The Summer Marked Read online

  “You could’ve been killed.” He shook me. “What the hell were you thinking?”

  Um—okay, why did he seem angrier than my boyfriend?

  “I—I’m sorry. I just went for a ride.”

  “And almost got killed.” Nevin’s jaw clenched. “You need to be mindful that you’re not in the human world. There are things and people here who will not hesitate to end your life. Especially now that they know you have powers.”

  My eyes widened. “Wait, what? I don’t have powers, are you freaking crazy?”

  “How do you think this magical shield protected you?”

  “That wasn’t me, that was the horse.” I tried to back away from him.

  He didn’t look nearly as convinced as I wished he would be. “Perhaps. But if you do have powers, it’s as I suspected.” He shook his head. “This would change everything. I knew Doris had to be protecting you for a reason. And that reason is becoming very clear.” His gaze shifted to Gareth, who stood silent, watching the woods. “I’m going to send some of my guards back here to escort you and Salome to the summer palace. It’s the only place we can keep her safe.”

  “Yes, Your Highness.” Gareth bowed, but already I felt his irritation running wild through our link.

  “What the hell’s going on?” I thought.

  His gaze met mine. “Winter is closer than it should be. That’s what Nevin and I were talking about. Things are about to change. And you might not like some of the changes. But know that I have your best interest in mind.”

  Nevin released his hold on me. “I expect to see you both by week’s end. You too.” He nodded at the horse, who moved closer to me. Nevin grinned.

  “What?” I folded my arms across my chest.

  “At least I know your virginity and virtue are still intact.”

  “Excuse me? My virtue is of no concern of yours. Besides, for all you know, Gareth and I have slept together hundreds of times.” God, he was such an asshole.

  He chuckled. “Now you’re just flat out lying, my little human. You see, if you weren’t a virgin, then the Horse Prince here, Adaba, wouldn’t protect you. He only assists and guards fair maidens with their maidenhood intact.”

  Well that explained his aggressiveness toward Gareth. I glanced at the horse, who seemed to nod in approval.

  “Again, I don’t see where any of this is your business.” My voice hardened. He caught loose tendrils of my hair between his fingers, studying them as if he thought they might come to life. “You’ll soon find out, Salome, everything in Summer is my business.”

  My vision blurred as rage pounded inside my head. Not just my rage, but Gareth’s too. Nevin dropped his hand.

  “I will leave you two to prepare for your journey.” With that, he faded into the trees and disappeared.

  “Do you want to explain what’s going on?” My eyes settled on Gareth. “You can’t really believe I have powers. I mean, I think I’d know if I had magic. Not to mention how weird Nevin’s acting.”

  “Salome, please let’s just go back to the house and get packed.”

  “So what? Is this going to be like last time? You know things but won’t talk to me about them?”

  “No. Of course not. I’ll try to explain everything later.” He stared at some unseen thing in the distance. “But right now, we need to get you back to safety.”

  I stared at Gareth, and before he could start back, I reached a hand out toward him. He smiled and touched my fingers, clasping them tightly. Together we tromped up the path, toward his estate in silence.

  Things were changing. I could feel it. And somehow I knew nothing would be the same again. This journey was about to set it all in motion.

  Chapter Two

  Kadie

  I cranked the music in an attempt to drown out the world. My gaze flickered to the “You’re now leaving Texas, come back soon” sign and I glared.

  Yeah right. I saluted the stupid billboard with a middle finger.

  Good riddance.

  People said everything’s bigger in Texas. And they were right. Because the world’s biggest asshole lived there. Zac. Just the thought of him ticked me off all over again.

  I should’ve seen it coming. I mean, what girl actually moves thousands of miles away from home to follow her high school sweetheart to college?

  Yep—that idiot would be me. The same girl who walked in on her boyfriend to find some stupid blond with her head buried in his lap. I’d startled them—too bad I hadn’t scared her enough to bite his wanker off.

  My fingers clenched the steering wheel and I pushed the gas pedal down as if I had a brick attached to my foot. I passed the pickup truck in front of me, only to gag on the muffler fumes that sputtered from its tailpipe.

  I hated Zac. Hated his dumb ass grin. Hated the dimple in his cheek that looked like someone had hole-punched his face. I despised the new tattoo on his arm. Longhorns. I’d like to shove a longhorn somewhere… Yeah, this totally sucked.

  Texas hadn’t been what I’d thought it’d be. The size of the school overwhelmed me. So many people and classes and buildings. It wasn’t like my hometown back in Michigan where everyone knew me and my family. It’s like I’d lost myself down there. And the one person I was supposed to count on cheated on me, making me feel more alone than ever. I’d always wanted to get away from Starlynn Village, but it became apparent real quick that I was used to being somebody, and well, down there, it was hard to be noticed at all.

  Take a deep breath. I’ll be home soon and Salome will make me feel better. She always does.

  I glanced at my cell on the seat next to me. Still no call. I’d left her like forty-five messages since this morning and I really needed her. I’d always tried to be there for her, but here I was having a crisis and she couldn’t do the same for me. Maybe she was mad at me for being such a crappy friend. I mean, it’d been well over a month since we last spoke. However, that wasn’t all my fault. She had a phone too.

  But I knew better. Salome didn’t hold grudges. My chest tightened. God, I missed my bestie. She always knew the right thing to say to make things better. Already, I pictured her standing in her doorway with a box of chocolates, some tissues, and a stack of chick-flicks. She’d hug me like she always did and tell me I was too good for Zac.

  Which I totally am.

  I smiled through the tears. Nope. I wasn’t gonna waste another tear on his sorry butt. I knew several guys back home who’d give their left kidney to go out with me.

  My pep talk lasted all of two seconds.

  Shit. I still had to break the news to my parents that Thanksgiving vacation was going to last a lot longer than anticipated. As in, I dropped out of college and would be moving back to Michigan. With them. But maybe the fact that I’d already looked at a couple local colleges to transfer back to would lighten the blow. Or maybe they’d take it in stride and be thankful I was home. And all that pilgrims and Indians sharing and getting along crap would rub off.

  Right. Who was I kidding?

  I’m so dead.

  Hopped up on gas station coffee, I pulled into our narrow dirt driveway. I turned the ignition off and stared at the wraparound porch. White wicker furniture sat on either side of the door. Mom’s hanging flower baskets held only dead skins of the summer blooms. Light flickered in the windows, bathing the ground in a golden splash. I sat there for long minutes, trying to compose myself.

  Okay. You can do this.

  My teeth grazed my bottom lip and I ran my fingers through my dark hair.

  The curtains pulled back. One of my younger twin brothers, Casey, peeked out.

  Ah hell. Here goes nothing.

  The front door burst open like a pair of pants after a holiday meal. My family poured out. Mom, Dad, Casey, and Carter.

  “You made it.” Mom squashed me to her chest as she hugged me tight. “I got worried when I saw the snow coming down.”

  “Nope, I’m fine. Just tired.” I gave her a weak smile then turned to my dad.

/>   He ruffled my hair. “There’s our college girl. How are you, sweetie?”

  “Oh Reed, let her get her stuff and come inside.” Mom’s gaze drifted to my car. She eyed all the boxes. Her brow furrowed, but she didn’t say anything. “You’re just in time for dinner.” She ushered me toward the house, not even letting me stop to grab the stuff from my vehicle.

  Once we got inside, the scent of fried chicken overwhelmed me. The rooster clock chimed on the hour, and I stared at the large fireplace with the pictures of me and my brothers lining the mantel above it. Relief washed over me. I was finally home.

  “Do you want to get a quick shower before we eat?” Mom patted my arm.

  My stomach growled. “No. I’m starving.”

  I followed my family to the dining room, taking my seat next to Carter at the table. Mom quickly brought platters and dishes filled with food in. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuits, apple pie. All my favorites. It’d been so long since I’d had a home cooked meal. I used a fork to grab the chicken breast, then scooped a large heap of potatoes onto my plate.

  After dumping gravy all over everything, I took a huge bite, savoring the taste.

  “It looks like you brought everything home with you,” Mom said like a bloodhound on a trail.

  Damn it. Okay. Tell the truth.

  “That’s because I did.” Might as well get straight to the point. “I dropped out of school.”

  “You what?” Dad’s voice boomed behind me.

  “Kadie, what the hell were you thinking?” Mom’s shrieks outdid his as she dropped her biscuit on the table.

  “I’m sorry. I just needed to come home.”

  “You are not quitting school.” Mom glanced my way. “When Thanksgiving’s over you’re going back to Texas.”

  “No. I’m not.” My jaw tightened. “I can’t go back. I dropped my classes.”

  “Then we’ll call the administration office and tell them it was a mistake.”

  “No. You don’t understand.”

  “Understand? What’s there to understand? Tell me why you just threw away thousands of dollars in tuition.”

  “Because I’m homesick. Texas is so far away from everyone. And I can’t get used to the big crowds.” Here came the big one. “Plus I caught Zac with some other chick.” My fists clenched at my side. “I can’t bear to go back.”

  Casey and Carter looked between us. Dad shot me a warning look. “Why don’t you boys go on up to your rooms for a few minutes. You don’t need to hear this conversation.”

  Mom reached across the short distance and grabbed my arm then gave me a strong shake. “You don’t quit college over a boy. This isn’t high school.”

  “It’s not just about him, it’s about me, too! I don’t fit in down there. It’s not like Michigan, where I had tons of friends. I have nothing down there. No friends. No family. Zac is history. I just can’t go back. You’ve got to understand.”

  Dad crossed his arms across his chest and stared me down. “Kadie, you can’t quit school. You’re practically an adult, which means you need to act like one. And adults don’t quit school over boys.”

  The fuck they didn’t! “Did you not hear me? This isn’t just about Zac.”

  “Sounds like it to me,” Mom said. “We just want what’s best for you. Quitting school a semester in isn’t doing you any favors.”

  “You know what? I don’t need this.” I leapt to my feet. “I came home to get away from everything. But if you aren’t going to let me stay, then I’m going to Salome’s.”

  “We didn’t say you couldn’t stay,” Mom said, reaching for me.

  But I pushed around her, grabbed my jacket from the living room chair, then hurried outside. With a sob, I jerked my car door open.

  “Kadie,” Mom called after me.

  “Look, I’ve had a really long couple of days and I can’t do this right now. I’ll be at Salome’s if you need me.” My eyes blurred. I slammed the door shut and started the engine.

  Mom and Dad stepped back as I threw the car in reverse and peeled out of the driveway. Snowflakes covered my windshield and I turned on the wipers.

  “Just get to Salome’s,” I told myself, my voice cracking. “Everything will be okay.” Life sucked. I’d known my parents would be pissed, but I didn’t think they’d freak out and not want me back home.

  They didn’t get it. All my friends in Texas were friends of Zac’s, too. Most of them knew he’d cheated on me and never bothered to tell me. I must’ve been the biggest laughing stock at the frat house. Didn’t it mean anything that I’d have told them? Heck, that I had told them when I’d seen something like that? But they hadn’t returned the favor, and I’d been so busy taking care of everyone else that I hadn’t seen what was right in front of my eyes.

  And now my parents were pissed. Shit. They didn’t even let me explain that I planned on still going to school, just not in Texas. It wasn’t like I decided to be a deadbeat or something.

  Hell the only reason I’d gone to Texas in the first place was because of Zac. He might not have been my first boyfriend, but he was the only serious one I’d ever had. But now that we were through, I wanted to be in Michigan where my family and friends were. Where I could at least feel safe and valued.

  The sky darkened as I drove the familiar roads to the Montgomery’s house. When I got to the wrought iron gate, I pushed the intercom button to be let in.

  “Hello?” Ms. Montgomery’s friendly voice piped up.

  “It’s Kadie, can I come in?”

  “Oh, sure.” She seemed startled by the request, as if I hadn’t been here a thousand times before. “Come on up.”

  When I got through the gate, I parked next to Salome’s old jeep. I smiled, eager to see her. I leapt from my car and raced onto the porch, where Ms. Montgomery stood holding the door ajar.

  “Hey, Ms. M. I just got back and wanted to come by and see Salome.”

  “Oh, didn’t Salome tell you, sweetie? She moved in with Gareth a couple weeks ago. I don’t have their new address yet.”

  Moved in with Gareth? No way. Salome wouldn’t do something that big and not tell me. I mean, we had a best friend code. We told each other everything. I was always there for her and here I needed her more than anything and she wasn’t around. And apparently she was keeping secrets from me, too!

  “I can let her know you stopped by next time I see her.”

  What the hell? Something wasn’t right. She was lying to me, but why? I mean, there was no chance in hell Ms. Montgomery would let Salome move in with an older guy without at least getting an address and phone number.

  My throat thickened. Unless, of course, Salome was avoiding me. Maybe this really was payback for not talking to her over the last few weeks.

  Don’t be stupid. She isn’t like that.

  “Okay, tell her I’ll be in town. Not sure where I’m staying yet. But I’ll have my phone on me.”

  “Take care.” She glanced at the woods, then shut the door before I could say anything else.

  Why’s everyone acting so weird? And where the hell is Salome?

  Snow swirled across the yard, dusting my jeans. Winter scared the crap out of her. There was no way she’d be out in it. Besides, her jeep was home. Maybe I ought to bust into her house. Salome’s room was on the first floor. But even from here, I noticed her window was dark.

  I trudged back to the vehicle and slid into the driver seat. Shit. I really needed to find her. I wondered if Gareth still worked backstage at Club Blade. I could take a quick trip out there and pop inside. Because Gareth would definitely know how to get a hold of Salome. And I needed my girl more than I wanted to admit. But I remembered the strange things that happened last time I was there. Maybe the club wasn’t such a great idea.

  My phone beeped indicating I had a text message. I almost dreaded looking it, wondering if it was my parents trying to get a hold of me to yell at me some more. Hesitant, I picked up my cell and slid the screen over only to
find a text from Salome.

  Mom said you were home. Can you come get me? Gareth and I had a huge fight—I’m at Club Blade. Please, hurry.

  Damn! I didn’t want her there by herself. I typed back:

  On my way.

  God, I couldn’t wait to see her. I hoped everything was all right.

  Chapter Three

  Salome

  “Make sure you pack light.” Gareth tossed a leather bag onto my bed. “We’ll need to travel fast.”

  I stared at his back as he walked out the door. Ugh. Why was he being so aloof now? Okay, so the answer to that should be easy. Nevin. Why did Nevin have to waltz in here and ruin everything? I whipped open my white oak armoire and tugged a few dresses from their hangers. I wadded them up and shoved them into my bag. They’d be more wrinkled than an elderly tit by the time we got to Summer.

  My hand ran across the blue silk curtains that framed my four-poster bed. The fire in the white marble fireplace had already been dowsed. Windows hid behind heavy plum drapes. This had become my home. A place I thought I’d spend eternity basking in Gareth’s hotness, not running from maniacal winter queens and dealing with ex-crushes.

  With a sigh, I walked to the trunk at the far side of the room and unlatched the gold fastenings. Inside I found several cloaks of varying shades of blue, yellow, and black. I pulled out one of each color and secured them in my pouch as well. God, what I wouldn’t give for a pair of jeans and a jacket right now. But according to Gareth, no one in Faerie wore jeans, which was totally stupid.

  They don’t know what they’re missing.

  Bag in hand, I trudged from my room shutting the door behind me. I made my way down the dim hall to Gareth’s room. His door was ajar, giving me a view of his thick shoulders as he folded a couple pairs of breeches.

  My breath caught in my throat. He was so perfect. So beautiful. So—

  “Are you finished packing then?” He didn’t even turn to look at me.

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Felipe should have our food already bundled.” He sheathed a long sword at his side.