Veined (A Guardian of the Angels Novel) (19 page)

His voice started out defensive, but quickly softened. “I was looking out for you. Every day.” Attic finally clasped the necklace and his hand slid over my dress and onto my Vein. “You look remarkable, but it’d look better if you didn’t have to hide yourself.”

I twisted to face him. His brow arched expectantly and a small grin framed one side of his mouth. “Tell me,” he whispered.

I tried to keep my voice steady and monotone. As if it wasn’t a big deal. “I wanted you to kiss me, Attic.”  The combination of his heat and scent refreshed the memories of the moment before. I could have resisted it—should have resisted— “I
want
you to kiss—” Barely had I whispered the word, his lips brushed against mine. Gently at first, but as I pushed for more, he opened his mouth and licked the insides of my lips. My arms entangled themselves around his neck, drawing his heat, his scent, nearer. Attic grabbed my waist, pressing me against him. My Vein licked fire and I felt its flames hugging Attic, pulling him closer.

My hand grazed his Vein.
Beautiful. Strong and brave. Stands up for what she believes in.
Hearing his thoughts, a rush of contentedness streamed, enveloping me, stronger than his arms. There was so much more to Attic that I was only just starting to see. The way he cared for his dead sister, and Albelin, and how he looked out for me every minute of every day, training me hard, pushing me to my limits because he wanted me to survive. He cared. Was earnest.

Bit by bit
, I felt like I was melting. Soon I’d just be a puddle of wax. I unwrapped myself from Attic, keeping him at arm’s length, but holding his gaze. My heart thumped wildly, both exhilarated and terrified.

That had felt good. Too good.

“Are you all right there, Lark?”

Attic’s soft voice brought me back to e
arlier and yesterday in the gym. My extreme overreaction, shouting at him. How he’d said he thought he understood it. My stomach flipped. “You knew,” I whispered. Attic must have known from my expression what I meant because he nodded.

How could this have happened? And
when?
Was it as he held me after I’d Phoenixed? As I’d apologized to him in the woods, and he’d properly introduced himself?

Why did I like him? Why did kissing him feel so right?

“Oh my God,” I groaned.
I’d just hooked up with
Attic. “And Jason.”

Attic cringed.

I’d just cheated on my boyfriend. My sweet, caring,
if clingy
boyfriend.

“Rather we didn’t talk about him right now,” he muttered.

“That Lething idea of yours
does
have its appeal,” I said.

Attic grinned at me and again my insides fluttered. “Doesn’t have to remember a thing about you. In fact, I’d quite like it that way.”

“Don’t you dare,” I warned, pointing my index finger at him. “I owe it to him to be upfront. You remove even one memory of me from his head and—”

Attic swiped my finger and held it up to my own lips. “I won’t. Promise.”

Why-oh-why did there have to be something more here with Attic? As if my life wasn’t complicated enough.

Fresh spring rain overwhelmed my senses and Attic dipped his head to mine. I wanted to accept his kiss, feel his warmth around me again—but I couldn’t give in, not a second time, it wasn’t right. I glanced at the clock and feigned a jump of surprise. “God, look at the time. Maddy will be waiting.” And Jason.

Attic left me to finish getting ready, and I didn’t see him again until it was time to go. I clambered into the back seat of the Porsche, and fiddled with one of the beads on my dress.

Alyse—coming to Twirp as Attic’s date—filled the car with distracting chit-chat, for which she had no idea how grateful I was.

I chose to sit in the backseat so I wasn’t within Attic’s reach. Every time I snuck a peek at him through the rearview mirror, I found him looking at me and quickly looked away. It wasn’t like he could read my mind anymore. I’d secured my shield tightly. It was some other energy that tipped him off whenever I looked at him. I wished he wouldn’t try to meet my gaze so I could have studied him.

But it seemed a challenge to him, to make me look into his eyes again. After perhaps the tenth time of this, I became irritated. “Keep your eyes on the road,” I muttered and he chuckled. I tuned into Alyse’s very excited chatter about how many guys she’d dance with before the night was over, and refused to look at Attic the rest of the trip.

As soon as I shut the car door, he sped off, but my bet was he wouldn’t have gone far and he’d stay within hearing distance. “I’m not saying anything to him tonight,” I said in a low voice before I walked up the path to Maddy’s front door. “That would just be cruel.”

Maddy was already opening the door when I reached the porch. “Wow,” she exclaimed, “You really
do
have a fantastic dress. If I didn’t like mine so much, I’d be crazy jealous.”

Maddy, a dark haired Cinderella, twirled and the silver material of her full skirt shimmered under the porch light. The white gold necklace sat in the middle of a halter neckline that plunged into a deep V, and I wondered if she’d filled the locket with pictures already.

“I’m taking your speechlessness as a good sign,” Maddy said and ushered me inside.

“I’m certain to say the wrong word,” I said. “But it’s good.”

“Good?” Marcus’ voice came down the hall. “It’s magnificent.” He sauntered toward us, his tie matching Maddy’s dress, sparkling with every step. He eyed my own dress and gave a low whistle. “I can’t believe you picked that out on your own. It’s damn fine.” Maddy elbowed him in the ribs. “But nothing could be as gorgeous as you.”

I closed my eyes. I was the luckiest girl in the world to have Maddy and Marcus as friends. But how long would I be able to keep them if I chose to be a Guardian?
It’s not just my family I’d lose, it would be my friends as well.

The doorbell rang. I could almost sense Jason’s excitement through the wood. This was the first time all week we’d see each other. And I was nervous. Especially considering earlier this evening. I could’ve done with a bit longer not seeing him. At least then I would’ve had more opportunity to come to terms with my guilt.

I hated the way Attic Lethed girls when he was done with them. I couldn’t do the same. Jason deserved better than that. And this wasn’t meant to be easy. I would tell him. Just not tonight. Not on the night of Twirp. I owed him at least a wonderful evening.

With effort, I plastered on a smile and opened the door. Jason, dressed in a pinstripe tux, held out a little box to me. He did look good. Why couldn’t I feel the same connection as I had with Attic?

“You look
sensational
,” he said and winked. The reference to the day we met made my smile sincere.

In the box was a wonderful lily corsage. “I wasn’t sure what you’d be wearing,” Jason said, “But black goes with everything, right?”

I nodded and slipped the dyed black lily on my wrist. Jason planted a soft kiss on my lips, and ran a hand over the crystal pattern. Angel blood or no, I was going to hell. I pulled away from him, gripping his hand instead. “Let’s get going guys. It’s already late and I want to see if Ashleigh makes it as homecoming queen.”

Marcus rolled his eyes. “Like there’s a chance she wouldn’t.”

We went outside, Maddy linked her arm in mine, and the boys followed behind us. “I’m just so excited,” she said as she clambered into the limo. I squeezed her arm. So was I.

The ride was super quick and soon we were gliding toward the vamped up gymnasium. Dozens of people manned the doors. It wasn’t just the usual school homecoming bouncers, but also men in uniforms. We rounded a corner and I gasped. There, not ten feet from me, was Dad. I wanted to run up and throw my arms around him. He stood with a colleague, a walkie talkie in one hand and a newspaper in the other. Dad looked up as we approached and gave us a nod.
That was it?
Memories kicked at my gut, and I got the awful urge to throw up.

“You okay?” Jason asked, interlocking his fingers in mine. I wanted to shake him off for fear of hyperventilating. Dad and
Jason to deal with at once was just too much.

“What are the coppers doing here?” Marcus asked.

“I’m not surprised at all,” Maddy said, “And you wouldn’t be either if you read the newspaper more often.”

“What? I read it,” Marcus said, glowering, and then added, “Occasionally.”

“I think,” Jason said, “it’s because of all the murders that have happened in the past month.”

An image of the demon attack. A curved knife whizzing in the air. I quickened my step. The torn body.
Triangles or squares?
I trembled.

“Sorry,” Marcus said, “I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

Jason gripped me tighter. We were in the open air, but I’d never before felt so claustrophobic. I untangled my hand, giving Jason a small smile before I turned and practically chased Maddy into the gym. Inside, my breathing regulated and I started to feel better.

I surveyed the room. Whoever had been on the design committee loved things to sparkle. It looked like a glitter bomb had exploded. Within seconds the soles of my shoes were covered in reds, golds and blues. Just breathing was a mission, trying to avoid inhaling a mouthful of colored flecks. It did look sort of pretty, how it fell onto people’s hair, but I couldn’t help thinking how difficult it was going to be to wash it out.

Maddy dragged me over to the punch bowl, also speckled with glitter. “I sure hope somebody’s spiked this already,” she said with a wink.

I, on the other hand, certainly hoped not. I’d embarrassed myself once this week with alcohol and for the time being, once was enough. I scoured the crowd for Attic
—or a dense crowd of girls—as I sipped my drink. No, I was not going to be disappointed that I couldn’t see him. This was my homecoming and I was going to have fun. With Maddy and Marcus and Jason.

“Come on girl, let’s see you groove,” Marcus said, hauling Maddy onto the dance floor. I watched her twirling around until they both disappeared, sucked up into the mass of swaying hips.

Hands slipped around my waist and I leaned back into Jason, trying to stifle a sigh. “What’s wrong?” Attic’s voice purring in my ear sent me leaping in the air.

“Attic. What do you think you’re doing? Jason’s around here, back off a little.” God, I hoped he hadn’t just seen that.

“You don’t need to worry about him. He’s preoccupied.” Attic waved a hand to the far corner of the room, where a bunch of girls swarmed. “I’d imagine we’re free for a couple of songs at least.” He took away my drink and, in one swift move, drew me to him.

This was wrong. It felt like some major cheating being this close to Attic, and with Jason just across the room. But damn it, it felt good too. “Attic,” I started pulling myself out of his grasp, but he growled.

“I can smell it that you want me close to you. Why do you care about that human so much?”

“He’s only ever been good to me. He doesn’t deserve this. I need to talk to him.”

Attic sounded bitter when he spoke. “You’ll be spending your evening with him.” Then he softened. “May I have one dance? No kissing, I promise.”

Against my better judgment
, I nodded, and followed him onto the dance floor. “But I don’t dance well.”

“Well, now, that all depends on who’s leading. With me, anyone watching will think you’re a pro, Lark.”

“You’re so cocky, Attic, did you know that?”

Attic grinned. “I love it when you call me out on my crap.” He spun me and arched my back. My hair touched the floor, and when he pulled me back up, glitter dripped down my shoulders. He really was a good dancer, and I couldn’t help but enjoy it. His leg, between mine, clued me in to what steps would come next. One small press against my knee and I went with it. “You’re a natural,” Attic said in my ear. Our cheeks were touching and his blonde hair tickled my nose.

“If you’re charming me just so I’ll become one notch more on your headboard, I’m going to kill you.”

Attic stiffened under my arms. He stepped away and when I saw his face I wanted to hide. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were blunt. “Is that what you think I’m doing?” His voice sounded cut, like I’d stabbed him in his stomach. “Well, let me call you up on your own crap, Lark. Stop judging me.” When I came toward him he stepped back. “It’s definitely for the best that you don’t like me the way I like you. So don’t apologize—it’ll make it easier for me. Go back to your precious Jason.”

Whatever I’d hurt Attic with seemed to be plunging into my own stomach now. I watched him disappear, and felt like crouching into a little ball. I didn’t give a damn that I was in the middle of the dance floor.

A hand touched my shoulder and I whipped my head around, hoping Attic had come back. Instead, I stared at Maddy and Marcus.

“Are you okay?” Maddy asked. She and Marcus hooked an arm each and pulled me toward the side of the hall. My stomach still felt like a hole had been ripped through it.

“You look ill,” Maddy said.

“Some rough dancers here.” I smiled weakly. “Got whacked in the belly and it winded me.”