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“Why can’t we do like regular people during elections and just not choose a party? Vote Independent or something?”
“It’s not the way it works. For centuries, we’ve battled each other. It’s never been any other way.”
“We kill each other off. That’s why there are so few of us.”
Grandma nodded. “Yes. In addition to the fact that we’re not very fertile.”
“Doesn’t seem to be a problem in our family,” I said.
“Another mystery. I wish I knew why.” She patted my hand. “You’re not to worry about Bree.”
“But she’s my responsibility. I have to find a way to keep her safe and away from the gunfire.”
“Yes, you do. But I have more money than I could possibly spend, so don’t you fret over that. Use your energy to keep you both safe.”
It seemed wrong to make Grandma help me support Bree. “I can’t take your money.”
“She’s my grandbaby, isn’t she? You too. Maybe somehow I can make up for not being there for Zoe.” Her chin quivered. “You must do whatever you have to do. Your survival depends on it. Bree’s too.”
“Yeah.” I nodded, my stomach twisting.
“Do you know about Hayden?” she asked. Grandma, the Detector. Of course she’d know.
“That he’s like us? Yes, but not because I detected it. I saw him do something. You’ve met him?”
Grandma smiled.
“Similar to how you met Bree?”
“If you mean by being sneaky, yes. When I heard about the kidnapping and how he rescued you, I wondered why the tranquillizer didn’t knock him out longer. So I arranged to accidentally meet him.”
“How? You didn’t even know what he looked like?”
She laughed softly. “I asked a friend for a favor, found out Hayden’s class schedule and that sometimes you met with the principal while he went to PE. I wormed my way into that class and I gave everyone a ten-minute speech on teamwork. It was very inspiring.” Grandma chuckled. “Then I talked to him about football scholarships for about sixty seconds before he had to take off and meet you.”
“If you figured out he’s a sorcerer, maybe someone else did too.” Not that it was a big deal anymore. They’d find out soon enough. But I liked being prepared. “Do you think anyone else knows?”
“Probably not. From what I gathered, they assumed that his body metabolized the drug at an accelerated rate because he’s strong and physically fit.”
“That works, I suppose.”
She grew serious and held my shoulders firmly. “You can’t tell anyone you saw me. I can’t do what needs to be done if they know about me.”
“Of course, Grandma.”
“I have to go. I’ve already risked too much.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “This is untraceable. If you need me, call. But only if absolutely necessary.” She gave me one last squeeze and rose to leave.
“Grandma, wait.” I clutched her hand and stood. “I’m scared.”
“I know, baby.” She pulled me close, stroking my hair again. “Don’t choose a side.”
“That’s only good for the next month. What then?”
“Hold them off as long as possible. If it becomes life or death, stay as far away from Frank and Lila as you can. In the meantime, never give them the idea that you’d choose any side but theirs. You realize how dangerous they are, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“You haven’t even begun to tap into what you can do. Trust your instinct. Let it guide you.” She glanced around the room. “You must have a piece of paper around here.”
I opened a drawer, snagged a pen while I was there and held them out to her.
She shook her head. “Write down your bank information, so I can wire you money. And I want you to quit your job. It’s silly to have Bree neglected and you struggling when I can help so easily.”
* * * *
Lying on my bed in the dark, I stared up at the almost-black ceiling, unable to think about anything but my grandmother. After seeing her, everything else was a total letdown. Seeing Hayden wouldn’t be though. I wanted to share my grandmother with him. He was the only one I could trust with what I’d learned. And talking about her visit would enable me, in some small way, to relive it. Besides, being with another person at that moment didn’t sound like such a bad idea.
Oh, hell, I just wanted to see him — for any reason.
Thankfully, Hayden had texted me with Skyler’s address while I’d been talking with Grandma. I switched on a light, then changed into a mini skirt, a pair of knee-high boots and a low-cut spaghetti strap top. After a slight adjustment to my hair, I headed out.
Chapter Twenty-four
Hayden
The DJ played one of my favorite songs, the kind that made me want to move. I liked to think I was one of the few guys that didn’t look like a dork when they danced. The girls never objected, so I probably did okay.
I wondered if Tessa was as good at dancing as everything else she did. But since it was getting late, she probably wouldn’t show. It was for the best. The longer our time apart, the more chance I had to get through the withdrawals. Now, if only I could go more than a few minutes without thinking of her.
“Hayden,” Lisa slithered up against me, drink in hand. “You said you’d dance with me again.”
That had been the plan — dance with Lisa or any other pretty girl and get my mind off the stu
When I’d first arrived, Lisa had spotted me right away. She had dragged me to the center of the living room and gyrated against me. Tessa should have been ejected from my head, all attention focused on the eager-to-please girl painted all over me. But no such luck. I’d learned the hard way that Tessa was in my head to stay.
“Dude,” Brad nudged me, speaking into my ear and facing away from Lisa. “What’s the problem? She’s begging for it. Go. I’ll hold your drink, so you can get to it.”
I moved my drink out of his reach and laughed it off. “She’s drunk enough, she’d even do you. Here, I’ll hold your drink.” I snagged it from him and jerked my head toward Lisa who hung one arm around my neck. “Lisa, Brad needs to talk to you. It’s important.”
“What’s wrong?” she slurred, then staggered off with him without a glance back. A few steps later, she entwined her arm with his and looked at him adoringly.
I sca
The front door opened and Tessa stepped over the threshold, eyes searching the room. I tensed. Her gaze met mine and she made a beeline for me.
On her left, a guy attempted to intercept, but backed off when he spotted me.
She stopped in front of me and gri
“I didn’t think you’d show.” But she did. My arms had never felt so useless, dangling at my sides.
“Wasn’t pla
I’d never had a problem talking to girls. I started a conversation about them, said something nice without sounding like a pervert and the girl did the rest. This time, being charming didn’t come easy. I was too overcome being so close to her again. “You look great.”
“Thank you.” She smoothed her skirt and gave me a shy smile.
“What made you change your mind?”
“Cabin fever.” She nodded and sca
My tongue had been paralyzed somehow — along with my brain. When I didn’t say anything else, her eyes wandered the room.
“Let’s dance.” She reached for my hand.
“No. You don’t want to dance with me.” Didn’t she realize that I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off her?
“True.” She nodded thoughtfully. “But no one will ask me while you’re around. So you’re it. C’mon.” She laid her palm on my arm, then led me to the center of the living room. Only two others were dancing and they were wasted. Come to think of it, everyone was wasted. I went along with Tessa, not because it was smart, but because I wanted to be near her.