He could smell Kathleen before he even saw her. She smelled slightly musty, like she’d been swimming in a creek all day. Her curly red blonde head popped into view, and she pulled up a chair next to him.
“Hi, I’m Kathleen Donovan,” she held out her hand for him to shake it. Jared ignored it completely and turned back toward the front of the room.
Kathleen was persistent. “So, was that your girlfriend? You must really love her a lot.”
“Yeah that’s Ever. She’s the air I breathe. I couldn’t imagine life without her,” Jared replied, trying not to laugh at how ridiculous he sounded to himself.
Kathleen leaned in closer to him, and he physically drew away from her. He saw how his actions affected her, and she wasn’t happy. He needed to go in for the kill to make her really angry.
“Let’s you and me get a bite to eat after school? We could meet at the café down the road.” She tilted her head and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
Here it was, her advance, and he needed to prove how loyal he was to Ever.
“No, I’d rather not. I’d never betray my princess like that.” The words were forced out of his mouth, but he chose them carefully. Based on what he had overheard at the creek behind her house, he’d made certain to use the words, betray, never leave, promise and princess.
Kathleen’s eyes turned dark with anger, and she stiffened in her chair. She brought one hand up to her eyes, and she pulled it gently away, revealing that tears glistened on her fingers.
He’d made her cry. Not a good thing to make a Fae creature cry. They tended to become very powerful when distraught. Kathleen held it together and didn’t say anything the rest of class.
When class was over, Jared was careful to leave before Kathleen. He could see Ever down the hallway waiting for him Her expression said she was bursting with questions.
He didn’t make it that far before a hand reached out and grabbed his wrist. He looked down and saw a long, sinewy green arm. He tried to shake it off, but the arm was attached to a still human looking Kathleen. She’d let part of her Fae side show on this plane.
“You will forget you ever loved her. She’s not your true love,” her voice croaked out. Slowly, she released her webbed grip on his arm, and he looked down to see a slimy green film absorb into his skin. He began to feel lightheaded and dizzy. He spun to look at Ever, and she was waving at him trying to get his attention.
He turned away from Ever and gazed at Kathleen. Beautiful, ethereal Kathleen. His own goddess. His princess.
Kathleen preened at his sudden change in demeanor, and they walked away down the hall. Ever stood there with a horrified look on her face, but she didn’t go after him. She had to stick with the plan.
Chapter 6
Jared felt like he was floating. He looked to his left at the beautiful girl on his arm, and he frowned slightly. This wasn’t right. It’s not who he wanted to be holding his arm. He faintly remembered brown eyes and vanilla. He shook his head, and it felt heavy, foggy. He ignored it and followed the girl down the street. It was night. When had it gotten so dark?
Kathleen was saying something to him, and he turned, studying her. Her mouth formed words, and he felt like he was watching a movie in slow motion. But he didn’t understand any of the words she was saying. After a few minutes, Jared’s head began to clear, and he could just make out her question.
“Do you truly love me?” Kathleen asked.
Jared paused and looked around. They were heading down a familiar street. He had just been here with Mina a few days ago. They were heading toward Kathleen’s house. Her persuasive touch was wearing off. Had Ever been able to take care of her part of the plan?
“Of course I love you,” he lied and tried to look at her in a loving way. He was sure it came off as pained.
“If you love me, then kiss me.” She reached up her slender arms and caressed his cheek. Every time her slimy hand touched him, he felt like he was losing control, losing focus. He turned his head at the last moment, and she touched his jacket instead. He breathed a sigh of relief when she let her hand fall to his shoulder.
“I would, if you loved me back.”
She dropped her hand from him completely and started quickening her pace, hurrying up the driveway toward the back of her house.
“What are you saying? Of course I love you,” Kathleen sniffed out, annoyed.
They were at the screen door, and she pulled out her key and inserted it into the lock. Her hands trembled slightly.
Jared reached past her and placed his hand on the door, leaning down toward her. From a distance, it probably looked like he was going in for a kiss, but instead he growled out, “I know what you are.”
The keys slipped out of Kathleen’s hands. She picked them up and looked at him pretending indifference. “I’m Kathleen, and you’re my prince.” She reached up to touch him but Jared grabbed her arm through the sleeve of her jacket.