Veiled (Ada Palomino 1)

Dex knocks at the door, three quick raps and I automatically tense, thinking I might wake up any second and this is yet again a dream.

But nothing happens. Perry reaches out and squeezes my hand, sensing what I’m feeling, reminding me that this is all very real in the here and now, even if it feels kind of silly. What exactly are we going to say if someone answers?

And it doesn’t seem like anyone is going to answer anyway.

“The cars are gone,” I point out, my voice hushed for some reason. “No one’s home.” I start pulling back on Perry’s hand but then there’s the sound of someone on the other side of the door and I’m pretty sure all three of us just sucked in a collective gasp.

The door opens and a tall, bulky man of Hispanic descent with thick white hair, green eyes, and golden skin appraises us, a dark brow raised in curiosity even though he doesn’t look all that surprised.

“Can I help you?” he asks.

I expected Dex to talk but he’s actually gone mute. Speechless, maybe.

“Hi,” Perry says, elbowing Dex to the side. “We’re your neighbors.” She gestures to the house with a tilt of her head. “I’m Perry, this is Dex, that’s my sister Ada. We just wanted to come over and introduce ourselves.”

The man’s eyes fix on mine. Though he’s got to be pushing seventy, he’s handsome and I’m a bit stunned by his gaze. “My wife talked to you the other day. I’m Sage.”

“From Hybrid,” Dex is finally able to say. He clears his throat, composing himself. “Big fan.”

Sage gives a wane smile. “Have you listened to my solo stuff?”

Dex nods enthusiastically. “Sage Wisdom, Bloody Twat, Tricky Times, An Album for the Dead and Dying, The Devil in Shasta.” He lists them all off without missing a beat.

And it seems to impress Sage. It’s impressed me, the fact that the man standing before us has had quite the career. It kind of makes me wish I spent some time listening to his music, then again I wouldn’t want to turn into a grinning fan-boy the way that Dex is all of a sudden. Dex has always had an aura of cool about him but right now he could be just about any dork drooling over his idol. What a twatwaffle.

“Wow,” Sage says slowly, maybe even with a touch of embarrassment. “You really do know your stuff.” He opens the door wider. “My wife isn’t home right now, but she’d love it if you came in.”

We enter the house. I’d only been in here a few times when the old neighbors were here, my mom having dragged us all over for dinner once or twice. Even though the Knightlys just moved in, the place already looks different. It feels different. I’m a strong believer in houses having vibes, and the vibe of this house has totally changed. In fact, every hair on my arm is standing up and I feel hyper-aware. It’s not a bad vibe per se, just one of energy, like the walls are brimming with static.

I eye Perry and she gives me a little nod, feeling the same thing.

We follow Sage into the living room, past stacks of boxes. The furnishing is fairly sparse but somehow I can tell it’s because of their personal style and not because they haven’t unpacked. Maybe because Jacob had mentioned them being stuck in the ‘70s, mentally anyway, there is a bit of that feeling thanks to the orange and earthy tones, as well as shag carpeting, but it’s done up in a modern way. Plus the walls are adorned with all sorts of art that range from tribal and primitive to downright creepy. One painting is the album cover for Led Zeppelin IV, except instead of a man, it’s a horse in ragged clothing.

“Can I get you anything?” Sage asks, gesturing for us to take a seat on the couch. “Beer?”

“That would be great,” Dex says, his eyes dancing, clearly thrilled to be offered beer by a hero of his.

Perry shakes her head no and then everyone looks at me. I’m underage but obviously that doesn’t mean anything.

“Sure,” I tell him with a big smile. Hey, they got to have their beer garden fun this afternoon while I was getting cryptic talk from Jacob, it’s my turn.

Speaking of Jacob, while Sage strolls into the kitchen, I turn to Perry and whisper, “Are you going to do the talking or is Dex?”

She gives me the gesture to calm down and chill out. I sigh and sit back. She wasn’t the one who had been talking to someone who is supposed to be dead.

For once, I guess.

Sage comes back with the beers and a glass of water for Perry and we immediately lapse into easy small talk.