13 Ways to Midnight (The Midnight Saga) Read online

  “Echo?”

  I cautiously observed him while he placed his sunglasses on, then the three of them walked to the right. I quickly made my way to the front door, blowing past my aunt as she tried to talk to me. I opened it up and leaned out, but nothing. They were gone. Vanished, just as quickly as they had appeared.

  “Echo, honey?”

  I turned, allowing the door to close while the silver bell chimed above me. Funny I didn’t even notice it until now. I’m usually so good with details.

  My eyes locked onto hers, and she smiled. “So, is it a yes?”

  I nodded and then returned my attention to the mysterious boy.

  I lifted my hand and tried to act nonchalant. “Do you, I mean, who was that guy?”

  My aunt narrowed her eyes and glanced at the clerk behind the counter. “The prodigal son.”

  I shook my head. “The who?”

  She waved a hand. “I’m being dramatic, Echo. That’s Eyota Vega’s son, Hawthorn Vega; everyone calls him Thorn.”

  The clerk leaned on the counter behind my aunt. “I call him smoking hot.” I glanced down at my legs and sighed. I would too, but I’m not going to verify her claim.

  I lifted my chin, and half grinned. My aunt’s eyebrow cocked. “Echo.” She snapped her fingers.

  “The skirt, honey, what’s the verdict?”

  “Oh, yeah, the skirts fine, I guess.”

  She turned back to the clerk and gave her a quick nod. “We’ll take five then, along with five shirts and the ties to match.”

  “Echo, would you like some socks…maybe knee high?”

  I pushed my long hair behind my ear. “Please, the higher, the better.”

  She snickered. “Socks, toss in ten pairs, please.” She pointed at the wall. “Grab the extra-long ones.” The clerk reached for one pair, and my aunt waved her hand. “Ah, over one. Yes, those. Maybe we’ll luck out, and they’ll cover up her knees.” I ignored her playful jabs.

  I turned back and stared out the window as a couple passed by hand in hand. My eyes remained locked on them until I spotted a black limousine. It rolled by the store, and I studied the reflection of the darkened sky as it raced across the shiny black hood, down the side, and over the tinted glass. Then it stopped and just sat there. I narrowed my eyes and took one step forward, and it drove off. I turned around, and my aunt had two large bags in her hands.

  She gave them a quick shake. “You can wear it home if you like.”

  I glanced down and gritted my teeth. “No, I’ll change. Be right back.”

  I rushed to the fitting room and removed the skirt, tie, and top, replacing them with my skinny jeans, boots, and loose fitting sweatshirt. I slid my black coat back on and stepped out, bringing the clothing with me.

  I strolled by the clerk and felt her eyes on me. I glanced over, and her look of irritation quickly changed to one of a fake smile and a nod. I awkwardly waved at her, quickly tucking my hand back into my side pocket and shadowed my aunt out of the store. I really need to work on my people skills.

  Again, no sun, only gray clouds and whispers of rain on the wind.

  And sandalwood. My new favorite scent.

  I stared down at my feet as we walked along, allowing my aunt to chat away, but the words eluded me. My thoughts lingered back to those eyes.

  So mysterious, calm, deep blue, teetering on black.

  His stare haunted me.

  Hawthorn Vega.

  My aunt stopped walking. “What, honey?”

  I paused and stared at her with a furrowed brow. “What?”

  “I thought you said something.” She added. I bit my lip, quickly releasing it along with the thoughts of the boy who had captured my attention.

  The brief shake of my head accompanied my lie. “No, I…no,” I said, hoping to sound convincing, but I knew I had been muttering to myself and must have spoken his name out loud. It was an old habit suddenly renewed.

  “Love,” she said, and I was speechless. I hadn’t mentioned love. No one had said anything about love.

  “Love?” I asked.

  She laughed and handed me one of the bags. I gripped it firmly in my hand. “Yes, I love vegetable stew, do you?”

  I blinked, allowing a smile to break through. I gave a hasty nod. “Yeah, I love it.”

  “Good! That’s what I’m going to make for dinner. We’ll have that and fresh baked bread, Pane Toscano. It’s my favorite. The crust is so crispy, and the bread has a slight hint of sweetness to it. It’s Tuscan. I finally perfected my recipe. I can’t wait for you to taste it.”

  “Sounds great.” She lifted her chin, and the first drops of rain started to fall. She wove her arm back into mine and ran along, pulling me with her until we reached the house. We broke through the black gate and up the steps we went, escaping the rains fury right before the storm decided to return. I glanced back, and the clouds churned in the sky, rolling over each other with no clear pattern. This place was unpredictable at best, and usually, I would hate that, but for some reason, I was starting to settle in and enjoy the mystery of it all. Becoming a little more like Midnight, and less like me.

  Again, a flash of those full lips, straight white teeth, and deep blue eyes consumed my thoughts forcing me to blush.

  “Echo, are you feeling okay?” She lifted a hand and touched my forehead.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “You look flush, do you have a fever?” She asked, leaning in to inspect my face.

  I touched my cheek with the back of my hand and concealed a rising grin. If only she knew how Thorn made me feel, maybe then she’d decide to become a tutor and not let me leave the house.

  I certainly would if I were her.

  6

  The sound of rain hitting the bedroom window served as a gentle lullaby. I laid there on my back staring at the top of the canopy. Thoughts of Thorn swirled around in my head. I won’t lie. It was nice to have something to distract me, even if it was a ridiculous fantasy about him.

  I yawned and turned onto my side, blankly staring out the window and watching the rain rush down the glass.

  This was a calm storm. No lightning or thunder, just rain.

  I yawned again, totally shocked that I could be tired after sleeping for twenty-four hours. Then it hit me; I had taken my last two pills. I rolled onto my back with heavy eyes. I fought it the best that I could, but with sleep, the dreams returned without the aid of my blocker that Molly had prescribed to me…

  I found myself in a forest with a blue hue capturing fog between the trees. I tilted my head and searched for the sky, but it had been swallowed whole by the dense forest.

  The thick scent of pine permeated the air all around me. I placed my hand on my stomach and felt the soft material. I narrowed my eyes and glanced down at the black corset that held me in.

  “What is this?” I asked.

  I studied it closer. It had a decent sized black bow dead center at the top that shimmered in the dull light as I turned. I reached down and grabbed at the long black skirt that drug the ground, the material matched the corset and captured what light it could. I lifted it and could see that I no longer had any shoes on. My pale feet easily distinguished themselves against the dark earthen floor. I wiggled them and watched dirt rise between my toes, cool and inviting. I took a slow breath and the sound echoed in my ears. I released it in a small puff of white smoke.

  I was alone, at peace. Safe and sound in the confines of this place even though it seemed foreign to me. Somehow it called out to my spirit and spoke to me in ancient whispers on the wind.

  Then a voice broke through the peaceful resolve. “Echo.” I spun around to gaze behind me and saw no one. A shadow raced to my left. It was too fast for me to focus in on.

  “Echo.” The voice repeated, and the shadow raced to the right. Again, I tried to follow it and f
ailed. Then I felt a chilled breeze behind me and my hair stood up on the back of my neck. I swallowed the fear and turned, expecting to see someone but again, no one was there. Finally, I spoke up, half out of curiosity and the rest out of fear of the unknown.

  “Hello? Who are you?”

  “Echo.” This time the voice was in my right ear, then it repeated in my left. I spun around in all directions hoping to capture this mysterious creature before I begged for it to stop and reveal itself to me. The forest that had seemed so inviting only a few minutes prior was now becoming a nightmare as I tried to see through the murky darkness between the trees.

  “I’m not afraid of you,” I said with conviction although it was a lie.

  “You should be.” The voice spoke right behind me. I wasn’t sure if I’d turn and anyone would be standing there, so I took a short breath and spun as my dress whipped out to the side and then finally settled around my muddied feet.

  There he was, Hawthorn Vega.

  He was wearing a black suit, black shirt, and white tie. I glanced down, and he wasn’t barefoot like I was. Black dress shoes completed his outfit. He was very handsome, and his hair was neatly pushed over to one side. So unlike his relaxed nature in the boutique. Even his expression had changed to one that seemed much more severe.

  He reached up and gently brushed his ice cold fingertips against my cheek. The profound feeling of his touch raced through me and met up with the butterflies in my stomach. I stood my ground, staring directly into his eyes. His head tilted in confusion. Trust me; I was just as shocked as he was. Standing my ground wasn’t anything I expected to do, even if this was a dream.

  Two red eyes appeared between the trees. A giant beast stepped forward with black antlers shooting into the sky. I forced my eyes to focus, and I could make out the shape, it looked like a deer, but larger than any deer should be. Its fur appeared to be black, matching its antlers, but it shimmered like it was wet. I could smell iron in the air, and my breath hitched.

  Was that the smell of blood? Was this thing drenched in it? If only I could tell in this haze.

  “Run.” Thorn spoke with authority.

  I shook my head in defiance. “Why?” I asked.

  He stepped toward me and his eyes shifted from dark blue to black. I refused to look away.

  “I am darkness. I am death.” He whispered, staring intensely into my eyes.

  “I see life in you,” I replied without fear.

  He leaned in and two sharpened fangs caught what little light there was. I was frozen, but not in fear; I was frozen in intrigue.

  “I can’t control myself.” He spoke in a whispered hush.

  “Then don’t,” I replied.

  “Please, run.” He begged me as the beast stared on.

  “I’m yours.” Fell from my lips without a second thought.

  He lunged at my neck, and I could feel him penetrate me. The sharp pain quickly made way for the pleasure that followed. My body relaxed in his arms, and he moaned against my skin. He drank of me, draining my life force bit by bit, but I could feel his restraint. Oddly enough, it almost frustrated me.

  “Take it all,” I muttered without regret. His grip tightened accompanied by a deep growl.

  I sucked in my breath and sat straight up in my bed with the bellowing of thunder humming beneath me. I placed my hand over my heart and felt the terrible rumbling. I shook my head and let out a short laugh. That was the most vivid dream I had ever experienced, and even now I could still feel the ache that his teeth left behind on the surface of my skin.

  I slid out of bed and walked toward the window, watching the rain streak the glass, then I spotted a figure standing in the yard beneath my room. It startled me even more than the sight of Thorn had in the blue mist of thick pine.

  I could make out blonde hair, pouty lips… it was Thorn Vega. I quickly wiped the fog on the glass with an open hand, and he was gone just as quickly as he had appeared. My hand lingered on the glass as my eyes searched the yard in desperation. My heart sank, the mere sight of him left me with a longing. I wanted him here, with me…always.

  “Please don’t go,” I whispered, and my breath fogged up the glass.

  He spoke behind me. “Why did you have to invite me in?”

  I looked down, and my feet were covered in mud. I turned, and there he stood. His glorious fangs protruding from behind swollen lips. The sweet smell of sandalwood filled the air. I reached up with a trembling hand and touched the side of my neck, pulling it back and seeing the blood dark as ink on my fingertips.

  I screamed, sitting straight up in my bed. I reached up and rubbed my neck, looking at my hand in horror.

  There was no blood, no bite…no Thorn Vega in my bedroom.

  I rolled my eyes and dropped back onto the bed. “Seriously, what is wrong with me?” I muttered to myself as I covered my face with a pillow and groaned.

  I ate my scrambled eggs and chewed on my crispy pane bread toast that was left over from the delicious meal my aunt had made for us the night before. I followed it up with a few swigs from my glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. I had never experienced such great home cooking. My parents were dedicated to organic food. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but they weren’t exactly top chefs. I had spent most of my life chewing on granola bars or some sort of dried fruit intermixed.

  I swallowed and grinned at her when she winked at me. If she only knew about my dream. Apparently, I was projecting my fantasies onto Thorn, and I needed to stop. I also needed to contact Molly and get my prescription refilled. Funny, I hadn’t done it first thing when I woke up. The reason may be much scarier than the dream had been.

  Aunt Luna spoke, and I gladly let the thought go. “Is that lip gloss?” She asked, and I wiped my lips with the napkin and removed it. She sighed and touched my cheek. “Come with me.”

  She stood up and grabbed my hand, pulling me along with her until we reached the hallway. Luna pointed at the wooden chair that sat along the wall. “Take a seat, missy.”

  She snatched up her bag from the long table by the door and rifled through it, producing a small black and silver pouch. She stepped up and sat it down on the edge of the table next to me with a suppressed smile. I bit my lip as I watched her unzip it and pull out a compact. I narrowed my eyes. Luna leaned in and opened the compact, dusting the soft pad on the pale powder. She gave it a turn and then started to go to work on my forehead. I felt it glide along. Then she dabbed it again and worked on one cheek, then the other, followed by my chin. My aunt took one step back and cocked her head to one side. I wiggled my nose and lifted my hand; she tapped it away.

  I snickered. “It itches.”

  “You’ll smudge, just give me a moment to finish up.” She added while she studied me.

  Luna sat the compact down and grabbed a pencil, leaning in toward my face, biting her bottom lip. She carefully traced along one of my eyebrows then the other. She stood up straight and winked at me. I squirmed on the chair. I guess I couldn’t be mad at her. I had caused this by putting some lip gloss on. Again, it was so unlike me. I wasn’t one to wear makeup, Midnight did that, but I found myself putting some on after I showered and brushed my hair.

  I really need to call Molly.

  “Almost done, sweetheart.” She added a wink, and it calmed me.

  I offered a supportive nod, and she leaned into my face with a lipstick in hand. “Part your lips, please.” I did, but way too far. She chortled and placed her hand under my chin, closing it up just a little bit. I felt the lipstick glide along my bottom lip then my top one. “Rub them together, like this.” She said while demonstrating the proper way to do it. I carefully observed and then mimicked her. She stood up, tossing the lipstick in the bag and readily produced a tissue. “Now blot.”

  “Blot?” I asked.

  “Yes, press your lips on the tiss
ue. It will take off the excess. Honestly, Echo, has no one ever shown you how to do this?”

  I snatched the tissue from her hand and did as she instructed. “I don’t wear this stuff.”

  Her hip cocked to the side. “Well, you had lip gloss on.”

  “I was experimenting, and I forgot to take it off.”

  Her eyes shifted to narrow slits. “Uh huh.”

  “Totally scientific,” I added.

  She reached out and took my hand, pulling me up out of the chair and grabbed me by the shoulders. One sudden turn and I was facing the mirror. The girl looking back at me was a stranger, and I immediately wanted to wash my face, but I knew my aunt wouldn’t let me without a struggle.

  Luna placed her chin on my shoulder and gave me a hug from behind. Her eyes appeared gentle and kind.

  “Do you see how pretty you are, my angel?”

  My cheeks felt flush, and I attempted to hide my embarrassment. I think she would have understood why I put the lip gloss on if she knew about my dream. She gave me a squeeze and then the clock chimed. We tilted our heads in unison.

  “Oh! We need to go!” Her voice went up an octave.

  “I guess homeschooling is out of the question.” I teased.

  “No such luck, Echo.”

  I shuddered. The thought of school had me terrified. She chaotically shoved her arms into her coat. I clutched mine and then admitted defeat, finally buttoning it up. My aunt swung the door wide open and again we were met with gray sky and threats of rain. I should just get used to it and stop thinking about the lack of sunlight here, besides, in this light we all seemed to look the same, so my pale skin wasn’t such an oddity.

  A great equalizer of sorts. I could appreciate that.

  “Ready?”

  “Never.” I scowled. She seized my hand and rushed us out the door.

  7

  I sat in the car and ogled the large school. It took up a full city block and rose high into the sky. It was constructed of charcoal gray stone and was reminiscent of a fortress in medieval times. I tilted my head and could see a black flag flying with a white skull and crossed swords on it.