Forbidden

thirty-three

Leaning close to the mirror above her dresser, Claire added a subtle dash of glitter to her eye shadow as she got ready for the dance. But her thoughts weren’t on her makeup—they were filled with worry about the evening ahead.
Meeting Helena had been unnerving to say the least. Helena claimed she was Claire’s guardian angel, that she would try to warn and protect her. Claire knew she should be relieved—but she couldn’t stop the spasm that tightened her stomach at the memory of the cougar’s gleaming eyes, the paws as big as saucers, the teeth as sharp as spikes. Was there a chance she might die tonight? You’ll be fine, she told herself. She wouldn’t go anywhere near that spot on the hillside, and she wouldn’t go anywhere alone.
Claire sighed and stared at her reflection. Lamplight shimmered and danced off the folds of her dress, which clung to every curve of her body, and the deep blue color complemented her skin tone. She’d kept her hair simple, just curling it a bit. She felt beautiful.
And steeped in guilt.
Her heart ached for Alec. Where was he now? In some far-flung country, utterly alone, tracking a member of the Fallen? She felt like a fraud, going to this dance with someone else, knowing the sacrifice Alec had made for her and how miserable he must be. She wondered what it would be like to know that he was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs … what he’d look like in a suit … what it’d feel like to dance in his arms.
Claire shook her head vigorously, banishing those thoughts from her mind. It wasn’t fair to Neil for her to fantasize about someone else. Neil was a great guy. She’d promised to be his date, and she was determined not to disappoint him.
Quickly, Claire pulled on the long blue satin gloves her mom had found her. Grabbing her shawl and evening bag, she hurried from the room. When she arrived downstairs, her mom was sitting on the sofa, talking to Neil. He was dressed in a black suit with thin pinstripes and a crisp white shirt. He had some kind of loose, narrow blue scarf wrapped around his neck instead of a tie. As usual, his dark hair was naturally groomed to perfection. Even though she saw him almost every day, Claire was again struck by how handsome he was.
Neil leapt to his feet as she approached, a smile lighting up his face. “Wow. Claire. You look amazing.”
Claire blushed. “So do you. What’s that around your neck? A cravat?”
“It’s an ascot. I’ve always wanted to wear one. I went to six stores before I found this. You said your dress was blue, and I had to guess at the shade, but I lucked out—this comes close to matching.”
She was touched that he’d gone to so much effort on her behalf. “It looks great. Very stylish.”
“You two look perfect together.” Claire’s mom beamed, getting out her camera.
Brian and Erica soon arrived, looking mighty spiffy themselves. After a round of picture taking—and her mom warning Neil to drive safely for the umpteenth time—they all set off in Neil’s hand-me-down Lexus, where they chattered excitedly all the way to the dance.
Claire noticed that Erica seemed a little distracted—she couldn’t quite meet Claire’s eyes, and seemed to be thinking carefully before she spoke. Then Claire remembered that Erica was on the committee and probably knew the results of the Homecoming Court. Did Erica’s discomfort mean that Claire—or Neil—had won, or lost? Claire didn’t want to ask, but Erica was clearly fidgety around them.
When they reached the gym, the foursome passed through the lobby with its glass trophy cases and doors leading to the locker rooms. The double doors to the gym interior stood wide open, and as they strolled inside, the electrified energy coursing through the room lifted Claire’s spirits. It hardly looked like a gym at all. The lights were dim, casting a romantic glow over all her classmates, who were dressed to the nines and dancing to the beat of pop music pumped through enormous speakers. An arch of blue and red helium balloons framed the entryway, and dozens of other balloon clusters decorated the small tables and chairs around the room. Several teachers sipped punch by the refreshment table, while a DJ controlled the music atop a stage on the opposite side of the gym.
“I know it looks pretty standard,” Erica shouted over the music, pointing to several potted trees that defined the edges of the dance floor, “but see the ficuses with the twinkle lights? That was me.”
“Very classy,” Claire commented.
“You guys did an awesome job,” Neil agreed.
Erica did a mock bow, accepting the praise with relish. “Now, entrez, mes amis.”
The girls dropped their purses and wraps on a chair as Erica continued, “Brian, I made sure there were Rice Krispies Treats just for you. They’re going to announce the winners at eight thirty. Until then, everybody be careful.” She darted a meaningful look at Claire. “And go nuts!”
Immediately, Erica took Brian’s hand and dragged him onto the dance floor.
“What did she mean, be careful?” Neil asked loudly in Claire’s ear.
She knew Erica was referring to the chance that Claire might be attacked by a Nephil were-cougar, but she couldn’t very well admit that to Neil. “She knows I have two left feet and was just warning me to watch my step when we dance,” Claire shouted.
“That’s okay, I wore steel-toed boots,” Neil teased. He took her gloved hand and led her into the center of the room.
The DJ was blasting the newest hit singles. Some of the other dancers, Claire noticed, were gyrating to the music with no particular style. Neil, on the other hand, began to move with a fluid grace. She’d seen him perform in choreographed musicals onstage, but this was the first time she’d witnessed what he could do on his own. He was so fascinating to watch, Claire almost forgot to dance herself. The music had such energy, however, that she soon got into the swing of things, letting go of all the worries that weighed on her mind. She was getting a lot of sidelong looks—frowns from girls envious of her date, and curiosity from people she didn’t know that well. A few people even came up to wish her luck in the election for princess. It felt odd, as if she were a minor celebrity for the evening.
Several songs went by before the first slow song started, at which point the mood immediately shifted. Half the students drifted off toward the refreshments or the sidelines to sit down, while those who remained moved into each other’s arms.
As she wove her arms around Neil’s neck, Claire silently repeated her mantra to herself, just in case Neil’s hands touched her exposed upper back. As the words resounded in her brain, she couldn’t help remembering how it had felt to be held in Alec’s embrace, spinning through the night air. Just forget about me, Claire. Let me go. Move on. Her heart wrenched, and she had to suppress a sudden pang in her chest. But as she looked up into Neil’s eyes, she saw such sweetness and admiration that she forced herself to focus on the present. Neil deserved that.
“Having a good time?” He smiled down at her as they moved in slow circles to the soft beat.
“Yes,” Claire replied. “Are you?”
“I’m here with the prettiest girl at the dance, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Was that an attempt to avoid the question?” The words came out unthinking, and Claire regretted them. Were they prompted by her own guilt?
“I’m having a wonderful time, I was just worried about you.” Neil studied her face intently. “Tell me straight: Are you still thinking about him?”
He’d asked so gently that Claire couldn’t lie to him. “A little,” she admitted softly. “But I’m glad to be here with you.”
Neil nodded, not looking particularly surprised or hurt. “Okay. I can accept that.”
Claire smiled up at him. “Has anyone ever told you how great you are?”
“Charming is the word I generally hear,” he joked.
Claire laughed. As they continued to dance, she felt the tension slowly leave her body. It was nice to be in Neil’s arms, to be the center of his attention—and to actually be vision free. She hadn’t felt this relaxed or normal in a long time. Normal. That was what Alec and her mom had both wanted for her, wasn’t it? To pick a normal boy, and have a normal life?
And then she saw them—a thin, dark-haired girl clad in a short, clingy white dress and two tough-looking guys whose muscles bulged beneath their tight suits were passing through the balloon archway. Even in the dimly lit gym, Claire recognized them at once, and she stared at them in alarm.
The Fallen.
They glanced about the gym with barely concealed smirks of amusement. Claire knew they were at least four or five years too old to be in high school—not to mention that their appearance didn’t mesh with the college-prep Emerson vibe at all—but no one else seemed to have noticed them yet.
Except Neil, who followed her gaze. “Aren’t they those guys from the mall?”
Claire’s voice was tense. “I think so.”
“What are they doing here?”
“I don’t know.”
“Let’s find out.” Neil took her gloved hand.
“No, Neil, I’d rather—”
He ignored Claire’s protest as he propelled her purposefully across the room through the crowd of dancers. The farther they moved from the DJ and his massive speakers, the quieter the music became, until Claire was actually able to hear herself think again.
The trio had settled in front of the refreshment table, where the tall, ponytailed guy—Claire couldn’t remember his name—was chomping on a cookie. The shorter one was playing with a cell phone, while the girl sipped punch. All three of them surveyed the room intently. Looking for me, Claire thought grimly.
As she and Neil strode up, the girl’s eyes lit up with recognition.
“Claire!” the girl cried. “I almost didn’t recognize you. You look gorgeous in that dress! Do you remember me?”
“Celeste, right?” Claire’s lips tightened warily—yet despite herself, she felt a friendly glow emanating from this girl, enveloping her like an invisible cloud.
“What’s up, guys?” Neil said with a curious smile. “What’re you doing here?”
Claire suddenly remembered that Neil had actually liked these people, and had no idea what they were up against. How on earth was she going to get rid of them?
“We came to cheer for you and Claire, handsome,” Celeste replied with a flirty wave of her hand. “We heard you’re up for prince and princess. That is so exciting! You make such a cute couple!”
Claire flushed, and for a moment was at a loss for words. What else did Celeste know about her life? And why did Celeste’s smile slink under her defenses and reverberate so warmly, making her feel like a long-lost friend? The answer dawned on her—she’s using her talent on me. Claire steeled herself, fighting back against the intrusive feelings.
“How’d you hear about that?” Neil asked, surprised. “How’d you even find out what school we go to?”
“We have a special interest in Claire,” the tall guy responded, “and a high-tech, global spy network at our disposal.” He fixed Neil with a shit-eating grin, and his shorter companion laughed.
Claire’s mouth dropped at this blatantly candid reply. Not surprisingly, Neil took it as a joke.
“Whatever,” Neil said, rolling his eyes.
Celeste oozed sympathy as she set down her plastic cup and moved closer to Claire. “Sweetie, we know things have really sucked for you lately, and it’s so much harder when you’re on your own. You need friends to support you. Friends who know the truth, and really understand what’s going on with you.”
Claire’s heart skittered. Oh my God. Do they know about Alec, too?
“Whatever happens, we’re here for you,” added the shorter guy. He raised his hands. To Claire’s shock, he held her evening bag in one hand and her phone in the other. “I’ve already put Celeste’s number in your phone,” he added, dropping it back into her bag and handing it to her. “You can call us anytime, day or night.”
Claire snatched her purse out of his hands, stunned by his audacity. “Thanks,” she said through gritted teeth. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Neil looked confused. “What the hell? Claire, this guy just went through your purse and you’re thanking him?”
“I’ll explain later, Neil.” Claire wondered how she would ever be able to explain. To the trio, she said, “I think you should leave.”
Celeste looked taken aback. “Claire, we came here in friendship. I don’t think you realize what we’re offering here. We know who you are, what you want, and what you need.” She took Claire’s gloved hand and leaned in close, whispering in her ear. “Money? It’ll never be a problem again. Your mom won’t have to work such long hours anymore, you can get a house, and all the stability you need. And all those other things worrying you? Looking over your shoulder, day in and day out? We can make all that go away. We have friends … everywhere.”
No wonder Alec said they were dangerous, Claire thought, her pulse racing, as perspiration broke out on her brow. It’s like being tempted by the devil. Thank God she’d been warned.
Suddenly, a new voice entered the mix. A voice with a Scottish accent.
“Get your hand off her, or I’ll take it off.”