Dark Promise (Between Worlds #1)

  *

  “What do you want to shop for?” Mom asked as we walked through the large glass doors into the mall. It was the weekend, so the mall was annoyingly crowded.

  “Shirts,” I said quickly, “and maybe a couple of spring dresses.”

  We headed towards my favorite clothing store. I loved our mall, even if it was pretty small compared to the malls in big cities, like DC. It had been renovated a few years ago, so the old, dim building had changed into an airy place with skylights and fresh paint.

  We stopped at a café so Mom could grab a coffee, and then made our way to the end of the mall, to a trendy clothing store that was a favorite amongst teens. I found a few low-back shirts, but no luck with the dresses, so we walked down the hall to a large department store.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something odd coming the other way. A fuzzy light of sorts. A person—no, a faery. I blinked a few times as she got closer. Pointy ears and wings, definitely a faery. Her long blonde hair was almost white in color. Our eyes met as we passed each other, and she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

  I gasped and grabbed my mother’s arm. “Mom? Did you see her?”

  “See who?” She turned to look.

  I had forgotten that she couldn’t see faeries. I couldn’t believe there was another faery at the mall. I guess faeries really were everywhere. I had just never known because I didn’t have my faery sight then, nor did I look like a faery. Now…I did.

  “There was another faery,” I told Mom.

  “Oh?” She seemed a bit surprised. “Well, isn’t that interesting. You’ll have to keep your eyes out for more. I guess I thought Azura was exaggerating about faeries being everywhere.”

  “Me too,” I muttered under my breath and glanced back, but the woman was out of sight.

  I couldn’t stop thinking about the other faery, even after we reached the department store and went inside.

  “Dresses are in the back,” Mom told me, and led the way.

  I wasn’t really into it as we browsed. Seeing that other faery had really kind of shaken me. Azura had said that other faeries would recognize me for what I was—and they would know what my birthmark meant. I touched the mark, wondering how such a small thing could bring so much danger.

  “What about this one?” My mom’s voice pulled me from my reverie, and she held out a floral-patterned maxi dress with spaghetti straps.

  “That’s pretty. Let me see the back,” I responded, aware once more of my wings.

  My mom raised an eyebrow and flipped it around. It looked like it might be just low enough.

  “That will work—I think.”

  “Work for what? Are you going somewhere special?”

  I lowered my voice. “It’s uncomfortable if my wings don’t have room.”

  “Oh, goodness. I never would have thought of that.” She giggled, a sweet, light sound that made her look ten years younger. “I have so much to learn about all of this.”

  “You’re not the only one.” Her mirth made me feel better.

  We found a few more things before heading home, where we collected all my bags and Mom helped me carry them upstairs to my room. We deposited the bags on the floor by my closet—I’d take care of them tomorrow.

  “Thanks, Mom, for a normal day. I needed it,” I told her softly.

  She hugged me tightly. “You’re welcome. I’m glad we found some things you like.”

  “Me too.”

  She closed my door behind her, and I was alone. I sat at my desk beneath the window and opened my laptop to check Facebook. Suddenly, I felt like I was being watched. I rubbed the back of my neck and scanned the tree line outside my window, looking for Azura—assuming that’s who it was. But I didn’t see her—or anyone.

  Facebook only held my attention for so long. I pulled on a sleeveless nightgown and began to climb in bed.

  There was a note on my bedside stand. I unfolded the paper and read the words. “I am unable to see you tonight. I will come to you tomorrow. There are many things to discuss.”

  Fine by me. I had no desire to deal with her. I tossed the note in the garbage next to my desk and crawled beneath the covers. My last thought before I fell asleep was, If that hadn’t been Azura I felt watching…who was watching me?