Page 78 of Rise of the Melody
“I can drive the boat,” Nora said. “Chrys should stay here with you.”
“I can help dock it,” Shani offered.
The guys agreed. They would stay together. I huddled together with Shani and Clare on the boat while Nora drove us back to the marina.
As soon as we got away from the dock, Clare spoke. “I can’t believe that was him. The guy from New York.”
“I know.” It barely came out a whisper, fear and emotion choking my vocals.
“I understand what you meant now about him being sexy, but scary,” Clare said. “Like, what the heck does he want?”
I shook my head.
Shani grabbed my hand. “You need to be so careful. Your aunt won’t be there to help you. You should get that taken off—” She nodded down to my arm. “—And come stay with one of us.”
“I’ll be careful,” I promised. “My aunt warded the house.”
The last thing I wanted was to bring danger to any of them. I didn’t think their families could really protect me anyhow. And as terrifying as Zar was, I wasn’t fully convinced he wanted me dead.
Yet.
Chapter23
Sleepover
Clare stayed the night and we talked all night, then slept well past noon until her mom texted to say she was on the way to get her. We sat out on the porch waiting, both of us groggy, while the cats circled her like she had bathed in catnip.
“Animals love you,” I told her, sipping my tea.
“Speaking of animals,” she said. “I haven’t seen CooShee in forever.”
My whole body jolted with sadness and I shrugged. “Sometimes he runs off to be by himself and do his own thing.”
Clare nodded and pushed her reddish waves back. “Makes sense.” She petted the black cat’s arched back and spoke again without looking at me. “What do you really think about that druid? I feel like you’re holding back.”
My mouth went dry thinking about Zar showing up last night, as if to provoke everyone and put a spotlight on me. I shook my head. “I don’t know what to say.”
“He was staring at you,” she said, looking at me now. “Like, staring hard.”
A shiver ran down my back and I gripped my tea mug with both hands.
“Is there something you’re not telling me?” she asked.
I hesitated before shaking my head and looking down, guilt gnawing at me. “A lot’s going on and I’m…confused.”
“You can tell me, Letty.” Her voice was soft. I forced myself to meet her eyes, and the genuineness I saw there made my eyes burn. I wanted to tell her everything. I needed to. It would be such a relief to confide in this awesome girl, who I truly believed might stay friends with me, even knowing the truth. But when I opened my mouth the sound of tires on gravel stole both of our attention, and the words died on my tongue.
We both stood and she shouldered her bag, giving me a small smile. “I’ll talk to you later?”
“Yeah,” I said, giving her a hug.
As Clare walked down the steps, her mom rolled down the window and said, “I’m sorry to hear about Lorna. Please let me know if you need anything. You’re welcome to stay with us.”
“Thank you so much,” I said, giving her a wave.
When they left, I sat there waking up for a while before feeling the overwhelming need to be with my aunt. I showered and packed a bag, then climbed on my bike and rode to the hospital.
I hadn’t eaten anything, which was unlike me. My stomach was turning in on itself as I got to my aunt’s room and dropped my bag. Someone had opened the curtains, and I promptly went to shut them. I flopped into the chair beside my aunt and took her hand. I pressed my cheek to the top of her hand. It was so hard to see her like this. And there was nothing the hospital could do. I considered bringing her home and taking care of her myself, but I didn’t know the first thing about what to do with a coma patient. What if she got bed sores?
