Sweet Temptation

A

On the other end of the line, Marna is equally distraught. “A

Who’s she going on about? Ginger? I move closer, trying to figure out what’s happening.

“Are there any Dukes in California?” A

I shake my head. “All the Dukes should be back in their respective areas,” I say. “What’s going on?”

“Is that Kai?” Marna asks. “What’s he doing there?”

“Yes, it’s him,” A

What? That makes no sense. They’d never be so stupid.

I dial Blake and leave him a message telling him to ring me back straightaway.

“I’m going to meet you there,” A

Wait just a damn minute. They’re going to Santa Barbara?

“I’m going,” I say.

A

“Did Gin go mad when she found out Blake’s engaged?” I ask.

She stops and chews the inside of her lip for a second before standing to face me.

“She was upset about that, but it’s not what sent her over the edge.”

“So what did?” What on earth could possibly cause Gin to leave her sister and do something as reckless as shack up with another Neph?

“The twins had a . . . disagreement.” A

“About what?” I ask.

She swallows. “Marna’s pregnant.” The words come out dry and brittle, and I ca

“I sensed it,” A

“Bloody hell.” Each of her words slams into me like a bullet and I ca

I raise my heavy eyes to A

“Come here,” I say to her, holding out a hand. I pull her to my lap and she wraps her arms around me. “It’s not your fault.”

She lets out a sob. “It is my fault they got together. I didn’t think they’d move so fast, and if I’d known she could get pregnant—”

“Sh, A

I hold her a moment longer before she wipes her eyes, pulling herself together. “We’d better go,” she says, standing. “I’ll tell you everything on the plane.”

“Wait,” I say. “How much does Jay know?”

“He knows everything,” she says with downcast eyes.

Everything. That his best friend A

Blake and Ginger, two of the most careful Neph I know, have bloody well lost their minds. They’re bunked up in the mansion while his psychotically envious fiancée rages outside the gate. News vans are there to catch it all. He’s a local motocross celebrity whose fabulously rich father has just “died,” and this is what they choose to do?

Yes, they’ve wanted each other for a bloody long time and have always held back. Yes, Ginger’s just found out she’s losing the person she loves most in the world, but getting themselves killed is not the answer. Especially now that the prophecy is on the horizon. It’s no longer about us as individuals. Each ally is important.

I am livid when we finally get inside the gate. I bang on Blake’s front door, but they don’t answer. I bang again. “Open up, idiot! This is bloody stupid!”

Finally they come to the door. They’re clearly lost to their beasts—Blake is feeding off his fiancée’s envy while Ginger gets her kicks off causing Blake to cheat. They’re both half dressed, showing signs of a shag fest with wild hair and flushed skin. For a moment I am jealous they’ve been able to give in to their need for each other, and that jealousy makes me even angrier.

“It’s time to go, Gin,” Marna tells her.

Ginger gives her a malicious stare. “You’re one to talk. I seem to recall that line didn’t work on you.” So, Ginger tried to warn Marna, to get her away from Jay. That makes this all the worse. “I’m quite fine where I am, thanks,” Gin snaps.

“Like hell.” I shove open the door and stride past them, the others following. I slam the door once we’re all inside. I point at Blake. “Have whisperers seen you together?”

“Course not.” He sounds far too blasé, and I want to beat some sense into him.

“You’re bleedin’ lucky!”

“Back off, brah.” He gets in my face. “What, you’re the only one who can be with your girl?”

I want to point out that I haven’t even shagged my girl, but I know this is about more than sex. It’s about the danger of even being seen together, as we are now.

“The Dukes were at their summit when we were together,” I remind him.

A

“Because we’re this close.” I lean toward her, enraged. “This close to fulfilling the prophecy, and the two of you are likely to get yourselves killed!”

“As if you care!” Ginger screams at me. “You only give a shite about yourself. You want everyone to be willing to sacrifice themselves so you can finally be with your precious A

“It’s about all of us!” I shout back.

“Oh, right!”

God, this is too like our fights as children, matched in temperament. I’m filled again with a sibling-like sentiment as I let myself feel the ache Ginger must be living with.

I take her by the shoulders. “I don’t want you dead, Gin.”

Her eyes fill with tears. My strong Ginger, who, like me, never cries. “I’ve nothing to live for now, don’t you see? She’ll be gone. My sister is dying! And Blake will be married off to that cow. I’d rather be dead.”

Oh, Gin. I swallow hard and take her into my arms, where she breaks down and lets me hold her up. Marna, sobbing, comes forward, and I open the embrace to include her. I want to fix this for them. It’s all so wrong. Why should mothers of Neph have to die? It’s all shite. Nothing about the life of a Neph makes any sense.

Soon the twins are moving from my arms to embrace each other, their heads buried in each other’s shoulders as they grieve. I rub their backs and swallow again. I know they need this moment, but I turn my head and look around, wondering how long it will take for the whisperers to find us. We can’t stay here. We could ruin everything.