Whispers at Moonrise (16 page)

Closing her palm, Kylie fought the feeling of disappointment Lucas’s stance with Clara had given her. “You would think after being the target of prejudice, the were society would know how unjust it is.”

“I think—”

“Can I please have a moment with Kylie?” Lucas’s voice came from behind them. Just hearing his deep tenor caused another wave of pain to wash over her chest. She couldn’t think of anything, or anyone who would have stopped her from standing up for him if the shoe had been on the other foot. And yet …

Kylie and Holiday turned around. The camp leader met Kylie’s gaze, almost asking if this was what she wanted. She nodded.

“Fine, but don’t go far.” Holiday walked back to the porch and sat down on one of the rocking chairs.

Lucas took Kylie’s hand and led her around to the back of the office. He didn’t speak, and neither did she. He stopped by the tree, where they’d been earlier, and turned to face her. Not a word left his lips; he just stared.

What she wouldn’t give to be able to read his mind. What was he thinking? Was he upset because she was a witch, was he sorry that he hadn’t come to her defense? Was he realizing how hopeless this relationship was?

“Thank you for rescuing my sister,” he said. “I’m sorry she’s so ungrateful.”

Kylie nodded.

He leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers. All she could see was his eyes, the blueness of them, the long dark fringe of lashes surrounding them.

“I hurt you.” His voice came out even deeper than before.

She didn’t deny it.

She continued to stare into his eyes and he didn’t blink. The pain reflecting in his deep blue irises made her breath catch.

He closed his eyes and inhaled before speaking. “Have you ever known the right thing to do, but couldn’t do it?”

She pulled back just a few inches. “Depends. What’s the right thing to do?”

She posed the question even though she was afraid to ask. It wasn’t the question that scared her, though. It was the answer. Because deep down, she sensed it. She had sensed it since his grandmother talked to her. She and Lucas had too many things standing in their way for them to make this work.

“I should let you go,” he said. “I should put a stop to this … to us. Because until things change, everyone will be against us. And yet…” His head dipped down ever so slightly and his lips met hers.

So much emotion came with that brief kiss. And while she didn’t think she had any room in her heart for more emotion, she felt it move inside her. His pain was her own. His fear was hers. She closed her eyes, fought the ache radiating in her heart, and just savored his touch.

He pulled back and ran his thumb over her lips. “And yet, how can I let you go when you’re the thing that keeps me going? When the main part of the reason I want change is you?”

His finger swept over her chin, a sweet touch that nearly brought tears to her eyes. “I’m begging you. Please be patient with me. Trust me when I say that you have a place here.” He took her hand and rested it on his chest. “I have to behave a certain way or it will get back to my father and the Council, but it’s not how I feel.” He paused a moment. “Please don’t give up on me, Kylie Galen.”

She could feel his heart beating. She could feel it breaking, too, right alongside her own. “I don’t give up easily.” It was the truth. If she was a quitter, she wouldn’t still be at Shadow Falls.

He wrapped his arms around her, leaned against the tree, and pulled her flush against him. They stood like that for the longest time. Not talking. Not making promises. And Kylie couldn’t help but wonder if it was because they both instinctively knew those promises wouldn’t hold.

He finally pulled away. “I should go help Clara get situated.”

Kylie loosened her hold around his waist. But she didn’t want to. She didn’t want to give him back to Clara or to Fredericka or to his father. As selfish as it was, she wanted him all to herself. Or maybe it wasn’t that she didn’t want to share him. Maybe she just didn’t want to share him with people who were trying to keep them apart.

“Do you want to come with me?” he asked.

Clara would love that, Kylie thought. Not. “I’ll let you two have some time alone.”

“Thanks,” he said as if he’d hoped she’d refuse. He smiled, but beneath the smile was a touch of disappointment. “So you’re a witch. I never would have guessed.”

“I’m a witch right now,” she said.

He looked confused. “You think it will change?”

“Yes. Maybe.” What did she believe? “I changed from that strange pattern to human.”

“Yes.” He stared at her pattern. “But this is a true supernatural pattern.” Lucas’s attention shot over his shoulder and he growled. Derek came around the office.

Derek’s green gaze met hers. There was no apology in his eyes for interrupting them. Even his posture seemed to say he had a right to be here. “I need to see you, Kylie. It’s important.”

“About what?” Lucas asked.

Derek didn’t look at Lucas. The fae’s gaze never left Kylie, and while he answered the question, he spoke to Kylie. “It’s about your ghost.”

“Since when did you become a ghost expert?” Lucas asked.

Derek looked at the were for the first time. “Since I found out Kylie needed help with them.” His implication hung in the air. He supported her when Lucas didn’t.

Lucas heard it as well. His eyes tightened and turned a light orange.

Before trouble started, she placed a hand on his back. “Go help Clara.”

He didn’t look happy, but his expression told her he wasn’t planning on arguing.

Yet his next move surprised her. He leaned down and placed an affectionate kiss on her lips. The kiss seemed more about letting Derek know she was his girl than for her pleasure, but she didn’t completely blame him.

There had been a time or two she would have loved to kiss him like that in front of Fredericka.

*   *   *

“What is it?” Kylie asked Derek as soon as Lucas moved around the office and was out of earshot.

Derek stared after Lucas and then back at her. “You’re disappointed. What’s disappointing you?” he asked, reading her emotions right on the mark.

“Nothing.” She refused to talk about this with Derek.

“Is it Lucas?” he asked.

“Let it go,” she insisted. “I’m with Lucas now.”

Though for how long?
The question whispered through her head.

A frown pulled at his lips. “I know. I screwed up and didn’t realize that I loved you until it was too late.”

She held up her hand. “Don’t say—”

He reached out and laced his fingers with hers. The press of his palm against hers came with a soft warmth, a sense of calm, and endearment. She frowned at how tempted she was to just hold on, but knowing her emotions were completely out of whack right now, she pulled her hand from his. He was her friend. Just a friend.

“It’s okay.” He dropped his hand into his pocket. “I accept that it’s my fault. And you don’t have to tell me you love me.” His gaze met hers. “But I can read you, Kylie, and I know you don’t want to admit it, but you care about me, too.”

“Stop it,” she said. “I care about you like a friend.”

“No.” He continued to stare. “It’s more. But don’t worry. I know you care about Lucas, too. And that’s my cross to bear because I pushed you right into his arms. And as long as you’re happy, I can accept that. But if you’re not—”

“Please stop.” Kylie wanted to start singing “la la la” and cover her ears. And if it wouldn’t have been so childish, she would have done it. Instead, she reminded him of the real matter at hand. “Didn’t you say you had information about my ghost issue?”

He stuffed both his hands in his pockets. “Yeah. Good news, at least I think it is. But I guess some of it could be bad news, too.”

“What?” She hoped it was more good than bad. She could really use some good news.

“I don’t think your ghost is Holiday.”

“But … how … what makes you think that?”

“I did some research on the Internet. Simple stuff.” He hesitated. “I found out that Holiday has an identical twin. Her name is Hannah.”

I think my name is Hannah or Holly, or something like that.
The spirit’s words echoed inside Kylie’s head. “A twin? Why hasn’t she ever mentioned her?”

Derek shrugged. “It seems a little odd, doesn’t it? I mean, you would think she’d have said something about having an identical sister.”

“Yeah.” Kylie couldn’t deny it hurt that Holiday didn’t feel she could tell Kylie things, when she shared everything with Holiday.

“Do you still think this ghost is from the future?” Derek asked.

Kylie considered it. “No. She’s dead.” Just as the other girls were in the grave she’d seen in her vision. And just like that, Kylie’s angst about Holiday not trusting her faded and Kylie’s heart filled with sympathy. Kylie couldn’t imagine losing a sister, let alone a twin. Was this why Holiday hadn’t ever mentioned her? Did grief over her twin’s death keep Holiday from ever talking about her sister?

Derek let out a deep breath. “Okay, here’s something else that’s weird. I couldn’t find any death records on her. None. That’s why I said this might be bad news.”

“What are you saying?” Kylie asked.

Derek frowned. “Holiday might not know her sister is dead.”

A knot of grief formed in Kylie’s throat. “So I have to tell her.”

“If you want, I could do it,” Derek offered. “Or we could do it together.”

Genuine concern filled his expression. She appreciated his offer, more than he would ever know, but she couldn’t let him do it. As much as she dreaded being the bearer of bad news, Hannah had come to Kylie, and she should be the one to tell Holiday.

Then Kylie remembered something else Hannah had said
. I think I came to you to help someone.

What exactly did Hannah need Kylie to do? Was telling Holiday about her death enough or did she need more?

Derek ran his hand down her arm. “Have you made a list of all the diners you’ve gone to recently?”

“Diners?” Kylie asked, unsure of what he was talking about. Unsure of why a simple touch could seem so wrong.

“You said one of the girls in the vision was wearing a diner uniform that looked familiar to you.”

“Yes, I mean I remember, but no, I haven’t had time to do it.” She took in a deep breath. “I’ll get to it as soon as I get back to my cabin. I’ll e-mail it to you.”

“E-mail me the description of the uniform and the girls, too,” he said.

“Hey.” The sound of Holiday’s voice had the knot in Kylie’s throat doubling. She turned to face the camp leader and a chasm of empathy and hurt opened in her heart. And yet Kylie couldn’t help but admit the relief of knowing that the dead girl wasn’t Holiday.

Holiday’s green eyes softened. “Something happen?”

For the life of her, Kylie didn’t know how to tell her. “No,” she lied, but for a good reason. The last thing Kylie wanted to do was just blurt out the news. Then it hit her, maybe she should talk to Hannah first. Perhaps she needed to know exactly what it was Hannah needed before she moved forward.

Holiday nodded, but disbelief flashed in her eyes. “Burnett got called to the FRU office and he insisted we hold off going to the falls until he comes back. I was hoping you could help me set up a few things in the dining hall. We’re having a welcoming reception for the new teachers later this afternoon.”

“Sure,” Kylie said, and she met Derek’s eyes briefly.

“Good luck.” He mouthed the words and then he reached out and touched her, sending a much-needed current of calmness through her.

“Thanks,” she whispered to Derek before she turned to join Holiday. They took a few steps and Holiday glanced over at Kylie with suspicion.

“Boy trouble?” Holiday asked in a low voice.

“Yeah,” Kylie said, and it wasn’t even a lie. While her heart was aching for Holiday, Derek’s earlier words echoed in her mind and left a trail of uncertainty.
I can read you, Kylie, and I know you don’t want to admit it, but you care about me, too.

And the worst part was, he was right.

Chapter Fifteen

“If you want to talk about it, I’m here,” Holiday said as they moved around to the front of the office.

“I know.” Kylie gazed briefly at the woods, but the feeling from earlier, the feeling of being called, hadn’t returned.

Holiday looked over at her and frowned. “Are you really okay? I mean, I respect your privacy. But lately you’ve been … closed off a bit. And I worry. Because … well, you usually trust me.” Holiday rested her hand on Kylie’s arm. Warmth and concern flowed from the touch.

Usually, I’m not dealing with a ghost who looks just like you, who I just found out is your sister, and I don’t know if you even know she’s dead.

“I don’t mean to be closed off,” Kylie said. “I’m just … between Lucas and Derek, and my grandfather changing his number, and the FRU trying to do experimental tests on me, and my mom dating, I’m a tad overwhelmed.”

“And rightfully so,” Holiday said.

Thinking about her mom dating led Kylie to think about her stepdad. “Oh, I almost forgot. Did you ever get in touch with my stepdad and see what he wanted?”

“Yeah, he called a while ago. He found out about the FRU saying you needed some medical tests and was concerned.”

“Did the FRU call him, too?” Kylie asked, ready to panic that they hadn’t given up their mission to treat her like their very own lab rat. Maybe even give her the same test that had killed her grandmother.

“No, and I asked because it scared me, too,” Holiday answered, telling Kylie how accurate the camp leader was at reading her emotions. “He said he’d spoken with your mom.”

“My mom? Really?” An unexpected smile spread across her lips. “So they’re talking again? That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. Maybe she’ll dump the creep who wants to take her to England and give my stepdad another chance.”

“Perhaps,” Holiday said, as if wary of giving Kylie too much hope.

Kylie remembered that Holiday had dealt with the whole parental divorce thing, too. “How long does it take?”

“How long does what take?” Holiday asked.

“How long before you stop wishing they hadn’t split? How long before you stop wanting to tell them to cut out the fighting and go back to the way things used to be?”