Her mother glanced down at the phone on her hip and frowned. “We’ll discuss it later, chérie. I need to answer this. I’m going out later to look for more proof, and Lisbeth will be running some errands for me. If she comes home before I do, call me immediately.” Marie spun toward her computer and lifted the phone to her ear. “This is Marie.”
Claire slid out of the darkroom while her mother made plans for a shoot in Turkey. Her mother hadn’t really told her anything at all. Well, at least things are back to normal in one way. And why the hell does she care if Lisbeth gets home before she does, anyway? Without a backward glance, Claire bolted away from the darkroom and went straight upstairs.
In her room, the phone stared at her accusingly. Matthew was the only person Claire really felt like talking to, but she had promised Emily she’d call back.
Claire sighed and dialed Emily’s number.
“Hey, thanks for calling back.” Emily sounded genuinely relieved.
“No problem.” It turns out that I’m in mortal danger, apparently, but sure, let’s solve a boy problem. Huh. Can I still be in mortal danger if I’m not really human? Claire shook her head.
“So? What am I going to do about Dan?” Emily asked.
Claire wanted to tell Emily that she was being ridiculous, that she should be grateful that this was the worst thing that had happened—but that wasn’t fair. None of this was Emily’s fault. I’m the abnormal one here. Claire struggled to imagine what she would have told Emily if this had happened last summer.
“I don’t think you should do anything. I mean, either he’ll get over it or he won’t, you know? It’s not worth stressing over. If he has any brain cells at all, he’ll realize he’s being an idiot and come crawling back to you. If not—well, your parents can’t leave you out there forever, right?”
Emily sighed. “It already feels like I’ve been here for ages, but I guess you’re right. I’m just pissed. I mean, so much for a silver lining, you know?”
Claire heard the crack of a soda can being opened. Emily was the worst Diet Coke addict Claire knew, and that one little sound made Claire miss her more than ever.
“I wish you were home,” Claire said. “Everything’s more fun when you’re here.”
“Like what? What have you been doing without me? God, Claire, I miss you so much! Seriously—I want to hear what’s been going on with you.”
“Not that much, really. And, um, I sort of need to make another call.”
Claire was dying to talk to Matthew. It was a whole lot easier than talking to Emily. It made Claire’s squirm to realize that, but it was true.
“Matthew?” Emily squealed.
“Yes, and I really do not want to talk about it right now.”
“Okay, but I am so serious, Claire, if I do not get some details soon I am going to freak out on you.”
“I know, I know. We’ll talk later, okay?”
“I’ll say hi to the cows for you.”
Claire could hear Emily giggling as she hung up. At least she’s in a better mood. She shook her head while she dialed Matthew.
“Hello?” The rasp in his voice caught Claire by surprise.
“Matthew, hey—are you okay?” she squeaked. Oh, very sophisticated, Claire.
“Yeah, I know I sound like crap. Ever since Dad planned his meeting for today, the phone’s been ringing nonstop.” He sounded exhausted.
“So, how come you’re stuck answering it?”
Matthew sighed. “They’re all upstairs in Dad’s stupid ‘War Room,’ trying to figure out where they need to set the traps.”
Claire’s heart stuttered against her ribs. “T-traps?”
“Yeah, for the werewolf ? It’s his new plan. They’re gonna try to get them put up before dark—they think the werewolf may be following the press coverage, so they’re keeping it supersecret.” He paused. “Oops. Uh, don’t say anything about that, okay?”
“No problem.” The lie came easy. Too easy. Her mother’s voice echoed in her head. In this world—we are driven to lie a great deal, Claire. More than most. “So, are you playing secretary all day?” she asked.
“Nah. I’ll be finished pretty soon. Can you hang out?”
“Yeah—” The memory of Dr. Engle’s piercing eyes made Claire’s wolf-brain twitch. “Mom and Lisbeth will be gone later this afternoon, and it’s gonna be wicked hot again. Maybe you could come over and we could hang by the pool?”
“Sounds great to me.”
Claire snapped her phone shut . Having Matthew over was probably a bigger risk than she should take. But between the memory of Matthew’s warm, crooked smile and her mom refusing to actually talk to her, again … maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea after all. And her mother had said that she didn’t want her alone any more than necessary, right?
A few hours later Claire sat in the kitchen with Lisbeth while she made up an enormous grocery list.
Her mother appeared in the hall, beckoning Claire with a long finger.
“Claire, may I speak with you for a moment?” The sharp lines etched in her mother’s forehead were a bad sign. Claire slid out of her chair.