Gena Showalter - Unraveled

Accepted? Ha! The position had been thrust at him, and he still didn’t want it, but now wasn’t the time to try to find someone new. They’d assume he’d done so because he was “weak.” “From what I’m told, fairies protect humans. Perhaps those same fairies will wish to ally themselves with you, now that you’re being led by one of those weak humans they so love.”

Not that he was going to lead these vampires, he reminded himself. Again. God, he was digging himself in deeper just to leave with dignity.

Still his opponent persisted. “And goblins? Do you know how to deal with them?”

“Yes. As Vlad did. By sending the wolves into the forest at night to fight them.”

“And how can you send the wolves to fight them when you yourself have never fought one? That smacks of cowardice.”

“I might not have fought a goblin, but I have fought a vampire. Need I remind you the outcome of that? ”

Murmurs erupted. The circle was tightened. Saliva dripped from the wolves’ still-bared teeth.

Finally the boy nodded curtly and rejoined the crowd. Once again, conversations resumed, and the circle expanded. Crisis averted, Aden thought, and yet, relief eluded him. Just how long was this unspoken truce going to last?

FOR ONCE, Riley didn’t pick up Mary Ann to take her to school.

Had he heard about last night already? Was he angry with her?

Or had he been hurt at the vampire mansion?

Stomach churning …

By the time Mary Ann realized he wasn’t coming, Penny had already left. Which gave her two options. Walk alone, miss most of first period and be considered absent, or let her dad drive her, and deal with the tardy slip. Either way promised absolute mental torture.

She was a perpetual early bird. If she wasn’t ten minutes early, she considered herself late. But trying to converse with her dad…ugh. He’d ask how things were going with Riley; he wouldn’t be able to help himself. She wouldn’t have an answer. Not now. So he’d feel obligated to mention sex, condoms and STDs. Again. She would burn to ash with embarrassment, so of course she’d be late forever since she would be dead .

In the end, she decided to walk. Her dad didn’t try to stop her, but he did thrust an apple into her hand as she flew out the door. She still wasn’t hungry, so she chucked the bright red fruit the moment she exited the neighborhood. A stray dog would appreciate it, rather than vomit at the very thought of taking a bite.

If she didn’t develop an appetite soon, she’d have to talk to someone.

Sighing, she picked up her pace. She stuck to the main roads, which would shave at least ten minutes from her walk time. Since Riley had pounced into her life, she’d stopped taking this path.

Where are you, Riley? Are you okay? How had Aden handled the introductions? Had anyone attacked him? Mary Ann hated that she’d been left behind. Next time she’d… What? she thought dryly. Demand they take her or she’d give them the silent treatment? Cry alone in her room?

The school parking lot was full when she arrived, but there was no one out front and the halls were empty. Which meant the tardy bell had rung a while ago. As she reached for the front door, she paused. Frowned. Something warm and powerful was wafting through her, filling her nose and mouth and sliding sweetly into her stomach.

Delicious . For a moment, she closed her eyes, savoring. There really was no reason to eat when she experienced this . With every inhalation, she was stronger, better, happier. Then she recalled what had followed this same sensation last night, and dread overtook her.

The witch was nearby.

Mary Ann gulped and spun, hands fisting as Aden had taught her. Her gaze darted across her surroundings. Sunlight shone brightly, those stupid blackbirds singing overhead.

The yellowing grass stretched before her, interrupted only by a large oak. Perhaps she’d been mistaken. Perhaps she was wrong and—

The witch stepped from behind the trunk, and their gazes met, locked, clashed. Mary Ann’s heart thundered in her chest. This morning the witch wore a plain red T-shirt and jeans. Long blond hair curled over her shoulders, stopping at her waist. Sun-kissed skin soaked up the bright light haloing around her.

“I’ve been waiting for you.” A musical voice, yet it dripped with anger nonetheless.

Every instinct she possessed demanded she run. Last time she’d spoken to this woman, she’d been cursed with death. Still, she held her ground. She’d wanted to question a witch. Now she could. Without resorting to kidnapping. “Why?”

“Oh, no. You aren’t the one who will be given answers. I am. Why were you spying on me last night?”

Mary Ann squared her shoulders and raised her chin. Time for a little bravery—whatever the price. “You placed a death curse on me. Why wouldn’t I spy on you?”

A gleam of admiration brightened the witch’s eyes. “True.”

“And I will be given answers. You commanded my friend to attend one of your meetings, yet never told him when and where that meeting will be held. Tell me, and I’ll tell him.” Please, please, please.

“I don’t have the information you seek.” The witch never took a step, yet the distance between them was suddenly cut in half.

Mary Ann raised her chin another notch. “You’re lying.”

“Am I?”

Yes, she had to be. “Do you want us to die?”

“Maybe.”

“Why?”

“You are friends with a vampire, a werewolf, both enemies to my kind, and a boy who draws us with a power we have never encountered before. To echo your question, why wouldn’t I want you to die?”

Her teeth ground together as her own strategy was used against her. Time for a new angle, she supposed. She forced her expression to clear, her tone to gentle. “What’s your name?”

“Marie.”

Mary Ann was surprised by the simply stated answer. “Well, Marie, you should know that we’re going to do everything we can to stay alive.”

“As would I.” Marie’s head tilted to the side, her study intensifying. “Do you know what you are, Mary Ann Gray?”

Hearing her own name used, when she’d never offered it, was jolting. “Me?” She laughed; she just couldn’t help herself. “I’m human.” Average in every way.

“No. You’re something more. I can feel you feeding on me.”

Her eyes widened in horror. “ Feeding on you? Are you kidding? I am not a vampire.”

“I didn’t say you were. But you are attempting to drain me, and I won’t allow it.” With every word, Marie’s voice sharpened.

Drain her? What— Oh. Yeah. “Drain” must mean “mute” in witch-speak. “I don’t mute natural abilities, so you should be able to—”

“Do you purposely misunderstand me? I said nothing about muting. You are sucking at my life-force like a vacuum, trying to take everything and leave a mere shell behind.”

“No. I’m not.”

“Continue to lie to me, and I’ll cast a truth spell on you.” Now the witch’s voice slashed. “Never again will you be able to lie about anything to anyone. Ever.”

Could she really do that? Mary Ann experienced a wave of fury, of frustration and helplessness. And with the emotions, more of that sweet power flowed through her, filling her up, somehow soothing her. “I’m not lying now. I’m not…sucking at you.”

“Perhaps you haven’t yet realized what you are, then.” Marie’s eyes narrowed as she backed away, heading into the forest. Odd. She was pale now, her beautiful tan visibly fading. “If you return to town, I’ll assume you’re there to finish this.”