Ancient Fire, Page 6

As I passed each table in the restaurant, following mom, who was following a waitress with a wide butt… wearing a stained blue uniform, I couldn’t help overhearing conversations. Everyone seemed to be talking about the Kellogg murder. For some unknown reason their gossip was really starting to bother me.

  “I think I have a buyer for the house,” said mom, fidgeting with her napkin as she sat down across from me.

  My ears perked up. “Oh?”

  “His name is Ian Corbet. He’s this handsome, single guy who just moved here from the Middle East.”

  “Does he speak English?”

  Mom laughed. “Yes, silly. He’s American. He was just on assignment in Iran, or was it Iraq? I cannot keep those two straight in my head. Anyway, he was right in the middle of all the violence. He told me some fascinating stories. Did you know he was an American ambassador, rubbing elbows with Middle Eastern dignitaries? Isn’t that amazing?”

  “Truly.” I said. Yawn.

  I study mom closely. She never gets this excited over any client. I hear her using words like handsome, single, and amazing. Immediately I’m mildly suspicious hmm…is she falling for this guy Ian? More importantly, if he is buying the house, is he the one who murdered Kellogg?

  “Why exactly is he settling in New Bedford?” I asked.

  “He wants a rest from his stressful job. He’s been at it for over fifteen years. Ian is so excited about settling in our small town. Apparently, he had relatives who lived here a long time ago.” She paused, “Oh, by the way, I won’t be home tonight. I’m meeting my client to sign papers. You don’t mind, do you?”

  Meeting a client, yeah right. I would bet my best black Jeans that she had a date with this guy, who might be trouble. There was no need for alarm just yet. Knowing mom’s dating history, it would probably be over by tonight.

  “Don’t worry about me,” I said, excited at the thought of having the house all to myself. “I’m good,” Really good.

  I cranked up my music, blasting it and singing the lyrics ridiculously loud, as I jumped into the shower. What do I do with my day off? I loved these random school holidays. Everybody knew they were just an excuse for teachers to strategize new attacks on the unsuspecting minds of bewildered high school students.

  I wondered what Jake might be doing with his long weekend, probably at a basketball game. I think I could even endure watching some boring game, just to see him in action.

  Gabby, on the other hand, was probably still smoldering. I imagined a dark smoky cloud hovering above her blond head, since I hadn’t returned her call. Let’s face it; I was not looking forward to hearing her outburst, even if we are best friends.

  I turned off the water and wrapped a towel around myself, hearing “House of the Rising Sun”…my ring tone. My wet hand grabbed the phone sitting on the vanity. It was another message from Gabby.

  R U like on another planet? Not even a lousy text! Girl friend U R so going to pay for this. In your driveway. See U in 2.

  I reluctantly dialed her number.

  “Now you call me,” she said. “Seriously? I left you like a million messages!”

  “I’m sorry. I was in the shower.”

  “For two days?” She let out a long sigh. “Crap! You know I can never stay mad at you…right?”

  “I’m sorry, Gabby. I had no idea it was going to be that bad.”

  “Having a rectal exam would have been more enjoyable. I’m making coffee. Don’t you ever lock your doors?”

  “Why do I need to lock my door?”

  “Have you forgotten? There’s a murderer roaming our town.”

  I could hear her in the kitchen. I’ll be down in three.” I tossed my phone on the bed and got dressed.

  I heard the coffee maker gurgle and groan as I came into the kitchen. Gabby always just assumed this was her second home. She was sitting at the table-reading mom’s mail.

  “Did you know that caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world?”

  That was my brilliant friend. She would probably make class valedictorian, but no one could tell that when first meeting her. I smiled and shook my head. “So we’re talking about coffee now?” I asked, grabbing two mugs from the cabinet.

  She frowned, tossed the mail aside, and started twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “I know you want to sit with Jake; that’s cool and all, ‘cause you should sit with him. Date him, do whatever with him.” Gabby giggled slightly at her own comment. “That’s why I have the perfect solution.” She let go of her hair and reached for the coffee, taking a few sips. “Mr. Bryant wants me to practice during lunch three afternoons every week... Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Long story short, I told him I’d do it.”

  I hesitated before speaking. “Mr. Bryant?”

  “The one and only mister perfect…my drama coach? Hello? You remember him?”

  “Oh yeah, I guess.” I put my cup on the counter and leaned up against the stove. “Gabby, you’re not just doing this so I can hook up with Jake, right?”

  “Actually,” said Gabby smiling like the sneaky diva she was. “It’ll work out beautifully for both of us. I really need the practice and, well, we know what you need.”

  I could argue with her that I wasn’t even dating Jake, but what was the use; she’d never believe me. Besides, I liked this arrangement. It could really work out. I smiled. “You do know that you’re the coolest best friend in the entire world?”

  “Well, maybe not the entire world, but yes, I’m the coolest.”

  Mom let me take the Jeep to school. A miracle! When I pulled into a parking spot, I spied Jake leaning against his car tossing his keys in the air. He smiled, waving me over, and instantly I felt my heart beating a little faster.

  He was wearing a green, Hurley sweatshirt and he smelt heavenly. I nervously ran down Gabby’s three-day, two-day arrangements, expecting him to be excited like I was.

  He just nodded. “Hey,” he said softly. “Are you free on Saturday night?”

  Did my heart just stop? Was he actually asking me out?

  I kept my cool, pretending to run it through my mind. Of course, I have nothing going on! I met his gaze. “I’m free,” I said, swallowing hard.

  “Great. I’ll pick you up at seven.” He reached out and took my hand, and we walked like that into school.

  As I trailed a slight step behind him, skyrockets exploded inside my head, lame I know, but… I have a date with Jake Hannaford! I could not wait to tell Gabby. She is going to freak!

  Jake left me at my locker. “Seven,” he reminded, walking away, and I smiled after him. I could hardly stand it. I was bursting to tell someone and only Gabby would do.

  Finally, third period History arrived. I flew into my seat giggling. I never do that! I smile... I laugh, I’m normal, but I never giggle.

  Gabby shot me a suspicious look.

  “I have a date with Jake!” I blurted out.

  “I knew it!” she screeched. Now we were both screaming.

  “Settle down, girls!” Mrs. Gilbert warned. “This is not gym class.”

  That just made us laugh even harder.

  “I knew he liked you,” she whispered. “I want details! You have to call me afterward, promise?”

  I reminded Gabby that I had her on speed dial. The class started and ended so fast, I felt a moment of panic realizing I’d missed almost every word Mrs. Gilbert had said. I glanced at Gabby who had taken copious notes, so I relaxed knowing I’d just read off hers.

  When I got home, I was hungry. I tossed my backpack down and headed for the fridge remembering the leftover pizza. I spotted a note under the Hello Kitty magnet:

  Bee, I’m bringing someone

  home with me tonight.

  Make sure the house is clean.

  Love yah!

  Well, what do you know! I’m going to meet Ian Corbet. Other than the fact that he would be ancient history in about a week, this guy was really starting to intrigue me. None of the other boyfriends had ever wanted
to meet me. I had an ominous feeling that he might be bad…like the evil kind of bad… maybe even a murderer.

  I turned off the TV around 8:30 hearing the front door open and laughter echo in from the hall. A new odor was wafting into the room, that vile smell of demons.

  My Slayer kicked into high gear. I fought hard against the urge to shift. That was all I needed. Mom and her boyfriend would freak out, watching me attack demons, thinking perhaps I’d gone all-mental or something.

  “Are you okay?” Mom asked me, reading the expression of confusion on my face.

  “Fine,” I quickly recovered. “I’m fine.” Very quickly the odor was replaced by heavy aftershave...Old Spice, I think. Gross!

  When I stood up mom sort of shoved me awkwardly in front of her. “Ian, this is my daughter, Shonna.”

  I looked up into his eyes and blinked. He was familiar, very familiar.

  Ian was blond. He wore a starched white shirt and black, expensive-looking suit, Ah yes; he looked the part, a perfect specimen of a well-bred man. Ian possessed a spiritual energy that drew me in, reminding me of the green light over the grave at Goat Hill. His deep green persuasive eyes held me spellbound, yet there was something dark lurking behind them.

  “Well, hello!” he said, thrusting his hand out to shake mine.

  I realized I was frowning, so I relaxed and reluctantly took his hand, cringing, as it felt cold as glass. “Hi,” I managed with a fake smile, while my inner Slayer struggled with the idea of bringing the tip of my sword to his throat.

  “Umm...” Mom was clearing her throat, “Let’s all have coffee, shall we?” She took Ian’s arm and shot daggers at me over his shoulder. “Are you going to join us?” she asked, with edgy sweetness.

  “I think I’ll go to bed, if that’s okay with you.”

  Ian turned to look directly at me. “Don’t stay up on my account…Bee.”

  A flash of anger stabbed my heart. He doesn’t even know me. He has no right calling me by my nickname. I was smoldering inside as I headed up to my room, wondering if Mom was dating a man with an evil spirit. I was hoping he was not a murderer. I never even considered that he could be someone…evil.

  I nervously paced back and forth questioning myself. Why was I upstairs, while mom was in the kitchen with that... that thing? Okay so he was flesh and bone, not a spirit, maybe a demon hung around him. It happens. I would much rather believe that than think I’d just left mom defenseless with a demon!

  There was one thing I could do to ensure her safety. As a Slayer, I could lay an invisible shield, a blood sphere. The ancient prayer was a temporary fix, but it would work.

  I closed my eyes. I repeated the words I knew so well, out loud. Chanting until I could feel the invisible, prevailing force flowing all around me, rising like a mist above my head, then drifting away seeking its intended subject, to surround and seal her safely in Spirit blood, charged with Triune power.

  * * *

  Chapter 6