Dancing With Raven (The Young Shakespeareans Series) (31 page)

“It’s too…pretty,” she said. “This is combat, not dance. Work on your power.”

She held a kicking pad at shoulder height and had Tori fire off roundhouse after roundhouse until she could drive the pad backward from the impact. Felicia’s small smile of satisfaction was her reward.

“Not bad. Keep working on it.”

Ian invited Mr. Mime and Cody over for dinner, and asked the warlock to cast anti-demon rune spells over all the points of entry. While Mime was working his magic, Cody gave everyone else a capoeira demonstration in the gym. Tori giggled when she noticed his hooves were sporting metal studs.

“Why would a Satyr from Jamaica take up capoeira?” Felicia asked.

“I needed to defend myself from bullies. I didn’t have a glamour spell when I was a kid, so I was teased about my legs. After a while, nobody teased me anymore.”

Since the Brazilian martial art relied on a great many gymnastics moves, Fletcher was particularly good at it. He loved showing off his one-armed handstands and aerial cartwheels.

His sister rolled her eyes. “What a preening peacock.”

Schools around town remained closed all week. On Friday at breakfast, Ian said he’d received a robocall and an email that morning regarding the reopening of Performing Arts Prep on Monday. Tori was surprised at the sick feeling of dread that suddenly seized her stomach at the realization her birthday—the real one—was Tuesday. She gripped the table and her palms began to sweat.

“Are you okay, Tori?” Ian asked. “You look ghastly pale.”

“It’s just…I’ve been pretending all week nothing was wrong. But March first is days away and I can’t pretend anymore.” Her fingers trembled as she reached for a glass of ice water.

“Say the word and we’ll leave L.A. right now,” Raven said. “Just throw some things in a backpack and we’ll hit the road.”

“No, Monday after school should be soon enough.”
These people have made sacrifices on my behalf. As Felicia says, the world doesn’t revolve around me. The least I can do is to suck it up and act brave.
She forced herself to smile. “Once more unto the breach.”

“
Henry V,
” Raven said. “Spoken like a true Shakespearean.”

Felicia chimed in. “Well said, Tori.”

“Thank you,” she replied.

“Well, what shall we do with our last footloose and fancy free Friday?” Fletcher asked.

“Unfortunately, I have to drive to Misty’s house this morning to water the house plants and get some clothes,” Tori said.

“I’ll come along,” Raven said.

“Has Grandfather called you yet, Felicia?” Fletcher asked.

“No, and I’d really rather not speak with him.” Her tone was flat.

“I think we should have a party.” All eyes swiveled toward Chase. “Tori will be out of town for her birthday, so we ought to celebrate beforehand.”

“What a marvelous idea!” Felicia exclaimed. “I’ll put up decorations.”

“I’m in charge of the music,” Fletcher said.

“I’ll ask Mrs. Trumbull to work up a menu,” Ian said. “Let’s have the party Sunday night instead, to give her enough time to prepare.”

“Can we invite Mr. Mime and Cody?” Tori asked. “We don’t have to tell them it’s a birthday party. We’ll call it an Apocalypse Party.”

“Gallows humor,” Felicia said. “But I like it.”

“Why not?” Ian said. “I’ll call them.”

“What can I do to help?” Raven asked.

“You can emcee a talent show,” Tori said. “Everybody in the house is required to perform.”

“That’s brilliant!” Fletcher said.

“What will we do for costumes?” Felicia asked.

“I have the key to Misty’s storage locker,” Tori said. “The costumes from her Vegas shows are there, and she’s always encouraging me to borrow things. We can all find something to wear, I’m sure.”

“Your foster mother won’t mind?” Felicia asked.

“She’d be thrilled, I guarantee it.”

“Dad, will you lend me the SUV to visit the locker?” Raven asked. “We’ll need the extra room for Chase, Fletcher, and Felicia.”

“Certainly.”

Chase cleared his throat. “Unless you count killing demons, I don’t have a talent.”

“Sure you do,” Felicia said. “Ballroom dancing. You’re my new partner.”

Chase’s eyes widened, but he didn’t demur.

Tori glanced at Raven. “You and I will perform a
pas de deux
.”

“Is that a good idea?” His eyebrows drew together. “What if I step on you?”

“You won’t.”

Ian gestured toward Fletcher. “What say you, lad, to playing Iago to my Othello? Act Three, Scene Three?”

“Why, I’d like that very much.” Fletcher rubbed his hands in anticipation. “I’ve always wanted to play against type.”

“Who said Iago is against type?” Felicia teased.

As everyone broke out into excited chatter, Tori gave Chase a smile of gratitude. “Thank you for your wonderful suggestion. It’s lifted everyone’s mood already.”

He nodded. “My pleasure.”

On the drive to Misty’s house, Felicia sat in the back seat between Chase and her brother. She felt Chase’s proximity keenly, relishing the few moments when the turning movement of the vehicle brought her into contact with him. Up front, Tori and Raven were chatting about the talent show. Fletcher, ever the over-achiever, had downloaded
Othello
from the Internet onto his e-reader. His face was a study in concentration as stared at the device, studying his lines.

Felicia glanced at Chase. “Have you ever danced ballroom before?”

“Um…I learned to waltz in middle school, but I was terrible.”

“You probably had the wrong partner.”

A chuckle. “Maybe so. She was a bossy American from New York.”

“Oh, dear. Well, you’re into the club scene, so you must like to dance.”

“I integrated into the shadow world community to gain their trust.” He paused. “But yes, I like to dance.”

“We could do a swing routine, if you prefer.”

His eyes met hers. “The waltz, I think. It’s more romantic.”

“Good choice,” Fletcher muttered, his face buried in his pages. “She and Nicholai medaled in the waltz.”

“Nicholai…is he the fellow in that photograph you showed me?” Chase asked. “I didn’t know he’s your dance partner.”

“
Was
. He killed himself two years ago,” Felicia murmured.

“Oh.
Oh
. I understand now.” Chase reached over and took Felicia’s hand in his. “Forgive me.”

“Nothing to forgive.”
As long as you keep holding my hand.

Fletcher didn’t blink an eye, but he made an almost imperceptible squeaking noise deep in his throat. If she could have gotten away with pinching his arm, she would have. As the SUV turned onto Mulholland, she was afforded a view of the San Fernando Valley. An unpleasant haze filled the basin, but it was less orange than before. Ash had ceased to rain from the sky, although many of the parked cars were still covered with the stuff. When Raven drove into the driveway of Misty’s house, Tori gasped. The number 666 had been sprayed onto the garage door in red paint. The hair on the back of Felicia’s neck stood at attention.

Raven parked the car and set the parking brake. “Give me the key, Tori. You girls wait here and we’ll check inside.”

“I have to punch in the alarm code,” Tori said.

“Fine, but then return to the car and lock it. I’ll let you know if it’s safe.”

Although Felicia would have preferred to check the premises with the men, she realized Tori needed moral support. She accompanied her to the front door while Tori disarmed the alarm and then escorted her back to the SUV.

“It was probably just vandals, getting their kicks,” Felicia said.

Tori shook her head. “When I left the house last Monday morning, the number 666 had been drawn into the ash on my windshield. I thought it was a random imp, but obviously it wasn’t.” She paused. “Did you speak with your grandfather?”

“No, I haven’t screwed my courage to the sticking-place yet.”

The reference to
Macbeth
was one Tori recognized.

“Because my parents are alcoholics, he practically raised me and my brother,” Felicia continued. “I don’t want to believe he’s a murderer.”

“I don’t want to think that either,” Tori replied. “I just want this whole thing over with.”

Minutes later, Raven emerged from the house and waved for them to come inside. When Felicia and Tori entered the house, everything seemed serene.

“It doesn’t look as if anything has been disturbed,” Raven said. “Some of the paintings on the wall are slightly askew, but that was probably caused by the last earthquake.”

“Okay. I’m going to my room to pack my things. If you guys could help me by watering the plants, we can get out of here faster,” Tori said.

Raven followed her up the stairs. Felicia went into the kitchen and rummaged around until she found three empty plastic bottles to fill with water. Chase and Fletcher took one apiece and they split apart to find houseplants. Several minutes later, Felicia stopped her brother before he watered an artificial fuchsia plant in the laundry room.

“That’s not real.”

He peered at the plant. “Of course it is.”

“I’m not going to argue with you. It’s silk.”

“How do you know?”

“It’s too perfect.”

“Well…so am I.”

“What does that—”

Notes from the baby grand piano in the next room interrupted Felicia’s retort. Somebody was playing
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
. She hastened into the living room, only to discover Chase at the keyboard. “I thought you said you didn’t have any talent.”

“That’s what my piano teacher told me. In fact, he insisted I was the worst pupil he’d ever had.”

“I’ve always liked that song.”

“Me too. It’s my Irish heritage.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Irish heritage?”

He grinned. “You know…O’Shiro.” Wink. “A little Japanese humor.”

Felicia giggled. “I like you this way.”

“And just what way is that?”

“Approachable. Relaxed.”

His expression was unreadable as he launched into another melody. She listened for a few stanzas, but couldn’t place it. “What are you playing now?”

“
I’m Falling in Love With Someone
.”

She flushed and her heart began to race.
Did Chase choose a random song or is he trying to tell me something?
He looked up from the keyboard, as if to gauge her reaction.

“I like it,” she said. “I’ve never heard it before but I like it very much.”

“I was hoping you might. I’d sing it to you but I’ve never been good with words.”

His attention fell to the keyboard once more, but she noticed a stain of color across his cheekbones. As the song came to a close, the corners of his lips turned upward. Her impulse to kiss those lips was stymied by the inopportune appearance of Fletcher.

“Piano sounds great,” he said. “Budge over. I play a mean
Chopsticks
.”