She would tell him tonight that as soon as school was over, she would join him. Though she had no need for high school, she felt that she had to finish it. She had come this far already, and it would mean a lot to her grandmother. She also needed to stay human until Julian was taken care of. She could not disappear from town during the day, only to be seen lurking through the shadows at night. That would open up a lot of trouble for all of them. Far more trouble than they needed right now.
She hoped that Devon could wait that long, and that it wouldn’t be too much stress on him. But, maybe once he knew her decision, things would be easier for him. She hoped they would anyway. The last thing she wanted was to cause him anymore distress.
She was so wrapped up in the touch and feel of him that she hadn’t realized the music had stopped until the loud tapping of the microphone pierced her lovely haze. Lifting her head she blinked blearily at the stage. The band was standing in the background; Mrs. Dickson had taken the microphone.
“Excuse me everyone, it is time to announce the homecoming king and queen!”
Cassie groaned inwardly as she rolled her eyes. She may be a nominee, but she was fairly certain that they probably wouldn’t even read her name. She had no prayer of making queen, and no matter how much she told herself she didn’t care, she did. Especially since Devon had a good chance of being king, and Marcy queen. The idea of Marcy getting to share even one dance with Devon was enough to make her blood boil.
Reluctantly pulling away from Devon, she kept her arm wrapped around his waist as they made their way to the edge of the dance floor. Wiping her feet on one of the soft mats at the edge of the sand, she slipped her heels back on. Devon led her through the crowd, winding their way toward the table as he kept a firm hold on her.
The buzz about the upcoming election had quieted the buzz about her, and for the first time people did not scatter to get out of her way. Chris was still standing by the table, and off to the left Cassie spotted Melissa’s dark head coming through the crowd. Chris grinned at her, folding his arms over his chest as they approached.
“I thought I was going to have to get a fire extinguisher for you two.”
Cassie’s face flamed red, Devon shot him a warning glance that only caused Chris’s smile to grow as he chuckled softly. “Just what I’ve been waiting for all night,” Melissa muttered sarcastically as she arrived at their side.
“Do you already know who’s going to win?” Cassie inquired, unable to stop herself.
Melissa grinned as she shook her head. “Nope, only had a vision about the nominees, this one is a complete surprise to me. Well, as much as it could be anyway. I think we all know who’s going to win.”
Devon frowned at her. “Who?” The three of them just stared at him until he got the point. “Me?”
“Yes you,” Chris replied, laughing softly as his tone took on that of the childhood song.
Devon looked even more confused as he glanced over the three of them. “Humans,” he muttered, causing the three of them to laugh. “What is this thing anyway?”
“A tradition, I suppose,” Melissa answered.
“Hmm,” he grunted, clearly still not getting it. Cassie didn’t try to explain further, for she wasn’t entirely certain she even understood it. Not anymore anyway.
The gymnasium grew quiet as Kara made her way onto the stage, taking the envelopes from Mrs. Dickinson. Kara grinned brightly as she stepped up to the microphone. “Hi everyone,” she greeted. “As Vice President of the student body I have been chosen to announce the winners.” She unfolded a piece of paper, reading off the names of the male nominees. Chris and Devon stiffened beside her as their names were called.
“And the winner is…” Kara paused for dramatic effect as her eyes happily scanned the crowd. Melissa sighed heavily, rolling her eyes in annoyance. Turning her attention back to the envelopes, Kara eagerly tore one open. “Devon Knight!” she announced happily.
Cassie closed her eyes as pain bloomed in her chest. She had no reason to feel wounded, but she couldn’t help it. She didn’t want him up there, dancing with some other girl. “Devon, where are you Devon!?” Kara cried eagerly into the microphone as a spotlight blazed from the stage.
Cassie blinked as the bright light flared into her eyes, burning her retinas. She turned swiftly away from it, blocking it with her hand. Devon stepped in front of her, his sleek body blocking out the light far better than her hand did. “Cassie?”
She blinked him back into focus, admiring the masculine beauty of him highlighted by the light glowing around his edges. “Go on, get up there before they blind me with that thing.” Her tone was far brighter than she felt, but the faster he went up there the faster this awful experience could be over.
He grabbed hold of her, a desperate urgency radiating from him as he drew her against him. Cassie didn’t have time to react as his mouth descended fiercely upon hers, ravaging her with an intensity that left her boneless and limp. When he pulled away from her, Cassie managed to gasp in a ragged breath that did nothing to ease the flip flopping of her heart.
“You’ll always be my queen,” he whispered in her ear.
A hard lump formed in her throat as she nodded. Reluctantly releasing her, Devon turned and made his way through the oddly silent crowd. Cassie glanced rapidly around, realizing that their kiss had been center stage, highlighted by the spotlight. Embarrassment did not wash through her; instead, she straightened her shoulders and glared at everyone who continued to stare at her.
All eyes turned swiftly away from her as Devon climbed onto the stage. The silence was suddenly broken by loud clapping, shrill shrieks, and whistles from the girls. “Really?” Cassie muttered.
“It’s like the freaking Beatles,” Chris said, shaking his head in disbelief.
Melissa stepped closer to Cassie, draping her arm around her shoulders. Kara looked like she was going to explode with excitement as she gestured Devon down to slip the crown onto his head. Cassie bit her lip, trying not to laugh as a look of utter disbelief crossed his face. It was a look that could have been mistaken for humility, but Cassie knew it was because he simply did not understand this human customs.
Chris started to laugh, a full bodied laugh that rumbled out of him. Despite herself, Cassie could not help but join him, shaking her head as Devon stepped back. Melissa rolled her eyes again, chuckling softly. “He looks so lost,” she said softly, her chuckles growing in intensity.