True Connection (The Soul Mate Series) (22 page)

Mom enters the room and claps her hands loudly. “Is everyone ready?”

Everyone responds, except me.

My eyes are glued to Seth like a moth to a flame. My mouth pops open and all breathing has stopped.

The entire length of the room is between us. It feels like miles and at the same time, it feels like I’m already wrapped in his embrace.

His green eyes seem to simmer and pop against his black tux. He definitely should be off to some fancy dinner with a client, on the red carpet, or even a runway. He’s far too gorgeous to be going to a seventeen-year-old’s birthday party.

Right at this very moment, Skeeter should be reminding me to breathe and close my fly catcher before I drool on my dress.

             
Seth crosses the room, eyes locked on mine, at too slow of a pace. “You look amazing,” Seth says huskily.

             
I audibly swallow and take in every inch of him. “Handsome seems too blasé a compliment,” I choke out.

He grabs my hand and places it in the crook of his arm. “Are we ready?”

I nod, and we head out to his car to follow a convoy of vehicles to Kingston Hall, in a comfortable silence.

             
The inside of the hall has been decorated black, white and blue. I scan the room for anything that might harm me. Seeing nothing too hazardous, I make my way into the room with Seth holding my hand.

             
Seth’s parents flock to us like seagulls in a parking lot, and Claire fawns over my dress. I’ve just thanked them for coming when Sam comes over wearing his own tux and a smirk.

             
“Will you three quit hogging the Birthday Girl?” He jokes.

             
Seth rolls his eyes. “I’m allowed to hog her.”

             
“Save a dance for me?” He pouts, and I nod, fighting off laughter. “By the way, Happy Birthday.” He does a Prince Charming bow, winks, and walks away, leaving me giggling.

             
We find our table, the one closest to the stage. That takes care of small talk, I snort.

I watch as more guests arrive, and drop off a bag, box, or envelope at the gift table, then find their place cards.

Soon enough, it’s time to eat and we figure out who our table mates are. I’m glad the guys are all together, but it
is
my party. What are they going to do except rag on me? We could’ve used another girl or two at our table. Skeeter and I are totally out numbered.

After we eat, the band opens the curtains, and wishes me a happy birthday. When they start playing the first song, I’m Here, I grab Skeeter, and we beeline to the dance floor, not caring that we’re the only ones. We stand right in front and dance and shout. Soon the guys join us, as well as most of the other guests, including Seth’s mom, who yells just as loud as Skeeter and me.

Someone touches my elbow. I spin around to see my old friend, Susie, smiling at me. I quickly give her a hug, and go back to watching the band.

             
After a few songs, I grab Seth, and we weave our way back to the table for a drink.

Susie follows us.

              I take a gulp of my water and turn to find Susie ogling Seth. I clear my throat to get her attention. “Susie, this is my boyfriend, Seth. Seth, this is my old friend, Susie.” They shake hands but Susie’s eyes seem to travel back to Seth.

             
She finally gets her bearings and stays focused on me. “Henry is letting you date now?” Her eyes go wide. “Since when?”

             
I grin and shrug. “Since Seth.”

             
Her eyes travel the length of him, and I fight the urge to stand in front of him as a shield. “He could make anyone say yes,” she says, while fanning herself.

Seth, the gentleman that he is, smiles to Susie. “It’s been a pleasure.” Then he leans to my ear and whispers, “I’ll be over with Henry.”

I nod and discretely check his emotions.
Uncomfortable.
I fight a smirk.

             
She watches him walk away and sashays next to me and shakes her head. “He sure is easy on the eyes,” she grins and clears her throat. “I haven’t heard from you since the funeral,” she frowns. “You don’t answer my texts anymore so I was a little surprised to hear from your mom.” I flinch slightly. “Hey, I’m glad she’s home again.” She smiles.

             
I sigh and blow out a breath. “To be honest, I was fed up with everyone.” I shrug. “I miss you all, but the pity, and hushed conversations that you all thought I didn’t hear was just too much for me.” Her frown returns and guilt shines in her eyes. “Mom is selling the house, and we’re staying with Leland for a while.” I don’t offer an apology or any promises of a friendship like we had before.

             
She sputters. “No flippin’ way!” She shouts over the music. “Jazzy, no!” She growls. “You were
supposed
to come back to our school. How can you stand that place? And why sell that house?!”

             
I frown. “I don’t want to sell it either, but Henry and I have no say in the matter.” I feel the caress on my mind and close my eyes to see an image of me in Seth’s embrace flash behind my eyes. I smile and open my eyes again. “It’s not all that bad. I mean, I did meet Seth my first day.”

             
Her look softens slightly. “That’s cute.” She looks out to the crowd. “Happy birthday, Jaz. I’m gonna go find the girls in that mess. I see some cuties out there,” she says with a wink. “Aside from your man, your brother, and your hot-ass uncle, I mean.” I laugh, as she weaves her way through the crowd like a cheetah stalking her prey. My guess is she’ll end up barking up Barry’s tree.

Before I head back into the pond of people and creatures on the dance floor, I figure it’d be good idea to run to the ladies room first.

I wash my hands and take three steps into the hallway before looking up. A feeling of dread washes over me. I dart into the bathroom again and lock the door. “Oh yea, ‘cause that’ll stop Derik and whoever he brought with him,” I mutter to myself, looking around to see if there’s a vent I can crawl through or something random to use as a weapon.

             
Multiple fists bang on the door, startling me from my search and a short squeal escapes me. Derik’s horrible laugh thunders through the door, washing me in the creepy crawlies.

             
I rub my arms as I put some more distance between me and the door.

“Open the door gorgeous, come out and play,” Derik says. “I want to get you out of that dress!” He starts to laugh again. “It’ll be so much nicer if you just open the door.”

His voice and threats sink in, and make me want to lose my dinner.

I focus on Seth, and picture Derik and the bathroom. I can only hope he receives both images and doesn’t come alone.

              “I promise not to bite,” someone threatens, and I stagger back to the far wall.

             
“Seth is on his way!” I shout. “Leave!” My voice trembles slightly, giving away that I am scared. His screeching laughter breaks through the door, and smacks into me like a weapon.

             
“You stupid, little bitch!” He seethes, and I flinch. “Lover Boy is out on the dance floor. By the time he notices you’re gone, there won’t be anything left but an empty shell!” He screams through the door and jiggles the knob.

I shiver and bite my knuckles to keep from screaming out.

“You have five seconds to unlock the door or I’ll break it open. I’m done messin’ around.” He pauses. “Fine, have it your way, the boys and I will enjoy this.”

I curl into myself on the floor, squeeze my eyes shut, and wait.

I can’t fight back. He’s supernatural, and I’m human.

I’m going to die on my birthday.

What happens to the dead when your soul is eaten by a demon? Can I be reunited with my family?

             
“Dude!” The pounding and screeching stops. “Ten of them are coming this way. Move now! Just leave her!” someone else shouts.

             
“You won’t be with him for much longer. I wouldn’t get comfortable if I were you. You can’t always be near them, and neither can your precious family,” Derik threatens. “Things would be so much better if you’d finally cooperate. You’d be my queen, gorgeous.”

             
Silence.

             
I can’t breathe. My heart clenches painfully.              This needs to stop. He can’t hurt my family. I won’t allow it!

How does he always find me when I’m alone? Will this ever stop? Will I be forever stalked?

There’s a knock on the door, and this time my scream escapes my throat.

             
“It’s me,” Seth shouts over my scream. “Please open the door,” he pleads.

But I can’t move, I can hardly breathe.

              There’s a thump, then a crack, and a grunt.

I scream again, and a second later someone’s arms go around me. I flinch away, and then I feel the tell-tale tingles, and sink into Seth.

Beyond Seth’s soothing murmurs, the faucet is turned on and someone dabs my face with a cool damp paper towel.

I open my eyes and see Henry, paper towel in hand and the broken door just behind him.

I wipe the tears from my face angrily, and try taking a calming breath.

             
Barry walks over when my eyes open again. “They’re gone. You’re safe,” Barry says. But I can feel the words he doesn’t say,
for now
. I nod, it’s the only thing I can do.

             
“Did he say what he wanted? A message?” Luke asks.

There won’t be anything left but an empty shell! You can’t always be near them, and neither can your precious family!
Derik’s voice echoes in my head, and I scrub my face with the paper towel, trying to remove the voice, the threat, the panic. “
Argh…
” I growl.

             
“Hey,” Seth whispers. “Just think about everything that happened since I left you with Susie.”

             
I look into his eyes, searching for anything to give me a reason not to share this telepathically. I don’t want to relive this moment. I just want it to end.

             
His vibrant green eyes pierce into me, and I know. I know I have to show him. I can’t sit on the threats alone. But it’s not going to make him feel happy, that’s for sure.

             
I close my eyes and think back to my satisfaction over the fact that Seth was uncomfortable with Susie, and just let every moment play out, until I ended up back in Seth’s arms just minutes ago.

Seth swears.

Luke tells him to mind his tongue, and Seth grinds his teeth in response.

             
“Fane, you still got Athan on the phone?” Seth asks through his teeth.

             
Fane pokes his head in beside the broken door. “He’s now on speaker, go ahead.”

             
“First, there’s more than just Derik,” Seth growls. As he gives them the rundown on what happened, I watch Henry and Barry. Henry’s body language is easy for me to read. His jaw is clenched and his hands are fisted. He’s clearly angry and knowing him, he’s probably thinking of all the ways he wants to end Derik or coming up with some plan to remove me from the situation. Barry, on the other hand, keeps his face a clean canvas. The only indication that it’s affecting him at all is the series of tremors visibly running through his skin. He’s going to shift and by the looks of it, it’ll be soon.

             
I pat his arm, and he turns to me. I try smiling, but he frowns, squeezes my arm lightly, and walks out of the crowded bathroom.

             
Slowly, everyone else files out of the bathroom, discussing the issues with protection, someone paying for the door so my uncle gets his deposit back, and how close they are to locating where the coven is hiding.

             
I shove off the far wall and fix my face and hair in the mirror. “Come,” I turn to Seth when I’m satisfied. “Let’s go party,” I say flatly.

He laughs at my lack of enthusiasm and follows me out into the hallway. Fane’s second, Silas - I overheard his name - squeezes by us with yellow tape in his hand. I guess he’s going to block the door off for now.

***

             
“I can’t believe Jabin and his friends showed up tonight!” Skeeter laughs as we remove our make-up in the bathroom.

             
“I wonder if he’ll want the metal cooler back…” I trail off thinking of the metal bin they turned into a cooler for cola bottles.

             
Skeeter snorts. “I don’t know. But I’d gladly fill it up just to watch Jabin and Mike carrying it, without sloshing the pop.” She giggles. “No Jabin! Not like that! You’re sloshing my pop, ya jagoff!” She imitates Mike.