Ignoring Tara’s ranting and annoying demands, I headed upstairs with Hades. After locking my door behind me, I opened my book bag and started pulling out the books I had stashed in my locker. I put them back on the bookshelves and returned to my bag. I checked the door again before pulling out my other supplies; black salt, tar water, a small jar of red-brick dust. All to keep the dead away. I opened the bottom drawer of my desk and stashed them there with my other jars of dried herbs. Wishing I had a better lock, I put my bag away in my closet. I had been spending a lot of time over the last few months studying herbs, stones, and oils. I figured since the betony outside was working, and our charms were working, that there might be other things that worked too.
I pulled out several bottles and some cloth. Miles had said he wasn’t sleeping again, so it occurred to me that a sleeping sachet might help. I cut a small, round piece of cloth and sprinkled in several herbs, smelling it now and then to see if it was a good mix. When I was done I closed the little bag with a string. Hopefully it would help, otherwise I had bought the herbs for nothing. I started going through my research books and realized I was missing one. Fucking Tara…
The front door shut downstairs.
“Hey, where is everyone?” Rory shouted. I put my stuff away and headed downstairs. Rory was at the dinner table sorting mail. Tara was in the living room area watching TV. And right now, I didn’t care. I needed to tell Rory.
“Hey, Rory,” I greeted as I moved to the table.
“Hey. Where are the boys?” he asked. “I figured they’d still be here swimming.”
“Oh, something came up,” I lied. “Listen, I need to talk to you about something.”
“What’s going on, kid?” He turned to me.
I stopped chewing the corner of my lip. “I need a better lock on my door.”
He raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?”
“Someone has been getting into my room and going through my supplies,” I explained in a whisper.
“Tara?” Rory snapped as he turned around and crossed his arms. I sighed and turned too. “Have you been going into Lexie’s room and going through her things?”
Tara looked innocent. “I just wanted to borrow some books.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Really? Why are you interested in a journal from the 1920s?”
“Is that what she took?” Rory asked.
“It’s missing from my room,” I offered.
Rory turned back to Tara. “Tara, what the hell? You’re going into her room and taking her research stuff?” he snapped, his voice hard. “Get your ass upstairs and bring back her things.”
“I just borrowed a book,” she said, her eyes rolling.
“Next time, ask! Get her stuff or you’ll be grounded for the next two weeks!” he shouted. I looked down at the ground feeling slightly guilty. That’s not really how I had hoped it would go.
“Fine!” she snapped and stomped her feet up the stairs. I sighed. This was going to backfire, badly.
“Rory, I really need a better lock,” I told him earnestly.
He sighed. “If she does it again then you can have your lock,” he promised. “Let’s just see if she’ll listen.”
I doubted it was going to happen. Maybe I should store some stuff in the Blazer? Actually, that didn’t sound like a bad idea. Or would she break a window? Maybe Miles’ house?
“Alright,” I agreed. A door slammed upstairs.
“There! She’s got her stupid book back,” Tara shouted before another door slammed.
Rory sighed. “I think it’s a Chinese food night.”
“Sounds good to me.”
I had just finished changing into a clean pair of shorts and a black, Y-back tank top when Miles knocked on the front door. I shook my head as I slid on my sandals.
“Just come in, Miles!” Rory shouted. I smiled as the door opened downstairs. I tucked the sachet I had made him into my pocket and took a look in the mirror. My copper hair was back in a ponytail and my heart-shaped face had minimal makeup. I didn’t bother tonight because it would just melt off anyway.
“Lexie! Miles is here!” Rory shouted. I picked up my water bottle and opened the door for Hades. He hurried downstairs, eager to see Miles. By the time I reached the living room, Miles already had Hades on his leash. He had changed into jeans, sneakers and one of his Zelda shirts.
He looked up from Hades and smiled. “Ready?”
“Definitely.” I turned to Rory. “Curfew?”
Rory thought about it. “You’ll get until midnight tonight.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Yeah, just don’t make me regret it,” he warned.
I smiled. “Thanks, Rory!”
Miles handed me Hades’ leash and held the door open. I hurried out, grateful to get away from the house and Tara, who was blaring music in her bedroom.
Miles got in the driver’s side of his sedan while I let Hades in the back and climbed in the front.
He pulled away from the house while I adjusted an air-conditioning vent for Hades, then myself. When I had air blowing on me, I turned to Miles. “So, how big is this party going to be?”
“It’s usually rather large,” he said. “People from Northridge and Dulcet end up coming down.”
My brows went up. “Really? That big?”
He nodded and his brows drew down. “Yes. Are you sure you want to go?”
I thought about it now that I knew how big the party would really be. “Will there be room to go outside and breathe?”
He glanced at me. “Yes, the property is enormous. The house is rather large. There is usually a bonfire, a dock for fishing on the lake, even row boats if you want to go out on the water.”
“Wow,” I said, impressed. “So, there’s room to go out and take a break.”
He chuckled. “Yes, there is.”
Miles pulled off the road and into a long, wide driveway. We found a line of cars and parked at the end, on the right-hand side. We were far enough away that we couldn’t see the house.
Before we got out, I said, “I have something for you.”
He turned to me with a small grin.
I smiled as I shifted so I could reach into my pocket. I pulled out the sachet and handed it to him. “It’s to help you sleep. Or at least, it’s supposed to help you sleep.” I shrugged. “I figured since the betony is working on the house that it was worth a shot.”
He grinned as he smelled it. “What did you use?”
“Lavender, chamomile, and some rosemary,” I explained. “Anything that is supposed to help with sleep.” My face warmed. “It might not even work.”
“Even if it doesn’t, thank you,” he said softly. I turned back and met his eyes.
“You’re welcome.”
He smiled down at me before putting the sachet on the console. Pushing open the door, I got out and let Hades out of the back.
We started up the driveway. The woods were thick along the driveway, the trees making it at least five degrees cooler. It was nice. Miles’ phone rang.
“Yes?” Miles answered. Hades pulled to the side of the road. He led me through the cars to a tree and lifted his leg.
“We’ve parked, but I don’t see the house yet,” Miles said. I smiled. It was probably Zeke wondering where we were. Hades put his leg down.
“Good boy,” I told him and gave him some love. He wagged his wrinkly butt. I walked back to Miles’ side and we started walking again.
“Alright.” He hung up. “The guys are on their way.”
“Is everyone here already?” I asked as we walked.
“Yes.”
“Isaac has already been drinking, hasn’t he?” I asked, my voice quiet.
He sighed. “It sounded like it.”
“I’m worried about him,” I told him. “He’s been so… I don’t know… over the top lately.”
“I am too,” he admitted. “But there’s nothing we can do until he’s ready to talk about it.”
The sound of an electric motor was coming towards us.
“So, we just wait and try to stop him from doing something stupid?” I asked, not quite believing it.
"Unfortunately, yes." He turned to me and met my eyes. "We've tried to talk to him about it, we've tried to get him help, but if we bring it up he just shuts down."
I hated that he was right.
The electric motor grew louder. A white four-seat golf cart came into view. Asher was driving. I grinned.
Asher pulled to a stop next to us. “Want a lift?”
“Hell yeah.” I let Hades climb into the back seat. Before I could climb in, Miles joined him. I shot him a playful glare that had him smiling before I climbed into the front with Asher. “Where is everyone?”
Asher did a three-point turn and headed up the driveway. “They’re watching Isaac.”
“How long has he been drinking?” Miles asked.
“A half hour.” Asher glanced at me. “Ally, I hate to ask, but you’re the only one who has ever been able to stall him.”
“I’ll take Isaac duty when we get there,” I promised.