[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.“Yeah, right,” I mumbled.As I slid behind the wheel, I cringed.The area above my right butt cheek still stung."What was that face for? The bars didn't land on you.” She raised her hand and flipped it over palm up in a questioning manner.“Let me guess.it's sympathy pain.""Ha ha.I'm a little sore from straddling the beam, thank you."I turned on the radio, hoping the conversation would end for a while.After everything that had happened, I needed time to think.One major thing had me more than just a little bothered, besides the obvious.Ryan kept appearing at the same places where all the strange events had happened.Was it a coincidence? Or did he have more to do with things than I wanted to believe?Whenever near him, I felt some sort of powerful and unexplainable bond—not danger.Not like the horrid feelings I sensed when I had been attacked.If this thing really had the power it claimed, could it turn emotions on and off, confusing my ability to perceive what's evil and what's not?And if he didn't have anything to do with the evil surrounding me, what exactly connected him with Val? Obviously, he knew her and her cronies.I've always heard and believed that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.But I really wanted to believe Ryan was for real and really that good."How's your head?” I asked."Hurts like hell.And the knot really throbs.""Yeah, I bet it does."My head throbbed, too, but for another reason.Once we got to Mandy's house, I left right away.I couldn't wait to get home and leave the awful day behind me.A nice long bubble bath sounded perfect.I pulled into the crowded driveway.Crap.My Calgon moment would have to wait.* * * *Silence deadened the house, putting me on edge.Where was everyone? I dropped my backpack and gym bag next to the stairs.Muffled voices came from the direction of Dad's office.I crept toward the closed door and pressed my ear to it.The door jerked open and I staggered into the room."You're home early,” Dad said, a frown creasing his brow.Two of the clice ancients, Amarande and a woman I had never seen before, stood on the other side of the room studying me."Mandy had an accident, so I drove her home."Mom stepped around Dad.“Is she okay?""Yeah, she'll be fine.The bars collapsed on her.” I widened my eyes and silently signaled Mom and Dad to let them know there was more to the story without making the ancients suspicious.“She got a bump on the head and she'll have some bruises, but she's fine."Mom scrunched her face, but didn't say anything.Dad totally missed my signal all together.Not knowing who to trust, I decided to feel out my surroundings to make sure whatever had been stalking me no longer tagged along.Even my house was apparently not off limits.Home should be a safe haven, a place of comfort and belonging—not a place where danger infiltrates at will.But after the last meeting with the clice, I knew that wasn't the case.Like the entity bragged, it could reach me any place and at any time.I shuddered and drew in a deep breath.The memory of the slimy being licking my flesh played through my mind.I wanted to wash its touch from my body, scrub myself until I bled, not stand here wondering what the ancients had in store for me.No good would come out of this rendezvous.Amarande and the woman approached.I formally greeted him and showed the same respect toward the unknown guest.They bowed in return.Why couldn't we just shake hands or something? I felt ridiculous bowing like royalty."Good evening, Cheyenne.I trust all is well with you?” Amarande cocked his head to the side, waiting for an answer.I nodded.“Good.” He turned his hand over and presented the woman.“This is Nicoleta.She's here to help you—mentor you to be exact.""Mentor me?” I asked."Yes, Nicoleta mentored our last Vanator.She'll be a great help to you.Listen and learn.She knows her business.It could mean the difference between a short or long life for you,” Amarande said with no emotion in his voice whatsoever.How could he say such a thing—like it was just another bit of information to impart? It was my life he was talking about.I choked on my own spit and went into a hacking fit.Dad slapped me on the back—not that it had ever helped in the past and it sure didn't help now either.I moved away and raised my hand, unsure if I could take another pounding.Sometimes Dad didn't know his own strength.Nicoleta turned to Amarande and gave him a scalding look.“A little delicacy please."Momentary confusion fluttered across his face.After glancing at me, he opened his mouth to speak, then snapped it shut.Good.At this point, I didn't need any more of his sensitive speeches."Cheyenne, come sit, dear.” Nicoleta took me by the arm and led me to the loveseat against the opposite wall from where the others stood.“You must forgive Amarande.He speaks straightforward without thought of how one may perceive his words [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]