The Burning Shadow (Origin 2)

The next twenty minutes were the longest minutes of my seventeen years of life. When the bell rang, I popped out of my seat like I had springs attached to my feet.

“You’re in a hurry,” Zoe pointed out as she shoved her history textbook into her bag.

“Yeah, Luc’s been texting me.” I kept my voice down. “He said he had a surprise for me in a box, and he’s worried it’s going to suffocate or something.”

“Oh God.” Her eyes widened. “That literally could be anything he has in that box. Seriously, Evie. Anything.”

“I know. That’s why I need to hurry.” I slung my book bag over my shoulder.

“You need to text me later and tell me what he has,” she ordered.

“Will do.” I waved goodbye to her and James, who, with his red-rimmed eyes and dazed stare, looked like he’d just woken up.

James wiggled his fingers at me, yawning.

Out in the hall, I hurried through the throng of students, making my way to the back entrance. It was way too easy to leave. All I had to do was open the doors and then walk out into the early October sun.

I cut through the manicured lawn and then up the steep hill, heart thumping heavily. I really had no idea what Luc could have in a box. If it was some kind of pet, Mom would flip.

She didn’t do animal hair of any kind, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about scales or furless pets in general.

I trekked across the asphalt of the parking lot, the flutter intensifying in my chest as I spotted my car and the guy lounging against it.

Luc stood with his long legs crossed at the ankles, leaning against the driver’s door. He was wearing that gray, slouchy knit beanie that I had a thing for and his reflective silver aviators. My steps slowed as my heart sped up.

Today he wore a shirt that, ironically, featured a spaceship beaming someone up, and it said in bold, white letters, GET IN, LOSER.

He was holding a box. A small white one wrapped in red ribbon. There was definitely not a kitten or a puppy in the box. It was only big enough that maybe a very large tarantula or a lizard would fit.

I would straight-up knee him in the man parts if he had a damn furry spider in that box.

He looked up as I approached, those full lips tilting in a small smile. “There you are. I was starting to worry that maybe I was going to have to come in there, raise some holy hell, and get you.”

I eyed the box. “You do realize that I have at least two more classes?”

“I do.” He pushed off the car and leaned in, his warm breath dancing over my ear as he said, “But what I have planned for you is much more fun.”

The skipping motion danced through my insides. “Does it have to do with whatever is in the box?”

“What’s in the box is just the beginning.”

I stared at the box in his hand. There were no holes to let any amount of air into it. “Is it a panda?”

“Don’t think a panda would fit in this.”

“A koala bear, then?”

“Dear God no. We’d all die if that were the case.”

The corners of my lips curved up. “I don’t think koala bears are that aggressive.”

“Yes, they are, Peaches. They’re demons disguised as fur balls. Ask an Australian.”

“I don’t know any Australians.”

“I do.” He shifted the box under his arm. “Let me see your car keys.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why do you need my keys, and what’s in the box? I thought you were worried about it suffocating.”

“I need your keys because I’m taking you somewhere, and you’ll get the box once we’re in the car.”

Perhaps I should turn right around and head back into school. That would be the smart thing. I shouldn’t be skipping, especially with Luc. But the curiosity got the best of me, as did something far stronger—something that felt familiar.

“Okay,” I said, reaching into the pocket of my bag. I pulled out my keys, unlocked the car, and then handed them over to Luc. “If I get in trouble, I’m totally blaming you.”

“It’ll be worth it.” He grinned as he slipped past me, opening the car door without even reaching for it.

Lazy.

Tossing my bag in the back seat, I hurried around the rear of the car and climbed into the passenger seat. The box was now in Luc’s lap, and it wasn’t moving around like there was anything in it.

Anything alive, that is.

Turning on the car, he looked over at me as he dragged his lower lip between his teeth. “You ready for your surprise?”

I nodded.

Luc handed the box over. “Be careful with it.”

The box wasn’t light, but it wasn’t all that heavy, and as I placed it in my lap, nothing inside moved. I glanced over at Luc. “What’s in this box?”