Sunburst (Starbright Series) (12 page)

             
“Sister,” Seth greeted tersely. He held my gaze for a moment longer and then stood up. He pressed a chaste kiss against my lips, surprising me, and then backed away.

             
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding and stood up straight. I adjusted my clothes that had gotten a little disheveled during our make out, and ripped out my hair tie to redo my hair. Half of my head was soaked with sweat, so it was easy to smooth back and knot in a messy bun on top of my head.

             
“I hope I’m not interrupting something….. scandalous.” Seven walked over to her brother and trailed her fingers along his shoulder, stopping at the edge and brushing something invisible off his white oxford.

             
Seth smirked in my direction. He was completely transformed now that Seven had arrived. Gone was the haunted, desperate man and in his place was a stranger. He even dressed differently. He was clean and polished in a white button up dress shirt and gray trousers. He looked like a man, not a seventeen year old boy. His face was hard, his expression unforgiving.

             
And he shocked the hell out of me when he answered his sister. “You are. We were definitely on our way to scandalous.”

             
“We were just kissing,” I heard myself whisper.

             
Seven and Seth laughed like they knew a secret I didn’t and I immediately felt stupid for even replying. This was not the Seth that had snuck away to kiss me.

             
But then Seven’s attention was distracted and she turned away from me; the laughter abruptly stopped. I looked up at Seth, wondering if he would at least look apologetic, but his eyes were unchanging and the same damn smirk tilted his lips.

             
“Jude, stop skulking in the shadows,” Seven scolded.

             
Sure enough Jude walked into sight with a somewhat embarrassed expression on his face. He didn’t seem ready to meet my gaze either. But to be fair, I was actually trying to make his head explode using my nonexistent telepathic powers.

             
“Hey there, Jude,” I said evenly. “Just out showing your school pride?” I waved a hand at the quiet stadium.

             
“Definitely,” he half chuckled. Finally he met my eyes but instead of seeing the same sheepish expression, his eyes were hard and his jaw clenched tightly. “Go Raiders.”

             
I was actually surprised he knew our mascot.

             
“What are you doing here, Seven?” Seth cut in, sounding annoyed.

             
“Came to fetch you,” she turned back to Seth and smiled charmingly. She looked more like a child than ever in a ruffled party dress that poofed out at her hips and ended mid-thigh. She was wearing five-inch Mary Janes and her hair was in a high ponytail. She looked nice too, but in a stripper playing out a fetish fantasy kind of way. I just did not understand her.

             
“So why is he here?” Seth gestured at Jude.

             
“You’re trading places, baby brother,” she smiled at him haughtily. “We don’t want anything to happen to your precious Star. Jude’s going to make sure she gets home alright.” She brushed her hand across his chest this time, swiping away more invisible dirt. He seemed to soften under her touch.

             
Seth snorted and then met me with those cold eyes again.

             
“I can get myself home,” I said calmly. “I don’t need
Jude’s
help.” I shot a nasty look his way before returning to hold Seth’s stare.

             
“We’re not going to risk it,” Seven chided me playfully. “You do know what’s at stake, don’t you? If something were to happen to you?”

             
“I’ve been informed,” I growled, refusing to let go of Seth’s gaze.

             
“Then you know how much we value your life….. for now.” I heard the unmistakable smile in her voice and had the strongest urge to slap it right off her face; but I repressed it.

             
Because I was a better person.

             
And because there were more of them than me.

             
I finally ripped my gaze away from Seth and met Seven’s vacant stare, forcing her to focus on me. “I cannot wait to kill you,” I hissed at her.

             
She took three steps forward until we were only a foot apart and promised, “The feeling is
so
mutual. One day, Starling, I will tear the skin off your pretty face and feed it to the vultures.”

             
I stopped myself from shuddering and answered her threat, “I’m not interested in playing games, Seven. All I want for you is my sharp sword right across your throat. That will be more than enough for me.”

             
She looked just seconds from following through with her promise before Seth caught her around the waist and dragged her back.

             
“Alright, Sev,” Seth murmured soothingly. “She’s not worth losing Aliah over, is she?” Seven whimpered and then went limp in Seth’s arms. “You’ll have your day, soon. Just not today, Ok?”

             
“Ok,” Seven relented sounding one part gleeful and one part disappointed.

             
Seth set her down and took her hand. He started leading her away from me, back into the obscure night beyond my line of sight when suddenly, he turned around and threatened me in a low voice, “You’re mine, Stella. Do not confuse my absence for freedom.”

             
This time a shiver rippled through me before I could suppress it. What did he mean by that? Was soulless Seth also a controlling psychopath? Or was that a cryptic message I was somehow supposed to understand?

             
I didn’t know. And my head hurt trying to dissect it or process this night.

             
Gone was my post-victory glow and in its place was a cold confusion that rattled my bones.

             
“Well, he’s lost his mind,” Jude laughed. He was watching the place where Seth and Seven disappeared.

             
I wondered if that was true.

             
“You’re not riding home with me,” I said coldly. I pulled out my keys and opened my driver’s side door.

             
“I
have
to go home with you. Please tell me you’re finally understanding what’s at stake.”

             
“I understand that the Counterpart I used to know has lost his soul, possibly his mind and is someone I don’t recognize now. I understand that I’m under the protection of a contract that is trying to do more than keep me from getting hurt; it’s trying to control me. And I understand that you’re perfectly capable of flying, and therefore, can keep an eye on me from almost anywhere but in a confined space with me. So back off, Jude. I’ve had a very confusing night and I do not have the patience for you.”

             
“So mouthy,” he chuckled. “It’s alright. I can arrange my own transportation.” He lifted his arm and waved his keys around. A car honked in the background and I realized he had driven here too.

             
He was never planning on riding home
with
me- as in the same car as me.

             
I felt guilty for one second before my anger flared again. He was still my enemy. He was still the bad guy. He was still part of the attempt to control and manipulate me.

             
I didn’t even bother to reply to him, I just sunk in to the driver’s seat and jabbed the keys in the ignition. I was halted in my getaway, though, when Jude yanked open the door leaning one of his arms on it and the other on the hood of my car. He bent down so our faces were just inches apart and smiled at me.

             
“What, Jude?” I shouted at him. I was so over this day.

             
He stared at me for a while without saying something. His eyes dipped from mine to my lips and then back up. He seemed a little confused.

             
“I just wanted to tell you to drive carefully.” His eyes danced with humor and I knew he was being ironic.

             
“Got it covered.”

             
“Your lips are swollen,” he said out of the blue.

             
My hand immediately flew to my mouth and I rubbed at my lips. I tried to decide if I was excited that Seth had kissed me like that or disturbed that his enthusiasm seemed to have something to do with his missing soul.

             
“Isn’t it interesting that even without his wiser faculties, he seems to recognize you as his?” Jude dropped a hand and reached forward. I sat stunned by his boldness, not thinking enough to make him stop. He rubbed his thumb over my bottom lip and then smiled at me. “Fascinating.”

             
When he pulled his hand back I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “Did you call Seven here? Were you spying on us?”

             
“Stella, my contract says that I protect you from
every
threat. If you don’t see your boy as a threat yet, then what are you waiting for?”

His words were like ice water in my veins- the reality check I was ignoring.
Taking in my stunned expression he laughed, “This is fun, isn’t it?”

“Screw you.”

And then I stomped on the gas pedal and let the door knock Jude out of the way. I sped

recklessly out of the parking lot and onto the highway, never once letting my foot off the gas. I was desperate to get away from Jude and the world he represented. I felt used toni
ght and somehow violated, and I hated it.

             
I just wanted to get away.

             
But by the headlights that stayed behind me all the way home, I realized I couldn’t get away. Jude, Aliah, Seven and the Darkness that consumed them would follow me everywhere.

             
And now that Darkness included Seth.

             
This wasn’t my lot in life, this was my battle.

             
And it was time to fight it.

Chapter Twelve

             
“You blew off ice cream?” Piper demanded first thing the next morning. “How could you blow off ice cream?”

             
“I was tired?” That sounded too unsure. “I was tired.” I repeated for good measure.

             
“I guess,” Piper huffed. She swiped at her heavy bangs. She was wearing at least twenty bangles on each wrist and they clanked together with her movement. As usual her outfit was half artsy-eclectic and half small-public-school-chic. She wore a baggy, red school shirt over a black cami. The t-shirt had been cut into a makeshift halter top and then she’d cut long vertical slits in the middle. She’d covered her shoulders, per dress code requirements, with a knee-length cardigan. She finished her look with black shimmery leggings and knee high boots that could have easily been a Jack Sparrow wardrobe option. Her eye makeup was dark and heavy and she had these huge, chunky gold earrings to complete the look.

             
She somehow managed to pull off her Bohemian high school student split personality and still look hot.

             
I used to think I could never get away with her daring style, but lately I was looking more and more Goth-cheerleader. My blonde hair would always belong in a shampoo commercial, but these days my outfits were becoming a uniform of short skirts and long trench coats. Daggers and swords and weapons; oh my. Anything to keep from showing up vulnerable and weaponless at the next Fallen fan club confrontation.

             
My eyeliner was a little dark, too, today. And I couldn’t explain that, except that I was also feeling a little dark today. After Seth’s epic kiss and then his equally epic brush-off, I couldn’t help but feel depressed. Plus the bothersome little fly that was Jude….

             
I was all
Rebel without a Cause
today.

             
And I think it showed more than I realized.

             
“We need to do something, Stel. We haven’t hung out in forever.” Piper whined. She pulled her books down for first hour class and looked at me sideways. “You’re always ditching me.”

             
“Because I’m sick and tired,” I reminded her.

             
“Sick and tired of what?” Jude interrupted.

             
When I looked up, he was leaning back against the bank of lockers to my left. He was holding two cups of coffee in his hand- as in latte’s, as in from Starbucks.

             
We didn’t have a Starbucks near here for at least forty-five minutes. That meant he somehow flew it back here this morning. Which would mean it would be frozen if he took it up that high.

             
“You,” I sighed, but my eyes were still on the confusing coffee and so I didn’t sound sincere.

             
Jude just grinned. “Coffee?”

             
“Isn’t it
cold
?” I raised my eyebrows and crossed my arms.

             
“It was cold,” Jude caught my meaning. “But I’ve heated it up. It’s actually the perfect temperature.” He nudged the back of my hand with it and I could feel how hot it was through the cardboard cup.

             
I frowned. Why was he being nice to me?
              “Is it poisoned?” I asked dryly.

             
He grinned bigger. “It’s not poisoned. It’s hazelnut. Do you like hazelnut?”

             
“I prefer caramel-vanilla.” I accepted the hot deluxe coffee and pressed my lips together so I wouldn’t smile. “For future reference.”

             
“Duly noted,” Jude said seriously.

             
“What is that?” Piper screeched when she noticed what was in my hands. “Where did you get that, Stella?”

             
“Uh….” Dang it. I did not want Piper having nice thoughts about Jude. But this was kind of unavoidable now.

             
“Would you like one, Piper?” Jude smiled at her- and this time he actually looked charming instead of his usual devilish self.

             
I suppressed my glow that was threatening to burn Jude to ash. He seemed to notice I was struggling and shot me a patronizing glare.
              “I’m just being nice, Stella. You can’t keep me all to yourself, you know.” He handed Piper his other cup and she actually sighed when their fingers brushed. “It’s black with a little cream, is that alright?”

             
“Perfect,” she smiled at him. “You are officially an angel.”

             
Jude let out a bark of surprised laughter. “Did you hear that, Stel? Your friend thinks I’m an angel.”

             
“Oh, my gosh,” I groaned. But I still took a sip of my delicious coffee. I really did expect it to be poisoned, but it was fine. It was more than fine. It really was perfect.

             
Piper took a sip, too, and groaned in satisfaction. “Thank you, Jude.”

             
“You’re welcome.” He turned to look at me with raised eyebrows and waited expectantly.

             
I turned around and pulled out the books I needed, hoping he would just disappear.

             
“Stella!” Piper gasped. She leaned around me and said to Jude. “I’m so sorry about my friend! She’s not usually this rude! But she just broke up with her boyfriend.”

             
I closed my locker and slammed my forehead into it. “He wasn’t my boyfriend, Piper.”

             
He still wasn’t. But he wasn’t exactly not my boyfriend either.

             
Ugh. This was confusing.

             
“Oh, so what you’re saying is she’s on the rebound?” Jude put a hand on the back of my neck and squeezed. He kept it there even when I scrunched up my shoulders in an effort to remove him from me.

             
Piper laughed. “I think you’re going to have to get in line. There’s already competition.”

             
When Jude quirked a brow at her, she betrayed me by nodding her head in the direction of Tristan who was walking our way.

             
“The high school jock?” he burst out into laughter. “That is
very
interesting.” And then he walked away.

             
“Where are you going?” I demanded because I didn’t know what else to do.             

             
He held up his pack of cigarettes and then pointed toward the door, but never turned around. Ok, even for Fallen, he was the weirdest boy I had ever met.

             
“Stella,” Piper’s sharp voice cut into my muddled thoughts. “Since when do you know him?”

             
“I don’t,” I answered immediately.

             
“Well, he thinks he knows you.”

             
“No kidding.”

             
“What was that about?” Tristan was finally upon us and scowling. He nodded his head in the direction of Jude and then scowled at our coffees. “And where did those come from?”

             
“Air mail?” I was the only one that fully got that.

             
Tristan scowled deeper.

             
“Stella’s apparently buddy-buddy with the new kid.” Piper offered helpfully. She shared a look with Tristan and then she shrugged.

             
What was that about?

Since when did they communicate?

“I’m
not
buddy-buddy with the new kid,” I slammed a hand down on my hip, adamant about this. “He won’t leave me alone!”

             
“And he brings her coffee,” Piper looked down at her cup meaningfully and the child in me wanted to slap the coffee out of her hands.

             
“He brought me coffee. One time! I’m telling you guys, I can’t get him to leave me alone. I promise you, I’m not encouraging his behavior, but there is nothing I can do about it!” Understatement of the year.

             
“We believe you, Stel,” Tristan said in a pacifying tone. “It’s alright. You don’t have to get mad.”

             
Which of course only made me madder.

             
“Whatever,” I huffed. “I’m going to class.”

             
I stomped off down the hallway, fully aware that I was throwing a temper tantrum. But still, I expected them to follow me. So when I turned around to check out where they were, nobody was more surprised than me that they were still standing where I left them in deep conversation. They were even leaning in to each other!

             
This was clearly some alternate universe. Seth was bad… bad-ish? My constant companion was a Fallen. And Tristan and Piper were getting along.

             
Irrational tears pricked at my eyes and I forced them back. It was just that everything felt wrong these days. And what was worse was that not long ago everything had seemed right, or could have been right. It felt like this was my fault. It felt like I had messed this all up.

             
And now I didn’t know how to fix it.

             
The tardy bell rang while I was standing outside of my classroom, but I couldn’t make myself go inside. Instead I watched out the window as Jude finished his cigarette in the shade of a huge oak tree.

             
I wouldn’t have bothered to watch him any other time, but there was suddenly a feeling of something so wrong and depraved around me that I had to be certain it wasn’t him. Immediately my feet were paralyzed in place. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think. All I could do was feel- and all I felt was fear.

Icy frost slid down the lockers to my left and below my feet
. Each flake was delicately made; in each inch spread the most precisely-formed sickness.

             
Tendrils of evil snaked over my skin, the sheer frigidity of their evil searing my skin to the bone. When I looked down at my body, I was horrified to see the black wispy tails of Shadows covering my skin and clothes like octopus tentacles. And where they touched me was like no pain I had ever felt. The pain was so acute, so raw that I knew I would black out before I could do something to save myself.

             
One Shadow slithered up my body, as I watched frozen in my spot, and wrapped around my throat. I felt its solid body wrap around my neck while my arms stayed pinned to my sides, tied down now by more Shadows. I sucked in a breath, positive it would be my last and released a blood-curdling scream. And then everything went black.

             
Slowly feeling came back to me. It seemed to move in grids up my body. My feet first, then my legs, eventually my stomach, sometime after that my arms, and finally my head. And then everything rushed back at once so I had all of my senses again. I could hear the commotion around me, even though I couldn’t make sense of it, I could smell the familiar scent that was only Mead High School and a lingering hint of sulfur. I could feel the cold tile underneath me and a hand that was gripping my own. I could taste how dry my mouth was and the coppery left over of blood from where I must have bit my tongue. When I opened my eyes I could see.

             
I blinked up at a white-faced Tristan and a confused Piper who was shouting for help. Her hand was the one I was holding.

             
“What happened?” Tristan demanded, but I just blinked at him.

             
What had happened?
              I couldn’t remember yet.

             
“Are you alright?” he asked with his panic showing.

             
I tried to talk, but my mouth was too dry, so I nodded slowly instead.

             
“What’s going on out here?” a teacher- I wasn’t together enough to figure out which teacher- demanded.

             
“She fainted,” Piper explained breathlessly.

             
“Is she the one that screamed too?’

             
Had I screamed?

             
“Yes,” Piper nodded quickly.

             
“What happened to her?”

             
“I don’t know.”

             
“She fainted,” Tristan bit out.

             
“Then why did she scream?” The teacher wanted to know.

             
Why had I screamed?

             
“I don’t know,” Tristan shook his head and his familiar green eyes fell back to mine. “Can you stand up?”