stay alive. Like, I’m literally keeping him in this world.
I brought him to life.
And if I’m not around, he’ll fade away.
I know I probably sound awful, but I have to admit, it’s nice to be needed for once. Not needed in like a ‘nice to have around’ way, but literally needed or they’ll die.
On the other hand, this dude that needs me around him to stay alive also attracts human demon hybrids that are stalking him just out of sight, lurking and hunting on the thin other side of the Veil. Demons that will start putting me in danger if we’re not careful. And even though I managed myself well today, I didn’t quite rip the demon’s head off like Max so casually did, which means I have a lot to learn.
I sigh as we step through the back door of the Knightly’s house.
All I know is that this road trip to New Orleans is probably going to be the trip of a lifetime.
If we can survive it, of course.
Six
“Whatever you do, don’t tell anyone.”
– The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret
“Ada! Your ride is here!” my dad yells from downstairs.
I give myself one more glance in the mirror, making sure I look okay. I barely slept last night because I was so excited-slash-nervous about embarking on the road trip today. It’s only been a couple of days since Max made me fight demons in the Knightly’s backyard, and things have moved fast.
First, Jacob came back and I guess he did his thing with my teachers or who knows what, because I got emails from all of them telling me that it was okay to go on my little vacation to New Orleans and that they’d just give me A’s for the little projects I’d miss. I mean…I still don’t know if that’s a joke or what. And the fact that he didn’t even lie, he just told them the truth and they were okay with it is fucking crazy.
Then Max talked to my dad, and I don’t know what the hell he said to him, but now he’s totally cool with this road trip too. It feels like dirty dealings to be honest, the manipulation. But if my dad is fine with it, I mean, what he doesn’t really know can’t hurt him. I should have asked Max to make my dad go out with friends more, just to get him out of the damn house.
But even though the school and my dad seem fine with me leaving, I’m not one hundred percent. The thing is, I don’t want to miss school because I actually like it, and I know I have a big midterm in March that I need to start prepping for. So I’m bringing all my textbooks, fashion mags, and my iPad full of virtual subscriptions, plus a bag of fabrics and a mini sewing machine just in case. I’ll feel less guilty this way.
I dab some more concealer under my eyes, then add a dash of dark green eyeliner on my bottom lids before running some texturizer through my hair until it looks artfully undone, like a lion’s mane. I opted to wear jeggings and a light cashmere sweater with skulls on it, plus Chanel sneakers. Not quite dressed up, but comfortable enough for a road trip and flexible enough in case I have to fight any demons today.
I hope I don’t though. My hands are healed from where that punk-ass demon kid’s skin burned me, though it makes me wonder why that didn’t happen to me before in the haunted house. Maybe because the house was technically the Veil, whereas these demons straight-up walked out into our world.
“Ada!” my dad yells again.
“Coming!” I yell back, running down the stairs and grabbing my leather jacket from the back of a chair. I figured if we’re going south, I don’t need to dress for winter weather anymore. God, it’s going to feel so nice to feel warmth and sun on my skin.
My dad is waiting by the door with my big suitcase. He lifts it up and winces. “What on earth did you pack?”
“Hey, I need my outfits,” I tell him. “And my schoolwork.”
I take the bag, looking him over. “Are you sure you’re okay with me going?”
He smiles. Seems genuine enough. “Of course. I totally understand.”
“That I need to go to New Orleans…with Max…” I know I’m pushing my luck here but.
“Yes. We’ve already discussed this. It’s important that he gets his documents and his old stuff back.”
“From Rose…”
“Yes, from Rose. I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”
I stare at him for a moment, then wave my hand in front of his face. “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.”
He frowns. “What? What droids?”
“Never mind,” I quickly tell him, then give him a hug. “Take care. Go out for dinner with Debbie or something while I’m gone.”
“We’ll see,” he says, opening the door for me. “Let me take your bag.”
“I’ve got it, Dad,” I tell him. “Been working out.”
I lift up the suitcase with ease, which impresses the both of us, then I carry it down the front steps, pausing in my tracks when I see the car waiting for me at the curb.
It’s a black vintage muscle car, exhaust rising from the back.
Holy shit. This is the car we’re road tripping in? It’s the
