“There!” she announced in triumph after forty minutes of styling. “What do you think?” She led me over to the full length mirror where Sophie was sitting on the floor applying her makeup.
“Ohh,” Sophie breathed, “That looks good,” she said, drawing out the last word.
I could hardly believe my eyes. Lily was a genius. She’d twisted and knotted my hair so it spun in a loose twist down the back of my head. Loose tendrils fell free, some framing my face in romantic curls, and some falling in the back.
“You look so elegant—like an old-fashioned movie star,” Sophie murmured.
I hugged Lily in appreciation and went to put on my dress. The boys would be here in less than fifteen minutes. When I emerged from the closet wearing the silky silver dress and matching princess shoes, I stared in awe at my reflection in the mirror.
“So this is what Cinderella felt like…” I whispered to myself.
Dressed and ready to go, I sat on the edge of my bed and watched Sophie and Lily as they finished primping. Lily was busy brushing out her long, straight hair and Sophie was adding some glitter dust to her shoulders and décolletage.
The sound was nothing more than a passing whisper in the wind.
“Calista…”
My ears perked up, and I tried to tune out Lily and Sophie’s happy chatter. I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until I heard the sound again.
“Calista…”
I took a breath, and my head began to spin. Fortunately, Lily and Sophie were too wrapped up in fussing over one another to notice anything. The sound was coming from outside. I think…
“I’ll be back in a second…just going to step outside for a breath of fresh air,” I said, and opened up the sliding glass door in my room that led to the back patio. They nodded absently, still engrossed with their grooming, and Sophie’s sudden dislike of her hair clips.
As soon as I stepped outside into the cool evening air, I heard it again, slightly more audible now.
“Calista…”
The word was nearly muffled by the thumping of my heart. This voice calling me…Was it my mind, or was I actually hearing it with my ears?
The wind whistled across the foggy ocean and it came again…stronger…closer…
“Calista…”
In a trance, I walked over toward the cliff’s edge, only vaguely aware of the cold mist against my bare skin. I heard the call again as I stood on the bluff looking down on the murky shores below.
“Calista,” the wind whispered.
“Nicholas?” I breathed, hopefully.
I took another step forward to the edge.
“CALLIE! COME ON! The guys are here!” Sophie yelled from the doorway. “What are you doing? Come on in!”
Sophie’s words seemed to slap me awake, and I shook my head.
“Coming.”
I slowly backed away from the cliff and joined them.
Chapter 22. Betrayed
“Okay, only a few more. Just the girls this time,” Sophie’s father instructed as we shuffled around to take what seemed like the hundredth picture. She hadn’t been kidding when she’d said he’d take enough pictures to fill an entire album. Sophie stood in the middle with Lily and me on either side, while her dad snapped away. I looked at my father, who pretended he had something in his eyes.
“My little girl is all growed up,” he’d said when he saw me. “You look so beautiful…I only wish your ma could see you now.” He smiled, choking back the tears.
After the last picture was finally taken, we piled into the limousine parked on the driveway. The Winter Ball was held at the Crystal Cove Country Club, a fifteen minute drive from Ana’s house.
When we got there, many other cars were just arriving. One by one, they pulled to the front gates and unloaded their elegantly dressed passengers. Justin held out his hand, escorting me from the car. We walked in pairs, pausing once again to have our pictures taken under a red and gold trestle. My face was ready to cramp up from smiling so much.
The main ballroom had been transformed into a majestic winter wonderland. Shimmering blue and silver balls hung from the ceiling, and the furniture was flocked with white powder. Small mirrors on round tables sparkled and bounced colors all around the grand room. Loud music thumped from the speakers in the back.
Looking more like models and movie starlets than ordinary high school students, fancily attired couples crowded around us. Justin placed his hand protectively on my lower back when we passed by Savannah. She was with a senior named Robbie Farnworth, a boy known more for his unnatural muscle size and miniscule brain. I caught her looking at us out of the corner of her eye, but although a brief sneer crossed her otherwise flawless face, she remained silent, nestling her head in her date’s oversized chest.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look this evening?” Justin whispered in my ear as we walked over to a table.
“Only about a dozen times,” I smiled back at him. We took our seats next to the others.
The boys went off to grab us some drinks and food, and Sophie, Lily and I gathered together to observe the ballroom and gossip.
“I’m surprised to see her here with him…even she could do better than that,” Sophie said out of the corner of her mouth.
“Who?” I asked.
“Savannah. You’d think after what happened to her she’d avoid macho meatheads. I heard Rob takes more steroids than some professional wrestlers.”
Our three dates returned to the table clutching drinks in their hands, their arms laden with plates of finger foods. “Hello, ladies, we’re back from the hunt. Did you miss us?” Brady joked as he sat down next to Sophie.
“Terribly,” she responded with a giggle, and gave him a quick peck on the mouth.
We sipped our drinks and commented on the dresses the other girls were wearing, while the boys got into a conversation about prospects for next year’s soccer team. After about half an hour of chatting and relaxing, Sophie and Brady decided it was time to dance, and Lily and Roman quickly followed suit. It was a slow song, and my heart raced as Justin looked at me expectantly.
“Shall we?” he asked, holding out his hand.
I couldn’t really say no. After all, we were at a dance. I just wished the band would play some faster music so we wouldn’t have to dance so close together.
I followed Justin out onto the floor, feeling Savannah’s eyes burning into my back as we passed her. Lily and Roman seemed to be in their own little world as they slowly swayed to the music, their eyes closed. I caught a glimpse of Sophie and Brady in a far corner kissing while they danced.
“You are by far the most beautiful girl here tonight,” Justin whispered in my ear as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him. I felt his hot breath on my neck, and the sweet, musky scent of his cologne.
If I could just lean against him, close my eyes and pretend…
“A dozen and one times,” I whispered back. “Keep this up and my head won’t fit in the car later.”
He chuckled softly and held me closer.
The slow song ended, replaced by a faster one. Grateful the moment of awkward, forced intimacy was over, I moved to the new beat. I wasn’t a strong dancer like Sophie, or seductively graceful like Lily, but my dress was a maze of color as it reflected the lights of the many shiny disco balls. The music alternated between fast and slow songs, and by the third slow song, Justin and I were wrapped in a tight embrace.
“Whew…let’s take a break,” I said, almost an hour later. The ballroom was hot and stuffy, and my princess shoes didn’t make for a comfortable dancing experience.
He nodded, wiping away the beads of sweat from his forehead.
“Wanna go outside for a while and get some fresh air?” he asked.
“Sure,” I agreed, ignoring my aching feet. Anything to avoid any more slow dances. The mood inside the room had taken a noticeably romantic turn, with more and more couples kissing and nuzzling each other as the night
went on.
We headed out across the lawn and onto a small path that circled the fairway. Moonlight sparkled on a large pond in the middle of the field.
“Let’s go across there,” Justin said, pointing to the pond’s low footbridge, “and walk back around the side of the lake. It’s not too far, and it doesn’t look like anyone is over there. Wouldn’t want to interrupt any private parties.” He smirked.
I couldn’t help but remember the last time Justin and I stumbled onto a ‘private party’, and shuddered.
“Are you cold?” he asked, and started to remove his jacket. It was chilly out, and my thin shawl did little to protect me from the brisk night air. But it felt good—refreshing.
I shook my head and held up my hand, but moments later regretted doing so. The fog had rolled in from the coast, blanketing the grounds in a thick, dewy mist. As we walked further from the bright lights of the main building, a grey darkness slowly crept around us. We crossed the bridge, stopping halfway to look around.
I shivered again.
“Okay, that’s it—now I insist,” Justin said, and removed his jacket, placing it on my shoulders. I didn’t protest; I stood there and let him wrap me in his arms as he covered me up. But instead of just placing the jacket on me and letting go, he pulled me closer until our faces were only inches apart.
“Calista,” he whispered, his voice low and husky, “may I please kiss you?”
I froze, torn between pushing him away, and letting him kiss me. How badly I wanted to force myself to live in the moment…to embrace reality… to not be trapped by a fantasy that would never be real…
Justin took my silence as permission, and leaned closer until his cool lips grazed mine.
Gently at first, as though he couldn’t believe it was happening, Justin’s kiss was so soft I wasn’t sure if he was actually kissing me or not. But then it grew stronger, harder. His mouth covered mine with a searching passion that I was unable to return. After a few seconds I pulled away. He leaned in further, trying to feel my lips again.
“I’m sorry, Justin,” I gasped, “I…c-can’t…”
The flash of anger in his eyes was quickly replaced by one of frustration.
“What is it, Callie? What’s wrong? I thought you liked me,” he said in a hurt tone.
“I do like you…as a friend. But that’s all I can be right now. I- I’m sorry.”
“But why? What am I doing wrong? Can’t you see how much I care about you? Why can’t you give us a chance?” he asked, his eyes pleading with mine.
I felt horrible. The truth was, I did know how much he liked me, and was racked with guilt for allowing things to go this far. I knew something like this was bound to happen.
“Look, I’m sorry. I don’t know why…You’re such an amazing guy, and I really do like you. A lot. I guess I’m just not ready for anything more right now…I’m sorry,” I said. I began walking across the bridge toward the fairway.
“Wait a second,” he said, pulling me back. “I just want to know what kind of game you’re playing. Why’ve you been leading me on this whole time? Flirting with me…saying how much you like me. Was it some kind of joke?” His eyes narrowed with angry resentment.
“No…of course not. I never meant to lead you on. I just…”
“Sure you didn’t. You probably got a real kick out of playing me these past few months, making me feel like some sort of puppy dog eager for your scraps. Now I know you’re nothing but a tease who wants attention—”
“I’m not a tease! I told you all along I only wanted to be friends! I said—”
“Forget it. I’m not going to beg for you when there are other people who see me as more than just something to have around for an ego boost.” His mouth was drawn in a thin line, his jaw hard.
I was shocked and angry. I couldn’t believe Justin was talking to me this way. And the way he looked at me...
“Fine,” I snapped, as I removed his jacket. “Why don’t you just go back inside and find someone who…Ouch!” The back of his jacket pulled on my necklace, pinching my skin. I tried releasing it again but it stayed attached, caught on the clasp of the amulet.
“What’s your problem now?” He eyed me suspiciously. A hot flush swallowed my face, and tears burned my eyes.
“Your stupid jacket is caught on the back of my neck,” I muttered miserably. I wanted it off and to get away from him as soon as possible.
“Don’t pull it, you’ll tear the jacket” he said, irritably. The awkward moment was compounded as he pulled me beneath a small lamppost at the base of the bridge. “Turn around – I’ll get it off,” he barked.
I wiped away my tears and let out a deep sigh, but turned around. I couldn’t see any other option.
“Be careful,” I said coldly. He just grunted, and his fingers roughly fumbled along the back of my neck. A few seconds later he pulled his jacket away from me, flinging my amulet to the ground in the process.
“Oh,” I gasped, as I moved toward where it lay sparkling on the grass. “What did you do? Did you break it?” I met his glare with one of my own.
“I had to unclasp it to get it unhooked. Nice that you’re so worried about—”
He stopped abruptly, his face twisted and frozen.
The look in his eyes made my blood run cold as he stared at me with a sickening glare of repulsion. Instinctively, I took a small step back, away from the overwhelming, fierce hostility that flowed from him.
“Justin? What’s wrong?” I stammered. A quick glance around confirmed we were completely alone.
“You…” he choked, his eyes narrowed, his mouth shaking. “You’re one of them!”
He slowly stepped toward me, his face contorted with hatred as he spat the words, “You’re a witch! A stinking, filthy, rotten witch!”
I took several steps back. “No, no...I’m not—”
“DON’T LIE TO ME!” he roared, his face purple with rage. “I can see you! I can smell you! You think I don’t know what you are? What vile lying garbage you are?” His body tensed like a ferocious tiger ready to pounce.
“Please…don’t…” I turned to run away, but it was too late. Justin’s large hands gripped my shoulders as he roughly spun me around.
“You are not going anywhere, witch.” His yellow eyes glowed with pure evil.
I opened my mouth to scream, but his hands quickly wrapped around my throat, crushing the sound. Instinctively, I brought my knee up with a quick jerk, hitting him in the groin. His hands briefly released, and I turned and ran. I’d taken three strides when my heel caught in the soft grass, and my ankle twisted. There was a loud pop, and hot pain shot up my leg like a scalding iron on my bone. I fell down hard, rolling on the ground, screaming in agony.
Within a split second Justin was on top of me, his hands locked around my neck, squeezing away any breath or sound. I clawed at him, but it was no use—he was too big, too strong. My feeble attempts at fighting were useless.
He lifted me like a rag doll and threw me onto the bridge. My skull hit the railing with a crack, and I felt something warm and wet trickle down the side of my face.
“Oh, God, someone help me!” I thought desperately, as my head exploded with pain and fear.
Justin re-gripped his large hands around my neck and squeezed so tightly, I knew without a doubt my head was going to literally pop off right then and there, next to the lake, in the middle of the Crystal Cove Country Club golf course. I stared into the face of my murderer; a face I no longer recognized as belonging to the boy who was once my friend. His eyes were bloodshot with rage, his cornflower-blue irises now slits of wicked gold.
He growled and pressed harder on my throat. My eyes closed, and I felt myself drifting away. Blackness closed around me.
Suddenly, the deadly grip released. Justin’s weight lifted from me, and I heard a loud grunt. Hovering near unconsciousness, my body tingled…my head fogged.
But I wasn’t dead.
I gasped for breath. The air came h
ot and dry, burning my broken throat. I couldn’t swallow, and my head was spinning. I was disoriented…dizzy. An aching throb raced around my neck where, only seconds ago, Justin’s hands had dug mercilessly into my flesh. I didn’t know what had interrupted him from his deadly task, but I knew he wasn’t done with me yet. Maybe he was trying to prolong my suffering...drawing out my torture.
I tried to move, but my leg screamed in agony. I was trapped. Fearfully, I struggled to raise my head to find my attacker.
The field was empty. I was alone…gasping for air.
When the breaths came they came in a rush, and it was a while before I was able to steady both my breathing and my racing heart.
Justin had just tried to kill me. Sweet, affable, kind Justin.
Only that wasn’t Justin. It was something else. Something primordial and animalistic that consumed him wholly the moment he realized what I was, and drove him to a murderous rage that only by some miracle I had survived. I doubled over as the air left my lungs again.
I fought the realization, but I could not deny what I now knew unequivocally to be true.
Justin was a Hunter.
Chapter 23. Dreaming
How long had I lain here in the wet grass under the blanket of fog? Seconds? Hours? Days? When was my killer going to return to finish me off?
Somewhere in the hazy distance, I heard a soft voice.
“I have you now. You’re safe.”
A familiar voice. The voice that had haunted my every thought.
Nicholas.
I felt two distinctly separate sensations at once: the first, being scooped up by arms so strong, I felt as light as a feather; the second, the feeling of millions of little ants crawling inside my skin as I passed through a sheet of freezing cold water.
Both were over in less than a second.
It was dark, but I was no longer outside. I was warm and lying on something soft, cozy and familiar. I felt safe, far away from where I’d been brutally attacked…was it only moments ago?