Argh. Stop, stop, stop.
A hand landed on my shoulder and I squinted to see Isla’s concerned face. “You okay?”
I waited a moment before cautiously lowering my hands. The sounds had dimmed somewhat, but were still louder than normal. I nodded anyway, then winced. “Actually, I’ve got a bit of a headache. I might find a quiet spot for a while until it goes away. Is there any water here?”
“Yeah, I’ll get you a bottle. I’m so sorry you’re still not feeling well.” She gave me sad, puppy dog eyes before whirling to find me a drink. Seconds later, she was back, pressing a bottled water into my hands and pointing to the left. “There’s a dark, quiet spot over there. I’ll be here if you need me.”
“Thanks, Isla.” You’re a good friend, I almost added, but bit my lip instead. I was already growing too attached to this girl.
Hailey and Peyton looked a bit put out that I was leaving their group so soon—probably because Reid hadn’t mosied over yet—but I simply waved and took off across the beach. Thinking, let alone talking, was starting to hurt my head, so I tried to avoid the scattered groups, walking along the treeline.
I had almost reached the fallen log Isla had pointed to when I heard someone yell, “Hey, new chick!” I ignored them, because turning my head would have taken too much effort. A couple yards later, I heard feet shuffling along the sand, then, “Hey, no need to be rude. We just wanted to ask if you’d like to join us for a little game.”
Someone tugged on my hair and I whipped around with a glare. Crap, wrong move. Pain splintered my vision. I must have blacked out for a second, because when I blinked next, a muscular blond guy was supporting my weight. His piercing green eyes weren’t on my face though, but wandering down the deep V of my white shirt.
Yuck.
I struggled to free myself. When he let go, I said, “No, thanks, I’m not feeling well. I might even be contagious.” Which didn’t faze him one bit.
“Let me carry you to your car then. Tell me where it is and I’ll—”
Frustrated at his bullheaded persistence, I went with blunt honesty. “No, really. I’m not in the least bit interested and you can go now.”
“Ah, c’mon, don’t be like that. I’m only trying to help.” And before I could stop him, he scooped me up.
Seriously, dude. Wrong move. My fever spiked, along with the temper I usually kept on a tight leash. “Let me go now, you neanderthal,” I snarled, and slapped his chest.
Male laughter surrounded us, his buddies crowding in close to watch—as if I was the game. Humiliation burned through me, followed by a boiling rage. Without warning, I lashed out at Neanderthal’s face, raking my nails down his cheek. He bellowed and threw me to the sand. I landed on my back with a loud ooph, and lay there stunned and struggling for air.
“What’s going on here?” someone said over Neanderthal’s swearing. Bodies shuffled aside to accomodate a new face, one I thankfully recognized. Reid crouched before me, clear worry in his hazel eyes. “What happened? You okay?”
Still unable to speak, I simply glared at Neanderthal. Reid stood up and approached the guy, surprising me by shoving him.
“Are you messing with a girl again, August? You know how I feel about that. Let’s see what Coach thinks about it when I tell him. I bet he’ll bench you next game for this little stunt.”
“She attacked me, man,” August whined, jabbing a finger at me. “The little vixen was playing coy, then raked her talons down my face without warning. Look!”
I ached to defend myself, to put this creaton in his place, but what little air was in my lungs deflated when I saw his cheek. Four long scratches had ripped open the skin and were leaking blood. I lifted my hand and gasped.
My nails were filed to sharp points.
When the freaking crap did that happen?
Horrified, I looked up to see Reid frowning, his gaze riveted on my nails. I scrambled backward a few feet, then picked myself up and stumbled back the way I came, tucking my hands out of sight.
“Kenna!” Isla called when I passed her and the others on my way to the parking lot. I didn’t turn, too busy trying not to faceplant as I speed-walked across the sand. The party’s sounds dimmed the farther I went down the trail leading to my car.
When I was completely alone, my thundering heartbeats began to slow. No one was in the parking lot, so I stopped and leaned against my Honda to catch my breath.
With trembling fingers, I lifted the water bottle to my lips and guzzled the whole thing. The fever was raging hotter than ever. Sweat beaded my brow and I was half tempted to remove my shirt. Actually . . .
Casting a quick look around me, I set the empty bottle on the car’s hood and yanked my shirt off, leaving on the sheer white tank top underneath. I wiped my face and neck with the shirt, closing my eyes and sighing when cool air kissed my overheated skin.
Better.
A strong gust of wind suddenly whooshed past me, making strands of hair smack my face. Startled, I wrenched my eyes open, checking the sky for signs of a storm. All was still. Not even the trees rustled. The whoosh came again, this time to my right. I whipped my head that direction, still seeing nothing.
“Hello?”
Silence.
Despite my fever, icy goosebumps prickled my arms. An awareness of being watched shivered through me. My body tensed, senses going on high alert. I’d parked at the only available spot farthest from the trail, my car butted up against the treeline. Being alone out here suddenly seemed like a really bad idea.
I squinted into the nearly pitch-black gloom where I’d last heard the noise. One of
