Read Online Midnight Runes (The Bestowed Ones) by Celeste Buie - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Celeste Buie
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for you—not that you don’t deserve it, but you’ll have enough of a time trying to survive her interview. Why did you start school so late when you were in the area a month ago?”
“We were scoping out houses. We didn’t buy one until recently.”
“And while you were here looking, you just happened to take a job?” I asked.
“I do what I have to do when I have to do it.”
“That doesn’t explain how you know Trevor.”
“Our families knew each other.”
“Really? Because I’ve known him all my life, and I’ve never seen any pictures of you. They’ve never talked about your family, and I’ve never seen you around any of their infamous parties.” So there, I added silently.
His lips quirked up in a subdued smile. “We
did
live in another state. We weren’t going to fly in or drive halfway across the country just for a little party.”
“And why aren’t those other guys here?”
“They’re in college.”
“Uh huh. And how
do
you all know each other?”
“Are you sure you don’t want to be a reporter? Maybe an investigator?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“I’d hoped your hostility would have faded after a few days.”
“This whole thing isn’t right,” I said. “It doesn’t add up, but there’s not enough out of the ordinary to have it even make sense in a nonsensical way.”
“Do you believe in fate?”
“Like that things are predetermined? Yes. Why?” I asked.
“I don’t know. It’s just something I’ve been thinking about lately. Maybe we’re supposed to meet certain people who change the course we’re on or help us grow into a better person. And maybe we’re supposed to help them out in return. I wonder if that’s a form of payment or if it’s supposed to happen anyway.”
“Everything happens for a reason and all that.” I tried to play it off, but I believed the same thing.
“Yeah, sort of. How much can we interfere with fate and get away with it? Are there always consequences if we interfere? Are those consequences always negative?”
“Or maybe it’s fate that it’s supposed to be messed with in the first place.” I felt a shiver dance along my spine and pass through my arms and legs.
I sensed him studying me and stopped staring ahead long enough to glance at him. Our eyes held. The noise of the busy hall disappeared, as did everyone bustling around us. It was like we had been sucked into a private vacuum. It was too intense. Too knowing. I felt different in that moment and broke our connection. My animosity toward him had dissipated, transforming into something else.
Maybe I was taking my frustration with Trevor out on Landon because Landon was a connection to the situation I desperately tried to understand. Did Trevor know Landon was going to my school? Should he? Was this his reason for asking me if there was anyone new around? Landon was a link to the puzzle. A way in.
In that moment, I realized I was going about this the wrong way.
I smiled, remembering his reason for not taking any other offers to walk with me to class.
Was it wrong to use someone who was using you?
I didn’t think two wrongs made a right; I just thought it leveled the playing field.
CHAPTER 12
E lyse called that evening. I could tell by the sound of her voice she had exciting news to share.
“Do you want to know how the interview went? Of course you do. You’re so lucky you have an inside contact. I’ll give you the highlights. He has a streak of sarcasm, but we kind of knew that already, didn’t we? He said that the scariest thing he ever did was agree to the interview.” I laughed and she continued, “But he’s a science geek, loves sports, all outdoor activities, has a dog, loves cars, and wants to go to college back in New Mexico.”
“What a normal guy,” I said dryly.
“Yeah, I thought so too. He seemed to click with the guys in our group. I’m glad I invited him to join us at the lunch table.”
“Seems like you forgave him
“We were scoping out houses. We didn’t buy one until recently.”
“And while you were here looking, you just happened to take a job?” I asked.
“I do what I have to do when I have to do it.”
“That doesn’t explain how you know Trevor.”
“Our families knew each other.”
“Really? Because I’ve known him all my life, and I’ve never seen any pictures of you. They’ve never talked about your family, and I’ve never seen you around any of their infamous parties.” So there, I added silently.
His lips quirked up in a subdued smile. “We
did
live in another state. We weren’t going to fly in or drive halfway across the country just for a little party.”
“And why aren’t those other guys here?”
“They’re in college.”
“Uh huh. And how
do
you all know each other?”
“Are you sure you don’t want to be a reporter? Maybe an investigator?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“I’d hoped your hostility would have faded after a few days.”
“This whole thing isn’t right,” I said. “It doesn’t add up, but there’s not enough out of the ordinary to have it even make sense in a nonsensical way.”
“Do you believe in fate?”
“Like that things are predetermined? Yes. Why?” I asked.
“I don’t know. It’s just something I’ve been thinking about lately. Maybe we’re supposed to meet certain people who change the course we’re on or help us grow into a better person. And maybe we’re supposed to help them out in return. I wonder if that’s a form of payment or if it’s supposed to happen anyway.”
“Everything happens for a reason and all that.” I tried to play it off, but I believed the same thing.
“Yeah, sort of. How much can we interfere with fate and get away with it? Are there always consequences if we interfere? Are those consequences always negative?”
“Or maybe it’s fate that it’s supposed to be messed with in the first place.” I felt a shiver dance along my spine and pass through my arms and legs.
I sensed him studying me and stopped staring ahead long enough to glance at him. Our eyes held. The noise of the busy hall disappeared, as did everyone bustling around us. It was like we had been sucked into a private vacuum. It was too intense. Too knowing. I felt different in that moment and broke our connection. My animosity toward him had dissipated, transforming into something else.
Maybe I was taking my frustration with Trevor out on Landon because Landon was a connection to the situation I desperately tried to understand. Did Trevor know Landon was going to my school? Should he? Was this his reason for asking me if there was anyone new around? Landon was a link to the puzzle. A way in.
In that moment, I realized I was going about this the wrong way.
I smiled, remembering his reason for not taking any other offers to walk with me to class.
Was it wrong to use someone who was using you?
I didn’t think two wrongs made a right; I just thought it leveled the playing field.
CHAPTER 12
E lyse called that evening. I could tell by the sound of her voice she had exciting news to share.
“Do you want to know how the interview went? Of course you do. You’re so lucky you have an inside contact. I’ll give you the highlights. He has a streak of sarcasm, but we kind of knew that already, didn’t we? He said that the scariest thing he ever did was agree to the interview.” I laughed and she continued, “But he’s a science geek, loves sports, all outdoor activities, has a dog, loves cars, and wants to go to college back in New Mexico.”
“What a normal guy,” I said dryly.
“Yeah, I thought so too. He seemed to click with the guys in our group. I’m glad I invited him to join us at the lunch table.”
“Seems like you forgave him
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