Chapter 70 Release
748words
I shrugged. "Even if she does, I doubt anyone would believe her."
I lived with my mom for years. Convincing people about things like this was like trying to get them to fly to the moon.
"We should get out of here." Ember rubbed her arms. "If we leave him here and he tells people anything, they will assume he had too much to drink. No one would suspect us."
"Ember, even if they find us with him, they'd still think he had too much to drink," I said. "No one would believe what had happened to him." I turned, glancing around us. "Let's hope no one else saw."
Ember scowled at her brother. "You are such an idiot."
"If you saw what Derek was trying to do to Carly, you'd have done the same," Kayn retorted.
Ember blanched, peering at me. "Wait, he did what?"
"Kayn was trying to help me," I admitted. "He could have done so in a different manner, but he did try to help me."
"How different?" Kayn scoffed. "He was literally dragging you outside."
"I don't know, something more humanly," I snapped.
"If you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly human," he bit out.
"And here we go again," Ember groaned. "Could you two leave your argument for later at the house, sans humans? Please?"
"But I have so many questions," Ella whined, seemingly glued to Rake's arm. "Like, do you live in trees or something?"
"Ask your boyfriend," Kayn snorted. "He can tell you anything about fairies, considering he is one."
Rake's face flushed red. He tore himself from Ella's arm and bolted for Kayn. Ember jumped in between them. Her arms stretched out to shield her brother.
"For the love of, Kayn, stop egging on everyone!" She glared up at Rake. "You, run along. This is not the time or place."
Rake scowled over Ember's head at Kayn. "Don't think this is because of your sister. This isn't over."
Rake turned around, stalking toward the parking lot with Ella running after him.
Dazed, I asked, "What was that about?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it." Ember looked away. "Let's get out of here."
I didn't miss the way Ember stared after Rake.
"Stupid, little…" Derek grunted. "You stupid little...You have no idea what you just did."
"You've got something to say, buddy?" Kayn walked back toward him.
I grabbed Kayn's arm, attempting to hold him back. "Leave him be."
Kayn stared down in surprise at my hand before his eyes darted up to my face. "I don't think he got the message. Not yet."
"Kayn, stop. It's not worth it."
"I think it is." The way he looked at me made me nervous.
I dropped my hand and crossed my arms. "Let's go, please."
He threw another glance at Derek. I grew worried he would kick him, but then he finally stepped away. "Fine. Let's go before I change my mind."
We were about to open the door to the auditorium when Derek spat out, "Black magic. Evil spawns."
"Talk again, and I'll show you real black magic," Kayn snapped, turning back.
"Kayn," I gritted. "Door. Now."
"Carly's right. Let's leave," Ember said.
"Witch," Derek persisted. "Girls like you are good enough for only one thing."
Kayn stiffened.
Oh, dear… "Leave it," I said.
"Like I said to Luke earlier." Derek got up from the ground, wiping the dirt from his pants. "You're good enough for one go, and then you're trash."
Kayn was about to make a dive for him when I jumped in between them, facing Derek. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Derek mocked. "You're cheap trash."
I did the only thing that felt right. I punched him—on the nose. The crunch of soft bone was satisfying to my ears.
Derek's hands flew up to cover his face, blood trickling down over his lips. "You little—"
Kayn clucked his tongue. "Be careful what you say next."
Ember was sputtering with laughter. "You go, girl!"
Derek spat out a sling of curses.
"I was about to kick your ass, but it seems like Carly did a good enough job of it." Kayn eyed the blood and then glanced at me. "Unless you want me to hold him down while you give him a good kicking?"
I massaged my knuckles, shaking my head. "Nah, I feel better now."
