Dancing With Raven (The Young Shakespeareans Series) (14 page)

After putting in minimal effort on her homework, Tori went to bed. Although the hour was late, her scattered thoughts wouldn’t allow her to sleep. Raven had said it would be better for her to know the truth, but she could scarcely be glad for her enlightenment.
Because of me, my parents fled the country of their birth and lived essentially in hiding for the next eight years.
The guilt made her skin crawl so much that she slipped out of bed, ran a bath, and scrubbed her body until it was pink. Her feelings of blameworthiness were admittedly irrational, but she felt culpable all the same. Layered on top were other emotions woven so tightly together she almost couldn’t breathe. Fear at being hunted down by the Shakespeareans. Anger at Ian Cassidy for lying about his identity and deceiving her as Mr. Peabody. A crushing sense of loneliness. Envy toward Kirstin, Jenny, and Deborah. Self-pity. Anxiety about choosing a new career. As dawn approached, she crawled back into bed and tried to get a few minutes sleep before her alarm went off.

Because of Tori’s emotional turmoil, the next few days at school were miserable. To his credit, Raven made no attempt to speak with her other than the normal pleasantries. During movement and drama classes, he was as reserved as the first week she’d known him, and the circles under his eyes were as dark as her own. Despite the resulting tug at her heartstrings, her resolve was unwavering.
I must protect myself—mind, body, and soul.

Evidently sensing a rift, Jenny and Deborah pumped her for information about Raven at lunch on Thursday. Feigning indifference, she shrugged and said she wasn’t interested in dating anybody for a while. “I’ve far too much on my mind. If I can’t be a classical ballerina, I have to figure out what I’m going to do after high school. It’s going to be a big adjustment.”

“With your height and looks, you can always be a fashion model,” Jenny said.

“I’m not sure my heart would be in it. I’ve never really been interested in fashion.”

“Are you still planning to audition for the showcase?” Deborah asked.

“I-I don’t know.”

Until Deborah reminded Tori of the showcase, she’d forgotten about it. If she decided to audition, it would have to be without Raven.
I should tell him so he has time to get himself another scene partner.

“Deborah and I would have liked to try out, but our classes with SBT will overlap rehearsals,” Jenny said.

Deborah shot Jenny a quelling look, but Tori shook her head. “Please don’t think you have to walk on eggshells around me. I’m looking forward to hearing what it’s like to take class with the company.”

“I’m a little nervous, to be honest,” Jenny said.

“I would be too,” Tori said. “You’ll be dancing with the best of the best. It’s bound to be scary and exhilarating at the same time.”

“Kirstin said she’s been so anxious about it, she stopped eating,” Jenny said.

“That was last week,” Deborah said. “Yesterday, she told me her appetite had returned.”

Tori remembered Raven had killed Kirstin’s imp last week. “Maybe she got rid of whatever’s been bothering her.”

After school, Misty and Tori drove to an exclusive beauty salon in Beverly Hills. Although they were invisible to everyone else but Tori, packs of demons and imps were roaming the palm tree-lined streets. Helpless to do anything, she was obliged to avert her eyes. Her fingers itched to slay a few nevertheless.

“I love shopping in Beverly Hills,” Misty said. “It’s so glamorous.”

Tori had no intention of enlightening her foster mother about the occult denizens of the city. “There’s so much to see, I don’t even know where to look first.”

Inside the salon, she didn’t even flinch when the stylist lopped off nearly a foot of her hair. While Misty got a mani-pedi, Tori had highlights applied. As the stylist was blowing out her locks, he gave her a wink. “You walked in here a junior librarian, and now you’re looking like a cover girl. All your friends will be so envious, they’ll ask for my name!”

As she gazed at her reflection afterward, Tori was pleased with her new look. Misty had been right; she’d needed a change. The style fell just below the shoulders, and her hair’s natural curl gave it movement. Blond highlights lent subtle interest to her chestnut hair, and the layers framed her face beautifully.

To celebrate, Misty took her to a nearby boutique and bought her several new dresses with coordinating shoes. As the saleswoman rang up the purchases, Tori took Misty aside.

“Are you sure about this? I can’t afford to pay you back for a long time.”

“Consider it a gift, then. Or an early birthday present, if you like. I’m getting on in years, and who else do I have to spend money on except for myself?”

Tori gave the woman a hug. “Please tell me what I can do for you.”

Misty laughed. “When the time is right, I’ll think of something.”

Laden with shopping bags, Tori and her foster mother headed for the valet station. After Misty handed the uniformed valet her ticket, a sharp jolt from an earthquake nearly sent the older woman tumbling to the ground. The valet managed to steady her, fortunately, even as the tremor continued. Pedestrians stopped short in their high heels and business casual loafers, waiting for the vibrations to pass. Some people laughed, nervously, and others gasped with fear. The drivers inching past in the street didn’t seem to notice anything was amiss.

When the tremor subsided, the valet darted off to collect Misty’s car. As Tori glanced around, she was puzzled. The demon populace was reacting to the earthquake with unbridled euphoria. Lips pulled back over fangs in hideous smiles, and mocking laughter echoed in her ears. Their malicious exultation frightened her far more than the temblor had. Although Tori pretended nonchalance, Misty must have noticed a change of expression.

“Are you all right?”

“Just a sudden headache. Nothing to worry about.”

“These frequent quakes are extremely unsettling, aren’t they?”

“A little.”

A blob of purple ectoplasm began to ooze up from the storm drain a few feet away. Tori became increasingly anxious for the valet to bring the car around before the sinister mass took its final form. She cursed the fact she hadn’t slipped the silver dagger into her purse.
Of course, killing one demon when I’m surrounded by so many others probably wouldn’t be smart. Nevertheless, I should always have a silver weapon with me at all times—even if it’s just a pen like Raven’s.

The amorphous ectoplasm emerged fully from the drain, slid onto the sidewalk, and drew itself up into humanoid shape. To avoid making it obvious she could see the demon, Tori turned to watch its reflection in the beauty salon window. When the creature sauntered over to stand directly behind her, she gritted her teeth.
Stay calm and don’t move!
It bent closer, making purring noises deep within its throat.

“Pretty, pretty human.” Purple fingers caressed a lock of her hair, and she bit back a scream.
Wait…I’m not completely without protection.
She pulled her necklace from underneath her blouse.

“Tori, the car is here!” Misty said.

When she turned around, the demon was grinning—until it noticed the Celtic shield knot amulet now in plain view. It backed away with a hiss. Although she was trembling, Tori lifted her chin and strode past the creature.

“Eat dust, slimeball,” she murmured.

Raven woke up out of sorts Friday morning. Ever since the blowup with Tori, he’d been subdued and pensive. His father had advised him to give her a little time to adjust, but it was difficult to be patient. Pessimism wasn’t usually his most dominant personality trait, but it was hard to remain positive in the face of her cold shoulder.
I’ve got to shake it off and keep going. Thankfully, I have the weekend to regroup.

A gleaming black limousine was parked diagonally in the parking lot when he arrived at school. The showy vehicle took up three spaces. Raven speculated that some bigwig or school trustee had come for a visit. He forgot about it until he entered his homeroom and the teacher directed him to the Head of School’s office.

Raven blanched. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Not that I know of,” Mr. Rich replied. “Mr. Ashton just asked me to send you over.”

Bewildered, Raven headed out of his homeroom and down the hall.
It’s too soon in the semester for me to be failing. Besides which, I’ve made an effort to turn in all my homework and to be prepared for my classes. Did Tori make a complaint to Mr. Ashton about me?
When he entered the Head of School’s office, he was shocked to find the person he least expected waiting for him in the reception area.

“Lord Birmingham!” Raven forced a welcoming smile to his face and extended his hand for a handshake. “Dad told me you might be coming to town, but not until next month.”

The corners of Birmingham’s mouth turned up. “Hello, lad. Actually, your big move to Los Angeles put a bee in my bonnet. I’m hoping you can do us a huge favor.”

“Us?”

The door to the inner office opened and Mr. Ashton escorted two young people out. Raven’s mouth opened in shock.
Blazes! What are Fletcher and Felicia doing here?

“Hello, Raven,” Felicia cooed.

“All right there, Raven?” Fletcher gave him a broad grin.

Mr. Ashton beamed at Raven’s dumbfounded expression, apparently mistaking it for pleasure. “Has Lord Birmingham told you the good news? His grandchildren are enrolling in our school for the rest of the semester!”

Somebody pinch me. I’m having a nightmare.

Birmingham put a hand on Raven’s shoulder. “Mr. Ashton has put Fletcher and Felicia in as many of your classes as possible. Anything you can do to ease their transition would be greatly appreciated.”

“Why, of course,” Raven managed. “I think they’ll fit in perfectly here.” True. The blond twins had always been perfectly groomed and hopelessly chic. No doubt everyone would be impressed with their royal pedigree, too. Whether or not Felicia and Fletcher had an enjoyable matriculation at Performing Arts Prep didn’t concern him, however. The twins were there to discover the Leap Day child, and would shadow him until he inadvertently revealed Tori.
This is the worst of all possible developments!

Felicia gave Raven’s arm a squeeze. “I just love it! The three of us are back together again.”

“Inseparable,” Fletcher said.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it, then,” Birmingham said. “I’m off to visit your father, Raven. Why don’t you text him and let him know I’m on my way?”

What a cool customer.
“Yes, sir, I certainly will.”

After shaking hands with Mr. Ashley, Birmingham left. The secretary called Felicia and her brother over to her desk to give them their class schedules and a map of the campus. Fletcher lingered to speak with Raven a moment.

“You ought to give your father a ring right away, old chap. He won’t want to have any family secrets lying about when my grandfather arrives.”

“We haven’t any family secrets, but I’m sure my father would appreciate a little notice. Nobody likes uninvited guests. Speaking of which, I suppose your grandfather had to make a huge donation to get you and Felicia into the school at the last moment.”

“Certainly. Of course, your father had to do the same in order to get you enrolled midyear, especially with your poor school marks.”