Kelley Armstrong - The Gathering

Daniel rounded the bend in the path, picking up speed, like he was coming to rescue me from my obligation. When he caught my eye, he slowed.

Rafe shucked his harness and took mine. He set them aside and I braced myself, but he only called over to Daniel, “That’s an amazing wall. Sometime I’d love to know how you did it.”

Daniel nodded, still watching Rafe warily.

“Um, your prize …” Corey said. “If you aren’t going to take it, I’d be happy to play stand-in.”

“I’ll collect it later,” Rafe said. “Without an audience.”

“Uh-uh,” Corey said. “No rain checks.”

Rafe only shrugged. “I can ask for one. If Maya doesn’t want to honor it, that’s her choice.”

Daniel grunted and collected the gear. He didn’t say anything, but I knew Rafe had scored a point.

Sam strolled over from where she’d been standing at the back of the group, gaze fixed on Rafe like a mugger spotting an easy mark. He stiffened. Being the sort who doesn’t find brawls an entertaining addition to her birthday parties, I decided action was needed. Sam wasn’t here to help me celebrate my big day. She wanted something, and if she got it, she’d be less likely to pick a fight.

“So, guys,” I said. “Since I’ve been doing the family thing today, I haven’t heard what happened with that fake reporter chick. Anyone spoken to her since yesterday?”

“I did,” Brendan said. “I was walking home after school, cutting through the forest after I split with Corey, and she just happened to be taking the same path. Following me, I think. Anyway, she wanted to talk. So I did.”

“You’re not supposed to,” Brooke said. “You know that.”

Brendan gave her a look. “I’m a big boy.”

“And she was kind of cute,” Corey said, elbowing him.

“No, but I wanted to get a better handle on her game.”

“Good idea,” Daniel said. He waved for us to start back to the house and for Brendan to keep talking.

“All she wanted to talk about was us—the high school kids. She kept saying she was working on an article and wanted to slant it that way, what life is like for teens in Salmon Creek. She asked a lot about the extracurricular stuff, which was weird.”

“Like what?” I asked.

“Which sports we did. Which clubs we had. Why we had those ones. Who was on each team. She took notes for that part—dividing us up by what activities we were in.”

“Looking for cliques,” I said. “Trying to make us sound as if we’re just like the kids in city schools. You have your choir girls and your wrestling guys …”

“I guess so. After that, she started asking about the medical stuff.”

“I hope you shut your mouth,” Brooke said.

“Yes, but the questions she was asking were weird. About us again. How often did we get checked out? Did we get any special shots? Were we on special diets?”

“Oh my God,” I whispered. “We’re lab rats. They’re experimenting on us. Building super wrestlers and singers who can take over the WWE and American Idol . The first steps to world domination.”

“I think that’d be Canadian Wrestling Entertainment and Canadian Idol,” Daniel said.

“Okay, the first very, very small step toward world domination.”

“And that’s exactly what you two can tell her,” Brendan said. “She was asking who I’d pick for ‘class leaders.’ ” He finger-quoted the phrase. “I was about to tell the truth and say that’d be me, but then I realized she was looking for someone to pester with more questions, so I nominated you guys.”

“Thanks.” I glanced at Sam, who was following the conversation with obvious frustration. “Did she single out anyone in particular? Not to speak to but just in general?”

“Well, she asked about Serena and—”

“Serena?” I said, Sam forgotten. “What about her?”

Brendan glanced at Daniel. “Um, nothing specific. Just reporter stuff. You know. Anyway, then she asked—”

“Was she interested in Serena’s death?” I said. “Could that be what she’s investigating?”

“Course not. I mean, maybe as a side story, but umm …”

He glanced at Daniel again and when I turned, Daniel’s face was averted, but I knew what had passed between them. A look from Daniel warning Brendan to get the hell off the subject before I was in no mood to enjoy my party. He was right, of course. My heart was already pounding double time.

I took a deep breath. “Did she ask about anyone else?”

“Oh, everyone,” Brendan said, rushing on. “Names, friendships, hobbies. She was really interested in our hobbies. When we talked about the teams and stuff, she asked why Rafe and Sam aren’t on any. I said Rafe just moved here, and I don’t know what he’s into.”

“And me?” Sam said.

“I said you’re antisocial.”

“Thanks.”

“She asked whether you were good at any of the school’s specialties—singing, track, swimming, wrestling … I said all I know is you like to hit people.”

She flipped him the finger.

“What? It’s true. Then she asked if they let girls on the boxing team and I said Mr. Barnes tried to get you on it, but you weren’t interested. Then—get this—she starts asking if you’ve got a hate-on for certain people.”

Sam looked worried, almost alarmed, but when she saw me watching, she tried to hide it and said, “So what’d you tell her?”

“That you’re an equal opportunity hater. You pick on all of us. Except Daniel. I think you’re sweet on Daniel.”

Sam punched Brendan in the side. She made it look like a play punch, but I heard it connect, and he gasped.

“Anything else?” I asked.

“That’s when she started in on the medical stuff and I said I had to leave,” Brendan said, still sounding a little winded. “So, Rafe, you gonna join us on the track team? You’re in good shape and, without Maya this fall, we’re short a member.”

Rafe glanced over with a “Hmm?” He’d been walking beside me but had tuned out the conversation, gaze drifting over the forest, fingers tapping his leg, like he was bored already.

When Brendan repeated the question, he shrugged and said, “Not really my thing.”

“You have to join something,” Hayley said. “They’re just cutting you some slack because you’re new. How about swimming?”

That got a chuckle. “Definitely not my thing.”

Conversation turned to the swimming team and an upcoming meet, and Rafe’s gaze returned to the forest, like he was looking for an escape route.

I eased over, close enough to murmur, “Go on.”

“Hmm?”

“This obviously isn’t your thing either.” I slowed to let the others get ahead. “You showed up. Good enough. Go on. Enjoy the rest of your night.”

“Trying to get rid of me?” He managed a smile that barely touched his eyes. “Or trying to get out of our deal? I won thirty minutes of your time, remember.”

“You can have a rain check on that, too.”

He searched my face. “Are you mad because I didn’t take the kiss? It wasn’t an insult. I have every intention of cashing that check. Just not with all your friends watching.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Yeah?” Another searching look. Then he smiled. “Good.”

“Doesn’t mean I’ll accept the chit when you cash it. But you scored points for chivalry.”

“Yeah?”

I nodded. “Hayley was very impressed.”

He laughed. “Just what I need.”

“Did I hear someone say my name?” Hayley said, slipping over between us.

“That was Rafe,” I said, as we headed into the yard. “He said you’re just what he—”

Rafe coughed, covering the rest. I grinned and jogged to catch up with the others.