The Savage Grace

“It happens,” Talbot said. “Especially if new Akhs are in the mix. They don’t come just to get a quick fix; they feed to kill. But I guess the danger is part of the thrill for some people. And a lot of them are just stupid kids who don’t really know what’s going on. Most don’t remember in the morning.”

“And we’ll be able to hunt down Pete there?” I gazed up into his green eyes. At the same time I reached into my jacket pocket and clicked a button on my phone.

“I’d bet my truck on it.”

“But where is the party?”

“There’s always one a week or two after Halloween in a haunted house that’s just been closed down for the season. Before they strike all the creepy sets. Rumor has it, tonight’s trance party is going to be at Frightmare Farms.”

“That old farm outside Rose Crest? Didn’t that place get shut down for being unsafe?” April and I used to frequent the corn maze at that old farm-turned-Halloween-attraction, but we didn’t make it this year because it got shut down opening night after some kid fell through the rotten floorboards in the haunted barn. I’d heard the owners had left it abandoned the way it was, rather than spend the money to get it up to code.

“You can see the appeal for this kind of party then?” Talbot reached out like he wanted to caress his fingers along my cheek. “But we’re going to have to cover up that pretty face of yours, find you a disguise. The party will be crawling with Gelals and Akhs. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few Shadow Kings showed up for recruiting.”

Shadow Kings. That’s what I was afraid he was going to say.

“People wear pretty crazy stuff to these things, so you won’t stand out in a costume,” Talbot said. “I don’t want any SKs getting wind of us being there. I imagine I’m the last person they’ll feel like being friendly to.”

“That’s okay,” I said, taking a large step back, away from him and his truck. “Because you’re not coming.”

“What? You think I’m going to let you go alone?”

“I won’t be alone.” I glanced over at the motorcycle driven by a lone rider pulling into the parking lot next to us. The green Corolla followed just behind him. Right on cue. “You’re just not coming with us.” I backed away quickly.

“What’s going on?” Talbot started to come after me, but he stopped when the motorcyclist got off his bike and removed his helmet. Talbot’s eyes widened as he recognized Daniel. The four lost boys got out of the car and stood behind their alpha.

“So he’s back?” Talbot asked.

“Yep.” I couldn’t help smiling a bit and thinking of that song from the oldies station my Grandpa Kramer used to listen to. My boyfriend’s back, and your gonna be in trouble.…

“Despite your best efforts, I hear,” Daniel said, tucking his helmet under his arm.

Talbot’s mouth hung open with shock, but his hands balled into fists.

“Do you need any help here?” Daniel asked me.

“Nope. I got what I came for.” I looked at Talbot. “Thanks for the information. We’ll be taking care of the Pete problem without you.”

“This was a setup?” Talbot asked. I could see the storm brewing behind his eyes. He took a stride toward me, but the four lost boys stepped forward, creating a barrier between us. Talbot stepped back slightly. “But I thought … you and me, Grace. This is what we’re supposed to do together.…”

“There is no you and me, Talbot.” I got on the motorcycle with Daniel. “You’re not a part of this anymore.”

Tricking Talbot into thinking I was going to go hunting with him, and then leaving him in the lurch, felt cruel. But he needed to know that despite his lies and betrayal, I’d gotten Daniel back—and I didn’t need Talbot anymore.

“I need you to realize, Talbot,” I said to him, solemnly, “when it comes down to it, I’ll always choose Daniel.”

Chapter Twenty-two

PARTY ON

SEVERAL HOURS LATER, EVENING

April was all over the needing-to-wear-a-disguise thing. I was starting to wonder if she had a frequent buyers’ reward at the thrift shop/costume closet in Apple Valley. We’d convened at her house to get ready for the trance party, and I watched in awe as she pulled outfit after outfit from her closet.

“Wow, you’re really taking your role as my Alfred seriously,” I said. When April had learned about my quest to become a superhero—a quest I’d all but given up on while trying to find a way to bring Daniel back to me—she’d insisted on becoming the Alfred to my Batman. Which, unfortunately, often involved a BeDazzler.

I seriously wouldn’t be surprised if she’d put “superhero stylist” as one of her qualifications on her Trenton application.

“I design when I’m anxious,” April said. “And I’ve had a lot to be anxious about lately.” She pulled a yellow Day-Glo jumpsuit with a matching cape from the pile. “I put this one together after you got kidnapped by the Shadow Kings.”

Daniel smiled wryly.

It was nice to know April cared so much.

“I even collected a few things for Daniel … you know, just in case he ever turned back into a human.” She picked up what looked like a bundle of black leather. She handed it to Daniel. “Glad you’re back, by the way.” She smiled at him.

“Thanks.” Daniel unrolled the bundle. It turned out to be a long leather trench coat. “This I can handle,” he said.

“Only twenty-five bucks at the thrift store. Can you believe it? Pair that with some black pants and black shirt, and you’re good to go.” She picked up another bundle of clothing and handed it to me. “Grace, on the other hand, needs a little more oomph.”

“These are pleather shorts,” I said, holding up the pair of fake black leather Daisy Dukes.

“You wear them with fishnets.” She handed me the tights and a lacy black cami. “There’s a jacket for you, too.”

“Yeah. But. These. Are. Pleather. Shorts.”

“And. You. Wear. Them. With. Fishnets,” she responded, as if I hadn’t heard her properly the first time. She pushed me toward the bathroom to get changed.

Daniel smiled so wide I thought his face was going to crack.