Dark Light (The Dark Light Series)(73)

Jared runs his hair through his tousled locks. Just as I’m thinking how sexy he looks when he does that, I realize why it turns me on so much. Dorian does it. His intrusion into my thoughts carries a fresh wave of guilt.

“Yeah, crazy shit. Obviously that so-called fortune teller was a fraud,” I murmur.

“Did you say fortune teller?” a strange guy from a nearby table chimes in. I’ve seen him before but we’ve never spoken, and we’re definitely not familiar enough for him to be listening to our conversation. I give him a sharp look.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn’t help but wonder if this is the same woman.” Mr. Nosy hands us today’s newspaper. Jared and I both zero in on the front page story.

Icepick Murderer Still At Large

Latest victim local carnival fortune teller





Jared and I look at each other with shock and horror etched on our faces. The fortune teller was killed and I know that I had something to do with it. I can’t help but feel responsible for her death. She knew what I was, she could tell. She was genuinely scared of me and had every right to be. Her involvement with me pretty much put the nail in her coffin.

“Says here she died sometime last night. Maybe she played that prank on the wrong person? Poor old woman,” Jared mutters, but I can hardly make sense of what he’s saying.

“Jared, I’ve gotta go,” I say gathering my books and purse.

I’ve got to get away from here; no one is safe with me around. First Summer and now the fortune teller. Seems like anyone I have an issue with ends up dead. Great, the detectives will surely have a field day with this.

“What? What about class?” Jared is confused at my reaction. He is still thinking this is just a coincidence, not quite adding up all the facts.

“Take notes for me. I have to get home.”

I dart out of the building and don’t stop until I am safely in my car. I look around me cautiously as I pull out of the parking lot, making sure that I’m not being followed. When I pull up to my house, I’m panting rapidly as if I’ve run the entire way.

“Fuck!” I scream, slapping my palms against the steering wheel. How could I have been so stupid? How could I let this happen? People are dying because of me and all I can think about is my insignificant-ass love life. This has to end now.

I run into the kitchen hoping that Donna skipped her 11:30 class but come up disappointed. Could my parents be next? Oh no, my friends! They would be so caught off guard they wouldn’t even have a chance to defend themselves. And Dorian. Oh God, not Dorian. I pull out my cell phone and begin keying a mass text message to my friends.

To Morgan, Jared, James, Miguel, 11:46 A.M.

-Are you all ok? Please respond ASAP.

I receive a chorus of chimes a moment later.

From James, 11:47 A.M.

-All good here. You?

From Morgan, 11:47 A.M.

-Headed to work. Later, bitch ;)

From Miguel, 11:48 A.M.

-Some of us do have class to attend, Gabs. LOL

From Jared, 11:49 A.M.

-What’s going on, Gabs? You’ve really got me worried about you. Call me later, ok?

Good. They’re all safe and sound for now.

To Morgan, Jared, James, Miguel, 11:50 A.M.

-Just be careful, guys.

I look back down at my cell phone. Chris can’t keep his cell on him at work and I know Donna keeps hers in a locker at the gym. Now Dorian. But how do I do that without making him feel like I’m checking on him? Yes, he said I wasn’t just some casual fling but he also didn’t say what I am to him. I could very well be just some chick he’s banging for the time being. I bite the bullet and begin to construct a text message.

To Dorian, 11:53 A.M.

-Thank you for breakfast. And dinner. And dessert :) Hope you have a great day.

There. I know I shouldn’t be worried about morning-after text etiquette during a time like this, but there’s something about Dorian that makes me overly aware and self-conscious.

Ding! Ding!

From Dorian, 11:55 A.M.

-How about lunch? I’m sure dessert is appropriate then too.

Oh, what I wouldn’t give to let Dorian make me forget the knowledge of the fortune teller’s death. But now more than ever, I have to be cautious about our encounters. Maybe I should warn him so he can be aware and make the decision to stick around for himself.

To Dorian, 11:57 A.M.

-Gotta work in a couple hours. Maybe meet me at Starbucks later so we can talk?

-Sure. Dumping me already?

Dorian’s playfulness makes a smile spread across my face. Even his texted words work magic on my mood.

To Dorian, 11:59 A.M.

-You couldn’t get rid of me even if you tried. See you around 6.

Knowing that all my friends are safe for now fractionally eases my mind. I know I can’t keep tabs on them throughout the day and I’m just as defenseless as they are, but I would never forgive myself if something happened to them. And I would definitely be out for blood as soon as I ascend.