Dark Promise (Between Worlds #1)

  *

  Sierra showed up about an hour earlier than the rest of the invited guests.

  “Ry?” She knocked loudly on my door.

  Oh, God. How was I going to face her? She’d know something was wrong.

  “Rylie?” She sounded impatient. “Let me in.”

  I unlocked the door and swung it open, bracing myself for the worst.

  Her mouth dropped. “Oh, my! You look absolutely breathtaking! I love that dress!” She walked around me in a circle. “Love the makeup, too! You don’t need me here this early, you’ve transformed yourself. Bravo.”

  You have no idea. “Thanks.”

  I wanted to get the conversation off my own looks, so I gave Sierra a once-over. As usual, she looked fabulous in a short black miniskirt that showed off her long legs, and an off-the-shoulder red slouch top that emphasized her sleek frame.

  “You’re one to talk,” I told her, grinning. “You look hot.”

  “Why, thank you.” She giggled, and then pushed her way into the room to sit down on the edge of my bed.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t call me last night!” I griped. “Tell me all about your date. I’ve been dying to know how it went.” Not that I had even thought about her date with the crazy twist of events the night before, but just talking about it would hopefully help me feel normal.

  Sierra turned beet-red. “It was good. We had fun.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Just good?”

  “He’s really a gentleman. He opened the doors for me, paid for everything, and kissed me at the end of the night. I really like him.”

  “Ah, a kiss.” I giggled. “Was there tongue?”

  “Yeah.” She laughed. “It was great. He’s an incredible kisser, much better than Trent, who practically slobbered on me like a dog.”

  “Gross!” We both laughed, and then I asked, “When are you going to see him again?”

  “He called me earlier and asked me to dinner next weekend.” Sierra stood up and walked over to my dresser.

  “Did you invite him tonight?” I asked curiously.

  “Yeah, but I’m not sure he’ll show. He’s shy.” She leaned over my dresser and stared at herself in the mirror.

  I wondered if Sierra believed in paranormal things. I think we might have talked about ghosts and vampires before, but not other things. How would she feel knowing her best friend had wings? Could I tell her? I never kept secrets from her.

  She looked at me in the mirror. “What’s wrong?”

  “Do you ever think there might be something more out there?”

  “Something more?” She turned around to face me, her brow furrowed.

  “Yeah. Like elves or faeries.”

  “I’ve never seen one. Doesn’t mean they don’t exist though.” She turned back to the mirror, obviously more interested in her appearance than what I was struggling with.

  I reminded myself that she didn’t know I was struggling with it. “What if…what if you found out something else was out there?”

  Before she could answer, my mother’s voice came from the other side of the door. “Can I borrow Sierra for a minute, sweetie? I need help with the cake.”

  I sighed and opened the door. “Sure.”

  “Your guests will be here soon.”

  “I know.” What I didn’t know was how I was going to be able to face them.

  Sierra blew me a kiss and hurried out of the room to help my mother.