“Drusilla,” I say, the corner of my lips curving upward.
He snorts. “Sure, and my name is actually Angel.”
My eyes widen, but again I chuckle. “I could totally see that, actually. As long as it’s not Angelus, I think we’re five by five.”
“Ha—quoting Faith, huh? See, now I know you’re talking crap,” he says, winking at me.
My breath catches and I find myself a puddle right beside him. God, I’ve missed that wink.
“I knew I’d like you,” he says, interrupting my internal gushing.
My eyes widen. “You did?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s not often you find anyone else alive in a graveyard, let alone a beautiful woman with a sense of humor,” he says, shooting me a lopsided grin.
My heart melts and I have to work to keep my utter giddiness in check.
“Was that too cheesy?” His face scrunches. “It was, wasn’t it?”
I shake my head. “Just enough cheese, I think.”
He beams back.
A moment of silence spreads out between us and he clasps his hands between his legs.
“So, is she family?” he asks, pointing to Charlotte’s grave.
I shake my head. “No. I don’t think I have any family here. I was just in town, so I thought I’d stop and check out the older part of the cemetery. What about you?”
“I came to visit my grandpa. He’s over there in the columbarium. But no family over here, as far as I’m aware of.”
“So, what brought you to this part of the cemetery, then?” I ask. I have my own hunches, and I’m sure a certain angel actually did have something to do with it.
“I guess you could say I feel sorta drawn to the spirits here,” he says, laughing to himself.
I glance down, trying to hide the smile that springs to my face. If he knew I was actually in on his little joke, I wonder what he’d think? Would it be a relief? Or would it freak him out?
“So, Drusilla, do you believe in ghosts?” he asks, flitting his gaze around the headstones.
Taking a moment to think, I’m struck by the déjà vu in the flow of our conversation. There are so many synchronicities, even within the tiny differences from the last time we met.
“Yeah, actually, I do,” I say, kicking out my legs and leaning back on my hands.
“Me, too,” he says, clearly happy about this statement. “Guess that must be why we both love us a good Buffy reference. We’re on the same wavelength.”
“Guess so,” I agree with a nod. “Well, to be fair, my mom used to make me watch it with her. But who’s counting?”
He tips his head back and laughs. “Ah yes, the obligatory Mom duty. I totally get that.”
My head snaps up and I quirk an eyebrow. “You do?”
He snickers, making a face. “Well, of course I do. I do have a mom, you know. It’s not like I was forged or something, as cool as that would be.”
I shake my head, trying to knock loose my surprise. “Yeah, of course.”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re a little odd?” he says, scrunching his face.
Nodding, I say, “On occasion, yes.”
“Well, I suppose I better head back,” Wade says, standing back up.
“So soon?” I say, pulling my legs in to stand as well.
He reaches a hand out to me, and I accept his offering. Even through my glove, my hand vibrates at his contact and as I rise, the warmth of his body radiates straight through me. My breath hitches as I stand only a few inches from him.
“Thanks,” I mutter, releasing his hand and taking a deliberate step back to clear my head.
He blinks, as if he was suddenly under the same spell I was. Inhaling deeply, he releases the breath and nods to himself. “Yeah, my mom’s over there paying her respects, but I’m sure she’ll be ready to leave soon. She’s not dressed for the cold.”
I look over his shoulder, beyond him and the gate into the other area of the graveyard. A woman with long brown hair is sitting on the bench just outside the columbarium. Her hand is clutched at her neck as she pulls her winter coat in tighter.
Part of me would love nothing more than to go with him and meet her, but at the same time, I’m terrified.
“Oh, I see. Well, I need to get back to Windhaven, anyway,” I say, checking my watch.
“All right. Guess I’ll be going, then,” Wade says, shifting through the snow. He moves away from me slowly, as if he’s fighting the same urge to stay together.
“Okay,” I say, biting my lip.
He flashes me another grin and turns on his heel, making his way to the gate. When he reaches it, he turns around, “See ya around, Dru.” He winks, opening the gate and walking out.
Everything inside my chest screams to follow him. To kiss him, to give him my number—anything. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I know this is the way it begins.
The hunt. The mystery of it.
We’ll both be at Windhaven Academy soon and if he’s anything like the Wade from before, he won’t stop until he finds out who I really am.
I don’t move from my spot in the snow until he and his mom get into a red SUV and drive off. There are so many fighting emotions within me as I make my way to my own vehicle. I’m so happy for Wade. His mother’s with him and he still has his father—sort of.
After the way this trip started, I actually feel like everything is really going to be okay.
When I clear the gate, I notice a woman standing beside my vehicle. Her dark hood obscures some of her face, but instantly, I know who she is.
No, no, no…
Everything inside me is screaming to run the other direction—to walk away from this fight. But instead, my feet continue carrying me forward.
“What are you doing here?” I demand. With my fists
