Chapter 14
Warning Bells
The evening of the dance, Rae ran down the hall chasing the flow of constant chatter.
Molly stood in the bathroom, makeup done, in front of a full-length mirror straightening her gorgeous auburn hair, which now fell pin-straight on her shoulders.
A twinge of envy shot through Rae. She twirled an unruly curl around her finger. No point in straightening her hair. It never lasted long enough. At least Molly had talked her into adding the blonde streaks into her dark mop the previous year. Rae had instantly loved it and kept up the style.
Desiree curled wisps of her hair around her face, and stared into the other mirror. She wore torn jogging pants and a sport top. Her tatù danced as she moved her hips to the music playing on a docked iPod sitting on the counter.
“You could go to the dance dressed in that.” Rae pointed at Desiree’s clothes and giggled. “All the guys would go crazy!”
“She’ll make the girls of Roe Hampton insanely jealous,” Molly added.
“It’s a tatù, not a tramp-stamp.” Desiree smiled, despite trying to sound annoyed. “I’ll stick to my simple dress.” She unplugged her curling iron. “However, according to my father, I seem to get into enough trouble without trying.”
“Why are you guys getting ready so early?” Rae checked her watch. “It’s only five. The dance doesn’t start until eight, right?”
“Yeah, but Maria and Haley are coming over,” Molly said. “We’re ordering pizza, and Reece’ll be here about seven. Plus, it’s going to take me an hour to do your hair so I wouldn’t have any time to get ready then.” She watched Rae in the mirror.
“You don’t have to do my hair. I plan on just wearing it in a bun. There’s no use straightening it. You know it’ll just go curly in five seconds.”
“Molly’s got big plans for your head tonight. She said she wants something more dramatic than last year. There’s no photos, but people talk, and I totally want to see Molly’s talent,” Desiree said. “I’ll grab a chair from my room for you.” She disappeared out the bathroom door.
“What? Wait a minute. I think–“
“Too late.” Molly grabbed Rae’s arm to prevent her escape. “I bought these sparkly little ponytail holders and we’re going to put some twists and braids into your hair. We’ll leave most of it down, just put the sides up and do all the little bits. It’ll look awesome. Trust me.”
Rae let her shoulders drop and exhaled. “Fine.” She pretended to give in but was secretly ecstatic that Devon would get to see her all dolled up by Molly’s best efforts. Molly might be loud and sometimes obnoxious, but having all of her considerable talents focused on Rae was, occasionally, a plus. “As long as it won’t make you late for seeing Reece. I want to meet him before the dance. You know, make sure he’s good enough for you.”
“He is. He’s the pie in my apple.”
“Pardon?” Rae raised her eyebrows.
“You know, apple pie.”
“Molls,” she laughed, “I think you mean he’s the apple of your eye.”
“Whatever.” Molly waved her hand. She turned as Desiree walked in with a chair. “Sit. Let’s get started.”
Two hours later, Rae followed Desiree out of the bathroom. She had to admit Molly had outdone herself again. Her hair looked awesome, like it belonged on someone else’s head. The tiny braids and twists were going to be a pain to take out later, but the finished look was definitely worth the trouble.
Walking down the hall, Rae had to laugh. Molly hadn’t stopped talking about Reece the entire time. Desiree and Haley wouldn’t shut up about Kraigan. The air seemed to be charged with excitement, and it had nothing to do with Molly’s tatù.
Inside her room, Molly took charge once again. “Rae, you’ve got to get dressed. Reece’s going to be here in about fifteen minutes, and I want you downstairs with me to see him when he gets here.”
Desiree reached inside the closet and pulled the dress bag out. She handed it to Rae with a dramatic curtsey. “Your highness.” She had a big grin on her face.
Rae grabbed the bag out of Desiree’s hands and leaned forward to whisper, “Just remember, payback’s a bitch. I’d be keeping one eye trained on me all evening, prince-ass.”
Desiree let out a throaty laugh. She straightened and gave Rae a light shove. Unprepared, Rae lost her balance and fell backward on the bed.
“I’ll get you, my pretty.” Desiree pounced on top of her. Both girls rolled and play-fought, enthralled in a fit of giggles.
“Stop it!” Molly hollered. “You guys are gonna ruin Rae’s hair and wreck her dress. None of us has a tatù to fix that in time! Don’t make me use this.” Molly pointed her fingers at them, little sparks jumping from the tips.
Desiree harrumphed but slid beside Rae on the bed. She and Rae leaned their backs against the wall, crossing their arms and legs simultaneously. That only brought on another bout of laughter.
“Sorry, Molls. I promise to be good now.” Rae tried to wipe the smile off her face and raised her hand. “Scout’s honor.” It felt good to have friends like this. These were the moments Rae figured she would remember the most after she graduated.
Molly swatted Desiree’s feet and shook a finger at her. “You’re only trouble. I finally have Rae dressing and acting ladylike, and you go encouraging her to act the silly-sausage.”
Desiree stuck her tongue out but stopped goofing around long enough to help Molly take Rae’s dress out of the dress bag. Rae crawled off the bed and slipped into her dress.
“We gotta go,” Molly said when Rae turned around. “It’s almost seven.” She grabbed her bag and phone. “We’ll see the rest of you at the dance.”
“I need a pee-break before we head down,” Rae said as they passed the bathroom.
“Hurry.” Molly checked her phone. “Reece just texted. He’s in the parking lot. I’ll let him know we’ll meet him outside Aumbry House.”
Rae glanced up at the bathroom door frame as she slipped inside, Carter’s conspiracy theory that it had been rigged playing in her mind. Better to be safe than sorry. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Her heels clicked lightly against the marble. She stopped short when she saw herself in the mirror.
Where a girl had been only a few minutes before, a woman now stood. Rae couldn’t believe that she was looking at herself. The dress gave Rae’s small chest curves. Its empire waist gave her legs added length and she admired the shape of her ankles and calves. She did a slow twirl, her grin turning into a full smile when she caught a glimpse of her tatù. The silver in the dress made the fairy’s wings sparkle more than usual. It felt like the wings fluttered on her skin.
Wait till Devon sees me. She couldn’t wait to see his face. Leaning towards the mirror, she wiped a smudge of mascara.
Bang!
Rae jumped, her levitation tatù almost causing her head to hit the ceiling. She spun, arms extended and ready to do whatever she needed to protect herself.
“What the heck?” Molly shouted, jumping out of the way as Rae landed.
“Sorry. Instinct sometimes kicks in and my tatùs react before I do.” Rae checked her heels to see if they were alright.
“You lose control?”
Only when I think someone’s after me. “I’m working on it…” Rae shrugged. “I hate it when that happens.”
“That’d be bad if it happened in public.”
“It wouldn’t happen then. If I feel I’m in danger, it’s like my tatù kicks up a notch.”
“Yeah, ‘cause I’m a little bit dangerous,” Molly sang.
Rae grabbed a face towel and tossed it at her. “Very funny. I’ve been a bit on edge since Alecia got hurt in here, and nervous tonight wearing this fab dress.” Rae grinned sheepishly. “It kinda pulls me out of my usual. I feel very—uh—pretty.”
“You’re welcome. Now hurry up! Reece’s here.”
The two of them rushed downstairs, slowing to a more decorous walk as they passed by Madame Elpis’ room. Thankfully, the door didn’t open.
Pushing through the doors, Rae wondered how Molly could move so fast in her dress without it riding up or personal bits falling out.
Reece, looking exactly like the photo Rae had seen, waited outside Aumbry House, leaning against a cast iron lamppost. A big smile brightened his face when he saw Molly. He wore a very expensive suit; distinguished, yet still maintaining a certain youthfulness. Rae liked him without even speaking to him. The way he stared at Molly was enough for her.
“Molls, you look fantastic.” He reached out to swing her around in a full circle.
Rae watched them kiss and cuddle. Swallowing hard, she tried to suppress her jealousy. They felt no shame in public--and had nothing to hide.
“This is my best friend, Rae.”
“Hello.” He reached his hand towards her.
“Hi.” She shook his hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Same here. Molls hasn’t stopped talking about you.” He grinned.
“I don’t think she stops talking at all.” Rae laughed and shot a glance at her friend. “I wouldn’t change a thing about her.” Molly rolled her eyes and mouthed “whatever.”
Reece released a deep, throaty chuckle. “You’re probably right, but with a body like hers, the chatter’s fine with me.” He reached down to squeeze Molly’s bottom; a knowing look passed between the couple. Could people read things between her and Devon as clearly as this?
“You look very handsome.” Molly grabbed his jacket and pulled him close to her.
Rae took it as her cue to leave. “Why don’t you guys catch up? I’ll go see if Julian and Devon are ready.”
“See you ‘na bit.” Molly’s voice came out muffled against Reece’s neck.
Rae headed to Joist House and took the stairs two at a time to the top floor. She knocked on Devon’s door first. As she waited, she glanced down to straighten her dress and fix the shawl.
A door slammed, startling her. This time she didn’t jump but instinct told her to be on guard, so she cautiously turned to see who had made the noise. Blinking in surprise, she pressed against the door when she saw who stomped towards her.
“Kraigan?”
“What’re you doing here, Kerrigan?” Man, our names sounds alike. He wore jeans and a polo.
She laughed. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“I was just conversing with Julian.” He glanced back down the hall and then looked her up and down. “Dressed in that, I assume you’re going to the dance.” He grinned. “Don’t be throwing yourself at the boys, the school’s not going to know what to do with you.” He sauntered down the hall.
Oh no he didn’t— Rae knew he was teasing but she was thankful he hadn’t seen the back of her dress. “I hope you’re not going dressed like that. Or is that your best outfit from the orphanage?” she joked back.
He reached the end of the hall and turned back to her at the stairwell door. “Ha ha. I went to the local charity shop and bought an Elvis tuxedo in baby blue.” He faked a very obvious anxious look. “You don’t think it’ll be too much?”
She laughed. “It’ll be perfect. Just make sure it covers your tatù. The Privy Council might take you in for questioning.” Speaking of covering—“Kraigan?” she called as he disappeared through the doorway to head down the stairs.
“Yeah?” He popped his head around.
“Where’d you get the Privy Council photo?”
“Why? We did great on the report. Who cares?”
“Me. I covered your ass when Carter drilled me.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Oh. Sorry. Looks like I owe you one then.” He winked as his head once again disappeared through the doorway. “I’ll see ya at the dance.”
“You so owe me!” She yelled at Kraigan and caught his laughter floating up from the bottom of the stairs. She pounded on Devon’s door, adding her foot for good measure.
“What’s with the yelling out here?” Someone called from the other end of the hall.
Rae nearly threw an electrical current with her hand at the figure before she realized who it was. Julian. She leaned and glanced back and forth in the direction Kraigan had originally came from and Julian standing by his room door. He relaxed when he saw her.
“Screaming at a guy isn’t going to get him to answer the door faster.”
“I wasn’t yelling at Devon. Kraigan and I were joking around.”
Julian’s eyes lit up. “Wow. You look awesome.” He leaned against the wall. “Why’re you banging so hard on Dev’s door?”
She looked down at her hand, still banging on Devon’s door. “Oops.” She dropped her hand and laughed. “I’m a dipstick.”
Julian laughed, coming over to her.
“You heard me,” She nodded towards the door. “Though it seems Devon might be going deaf. Think he’s okay?” Worry started to dig into the pit of her stomach. Has his tatù turned off again?
“Why not mental telep’ him? It’s probably easier…and quieter.” A twitch played with the corners of his mouth.
Snapping her fingers, she nodded. She closed her eyes and searched for Maria’s power among the hum of tatùs inside her. She found the familiar string and exhaled as she focused on Devon.
“Are you okay? I’m at your door.
“Can you find him?” Julian asked.
She hit her forehead when she realized Devon wouldn’t be able to respond. She had the tatù, and it only went one way. She started to turn, about to answer Julian, when the door opened. Devon stood with only a towel wrapped loosely around his hips, toothbrush in his mouth.
He pulled the brush out. “Sorry. I was in the shower, music on and shaving.” He whistled as his gaze traveled slowly up and down the length of her body. “You are amazing.”
Smoldering fire burned her cheeks but she didn’t know if it was because of his comment or the fact that he stood, almost naked, with droplets of water forging happy little trails down his delicious form, in front of her.
“Molly did it.” She was unable to stop staring at his muscular chest and six pack. More like an eight pack. She thought about running her fingers over him to count, and wished the towel would fall just a tad lower. Suddenly, something Kraigan said intruded on her little daydream, but the feeling was gone just as quickly as it had come. She turned to shush Julian, knowing he would be making a comment.
Devon gave a low chuckle. “Only Molls could convince you to wear an open back dress. You’re pretty sexy, hot-looking.”
“And this is where I disappear,” Julian rolled his eyes as he turned. “But I’ll be back in fifteen, with my dancing shoes on.” He disappeared down the hall and into his room.
Rae glanced back at Devon, giving him the once-over. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” Devon’s adorable dimple made an appearance. “I try to clean up nicely once in a while. However, I think I’d better get dressed. In case you try to jump me. You have a ravenous look in your eyes.” He grinned and then popped the toothbrush back into his mouth. “Common inth.” His words jumbled from the movement of the brush.
Lips sealed, Rae followed Devon into his suite and settled on the couch to wait for him. He headed into his bedroom, not bothering to close the door. Rae leaned forward, trying to inconspicuously catch a glimpse of him as he dressed. No luck. I need an X-ray tatù which can see through walls and doors.
He walked out a few moments later, dressed in a dark grey suit, his jacket open. He held a red tie in his hand and began putting it on.
Rae pointed to the little emblem near the bottom of the tie. “What’s that?”
“LFC. A friend got this for me.”
“I didn’t know you had a favorite team.”
“Every boy in England does. Engrained from birth. My great-great-great-great granddad followed Liverpool, so we all do.” Devon kissed the emblem.
She wanted to ask him where he got it. A random, if unpleasant, mental picture of the mysterious Anna wrapping it forced her to blink to clear the green haze of jealously from her vision. She didn’t want to start a fight and ruin the evening, so she kept her mouth shut. An image of Julian popped in her head. He wore a simple black suit with bowtie and stood outside Devon’s door, about to knock. “We should get going.”
When they walked down the stairs, Rae spoke to Julian. “Did Kraigan stop by to talk to you?”
Julian played with his long hair before responding. “I don’t know the guy, but he’s—he’s very inquisitive.”
“Did you have a vision about him?” Rae blinked in surprise.
“No, not at all.” Julian shrugged. “I don’t really know him to be honest.”
“He’s like me last year,” Rae said. “He’s the new guy, from an orphanage, trying to find his place here. He’ll settle in eventually.”
Julian glanced at Devon, then Rae. “Do you know what his tatù is? Have you mimicked it?”
“No. I haven’t touched him. He didn’t want me to and I don’t blame him. I didn’t want people to know my tatù when I first got it last year. I wanted to figure it out myself.”
“Give the poor guy a chance,” Devon said. “Let sleeping dogs lie.”
“Huh?” Rae and Julian said at the same time.
“Ignore Julian,” Devon said to Rae. “Since we started working with the Privy Council, he’s paranoid about everyone and their pet. Kraigan’s completely harmless. Carter would never have brought him to Guilder if he thought otherwise.”
Good point. Rae glanced over at Julian.
He looked like he wanted to add something but pressed his lips in a tight thin line instead.