Simmer (Midnight Fire Series Book Two) Read online

  Reaching behind her neck, Kira unclasped the chain holding her father's wedding ring and the locket. Carefully, she pulled the locket free, then closed the fastener and let the necklace drop under her shirt again.

  "Until he's ready, why don't you take this?" Kira said, offering up the charm. Now that she had Tristan's drawing, she could bear to part with it for a little while. "I'll get it back from you someday soon. I'll stop by for dinner."

  Her grandmother nodded and took the locket. Kira walked away before the lump in her throat could grow any larger, but not before she saw how her grandmother's face glowed when she opened it.

  Luke was waiting for her at the end of the path, forever patient. They started the journey back to his house.

  "So..."

  "Yeah..." Kira said, not liking the awkward silence starting to form. The air slowly closed in on her, stealing her breath and making it hard to think. The phrase 'you could cut the tension with a knife' had never resonated so much. She couldn't help but ask, is this me feeling so out of place or is it Luke?

  "So, that was weird before," he said softly.

  "The fact that I can read your mind or the fact that we almost locked lips..."

  Did I just say that? Kira asked herself silently. What in the world? That was the last thing she actually wanted to talk about. Kira couldn't meet his eyes.

  He opened his mouth. No sound came out and Kira could almost see the gears turning in his head. Which approach would he take?

  "Oh, was that you? You know, women are constantly throwing themselves at me. I can't keep it straight anymore."

  Kira smiled and let out a little laugh. It was almost heartfelt. They wouldn't be bearing their souls tonight, thank God. But they would have to discuss it at some point, Kira thought. It was one of those inescapable things that only gets more troublesome the longer you try to ignore it. Instead of lingering on things Luke obviously didn't want to talk about, Kira slipped into her funny girl mode too.

  "It must be tough to have everyone in this town love you. I mean, just today I saw dozens of beautiful blondes fighting over you. I, a lowly red head, clearly have no chance."

  "A little hair dye and you'd fit right in with my adoring fans. Just a warning, I request that they follow me around holding 'I heart Luke Bowrey' signs at least once a week."

  "Oh, shoot. I left mine at home."

  "Unacceptable," he replied with a 'tsk tsk.'

  "So, should we talk about this whole mind reading thing?" Kira asked after a moment.

  "What, how you've gone all Professor X on me? No problem. I just need to buy a really sweet motorcycle helmet."

  "Luke, I'm serious —"

  "Me too. I can get flames down the side. Really badass." Kira shoved him. The move was becoming more and more common on her part, but it was the only way to get him to shut up sometimes.

  "I just want to say, I'll never try to read what you're thinking. I would never actively invade your privacy like that."

  "I know." Luke shrugged. "It's not your fault. You saved my life and almost died in the process. We probably should have expected something like this to happen." Now it was Kira's turn to shrug. "Let's not tell anyone though, okay?"

  "Agreed," Kira said as they turned down the pathway to Luke's house.

  Would she tell Tristan? It would feel like lying to keep it a secret, but would any boy want to hear that his girlfriend had some psychic connection with her male best friend? Oh, the same one who happened to be crushing on her big time? Especially if that connection resulted in the two of them almost kissing?

  Those questions plagued her for the rest of the night and through the following morning. Throw in obsessive thoughts about what Diana was planning and serious excitement at finally getting to see Tristan, and it was no wonder that the 10 o'clock Council meeting passed by in the blink of an eye.

  All Kira remembered from the gathering was that they had decided to send out a scouting party to decide if the vampire situation was really a threat or if they had gotten faulty information. Luke was put in charge since he had received the information and Kira had forced them to include her too, even though the whole town thought sending her would just make things more dangerous. Luke requested his sister come, and since his sister just loved Kira so much, she requested the blonde girl from the photo in Luke's room come along too. The Council approved the decision and here they were, getting ready to leave.

  As she followed Luke, his sister and his ex to the car, all Kira could think was this was probably going to be a pretty unforgettable car ride. Unfortunately, Kira feared, it would be burned in her mind for all the wrong reasons. But, she wanted to start the drive in a positive mood. Especially since she had the feeling it would not stay that way for long.

  "What, no car and driver this time? You guys are slacking," Kira joked when Luke walked to the driver's seat of the speedy sports car they would be using. Apparently conduits really liked traveling in style, because Kira knew this car was nice; black leather seats and a shiny black paint job. At least it had four doors, so they wouldn't be ridiculously squished inside.

  "No. This car I like to drive," Luke said, with eyes wide and mesmerized, like a little boy with a new toy. He ducked his head under the doorframe and slid behind the wheel. Kira started to walk to the passenger seat, but the back door flew open, stopping her.

  "Come sit next to me," Vanessa chirped. Kira instantly knew the glee-filled voice was a complete sham, but the other blonde girl slipped by her and took the seat next to Luke.

  "Sure," Kira sat down, ignoring the victorious smirk on Vanessa's face.

  Luke revved the engine, letting it growl into the silent morning air. Everyone else in town was already preparing for their return and thinking up plans for every possible worst-case scenario. But the four of them, for a short while, could try to have a little fun. At least, Kira knew Luke would definitely try to lighten the mood — something that was confirmed when he backed up and went from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye, shooting down the empty streets.

  "Luke!" Kira said, grabbing onto the handhold. He just laughed and slowed down, but only a smidge. Last time they were in a car alone, Kira was tethered to the bed of a pickup fighting a hoard of angry vampires. Somehow she felt less safe right now, especially with Vanessa's stare boring a hole into the side of her skull.

  "So, Kira. Have you met Casey yet?" Kira shook her head.

  "Hi," the girl said shyly from the front seat before turning around to wave. She had a sweet look. Her face was round and open and her hair was cut pixie short. She had on baby pink shorts that no evil immortal would find intimidating in the least. In fact, Kira felt almost like a biker chick compared to her, with her black leggings and cobalt blue blouse.

  "Nice to meet you," Kira said. Quickly she checked her phone. No response from Tristan yet. She had texted him on the way to the car.

  "You know," Vanessa said quietly, leaning in towards Kira as if to make small talk. "Luke and Casey were sort of a thing back in high school—"

  "Vanessa, now is not really the time for that," Luke said shortly from the front seat.

  "What?" She replied, wide-eyed and innocent.

  "Actually," Kira interjected before Vanessa could open her mouth again, "I did know."

  "What?" Luke and Casey both said from the front seat.

  "Uh, yeah," Kira said, sinking into her seat and wishing for once that her somewhat big mouth would stay closed. "I wasn't snooping, exactly. But, I saw a photo of the two of you on Luke's desk."

  "You still have that photo...there?" Casey asked in a meek voice. Kira almost felt sorry for the girl. She knew Luke and the two of them never would have lasted. Luke's personality was too strong for her. He needed someone to keep him humble, not someone who would hang on his every word. At least, that was how Kira's mind was rationalizing the entire thing.

  "Yeah, Luke. You still have that photo up?" Vanessa chimed in. Kira wanted to kick her.

  "Actually," Luke said in s
trained voice as he gave his sister the evil eye through the rearview mirror, "I thought I put that away."

  "Apparently not," she smirked back. Kira realized what was going on. It was a show, probably for her benefit. Luke's sister must have put that photo back up in his room, anticipating that the four of them would be together at some point in Kira's few weeks with the conduits. She's good, Kira thought. It was a very well laid-out plan. Except that Kira could see Casey's reflection in the side mirror as they sped down the road and she looked about to cry. She must have seen through Vanessa's idea too.

  "What's your high school like?" Kira asked, hoping to change the subject.

  "Same basic format," Luke answered for the group. "Hormonal teenagers, boring classes and a mix of good and bad teachers. The only major difference is the classes we take. Instead of gym, we have training sessions. Instead of advanced math, we have conduit history lessons. In English, we study mythology rather than Shakespeare. We take religion classes, sort of like at a Catholic school. But, conduits have their own interpretation of the bible, and it varies from Protectors to Punishers. We study a lot of science, biology and chemistry, to figure out how we operate and to try to understand how the vampiric virus works. You know, nothing crazy."

  "Yeah," Kira said. Nothing crazy? That sounded like the strangest environment ever.

  "You grow up a lot faster," Vanessa said, "knowing that you have a higher purpose and all. I mean, by the time I graduated, I knew how to, I don't know, treat my best friend with respect for example." She stared pointedly at Kira.

  "No," Kira said under her breath, "I think you learned how to be a total bit—"

  "Okay!" Luke interjected from the front seat. "Let's make peace, not war people."

  Kira crossed her arms and looked out the window, letting an uncomfortable silence form in the car. The only sounds were the purring engine and the wind in the trees outside. There weren't even people or other cars to distract anyone.

  "Where are we going?" Casey said. Her face was bright red from blushing.

  At that exact moment, Kira's phone buzzed. She flipped it open and quickly read the text.

  "It's Tristan. He said he would meet us on the road?" Kira said aloud, finally breaking her silence.

  Luke just nodded.

  "Who's Tristan?" Casey asked.

  Kira and Luke answered at the exact same time.

  "Our informant."

  "My boyfriend."

  Their eyes met in the rearview mirror, but Kira pulled hers away quickly.

  "Wait, your boyfriend is involved in all of this? How? He's not a conduit, is he?" Vanessa questioned, sitting tall now that her curiosity was piqued.

  "No," Kira laughed. As far from it as you can possibly get, she thought, but instead replied, "he just knows a lot about this stuff."

  "How?" Vanessa pressed the issue.

  "Oh, you'll see," Luke said.

  Kira couldn't tell if he was disgusted or laughing at the thought. But, she didn't mind. She did wonder why he wasn't telling the girls what Tristan was — why he wasn't preparing them. But, that was his call.

  Kira looked out the window and tried to keep her legs from bouncing too much. She was excited, so much that she couldn't contain it. The best she could do was look the other way at the trees flying by and hope she was covering her glee with an appearance of boredom.

  Was it completely crazy to be so excited to see your boyfriend when it really had only been two and a half days? No, she decided. Not when the last time you had seen him, you had both been running for your lives.

  "Hey Kira?" She turned at Luke's voice. "When Tristan said he would meet us on the road, did he mean literally on the road?"

  "I don't know..." Kira said and followed Luke's pointing finger to a black blob in the distance. It definitely looked like someone standing on the side of the road. Kira dug her hands into the chair, hoping it was him.

  Luke started to slow down and as they approached, Kira could clearly make out the swoopy black hair and pale skin she knew belonged to Tristan. His tall, muscular frame was hidden behind dark-washed jeans and a black t-shirt, but his eyes were on the car.

  "Luke! Don't stop!" Vanessa jerked her brother's shoulder. "Do you know what that is?"

  "Luke!" Casey yelled at the same time. She started rolling down her window, preparing to fire a shot. Luke stopped her when Kira didn't bother to interject. She was already unbuckling her seatbelt and grasping the handle. Pushing the door open, she ignored the shocked cries of the girls in the car and the darkening look on Luke's face.

  Before Kira had time to fully stand up, Tristan's arms were around her. His hands pulled her firmly against his hard chest, and all she wanted to do was hold on tight and never let go.

  Chapter Seven

  Kira completely forgot about the three conduits in the car when Tristan cupped her face with his palms and kissed her. It was short, too short, but strong and full of passion, sending a lively bunch of butterflies right into the pit of her stomach and an electric jolt down her spine.

  She wished she could say she had been the one to end it, for Luke's benefit or the sake of the two jaw-dropped conduit girls, but it was Tristan who cut the kiss short as per usual. He pulled off modern teenager very well, but he was still in a lot of ways a product of the 19th Century. At school or at parties, all Kira got was a quick peck or maybe a kiss on the cheek paired with mild handholding. But, the advantage of having a supernaturally speedy boyfriend was that he could sneak into her bedroom very, very quietly and very, very often.

  "Hi," he said with a lop-sided grin. Kira smiled back.

  "Kira, what are you doing? Get away from him!" Vanessa's angry and fear-filled voice shouted from inside the car.

  Tristan's face fell slightly. The movement was almost too subtle for Kira to notice, but she had expected it to happen. Who wouldn't be saddened by the fact that his girlfriend had not told anyone about them, or more specifically about him? He probably thinks I'm ashamed, Kira thought sadly. But it wasn't about what he was, it was just that no conduits would understand. She didn't want to go through everything all over again. It would be like reliving her first conversation about it with Luke, but tenfold with an entire community.

  Before she could say anything, Tristan put his game face back on and adjusted Kira to the side so he could peer into the car.

  "Judging by their utterly shocked faces, I'm guessing you failed to mention what I am?" He said quietly to Kira, letting sarcasm soak into the words.

  "I told them we were meeting up with my boyfriend..." Kira smiled apologetically. "C'mon, I'll introduce you."

  Grasping his hand, she turned around to face the car. Luke lazily relaxed in the front seat, Casey leaned as far away from the window as possible and Vanessa stared at Kira in a deep rage.

  "I know this is probably a bit of a shock, but Casey and Vanessa, I would like you to meet my boyfriend Tristan. I swear he would never ever hurt either of you. You have absolutely no reason to be afraid."

  "Hello," Tristan said and reached forward for a formal handshake, but both girls shirked away from his touch. Kira glared at Luke until he finally moved to speak.

  "Kira's telling the truth," he said and got out of the car. He walked around to Tristan and shook his hand. "Hey, man. How've you been?"

  "Good," Tristan responded a little stiffly. Nicety was not something Luke usually threw his way.

  "Okay, now you Vanessa," Luke said and reached into the car to pull on his sister's hand. She slid over to the window seat and slowly reached her hand out.

  "Hello," she said. The words were so tense it sounded as though they had been forcibly pulled out of her body with a pair of pliers. Tristan quickly shook her hand up and down once before she jerked it out of his grasp and back into the car.

  "And now Casey," Luke turned towards her with an easy smile on his face. Kira wondered how hard it was for him to look so calm when he probably hated having Tristan there as much as those girls did, just maybe not
for the same reasons.

  "Hi," she said almost too quietly to hear. Tristan greeted her in return and motioned to shake her hand, but as soon as his fingertips touched hers she pulled away.

  "Well, now that we've dealt with this vampire problem, let's go deal with the second one," Luke said while hopping back in his car. Kira rolled her eyes and tugged Tristan into the car behind her with a sigh. She took the middle seat, loving that her right thigh was pressed up against Tristan, but not so much loving that her left one was smashed against Vanessa.

  As Luke pulled away from the curb, a monotonous silence filled the car: no music, no other cars and no trees rustling in the wind. All they heard were tires on asphalt and the rumbling engine.

  But, Kira didn't mind. Tristan's thumb gently rubbing the side of her hand provided more than enough distraction. With her head resting on his shoulder, Kira was completely at peace. At least she was until Vanessa spoke.

  "Okay, sorry to disturb whatever weird pact the three of you have, but I just can't ignore it. He's a vampire. I'm sitting in the car watching a conduit cozy up to a vampire. It's unnatural. It's...it's...just gross, alright?"

  "Oh, I'm sorry. Do you feel left out? I can hold your hand too," Tristan said, acting completely innocent with wide blue eyes. Kira elbowed him in the ribs, not like it did anything. Sweet Tristan was being replaced with defensive and slightly edgy Tristan.

  But Vanessa was fully prepared for a verbal battle. "If you so much as try to hold my hand, prepare to fry... Or is that how you like it? Kinky."

  Here we go, Kira thought. If Vanessa was anything like her brother, this could go on for a while. Settling in for a fight, Kira shifted her head from Tristan's shoulder to the seat behind her. She had already learned to stay out of the crossfire, and hey, fighting got people's feelings out. Better out than kept inside to fester, she always thought, well mostly thought.