CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Carter held out the hanger holding my red dress as I stood in the bathroom curling my hair. “Is this really necessary?”
“If I don’t start getting ready right now, we’ll be late.”
Carter was already in his traditional black suit and tie, looking absolutely perfect. I, on the other hand, looked as exhausted and disheveled as I felt. My face was pale with dark bags forming under my eyes. My hair was stuck in weird waves from tossing and turning in my sleep. Altogether, I was not a pretty sight.
“Argh!” he moaned. “You know I can’t stand it when you keep things from me.”
I arched my brow. “Says the guy who has refused to tell me anything until the end of this Red Lantern thing is done.”
“Red and Black Lantern Festival, and it’s a big deal for the founding families, which might I remind you, includes you. I just don’t want to ruin it for you.”
I snatched the dress off the hanger and narrowed my eyes on him. “That sounds like a pretty serious secret to keep from me.”
“No… I mean yes. Wait, it’s complicated,” he said, shaking his head. “Just trust me on this. It’s a lot to take in.”
“I don’t see why you can’t tell me right now,” I huffed. “I can keep a secret if that’s what you’re worried about. I won’t tell a soul.”
“Annabelle,” he grumbled. “You’re stalling.”
I flashed him a disappointed look and then turned back to the mirror to put the finishing touches on my makeup.
“Okay, but you have to promise not to get mad.”
“Why would I get mad?” he said defensively.
“Carter… you’re going to have to do better than that.”
He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the doorframe. “I’m not mad.”
I laughed. “You are mad.”
He sighed. “Okay, but that’s just because of the stuff in Cravens Ville… it’s really getting to me.”
I looked at him, wanting to probe for answers, but his face instantly looked drained and his body slumped.
“It’s going to be okay,” was the only thing I could think to say.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
“Okay out,” I said, shooing him from the bathroom. “I need to get this dress on.”
He frowned, letting me push him from the bathroom.
“I want you to get the whole effect. Shoes, hair, makeup, dress… that’s the way it works.”
Carter rolled his eyes and threw his hands up in surrender. “Fine, but you still owe me that explanation and don’t think I will forget.”
I closed the door, leaning against it with a heavy sigh. Every second passing made it that much more difficult to tell him the truth. Worse of all, if I told him about Yury he might actually support Felix’s recently sprung move. Yet another thing I hadn’t told him about.
“Carter, something happened in the woods today,” I blurted out, continuing before I had the chance to change my mind. “Yury attacked me and… well I don’t really know what happened, but my uncle showed up and he kind of just… ran away.”
I sighed, a sense of relief washing over me. There, I said it!
I waited for a response, but one never came.
“Carter.”
Again, there was nothing.
I opened the door, finding him exactly where I had left him. His face was blank, like he had just witnesses a terribly accident. I took his hand in mine, lacing our fingers together. “Are you okay?”
He closed his eyes and I could feel his body trembling. His skin warmed until it was too hot to touch, forcing me to let go of his hand. I had seen this once before and I knew what was happening.
“Carter!” I yelled. “Stop!”
He opened his eyes and the blaze of red frightened me back. He turned from me, gripping the banister behind him.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low and streaked with sorrow.
I stepped forward, placing my hand on his shoulder. “I’m not scared of you, it’s just the red eye thing… well, it’s just too soon.”
He turned, facing me. “Not for that. I’m sorry that I wasn’t there to protect you.”
“Carter, you couldn’t have known.”
He didn’t say anything.
“Why do you look like you’ve just killed a puppy?” I asked, trying to throw some humor into the conversation.
He didn’t laugh nor did he explain himself, but that made it all too clear.
I stepped away to gage his facial expressions. “This is about Cravens Ville, isn’t it? You’ve been acting strange since you came back from there. What happened? What did you find?”
He started down the stairs. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Where are you going?” I asked, following him to the door.
“I’m going to do the only thing that does matter.” He stopped and looked into my eyes, his hand gently caressing the side of my face. “I’m going to keep you safe.”
Carter darted out the door and across the lawn to his car. I tried to follow him, but he moved at a supernatural speed and I was still wearing my housecoat. I wasn’t sure if I should let him go or not, but I knew I couldn’t follow him dressed like this.
I hurried inside, closing the door just as I heard a loud honk coming from the street outside my house. I cracked the door open and peeked outside. A black limo with tinted windows and obnoxious bass was cruising down the street. It pulled up to my house and Jane’s curly brown hair emerged from the sunroof.
I stepped back out on to the porch and waved. Jane smiled and ducked back into the vehicle, stepping out seconds later through the door. She was wearing a beautiful black dress, which sparkled in the setting sunlight. The material shined like diamonds and hugged her curvy figure, carefully outlining the results of years of cheerleading practices.
She glanced over her shoulder at the limo. “It’s a gift from Trish’s parents.”
Trish stepped out as well. She looked magnificent in her black satin dress. It was strapless, clinging tightly around her waist and falling loosely around her hips. They both wore their hair up in tight curls and were draped in the most elegant diamond jewelry.
Trish rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well it’s the least they can do after ditching me on the eve of Burnwood’s most important festival.”
Alec, Kendrick and Nick piled out from the limo.
I glanced down at my blue house coat and bunny slippers.
At least my hair and makeup is done.
“Why aren’t you dressed?” asked Jane.
I looked down the block in the direction Carter had left and contemplated whether I should tell them the real reason, but what good would it do now? Everyone looked so wonderful dressed up and I could see how happy they all were, even Trish.
“It just took me longer than I thought to do my hair,” I said. “I’ll go get dressed.”
I stepped inside and closed the door, pretending not to notice the uncomfortable silence. If this night was going to go on without a hinge, my acting skills would have to get a lot better, starting with a believable excuse for why Carter wouldn’t be there.
I sighed. This is going to be a long night.