“Well, I am,” Auden quips. “There’s not enough energy drinks in the world.”
His words causing Xotichl to laugh in that delightful way that she has. Pressing her shoulder to his, she snuggles against him and says, “Epitaph had a gig in Albuquerque last night. The crowd loved them so much they played seven encores!”
“Two.” Auden laughs. Yanking affectionately on Xotichl’s ponytail when he adds, “But who’s counting?”
“All I know is that he drove all the way back to Enchantment instead of staying over with the rest of the band, just so he could drive us to school. Isn’t that sweet?” She cocks her head toward me, as I bite back the overwhelming surge of envy when I see the way they get to love each other so openly and easily. Forcing myself to agree that it is indeed sweet of him.
“Yeah, I’m sweet.” Auden grins. “And the second I drop you off, I’m gonna go crash my sweet self until it’s time to pick you both up again.”
“I don’t need a ride home.” I stare out the window, taking in this dump of a town with its rusted cars, sagging clotheslines, and crumbling adobe homes.
For a brief time I’d fooled myself into thinking it was improving—fooled myself that I was the reason. But now, seeing it with untainted vision, there’s no denying this place is a complete and total dead end. Bearing no hint of Paloma’s claim that it was once a good match for its name. I can only hope that once I’ve properly dealt with Cade Richter, this place will be truly enchanting again.
“How you getting home?” Xotichl’s voice is thick with suspicion.
“I’ll find a ride.” I unbuckle my seat belt and grab hold of my bag. “In fact, you can drop me right here.”
“You skipping school?” Auden asks.
“Yep,” I mumble, already distracted by what I now need to do.
“Again?” Xotichl swivels in her seat until she’s halfway facing me.
Her voice colliding with Auden’s, who blurts, “You seriously want me to stop right here?” He squints at me from the rearview mirror. Gaze narrowing further when he adds, “In the middle of the road?”
I nod, already opening the door and freeing a leg.
“What’re you up to, Daire?” Xotichl’s face darkens in a way I rarely see.
Since there’s no use lying to her, I don’t even try. I glance between the two of them and say, “Something that should have been done a long time ago.”
Then I swing the door shut and head for Gifford’s Gift Shop * Notary * & Mailstop. Planning to fill up on some of that freshly brewed coffee they advertise in the window, while I wait for the Rabbit Hole to open for business.
desecration
eleven
Dace
Daire walks away from my truck.
Away from me.
Determined. In a hurry. Her shiny brown hair sailing behind her in a way that seems almost mocking. As if to say: You want me? You want to fold me in the palm of your hand, and weave your fingers around my soft, silken strands? Feel free—your demonic brother would love nothing more!
I curse under my breath, kick stupidly at the dirt, and climb inside my truck. An ugly mess of scraped-together bits that, thanks to countless hours bent under the hood, and layers of grease on my hands, houses an engine that purrs.
I glance in my rearview mirror, watching as Daire settles onto Auden’s backseat. Her deep green eyes shining like emeralds, her cheeks flushing pink—smiling so brightly I close my eyes and pretend she smiles for me.
When I open my eyes again, they’re gone. Leaving me to stare into their dust, unable to do anything more than shake my head, spear a hand through my hair, and remember a time when I thought its length was the only thing that distinguished me from my twin.
Yesterday I was naïve.
Today, not so much.
Not after seeing the way he rose up before us—morphed into a freaking snake-tongued beast.
Then there was Daire—looking horrified, sure, but not one bit surprised to see him that way. Making me wonder if she had the dream too?