Souls (Runes series) Page 9

  “Then I’ll end it.” He started the car and stepped on the gas. In seconds, he’d caught up with the poor guy.

  “Echo, leave him alone. You’re just trying to avoid the question.”

  He slowed down. “What question?”

  “Would you hook up with your exes?”

  He chuckled. “Nope. They hate my guts.”

  “Why? Did you cheat on them?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “I never cheat. I always make a clean break. It’s not my fault they bored me after a few months.” He indicated and made a right turn onto Main Street. “I’ve been told no woman was sane enough to put up with my bullshit. I could be the last man on earth and they wouldn’t touch me with a beanpole. I would die alone and miserable.” He rolled his eyes. “Some were just plain cruel. One hoped I’d catch some rune-resistant disease and die, just so they could reap my soul and tether it to a brothel. Another hoped my jewels would shrivel and fall off,” he added, wincing.

  I was laughing hard by the time he finished, whatever jealousy I’d felt gone.

  He grinned as he pulled up outside La Nonne, an Italian restaurant I’d driven past yet never visited. He switched off the engine, took my hand again, brought it to his lips, and kissed my knuckles. “You are stuck with me. No woman wants me except you, doll-face.”

  “Good. And if you ever thought of walking out on me, I wouldn’t insult you or threaten to hurt your jewels.”

  “Thank you.” He came around to my door, and opened it. He gripped my waist, lifted me down, and brought my body flush with his. “I know you love me too much to try to hurt me.”

  So full of himself. I gave him a toothy grin, before delivering my salvo. “Oh, I wouldn’t try. I’d personally chop them off then keep you around for the rest of our lives. We’ll see how fast you become un-bored.”

  Echo was still laughing when we started toward the restaurant. Most restaurants were on Main Street, which had enough parking up front and around the back. The more secluded La Nonne was on a side street and the main parking was across the street. Souls appeared from the shadows.

  “Get lost,” Echo snarled.

  “Be nice.” I waved to one woman. “I’ll help you later,” I mouthed to another.

  “No, she won’t. Tonight is her night off, so leave her alone.”

  He tried for the rest of the walk, but I could feel his mounting frustration. I was getting used to souls popping up whenever I was out and about. Usually, they ran from him.

  Inside, the hostess led us to a table, handed us the menus, and promised to send a server. Her eyes lingered on Echo as she poured water into two glasses, but he was completely oblivious, his focus on me.

  “This is nice.” I glanced around. Linen tablecloths. Fresh flowers. Romantic lighting. I liked it. I didn’t care what I ate. I was on a date with Echo. Then something occurred to me. He was a stranger around my town and wouldn’t know local, fancy restaurants like this. “How did you find it?”

  “I know friends who know places and swear by their food and services.”

  Torin. He was the food expert around here. The server was annoyingly bubbly, but the breadsticks were warm and garlicky, and we got extra olive oil dip. She must have forgotten she’d brought us some, or she needed a second look at Echo.

  We were munching when he excused himself. I watched him disappear outside. I had been aware of the souls peering at us through the glass window. By the time Echo came back, they were all gone.

  “Were you nice to them?”

  “Very.” He touched my cheek. “I didn’t reap them.”

  That didn’t mean he hadn’t threatened them. When he looked over my shoulder and groaned, I turned, expecting to see more souls. Instead Blaine Chapman nodded at us. Blaine was an Immortal and friend of our local Valkyries. On his arm was Jennifer Sorenson.

  Jen was the co-captain of the cheer squad. She and Blaine’s ex-girlfriend could never stand each other. Possibly because she’d been eyeing Blaine, like, forever. Jen slithered from guy to guy without caring about their girlfriends.

  “My favorite Immortal,” Echo mumbled. He was such a liar. He couldn’t stand Blaine.

  “And my least favorite swimmer.”

  Echo’s eyebrow rose. “Why? You’re prettier than she is.”

  My jaw dropped. “You think I can’t stand her because of her looks? I’m not that vain. She steals other people’s boyfriends.” I glanced at Jen. She’d found us and her eyes were eating up Echo. Vamp. “I’m prettier than she is?”

  “Don’t ever doubt it.” He leaned across the table and planted a slow one on my lips. “Why do you think we’re drawing attention?”

  Probably because of him. I turned my head to check out the other customers, but he turned my chin and kissed me again.

  “Do you two want to find a room?” Blaine asked, and my cheeks warmed.

  “Very original, Chapman,” Echo said.

  “Always nice to chat with you, Echo. Short and sweet.” More like short and tense. Blaine winked at me. “Hey, gorgeous.”

  Once upon a time, I’d thought he was the hottest guy in school. Raine and I had even drooled over his hot bod when he was the QB. With his topaz eyes and wavy brown hair, he was still one of the hottest guys around. He just didn’t do anything for me now.

  “Hey, handsome,” I said. “Fancy meeting you here.”

  “The food and the setting are a big draw.”

  Echo made a derisive sound between a chuckle and a snort. “More like spying for St. James. Tell him I’m a choirboy tonight.” He glanced around. “A few oglers are pushing their luck, but they’re safe.”

  “The night is still young,” Blaine said.

  Echo’s eyes flashed. “Go away, Chapman.”

  “I’m Jennifer Sorenson but everyone calls me Jen,” she said, leaning down, invading Echo’s space and blocking us out. She must have gotten tired of being ignored, and Blaine hadn’t introduced her, which was unlike him. He was the quintessential gentlemen and even dressed the part. Very preppy. “I think I’ve seen you around the school, Echo,” Jen added.

  Echo shuddered. “I’m way past high school, sweetheart, but I stop by now and then for someone I can’t resist.” He slid his hand across the table and took mine, threading our fingers.

  Jen gave him a tiny smile and stood. Serious disappointment and envy filled her eyes when she glanced at me. “Cora.”

  “Jen.” She must have ditched Drake again. “I heard you’ll be cheering for the Beavers.”

  “I haven’t decided yet. So, Echo, are you in college?”

  “Yes. If you two don’t mind, I’d like to devote the rest of the evening to my lovely companion here. Chapman, let’s talk later.”

  A look I couldn’t explain passed between them, and Blaine nodded. He took Jen’s arm and escorted her to their table.

  Echo had a way of making everyone around him pale in comparison, so ignoring the other customers and focusing on him was easy. He might act possessive and admit he didn’t like sharing me, but he wouldn’t punch men who ogled me. Except when he shot death glares at the two college guys at the adjacent table, dinner passed smoothly. I fed him some of my chicken fettuccine, and he gave me his meatballs, then laughed when I licked my lips. The few times I looked up, I caught Jen’s envious eyes on us.

  “We’ll pass,” Echo said to dessert when the waitress came to clear our table.

  Now that was a surprise. Echo had a serious sweet tooth. My poison was junk food. “Don’t mind me.”

  “I have plans for dessert.” He pulled out his wallet and placed enough money on the table to cover the bill and a very generous tip.

  I was intrigued, but he didn’t give me time to ask. We left the restaurant, strolled down the sidewalk, and crossed the street. The night was pretty cool, and I wasn’t surprised when Echo removed his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me close as we headed to his car.

  “My parents want you to come to dinner next weekend,” I sa
id.

  He groaned.

  “Hey.” I elbowed him. “Drop the attitude.”

  “He’s going to grill me again.”

  “Then you need a cover story,” I said, turning to face him.

  “I have one.”

  “Really? Since when?”

  He chuckled at my incredulous tone and skimmed my temple with his lips. “Since an hour ago.” He unlocked the door of the SUV, opened it, and made sure I was seated before he went to his seat. “I’m majoring in economics and minoring in history. I plan to go to business school, preferably at whatever college you’ll be attending next fall. And oh, the reason I changed schools is because of Blaine’s family.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Immortals offer us and Valkyries support. He’ll back up whatever story I tell any Mortal, including your family. Remember, I already told them my parents died when I was a child. If they want details, I was raised by a distant aunt who’s dead now. My parents put my money in a trust fund controlled by Blaine’s father, which will explain the surprise I promised you.”

  He had everything covered, but would Blaine really support his story? Echo almost snapped the poor guy’s neck because he’d thought Blaine had hurt me.

  Then what he’d said registered. “What surprise?”

  He chuckled and gunned the engine. “If I tell, it won’t be a surprise.”

  7. BEST BREAKFAST

  At first, I thought we were going to Raine’s, but we passed the turnoff and headed east. Then I was sure our destination was the mansion, where the Valkyries lived, but he took a left turn and kept going. A few more turns and he pulled up outside a nice house on the southeast part of town. The house was at a dead end and had a cute wooden fence separating it from the neighbor’s. Lights were on, but I didn’t see movement behind the curtains.

  “Whose place is this?” I asked when he opened the passenger door and offered me his hand.

  “Let’s find out.” He pulled out a key and placed it in my hand.

  The patio lights came on when we stepped onto the porch. Six white pillars and a low-lying metal rail wrapped around the porch, and a heavy-duty mat welcomed us.

  I unlocked the door, an idea taking root in my head. I glanced at Echo, but all he did was indicate that I go ahead with a smug smirk. The living room was unfurnished but spacious. New paneling. Spotless, plush carpet. It had the smell of a newly remodeled home, and the room temperature was on the cold side. I spied an electric fireplace, but it wasn’t on. I wasn’t complaining though. Echo’s coat was keeping me warm.

  Echo grabbed my hand. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”

  There were two self-contained bedrooms. The master suite had a huge bathroom. An arch connected the dining area to the kitchen. The backyard was enclosed and had a flat backyard and wooden swing set. Echo didn’t say anything until I turned and faced him.

  “What do you think?” he asked.

  “I like it. Is it ours?”

  He smiled, wrapped his arms around my waist, and pulled me close. “Not yet, but I’m working on it. There are two more we should check out before deciding.”

  He’d said we. Internal Squeal! I wrapped my arms around his neck. “What if I decide to attend a college in Portland or California?”

  “You can stay in the dorms if you want, but I’ll get a house in town in case you want to visit me.” He wiggled his brows. “The whole point here, doll-face, is to have a place we can hang out without stepping on some roommate’s toes or worrying about your parents. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the rest of high school or have a wonderful experience in college.”

  “Really? You do know that the college experience is really a four-year paid vacation filled with frat parties, keg parties, girls’ nights out, puking your guts out, and hookups, don’t you?”

  He paled. “I’m trying here, sweetheart. Don’t rub it in.”

  I reached up and kissed him. Even in heels, he topped me by several inches. When he lifted me clear off the ground, I wrapped my legs around him. The kiss grew intense fast.

  “I was just kidding,” I whispered when we stopped.

  “No, doll-face. I’ve been reading about what goes on in colleges and trying hard to pretend it doesn’t matter, but this is a rite of passage. So yes,” he caressed my cheek, “attend frat parties, flirt with some idiot Mortal, go to concerts, and have sit-ins and rallies. I’ll wait.” He planted a kiss on my forehead. “There’s absolutely nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I’ll even hold your hair back while you puke your guts out.”

  Silly guy. Like I’d attend parties without him. I planned to drag him to every party, concert, and lecture, give him a taste of campus life. Create memories to replace the bad ones from his past. “We’ll see.”

  “There’s nothing to see. I’ll willingly share you no matter how hard and painful, or how much I want to snap some pimply-faced coed’s neck.” His lips met mine in one possessive kiss that belied his words. He lifted his head and whispered against my lips, “You want dessert?”

  “I thought this was my dessert.”

  He chuckled. “I love the way your naughty mind works, but I was talking about a different dessert.”

  He surprised me when he headed to the kitchen, set me on the counter, went to the fridge, and pulled out a plastic bag. I had expected him to create a portal and go to his place, but this was nice.

  I hopped down and followed him to the living room, where he proceeded to turn on the electric fireplace heater. I peered inside the plastic bag and grinned. Two tubs of ice cream—rum raisin and cookie dough—my favorite frozen yogurt, luscious lemon, and plastic spoons.

  We settled in front of the fireplace, lying on our stomachs side-by-side. We ate in silence. I nudged him with my shoulder. “Did you really mean it? You know, about doing anything for me?”

  He hummed as he savored a scoop of rum-raisin ice cream. “Anything.”

  “Help me with Dev.”

  “Anything but that.” He went back to his ice cream as though the subject was closed.

  “Come on, Echo. I’ve decided to help him, but his issues—”

  “Are none of my business. You said you’d stay away from dark souls.”

  I groaned. He just had to bring up that. “Other dark souls. Listen—”

  “Not when it comes to that jackass.” He stared me down with wolfish eyes. “I admire what you do for souls, and I know I can’t convince you to ignore him. I’ve also learned that once you make up your mind, there’s no stopping you. You are stubborn and opinionated, yet sensitive and kind. I love all those qualities in you, but I also don’t forget or forgive those who’ve betrayed me. Dev is at the top of that list, so screw his issues.”

  My jaw dropped. I sat, and for a brief moment words escaped me. Finally, I found my tongue. “How can you be so rigid and—?”

  “Honest?” He cocked his eyebrows, leaning on one elbow and tilting his body, so he could look at me. “Quite easily. He means nothing to me. You want to help him, go ahead. I’m not going to stop you.”

  “But—”

  “If he hurts you or makes you shed a tear, I will put all my powers and resources into tormenting his worthless soul, and I’ll enjoy every second of it.”

  I closed my eyes and blew out a breath. “If you interrupt me again, Echo, I swear I’m going to bitch slap you into next century.”

  He chuckled, noticed I was serious, and muttered, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

  “Oh, you did, you… you impossible man.” I jumped to my feet. “You’re so stuck in your ways you’ll never change.”

  He rolled on his back, propped up his body with his elbows and watched me pace. “You’re just pissed I’m not a bleeding heart like you.”

  I gave him the finger.

  He grinned. “Crass, Cora-mio. Really beneath you.”

  It was, but I didn’t care. “You’re so petty, vindictive, and vengeful.”

  “And proud of it.”
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  I stopped by his side, glaring at him as though to force him to do my bidding. “You’re never going to change. You said you’re willing to do it for me then turn around and act like a douche. What’s the difference?”

  “I’m willing to change for you, not him.”

  Why couldn’t he see it was the same thing? “I’m going home.”

  I turned to leave, but he caught my ankle and yanked. I screamed as I lost my balance, but he was there to break my fall. His arms wound tightly around me. When I struggled to free myself, he trapped my legs with his.

  “Let me go, you Neanderthal,” I screamed.

  “I can’t.” He buried his face in my neck and whispered, “I wouldn’t know what to do if you left me, Cora-mio.”

  I stopped struggling. Just like that, he sucked the fight out of me. “I didn’t mean it that way. I’m mad at you and disappointed, but that’s just now.”

  He lifted his head and studied me. His expression grew pensive. “How long are you going to stay angry with me?”

  “What kind of question is that?”

  “I just want to know, so I can mentally prepare myself.”

  “I don’t know.” I wiggled and tried to get out of his arms again, but he tightened his grip. “A week.”

  He paled.

  “Two days,” I relented.

  “Can I at least get a kiss?”

  “No.”

  “Can I hold you while you sleep?”

  “When you’re mad at someone, Echo, you don’t want to hear or see them. Kind of like the way you feel toward Dev.”

  Echo winced. He let go of me and stared at the ceiling. “Fine. I can be on my own for two days. Done it for centuries and survived.” He glanced at me from the corner of his eyes to see my reaction, but I wasn’t backing down, even though I felt like an ass-hat. Both he and Dev needed closure. Echo was just too stubborn to see it.

  I got to my feet and watched him pick up our leftover ice cream. Part of me wanted to go to him, wrap my arms around him, and admit I wasn’t really angry. Another wanted to yell at him.

  He put everything back in the plastic bag and led the way to the car. He didn’t press his hand on the small of my back or take my hand as he often did, making me feel so alone.