A Demon Made Me Do It(91)

“Say my name…”

“Kieron,” my voice is a breathless whisper, “Kieron…”

He stops. My eyes open, and it takes another full second of staring at Bones’ wounded expression before I fully comprehend what I’ve just done.

“No…wait, Bones…I didn’t mean…”

“Yes, you did,” he whispers dully. He looks away, and quickly pushes himself off me. His back pressed against the cave wall, he stares blankly at the fire.

I reach out to him, racked with guilt. “Bones…I’m so sorry…I don’t know why I said that…”

How did that just happen? Why did I say Kieron’s name?

He picks up his jeans and throws them on. Then he tosses a few small twigs in the pit and stares vacantly as the sparks fly. “You said the name of the one you most desire. The one you most wanted me to be.”

“But I don’t…he’s not…I don’t understand.”

He turns to face me, and I’m suddenly very aware that I’m still topless. “I don’t understand either,” he says quietly, “I thought for sure if you just let yourself open up to me that I would be the one…”

“Bones…”

“Don’t.” His voice is harder now. “You can fool yourself all you want to, but you can’t fool me. And as much as I want more than anything to be with you…to really be with you…I only want it if you feel the same way.”

I reach for my top, my hands shaking as I try to latch the row of tiny hooks. Why do there have to be so many of them? The awkwardness expands with each passing second as I search my brain for the right words. The problem is, there aren’t any.

“It’s okay,” Bones finally says. “Deep down I had a feeling you were still into him. I’ve never seen anyone affect you the way this guy has. But I had to try. If for no other reason than to make myself face the truth.”

I finally get my top on, and move closer to him. Bones’ magnificent beauty is enhanced even more by the dancing firelight, but the sadness in his eyes is unmistakable and gut-wrenching.

“Bones…” I reach out to him.

He gives me a wry smile and clasps my hand. “Sun’s coming up soon. You don’t want to be stuck out here with me…”

“I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to hurt you…”

“You should go.”

“Bones…”

“Lucky, it’s okay. I don’t feel any different about you. You’re still the one thing in this world I care most about, and until the time comes when it is right for us to be together, I’ll wait for you. I’ll always be here, waiting for you. Because I know one day things will change, and you and I will be the ones who are meant for each other. One day it will be my name you say…”

“Bones…”

“Go now. I’ll see you later.” He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. There’s still plenty of time left before sunrise, but it’s obvious he wants to be alone.

I give him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek, saddened by how stiff and cold his body feels to me now. I can’t even bear to look into his distant eyes as I whisper “sorry” one last time before dashing off into the sanctuary of the forest.





Chapter 23. Liora/Lucky


“Hey, Liora…um, can I talk to you for a sec?” Corinne leans against the row of lockers and fidgets nervously with her necklace.

I let out a soft sigh. I’d managed to make it through yet another day of school, only because I had the quiet cemetery to look forward to later. I wanted to be alone with my thoughts and dead people who don’t judge me. As much as I genuinely like Corrine, I hope she’s not looking for us to have some more girly-bonding time, as this comes into direct conflict with my desire to retreat from the outside world completely.

But Corrine is the only one who’s never judged or criticized me for my antisocial behavior. If I lose her, I’ll have no one. And I don’t know if I’ll survive feeling even lonelier.

I slam my locker shut and force a smile. “Sure, what’s up?”

“Um, well, I was wondering if I could ask you for a small favor. Well, small for you but it would be huge for me…” She chews the side of her mouth and twists her hair around a plump finger.

“What is it?”

“I was wondering…hoping…that maybe you could help me with some problems I’m having in a couple of classes? You’re so brilliant; maybe you could explain a few things to me…I figured you were able to help Kieron, maybe you could help me?” She seems to be holding her breath waiting for my answer.