Ethereal Read online

  In less than minutes, Logan pats my cheek with a plastic bag full of crushed ice. He pulls it back intermittently to inspect the damage.

  I place my hand over his arm—caress it back and forth until I can hear him clearly.

  You’ll live. He gives a bleak smile. Stay away from them. They’re mostly trouble.

  They said I stole Chloe’s boyfriend. Did I? I’m shocked by my own audacity.

  He gives a gentle laugh.

  “What’s so funny? What’s up with all the star gazing and silence?” Brielle looks genuinely worried. “If you die in your sleep because you have a concussion, it’s on your head missy.” She says.

  “Points to you for sounding like my mother.” I trail down Logan’s arm and clasp onto his fingers.

  Brielle glares at me a moment before excusing herself to the bathroom.

  Was it something I said? I give a sarcastic smile to Logan.

  “Look if you guys are going to do this find a booth in the back where people can’t see you.” The disgust in Gage’s voice is palpable. There’s a slight hint of jealousy as he stagers away from the table.

  Are you sure Gage can’t do this? I mean, you are related. I ask.

  No. He knows all about it. Wouldn’t take my hand if it meant getting out of a fire. He’s a master of other tricks, far more useless if you ask me.

  What do you mean, other tricks? Logan, tell me what this is. Is it some sort of genetic defect? Why can I do this? Why do we have this ability?

  His face sours. He pulls his hand away and drops it under the table.

  “I want to. Not here though.”

  “Why not? Nobody will know. We can do it in secret.”

  “Really?” Brielle laughs as she takes a seat, her hand stuffed with a giant wad of tissue. “Why not right here on the table? I don’t think anyone will notice at all.” She cackles just like her mom.

  “Not that.” I smart. “Are you OK?” Her eyes are swollen like she’s been crying. All that talk about Chloe did her in. I hate the thought of Brielle upset.

  “It’s just hard sometimes.” She looks up at Logan. “We’ve been talking about Chloe and it went from bad to worse.”

  “Chloe was a good friend. It’s OK to miss her.”

  My chest sinks like a stone when he says her name.

  “I know.” Brielle wipes the tears. “She was my buddy, but she had the bad habit of hanging out with Em, Michelle and Lexy. They weren’t always the triune anything. She was the one who tempered them, and now without her they’ve gone feral. It’s like all their wickedness unleashed the second Chloe disappeared.”

  “Disappeared?” Of course she disappeared. I just never thought of it that way. In my mind it had all happened backwards with her already comfy in her casket.

  “She went missing for two weeks. Nobody knows what happened. Coroner says her body was less than twenty-four hours dead when they found her.” She lowers her lashes. “And she had these strange cuts all over.” Brielle gazes out past the lanes, through the walls, and straight into Chloe’s grave.

  “Cuts? Maybe they were scrapes from branches? Like she was trying to escape.” I offer.

  Logan shakes his head.

  “They were deep incisions. Some of them were sewn back up.” Brielle’s voice breaks when she says it. “Her mom said it looked barbaric like she was used as some kind of Frankenstein. Somebody tortured her for weeks.” Her voice flattens to a whisper.

  “Dear God.” I mouth the words incapable of bringing any volume.

  Logan breaks the ice in the bag and shifts its contents. With exaggerated gentleness he places the bag against the corner of my lip.

  I had no idea about Chloe. I’m starting to regret ever asking anything. For all I know the killer could have extricated her from our shared bedroom in the middle of the night. They could have a perverse desire to snatch girls from that exact location again and again. I don’t really know anyone here in Paragon that well. For all I know he could be lurking around somewhere right here in the bowling alley—watching me, waiting.

  For sure I need to give my brain something fresh to gnaw on.

  “Listen. If I can convince my parents to have a party will you come?” I give a look of exasperation. It may not be the perfect segue, but it beats ruminating on a killer.

  “Of course.” Logan looks a little confused. A party may not be the environment he had in mind to let me in on his big secret.

  “I mean just you guys and,” I look over at Brielle. “My brother will be there. Kate and Nat can come. My mom has this thing about my stepbrother meeting people. I know she’ll be OK with it.” Never mind the fact I almost clawed her flesh off this morning. I’m sort of hoping she’s already forgotten all about that incident.

  “Sounds good.” Logan picks up my hand. But we need to be alone—just you and me. That’s when I’ll tell you.

  Tell me now, please.

  Alone.

  Am I going to freak when I hear it?

  He doesn’t say anything. Not a single thought sails through his mind.

  You don’t think I can handle it, do you? I ask.

  It’s not that I don’t think you can’t handle it. Once you realize who you are, you won’t ever get a chance to go back.

  Who am I?

  Skyla.

  Not funny. I don’t scare easy.

  You’re lying. He gives a bleak smile.

  So it’ll frighten me?

  It will and it should.

  Chapter Nine

  Speechless

  “And Drake,” I motion over at him sprawled across the sectional. “He could meet all the really important kids who go to Paragon.” I nod to my mother.

  Brielle and I have spent the last several minutes building our case for a simple movie night in with friends. Just the sheer heft of how hard it is convincing my mom, you would think we were asking to sacrifice kittens at midnight.

  “I’m all for it. I’ll take Tad out for a surprise date and catch the ten o’clock show. Fair enough?”

  “What about the girls?” I hadn’t even thought of Mia and Melissa until they walked past us five seconds ago.

  “They’ll come with.” She relaxes into the idea.

  “Really?” A small squeal of delight escapes.

  “We’ve still got boxes everywhere and don’t think it hasn’t gone unnoticed that you haven’t exactly been digging into them.”

  “I swear,” I hold my right hand in the air. “I will tackle those boxes Sunday morning.”

  “Nice try, but I’m dragging the whole lot of you to church.”

  Brielle gives an audible laugh.

  “It wouldn’t hurt if you joined us.” Mom offers.

  “Thanks, but no thanks.” Brielle averts her eyes when my mother’s not looking. Once my mom has a chance to meet Darla, and get to know her, I think she’ll realize they have polarizing parental opinions.

  My parents used to go to church when my dad was alive. It was mostly something my dad did. I haven’t seen the inside walls of hallowed ground since my mother married the antichrist.

  “OK, Sunday afternoon. And we won’t make a mess. You’ll see.”

  ***

  “Bitch squad, three o’ clock.” Brielle pushes me into the clearance rack at the mall.

  I hadn’t really thought about clothes before, but after ransacking my closet it was clear there was nothing in there Logan worthy to wear tomorrow night.

  “Would you stop?” I push her off. “I’m not afraid of them.” I watch as Michelle, Lexy and Emily glide in and turn their noses up at the meager offerings. “If they hate everything so much maybe they should jump off Devil’s peak.” A part of me can’t believe I said that out loud. I keep forgetting that comments like that bring up the pain of Chloe’s death. It’s embarrassing how many times I’ve emotionally slit Brielle’s wrists with my tongue and let her bleed with grief. “Sorry.” I whisper as the three of them head in our direction.

  “No offense taken.” Briel
le pretends to interest herself in an ugly striped sweater.

  “So Michelle,” Emily ups the volume of her ultra annoying voice for our benefit. “You give Logan back his sweater yet?”

  I look up. It’s like hearing his name inspires some kind of kneejerk reaction in me. And why would she have his sweater? Probably bullshit.

  “I haven’t seen him yet. After all, he just left it at my house last night.” They break out into a round of howls. The sound of their voices erodes the peace and quiet of the store, fills my ears with its chaffing rhythm. I can tell by their serene expressions that making me miserable offers them a unique brand of nirvana.

  Emily boldly makes her way over. Her short dark curls frame her face like a picture I once saw of a mermaid in the book of fairytales my father used to read to me at bedtime. I used to wish I could be like that girl, jump into the water and swim with the fishes, live in that magical underwater world.

  “I guess I owe you an apology.” She blinks her watery blue eyes.

  I’m so stupefied by the notion—struck without words. Emily Morgan, the evil mermaid, eating crow? Doubtful.

  “I guess you didn’t steal everything from Chloe.” Emily walks in a small circle as Lexy replaces her in the line up.

  “How does it feel to be sleeping in the same room that Logan did Chloe? Has he done you there too? You know, it being familiar stomping grounds and all. He is known for being sort of insatiable in that department, isn’t that right Michelle?”

  “I don’t kiss and tell, Lex.” A slow spreading grin widens across Michelle’s face.

  It’s like I see her for the first time, her dark honeyed skin, eyes black as midnight, her lips naturally pulled into a snarl whether the occasion warrants it or not. Her hair falls down in glossy burnt umber waves, well past her shoulders. It’s a wicked beauty she holds. I can see guys lining up around the block to take a ride if she threw out the offer. I’m not buying that Logan is one of them.

  “Let’s go.” I whisper to Bree.

  “Not so fast.” Michelle steps out in front of me. “Logan says you’re having a party tomorrow night? Mind if we come?” She clogs up the air with her sarcastic drivel.

  “Really? Logan told you that?” I don’t believe a word coming from her mouth. I’m sure she vomits lies in her sleep.

  “Yup. He says it’s going to be really exciting, what with all the movies and popcorn. Oh wait he didn’t mention the popcorn, but I’m sure you’ll provide. Can I bring anything?” Michelle digs into me with a look of satisfaction.

  “Oh I know!” Emily interjects. “We can all go to the library first and check out books. Then we can snuggle up on the couch together and read them round robin style.” They explode with laughter.

  “Oh wait!” Emily continues. “We can do personality makeovers!” She’s laughing so hard, tears streak down the side of her face, bleaching out her foundation with their white lightning tracks.

  Brielle grabs me by the elbow and rushes me out the door. The security alarm goes off. Looking down she holds out the ugly striped sweater before tossing it back into the store, nailing Michelle in the face with it.

  “If any of that crap about Logan is true, his ass is toast.” Brielle hisses.

  If any of that stuff about Logan is true I want off Paragon. I’ll swim all the way back to L.A. if I have to.

  Chapter Ten

  Gathering

  “So it’s prolly the wrong time to ask, but how exactly does one garner a handful of enemies in the short time we’ve been here?” Drake asks with a mouthful of chips.

  I slap the next chip out of his hand.

  “Stay away from the food. It’s not for you.” To say I’ve been a little pissed since my confrontation yesterday with the bitch squad is a tad bit of an understatement. I made Brielle promise she wouldn’t tell me whatever info she may have gleaned from her shift last night at the bowling alley. I want to hear it right out of Logan’s mouth—see his face when he tells me what exactly is going on. There are a thousand different scenarios playing out in my mind, but the truth is, not one of them makes me feel better. And the thought of Logan having sex with some dead girl in my bedroom sent me packing for the downstairs couch last night. I know she wasn’t dead at the time, but dead or alive, it hurt like hell to hear it.

  “Ignore us please.” Brielle sounds just as annoyed with Drake as I am. Maybe the delusion has been shattered, and she sees him for the monkey boy he really is. “They’re everybody’s enemies.” She pulls a face.

  “So you’re saying I’m in good company.” I pour the lemonade I just mixed from powder into a large glass container my mother uses at her parties. Chips and dip? Lemonade? “This is so going to suck.” I slide my arm over my face in distress.

  “So what. We’re watching a movie. The guys are bringing pizza. And by nights end you may not hate Michelle so much.”

  My eyes dart over to her accusingly. She’s implying that what Michelle said yesterday was true, at least partially. I hold up my hand. I don’t want to know anything else—for now.

  “When they get here, I’ll take him upstairs and he’ll tell me everything. Just start the movie, don’t go waiting for us. I’ve seen it a thousand times already.”

  “This innocent movie get together is a rouse for you to get it on with some guy upstairs in your bedroom?” Drake’s back straightens at his misinformed epiphany.

  At least mom, Tad and the girls have left, which leaves me free to beat the shit out of Drake for sport if I so choose.

  The doorbell goes off. Saved by the bell, literally.

  Brielle rushes over and lets them in. Gage strides in with a giant white pizza box. Natalie and Kate come in all smiles and hellos, each offering me a hug.

  “I can’t believe they did that to you.” Kate whispers in my ear. I’m not quite sure which offense she’s referencing. The list seems to grow by the hour.

  Logan steps in last. He looks luminescent with a crisp white t-shirt, simple dark jeans, white sneakers. His hair has track marks from his comb, and it’s still damp around the edges as though he’s fresh from the shower.

  “Hi.” He gives a soft embrace rubbing the skin on the back of my neck with his fingers. I’m innocent I swear.

  “I believe you.” I say the words out loud. I’m spellbound by him already. I think even if we didn’t share our gift I would be anyway.

  We gather in the family room where I toss around paper plates like Frisbees. Logan doesn’t eat, just stands off to the side with his arms folded across his chest.

  “So here’s the movie. If you don’t like it blame Drake.” It’s some cheesy movie from ten years ago. I point over to the cabinet beneath the TV. “There’s lots more crap where that came from.” That was Tad’s major contribution to the household a boatload of B movies.

  “You got the comedy channel?” Gage takes the remote and channel surfs while everyone finds a spot and gets comfy.

  “Hey, would you like a tour of the house?” I exaggerate my words over at Logan.

  “That would be great.” He matches my playful tone.

  “You’re going to miss the movie.” Kate pinches at my jeans as I walk by.

  “That’s the point.” Natalie pulls up a toss pillow and hugs it close to her chest. “They’re going to entertain themselves.”

  Gage turns around. His eyes spear through me like a javelin. There’s something hot about that penetrating stare. I want to know all of his secrets and Logan’s combined.

  “We’re just going to talk.” I don’t know why I felt the need to quantify my alone time with Logan, to Gage, but a small part of me wanted to. It’s like he knows me, but too much. Like we’re connected in some strange way that I don’t fully understand. There’s so much I don’t know. I plan on shaking all of the answers out of Logan in the next few hours. By the time I go to bed tonight, in the same room he supposedly did Chloe—I’ll know everything.

  “Hey Skyla?” Drake calls out as Logan and I are about to ascend the
stairs. “There’s a stack of rubbers in my top drawer. I hear it’s a safer way to talk to people.” He roars with laughter.

  Freaking idiot.

  Chapter Eleven

  Truth

  I spent all morning cleaning and hiding the things that seem to multiply and run errant in my bedroom when I’m not looking. My bed is perhaps the neatest it’s been in its entire wicker-framed history. All of my stuffed animals, as embarrassing as it is to admit, are tucked safely underneath my bed.