Devon shifted; his hand stroked her neck again. “We’ll figure it out Cassie.”
She frowned at him, but nodded just to keep him satisfied. The snow outside began to pick up, swirling more rapidly as the wind howled against the glass. Cassie shivered in response, huddling deeper into her turtleneck and sweater. The sky was dark, an oppressive steel gray that hung heavy in the air.
Cassie sat up, her eyebrows drawing sharply together as she searched the dark day. She recalled the cloudy day on the beach when they had first felt Julian’s evil, twisted presence. It had been overcast, making it possible for him to move about in the daytime, much like today. A knot twisted in Cassie’s stomach, a feeling of foreboding raced down her spine.
Glancing around the cafeteria, she briefly envied everyone their simple, ignorant lives. They had no idea what lurked out there, what hunted them, what cruelty resided in the world. They knew football games, dances, and parties. It was a simple life, one she should have had, but was glad she didn’t.
For every twist and turn in her life had brought her to Devon. And there was nothing that she wanted to change about that outcome.
“They’re planning something bad,” she whispered softly.
“What do you have premonitions now too?” Chris inquired, trying to sound light but failing.
Cassie forced a smile to her lips. “No, just a feeling.”
Cassie pushed her plate away, giving up on eating anymore. The tight knot in her stomach would not let anymore food through. Devon shot her a look but didn’t say anything. Taking hold of her hand he began to gently massage the back of it with his thumb. Cassie lost herself to the comfort, warmth, and love of his touch.
CHAPTER 8
The snow was still falling in lazy spirals, piling up on the lawn, coating the trees. Cassie turned away from the window, happy to be inside, out of the cold. Chris, Dani, and Melissa were gathered around the island, talking softly as they dealt another hand of cards. A sharp pain of longing tugged at Cassie’s heart, her grandmother had loved to play cards. They used to have nights where they would all sit and play together. Unfortunately, those nights had been few and far between before her grandmother had passed on.
Pouring a cup of coffee she blew on the top of it before taking a sip. Devon strode into the room. Her heart flipped in her chest, her stomach did a strange turn. His eyes instantly found hers, a beautiful grin spread over his full lips. His still damp hair was tussled across his forehead. His lean muscles moved with his fluid grace beneath the jeans and shirt he wore so easily. A strange thrill shot through her, he was magnificent, and he was hers.
She smiled back at him, turning her attention swiftly back to her cup of coffee before thoughts of last night intruded, the intimacy of it taking her over. Looking for reassurance she gently touched the marks on her neck, smiling softly as she recalled him there. Feeding from her; gaining strength from her body.
“Still snowing?” he asked softly, stopping before her. His hard legs brushed against hers as he leaned forward, pushing aside the curtain to look outside. Cassie’s mouth went dry; her body instinctively responded to his, pressing closer as need ensnared her. He was so warm, so strong and sure.
She tilted her head back to look at him, not at all surprised to find his eyes on her, and not the outside world. His smile was gone, his gaze dark and intense. Leaning closer to her, he rested his hands upon the counter on either side of her. Though she knew that there were other people in the room, she could not bring herself to care as every cell in her being became focused upon him, and his touch.
“Like crazy. Maybe we won’t have school tomorrow,” Dani said brightly.
“Hmm,” Chris agreed absently.
Cassie barely heard their conversation over the excitement pounding through her. She wanted nothing more than to lean into Devon and lose herself to his touch. Something inside of her was shifting, changing, growing. She was beginning to realize that it was only a matter of time before she lost complete control and allowed free rein to everything she was thinking and feeling.
Though she had thought she would be frightened by that realization, she was not. In fact, she was thrilled and awed by it. Things were going to change drastically between them, and she was eager to embrace every one of those changes. They would be wonderful, she was certain of it.
Cassie jumped in surprise when Devon’s phone went off. Her eyes narrowed as he pulled it swiftly out. Worry flashed through his eyes as he read the message, hit a few buttons and flipped it closed. His eyes came slowly back to hers, they were cold and distant. “Who… who was that?” she asked, trying to keep the nervousness from her voice. Whoever it was had caused his mood to change in the space of a heartbeat.
He shook his head as he slipped his phone into his pocket. “I need to go out for a bit.”
“Out? Where?” Unreasonable panic filled her; she couldn’t understand the abrupt change that had come over him. Moments ago he was warm and caring, now he was distant, withdrawn, a stranger. And she didn’t know who he could possibly be talking to that would cause such a change. She was fairly certain that almost everyone he talked to was in this room, unless it was a girl. Cassie quickly shut the thought down; she had experienced his feelings last night. She knew that he only thought of her, that he only loved her. But who could he possibly have been talking to?
“I just need to pick up a few things from my place.”
“Can you grab me some things too?” Chris asked absently.
Cassie felt her mouth drop as she turned toward Chris. Chris froze for a moment, his hands tightened around the cards he held. His head came slowly up, his eyes wide with horror as he realized exactly what it was he had let slip out. “Too?” she inquired softly.
Chris’s eyes darted nervously to Devon. “Chris has been staying at my place once in awhile,” Devon said softly, resting his hands on Cassie’s shoulders.
Her eyes widened, betrayal jolted through her. For a moment anger flared inside her, but she somehow managed to push it back down before it consumed her again. She knew how awful Chris’s home life was, knew how miserable it was for him to be at home. Her grandmother had taken care of him more than his own mother had. Chris had spent most of his nights sleeping on Cassie’s floor, but he wouldn’t have wanted to be here after her grandmother had died. It would have been hard on him, and Cassie understood that, but she could not shake the shock that kept her gaping at them. She had never even been to Devon’s apartment, and Chris was apparently staying there.