Seventh Mark (Part 1 +2) by W.J. May Page B

sighed
quietly. I guess we should get going.”
    We headed down
the stairs. I stared at Michael’s almost bare back. Nice tight
muscles, smooth skin with slightly protruding boney shoulders. The
guy probably had zero body fat.
    Sarah waited at
the bottom with a digital camera. She snapped a photo and looked at
the screen. “There’s a back flash from Rouge.” Sarah glanced up and
stared at my neck, her eyes grew big. “Michael, did you put the Siorghra on her?” She sounded…almost hopeful.
    I stopped on
the second to last step. What the heck’s going on? These
people seemed to be leaving half their sentences inside their
heads. What’s a Senora, or whatever they called it? There
was obviously some hidden meaning. More strange secrets. I intended
to find out, after I knocked the necklace against the back of the
head of Grace.
    “Grace put it
on.” Michael winked.
    At me or Sarah?
I couldn’t tell.
    “It suits the
outfit, doesn’t it?” Grace, grinning like a madman, finally spoke
up.
    “It looks
gorgeous. Rouge looks gorgeous.” Sarah opened a closet door.
“Sweetie, take this scarf wrap, in case you get cold.” She held a
sapphire blue scarf out to me.
    “Thanks.” I
wrapped the pretty scarf around my wrist not sure if I’d need it. Better to have it and not need it.
    We drove to the
school in Michael’s car. My gladiator would never ride in a tiny
Smartcar. The music could be heard from the parking lot. I climbed
out of the car, setting the scarf on top as I flipped the seat
forward so Grace could crawl out.
    We walked
around the side of the school and found Simon leaning against the
wall outside the gymnasium, dressed as Tuxedo Ken.
    He grinned when
he saw Grace. “It’s about time. I was beginning to think you were
going to stand me up! Damon said—”
    “He here?”
Michael glanced around.
    “Damon?”
Simon’s eyebrow’s mashed together. “No, he had some family function
or something.”
    “Probably
couldn’t find a date.” Grace whispered.
    We headed
inside. The gymnasium had been transformed. There were flickering
lights set against the walls to look like fireplaces, roughly hand
made tables and benches lined one side and students sat drinking,
snacking and laughing. Painted brick patterns covered the walls and
floors. A pair of thrones sat on the stage with stage. An ancient
castle made to look present day. A big cauldron filled with fruit
punch stood to the left of the stage.
    “I’ll get us
some drinks.” Michael gave my hand a light squeeze before
disappearing into the crowd.
    I shivered. The
janitor had probably put the fans or air-conditioning on in the
gym. Realizing I’d left the scarf on the hood of the car. I leaned
toward Grace. “I’ll be right back.”
    Jogging to the
car, I hoped it hadn’t disappeared. It wasn’t on the top where I’d
left it. Bending down, I looked under the car and frowned. Not
there. I straightened and checked the top of the trunk and hood.
The wind had blown it against the wiper and luckily it had caught
on the end. I wrapped it over my shoulders.
    I turned around
to head back to the gym and nearly jumped out of my skin. Damon
stood before me, his arms crossed tight over his chest.
    “Sheesh. You
scared me.” I swallowed. “I didn’t hear you come up.”
    “Did you come
with her ? Simon said he was going as her flippin’—Ken.” He
spat on the ground and then leaned forward, his pitch black eyes
and hot breath smacked against my face like a slap. “I’m obviously
concerned for his safety.”
    This guy’s
freaking nuts . “I’ve no clue what you’re talking about.” Was he
drunk? As I looked into his eyes to see the tell-tale red on white,
Damon stepped back, like I terrified him .
    “You are so
going to burn in hell for this one. You think you can squirm your
way into that family?”
    He was
crazy . “You’re the stupidest person I’ve ever met, and
believe me I’ve met some real idiots.”
    “Listen, bi--”
he stopped