Phoenix: Book One of The Stardust Series by Autumn Reed, Julia Clarke Page A

of Chase.
    I couldn’t believe that
the two hottest guys I had ever seen were not only in the same room but seemed
to know each other. Chase’s blond hair and blue eyes contrasted nicely with
Ethan’s chestnut hair and brown eyes. Both muscular, they were equally
breathtaking in their own way, and I could feel my mind wandering as I studied
their impressive builds. Focus, Haley!
    I looked inquisitively
between Ethan and Chase, wondering what was really going on. I seriously
doubted it was a coincidence that Chase was at the library, then the fire, and
now the cabin. Ethan’s face betrayed nothing, while Chase’s suggested that he
was both bewildered and amused. Suddenly I remembered that I was wearing
Ethan’s boxers and Chase’s over-sized sweatshirt. Being alone with Ethan in
this state hadn’t bothered me as much as I thought it should, but being with
Chase now, I felt slightly awkward about it.
    I crossed my arms,
attempting to smother how self-conscious I felt. Silence filled the room,
creating an awkward void.
    Finally, I spoke.
“Thanks for rescuing me.”
    I noticed a twinge of
red creep up Chase’s neck before he looked down at the floor. “Sure. I mean,
you’re welcome.” He gently kicked the air with one foot.
    With my arms still
crossed, I pinched some of the fabric of the sweatshirt. “What did you see
yesterday? Do you know anything more about my dad?”
    Chase looked toward
Ethan and I noticed the briefest nod from Ethan. Perhaps I was seeing things,
but it seemed like they were silently communicating. Chase took a deep breath.
    “When I saw the house
burning, I wanted to make sure no one was inside. I didn’t see or hear anyone
at first. But when I got closer, I saw you laying on the ground, unconscious.
When you wouldn’t wake up, I carried you to my car.” He paused. “I brought you
here so Ethan could check out your injuries. I don’t know where your dad is,
but I wish I did.”
    As the memory faded, I
glanced at the bedroom door. I had been in bed for a few hours, biding my time.
I closed my eyes, my ears focused and listening for any sound. Now’s your
chance , I thought. If you’re going to do it, you need to do it now. My pulse quickened.
    I slipped out of the
bed as quietly as possible and gently picked up my bag, heavier now with a few
extra supplies I had surreptitiously gathered throughout the day. As I threw it
over my shoulder, I heard a creak. Freezing, I held my breath, waiting to see
if it was just the noise of the cabin or one of the guys moving around. After a
few long seconds, I grabbed my canvas shoes and moved toward the window across
the room.
    I slowly unlatched the
window then lifted it as quietly as possible, fearing any sudden sound or
movement. Fortunately the drop from the window sill to the ground was only a
foot or so, and there were no bushes on this side of the cabin. After making a
space wide enough to fit through, I slid through the opening, taking care of my
sprained ankle.
    The ground depressed
gently beneath me as I landed on my feet, well, mostly my one foot. The soil
was soft and moist but not so wet as to be muddy. The dampness from the rain
the night before lingered, accentuating the scents of the forest; pine, moss,
and damp earth mixed in the cool air.
    After glancing around
to make sure no one was about, I hesitated, debating whether to attempt to
close the window. I took a deep breath and didn’t exhale until the window
rested a few inches above the sill. Crouching near the ground, I paused to
reorient myself, and the pine needles shifted under my feet. The waning moon
was high overhead by this point, but thanks to the dense trees, the area around
the cabin remained dark.
    Keeping my body low, I
made my way north to the road behind the house. My ankle was aching, but rest
and painkillers had helped some; adrenaline helped even more. After putting
what felt like a safe distance between myself and the cabin, I paused behind a
large tree. Having