Shadow's Dangers (14 page)

“I was right,” he breathed, a note of triumph in his voice.

I found it difficult to follow the sequence of events. My mind kept replaying the scene that took place here, a few seconds ago. Was it true or did I imagine the feel of his fingers on my lips, the desire I had seen in his eyes? Would I have really let him kiss me? Even though I had resolved to stay away from him by all means? I was insane, there was no doubt about it this time.

“About...about what?”

He smiled at my tremulous tones.

“You know, there are two kinds of secrets. Those that cannot be revealed and those we do not want to reveal. There are some that I wish to tell you, but I can’t and there are others that I could reveal to you, but I don’t want to. This one is from the second category.”

Embarrassed, I avoided his gaze that searched my own, and fixed my eyes on the road. I managed to declare: “We should leave now if we don’t want to be late.”

It took him some time to answer, certainly because he was too busy scrutinizing me intently.

“School is boring. You, on the other hand, you are...captivating. An enigma. A riddle I cannot wait to decipher,” he said, his intonations and words triggering a series of chills in me.

He paused, savoring the effect he had on me.

“But I’ll give you that, you’re right. We’ll be late if we don’t get back on the road soon. However, it is very unfortunate that you didn’t look open for missing classes,” he sighed exaggeratedly. “I have many things in mind with which we could occupy the whole day...”

I was both excited by the idea of what he meant and terrified at the thought of being alone with him. My instinct was acting up again and apparently it didn’t want me to find myself alone with Garreth.

“We should really go now,” I suggested, turning away from him.

There was a silence and Garreth eventually reacted. His fingers brushed my cheek and finally put a lock of my hair behind my ear. My heartbeat bolted. Whether by pleasure or fear, I wouldn’t have been able to tell at the moment. I thought it was a blessing he hadn’t kissed me or I would have been struck down by a heart attack given my reaction to a simple touch from his hand.

“A quite fascinating enigma...” he murmured as if to himself before resuming a normal voice. “Well, since you want to go to class, Beautiful, your wish is my command.”

It took me a moment to register his words. “Beautiful.” He called me beautiful. Two days earlier, we were practically yelling at each other...hell, I was almost yelling at him just minutes ago...and now, Garreth was openly flirting with me and I didn’t find him so detestable anymore. Certainly, he wasn’t wrong. I was unpredictable--as was he--and I could almost admit that we were made for each other just because of that. But there was always this insane fear that I had of him, appearing without warning and giving me the intense desire to be far, far away from him. And I didn’t see how anyone could be attracted to someone, while wishing to be anywhere but with them.

I shook my head. Undoubtedly, when he said that I was an enigma, a riddle, it couldn’t have been more true.

8

Vergashae

The end of the week flew by easily, despite the gossip and scrutiny that the return of Garreth had caused. People wondered why he had come back alone and why the other Wates had left two weeks ago. Garreth merely replied that it was a “family affair,” when someone dared to question him about it. I was the only one who knew it wasn’t, while ignoring what it really was. I buried my questions regarding their departure in a corner of my mind and chose not to worry about it. I was convinced that sooner or later, my curiosity would win and I would ask for answers. But for now, I had more important concerns like my feelings for Garreth.

These days his company had helped me realize some things. I had finally admitted to myself that what I felt for him was not merely attraction. Yes, we were undeniably attracted to each other. Yet there was something more. Even when he annoyed me...I came to think that was one of his favorite hobbies...and I wanted to get away from him, I could not bring myself to do it. At these moments, my instinct manifested and I literally felt like I was cut in half. Part of me feared him, perhaps because I knew that what he’d tell me was going to turn my life upside down. The other felt something so strong for him that I could not bear to flee. However, I didn’t want to put it all on the account of a possible love. Because I felt that as soon as I completely let go, a multitude of problems would arise.

Unfortunately, I doubted that my struggle was of any use. Things were already underway and my fate already sealed.

This Saturday night, I was forced to admit that I was involved too deeply to not fall in love with him. Garreth had called to tell me to wait in front of my house because he had a surprise. That’s why I obediently waited patiently outside for several minutes in pajamas, slippers and parka.

It didn’t take long before the Ford Mustang was in my driveway, which delighted me because I was getting cold. I suddenly felt nervous to find out what he brought me. The passenger’s door of the vehicle opened and I found myself stunned by what I saw.
She was here!
She was heading in my direction. I didn’t know how to react at all. I quickly forgave Garreth for everything, but did I do the same with her? The answer came to my mind almost immediately.

“Deliah,” Leighton blurted out in a voice full of emotion.

From where I stood, I could already see the tears that streaked her pretty face. If she was crying, I was going to do the same very soon. She stopped a short distance from me, her expression hesitant, twisting her interlaced hands in all directions.

“Leighton,” I said in a neutral tone. It took me a while to continue. “What are you waiting for, dammit?”

I opened my arms so the message couldn’t be any clearer. When she saw me, her face lit up with a smile, like the ones she usually gave me. She ran to take me in her arms. The clash between our two bodies was brutal. Leighton wasn’t going easy on me.

“I’m sorry to have left like that. I wanted to tell you but...I’m sorry,” she repeated endlessly.

She, ordinarily sparkling with joy, had suddenly become a veritable fountain of tears. To see her this way broke my heart.

“It’s nothing. It’s already forgotten,” I assured her in what I hoped was a soothing voice.

“I know,” she told me, glancing behind us. “Garreth told me that you...you know why. Well, sort of.”

In recent days, I was concerned with my growing feelings for her brother, that I had overlooked this story. But, if she kept on this path, my desire to know the truth would prevail over my resolutions and my desire to give Garreth the necessary time to let him decide to reveal everything to me.

“She should know, Garreth,” she suddenly said, her expression changing completely.

“She’s not ready,” he replied in a firm voice, getting closer to us.

“Still...”

“That’s enough! I said no, Leighton!”

Flabbergasted, I stared at Garreth. He had never looked so threatening. I remembered the day I found him frightening and intimidating when he ordered me to get into his car. It was nothing compared to what came from him now. What could be so terrible that he seemed so worried about me learning it? The distress signal of my instinct came back with a vengeance at his reaction. I had the horrible need to escape right now while wanting to stay here with them. No one could be more torn than me at this moment.

“Well done, genius! You’ve frightened her,” Leighton told her brother, giving him a dirty look.

He ignored her completely and came to stand before me, pushing back his sister at the same time. A flash of concern crossed his eyes before they became impassive. Leighton, behind him, seemed as anxious as he was for a split second. Why were they in this state? Garreth allowed himself to observe me without any shame. He tilted his head slightly to one side and sized me up and down. He seemed to enjoy what he saw, even though there was not much to see. I squeezed my arms around myself in a pure reflex of self-preservation.

“Nice pajamas...and the slippers are original. I like them,” he told me with a smile.

I blushed as I remembered the damn bear head-shaped slippers that I had on my feet. Compared to them, the hot pink pajamas Tess had bought me for one of my birthdays, which I was wearing at the moment, were nothing. He leaned forward and his fingers came to seize the zipper of my parka.

“Hmm...Even if they don’t cover much and you’ll probably catch a cold because of that, I think my preference definitely goes to your pink top,” he said while closing up the zipper to my neck.

“I...it’s not a habit for me to sleep...dressed this way,” I retorted, confused.

Normally, what I wore rode up to my neck and revealed nothing of my chest. Obviously, today was an exception and I now found myself in this situation.
Bad luck...

“It should be.”

I bit my lower lip.

“You’re impossible, Garreth! One moment, you’re scaring her and the other, you’re trying your best to embarrass her. Leave her alone.”

Thanks to the intervention of Leighton, I managed to pull myself away and avoid his gaze. I was glad for her return, otherwise I could never get out of this mess and I’d have ridiculed myself even more.

“We can go inside?” Leighton inquired in a soft, pleasant voice. “I truly believe that it would be better to continue our conversation inside,” she added, giving me a significant look that showed she had noticed that I had begun to freeze to death.

At that very moment, I knew I was more than happy she returned to Mensen, because I had missed her a lot.

“No problem!”

I opened the door, brought them into the welcoming interior and closed it behind them. It was good to feel a little heat! I pulled off my parka and placed it in the hall. We went to sit in the living room. Under the weighing gaze of Garreth, I grabbed a blanket lying beside me on the couch and covered myself to warm up and avoid making a show of myself any longer.

“I still say it would be better if she knew,” repeated Leighton, convinced of what she thought was the best solution. “It’s stupid...”

“Don’t start again, Leighton,” Garreth warned her.

His eyes flashed with anger, which didn’t seem to affect his sister one bit. She was determined to prove to him that he was wrong for leaving me in the dark.

“Imagine, Garreth. Imagine what it would be like if she knew. We wouldn’t have to lie to her. We wouldn’t have to pay attention to our words or even our actions. Everything would be easier and you could...”

She paused, pursed her lips before continuing in this language that I had heard Garreth use before, when he was in my room and called Leighton. Their flow was accelerated but I still noticed that a sound similar to “eye” featured frequently at the end of each of their words. I wondered about the origin of the language and I was ready to ask them as soon as they finished their rather heated discussion.

“Enough, Leighton!” Garreth concluded after throwing me a glance.

Completely forgetting my question, I settled down against the couch. Garreth could be intimidating when he raised his voice. I had goosebumps. Leighton gave a little sigh before offering a new upset pout. It would not continue further.

“I’m sorry,” Garreth apologized, sincerely.

I soon realized that his apology was intended for me and not his sister. It was strange to notice how he could be soft, but also tough and rough with her--not that it seemed to disturb her at all. I couldn’t really understand their unpredictable behavior...that of all three of them, actually.

“All your family returned, then?” I inquired.

I was hoping it would end the tension. For my part, Grumpy could stay where he was, I didn’t have any problems with that.

“Yes, my aunt and uncle are back too. So is Travis,” Garreth announced in a neutral tone.

Given Garreth’s imperceptibly tense expression, I had wanted to lighten the mood, but it didn’t work.
When a girl’s unlucky...
There must be something between the two of them. In contrast to the reaction of her brother, Leighton quickly had a wide smile on her face. This family was definitely a whimsical one.

“Let’s talk about something else, okay? Ah! I know! Tell me what’s happened to you and Hayden lately,” Leighton exclaimed.

It was impossible for me not to notice the upset expression Garreth wore and his suddenly nervous attitude, because my eyes were still looking in his direction. I racked my brain in search of something that might interest her.

“Oh... uh...Hayden is with Spencer,” I declared suddenly.

Garreth’s mood darkened further while Leighton’s smile was growing. For my part, the embarrassment was soon over because of the totally contrary reactions of the brother and sister. Especially because Garreth’s was perplexing. Seeing him, one would have thought he was interested in Hayden and it was for that reason that hearing about her relationship put him in such a bad mood.
But...he’s not interested in Hayden...Is he?
I was full of doubts, now. If this was true, he never let anything show.

“And you’re not jealous?”

I almost choked on my own saliva at that. She seemed surprised that I accepted the happiness of my best friend so well. Garreth shifted in his chair, visibly uneasy by the girl-talk turn this conversation was taking. I began to think that my theory about Garreth and Hayden was more and more plausible. For once, he wasn’t the only one uncomfortable here.

“Why should I? I have never been attracted to Spencer. Moreover, he was a little too...pushy with me. Anyway, I’m glad Hayden and he are together. He’s a nice guy,” I added to make up for the negative comments before.

Even being nearsighted, I would not have missed the glance that Leighton gave her brother, the one to which he replied with a casual shrug of his shoulders while a smile formed on his lips. There was no doubt that this brief visual exchange had to do with my answer. I could not help but smile to myself. There was no room for misunderstanding. It certainly was not because of Hayden that he had looked so disturbed. The possibility that Garreth felt animosity and jealousy toward Spencer (although, for obvious reasons, there was no reason for that) because the poor boy had tried to go out with me made me happier than I should have thought possible.