Into the Fire (25 page)

Rachel’s face breaks into a smile. “Well, good for her.”

“Oh, so now it’s okay?”

“Yeah.” She shrugs. “The girl should lead. I’m just shocked Cara had it in her to take control.”

Me too. “She said she was in a rush for things to happen.” I shake my head. “Why am I telling you two this?”

“No idea.” Rachel shrugs and breaks off another piece of cake. “But Cara will just tell me later anyway.” She wags her eyebrows.

“Wonderful. Just what I want to hear.” I hold my hands up. “Please, don’t tell me what she’s said about me. I don’t think my ego can handle it.”

“Actually, it would probably send your ego skyrocketing.”

Really? I smile, and keep smiling the rest of the night.

***

“Sorry about yesterday,” Cara says as we get out of her car and walk to the water’s edge.

“Don’t worry about it.” I pull my shirt over my head and dive into the water. Cara does the same, surfacing about two feet in front of me. My fingertips brush against her bare stomach, and she bites her lip. “Am I tickling you?”

“Something like that.” She leans forward and presses her lips to mine. Her kiss is hungry, like she’s been bottling up her feelings since I left her house early yesterday.

I reach down and wrap her legs around my waist. I’m about to ask her if this is okay when she digs her fingers through my hair and pulls me closer. She doesn’t let go until she’s gasping for air. Her legs are still wrapped around me, and I don’t know how much longer I can control myself.

“Did you mean it when you said you loved me?”

How can she ask that? I thought my feelings were pretty clear. “Yes.”

“Do you still love me?”

“Of course. Is that what this is all about? The way you’ve been lately? Were you trying to figure out how I feel?”

“Kind of.”

I brush a drop of water from her cheek. “You could’ve just asked.”

“I had to prove it to myself.”

“Did you?” I can’t help wondering if she’s been trying to see if I’ll take things too far or not. “Did I pass?”

“Pass?” Her legs fall from my waist.

Stupid, Logan. Really stupid.
“Never mind. I didn’t mean that.”

“Do you think I’ve been playing games?” She couldn’t look more offended.

“No. I’m just wondering if you were trying to figure out if I’ve really changed or if I’m just trying to get in your pants.”

“I’ve never thought that.”

Most girls automatically assume it. “I’m glad, because that’s really not me.” Not anymore. “What is it, then? What’s going on with you?”

“I have to tell you something. I just don’t know when the right time is.”

She starts to turn away, but I grab her waist. “Now’s good, unless you’re going to try to break up with me again. Because if that’s the case, now is the worst time. So is anytime in the foreseeable future.”

She throws her arms around me. “I don’t want to break up. That’s the last thing I want.”

“Okay, then tell me what it is.”

She pulls away and swallows hard. “The person who killed Mr. Baker…”

“Yeah?” Does she know who the killer is?

“I think he’s looking for me.”

“What?” The word is practically a scream. “Why would you think that? Who is it?”

“I don’t know, but I’m not like you, Logan. I’m different.”

“Different how? And what does that have to do with Henry’s killer?” She’s really freaking me out.

“Mr. Baker was different, too. Like me.”

“Cara, you’re going to have to fill in the blanks. This isn’t making any sense.”

“I—I can’t tell you. I’m not allowed to come out and say it. I need you to figure it out.”

“Figure what out? How?”

“Kiss me.”

“I’ve kissed you thousands of times. It’s not like I don’t want to kiss you, but how is this going to help me figure out whatever it is you can’t tell me?” She pulls my face to hers and kisses me. I can feel her fear. Taste it. No, I taste cinnamon, like always. Wait! I lean back and look at her. “You’re not chewing gum.”

“No.”

“But you still taste like cinnamon. Did you swallow your gum?”

“No.”

She’s not giving me anything. I feel like I’m pulling at straws. “Why do you taste like cinnamon?”

“It’s just what I taste and smell like.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m different.”

“Okay, well if this is how you’re different, I’m not complaining. I like cinnamon.”

She shakes her head. “Do you remember that day at school when you picked up my phone?”

I raise my hand out of the water. “I thought something burned me, but it was just my imagination. I didn’t have any blisters or anything.”

“It wasn’t your imagination. It was me. I burned you.”

She said Mr. Baker was like her. He had that brain injury. Cara must have some sort of brain injury, too, one that puts crazy thoughts in her head. Anton is going to ride my ass for falling for the crazy girl. It all makes sense now. Why Jeremy said she was going to forget me. Why everyone said breaking up was the best for both of us. Why Monique whispered something about not knowing how much time Cara had left with me. She has some brain disorder, and it’s going to make her forget me.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asks.

“I’m sorry. I’m trying to piece this together.”

“But you’re looking at me like I’m—oh God!” She frantically shakes her head. “I’m not crazy. I’m not like Mr. Baker in
that
way.”

“I wouldn’t care if you were.” The words are out of my mouth before I can think about them, but they’re true. “You could be certifiably insane, and it wouldn’t change the way I feel about you.”

She lunges for me, kissing my lips, my cheeks, my forehead, everywhere she can reach. “I can’t lose you. I won’t let myself lose you.”

I grab her face, stopping the downpour of kisses. “You won’t lose me. No matter what.”

“Kiss me.” Her tone is serious, not playful. “Kiss me, and please don’t stop.”

I have no idea what’s scaring her so much. All I know is she’s grabbing my hips and pulling me toward her. She’s serious. “Cara—”

She presses her lips to mine, and I know exactly where this is heading.

Cara

“Call me later?” I barely recognize my voice. I’m not sure what I’ve done. I was stupid, reckless. I could’ve hurt Logan, but I couldn’t hold back any longer. My rebirth is days away, and if I forget him…

“Of course.” He leans over the center console and kisses me, just as passionately as always. He stumbles up his front porch steps, and I’d normally laugh, but I’m too freaked out. I’m trying to hold on to him. Trying to make our connection as strong as possible before my rebirth. Only I don’t know if it’s the right thing to do.

I need to talk to someone about this and Mom is out of the question. I dial Rachel as I back out of Logan’s driveway. She picks up on the first ring. “Were you holding your phone when I called?”

“I was texting Nick.”

They’ve been friends for years now, but not texting friends. “Are you two…?” Could it be?

“I don’t know. We hung out together yesterday. I kind of thought he liked
you
at first because he kept talking about you. So annoying, by the way. And then he changed.”

“He was probably only talking about me because I’m the one thing you both have in common.”

“I think you’re right, because he really loosened up after that. I hate to break it to you, but we may have to find new friends soon. You know my relationships never end well. Then again, what relationship does?”

That’s why my relationship with Logan can’t end. It has to make it through the rebirth. Maybe I was right to move so quickly. Even if I do forget Logan, which I can’t see happening, at least I did everything I could to make my time with him special.

“Why are you so quiet? Mourning the loss of your friendship with Nick already?”

“No.”

“Good, because you’ve got time. The boy didn’t even try to kiss me yet. Can you believe that?”

“Logan didn’t kiss me right away.”

“Yeah, but you two are lifers.”

Logan won’t be alive for all my lives—unless the Hunter finds me. “I have to tell you something.”

“If you’re going to try to talk me out of seeing Nick, please don’t. I gave up Rob. You should be ecstatic about that. And I’m not hitting on your brother, another thing you should be grateful for.”

“I am, believe me. This isn’t about you and your boys.”

“What else—holy crap! You did it, didn’t you?” she squeals into the phone, not even letting me answer. Her voice fills the car, thanks to my Bluetooth.

“Okay, now that I’m deaf, can you please tell me I didn’t do the wrong thing here?”

“Wait,
you
initiated it?”

“Yeah.”

“What the hell has gotten into you lately? You’re like a completely different person. You tamed Logan, and he turned you into—”

“Rach, I beg you not to finish that sentence.”

“Fine. So why’d you do it? Is he that great of a kisser?”

“It’s more than that. I love him, and he loves me.”

“Oh, sorry, I think a made-for-TV movie just interrupted our call. Give me a minute while I hurl.”

“Bye, Rach.”

“Wait! I’m sorry. Are you still there?”

“Yeah, though I’m not sure why.”

“Because you love me—more than you love Logan. But don’t think of making a move on me. I’m not that kind of girl.”

I laugh. Only Rachel can be so crazy while I’m trying to pour my heart out to her. “Thanks. I needed that.”

“I know. So how messed up is it that you converted Logan to a nice guy and you got me to give Nick a chance? It’s like you’re a positive influence or something.”

“Logan was always a nice guy. He just didn’t let people see that side of him often. And you deserve someone like Nick. He’s sweet, and not my brother.” I can’t help adding that last part.

I pull into the driveway and cringe when I see Garret’s patrol car parked at the end of the block. Another Phoenix meeting. Just great.

“Yeah, well, I’m seeing Nick again later. I’ll let you know if he’s still so sweet after a few dates with me.”

“Have fun, but not too much. I don’t want you corrupting poor Nick.”

“Bye.” She practically sings the word.

I step out of the car and brace myself for today’s meeting of the Phoenixes. I check my outfit, making sure I look normal. I feel different. Will anyone else notice? The front door opens while I’m still fixing myself.

“Hi, sweetie. I thought you were Linette.”

I push by Mom, keeping my eyes on the ground. “Nope. Just me.”

She grabs my arm and turns me around. “Why do you look so guilty?”

Crap. “I don’t know.”

She tilts her head and narrows her eyes. Phoenixes can’t read minds, but Mom sure seems like she can right now.

I decide on the lesser of the two evils. “I almost told Logan.”

“What?” She pulls me into the living room, away from the Phoenixes in our kitchen. “What do you mean you almost told him?”

Hell, I have to go with it now. Tell her about my dream and everything. “There’s a reason I think Logan and I are going to survive my rebirth.”

“I’m listening.” She lets go of me and crosses her arms.

“He’s in my dream.”

“
The
dream?”

“Yes. He watches it happen. He begs me not to forget him.”

“What have you told him?” Her voice shakes. Things with the Hunter must be getting worse, because I’ve never seen her look so scared.

“I’ve been lying through my teeth to keep this secret, but last night he saw a puff of smoke come out of my mouth. I tried to lie my way out of it, but I couldn’t.”

“What did you tell him?” She doesn’t want a play-by-play. She wants to know the exact words I said.

“I told him I’m different and that I’m scared Mr. Baker’s killer is going to come after me.”

“Damn it, Cara!” Mom’s hair ignites, lighting up the room.

The others rush into the living room. Linette must have come in the back, because she’s here now, too. They all are. Ready to hear about my immense screw up. Monique puts her hand on Mom’s shoulder. “Get it together, Elisa.”

Mom’s hair goes back to normal, but the look in her eyes is nothing short of hellfire. “Tell them. Tell them how you risked your own exposure so close to your rebirth, when we have a Hunter breathing down our necks.”

“Someone else was killed one town over,” Garret says, his voice laced with worry. “He’s getting closer.”

“Was it a Phoenix?” I ask.

“She would’ve been,” Mom says. “But he got to her before her rebirth.”

“She was like me?” I’m shaking so bad I collapse on the couch. Jeremy comes and sits next to me. He’s been more brotherly, but it’s all based on what he knows about me now, not the past we shared together. Still, I clutch his shirt in my hands and cry.

“Why don’t all of you go into the kitchen? I’d like to talk to Cara alone for a moment.” Mom shoos them from the room, even Jeremy.

“Tell me the dream. I need to hear what happens. Start with when you had it last.”

“I don’t remember. It’s been a few days. Is that bad?”

“I don’t know yet. As long as you keep having it, it will come true.”

“So, if I keep having the dream, I won’t end up like that girl the Hunter killed before her rebirth?”

She nods and sits next to me, squeezing her knees to stay calm. “How does Logan seem in the dream?”

“Scared, but not surprised. That must mean I tell him what I am before my rebirth, right?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t like that idea, Cara.”

“So what do I do? Wait until I start producing flames and say, ‘By the way, I’m a Phoenix. Give me a second while I burn to death and am reborn from the ashes?’”

“Sweetie, I wish I knew what to tell you, but I don’t. I didn’t expect any of this to happen.”

Me neither.

***

After the Phoenixes all leave, I go to my room and call Logan. I really want to see him, but I’m exhausted and afraid to even leave my house before my rebirth.

“Hey.” He picks up on the second ring. “I miss you.”

“I miss you, too.”

“I tried calling you earlier. Where were you?”