"Sorry, my tea was cold. Too lazy to get a refill." Nick shrugged his shoulders.
"Thanks a lot. You just blinded me." Amanda blinked rapidly, adjusting her vision. "I say we hunt her down and get rid of her, once and for all." A furious look shot out from her eyes as she got up to pour more tea for herself and sat back down.
"I don't think that would be a good idea. She did say she takes orders from someone else. We've got to find the leader," Mason suggested.
Everett scooted his chair back, crossing his legs to relax. "She could be anywhere or show up at anytime. How do we find her?"
Mason turned his head to Skylar. "I once followed her near our cabin, but farther up. I think she lives around there. I'm not sure. I didn't actually stick around and hold a conversation with her; however, I did see a cabin."
"Then do we just show ourselves? Announce ‘Hey, we know where you live, we're here,' and wait to see what happens?" Amanda snorted.
Still cupping her mug for warmth, Skylar gave a nervous cough. "I can lure her out. I'm the one she wants."
Skylar felt all eyes on her all at once.
"No. Out of the question." Mason's tone was unyielding. "It's too dangerous. We don't even know what we're up against. I won't risk your life."
Skylar let out a heavy sigh. Wanting to be a part of their group by making herself useful was difficult, especially when it seemed as though Mason always had the last word.
"She may have a point there," Amanda stated. "At least Alena would be the one who is surprised for a change and not us."
"I know it sounds like a good idea, but it's not. We're so tired we're not thinking straight. Let's talk about it later."
Skylar froze, worried for her mom. If Alena had almost killed her roommate, who was to say she wouldn't harm her mom to get to her? "Maybe I should go home. What if Alena goes after my mom?"
"Your roommate was a means to an end for Alena," Mason said. "And right now, she's not interested in your mom. You can keep it that way by keeping your distance from her. Make your phone calls short and try not to visit her on the weekends for as long as you can. Alena never once went to your mom's house when I was tracking her."
"How about Kayla?"
"Don't worry. I've got that department handled," Nick said.
"I'm sure you do," Amanda grumbled, rolling her eyes.
Nick gave her a "be quiet" look, lighting a fast spark from his fingertips.
"Don't you dare," Amanda flared, trying to keep a straight face.
Mason stood up. "I'm taking Skylar back to her dorm tomorrow. We can think of another plan, but we're not using her as bait." With that he stood, indicating that his words were final.
Amanda, Everett, and Nick all had nonchalant expressions on their faces. Either they agreed with Mason's decision or they had given up on expressing their opinions, knowing Mason would have his way. With the blanket still draped around Skylar, she and Mason headed for his room.
It was almost afternoon and the ominous clouds got darker and thicker. The wind howled, tossing Skylar's hair and blocking her view. Holding an umbrella, Mason walked beside her to her dorm. Upon entering, Skylar let out a huge breath, relieved to escape the awful weather. Mason stood by the doorway, looking like he didn't want to come in and make himself at home. "Nice place."
"Yup. Small and cozy. Nothing fancy like yours."
Mason looked like he was being shy, but Skylar couldn't be sure. He glanced down and then up again, meeting Skylar's eyes.
"Do you want to come in for a while?" Skylar asked hesitantly. She wasn't sure what Mason had in mind.
"Actually, I'm not staying."
"Oh." The little bit of hope that she could spend some time with him vanished.
"I mean, we're not staying. I've brought you here so you can pack your bags and come back with me."
"What?" Skylar didn't know whether to be elated that he wanted her to go with him, or upset he hadn't asked her first. "You didn't mention this to me before. And what if I refuse?"
"Then-" Mason started to say, but he was interrupted by a voice.
"Hey, Skylar," Emily greeted, descending the stairs. She looked well put together, wearing a thick red overcoat. Skylar had on the jeans she'd worn yesterday and Mason's sweater that was way too big on her.
"Emily." Skylar beamed a nervous smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "This is Mason. Mason, this is Emily."
Though Mason had met her informally the night before, he pretended that it was their first meeting. Extending his hand, he shook hers. "Hello. Nice to meet you."
Emily stared a bit too long, producing a friendly smile. "Hi." Looking at Skylar, she asked, "You guys dating?"
Skylar's face flushed with heat. She couldn't believe Emily had asked such a question right in front of him. "No, we're . . . he's . . . where's your boyfriend?" Skylar asked, directing the attention back to Emily. It was the only way to get out of the awkward moment.
"Oh, Dex. He's on his way."
As if on cue there was a knock at the door. Emily turned the knob, but just before she pulled the door to open it she turned to Skylar. "Oh, by the way, some guy was here to see you. He was tall, cute, with dirty-blond hair to his shoulders."
Looking confused, Skylar asked, "Did he leave a name?"
"Nope. I didn't know where you were so I told him you would be back today. I'm sure he'll stop by." Then she walked out the door.
Mason's face was blank. Skylar didn't know why she was worried what Mason would think of her having a guy visitor, but the description concerned her. It was too similar to the guy that had been gawking at her at the mall. Did he follow me here? A stalker? It was something to be worried about.
"Making friends already?" Mason asked flatly.
Skylar heard a ring of jealousy in his tone. Smiling, she wondered if she should tell Mason about the incident at the mall and the shadow of a male she'd seen next door to Kayla's house. Was she being paranoid? "Am I forbidden to make friends?"
"No, of course not. You can do whatever you like."
It was not what she wanted to hear. She noted they were still standing by the door. "Should I get my stuff?"
"That was the plan."
"You mean your plan," Skylar retorted. "Next time, I'd like to be included when you're coming up with a plan."
"Fine. I'd like you to hurry. You just need warm clothes, possibly for a week."
A week? Skylar went upstairs to her room without a word. She knew deep down that being with Mason would be safer, but not for her heart. The more time she spent with him, the more attached she became, and that frightened her more than facing Alena.
Opening up her duffle bag, she shoved in some jeans and sweaters from her dresser. Next she went into the bathroom and placed her toiletries into another small bag. Needing to change out of Mason's sweater, she put on her favorite pink sweater and a clean pair of jeans. Then she slipped into a waterproof gray jacket. She was just about to put Mason's sweater into her bag but she decided otherwise, leaving it in her closet before heading downstairs.
Holding on to Skylar's bags, Mason opened the door and then opened the umbrella that was big enough for two. Pulling Skylar closer to him, they headed out as the pitter-patter sound of the rain continued to get louder and heavier with each step. Skylar was glad she'd put on her boots. The raindrops were now pounding on the ground furiously, splashing against her legs. Surely if she had worn her tennis shoes they would have been soaked by now.
Mason opened the car door for Skylar and put her bags in the trunk, then closed the umbrella and tossed it into the backseat. Just before he got in, he did a quick scan of the area as he always did. From the few seconds he was exposed, his hair had become drenched, dripping pearl-like droplets down his cheeks and water had spotted his gray sweater. He looked so seductive that she had to turn away. She focused on the window splattered with water, since it was difficult to see anything else but that.
"Sky, I know you're not happy with this arrangement, but it's just until things die down. Then you can go back."
Disappointed by his words, she didn't turn when she responded, "Sure. I can get my notes online. It's a good thing school just started, I guess."
After a mile, Mason turned onto the freeway. The heavy rain made it difficult to see and the windshield wipers cleared a path only temporarily. Mother Nature was unforgiving that day, adding a hurricane-like wind along with the roaring thunder. Shortly after, lightning cracked across the puffy black clouds, flashing in and out, striking the world with beauty and danger. Silence filled the air in the car until Mason started driving faster, swerving in and out of lanes.