***
“Ready to see the result?” Cora asked me hours later.
I nodded, turned, and studied my reflection. She’d blow-dried and curled my hair, and guilted me into wearing one of her outfits—a white and sea-green organza dress with double spaghetti straps and asymmetrical hem. It appeared to move when I moved. On my ears and wrist were green earrings and a bracelet, birthday presents she’d bought for me earlier at the mall. My makeup was flawless. For once, my eyes had more green than brown.
“Well?” Cora asked.
“I love it, though I feel like I’m looking at a total stranger.” I stepped into medium-high heeled sandals, the only footwear I had that weren’t ballet flats or boots, and went back to studying my reflection in the full-length mirror. “You sure this is not too much?”
Cora sighed. “You look amazing, but you don’t have to take my word for it. You need a second opinion? You’ll get it. Let’s go.”
Panic washed over me. I wasn’t ready to see anyone. Eirik had dropped off Cora and left. That left Torin, and I’d never ask his opinion on anything. Cora, on the other hand, was bold enough to brave it. Excitement skidded under my skin.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“To see your mom. She’s in her room waiting to see the results.”
Torin indeed. I was becoming too fixated on that guy. Making a face, I tucked a wavy strand behind my ear and left the room. Cora knocked on Mom’s door and pushed it open when Mom told her to come in.
“We’re done, Mrs. C,” she said.
“Oh, sweetheart. Look at you.” Mom walked toward me, her hands clasped in front of her chest. “Turn around.”
I did and chewed on my lower lip as I waited for her verdict.
“My baby grew up when I wasn’t looking,” she mumbled, her eyes overly bright.
I sighed. “Mom, it’s just the dress, and it’s not even mine. I borrowed it from Cora.”
Mom chuckled, cupped my face, and kissed my forehead. “It’s perfect on you. You did an amazing job, Cora. You should be a stylist. You know what flatters a person.”
Cora blushed. “Thank you, Mrs. C. She just needs to wear green more often. It enhances the color of her eyes.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” Mom grinned.
“Uh, thanks for talking about me like I’m not here,” I mumbled.
Mom fluffed my hair, grabbed a tissue from her dresser, and dabbed at some of the lip-gloss. “You look beautiful. Not that you don’t always. It’s just that you never care about styling your hair or wearing makeup.”
“We have to go, Mrs. C,” Cora said.
I sighed with relief when Cora spoke before Mom could expand on how I downplayed my looks. It was a recurring lecture.
“Of course. I already spoke with the guys, so they know I will hold them accountable if anything happens to the two of you. No drinking.”
Cora giggled. “It’s teen night on Fridays, Mrs. C. No alcohol.”
Mom nodded. “Good. Are you spending the night here, Cora?”
“Oh yes. We’ll have plenty to gossip about later tonight.”
While Mom and Cora continued their exchange, I wondered which ‘guys’ Mom was holding accountable. Who was downstairs? I hadn’t realized Eirik had come back. Obviously he wasn’t alone. Who was with him? My heart kicked up a notch.
Mom kissed my cheek, whispering, “I added more money on your card, so take it.” Then she added louder, “Have fun. Be back by eleven.”
I went to get my cell phone, wallet, and jacket, and followed Cora downstairs. Eirik was in the kitchen wolfing down pizza, until he saw me. He dropped the slice and got up, his gaze admiring, his usual wisecracks missing. I guessed that meant he liked my outfit. He looked gorgeous in casual wear, but I couldn’t see the person behind him, except for an elbow on the counter. Eirik wiped his hands on a napkin as he closed the gap between us.
Finally, I got a clear view of the guy behind him and disappointment coursed through me. Keith rose from the stool. I hadn’t known he’d be coming with us.
I waved. “Hey, Keith.”
“Hey. You look amazing.”
“Thanks.” I focused on Eirik. “Still not going to saying anything?”
“He will,” Cora said, punching his arm as she and Keith walked past us, “after he picks up his tongue from the floor.”
Eirik’s gaze didn’t leave mine as the door closed behind Keith and Cora. Finally, he glanced over my shoulder to the top of stairs. “Bye, Mrs. C.”
“Take care of my baby, Eirik.”
I rolled my eyes. “I can take care of myself, Mom.”
“I will, ma’am,” Eirik said as though I hadn’t spoken and offered me his arm.
Outside, Keith and Cora were already inside Keith’s Mustang. Eirik closed the door after I settled in the front passenger seat of the Jeep. Then he did something he’d never done before. He touched my lower lip.
“I should have taken you up on that offer last night,” he murmured in a husky voice.
I grinned, instinctively knowing he meant the kiss. From his words, he sounded like it wasn’t going to happen now. A bit disappointed, I asked, “Does that mean you don’t want to anymore?”
“I don’t want to mess your makeup.”
“You’re silly.”
He crossed his arms along the Jeep’s open window and studied me. “You are beautiful, make up and fancy hairstyle or not.”
“Really?” He’d never told me I was beautiful.
He chuckled. “Of course you are, but I don’t know if this new Raine would raid the fridge in the middle of the night to feed me or stay up all night and take care of me when I’m sick.”
I giggled. “Of course I would. You’re my best friend, and I’d do anything for you.”
“Hey, let’s go,” Cora yelled through the window of the Mustang.
Eirik hesitated as though he wanted to kiss me despite his words, then he looked at his watch and raced around the hood to the driver’s side. In minutes, we were heading west on Orchard Road. Eirik had the top of the Jeep up and warm air cranked.
We drove past Walkersville University, the local Christian college whose pool we used for swim meets, then turned left on Fox Street. The club, L.A. Connection, was at the corner of Main Street and North Bonnet. The parking lot was already packed, but the larger one behind the building was nearly empty. It didn’t look like a busy night. On the other hand, it was only eight, too early for clubbers. In fact, whenever Cora went dancing, she never left until ten.
“Just a second.” Eirik grabbed his camera from the backseat. “Don’t put on your coat yet.”
“It’s cold,” I complained, but didn’t wear the coat and posed.
“You look amazing,” he said, pressing the button.
“Thank you. Take one of me and Cora.” She and Keith were walking toward us arm-in-arm.
“Later.” Eirik took my hand.
The bouncer at the door stamped the back of our hands and waved us through without asking for our I.D.s or asking us to pay. Eirik must have taken care of everything. He was that kind of guy. His next birthday would be my treat.
The foyer was empty, which was surprising considering the cars in the parking lot. To our right were restrooms, and to the left, a broad doorway led to a lounge. A few couples lost in their private worlds sat around the room. Eirik didn’t claim a table for us. Instead he headed toward the flashing lights farther ahead, where a long shimmering curtain separated the lounge from the dance floor.
Two young men, one with a punk haircut and electric blue side bangs and the other with a Mohawk with blond highlights, blocked our path.
“Password?” Mohawk asked.
Cora and Keith glanced at each other with bewildered expressions. I looked at Eirik, who shrugged and said, “Lorraine Cooper?”
Punk exchanged a grin with Mohawk, and they stepped aside, yelling, “The birthday girl is here.”
Screams of “Happy birthday, R
aine,” greeted us as we entered the dance floor. The Beatles’ rendition of “Happy Birthday” filled the room. Balloons and streamers rained down from the ceiling on us and the students already on the dance floor. Despite the flashing neon lights, I recognized swimmers from the park, my band mates, and Keith’s lacrosse teammates and their girlfriends.
I tried not to cry as people sang and waved or hugged me. Eirik leaned close until our foreheads touched. “Happy birthday, Raine.”
Then he pressed his lips to mine.
Maybe it was the moment, the music, the flashing lights and the crowd, but the kiss was perfect. Sweet. I put my arms around his neck and held him close. He grabbed my hand and somehow managed to lead me across the crowd to a set of stairs leading to a VIP lounge.
It had birthday banners and streamers. Marjorie ‘Marj’ LeBlanc, Catie Vivanco, and Jeannette Wilkes gave me hugs. They were juniors like me. The three of them moved to Kayville a year ago and bonded when they joined the swim team. Marj and Catie also played in the band while Jeannette and Eirik were editors at the Trojan Gazette, Kayville High’s newspaper.
“Were you surprised?” Marj asked, speaking louder to be heard above the music.
I nodded and rubbed my arms, feeling chilly despite my jacket. “I still don’t know how they pulled it off.”
She pointed at Eirik, who was staring at the dancers below and laughing with Catie and Jeannette. “He asked us a week ago to help with the decorations, said it was a surprise for you. You have no idea how hard it was not to say anything this afternoon at the park. Have fun.” She hugged me again and went to get her friends. They disappeared downstairs.
“How could you keep this a secret?” I asked. “You suck at secret keeping.”
He gave me another peck then draped an arm around me and pulled me closer. “Magic.”
“Don’t joke.” That was one word I didn’t want to hear tonight.
“We started planning a month ago, reserved the place, and this morning worked with the club’s party organizers to get everything ready. We have the place until ten, so let’s go dance.”
“What if I’d said no this morning or my mother had refused?” I asked as we headed toward the stairs.
“We would have sneaked you out, blind-folded you, and brought you here against your will.” Eirik pulled me to the dance floor.
The Beatles were replaced by modern artists, and the crowd went wild. Bodies rocked, arms flailed, and hips swayed to the rhythmic music pounding through the room. Having an amazing dancer for a partner helped, too. Keith hated to dance, so Cora and I shared Eirik.
It was a while before I noticed them—Andris and the evil sisters. Panic flashed through me. Who had invited them? I gripped Eirik’s arm, leaned in, and said, “Let’s take a break.”
“Okay. I’ll get us drinks,” he said.
“I’ll go upstairs and rest my feet.” I wanted to observe Andris and the Dahl sisters from above, not run into them. They were still by the curtains.
Eirik insisted on escorting me upstairs, where a few people were already seated. Some were making out, while others stared at the dancers below and sipped their drinks. Darrel Portman, the lacrosse player Cora planned to feature on her vlog next week, and his new girlfriend were all over each other. He changed girlfriends often. He paused long enough to eye me curiously as though seeing me for the first time. I’d gotten a lot of that look tonight. Maybe Mom was right about wearing makeup and styling my hair. Or maybe the fact that Eirik and I finally kissed was the cause. I’d never been happier.
Eirik left me near the table reserved just for me and disappeared downstairs. I searched for Andris and the two sisters among the dancers. I couldn’t see them until the strobe replaced the colored disco lights.
One Dahl girl wore a one-shoulder, red sheath, mini dress that left little to the imagination, while the other’s flowing white dress made her look other worldly. I couldn’t see Andris. Even though he was dressed in black and probably blended better than the two blondes, his silver hair would stand out.
“So this is where the birthday girl is hiding,” he said from behind me, and I stiffened. Before I could move, he’d gripped the rail on either side of me, neatly boxing me in, his body too close for comfort.
Heart pounding, my first instinct was to push him away, but something told me he’d expect me to react that way. Taking a deep breath, I faked an indifference I didn’t feel. “What do you want, Andris?”
“You,” he breathed in my ear. “Join me, Raine.”
I cringed. His hot breath on my ear gave me the creeps, but I wasn’t ready to turn and face him yet. “I just left the dance floor,” I said, deliberately misunderstanding him.
“I don’t mean dancing. I’m talking about my team.”
“Team?”
“Me, Ingrid, and Maliina.”
Were they some kind of a coven? What I knew about magic came from fiction, and it was all about witchcraft, death, and mayhem. “I’m not interested.”
“You don’t know the perks yet,” he said.
I turned to face him and crossed my arms. “Why would I be interested in joining you after your friend tried to kill me?”
He grinned. “Maliina was just jealous. She’s my mate, or as you Mortals say, my girlfriend.” He reached out and touched my hair. “You could be one of us, Raine.”
In his dreams. I pushed him away. Maybe the element of surprise was on my side or the need to get away from him gave me extra strength, but I pushed him hard enough that he lost his balance and landed on the table. I moved away from him, my mind racing. He had referred to us as Mortals as though he wasn’t, just like Torin had earlier.
“What’s going on?” Darrel yelled, standing up.
“Is this man bothering you, Raine?” another lacrosse player asked and drew closer.
I imagined what could happen if they dared to fight Andris and his magical runes. He was probably faster and stronger than Maliina.
“No, he’s not,” I said. “He was just leaving.”
“Only if you come with me.” Andris straightened his trench coat and extended a hand toward me. “One dance, Raine.”
“I think she told you to leave,” Torin’s voice came from somewhere behind Andris. I searched for him in the shadows. I had no idea when he’d appeared or how much he’d heard, but I was relieved, which was totally wrong. He was just like Andris, an immortal wizard, witch, or whatever magical term they used.
Grinning, Andris turned and faced Torin.
Darrel and the other guy spoke again, but I’d stopped listening to them. I strained to hear the exchange between Torin and Andris. The pounding music made that hard, so I moved closer.
“Nice of you to join us, St. James,” Andris said mockingly.
Torin grinned, red, blue, and green lights flashing across his handsome face. Like Andris, he was dressed in black. “Outside. Now.”
“Why? You’re no longer my superior.” Andris sounded almost belligerent.
Torin didn’t respond. Instead, he turned and started for the stairs as though he expected Andris to obey him.
Andris hesitated, glanced at me, and shrugged. “Later, gorgeous.”
I shuddered with revulsion. As they continued downstairs, I debated whether to follow them. They were not mortals and had powers, two reasons to stay put and pretend they didn’t exist. Below, Eirik made his way past the dancers with our drinks. I should wait for him, forget about Torin and Andris. He was normal, my best friend.
When Eirik stopped to talk to someone, I reached a decision. I grabbed my coat and raced down the stairs after Torin and Andris. I wasn’t sure why I was doing it. I just had a bad feeling about those two.
Halfway down the stairs, I saw Torin push the emergency door. I searched for Eirik to see if he’d seen me. He had and waved. Crap. I pretended not to see him and hurried toward the emergency exit, which was now closed. I pushed it, but it didn’t budge.
“That door only opens during emergenc
ies,” someone yelled in my ear.
I turned. Mohawk from the welcoming committee grinned.
“But two guys just opened it,” I explained.
He shook his head. “That’s impossible. An alarm would have gone off.”
Unless Torin and Andris had used magic to open it. Frustrated, I almost bumped into Eirik when I whipped around.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“I need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.” I pressed a kiss on his cheek and didn’t give him a chance to say anything before I took off. The lounge was now packed with giggling girls in sequined tops, skinny jeans, dramatic makeup, and teased hair. Their dates checked them out on the sly while ordering drinks from the bar. I spotted a few familiar faces from school.
I kept going. Outside, I turned left and headed toward the back of the building, where the emergency exit was located. As I got closer, muffled voices reached me, not thuds of fists slamming against bodies like I’d expected. I slowed down, angled my head, and listened.
“Come on, St. James. Half the swim team’s on it.”
“You don’t know that,” Torin retorted.
On what? I crept closer.
“So a few might slip through, big deal. No one cares. They’re just Mortals.”
“I care,” Torin retorted. “I have no intention of taking another detour to Land of Mist because you can’t follow orders. Control her, Andris. She pulls another stunt like she did today and I’ll personally escort her there.”
“You can’t threaten Maliina. She’s my first mate.”
A thud vibrated through the wall as though a giant bolder had rammed into it, and I jumped. “Listen, you bastard. I don’t care if she’s your first, second, or hundredth mate. I gave up ten years of my life because you don’t know how to listen,” Torin snarled. “Control her or lose her. Get it?”
What did he mean by he gave up ten years of his life? How the heck old was he?
“Why are you taking this job so personally, St. James? Jealous I saw the Cooper girl first? Or is it because her father is—”
“Her family situation doesn’t interest me,” Torin cut off Andris, but my ears twitched and my heart pounded. What about my father? “This is a job, like thousands we’ve done before,” Torin continued. “We finish here and move on. We don’t make stupid mistakes. She saw your runes at the park today.”
Andris chuckled. “You know me. I get pissed, they appear. I get aroused…”
“Spare me the details. Find a way to disconnect your emotions from your runes.”
“You’re a cold bastard, St. James. Incapable of feeling anything.”
“There’s no room for love and sentiments in this business, just rules and punishment if you break them. No more turning Mortal girls, Andris. Everyone on the swim team is off limits, and I mean everyone, until it’s time.”
A chill crawled under my skin. Turning Mortals into what? They couldn’t be vampires because they were not scared of daylight and I’d seen them eat regular food. Werewolves? Aliens? Demons? Or maybe I’d been reading too many paranormal books and was becoming paranoid. What did they want with the swim team?
I waited to hear more. Instead, a bright light lit up the alley. Just as suddenly, it disappeared. The silence was spooky as though something bad was about to happen. I peered around the edge of the building and blinked.
They were gone. How?
Then I noticed the runes on the wall of the building. They glowed as though written in neon ink. Maybe they could walk through walls. Had I really seen the emergency door open earlier? Torin had put his hand on it, and I’d just assumed he’d meant to push it open. Maybe they’d walked through the solid surface while I was distracted by Eirik.
The runes on the wall shimmered and grew faint as though the wall was absorbing them. I reached out to touch them when I felt a presence and tensed.
“Where is he?” a woman snarled behind me.
I yanked my hand back, my stomach dropping, and slowly turned around.
CHAPTER 5. THE BLACKOUT