“I'm good, how are you?”
Frank rubbed his hands on his apron. “Just cooking away back here. You hungry?”
“Not really.” My stomach was doing somersaults. “I think I'll eat later.”
“You're too thin.” Frank always told me I was too thin.
“I promise to eat something later,” I called over my shoulder as I walked out into the dining hall. I made my way toward a couple waiting to be seated.
“Table for two?” They nodded. “Follow me.”
I looked at the giant clock on the wall. It was three-thirty.
Only two and a half more hours to go. Time was definitely not planning on standing still.
I thought football practice would never end. But when the coach finally blew his whistle, I wished coach would make us run some more laps around the field. This silly little human game of football was nothing compared to the agony of the evening that was ahead of me. I shook off the feeling of dread and headed to the locker room. I slowly removed my football gear, placed them in my own locker, and headed to the shower.
The other players were laughing and joking about their weekend conquests. Humans could be so easily distracted by such trivial matters. It had been centuries since I had even thought about love or a life with someone. I had the weight of the world resting on my shoulders. It would have been so nice to laugh and joke about nothing, about weekend plans. I almost envied them.
Almost.
The vapors of the hot water began to steam around me. Guarding me from the inconsequential conversation going on around me. I tried not to think about the evening that lay ahead. Instead, I willed myself to concentrate on the shapes the steam made around my body. Because we were immortal and most of us made of light, energy always gravitated toward our bodies. And with our powers, we could use the energy to do our will. I lifted my hand and moved it around the steam, creating different shapes in the air, willing myself to focus on anything other than the girl that seemed to dominate my thoughts.
“Show me the court,” I commanded silently, and in an instant I was there. I saw my father's lair before my eyes.
Alderon sat on his great throne and drummed his fingers as if bored. I looked around the room and was surprised that I didn't recognize any of the Fae that sat before him. All of them had their heads down as if they were in deep prayer, but I knew better. I looked over at the black crystals that grew out of the ground, as large as man, as they began to glow.
A flicker.
Once. Twice.
And suddenly they were bright with dark light. I closed my eyes for a moment against the crystals power. Once I had gained control over the
call
I could watch them without temptation.
Alderon stood up and walked over toward a black crystal ball suspended in front of his chair. He put his hands on it, then his head jerked back violently as the force of the energy propelled him in the air.
The Fae that sat before him moved rhythmically as Alderon floated around above them.
“The Dark has spoken,” he instructed, his voice commanding. “We are to find her.”
“Find her,” they chanted below him.
“She must be destroyed! She brings our demise!”
“Destroy her!” they chanted again.
This was a usual routine for Alderon, calling upon the dark forces and having them speak through him. It had been going on for centuries. But now, because of Caroline's existence, it meant something.
Alderon suddenly moved to the ground and whipped around the room, his eyes searching.
“He is here.” My skin crawled at his words. Alderon smiled. “My son is here. I can smell him.”
The others looked around the room, desperate to catch a glimpse of me. I was frozen as I stayed there, watching, waiting for him to say something more to me.
“I will kill her, Devilyn. Just as I killed her father. Just as I made her mother take her own life.” He licked his lips in anticipation, “I cannot wait any longer.”
I spun around, away from the scene, and hit the wall violently with my fist. I was back in the shower. Protected from anyone seeing me.
But I was furious.
I leaned against the wall and tried to control my anger. I looked down at my hands and saw the white light moving through my veins, and then suddenly I saw specks of black chasing after it.
“NO,” I commanded. And the black was gone. I had to gain control. If I didn't, Caroline would be lost. I couldn't allow that. I thought of her innocent smile, of how I would do anything in my power to have her keep that purity.
Forever.
And there I was again. Back to where I started.
Thinking of her. Yet. Again.
And now, I would be alone with her. For at least a few hours. The pressure was insurmountable. Her large eyes staring back at me. Her lustrous hair billowing around her heart-shaped face. And her smile.
Enchanting.
Loveable.
Forbidden.
I had to stop. I shook my head and opened my eyes as I reached for the faucet and turned the hot water lever off and let the ice-cold water run down my body. I had to make sure my guard was up, as the anticipation of every moment I spent with her made me ill at ease. I couldn't fall for her. Ever. For the cost would be great and grave.
Even though now I knew it would be so easy to do.
I turned the water off and walked out of the showers. As I pulled my clothes on, Brian Baker stood over me. I could feel the anger and resentment oozing from his body. But I chose to ignore it.
“Reilly?” Brian barked. He was still clad in only his towel, trying so hard to intimidate me.
I took my time looking up at him as I tied on my shoes.
“Yes?”
“Nice practice.” The sincerity in Brian's voice was lacking.
“Thanks.”
“Did you hear about Jordana's party on Saturday?” he asked, even though both of us knew the answer to that question, given that Jordana had been glued to my side since I arrived, and lately she could talk of nothing else.
“Yes.”
“You going?”
I shrugged my shoulders as I reached for my sweater.
“Don't know yet. I have to see.” I grabbed my keys. I did not want to be late for Caroline.
“You know that until you arrived Jordana and I used to be a thing, right?”
He finally got it out. I pitied him. He wasn't an unattractive guy. He had been the star athlete and most desired male student at the school prior to my arrival. But the desperation in his voice overshadowed all of his assets.
“A thing?” I answered curtly.
“We got together over the summer,” he continued. It took all of my strength to refrain from laughing out loud. Not that he was in love with Jordana; she was clearly just a means to an end. A trophy to have on his arm until he got the big college scholarship and left town.
I wasn't sure what he hoped to gain by continuing this conversation. Was he hoping that I would give up and step away from his precious prize? That would never happen. Jordana was my cover, my protection against Caroline.
“She told me she wasn't dating anyone.”
“Well, that's not exactly true.”
“
Exactly
true?” I straightened my back and looked down at him. Brian took a step back.
Two of his friends came over to stand behind him. Brian got his gumption back, and I tried my hardest not to roll my eyes.
“I'm late for an appointment. Can we talk about this later?” I asked him.
Brian wouldn't budge so I knew I'd have to give him more.
“Listen, Brian, despite what you may think, Jordana and I actually aren't dating.”
Yet
, I thought, wincing at the possibility. She was the last person on earth I'd ever wanted to be with. But if I had to do it to keep Caroline far away from me, I would continue with this charade.
It took a moment, but Brian slowly nodded his head and moved aside so I could pass by.
“See you guys tomorrow,” I said, walking past the band of players.
Brian didn't respond, and I didn't expect him to. I looked at my watch and rushed out to my car.
At exactly six o'clock I pulled up to L&D's diner. I could see Caroline through the window. She had a natural grace when she moved. I watched as she took down an order and gave the couple an easy smile. For some reason the thought of her serving people made my muscles clench. I didn't like the idea of her having to bend to a stranger's will, take an order, and endure a sour attitude.
I sat inside my car and stared at her for a minute longer and took a few deep breaths. I could not allow her to break through my barrier. I had to remain strong. I told myself that it shouldn't matter to me if she was destined to be a waitress. It didn't matter at all.
She is a queen,
the hateful voice argued with me.
She is
your
queen
.
I jumped out of the car and slammed the door shut. I shoved my hands in my pockets and walked up to the restaurant, brushing the hateful words aside. I opened the door and was hit with the sweet smell of fresh bread. I hadn't eaten a thing since morning. My mind at lunch had been thoroughly consumed with the prospect of spending an entire evening alone with Caroline.
I was suddenly ravenous. But I didn't believe food was exactly what I was craving. I immediately focused on Caroline.
“Can I help you?” Lisa, Caroline's mother, asked, interrupting my thoughts. Since she had no idea who I was, I feigned ignorance. I smiled politely at this attractive woman who had taken Caroline in.
“I'm here to see Caroline. My name is Devilyn Reilly,” I said politely. Her eyes widened, her face flushed. She was excited about somethingâwhat that was I had no idea.
“You're Devilyn?” she asked, unable to hide her enthusiasm.
“Yes. I'm here to meet Caroline. We have a History assignment that we're working on together,” I quickly explained.
“I'm Lisa, Caroline's mother,” she said as she extended a hand. “It is so nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” I smiled widely, mustering up every ounce of my charm. I wanted Caroline's mother to feel comfortable with me. To like me. To
trust
me. Just in case something was ever to go awry, I needed this woman to be on my side.
“Caroline's in the back room office. I'll go out and get her. It will just be a moment,” she said smiling back at me. “I've asked our cook to prepare a little dinner for you two, so I hope you're hungry.”
“I'm actually starving,” I told her, appreciatively.
“Great. Why don't you have a seat in the booth over there,” she motioned to one of the empty tables near the middle of the restaurant. “I'll go get Caroline.”
I took a seat in the comfortable booth and tried to figure out a way to pay for the meal. I knew times were tough for them, and if I could help in any way, I would. I noticed a tip jar by the cash register and quickly got up and dropped a one hundred dollar bill inside it. They would never know it came from me.
I quickly walked back to the booth and sat down, folding my arms as I waited for Caroline to join me. I kept telling myself that I could keep control. That it didn't matter what the Fates said. I could be strong enough to change everything.
The second I saw her walking toward me, her long hair swaying and the endearing, tentative smile on her face, I knew that this would be the hardest battle I would ever fight.
I stood up to welcome her.
“Hi,” she said shyly.
“Hi.”
“Sorry if I kept you waiting. I just had to change real quick and close out my tabs,” she explained as she clutched her backpack in her hands.
Without thinking, I took the backpack from her and placed it on the other side of the booth.
She seemed surprised. She stood there awkwardly for a moment and then sat down, folding her arms uncomfortably across her chest.
“No problem, I wasn't waiting long. Your mom said you haven't had anything to eat yet,” I continued.
“I haven't had time.” She smiled. “It's been a surprisingly busy night.”
“Neither have I.”
We stared at each other for a moment longer before Caroline broke my gaze.
“I guess your mom had some food made for us, so we can eat before we start working,” I offered, trying to fill the silence with small talk.
“Yeah, she did. I hope you like meatloaf.”
“I do,” I half-lied. “One of my favorites.” I leaned back in the booth and tried to look at anything but the girl sitting across from me. I knew I was making her uncomfortable, but I couldn't seem to stop myself.
Thankfully, the waitress came over with our food. “Dinner is served! Can I get you two something to drink?”
I smiled courteously at Caroline and motioned for her to order first.
“Thanks Edie, I can get it myself.”
“Now, you just sit down here and enjoy your meal with this gentleman,” the older woman replied with a grin. “I am not too old to grab you a couple of drinks.”
Caroline blushed and shook her head at the older woman and nervously gave her order, “I'll just have a Coke then.”
“Thanks. I'll have the same.”
Caroline's mother joined us at the table, looking looked immensely pleased about something.
“So I'm going to head home and meet your father. Are you sure you don't mind locking up?”
“It's not a problem, mom.”
“Who's going to drive you home?” she asked with a worried look on her face.
“I'll be fine.”
“Well why don't you just give us a call, and I'll have your father come and get you after the two of you are done?”
Caroline looked flustered by her mother's doting on her in front of me.
“No it will be late by then. I can either walk orâ” she began.
“I will drive her home Mrs. Ellis,” I said in my most trustworthy voice. “I've already offered, but as I'm sure you know, your daughter is pretty stubborn.”