Back to You (Don’t Forget Me – The Saga Book 2)

by Sia Wales

The second chapter of the saga finally reveals the secrets and the mysteries that were barely hinted at in Don’t Forget Me, the introductory chapter. Desire mixes with a strong dose of suspense. The storyline, romantic and complex on one side, melts; and on the other thickens.
“I want to be the worst thing that, regardless, you would still find yourself choosing over and over, in spite of all the best you might have in life… This. This is enough, forever.”
Stella has put behind her the beginning of a difficult academic year, full of conflict and contradictory temptations. There is a new arrival in the Whitely house. Jeff, her father, has recently relocated to Medford––this time to stay. What better opportunity to organize a party? But nothing is as it seems; beginning with Tyler Bradford, his childhood friend, whose presence turns out to be much more than a banal coincidence. With Siberian origins, he seems to hide a great secret, one greater than himself. It is the second day from the start of term at the university, and when Stella finds Donn Brooks once again, her life takes a dangerous and unexpected turn. It’s more than she could have imagined, beginning with an encounter in the library basement. What began as an agreement will transform into something much greater than a pure and overwhelming desire.
In reality, Stella has no other options. However, she doesn’t seem to regret her choice. In the end, the decision is only hers. Donn will not force her into anything. She does it to save a life. She does it because life is all she has to offer in exchange for another. For Stella, only one thing is truly important––Jason Rees; but she will discover that being in love with a special vampire is extremely dangerous and requires sacrifices. Why, therefore, does Jason leave Stella once again in the arms of the dark and fascinating vampire who introduced her to the dark side?
Aware of his lack of indifference toward her, will Stella fall once again into the trap of the enigmatic hunter who hides behind the mask of the powerful businessman, Donn Brooks? Will her best friend Vuk be enough to help her forget the irresistible Donn? Forced to choose between love and friendship, Stella knows that her decision risks reigniting the millennial fight between vampires and wolves.
After all, for Stella and Vuk, to live apart is simply inconceivable. Only together will they be able to fight the pain and the guilt, face the truth, and experience the unexpected power of an unbreakable bond.
In the meantime, now that the Council, Donn’s family, is no longer after her, the rebels, the enemies of the Council, are closing in and ready to capture her. For Stella, the moment of truth has is increasingly near.
In a novel where every day is crucial, the time for decisions and renunciation has arrived. Constrained by the events to be hanging in the balance, will she be able to stay balanced on her own two feet?

*  *  *

  And here, for your reading pleasure, is our free romance excerpt:

1 A Special Occasion

 

I feel like I have slept for an eternity. My body is stiff, as if it has been sitting still all this time, and my confused thoughts drag through my mind slowly. A blinding ray of moonlight surrounds my body and brightens Medford, the cold and cloudy town in Massachusetts, which became my hometown four years ago. A tangled, multicolored web of bizarre dreams and nightmares weigh down on my head. Intense. Very intense.

Excruciating anxiety and fear permeate my typically frustrating nightmare in which I can’t run ahead fast enough.

The massive monster with blazing yellow eyes that I know so well makes the nightmare even more terrifying, and I know his name. Vuk Wolf. Terror and ecstasy combine to form an indescribable cocktail. And the faster I try to run, the clumsier I become.

Then the moment arrives. I feel him getting closer, but never seem to wake up in time. And when I forget just what I’m running from, I realize there’s nothing to run from, nothing to fear. That nothing exists beyond that dark, dreary forest. This is about the time when the screaming begins. My nights are crowded with nightmares, and the nightmare has always been the same these past few weeks. You’d think I would have anticipated it that after so many times, after the last full moon, and that I would be bored if not numb to it. I doubt that anyone else would be frightened by a nightmare like this––yet terror is not the most powerful emotion I feel in the nightmare, because I see the clear image of J., the angel, in clear view.

“Stella,” whispers the familiar voice.

But it is not J.’s voice I hear.

The vortex, more like the abyss I fell in, already submerges me in deep pain, so why not? I search the recesses of my memories. Not the real ones––that would be too painful––but the conjured-up ones, like Vuk’s voice, which I heard the night before and the night before that. I keep reliving them before falling asleep with tears rolling down my emotionless face.

It is difficult to leave that vision and awaken. It is a dream that cannot be buried in Jason’s gloomy and surreal crypt, which I refuse to visit because it would hurt too much. I force myself to leave the nightmare behind, and while I come about, the real world emerges.

I can’t remember what day of the week it is, but I’m pretty sure that I should be at school. After the road accident that no one talks about anymore, I took a break for a few days. Or maybe I should be at work? I take a deep breath and wonder how to face the day, the evening ahead, the next day, and the one after that.

“Stella,” the voice calls again. Something warm brushes my forehead gently. Life seems so gloomy that I could try to trick myself into pretending a little.

I turn to see who is joining my adventure, but there’s no need to see him to know whom it is. Vuk, my best friend. I’d recognize that voice from a million miles away, and it never fails to stir deep emotions inside me. He’s sitting on the floor at the end of the sofa with an arm perched on the armrest. He stares at me, immobile, just a few inches from my face.

The bright white moonbeams, the glimmer of a flawless, cloudless evening takes the place of my dream’s blindingly yellow eyes––the same eyes I now see probing my pale, ashen face. In those eyes I read the pages of a mysterious book that only I can decode.

He would look at me with those same eyes. His smile would be on those same lips, or nearly. He would keep being the person that knows me best, at least for as long as I’ve been here. This is what I read in his eyes at first glance. But I keep telling myself it’s just a dream. The gloomy glance betrays his deep sorrow.

It’s clear that beyond the impossible feelings he has for me, there is also a tie that binds us, one that runs deep and goes beyond our friendship, for which he would always come for me.

It was a mistake to let my imagination run wild. Well, maybe “let” is the wrong word. I forced it to run after my recurring nightmares, and I lost all control. I allowed myself to get carried away, yet it is still much better than the silent visit of a few nights ago. He was more cautious; he kept his distance, even if just by just a few steps.

I force myself to keep my eyes closed. The dream is extraordinarily lifelike. But I’m about to awaken, and I know that in a few seconds he will vanish, as he usually does. Sometimes I get lost in daydreams too. With a sigh of resignation, my eyes let the real world enter and dissolve the mirage. Vuk is still here; the sharp features of his perfect face just a few inches from mine.

It takes me no time to decide that, given I’ve already lost my mind, I will continue enjoying the illusion of a gentle Vuk for as long as I am able.

Vuk, with that breathtaking smile of his, puts an arm around my shoulder and looks at me intensely. His facial expression mesmerizes me. The bright emerald of his eyes lights up and begins to glow.

Rather than being frightened, I choose to stare at him awkwardly, as if I were expecting to be reproached.

I stretch out my other hand to touch him; he mirrors me as if he were my reflection. But where our fingers should meet, there is nothing but burning heat.

It’s real. Vuk is next to me, I can feel his embrace. His voice, the scent of his body, his face. It all feels so much closer than when he came to see me the other evening.

He’s always there, by my side. He seems intent on not leaving this time. His warm, perfect lips brush against my numb cheek.

“Happy anniversary, little girl,” he whispers, his usual crooked smile spread across his face. He nods his head to welcome me back into the world.

“What?” I ask, puzzled. My throat feels coarse. And that golden reflection of his eyes suddenly blinds me. I shield my eyes with my fists and wake up, startled, breathless, eyes wide open.

His hand brushes a lock of hair from my cheek.

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather see your face. You have no idea how much I’ve missed it. Did I frighten you?”

“Huh”? I sense an underlying unease in his voice. I open my eyes, barely breathing.

“Did I frighten you?” he repeats, and I notice the dark circles under his eyes that resemble burns. “But you know that I would never, ever hurt you.”

“Yes, Vuk, I know.”

My eyes wander away from his face and search my surroundings to make sure that I’m not still dreaming. I see the darkness outside the open window.

“Wow, that sure was sticky sweet.”

“Not really,” I whisper shyly.

I look at him again and feel my cheeks blushing along with the certainty that Vuk really is there, next to me. His eyes continue to glow in emerald green. This surprises me; usually the version of Vuk that appears in my dreams has jade eyes.

“Oh, shit.” My voice is still coarse from sleeping. His face looks even more anxious.

A shiver runs through my bones, from the ends of my hair to the tips of my toes and with a moan, I fall back against the headrest, pulling the duvet high over my head.

I knew this moment would come, it had been on the tip of my thoughts for a long while, constantly threatening to make an appearance. But I didn’t expect it to come so soon.

Without a sound, he slides onto the sofa next to me and lifts the cover to look at me.

“What’s wrong, Stella?”

I don’t think I can face him just yet, but he’s leaning over me, his face an inch away from mine. I try to control my breathing, to calm down, but I jump when I see the flash of jade in his eyes.

“You’re here. You’re … back.” I hadn’t really been following what he was saying. I hadn’t even realized we were talking and that he’d come in through the window. And I don’t understand to what he referred.

“Yes, I’m home.” Vuk’s smile is reserved. “I’ve come back to you.”

Reality suddenly becomes clear to me and it weighs down in my belly.

“Time goes by. Even when it seems impossible.” My eyes stare blankly, veiled by tears that are on the verge of flowing.

“Time might go by randomly, little girl, but it does go by. Even for you.” His fingers trace the outline of my face. “Maybe you should get some more sleep. You’re delirious.”

“I’m not tired anymore,” I yawn. “What time is it?”

“It’s already past nine in the evening. You’ve been sleeping for a couple of hours.”

I frown. It’s all been clear for days now. Vuk is my best friend, I would have loved him for a lifetime, but that would never have been enough for him. But I need Vuk, like a junkie needs her drug. For so long now, almost a year, he’s been my crutch and I’m into it deeper that I could ever have imagined possible. How I wished he were my brother, a blood brother, so that I could have a relationship with him that didn’t make me feel guilty.

Tears of anguish and frustration flow down my cheeks. When you love someone, you have a weapon of mass destruction in your hands. Anyone who is loved risks being crushed, as I was a year ago, and then again just a few days back.

“Stella.” Vuk turns the full force of his golden, fiery eyes onto me.

“What?”

“This is silly. Why are you crying?” He bends down to delicately embrace me. “Did I frighten you, really?”

“What are you doing here?” I wipe away the smudged mascara from my face.

“First tell me why you’re crying.”

“Because I’m pissed at you,” I retort angrily, crossing my arms protectively over the duvet.

His hands approach my face as he gazes into my eyes.

“I’m here for a very special occasion. If you remember a while back, you said I could stay at Jeff’s house whenever I wanted to.”

“Didn’t the way I avoided you at Jamie’s party send a clear enough message to you? It was my way of retracting that invitation!” I try to force a smile, but feel as if I am about to burst into tears.

“Listen, Stella, I’m sorry about the night of the full moon and everything that happened.”

“Why were you so angry at me?”

“I wasn’t angry at you.”

“Why did you attack me at the factory?”

“I’ve explained that a million times.”

“Just tell me the truth, I beg you.”

“I could just blame the animal that is in me, but the truth is that it was just the man I’ve become. I screwed up and I truly am sorry.”

“Thanks for being honest.” I lift my blank gaze from my hands and look at him, bewildered, but my eyes are still a blank.

“Look, I didn’t come here to talk about me.” Vuk lowers his gaze.

“What is it, then? I’m listening.” I sink further into Jeff’s sofa in the study next to my bedroom and stare lifelessly into space.

“You’re still upset, Stella.” I don’t understand what he means, but I feel like he’s pushing me and I make an effort to concentrate.

“I’m not upset.”

“Maybe that came out wrong. I just don’t want you to be sad anymore, Stella, that’s all I wanted to say.”

I look at him out of the corner of my eyes, and see him turning to look at me, worried.

“I’m just fine.”

He scrutinizes my stern expression and changes his strategy.

“I waited a while, I hoped you’d get better!” He punches the wall next to my head to get my attention. “Now you have to pull yourself together, Stella!”

He succeeds. We both know that my mood has not improved.

He stares at me in frustration, and I mull over the meaning of his words.

“Now I’m going to call Scott and ask him to send Jeff home,” he warns. I feel my world collapse. But my eyes light up with the first flame of life since who knows when.

“Maybe that would help you,” Vuk adds.

“Or maybe not.” My reply is sharp as I realize just where all this is leading. I’m not sure it will work, if I can’t be totally frank and willing to talk it over. Of course, I could just spout out the truth, if I wanted to spend the rest of my days in a padded cell.

“What did I do?” I ask, mystified.

“Nothing! That’s the problem!”

I act dumb, staring at the armrest of the sofa.

“What?” I repeat, distraught and confused. “I don’t get it, Vuk. Just what is the problem?”

“You never do anything, ever!”

“That’s not fair! Would you prefer me to get myself into trouble, as I usually do?” I try to inject as much energy into my voice as possible.

“Getting into trouble would be better than this.”

“Oh, yeah?” I object, challengingly. But my face gives away the weakness of my argument.

“Sure, at least you’d be doing something. You’re… you’re burnt out, Stella.” As soon as Vuk says this, I realize just how burnt out my voice sounds.

I take a deep breath. His accusation has hit the spot.

“Then tell me what I should do. Give Jamie a call? Plan to go out?”

“Listen, little girl, I think maybe you… need help.” Vuk holds his breath awaiting my reaction.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, maybe you need to talk to someone close to you,” he replies in frustration. “Your dad, for example.”

“Do you really want Jeff to come back?” My tone is sharp, now that I understand what he’s aiming for.

He punches the wall again.

“I want whatever is best for you!”

“Ok,” I retort. “But first you’re upset because I sit here doing nothing, then you say that you don’t want me to go out with Jamie?”

“Look, we both know what is going on, Stella, and it’s not doing you any good.”

“Right.” My voice is low, monotonous. “If you say so.”

“Stella,” he whispers, his voice velvety smooth.

I look at him, uncomfortable but keep listening. Something about the expression on his face captures my attention for a moment.

“I know that our rules say I’m not allowed to wish you a happy ‘welcome home’ anniversary, but this is the first one since we met and it only comes once in a lifetime. You ought to celebrate the event.”

“What do you mean?” I hiss, the words barely coming out, the thought flashing through my mind that it has been exactly one year since Jason left. “Are you saying what I think you mean?” I ask breathlessly. It’s meant to be a rhetorical question.

“You know exactly what I mean. That it’s a special occasion.” I feel his sweet breath on my face.

“Right, what an idiot I am,” I whisper. “I didn’t realize that today is the fourth of October.”

“Yes, it’s October 4th today,” he confirms, smiling at last. “Sometimes, you are out of this world, you know that?” Vuk’s hoarse, earnest laugh is like a warm embrace.

“Want to celebrate your anniversary moving here with me? But take it easy, this is the first one.” His eyes burn deep gold.

I don’t lower my guard. “I don’t want to celebrate, and I don’t want to be wished a happy anniversary.”

“That’s a shame.” He brushes a lock of his unkempt golden hair from his face. “I thought you might have changed your mind. Usually humans love birthdays, anniversaries, parties, presents, stuff like that.”

“Well, you did say that I was out of this world, right?”

I’m dismayed. My nightmares veiled in fear now seem a reality. First of all, I have absolutely no intention of celebrating the day I lost Jason. And then I have Vuk here by my side, watching me, determined to come back into my life. I feel the warmth of tears looming over my eyes a glimmery sheen that brightens and dims my gaze.

“Whatever. Maybe later, then. Just please don’t try to create a barrier between us, I can’t stand it. But I think a celebration would be cool, fun. Everyone will be there. And everyone will be good to you and do everything you say, little girl. That’s what’s so great about an anniversary.”

“And what’s it all mean to you?”

“Same as ever. A lifetime of captivity, a tie that can never be broken, that sort of thing.” He taps the leather bracelet on his right wrist, a symbol of his promise.

“Oh well, if that’s all it is.” I laugh, still trying to make the boundary clear. As usual, when Vuk is around, boundaries get blurred.

“You see, Stella,” He purrs my name. “Given that the date slipped your mind, it’s the least I can do.”

“I guess, technically, speaking,” I say. “Yippee!”

Vuk’s lips curve into that irresistible smile of his.

“You should be in a good mood. If not today, when?”

“What if I don’t want to be in a good mood?”

“Now there’s a surprise.”

He leans over me, taking my face into his hands, stroking it gently, his fingertips delicately tracing my cheekbones, the outline.

“I’ll see what I can do,” he whispers into my ear, his expression now composed. But there’s something about his stubbornness that raises doubts.

“You know, I’ve just realized that you’re dressed all in black, sharper than usual.”

“I told you, kid. You’re not really present just lately.”

“I guess so.” I feel helpless and somehow vulnerable in his embrace.

My ear is crushed against his chest, I hear his hypnotic, reassuring heartbeat. I smell the sweet, familiar aroma on his skin. He holds me tenderly, holding my head with one hand, as if I were as fragile as a newborn baby. And that’s just how fragile I feel in his arms.

“Why don’t you start making your way there. I’ll just get my wits about me and join you.”

“Yeah, sure! Like I believe you!”

“You’d just wait for me to leave to find an excuse not to come. I gotta strike the iron while it’s hot.”

“Vuk, do you know how many moving here anniversaries I’ve had?”

“That’s got nothing to do with it. And four isn’t many, anyway,” he smiles. “Am I wrong, or do humans not usually celebrate a few anniversaries before they get sick of them? Anyway, we can talk about it later. Right now, I have to take you someplace.”

“What do you mean?” I reply with a grunt, my curiosity perked.

“You have no idea?”

“No! Just tell me.”

“No way!”

I pout as he drags me to my closet. He opens a door and looks over my clothes.

“Oh no!” I cry. “No party, no presents. Scott promised me!”

“You don’t want to spoil everyone’s fun, do you?”

“I thought that I got to choose what to do on my anniversary,”

He picks out a blue dress and throws it at me.

“Put this on.”.

Vuk waits outside the door as I put clothes on. I realize that taking time to look over my overly clean, sterile room, as if I never lived in it, could be dangerous. I lie still on the bed for a few minutes, waiting for him to come back, but nothing happens. Surely something will come back. The pain, or that dull feeling. Surely it won’t last.

Then I try to remove that thought and, as I dress, I concentrate on the fact that Vuk will be there when I emerge from my bedroom.

I dress without really thinking about what lies ahead, gazing aimlessly at the dark vegetation outside the window. The clouds, which have just begun to form, are swollen; tonight there’s no chance that they’ll allow a ray of moonlight from the west to penetrate, the same beams that earlier brightened Vuk’s divine face. As the seconds tick by, thoughts of how to get out of what Vuk has in store for me race through my mind. I take no pleasure in being forced to celebrate when I’d much rather just curl up into a ball and despair about the bad hand life has dealt me. And I did kindly request, actually I ordered in no uncertain terms, that no one was to throw a party for me or even mention the date. To avoid running the risk, I’d even taken the evening off work. But it would seem that Vuk is not the only one to have blindly ignored my request.

Worse still––not only do I have to attend a party, but I will be the center of attention, something that for someone as shy and gawky as me is never welcome. I know that I’ll probably fall flat on face at some point in the evening. Please just let me not be my clumsy, self-conscious self tonight!

As soon as I open the door, Vuk loads me on his back and carries me down the stairs to the front door. In the driveway I can make out the outline of a vehicle––a big, bright metallic red Ford truck lurking in the shadows.

Vuk slides me off his back, ignoring my astonished expression. “Did you buy another pickup?”

Vuk leans proudly on the hood, grinning broadly.

“Yup, yesterday. This’ll be its maiden voyage.”

“Cool!” I raise my hand to high-five him. When our hands meet, though, my fingers weave into his, I hold his hand to mine.

“A mean machine, rides like a rocket.” His face lights up proudly.

“I bet it does. But I was kinda’ fond of the old one,” I sigh. “She was a beauty.”

“Sorry,” Vuk apologizes. He nods toward the engine. “But I didn’t have much choice.” He shrugs and unintentionally reminds me of the awful moment of the accident.

“This one is awesome too, huge!”

“You gotta change your ride sometimes, right?” He smiles.

“Yeah, sometimes you need a change.”

I release my grip on Vuk’s hand. I act nonchalantly, determined to be easygoing about maintaining that boundary between the two of us.

“I was thinking about getting something else,” adds Vuk. “A fierce motocross bike, with wheels up to my waist, the back lights with a metallic protective cover, and two spare plates on the bearings.”

“If I win the lottery, I’ll buy you one for Christmas,” I promise.

He looks at me tenderly and puts his mouth to my ear.

“I already have everything I need.” He runs his warm fingers down my check to my chin. Then he tries to help me into the shiny new pickup.

I cross my arms and don’t budge an inch, staring challengingly into those golden eyes.

“It’s my anniversary, I should be allowed to drive.”

“I thought we were pretending this wasn’t a special event.”

“You’re the one who insisted.”

“Now I’m doing as you asked.”

“If it’s not a special day for me, then I don’t have to come out with you tonight, right?” Being forced to go out unexpectedly had gotten on my nerves, already on edge, so much that I was being even more sarcastic than I wanted.

“Ok then.” He slams the passenger door shut and walks around the truck to open the driver’s door. “It’s all yours, happy anniversary.”

“You’re really going to let me drive your brand new pickup? Wow, that’s some news!”

As I say this, Vuk glances at my Corvette and shakes his head in disapproval.

“Yeah, your car ain’t exactly in the best shape.”

I wrinkle my nose. I don’t like it when my car, my baby, is criticized. It’s my pride and joy. It has never let me down, we’ve shared joy and pain. And it’s got charisma to kill for, despite its years of honorable service.

“Whoa, cool it,” I warn him. “My car is a veteran.” I never lose my cool with Vuk, even if lately he’s been putting me to the test. Vuk, barely able to contain his laughter, smiles.

“I can’t argue with that, kid.”

“That’s more like it.”

“But you want a better ride?” He asks, leaning his arms on the roof of the pickup. “Then get in. But I’d better do the driving.”

I stand still, uncertain, scrutinizing him.

He peels his body off the truck’s bodywork and walks toward me, his face becoming warm, soft. His arms around my waist are a snare I cannot and don’t want to escape.

“Please, little girl, we need to get moving.” His voice is delicate, a fine sandpaper whisper. I sigh and resign myself to getting into the pickup, half regretting not to have insisted. I slide into the passenger seat. His face cracks a smile and he jumps into the cab, his emerald eyes fiery as he prepares to hit the road.

“Right, let’s go!” he says, after making sure I’m comfortable in my seat. “We’ve got some celebrating to do.” His usual smile becomes even more breathtaking.

“Ok,” I consent.

And Vuk backs up the long, narrow drive.

 

 

2 News

 

As he drives, I scan radio stations looking for some decent tunes. But white noise fills the cabin.

“Reception’s not great, is it?”

He glances over at me and shakes his head in disapproval. “This stereo is the latest generation. Turn off the multimedia option if you want to listen to the radio.”

I feel the my face flush as I follow his instructions. I sneak a look at Vuk’s expression as some hard rock fills the cab. I can’t help but smile––nobody could deny that the contrast of his black outfit with those stunning green eyes takes his good looks to a new level, almost surreal. And the fact that he’s wearing such an elegant black suit makes me nervous. But a glance down at my own outfit makes me even more nervous.

“Us wearing these fancy clothes, it makes me edgy. Nothing good can come of it!”

“Oh, yeah?” Vuk replies. “You’re leaving the house for the first time after your time as a zombie, and suddenly you’re the expert?”

“Can I just ask when will you take the time to tell me exactly what we’re doing tonight?”

“How can you not have guessed yet?”

“Is it so obvious that I should be ashamed I don’t remember?” Unless it’s … but I’m too scared to translate my suspicions into thoughts or words.

“You know, I really don’t want to embarrass you, but yes, absolutely!” Vuk stifles a laugh and looks at me. “I love it when you blush.”

I ignore him, shake my head to rid it of certain thoughts, and change the subject.

“I swear, I won’t go anywhere else with you if you insist on choosing what I have to wear, like this ridiculous blue dress with the label still attached that has been stuffed in the back of my closet under all the other clothes I never wear.” It’s more suited to a fashion runway than Medford. But it’s too late to regret not having worn the bottle green dress my mother gave me a couple birthdays ago.

“Did I tell you how lovely you look tonight?”

“Maybe you need glasses!”

“My eyesight is just fine, thanks.”

“Well, you did choose this dress!”

He pretends not to hear me, as a mischievous smile curls his lips.

“Maybe your judgment isn’t exactly objective,” I add.

“I couldn’t disagree more.”

At that point, my phone begins to ring, distracting my gaze from his face. I pull the phone from my coat pocket and, for an instant, scrutinize the “unknown caller” written on the display.

“Hello?”

“Yes, it’s me. Who is this?” I ask.

“No, to be honest, I don’t remember.”

“Ah, you’re Scott’s nephew. Hi.”

“Tyler?” asks Vuk, suspiciously.

I nod and cover the phone with my hand. “What’s up?” I mouth.

He just shakes his head and stifles a laugh.

“No, I’m in the car,” I reply. “What are you doing in town?”

I hear a noisy vehicle passing and the sounds of a crowd in the background. His voice becomes shrill. “I’ve just arrived at the station,” he yells.

Overhearing, Vuk rolls his eyes incredulously, and smiles broadly.

“He’s gotta be kidding! Let me talk to him.”

I frown and the terrible truth begins to dawn on me. I hesitate, pass him the phone, and then look down at the unlikely dress Vuk has forced me into tonight.

“Hey, Tyler. It’s Vuk Wolf.” Friendly enough. Then his tone changes, becomes more menacing.

“Sorry, but Stella is busy right now, for everyone but yours truly. No offense, man.” I know Vuk’s voice well enough to notice the underlying hostility. “Sorry if there’s been some kind of misunderstanding!” And he hits the “end call” button, a laugh of satisfaction escaping his lips. Then he turns to me, radiating sweet innocence.

“What?”

In a moment his eyes melt away my anger. I can’t argue with him when he cheats like this.

“What was all that about?”

“Maybe I should warn you.”

“Please do.”

He sighs, but doesn’t reply. He hits me again with the full intensity of those shining emerald eyes.

I try to read them, and an instant later my relief fades to dust as my intuition points me to the terrible truth. My mind is so hazy that such an obvious and important detail completely slipped my mind, despite Vuk’s clues.