Dancing With Raven (The Young Shakespeareans Series) (16 page)

“You must be an angel because my prayers were just answered,” he murmured.

What a corny line!
“Let’s hope my halo never slips.”

His dimples deepened with boyish appreciation at her rejoinder. “I’ll be happy to catch it, if it does.”

Despite Fletcher’s silly flirtatious manner, or perhaps because of it, she liked him—certainly far more than she did his sister. He was like a splendid, shining otter, gamboling in pleasure and delighted with himself. Her feelings spilled over into the scene, which she enjoyed immensely. Performing with Fletcher was fun, pure and simple, and he seemed to appreciate her portrayal of Juliet as an innocent young girl on the brink of womanhood.

Their performance was as well-received as Raven and Felicia’s had been, although Tori knew most of its success was due to Fletcher’s expertise.

“I must say, Tori, you’ve vastly improved since the first time I saw you read,” Mr. Strunk said. “I encourage you to audition for the showcase.”

“Thank you.”

Tori returned to her seat while Strunk quizzed Fletcher about his training. Like his sister, Fletcher took pride in his extensive stage background. Sitting to Tori’s right, George sighed. “No lack of self-esteem in that family.”

His assessment of the Harringtons was accurate, as far as it went. Tori suspected the twins were used to getting what they wanted, whether it be killing demons or in their personal lives.
Like them or hate them, I really wish they were on my side.

Thankfully, Raven had used a generous application of antiperspirant and deodorant that morning. Otherwise, the pressure of dealing with Fletcher and Felicia would have had him sopping wet and reeking of panic. Fortunately, his second period was math class. For fifty minutes, he lost himself in calculations, eager to focus on logic and reason instead of the horror show his day had become. Furthermore, it was grating to watch Tori flirting with Fletcher during drama class. How could he dissuade her from the terribly risky game she was playing? If she’d failed to understand from his oblique text message the danger posed by the Harringtons, he’d have to spell it out.
But how can I get her alone?

When the lunch bell rang, the twins joined him as he walked toward the cafeteria across the quad.

“I can hardly wait to eat American food,” Felicia said.

“I don’t suppose they serve fish and chips?” Fletcher asked.

Fuming, Raven stopped in his tracks. “All right, what are you two doing here?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Felicia’s blue eyes were all innocence.

“For the same reason
you’re
here, I imagine,” Fletcher said.

Although he knew full well why they had come, Raven pretended otherwise. “To break into Hollywood? Considering the fact you’ve both been accepted to The Royal Drama Academy of London next fall, that’s absurd.”

“We mightn’t attend.” Felicia shrugged. “The whole point of matriculating at RDAL is to get cast in films.”

“That’s right. We decided to cut to the chase, as they say.” Fletcher grinned.

“Bollocks. And there’s no reason to hover over me like stink on fish. We’re not friends.”

Felicia pouted. “Come now, Raven. I behaved badly toward you, I’ll admit it. Can’t we start over?”

“Yes, let’s start over,” Fletcher said. “Don’t forget, I saved your life, Raven. That means we’re sort of brothers, in a spiritual sense.”

“What a ghastly notion.” Raven gestured toward the cafeteria. “Food is that way. I’m off to work out.”

He turned on his heel and left the twins standing on the grass. The punching bag in the weight room definitely had the Harringtons’ name on it.

Tori, Deborah, and Jenny brought their lunch trays to a table underneath a window.

“Have you met the new students?” Deborah asked.

“I saw them in the hall. They reminded me of London Barbie and Ken,” Jenny said.

“Fletcher and Felicia are in my drama class. They’re very accomplished actors,” Tori said.
And probably accomplished demon hunters, too.
“Raven introduced them to Mr. Strunk as friends of his.”

Kirstin plopped her tray down on the table. “You talking about the newbies? The guy is hot.” She peered at Tori. “Your hair is amazing. Where’d you get it done?”

Tori couldn’t believe Kirstin was talking to her in a civil fashion…about
hair
no less. Had getting rid of that imp turned her into a human being at last?

“A salon in Beverly Hills,” Tori replied.

“I think I’ll get mine cut. It’s so boring and takes forever to dry.”

Jenny and Deborah echoed frustration with their hair too, and for the next few minutes the discussion revolved around hair dryers and styling techniques. A distinctive male English accent broke into their conversation.

“Ladies, do you mind if we join you?”

Fletcher and Felicia sat down—without Raven. Although Tori wanted to ask about him, she didn’t dare. Instead, she introduced the twins to Jenny, Deborah, and Kirstin.

“So what brings you two to Los Angeles?” Tori asked afterward.

“Raven inspired us to try our luck in the film industry,” Felicia said.

“But you have filmmakers in England, don’t you?” Deborah asked.

“Yes, but there are many more opportunities here in the City of Angels,” Fletcher said.

“Speaking of Raven, I never see him eating lunch,” Kirstin said. “I’m beginning to think he’s a vampire and doesn’t eat food.”

Felicia giggled. “He’s in the weight room. Vampires don’t work out, so there goes your theory.”

“Maybe he’s a werewolf instead,” Fletcher joked.

“Raven hasn’t been here very long,” Tori said. “Some people are just not particularly outgoing.”

“He’s made at least
one
friend.” Kirstin sneering attitude returned in full force. “He and Tori have been pretty tight.”

Treacherous brat!
“Raven and I are dance partners for movement class.” Shrug. “He’s nice enough.”

Kirstin snickered. “I looked to me like he’s a good kisser.”

“Really?” Felicia cocked her head, drilling Tori with her blue eyes. “You two are an item, then?”

Tori forced herself to laugh. “Not at all. I was upset about something and he was very sweet to me about it. Like I said, he’s nice.”

Kirstin snickered, exchanging significant looks with Jenny and Deborah. “Oops. Sorry if I spilled the beans.”

“No beans to spill.” Tori focused on Fletcher in an attempt to change the subject. “You and Felicia were amazing in drama class this morning. I really enjoyed reading with you.”

“You’re not a bad actress yourself,” he said.

“I agree. I totally bought the innocent undercurrent you brought to the role,” Felicia said. “Good choice.”

Fletcher’s sister is as nasty as Kirstin, albeit more subtle with her insults. What did Raven ever see in her?
With an inward sigh, Tori glanced at the wall clock.
How soon can I leave without making it obvious?
She ate as quickly as she dared, gave an excuse about looking over an assignment, then made her way toward the weight room.

With fifteen minutes until movement class began, Raven ducked into the lavatory to clean up after his workout. When he emerged, Tori was waiting for him. His anger flared.

“What part of ‘be careful’ didn’t you understand? You need to avoid Fletcher, not flirt with him!”

“I’ll do what I need to do to stay alive. He may already suspect the truth anyway because Kirstin told him about that kiss at the dance studio.”

“What did you say?”

“I said you were just being nice to me after some bad news, but I don’t know if Fletcher bought it. I know Felicia didn’t.”

“About Felicia…I was never intimate with her. We have a history, but she cheated on me before things got that far. I don’t think she’s capable of a serious relationship.”

“You don’t owe me an explanation.”

“Nevertheless, I wanted you to know. Listen, I’m sorry if my father and I have put you in danger. Please believe me, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

“Raven, I’m scared…and not just about the Harringtons. This swarm of earthquakes is releasing demons from the underworld. I saw it with my own eyes yesterday.”

He peered at her. “That’s not a good sign. Earthquakes supposedly increase in frequency and intensity just before the Apocalypse, when all Hell breaks loose.”

Gasp. “Do you suppose the spirit world knows something we don’t know?”

“Anything is possible.”

Fear twisted her features, and he longed to draw her into a comforting embrace. “It’s likely just a natural swarm of quakes, Tori. We can’t know for certain. Let’s get to movement class before we’re late.”

“I’ll see you over there. We shouldn’t be seen walking together.”

“Smart girl. I’ll leave first.”

After shouldering his book bag, he exited the facility. Despite his soothing words, he didn’t truly believe the quakes were a coincidence—particularly not when demons were being released as a result.
Something malevolent is going on.

Chapter Eleven

Opposite Day

W
ITH
T
WO
N
EW
S
TUDENTS
in movement class, Miss Castor and Mr. Boone decided to shuffle dance partners. Felicia Harrington was assigned to Raven, and Tori to Fletcher. As he joined Tori, Fletcher’s eyes lit with pleasure. “I bear a charmed life.”

From the way he said it, Tori knew it was a quote. “What’s that from?”

“The Scottish Play.”

“You’re superstitious?”

“Aren’t you?”

“Not especially.”

“Then why do you wear that Celtic Shield knot amulet?”

“Because it’s pretty.”

“So are you.”

The instructors went over the basics of the samba again. Tori was surprised at how quickly Fletcher caught on, and decided the Nephilim must all be gifted physically. As for Felicia, she appeared to need no instruction whatsoever. Fletcher followed Tori’s glance.