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“I see the way he looks at you,” she says, her tone even, the words unmistakably accusatory.
I swallow hard, shake my head, and say, “Who?” Hoping it sounded more convincing to her than it did to me.
“Please.” She scoffs. “I may not be all hip and Hollywood like you—I may come from a tiny, little dump of a town—but I’m not stupid. I know when a girl’s after my guy. And I know when my guy’s intrigued by a girl.”
I stand before her, realizing she’s done such a good job of convincing herself, I’m not sure I can make her think otherwise.
“I get it, okay? I really do. He’s hot. He’s the hottest guy here—the hottest guy anywhere. He’s even hotter than Vane Wick—and don’t even pretend you haven’t noticed. But as it just so happens, he’s taken. And while I’m sincere about us being friends, I gotta warn you, Daire, if you decide to go after him, despite what I’ve told you—well, you should know right now that it won’t end well for you.”
I picture him snacking on slimy, bloodied bits, enjoying it so much he licked the remains right off his fingertips, and I can’t help but feel sorry for her. As far as creeps go, Cade’s reached the pinnacle. But knowing she wouldn’t believe me if I told her, I say, “Duly noted.”
She nods, the move curt, dismissive, lifting her mask onto her wig so I can see that she’s serious when she adds, “I know you don’t really trust me. I know you’re suspicious of why I’m suddenly acting so friendly. But the thing is, we don’t get many newcomers in Enchantment, much less Milagro. I’ve known most of these people my whole life, and, because of it, I guess I’m not so great at adapting to change.” She lifts her shoulders, causing her dress to strain at the seams. “So when you showed up with your cool boots and don’t-give-a-crap attitude—well, you seemed like the kind of girl who could easily shift the balance of everything I’ve work
ed so hard for, and I couldn’t allow that to happen. Then, when I saw the way Cade looked at you, and the other boys too…”
“So what changed? You spot me on the cover of a glossy tabloid and decide to give me a chance?” I ask, having no idea where she’s going with this, but hoping she’ll get to it soon. I’ve got a job to do.
“Yeah.” She nods. “Only not for the reason you think. I mean, even though the cover wasn’t all that flattering, it made me realize just how small my world is. So small I perceive everything new as a threat.” She shakes her head. “I don’t want to be like that. I’d much rather we try to be friends.”
“Me too,” I say, surprised by how much I mean it. I’ve never had a friend before—not one that lasted for more than a few months anyway. And now between Dace, Xotichl, Auden, and possibly Lita and company—well, that’s pretty much a record. Though I’m guessing it’ll require tolerance, understanding, and, especially in Lita’s case, a whole lot of patience—but I’m willing to try if she is. “But if we’re going to be friends, then you have to believe me when I tell you that I’m not into Cade,” I say. Going one step further when I add, “In fact, I can’t freaking stand him.”
She shakes her head and laughs, blond polyester curls bouncing on her shoulders, assuming it’s a joke—I couldn’t possibly be serious.
Her laughter halting when I say, “But you were right about one thing—I am looking for him. Just not for the reason you think.”
Her face grows dark, her voice suspicious when she says, “Yeah? And what reason might that be?”
“It’s about his brother.”
“Dace?” Her eyes widen, the name spoken so loudly Xotichl turns, Crickett and Jacy stare, while Lita slaps a hand over her mouth, shakes her head, and says, “I mean, I guess he’s hot too—but I’ve always thought of him as like a fake Cade. Like a knockoff, poor man’s version of the real thing, you know? But seriously—you’re serious?” She stares hard at me, waiting for the punch line that never comes. Still in a state of disbelief when she says, “Okay, whatever. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt on this one. Cade’s in his office. As for his twin—it never occurred to me to keep track.”
I turn, reminding myself to not be annoyed. Like everyone else in this town—well, everyone but Dace, Xotichl, Auden, and a few others—she’s totally brainwashed where the Richters are concerned.
“Oh, and Daire…” She grabs hold of my arm, her eyes meeting mine, fingers circling my elbow when she says, “If you play me for an idiot, I’m going after you.”
“I wouldn’t do that.” I yank free of her grip. My tone softening when I add, “Trust me, you have nothing to worry about.”
“I don’t trust anyone,” she says, her gaze changing until it becomes empty and vacant, leaving me to wonder if Cade’s been harvesting bits of her too.
I turn to Xotichl, about to tell her I’m taking a walk, when she says, “Wherever you’re going, I’m going with you. But we better hurry; in case you didn’t notice, your mom’s here, and I get the feeling you’d rather avoid her.”
forty-eight
I follow Xotichl, her glow-in-the-dark skeleton suit making her movements seem odd, almost eerie. And sure enough, it’s not a second later when I spy Jennika across the crowded room. As the only one not wearing a skull mask and costume, she’s easy to spot.
“This is the only show in town,” Xotichl says, trailing alongside me as I duck around a corner and pause. “It was just a matter of time ’til she showed.” She makes a show of sniffing the air, as she tucks her hand into my jacket’s front pocket, fishing around until she finds the pack of cigarettes I swiped from Leftfoot on my way out the door, and dangles them before me.
I swipe at the pack, telling her it’s not at all what she thinks, when she tilts her mask high on her head, her gray/blue eyes seeming to find me when she says, “Oh, so you’re not going to use them as an offering for the demons that guard the Rabbit Hole’s vortex?”
I gape, having no idea what to say.
“I read energy, Daire. I know all about the vortex.” She shakes her head and frowns. “I know about all the vortexes in this town. I also know that there are some extremely unnatural beings that lurk inside this place, and I’m not just referring to the Richters.” She grins. “Their magick doesn’t work on everyone, you know. They prey on the weak—those with weak wills, weak personalities, weak sense of self—the usual targets. But they can never touch me. They need your sight in order to change your perception. They’re powerless when it comes to blindsight. Besides, everyone knows demons crave tobacco.”
I exhale long and deep, relieved to share the burden of truth with someone other than Paloma and Chay. “I had no idea you knew,” I tell her, seeing her nod in reply.
“I can also locate Cade if you’ll let me. The vortex too. It’s tricky; most people can’t find it. And no matter how many times I offered to help, Paloma always refused me.”
I start to speak, wanting to tell her about Paloma, but she raises a hand, alerted to something sensed only by her. She tugs hard on my arm and says, “Quick—in here!”
