BY SATURDAY, ALL OF BLACKWOOD seemed in mourning as Arianne rode the bus into Atlanta. She’d been glad to leave the sad town behind for a couple of hours. The pile-up took more lives than she had thought, and memorials happened one after the other. The service for Tammy’s mother would be on Sunday. An ache still made a home in Arianne’s heart. She knew she needed to attend the service. Even if she wanted to run away, she couldn’t abandon her friend. The bus seat hugged her from all sides, promoting a sense of security she’d recently discovered in the company of a certain delectable boy.
Niko had been attentive yet distant for the rest of the week. Mr. Todd had made them permanent partners in anticipation of the fact that Carl and Tammy might not return to school for a while. Niko had made sure to handle all the more dangerous—at least to Arianne—aspects of the experiments. But he wouldn’t talk to her about anything that steered remotely close to what happened in the In Between. Not that Arianne complained. She couldn’t show more than cordial attention either. Darla had drawn a line in the sand by staking her claim. Who knows what she’d do next?
She’d stepped off the bus without really thinking about her surroundings, missing the Mustang that breezed by. She crossed the street and walked into St. Joseph’s with no regard for the souls taking strolls along the halls. She couldn’t wait to tell Carrie about the kiss—Niko’s, not Darla’s. She’d kept Carrie in the dark about what she’d shared with Darla during a time when she didn’t think of the consequences of what she’d been doing. Making Ben promise never to mention the bullying either, Arianne only told Carrie about the lighter things that happened in her life.
At the door to Carrie’s room, familiar hushed voices stopped her from entering. The wall provided her cover as she peeked in.
“Tell me about the game,” Carrie said. She had a sheet pulled up to her waist while pillows propped her up like a queen.
Ben—without his cap on—reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a baseball. He made his way to Carrie’s bed and handed her the ball. She cradled it in both her hands with care, as if he’d given her a precious object. He lowered the guard rail on his side and sat at the edge of her bed, his hands on his thigh, and looked at Carrie in a way Arianne had never seen, the way you’d watch the sun rise over a mountain ridge. His face held so much awe that it seemed like a miracle was happening before him.
“That’s the winning home run ball I hit,” he said.
His tender tone had Arianne weak at the knees. Her lungs constricted each time she inhaled. Growing up, not once had he used that tone with her or anyone else that she knew of.
The light of a shooting star filled Carrie’s fairy princess features. “Are you giving this to me?”
“I wish I could give you more.”
“You being here is more than enough, you know that.”
He leaned in until their foreheads touched. “I’d give you the world.”
She let the baseball rest on her lap and wrapped her skinny arms around his neck. “I know, Ben. I know.”
“I missed you,” he whispered, twirling a strand of her limp hair between his fingers.
Carrie stroked his cheek, guiding his face closer to hers. “You should,” she answered just before their lips said hello to one another.
Arianne looked away quickly, unsure whether she should be witnessing the pocket of intimacy between her sister and Ben. They hadn’t told anyone, and Arianne didn’t know how to feel about it. On the one hand, happiness brought lightness to her heart. Carrie deserved to be loved by someone like Ben. But also, even if she already had her suspicions about their attraction for one another, hurt still kicked and screamed in her chest. Her best friend and her sister didn’t want anyone to know about their relationship. But I’m not just anyone!
Arianne’s legs moved of their own accord, taking her away from the room. The last thing she wanted was to walk in on them while she was feeling confused. She couldn’t hide the gaping wound, not now. Too busy trying to breathe, she’d neglected to notice the lack of dead people walking around. She hustled until the glass doors of St. Joseph’s slid closed behind her.
She doubled over and breathed as she straightened almost like a mock version of “downward facing dog” without the yoga mat. She put her hands on her hips and continued—in and out, in and out. She didn’t notice the figure sitting on the bench across the street until her gaze zoomed in that direction.
“Niko?” she whispered, a hot flush burning over her cheeks. And as if he’d heard her, he raised a hand in greeting, a lopsided grin on his too-handsome face, like he’d been caught at something. Ah, he’s giving my heart a workout. She couldn’t help but mirror that smile.
Without taking her eyes off the morsel of manhood before her, she crossed the street. She watched surprise then realization then worry flit through his features. He half sat and half stood like he didn’t know whether to wait for her or rescue her from oncoming traffic. When she reached him, he’d slumped onto the bench.
“Do you have a death wish?” he asked.
She crossed her arms and cocked her hip. “What are you doing here?”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “Getting some chores out of the way and enjoying the Georgian sun. You’re early.”
“You say that like you know how long I usually take.”
“Better than saying I just happened to be by, right?”
“Be serious, Niko. What are you doing here?” She joined him on the bench, his calm melting her suspicion. “And don’t say it’s the view. Are you visiting someone?”
Niko regarded the hospital with a seriousness that didn’t seem to match the ease of the atmosphere between them. “How’s Carrie doing? You usually take a while before you leave.”
A shadow devoured her elation. “She’s with Ben.”
“And you’re not with them because…?”
“I don’t think they want to be disturbed right now.”
“But I thought you were okay with Ben liking your sister.” Niko massaged her shoulder. “At least, that’s what I assumed. Am I wrong?”
Arianne stared at her trembling fists resting on her lap. “It’s just they didn’t tell me.”
“Maybe they’re waiting for the right time.”
“From what I’ve seen, they’ve been together for a while.” Her voice slowly morphed into a hiss. “And here I believed Carrie when she told me Ben was just her FB.”
“Pardon?”
“Fake Boyfriend,” Arianne sighed out, attempting to release some of her pent up frustration.
Niko rested his hand on top of her fists. “Why are you so bothered by it? Do you…?” He paused. “Do you have feelings for Ben?”
“What?” She whipped her head up.
“From your surprise, I’m thinking the answer is no. So, why?”
“They didn’t tell me, that’s why. I’m the sister and best friend.” She thumped her hand over her chest. “Don’t I deserve to know?”
Niko gathered Arianne close until her forehead rested against his shoulder. “Ari, I don’t think they meant to hurt you.”
She had a deer in the headlights moment.
“I’m not siding with their secrecy,” Niko amended. “I just want to provide some perspective. They have their reasons.”
“I know that,” she said to his shirt. “But it doesn’t mean I’m okay with it.”
“Why don’t we talk about it more over lunch? I know this place—”
Arianne pushed away from him. “You’re asking me out?”
“I’m sensing your hesitation. Are you still bothered by our kiss?”
Arianne’s blush reached forest fire proportions. “No! Are you?”
“Of course not.” His gaze fell, a slight blush lifting across the bridge of his nose. “It was beautiful.”
“Beau—” Her throat went out of business.
“So, how about that lunch?”
His question helped her out of the sudden happy dance her legs wanted to perform. Like jumping into a cold shower, Arianne sobered. “Don’t get me wrong, I’d love lunch, but can we have it somewhere less public? Like the In Between maybe?”
“Are you afraid to be seen in public with me?” Niko’s brow crumpled like an accordion.
“Yes.” Then she realized what she’d said. “No! It’s not that. I’m just concerned about who might see us.”
“Does this have to do with Darla? There’s nothing between us, Ari.”
“Oh, I know.”
“I don’t care if she finds—” He stopped abruptly, Arianne’s words finally sinking in. “You know?”
“I just don’t want to tempt fate. You don’t know her the way I do.”
Niko’s expression shifted into skeptical. “I don’t understand why everyone is so afraid of her.”
“You’re in her circle of influence, so you don’t get the brunt of what she’s capable of.” Arianne tried not to think of the kiss. Darla had meant business. “So, please, Niko. Can we just hang out somewhere else? The In Between?”
“I’m not sure if bringing you there again so soon would be okay. I’ve never brought anyone human there before, so I don’t know what being there could do to you.”
“You haven’t…” Arianne prevented the urge to fan her overheated face by squeezing her hands together.
Niko stood and reached out for her. Arianne stared at his hand for a second before taking it. He pulled her up until their bodies touched. Then he planted a quick kiss on the tip of her nose before guiding her to a black Mustang parked beside the curb. He opened the passenger door for her. Arianne slipped into the seat and he closed the door, then made his way to the driver’s side.
“Where are you taking me?” Arianne fastened her seatbelt.
“Since you don’t want to go somewhere public and the In Between is out of the question for now—” he started the engine “—I’m taking you to my house.”
Arianne locked away the betrayal that followed her from Carrie’s room, nipping at her heels. She decided nothing would ruin her enjoyment of Niko’s company. She’d face her feelings in time. Carrie and Ben would certainly have to answer for keeping their relationship a secret. But for now, Arianne concentrated on the present.
Traffic stayed moderate on I-75, considering the time of day. Usually, it would be a bumper to bumper mess. Arianne couldn’t believe the highway they were on was the site of so much tragedy. She felt apart from it: concerned for those who’d lost loved ones, but not exactly able to relate with their suffering. Shooing away morbid thoughts, Arianne looked askance at Niko. The interior of his car smelled of lemons, yet she couldn’t tell where he hid the air freshener. The air conditioner blasted welcome coolness, banishing the heavy heat that prevailed even if summer was over. Arianne cursed her choice of a mini-skirt that day. Her thighs stuck to the black leather seat like Velcro. It was all she could do to keep from shifting, embarrassed of the potential sound the movement would make.
“I didn’t know you had a car,” she said.
Niko lowered the volume on the latest Yellowcard single blaring from his dash and said, “I don’t have much use for it. But I do love taking a drive once in a while.”
“Eyes on the road, mister.” When Niko obliged, she continued, “I would think you’d just will yourself anywhere.”
He chuckled. “I would, but I have an image to maintain.”
“Oh right, the whole being human thing.”
“So, any guesses?”
“Warlock.”
“What makes you think that?” Niko gave her a sidelong glance followed by a grin.
“Well—” Arianne fiddled with her fingers “—you certainly have powers, so it seemed like the logical first choice. Not that anything about me trying to guess what you are is logical. Humor me and my research skills.”
“Nope, not a warlock.”
“Okay, that significantly narrows things down. I decided to stay away from vampires and werewolves since you don’t fit the mythology.”
“What if I wanted to suck your blood?” He failed at an imitation of a Transylvanian accent.
Arianne suppressed a laugh by mashing her lips together. “From what you told me about getting energy from souls, you don’t need blood to stay alive. And you can consume human food.”
“Touché.” He took his attention off the road for a moment. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”
“Ever since I started seeing dead people, I’ve always wondered what else could be out there.” She bit her lip. “If everything in books was real.”
Niko tapped at the steering wheel. “Some are real, most are not. What’s your next guess?”
“Some kind of Faerie. Your looks could be glamour and I wouldn’t know what you really looked like unless you showed me.” She reached out and poked his cheek. “For all I know, you could be some tentacled thing.”
“Would it matter to you if I was?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I like looking at you. But the more I get to know you, the more I realize I wouldn’t be in this car with you if you were a jerk, no matter what you looked like. A girl’s got to have standards.”
“Good to know.” Niko eased the Mustang onto the exit ramp that led to Blackwood. “And no, I’m not one of the Fey. No tentacles.”
“Then that leaves some kind of celestial being. An angel, maybe?”
“No dice.”
“Really?” Arianne rubbed her chin. “I could have sworn…but what else is there?”
“Well, you can continue your research. I’m sure you’ll eventually find something.” He shifted gears then squeezed her knee. “Or you can wait for the time when I tell you.”
Arianne turned to the window. Her other limbs sizzled with jealousy while her knee rejoiced. “I think I’ll keep looking.”
“I thought so.”