Page 7

CHAPTER

SEVEN

Theo drove them into the woods, pulled over, and punched a tree until splinters rained over his jeans. For the first time since he died, he wished he could feel the pain. But his hands were as pale and smooth as ever as he pulled back, bark sticking to his dead skin.

“Better the tree than the car, I guess,” Kade said from where he was standing a sensible distance away. He rubbed his newly healed hand and glanced over his shoulder. “Could’ve done this further from the road, y’know.”

Theo shrugged. It was a dark, moonless night. Nobody would see them.

Kade shuffled forward. Theo wondered how much he could see, or if he was just relying on Theo’s useless panting in the darkness. He still breathed on instinct when he got too into his head. Like his body was remembering an echo .

“Look,” Kade said. “This…self-destruction thing. You don’t have the flair for it.”

Theo groaned, stalking deeper into the woods. “Go away.”

“No, come on,” Kade said, following him. “You’re not alone in this. We’re trapped together, right? So you’re not alone.”

Theo slowed. Everything in him wanted to run as fast as he could into the trees. But there was something else inside him, the part that had to force back tears when Aaron and Felicity had hugged him earlier. You’re not alone.

“Let’s go to your place,” Kade continued. “We can watch that tree documentary.”

“You didn’t want to watch it before my dad died,” Theo called back.

“Yeah, well, I have a sudden passion for trees,” Kade argued, branches cracking under his boots. “Wait, shit. Let’s watch something you only kinda want to see.”

Theo stopped. “Why?”

“Because—” Kade bumped into a low branch and swore. “Shit. Stay still, will you? Not all of us have darkvision.”

He stumbled up, gait stiff, hands in his pockets. He’d followed Theo half-blind into the dark forest to ask him to come back. He’d burned his hand to get Theo out of the funeral home.

Theo stopped .

“My aunt let me watch stuff I liked,” Kade said. “After my mum died. And now every time I see it I remember that time. So I always told myself next time something absolutely wrecks my life, I’d watch shit I didn’t really care about.”

He turned a rock over with his boot, shoulders hunched. Theo watched a beetle crawl out from under the rock Kade had turned over. He didn’t know the species. He could get Kade to look it up later. The guy had a creepy fascination with bugs.

“That’s smart,” Theo admitted.

“I’m a smart guy,” Kade said, and grinned thinly.

Shaky guy , Theo remembered. Loud heart.

He breathed in, tasting dirt and pine and faraway rabbit fur. And bigger than all of it, Kade Renfield. Smoky and soft. Sometimes he smelled like yarn, dye, pencil shavings. Other times like old whiskey, sweat, the nicotine gum he pretended not to chew in the evenings.

Kade turned. “You coming?”

Theo nodded.

“I hope that was a yes,” Kade said. “Because I can’t see shit. Lead me to the car, dead boy.”

Theo was pretty sure Kade could see the car from here. But he fell into step in front of him anyway, leading Kade out of the dark.

Approaching his front door, Theo focused all his attention on the soothing sound of Kade’s heartbeat. He barely noticed Sparky jumping to lick his face, let alone that anything was amiss.

“Mom will be in bed,” he told Kade, pushing Sparky off. “So be quiet.”

Kade zipped his lips.

“Seriously,” Theo whispered, pushing Sparky off yet again. “She has bad blood pressure, so she gets faint sometimes and has to lie down, and if anyone makes any noise or turns on a light?—”

He pushed the front door open. Kade went rigid. Theo frowned, turning back toward the house.

Carol stood at the end of the hall, eyes puffy, a silk dressing gown tied tight around her waist. Her hair was up in curlers, her smile strained. She was holding a tray wrapped in foil, something warm and fishy.

The Fletchers stood behind her, all three of them dressed in muted colors, like they were going to a funeral. Aaron was even wearing a tie.

Sparky barked, pawing at Theo’s waist.

“Not right now,” he told her. He waved at the Fletchers. “Uh, hey.”

“Hi,” they chorused back, staring past Theo to look at Kade, who was doing his best to blend into the background.

Carol’s smile grew even more strained. “Boys! You’re just in time for casserole.”

“Oh, I was just…” Kade sent Theo a panicked look. Get me out of this !

“There’s too much for Theo and me,” Carol replied, heading down the hall and into the kitchen. “We need help eating. Come on, I’ll grab plates.”

Kade shrank under the Fletchers’ gaze. “I should really…”

“Stay,” Mr. Fletcher said, his booming voice making everybody jump.

Mrs. Fletcher smiled. “Any friend of Theo’s is a friend of ours. You’re Sundance Renfield’s nephew, yes?”

“Right,” Kade muttered. “Kade. Nice to meet you.”

“And you too.” Mr. Fletcher looked Kade up and down—sewed-up jeans, wallet chain, black shirt with a skull in the middle—and Theo had a bizarre urge to bare his teeth. Aaron was the only one openly glaring, but his parents weren’t kidding anybody with their faux politeness. Renfields were dirt on the Fletchers’ boots, and everybody knew it.

“Think of it like a reconnaissance mission,” Theo whispered to Kade as they slunk down the hall after the others. “We can use this. This is an opportunity . Quit looking so nervous or they’ll rat you out.”

“They’ve already ratted me out,” Kade hissed back. “They know about you, right? The parents? Who knows how much Cheech told them?”

Theo nudged him to shut up as they followed the others into the kitchen.

Carol slid the casserole onto the counter, then paused, staring at it like she’d forgotten what came next .

“I’ll get plates,” Theo offered. He’d had a few moments like that since the night before, complete blankness where he forgot basic tasks: he’d forgotten his backpack and had to go back to the house to get it. Then he’d used the wrong key to get in the house, getting increasingly frustrated until he figured out what he was doing wrong; then when he forgot the locker combination he’d been using for years. Nobody had told him that would happen after somebody died.

Aaron pulled out forks from the cutlery drawer. They usually hung out at Aaron’s house, but Aaron had been around here enough to know the kitchen layout.

“Thanks,” Theo said as Aaron laid the forks out next to the casserole.

Aaron shrugged. He was still shooting dubious looks at Kade skulking in the corner, but he was almost contrite as he sidled up to Theo.

“Missed you at practice,” he said quietly. “Like, it’s good you weren’t there. But still. You’re the champ.”

He thumped Theo affectionately on the shoulder. Theo pulled out plates from the cupboard and nodded, realizing he did take the coach up on his offer, but only by accident. He’d forgotten they had practice today.

Mr. Fletcher turned to Kade. “So, you play any sports?”

Kade choked on a laugh. “I’m not much of a sports guy.”

“Huh. How’d you and Theo start hanging out? ”

“School,” said Theo and Kade in unison, so fast that all the Fletchers turned to blink at them.

Carol peeled the foil off the casserole with an appreciative noise. “Oh, wow. That smells amazing! Thank you so much!”

“It’s the least we could do,” Mrs. Fletcher replied, looking equal parts pleased and solemn. She could never take a compliment without smiling.

Carol started slicing the casserole into pieces. “So how was your day?”

“Oh, you know,” said Mrs. Fletcher. “Your robe is lovely.”

“Oh, thank you. It was a Christmas present from—” Carol faltered, a slab of casserole falling off her knife and splattering onto the floor. She stood there and stared at it, dazed.

“Oh,” she said, a second too late. “Damn.”

“I can get that,” Aaron said hastily, bending down to scoop it up with his bare hands, face twisting in disgust as fish got on his fingers.

Sparky whined, tail thumping against Theo’s legs.

“He’s already got it,” Theo told her.

Sparky whined louder. In the corner Kade kept trying to make eye contact with Theo, inching slowly toward the door like he wanted to make a run for it.

So much for reconnaissance missions , Theo thought. He gritted his teeth and turned to Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher. “Can I talk to you guys? Alone?”

All eyes turned to him again as the room processed the strangeness of this request. Sparky licked fish bits off the floor, growling at Aaron when he stepped too close.

“Wait,” Aaron said, eyeing Sparky warily. “Why?”

“That’s private.”

“What?” Aaron wiped his fishy fingers on a dishtowel and looked at his parents expectantly. “Mom? Dad?”

They didn’t look at him. They were too busy holding hands and staring into each other’s eyes, a conversation held in complete silence. Mrs. Fletcher’s head inclined in the smallest nod.

Mr. Fletcher turned to Theo with a sunny laugh. “Lead the way.”

Theo led them into the first-floor bathroom. Sparky licked up the last blob of fish casserole and followed, sitting down on the bathmat and watching Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher file in. Her ears kept twitching, like she was waiting to know when to start growling.

“Easy,” Theo told her.

Mr. Fletcher closed the door behind him. “Well, Theo. What did you need to talk to us about so badly that you pulled us away from my wife’s wonderful casserole?”

He had his back to the door. But Theo heard the lock sliding into place, hidden by Mr. Fletcher’s bulk.

Theo’s fangs thickened in his mouth. He forced them back.

“Look,” he said when his teeth were blunt once more. “We’ve been pussyfooting around this all summer. You want to try and kill me while Aaron and my mom are right down the hall? Go ahead. We’ll both have a lot of explaining to do. But you’d be attacking an innocent guy. I don’t hurt people. I eat animals and one willing human. Okay? I’m not a threat.”

Mrs. Fletcher looked at her husband. She looked almost pitying—but not quite. Her hand kept twitching toward her pocket, like there was something in there.

Mr. Fletcher’s smile softened into something wry and knowing. For a moment Theo thought he’d deny it, keep playing the game Theo had grown so tired of this summer.

“Theo,” he said instead. “We can’t talk about this.”

Sparky growled.

“Easy,” Theo told her warily.

“We have to be careful,” Mrs. Fletcher said. “You understand.”

“Do I? Nobody’s told me shit. Getting any information out of Cheech was like pulling teeth!” Theo stopped, watching the Fletchers trade a look. “I didn’t kill him! Jesus! Hawthorn killed him.”

Mr. Fletcher made a considering noise. Both looked confused.

“He was a vampire! Come on !” Theo groaned, digging the heels of his palms into his eyes. “Why did you come around? Force me to eat so I’ll have to throw it up later? You guys already know I’m a vampire, now you’re just being assholes. ”

“Language,” Mrs. Fletcher said reflexively.

Mr. Fletcher nudged her, but it was too late. Sparky growled at Theo’s feet, lips peeling back to expose her teeth.

“My dad is dead,” Theo hissed. “Someone killed him. I don’t care if you hear me swear .”

Mr. Fletcher wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist. “Theo. We’re truly sorry about Victor. He was a good man. He…”

He paused. Gave his wife a sidelong look, another silent question. They looked deeply worried.

Mrs. Fletcher nodded.

“Last week,” Mr. Fletcher continued, speaking strangely slowly. “He showed up at the house. He seemed…stressed. He asked me to promise that if anything were to happen to him, we’d take care of you.”

“Big ask,” Theo said, horrified to find there was a lump in his throat. He swallowed hard. “Asking a vampire hunter to take care of a vampire. Did he know about you?”

Mr. Fletcher squeezed his wife’s waist. “Theo, we can’t talk about this.”

“Dad was weird all summer.” Theo ran a hand through his hair, remembering his dad ruffling it for the last time. “I think Felicity’s case might’ve led him to something. He left these notes…”

He swallowed again, the lump still there. He wasn’t a detective. He wasn’t like Kade, eager for anything that would unfold another corner of the story. He was a sixteen-year-old kid who wanted everybody to sit him down and explain what the hell was going on.

He slumped. “Why me? Why did they choose me?”

“Theo,” Mr. Fletcher said desperately. “When I say we can’t talk about this, I mean it.”

A commotion echoed down the hall: Kade and Aaron were arguing. The bathroom door handle rattled, the Fletchers stepping back to watch it vibrate.

“He said it’s a private conversation,” Kade said behind the door. “Let it go , man.”

“They’re my parents,” Aaron replied angrily. “And my best friend. What the hell are you doing here, Monster?”

Sparky growled again, deeper and more guttural.

“Easy,” Theo whispered, but there was something rearing inside him too. The argument was turning into a scuffle, grunts and angry noises leaking through the door.

Mr. Fletcher frowned, reaching for the door handle and unclicking the lock. “Aaron! We’re guests !”

“Let it go ,” Kade said. Then: “Ow, shit!”

Sparky barked. Theo reached for her collar, but it was too late: she was launching toward the door, teeth bared.

The door flew open. Sparky barreled into the hall, where Aaron had Kade in a headlock. She jumped up and closed her jaw around the soft meat of Aaron’s palm.

Aaron shrieked. His grip on Kade loosened, yanking desperately at the death grip Sparky had on his hand. Kade fell to the floor, head slamming into the wall.

“WHAT THE HELL,” Aaron screamed. “HOLY SHIT! THEO!”

The Fletchers piled into the hall. Theo knew he should join them, but he couldn’t stop staring. Aaron’s blood dripped down Sparky’s muzzle, wetting her fur. Kade sprawled on the floor behind them, his face twisted in horror.

Theo’s gaze locked on Aaron’s bleeding hand. He could feel his teeth starting to thicken again, his eyes flickering black. He blinked hard, forcing his teeth to dull.

Mr. Fletcher raised his leg like he was going to kick the dog off, then paused, looking over Sparky’s violent orange eyes. His foot thumped back to the ground.

“Theo,” Mrs. Fletcher cried. “Call him off!”

“Her,” Theo corrected automatically. He stepped up, locking a hand around Sparky’s collar. “Hey. Hey . You can stop now. Kade’s not hurt. See? Everyone’s safe.”

Sparky’s growls quietened.

Carol came sprinting into the hall, carrying a full pitcher of lemonade. Her mouth fell open, a terrified gasp spilling out as she took in the scene. Lemonade sloshed out of the pitcher and onto the floor, splashing onto her slippers.

“It’s fine,” Theo assured her. “Right, Sparky?”

Sparky growled uncertainty, tugging on Aaron’s hand .

Theo stroked her head. “We’re okay,” he repeated as Aaron sucked in a pained gasp. “Go see Kade. Alright? Go see Kade.”

Sparky whined, the noise muffled around Aaron’s hand. Her jaw relaxed.

Aaron ripped his hand out of her mouth, whimpering. Tears streamed down his face as he stumbled back.

Sparky grunted and crept toward Kade, who was still lying against the wall, and curled up in his lap. After a moment’s hesitation, Kade stroked her head. His hand was shaking, his eyes glazed.

“I need to go to the hospital,” Aaron sobbed, clutching the wrist below his bleeding hand. “Holy shit, I need to go to the hospital.”

“No,” Mr. Fletcher blurted.

Everybody turned to stare at him. Mr. Fletcher was watching Sparky, her eyes fiery, blood on her teeth.

Aaron let out a wet laugh. “N-no? What are you talking about? That dog ruined my hand!”

“No hospital,” Mr. Fletcher said, making pointed eye contact with his wife.

Mrs. Fletcher straightened. “We’ll get that cleaned up at home, honey.”

Aaron stared at his parents, eyes still streaming. Blood dripped down his wrist and onto his shirt.

“I need stitches!”

“Guys,” Kade muttered, trying and failing to push Sparky off him .

Theo whistled. Sparky crawled off Kade and slunk over to Theo, ears plastered to her head.

“Bites don’t get stitches,” Mr. Fletcher said impatiently. “They don’t want to risk sealing the bacteria in. There’s nothing the hospital can do but clean and bandage it, and we can do that at home. Let’s go.”

Aaron made a wet noise. “But?—”

“Aaron,” Mr. Fletcher said, whirling on him so fast Aaron flinched. “Quit being such a fag and get in the car. ”

The hallway fell into shocked silence. Aaron stared at the floor, shaky and pale, his hand cradled to his chest. He looked so much younger like this, and Theo’s chest twisted in unwanted pity. He might not like Aaron very much lately, but he didn’t deserve this.

Mr. Fletcher patted down his tie, flashing Carol a tight smile. “Apologies for my language, Carol. It’s been a stressful night.”

“That’s fine,” Carol replied faintly. Her hands spasmed around the dripping lemonade pitcher, staring down at the blood spots in the hallway. “I’ll clean the, uh…the, uh…”

“Guys,” Kade said, louder, wobbling to his feet. He put a hand to the back of his head, where it had connected with the wall. Theo wanted to go over and check him out, but that would only make things worse for everybody. Even if they were alone, Theo wasn’t even wearing gloves. He would sear Kade’s scalp through that fine fuzz of hair.

“I need a rabies shot,” Aaron whispered .

“We’ll get that sorted,” Mr. Fletcher told him. He patted Aaron’s arm, looking almost apologetic. “Come on, son.”

Kade made a noise deep in his throat. His eyelids shuddered. He stunk of sweat. Theo hadn’t noticed it with the intoxicating scent of Aaron’s blood and all the yelling.

“Theo,” Kade said, high and strangled.

Then he crumpled to the floor.