Wilma shook her head. Either she was a fool who was just sweet talked by a suave shadow walker, or Martin was genuinely smitten with Allison and wanted to help. She hoped, for all their sakes, it was the first because, if Martin was going to compete with Nick for Alison, it could ruin their plans.
After asking to speak with Martin alone, he and Wilma spent a considerable amount of time behind closed doors. During that time, Martin spoke openly and honestly about his jealousies and competitiveness where Nick was concerned. He confirmed Elsie and Beth’s fears of him coveting Alison for his own personal gain. He even admitted that, in the beginning, it was exactly why he approached her. Then, to his amazement, he discovered he genuinely had feelings for the girl. He told Wilma about his conversation with Nick and Nick’s fears of the possibility that Alison just might like him better. After all, the elders had connected their families, no
Upon the insistence of the police, Alison and Vanessa were taken to the hospital to stitch Alison’s thumb and to be checked out for broken bones or other serious injuries. Nick, Martin, and Dennis paced the waiting room until the girls were released to their care.Nick insisted on carrying Alison from the wheel chair that took her to the exit door of the hospital into the seat of his SUV. Rather than argue, she snuggled close while apologizing for her appearance.“Vanessa and I spent hours getting our hair done, our brows waxed, and our nails done so we’d look good when you came back. I even bought this dress,” she wept into his neck. “Now, look at me.”“I am,” Nick whispered huskily as he positioned her onto the front seat of his SUV and fastened the seat belt across her torso. “What I see is the most beautiful and courageous woman in the world. I’m proud to call you mine.&rdquo
Alison put her ear against the door of the second-floor utility closet and listened for footsteps or other sounds that would clue them in on what was happening.All was quiet.“We need to get to Nick’s place to make sure they haven’t found his safe room,” Alison said as she carefully opened the door to peer out.“If they have? What do we do then?” Vanessa asked, bitterly.“Why are you so angry?” Alison asked with a sharp tone.“Maybe I’m a little pissed about Wilma getting killed and us next in line all because your man is not human?” Vanessa sneered.“Just a little reminder. I’m not either,” Alison said.Vanessa looked shocked as the realization of Alison’s statement hit home. “You’re not, are you. Shit.” She placed her fingers to her temples, took a deep breath, and added, “I’m sorry. I don&
Vanessa eyed the old Cadillac that sat idly in the carriage house as Alison pulled her Mini Cooper in next to it. She commented on what a shame it was to leave it there collecting dust and suggested that Alison have a mechanic look at it to see why it wouldn’t start.Their arms were laden with shopping bags as they struggled to pull the door to the carriage house closed. Frustrated, Vanessa set her bags onto the hood of Wilma’s Volkswagen Beetle so that she could use all of her strength to maneuver the rusty pulleys.“It looks like Wilma beat us home,” Vanessa said as she collected her bags. “She’s probably fixed us something to eat.”“I could eat again,” Alison said. “I’d rather do that than make her feel bad after rushing home to cook. I need to get a better idea of the schedules around here. I think her day off should last through the night. I wouldn’t like h
Day one without Nick proved uneventful. Alison convinced Vanessa to call in sick for a few more days. Since she had no desire to abandon her friend after such a harrowing weekend, Vanessa agreed.They occupied their day finishing their exploration of the attic. Wilma was scheduled to take time off. She offered to stay with them, but Alison knew she was still concerned about her sister, so she insisted she go.They ate leftover barbeque for lunch and decided to grab a pizza and a movie to help them get through the evening.“It’s funny,” Vanessa said as she lowered the top of her convertible so that they could enjoy the starry night. “I can actually feel the absence of all those guys who were here yesterday. It’s like the world is emptier.”“I was thinking the same thing. It’s weird, isn’t it?” Alison said as she slid into the passenger’s seat of the
Alison cuddled with Nick on the settee in the parlor while she watched the clock with sadness. She was amazed at how close they’d gotten in such a short period of time. It was as if they’d known each other all their lives instead of one week. She would have thought it was the magic placed on them by the magicians in the shadow world, but Nick assured her that they’d removed it. He reiterated his belief that when soul mates met up with each other, they needed no time to recognize their love. He had only five more minutes before he’d have to leave her for the shadow world. She knew he’d be returning in forty-eight hours, but it didn’t make parting any easier.After Dennis and his friends moved Nick’s body to safety, they spent a few hours sharing bits and pieces about the shadow world with her. She found it fascinating. Frustration with her parent’s decision to keep her from it rose more than once before th
Nick did his best to fold his large, semi-opaque body into the back seat of Alison’s Mini-Cooper. He would have preferred they take his SUV, but Vanessa still hadn’t fully recovered from her drunken fest, Alison didn’t know how to manipulate a standard clutch, and the great aunt’s old Cadillac wouldn’t start. Wilma was following them in her car. Unfortunately, it was a small Volkswagen Beetle that wouldn’t fit them in it and still allow for Nick to lay low in the back so that he wouldn’t be seen. Wilma’s back seat was roomier than Alison’s, but, since neither of the girls were familiar with the area, he needed to ride with them to act as a guide.For the first time since he’d returned, he was sorry for the fact that he could be seen by the naked eye.Both he and Wilma heard rumors about a house a few miles into the valley that acted as a meeting place for the mundane who sought to annih