Authors: Chloe Adams

No Way Back (Mia's Way, #1) (29 page)

She left. Summer opened her suitcase and pulled out another pair of sandals, these sliding between her toes so as not to hurt her heels. She left the room and trotted down the stairs, exiting the front door.

She heard the laughter of the other teens, but was too entranced in this amazing new world. She found herself waiting to feel the magick she’d sensed earlier, and gazed toward the trees of the forest. She walked to the end of the dorms and then continued along the dirt road into the forest where she’d seen the dark figure disappear.

Summer was at once intrigued by the sense of magick in the swaying trees. Sunlight splashed through the pine canopy onto bright purple bluebells that layered the forest floor. Small bushes hunched against trees and one another, and Summer stopped to try a few tart berries.

Continuing into the forest, she watched startled birds flit away above her. The brilliant color of a blue jay made her forget whoever it was that followed her. She followed the bird through the forest and into a small meadow filled with wildflowers.

She’d never been anywhere as beautiful or magickal. Grinning, she ran across the meadow then twirled around in the middle of it, spinning amidst the wildflowers as she stared up at the blue sky. The breeze joined her, throwing her hair around her while filling her again with the warm, tickling sensation.

A dark figure crossed her vision. She stumbled and fell, seeking out the shape she’d seen. No one was there. She pushed herself up. A deep growl made her turn. Staring at her through golden eyes, a sand colored cougar crouched on the other side of the meadow. Its tail twitched.

Summer froze. The animal raised itself and took a step closer. Her heart hammered in her breast. She looked beyond it to the trees then recalled how foolish it would be to try to climb a tree to escape. A beast like this lived in trees.

The growl came again. The great cat lowered itself, hunching its body in a sign it was preparing to pounce.

Summer whirled and ran. The auburn-haired figure ahead of her disappeared into the forest. The growling and sound of pursuit stopped suddenly. She glanced over her shoulder and slowed. The cougar was gone. She pressed her shaking hands to her face.

It was early for hallucinations. She’d only just arrived.

“What’re you doing here?”

She looked up, dismayed to see Decker there. He lingered at the edge of the forest, as if sunlight would disable the shadows guarding him. His piercing gaze was on her.

“I was just exploring,” she managed at last.

“Do you know the way back?”

The way he said it made her want to tell him she did, so he’d leave her alone. Summer gazed around her. The forest looked the same in each direction of the meadow. She’d been too absorbed in the forest magick to consider where she went.

“I’m guessing no,” Decker said. “I’ve had to rescue you twice today.”

“I’m fine,” she replied. “It can’t be that hard.”

“Until a cougar corners you.”

She stared at him.

“They’re usually nocturnal. The wildfires are driving them out during daylight. You should probably come back with me.”

She shivered, sensing danger from him, the same danger she’d felt from the cougar. Only instead of pouncing on her, Decker wanted to lure her somewhere. The idea made no sense. Just because he dressed all in black didn’t mean he was any more of a threat than his more cheerful brother.

“C’mon.” He turned and walked into the forest.

With another look around, Summer trailed.

“You’re rooming with Trinity?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“When’s your birthday?”

“Next month.”

“So is mine.” He stopped to look at her curiously. “What date?”

“Twentieth.”

“I’m on the nineteenth. I’ll be eighteen. I assume you’ll be seventeen. Turning seventeen is a big deal here,” he told her and continued walking.

“Seventeen? I thought most people considered sixteen the big year.”

“Not here.”

They reached the edge of the forest and the school property. He headed for the picnic tables, but she stopped.

“There’s food,” he said over his shoulder.

“No thanks.”

“You’re on your own. Stay out of the forest.”

Irritated at his rebuke, she trudged to the road that wrapped around the dorms, not wanting to meet anyone just yet. Chances were, she’d be gone soon anyway. No use making friends. She went back to her room, and her spirits brightened. She’d never had her own room, even if this one was only hers alone for another month.

Summer flung herself across the bed, sinking into it with a deep sigh. She’d never had such comfortable bedding, such a peaceful place to sleep. She eyed the dresser. While she’d had dressers, she’d never unpacked.

She unzipped her suitcase and pulled out the old wooden jewelry box holding her treasures. Her eyes went to the pile of jewelry and makeup on Trinity’s dresser. Summer tentatively set her box on her own dresser and sat down, staring at it. It looked lonely and small.

Her sense of anxiety grew again, and she took it down. She didn’t know how long she’d stay; it was easier to keep everything packed up. Picking out her least worn clothing, she set it on the bed for dinner then set her alarm and lay down for a nap.