Whisper (Riley Bloom 4)

Our gaze broken when I heard a rush of laughter and noise, felt a light touch first on my arm, and then on my forehead, as I turned to find myself in the middle of a party with Messalina giggling beside me, as she introduced me to a super cute boy who went by the name of Dacian.

17

I needed air. Needed a break from the crowd and the noise. And, as cute as Dacian was, I needed a break from him too.

“Wait for me here?” I smiled, slipping a hand into my hair, making it fuller, poofier, knowing just from looking that he was so besotted with me, he’d do just about anything that I asked at that point.

“I’ll come with you,” he said, moving to follow.

Halted by the finality of my firmly stated, “No.”

He stepped back. Shot me an injured look.

“Please,” I said, resenting the need to lighten my tone but knowing it was necessary. He was nice, he was cute, there was no need to upset him. “I just need a moment alone. I’ll be back before you know it, I promise.”

He nodded reluctantly, but it was enough to release me. And though I was tempted to run, I forced myself to walk as I wound my way through the maze of party guests and found my way out the door.

I leaned against the balcony, leaned my head back, and lost myself in the night, hoping the cool air might work a bit of magic by finding a way to cure my confusion—all the strange feelings nagging inside.

I had everything a girl could want, and yet, something felt lacking, missing, though I had no idea what.

I gazed up at the sky, my eyes searching for constellations, easily finding Cassiopeia, Draco, but stumbling when it came to Andromeda.

“Andromeda is right there.”

I stiffened, expecting to find Dacian, and surprised to find a stranger instead.

“How’d you know I was looking for Andromeda?” My eyes moved over him, taking in a swoop of brown hair, bright green eyes, and an odd green object he clenched in his teeth.

“Because Andromeda is your favorite.” He smiled, taking another step toward me.

“And how would you know that?” I asked, my voice more than a little bit testy.

“Good question.” He nodded, pretending to think. “How would I know that?” He moved until he stood right beside me, whispering, “Think, Riley. Just close your eyes, block all this out, and think as hard as you can. How would I know that? Try to remember if you can.”

“I—I don’t know …” I looked all around, suddenly regretting my decision to be out on my own. “And why do you call me Riley?”

“Because that’s your name.”

“My name is Aurelia,” I said, though there was no mistaking the doubt creeping into my voice.

“Is it?” He cocked his head, slipped the green object across his front teeth, and stared at me intently.

“Listen, I don’t know what you …” The words died on my tongue as a beautiful, yellow-haired animal ran up beside me, wagging a fluffy tail with excitement, and happily licking my fingers. “What is it?” I said, unsure if I should be flattered by the beast’s attention, or disgusted by the way it slobbered all over me.

“That’s Buttercup. He’s your dog, and he’s very happy to see you. You’ve been gone a long time, Riley. Too long. We’ve both been very worried about you.”

“Worried? About me? Why would you be worried about me?”

“Because I …” The stranger paused, forced himself to look away for a moment before he retuned to me and started again. “Because it’s my job to worry about you.”

“Your job? What are you, like my guardian angel or something?” I laughed at the thought.

“I’m your guide. Not quite the same thing, though they do share certain similarities.”

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nbsp; “Do you have any idea how crazy this sounds?” I shook my head, telling myself I should leave, find my way back into the party, and to do it quickly.