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  The safe bubble, the protective cocoon I’d made in this place far away from home, shattered into a million pieces. Piercing my heart with bits of shrapnel.

  “Dad, I’m scared.” My internal wounds oozed, bleeding at the memory of that night. The attack I wanted to keep hidden away forever. “What if he’s there, waiting for me?”

  “It’s your life, Lucy. You have to live it.” His tone softened, and he clutched my hand. “I know what you went through. What he did to you. But take it from me—you can’t run from your problems. Someday you’ll have to learn to face them, and I think today’s that day. You’re my little tiger. I know you’re strong enough.”

  My stomach rankled. How could he dismiss my objections, my fears, so easily? “I don’t know, Dad. What about my training? I want to be able to protect myself.” Even as I said the words, I knew my angel would always have my back.

  “I’m a Guardian too, you know.” He ruffled my hair again, and my heart thawed. “I can protect you just as well as the Coopers. I’ve got your back, kiddo. So please come home. I miss my sweet girl.”

  “What about Mom? Can you get her off my back?” My lips twitched. Wasn’t this exactly what I wanted this morning? Just hearing that he wanted me home—it was the final nail in the coffin of my resolve.

  “Leave her to me.” He rubbed his hands together, a gleam in his eye. “I can handle that old battle ax.”

  Narrowing my eyes at him, I bobbed my head. “Okay.”

  “So you’ll come home then?” He bounced on the bed, eyes brightening.

  “For you, I’ll do anything.” I wouldn’t be the one to break his heart. Not now, not ever. Instead I wrapped my arms around him, clinging to the father of my childhood who kissed away the booboos. Let’s just hope he could keep the boogeyman away for a few weeks.

  Since James’ disappearance, Dad had lost his fuzzy edges, transforming into the behind-the-scenes plotter who was still on my side. Of course it made sense. He was always on my side, even when everyone else let me down.

  Still, I didn’t want to crawl out of this safe little hole I’d dug in the ground. Sure, it hadn’t exactly been peaceful to go through Seer training, but it was better than dealing with Jake and the worst night of my life. Seer Training had saved me from thinking about reality. Did it save me, or just prolong the inevitable? Because reality was out on bail and waiting for me back in Indiana.

  Chapter 7

  Logs crackled and sparked in the Coopers’ immense stone fireplace. The familiar scent of woodsmoke mingled with the piney tang of the Christmas tree in the corner. Their house even smelled like Christmas.

  Luggage in hand, I stood beside my dad in the foyer, huddled up with the Coopers.

  “We usually open one gift on Christmas Eve …” Mark glanced at Cindy. “But we have two farewell presents for you, Lucy.”

  Cindy handed me a foil-wrapped package with a smile. “Here you go. Merry Christmas.”

  “Thank you. It’s so pretty it’s almost a shame to open it.” I tore into the paper anyway, uncovering a popular hardback. “You shouldn’t have.”

  Cindy’s face lit up. “Of course we should. I think you’ll like that. It’s one of my favorites. Don’t forget to read the inscription inside.”

  Abruptly, she turned away to chat with my dad. Was she trying to distract him?

  “Hmmm…” Now I had to take a peek. The cover creaked open, almost as if it had a rusty hinge. Inside, the pages were more yellowed than a current bestseller should’ve been. I flipped to the title page and my jaw dangled. It read, A Guardian’s Guidebook, with a note scrawled underneath. Someday soon. She’d even drawn the Guardian symbol.

  A surge of warmth flooded through me. I hugged the book to my chest. Somehow she knew exactly what I needed, even though I’d never said a word since that first day here. Water welled up behind my eyes. She’d given me a promise. Someday soon.

  Besides, who doesn’t love a secret present? I vowed to read it on the plane as soon as my dad fell asleep.

  Bryan inched closer to me. “I got something for you, too. Merry Christmas.” With trembling hands, he placed a small black box in my hands.

  Air dangled somewhere in my throat. I slid my fingers over the soft leather, my breath hitching. Slowly, I opened the lid. Inside lay the sparkling Guardian amethyst necklace, set in swirls of tiny purple stones.

  “Bryan, it’s so gorgeous. Do I really get to take it home with me?” I glanced at the Coopers, who were nodding at me.

  “It’s your great-grandmother Lucinda’s necklace.” Dad’s gaze zeroed in on the purple stones. “It’s nice to have it back in the family.”

  His words struck an awkward note, and everybody grew silent.

  “Look. It matches my sweet sixteen ring.” I held up my finger.

  Abby leaned in closer. “A perfect color match.”

  “Let me see.” Brooke stood on her tiptoes, peering over Abby’s shoulder. “It must be a matching set.”

  “Here, let me put it on.” Bryan leaned in closer, whispering in my ear, “Now you’ll always have something to protect you. Even if I’m not with you.”

  I tilted my face, smiling up at him as the long chain settled around my collarbone. “Let’s hope that’s not too often.”

  His lips curved as if he wanted to kiss me. My face flamed.

  “I had a chat with Mark and Cindy before we decided to let you wear the necklace now.” Dad slung his arm around my shoulders. “I’m glad the necklace is back in the family, but you’ll have to keep it hidden. We don’t want it falling into the wrong hands.”

  “Okay, Dad.” I tucked it inside my sweater, safe and sound.

  “Thank you, Lucy girl.” Dad swished my hair and picked up my suitcase. “We better get moving if we want to make it home in time for Christmas.”

  Mark yanked open the front door, blasting us with cold air. After I hugged Abby and Brooke goodbye, I followed my Dad and the Coopers to the family’s Suburban.

  Bryan and I sat in the back, listening to our parents drone on about nothing all the way to the airport.

  ***

  Clutching the purple amulet to my chest, I stumbled behind my Dad to airport security. He loaded our carry-ons onto the conveyor belt. But Bryan grabbed my hand, holding me back.

  He didn’t have to say it. I knew exactly what he was thinking. I wrapped my arms tight around him, squishing my cheek into his chest.

  “I don’t want to go back home. What if something bad happens, like another reckoning or something? Or worse, I run into Jake?” Couldn’t I just bury myself in his arms?

  “Lay low and take a break from training. I’m just a phone call or a plane ride away.” He rested his chin on my head. “You promise you’ll call me if anything happens? With you know…”

  “Believe me, you’ll be the first person I call. I just wish I could take you home with me.” The fear sawed me in half. If half of me could stay here with him, maybe I’d be happy again.

  How did this happen? When I came to New York five months ago, I’d sworn off relationships. Bryan was different. He made me feel different, even more like myself. And I never wanted to let him go.

  “Me too, babe.” His lips brushed my hair. “I’ll be seeing you in two weeks. Then we’ll have plenty of time.”

  “That’s true.” I swiveled in his arms to look up at him.

  He pulled me closer as if he couldn’t let go “Don’t forget how much I love you.”

  “I won’t.” I patted my necklace. “I’ve got proof right here.”

  The sea of blue burned as he crushed his lips into mine. Fierce at first, then tapering off in delicate traces.

  “Ahem, Lucy. It’s time to go.” Dad’s hands were on his hips, blocking the security entrance.

  “See you soon,” I whispered to Bryan, pecking his mouth one last time.

  Somehow I floated away, past security. Watching his back until he disappeared into the crowd. An anchor settled in my heart.

  ***<
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  Mom’s shrill voice scraped my ear canals raw. “How can you be so narrow-minded?”

  Rolling over in my bed, I squished my fuzziest pillow against my face. It only muted her pitch by a few decibels. What a horrible noise to wake up to on New Year’s Eve.

  The happy homecoming Dad and I had received only a week ago, had disintegrated day-by-day until bouts of Mom sniping away at all of us and late-night fights with Dad were the norm again. A typical holiday season in the McAllen house, at least over the last few years since James left.

  “Enough!” I flung off the covers and flounced out of bed. What could she possibly have to yell at Dad about, anyway? This was all her fault. Why was she the one having a fit at nine a.m.?

  Padding across the hallway, I opened Paige’s door and slammed it behind me. Nothing. Mom never even paused her tirade.

  I stomped over to my sister’s bed. “Wow, they’re really going at it. Do they do this a lot?”

  “All the time.” Paige yawned and rolled her eyes. “Sometimes it’s about James. Sometimes it’s about you being at Montrose. It’s never about me.”

  “You can’t be serious.” I stared her down, per usual, but her face said it all.

  “I am.” Her bubble-gum lips furrowed into a cute little pout.

  “Awww, my poor little sister feels left out. Well, don’t.” I clamped her shoulders in a hug to rival one of her bone-crushers. “I’d rather have them say nothing than fight about me.”

  Guilt slithered its way into my brain as I hugged her tighter. Couldn’t I just tell her the truth? Of course, if Mom would just do her job then everyone in the family would know by now. But she’d surely botch it up beyond belief. Even still, Paige deserved to know the truth. Maybe I should have a talk with Dad later. Before this got too messed up.

  “Whatever. I just crank up the music.” She pumped up a Rhianna dance song, yelling over the beat. “Then they notice me.”

  “That’s the Paige I know and love.” I bobbed my head to the pumping rhythm, spinning around the room with my little sis. For a few minutes it felt just like when we were kids, all normal and happy. If only it could stay this way forever.

  A high pitch trilled from my pocket. As I pulled my phone out, Chad’s face smiled back at me.

  “Hey, Chad. Nice of you to call for once.” I picked up the remote and turned down the music, already dreading my best friend’s yearly demand.

  “Goes both ways, little girl.” His voice sounded more excited than annoyed. “Paige said you’d be home. I wanted to invite you both to come over for New Year’s.”

  I clenched every muscle in my body. “You mean like one of your legendary New Year’s Eve bashes? I don’t know.”

  Paige squealed in the background. “C’mon Lucy, it’s just Chad’s house. I’m sure his parents will chaperone and everything.”

  “Your lil sis is right about the parents.” Chad paused, then his tone turned serious. “And you-know-who is completely blacklisted from leaving his house.”

  “You’re kidding, house arrest? If I’d known that, I wouldn’t have stayed cooped up in this crazy house for a week.” That little tidbit would’ve been useful a few weeks ago. Except for one thing. My parents probably would’ve never let me stay with Bryan and his family without the motivation of wanting to keep me miles away from Jake. And those ten days had made every day in this stupid house all worth it. Almost.

  “Great, there you go again. Staring off into space.” Paige snatched the phone away. “Save us from the separation anxiety, Chad. She’s moping around the house, mourning the loss of her stupid boyfriend.”

  “Hush, you little brat.” I chased her around the room, yanked a pillow off her bed, and chucked it at her.

  “Fine,” she huffed, handing the phone back.

  Chad cleared his throat. “Ahem, back to reality. Do you really wanna be stuck with your sister at home all night? Come on, it’ll be fun. I haven’t seen you in ages.”

  “All right.” I breathed heavily into the phone, laying it on thick. “But only if you promise to watch my back.”

  “It’s a deal. I’ll see you both around eight-ish.” With that, he ended the call.

  “Great. What’d I just get myself into?” I cocked my head at Paige as if she was a magic eight ball, eager to answer all my questions.

  She let out a high-pitched squeal and started bouncing around the room. “We’re going to a party! What could be more fun than that?”

  Suddenly the door burst open, and Dad walked in. “What’s going on in here?”

  “I told you he’d come,” Paige whispered behind her hand.

  “It’s nothing, Dad. Just needed a little attention, that’s all.” I turned my I’m-so-innocent smile on him, and his façade crumbled.

  “Fine. But I need to talk to you, Lucy.” He angled toward me, shooting me a serious look.

  “Okay, shoot.” I crossed my arms and stood my ground.

  His eyes shifted over to Paige.

  “You can say it in front of her. We don’t have any secrets.” I may have over-emphasized the last word.

  “Fine, if you insist.” He leaned in and lowered his voice a notch. “Your mother doesn’t agree, but I’ve decided to let you choose whether or not you go back to Montrose.”

  “Really, Dad?” Hope bloomed inside me.

  He nodded. “I think it’s only fair. Especially after everything you’ve gone through.”

  “Is that what you and Mom were fighting about?” Paige asked.

  “As a matter of fact—” Dad started.

  “See! Told you, Lucy. It’s never about me.” She turned her bright eyes on me, lips curling into a pout.

  “That’s enough, Paige,” Dad snapped. “Let your sister have a chance to think about her options.”

  “Sorry, Lucy. I know you’ve had a rough month.” Paige stared at the carpet.

  But I’d already tuned them out. Because the options were equally mind-numbing. Go back to Alton High where people thought I was crazy and let them start more rumors about what happened in New York. Or stay at Montrose and get over the fact that my ex stalked me there. Here I’d at least have Chad and no secret societies to deal with. That I knew of.

  But Bryan and Shanda were at Montrose—the only people who made facing my fears seem remotely possible. No matter what happened with Bryan, Shanda would always have my back. I tried to picture staying here in Indiana, but I just couldn’t see myself going backwards. Not now. I’d already come too far. Last year, I ran away from my problems, but they’d followed me to New York. In this new year, I had a chance to do things differently. Maybe this time I needed to face my fears and learn how to deal with them, instead of running away.

  Inhaling a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and stood tall. “Thanks for sticking up for me, Dad. But I think I’d rather go back to Montrose.”

  “Are you sure?” He leaned down to my level. “I know it’ll be hard either way.”

  “It will.” I nodded, staring into his eyes. “But I think Montrose is the only place I can move past it.”

  “If you really think so.” He held my gaze.

  “I do.” I kept eye contact, so he’d know I meant every word.

  He bobbed his head. “Okay. I just wanted you to know you had a choice.”

  “Thanks, Dad. I appreciate that.” I grinned up at him. Had I really grown up that much in the past few months?

  Smiling, he reached out and ruffled my hair. “So what do you say we watch the ball drop tonight? As a family.”

  “Can’t.” Paige’s voice went flat. “We’re going to Chad’s house.”

  “And you agreed to this?” Dad furrowed his forehead at me.

  “What can I say? They convinced me.” I pointed to my sister. “How can you say no to that face?”

  Paige widened her eyes and gave Dad her famous little pout. “Chad’s parents will be there and everything. And Jake is on house arrest.”

  “Oh, really?” Dad’s eyebrows shot up
and he glanced at me.

  I just shrugged. “That’s what Chad told me. You know I couldn’t say no to him, either.”

  Dad pulled out his phone. “I’m just going to have a little chat with Chad’s parents, confirm all of this. Then we’ll see.” He started dialing as he tromped out the door.

  “It’ll be completely safe,” Paige called after him.

  “I hope you’re right,” I muttered to myself.

  Sure, it’d been forever since I’d seen my best friend. He’d probably even censor his guest list for me. But I still didn’t want to face the Alton High rumor mill. Maybe if I stayed out of sight and let Chad and Paige run interference, I could escape this night unscathed. A girl can dream, right?

  Chapter 8

  As soon as I shucked off my coat, all the tiny hairs on my arms bristled. I felt exposed here, in the sleeveless gold dress Paige foisted on me. Vulnerable as prey in a hunter’s scope. Goosebumps popped up like a warning siren, blaring through every nerve ending on my body. Suddenly I felt sorry for the deer population.

  “Lucy, I can’t believe you made it. It’s been too long.” Chad squeezed his way through the teenage crowd, all clad in their party-best. He hugged me around my middle, lifting me off my feet. “You’re looking hot in gold. Great job, Paige.”

  She high-fived him. “I’m good for something.”

  He fluffed up his spiky black bangs and held out paper tiaras. “You have to wear them. It’s New Year’s.”

  “You’re not getting off that easy.” I brushed past him to the entry table, plucked up a paper top hat, and plunked it on his head.

  “Yeah, yeah. Missed you, too.” He tipped his hat at me, leaning in as Paige disappeared into the crowd. “How are you doing, for real?”

  I opened my mouth, right as two cheerleaders passed. Nothing came out.

  “Don’t worry, I got your back.” Hooking his arm through mine, he led me past the living room dance floor, straight into the kitchen like he was on a mission. In the breakfast nook, he slid into the booth and pulled me down next to him.

  “I’m glad I came. Just hope those aren’t famous last words.” I shifted, fidgeting with the taffeta edge of my gold cocktail dress, then adjusted my Happy New Year crown.