Masquerade (Heven and Hell #1)(97)
Author: Cambria Hebert

Sam was not happy with me. In fact, I thought he might explode. So I took the permission forms from her and promised to turn them in as soon as possible. As soon as we were down the hall, Sam yanked me into a supply closet.

“What were you thinking?” he whisper-yelled at me.

“That there was one scholarship left, and you needed it!” I matched his whisper-yell with my own.

“We have no idea if you’re going to be able to go.”

I sighed. “Even if I can’t, you have to. It’s our only way to get the scroll to Rome.”

“I will not go without you,” he said through gritted teeth.

“We made a promise, Sam.”

“You made a promise,” he growled.

He was right. I was the one who told Airis I would do this. This was my responsibility. I should be the one to go. Sam grabbed me by the shoulders and leaned down close to my ear. His breath was warm and tickled my ear.

“I don’t like when you’re that quiet. I didn’t mean to yell at you, honey. It makes my skin crawl to think of leaving you here while I go to another country.”

I shivered. The scent of him was surrounding me and his shaggy hair brushed against my cheek. “Uh-huh.”

He pulled back, just slightly, his lips pulling into a knowing smile. “Are you listening?”

I nodded.

He kissed me. I buried my hands in his hair and pulled him even closer. His tongue was the perfect combination of rough and sweet. My stomach fluttered.

After he pulled back I rested my forehead on his chest to catch my breath. Soon, reality came rushing back. It’s not definite that I can’t go. I’ll convince my mother to sign the papers. Yours are already filled out. You don’t need a parent’s signature, you have the scholarship. Just turn in the forms. I’ll turn mine in soon.

You’re going to convince your mother to let you go? Especially during those two weeks? Sam was doubtful. So was I, but I didn’t have a choice. There was no other option. Our lives and the lives of everyone on that Treasure Map depended on it. I would trick her if I had to.

Chapter Thirty-One

Heven

Of course it was rainy and chilly on the day Sam and I were supposed to fix up his new place. But I refused to wait another day. He had already moved most his stuff in yesterday, but we hadn’t fixed it up yet because school sucked up most of the day and then he had to work.

I was sitting on the front porch of Gran’s, under cover from the falling rain. My hands were tucked in the front pocket of my blue hoodie and wrapped around the bronze tube that held the scroll. I heard the deep rumble of the truck’s engine before I saw it and my heart picked up.

Moments later Sam was jumping down from the truck and running through the rain to meet me. He was laughing and his eyes were warm and the color of honey. He shook his head and drops of rainwater sprinkled around us. His blond hair was wet, making it a darker color than usual and framing his eyes and beautiful face in a wild, playful manner.

“Hey, beautiful.” He grabbed me up and smacked a big, wet kiss on me.

I laughed and went for another.

“You’re supposed to be all girly and grossed out that I got you wet.”

“I will never push you away. Even when you stink like wet dog.” I laughed.

He made a few barking sounds and lunged, pulling me closer. He leaned in to kiss me but at the last second his tongue shot out and he licked me across the lips. I squealed and stumbled backward, knocking over a box that was behind me.

“What’s that?” Sam asked, his eyes still twinkling with mischief.

I began putting the spilled items back into the box. “Just some stuff for your new place.”

“Heven,” he said exasperated. “That’s a huge box.”

“I didn’t buy all of it. Gran let me go through the stuff in the attic and take a few things.”

He seemed skeptical.

“Look.” I pointed to an item not in a box. “This microwave is way better and newer than the one in your place now. I don’t think that thing even works.”

He laughed. “It doesn’t even have buttons.” He wound his fingers through mine. “You’re so good to me.”

“I’m glad you think so. Now, haul this stuff to the truck.” I smiled sweetly at him and batted my eyes.

He crammed everything into the cab so it wouldn’t get wet and only stopped once when he saw the cans of paint. I batted my eyes again and patted his butt. He grinned and shook his head. When the truck was loaded, he came back with a crooked grin and the next thing I knew, I was thrown over his shoulder and deposited in the truck right next to him. To my intense delight I had to sit extra close to him on the way to his place because of all the stuff.

When we arrived at his place, Logan opened the door and stuck his head out. I waved up to him and he waved back. The rain had stopped, but the dark clouds still hung low, threatening to open back up at any moment. Sam got out and loaded his arms full of boxes and trudged up the stairs and into the apartment. Filled with excitement, I got out on his side and went around the hood to the passenger side and reached in to grab the two cans of paint. When I pulled back out I gasped noticing a big black crow that had perched itself on the side of the truck. It was creepy with flat, beady eyes and it opened its large pointy beak to let out a loud squawking sound. I jumped back and dropped the thingy that opened up the cans. With a muttered curse and a glare in the direction of the bird I bent to retrieve it. When I straightened the bird was gone. In its place sat a man.

He was naked.

He had longer hair than I have and it was full of knots and leaves.

His toes, which were propped against the side of the truck, were unnaturally curved and looked like claws.

What was most disturbing was his aura. It was white. I knew for certain that it was not pure. White was the worst color an aura could be.

I shrieked again this time letting go of the paint cans, and they rolled out onto the street. That bird just changed into a man? CRAP. Was that even possible? Sam could change, so why couldn’t others? Double Crap. And why was he looking at me with contempt and anticipation? I watched him warily, unsure what to say and do.

“Give me the map,” the man hissed.

“I – I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I lied, trying not to glance in the direction of the front seat where the scroll lay unprotected.

He cocked his head and stared at me. His eyes flashed red. “Liar.” His voice was scratchy and high pitched, just like I would imagine a bird’s might be if it could talk.