Fall For Me ((The Tate Chronicles #1)) (6 page)

“I’m sorry,” I said. “We seem to keep bumping into each other. I didn’t think anyone would be here.” I didn’t want to intrude, so I smiled then turned to leave.

Secretly I wished she would call me back. I wanted to spend some time with her. I walked as slowly as I could without making it obvious I wanted to stay, and waited for her to say something. I’d nearly given up hope when she spoke.

“Wait, Josh,” she said. “You can stay, if you like.”

I made my way back, smiling inwardly. My heart quickened when Grace looked at me. I tried to move my mouth to say something, but no words would come. Instead, I stared, completely and utterly spellbound.

“Do you come here often?” I finally asked, taking a few steps towards her.

“Yeah, I love it here. It’s peaceful.”

“It is a beautiful spot,” I said. I took another step closer, reached out and gently brushed a tear from her cheek. “You’ve been crying?”

“It’s nothing,” she replied, shaking her head and looking down. She fiddled with a delicate silver ring on her right hand. A sapphire as blue as her eyes was surrounded by flowing curves. They looked like wings.

Not knowing why she’d been crying troubled me, I hated to think someone had hurt her, but who was I to demand such information in the first place? Grace didn’t know me well enough to confide in me, and yet I was drawn to her like a magnet. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. For a split second it occurred to me that Abby never made me feel this way, and I felt guilty for the way I’d treated her. No matter how shallow a person is I guess everyone still deserves some respect.

“You know, you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it,” Grace said.

What on earth is she talking about?
I thought.

“I saw what happened with Abby this morning,” she said quickly.

“Oh, that. Yeah, I probably should have been nicer.”

“Sometimes we think with our head, not our heart.”

“You’re a little weird, you know that, Grace?” I said, chuckling. “How come we’ve never been friends?”

“Different circles I guess. No reason why we can’t be friends now.”

We stood in silence for what felt like an eternity, and all I wanted to do was reach out and touch her just to make sure she was real.

“You’re so beautiful, you glow,” I said, closing the gap between us. We were as close as we could be without actually touching. I sensed that Grace was a little nervous and it excited me, having that effect on her. At least I knew the feeling was mutual, or I thought it was. The warmth I felt emanating from her was amazing. I could feel little sparks of electricity flying between us. She took my breath away, and all I could think about was her.

“You know, you’re pretty easy on the eyes yourself,” she said.

“Remind me again why we’ve never been friends?”

“Um … Abby, you know your ex-girlfriend.”

“Who?”
I asked with a smile.

Grace looked up at me—she was almost an entire head shorter—and for a brief moment I thought I saw apprehension in her expression.

“What is it?” I asked, raising my hand to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. She closed her eyes, pushed her cheek into my palm, and I felt her warmth spread through me.

“I shouldn’t be here, with you,” she said, her eyes still closed. I put my other hand on her back and pulled her close.

“Why?
Why not?”

I held her tightly, she put her palms on my chest and I gazed into her eyes. Behind their beautiful sparkle I could see a hint of sadness.

“I can’t explain it to you, Josh. I just can’t.”

I don’t think either of us knew what to say. I bowed my head and pressed my forehead to hers, wishing I knew what she was thinking. What I did next was probably the single, most stupid thing I’d done in a long time. I should have let the moment be, but instead I ruined it. The glorious kiss I imagined in my mind never eventuated. When I leant in to gently brush her lips with mine, she quickly turned away and stepped out of my embrace.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. Her hand flew to her mouth. “I can’t.” Tears welled in the corners of her eyes and she blinked them away.

I’m pretty sure my expression displayed exactly how hurt I was, and all I could do was watch her run to the path, taking the broken pieces of my heart with her.

GRACE

Monday Lunch Time

A
lone together and with no one around, I could not believe I called Josh back. What was I, crazy? This guy had me trembling with emotion and I knew it wasn’t allowed, so yeah, I called him back. Way to go, Grace, what a good way to dig your own grave.

Josh was like an open book as he walked towards me. I could hear the thoughts bouncing around in his gorgeous head. I had to admit I liked them, but he was wondering why I’d been crying. How was I supposed to explain that?
I’m crying because I’m an angel and if I fall in love with you I could be damned forever.
Maybe not the answer he’d be expecting.

He held me close, our foreheads touching, and we stood on the rock ledge with the valley spread out before us. I could feel Josh’s warm breath on my face and it felt like a thousand tiny kisses caressing my cheek. I knew what he was about to do before he did it, and I also knew I couldn’t let him. Josh leant down, intending to kiss me, and I turned my head away.

I didn’t want to hurt him—there is no dignity in rejection—but I was overcome with a sickening, falling feeling. I quickly took a step back. I’d never experienced this feeling before, it was filled with dread, but I think I knew why it had overcome me. I was about to break the rules. It was a warning.

My hand flew to my mouth. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “I can’t.”

The hurt and confusion in Josh’s eyes tore my heart in two, and I had to muster all my strength to pick up my bag and run towards the path. My shoulder lightly brushed his arm on my way past and I felt the warmth his touch left behind. Tears blurred my vision and I fell, cutting my knee on a rock. I picked myself up and continued on. The wound healed by the time I reached the sandstone wall, only a small trace of blood was left.

I could have orbed myself anywhere, home, the cemetery, China, but running made me feel more alive. When I reached the yard I slowed to a walk and stopped under a big gum tree that stood on the edge of the lawn. No students were out yet as the lunch bell hadn’t rung so I sat under the tree, facing the open grassed grounds, and calmed myself. The tree was ours. Archer, Emma and I sat under that tree every day. I opened my bag, took out my water and had a sip. With a deep breath I closed my eyes and leant back against the rough trunk, waiting for the others to show up.

Archer was the first to arrive. He gave me a good once over with a concerned look.

“Ok, so spill. What’s up?”

“I’m fine, Arch, really.”

“Then why is there blood on your knee, and why have you been crying?”

Scowling, I licked my finger and wiped the blood away. Was it that obvious I’d been crying? Sometimes I hated being so in tune with my brother. It was hard to hide things.

“It’s nothing, Arch. I just had a bit of an encounter with Josh.”

“Encounter?
If you don’t tell me I’ll make you.”

“No, you won’t, I’m way stronger than you.”

“True. But I can always catch you off guard.”

“Then I’ll just push you back out again,” I said.

We stared each other down, but I wasn’t giving in.

“Seriously, Grace, what happened?” he asked.

“I’ll tell when I’m ready.”

“Like what you saw in that vamp girl last night?”

“That’s different…” I trailed off as Emma plopped down beside me. There was a moment of awkward silence as she looked from me to Archer.

“What did I interrupt? Or is it secret family business?” Emma laughed.

Not far off,
I thought.

“How was Chemistry?” I asked in a hopeful attempt at changing the subject.

Emma cringed. “It’s only the first day and I already wish I’d chosen something else.”

“Come on, Emma. Chemistry is fun. It’s really cool putting stuff in test tubes and watching it bubble,” Archer said.

Realising I hadn’t been to the cafeteria to get lunch I snatched half of Archer’s sandwich when he wasn’t looking. He went to say something but I threw him my,
don’t mess with me I’m hungry,
look.

The yard was alive with activity and I could see Josh’s group lazing on the grass in the far corner. He wasn’t with them. Seth, Ivan and Blake were sprawled on the front steps, annoying anyone who came within reach of their mockery.

“Excuse me, Emma?” a tentative female voice said.

I looked over my shoulder and met the gaze of a strikingly beautiful girl. I hoped I didn’t look as surprised as I felt. Actually, surprised didn’t quite cut it. Shocked, was more like it. She was the girl we’d seen at the property, and the one I plucked from Emma’s thoughts. Up this close she seemed taller, probably because I was sitting on the ground, and she was sleek and indescribably gorgeous.

Don’t, Arch.
I felt him stiffen beside me and could see his hostility rising.
She’s different.

I don’t care, she’s a vamp.

Just let it go for now, please,
I said.

Emma was oblivious to our silent exchange and invited the girl to sit down. She met my stare with her black eyes and I could see the recognition in her face. She went perfectly still. She was so pale out in the sunshine that her skin almost glowed. The grey and navy check skirt of the school uniform fitted in all the right places, and the white button up blouse showed off her near perfect figure. If I was a guy, I’d have drool running down my chin.

“I’m Charlotte Fallon,” she said, as she sat down in one swift, elegant motion.

Oh no. This is not good. I noticed Archer stiffen. This was too weird. Archer gave me a sideways glance, not even attempting to hide his annoyance.

Trust me,
I said.
Besides, you can’t exactly stake her out in the open.

Archer took another long, hard look at Charlotte.

“I hate being around crowds,” Charlotte said.

“This is the girl I was telling you about this morning, Grace,” Emma said, scowling.

I nudged her foot hoping she’d change her expression. She didn’t like how pretty Charlotte was and couldn’t understand why she’d chosen to sit with us. Archer, despite himself and his prejudices, was on the verge of needing a bucket to catch all the drool, and me, I was freaking out at the fact this vamp was sitting with us, in the sunshine.

“Welcome to Hopetown Valley,” I said in my nice as pie voice. “I’m Grace. This is Archer, my brother.”

“Really?
You look nothing alike.”

I could see Charlotte was a little uncomfortable with us. She was thinking she should probably apologise for throwing a stake at me.

“We get that a lot. Are you in the dorm?” I asked, trying to continue the conversation and block out her mental line of thought.

“Yes, room thirteen.
You?”

Very fitting,
I thought. “Arch and I don’t board. We have a place about ten minutes west of here.”
But you already know that.

Emma tried a little unsuccessfully to stop scowling when Charlotte asked her a few questions about dorm living. I took the opportunity to grab my dumb struck brother’s attention.

Arch. Archer, look at me.

He tore his gaze away from Charlotte. Sometimes I wished he could read people the way I could, it would make things so much easier.

Wipe your chin. A minute ago you wanted to kill her, now you’re ogling her?

Huh?

Oh, snap out of it!
I looked at him with wide eyes.

Archer was struggling between the urge to kill this girl and ask her out on a date. Give me a break. Boys! Emma was chatting away and Charlotte was responding in all the right places, but she was also watching Archer and me. I snuck into her head and caught a thought. She knew who we were and had been searching for us, looking for protection. It seemed like the three of us had a few things to talk about, and Archer was not going to be happy.

GRACE

Monday Night

M
oonlight glinted in Archer’s eyes as he pulled his arm back. He released the stake and it flew past my ear, embedding itself into the tree behind me.

“She has a what?” Archer cried from where he stood in the middle of the clearing. We were getting ready for our nightly hunt. “I don’t even know what that is.”

“I didn’t tell you because I knew you were angry.”

Besides, I didn’t get the chance. We’d had no classes together that afternoon, and I thought it would be safer to talk at home. Not in public with lots of witnesses.