The Puppet Master: The Paranormal University Files: Skylar, Year 4 Read online

  No matter the effort I made to reconnect with my friends, my friendship with Holly continued to suffer. At first, she was there with us, and it made sense that with Halloween rapidly approaching, she would be preoccupied with the senior vampires’ haunted house project. Then it became painfully apparent one evening, when my unannounced arrival crashed a movie with Anji, Lia, Holly, and Victor, that my vampire friend wanted nothing to do with me. One minute, she was nestled against his side, and the two were enjoying something dark and dry and rust-red that I would not ask about; the next moment, she was making up some excuse about a paper to write in her room, leaving poor Victor to sit awkwardly and alone.

  He’d given me an apologetic face and put a lid on their creepy bowl of chicken hearts, or whatever they were.

  That was only one incident among many where Holly went out of her way to make me feel unwanted, though Lia, Anji, and Pilar went out of their way to prove otherwise.

  But since it wasn’t fair to make Holly uncomfortable in her own home, I stopped visiting the townhouse. Our forays under the open skies in the courtyard a struck a suitable balance between invading Holly’s safe haven from me and becoming a stranger.

  It sucked and I had absolutely no idea how to fix things. Worse, I worried that eventually our mutual friends would begin to feel forced to choose between us, and that was the last thing I wanted to happen. For now, they played a careful balancing act, alternating their free time between us. Sort of like a divorced couple.

  A text from Lia finally dragged me out of bed Saturday morning. My pals had made me swear to meet up for a day at the rec center, promising Dance Dance Revolution and karaoke.

  Dressed and running on Red Bull, I made my way out early to grab a quick bite at the food court cafe with an hour to spare. My rumbling stomach demanded one of their croissant breakfast sandwiches, my pressing hunger almost distracting me from the call of my name. I crossed the campus from our building at a trot, desperate to fill my stomach with flaky pastry and food not prepared with my own hands.

  “Sky!”

  I spun to the left and blinked at the sight of Lia standing several yards away. Another blink and I noticed Anji, Ben, Cole, Pilar, and several others behind her.

  It wasn’t odd to find all my friends hanging around the fountain, especially on a sunny warm day. What was odd was the way they were all smiling, their gazes bright with some secret I hadn’t been let in on yet. That and the flowers. There were a bunch of them set around the fountain in multicolored pots. It wasn’t until I started walking over that I noticed they were making a pathway.

  Then Gabe stepped out from behind Holden’s intimidating figure.

  “Did I miss a memo about a party or something?”

  “Or something,” he replied, reaching out and taking my hand.

  “Okaaaay.” I dragged the word out, uncertain and bewildered.

  “Do you recognize this spot?”

  “I pass this fountain every day.”

  “No. Well, I mean yes, sure, but no. This is where you and I first met, remember?”

  The question brought the memory to mind. I’d been unable to sleep, excited and nervous about my freshman year on campus, so I’d wandered outside to take a walk and look around.

  “You snuck up on me,” I said, smiling at the recollection.

  “Nothing has been the same since that night. You changed my entire world, Sky, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  The unexpected romance made me raise my eyebrows and look around us again at our smiling friends. My pulse skipped into overdrive and my palms dampened as the first nigglings of understanding dawned in my mind. Except it made no sense. We were already mates, so what more could there be?

  Gabriel confirmed my suspicions when he lowered to one knee and pulled a small ring box from his pocket. My throat tightened. When he snapped open the box, I stopped breathing altogether.

  The gold band resembled a raven feather, the details so precise that it could have been real plumage dipped in gold, with a circle of purple jade set in the center. Simple. Beautiful. Unique.

  “Sky, we’re already mated by shifter tradition, but I want to respect and honor yours as well, to make them my own and marry you in a ceremony before our family and friends.”

  Gabriel slipped the ring into place, the metal a warm hug around my finger. I didn’t need a ring to feel bound to Gabe, but I couldn’t deny the happiness and relief bubbling in my chest. Deep inside, I’d wanted the big wedding with lace, silk, cake, and doves.

  “Yes!”

  The flowers exploded into a shower of petals and sparkles, but I barely noticed them. Before Gabe could finish getting to his feet, I threw myself into his arms and kissed him. He wrapped his strong arms around me and held me close, as oblivious of our audience as I was in that moment.

  Until the catcalls started.

  We broke apart, but only far enough to stand side by side, his arm still snugged around my waist, and finally looked to our gathered friends.

  “About time. I thought you two were gonna get it on right here,” Stark teased.

  “Shut up, bird brain,” I muttered as I swiped my damp eyes. Stark’s grin widened and he swooped in, kissing my cheek.

  “Congrats.”

  “Yes, congratulations,” Pilar said, moving in to take Stark’s place. She hugged me. “I’m so glad we were able to be a part of this.”

  “You all knew he was going to do this?”

  Gabe squeezed me. “Everyone was in on it,” he admitted.

  Looking for one smiling face to the next, all I wanted to do was cry and hug them all. The only face missing was Holly.

  It’s the middle of the day. Not her fault. She’d be here otherwise, right?

  “I love you guys. All of you. I just…” I swiped my eyes, not sure whether to laugh or cry.

  “Just what, sweetie?” Anji asked.

  My gaze dropped to my scuffed Vans and ripped jeans, and the laughter won out. “I just wish you’d clued me in to dress up. I look like a bum at my own engagement party!”

  * * *

  Celebrating with friends made everything better, but the people I truly wanted to share my joy with were hundreds of miles away. Thankfully, the digital age allowed instant communication in the best possible way. Gabriel had to head to work—stupid, pesky, interfering job. Didn’t they allow days off for proposals? So I headed back on my own once my friends finished parading me around the campus, ensuring everyone knew of our big moment. The instant I entered our apartment I went straight to Gabe’s MacBook and called my parents on FaceTime. On a Saturday afternoon, they’d be home, probably together in the kitchen or out in the greenhouse.

  I tapped my foot while waiting for them to answer, practically bouncing in my seat.

  “Sky is happy.”

  Ama’s creaky voice took me by surprise and brought me to my feet. Spinning around, I looked toward her empty cage and spotted our colorful baby perched on top, brighter and somewhat larger than I remembered. Her beak shone as radiant as black opal, and glimmers of stardust glittered on her gilded feathers.

  Every time she ventured into Tir na Nog, Ama returned appearing much less like a parrot than before.

  “Oh, Ama, you’re back! I didn’t even notice you when I came inside.”

  “Happy Sky is distracted Sky.”

  Squinting at her, I wondered where she’d picked that particular idea up. “Daddy say that?”

  Birds had an uncanny way of appearing innocent and devious at the same time, and Ama had mastered the look. She laughed, the sound never failing to make me shudder, and flew up to my shoulder.

  “Hello? Skylar, baby? You there?” Mom’s voice called from behind me.

  “Here!”

  Hurrying back to the couch, I dropped down and beamed at my mother’s face on the screen. “Sorry about that. Look, Ama’s home!”

  “Hey, pretty birdie. You’re looking…”

  “Like a fae, right?”

  “
She certainly does appear more magical. Is that why you called?”

  “No, actually, there’s something else. Uh, is Dad home? I wanna tell you both at the same time.”

  Mom quirked a brow but she shouted for my dad. It took a minute, but he joined Mom on the sofa and grinned at me.

  “There’s my beautiful girl,” he exclaimed. “And you’re looking lovely too, Sky.”

  Ama preened while I rolled my eyes. Three visits and Ama had completely wormed her way into my parents’ hearts.

  “So what’s this good news?”

  “How do you know it’s good news?” I asked Dad.

  “You’re glo—” He abruptly bit off his sentence. “Grinning from ear to ear.”

  Too giddy to keep them in suspense, I held up my left hand, brandishing the ring for them to see. “Gabriel proposed!”

  “Oh, sweetie, this is wonderful,” Mom gushed. “Your father and I, well, we always hoped you’d want a handfasting, but we didn’t want to push the issue or make you feel obligated to do one for the family.”

  “Your happiness was enough—is enough for us,” Dad agreed. “But we’re completely prepared to help in any way we can, with money or planning. I can probably get ahold of your grandmother. Your grandfather will definitely want to attend.”

  Grandpa never left Italy. The thought of him leaving the comfort of his familial home and coming to my wedding filled me instantly with cheer. “You two are the bestest parents ever. Seriously.”

  My parents beamed at me and I wished I could reach through my laptop screen and hug them. Just to feel their arms around me and soak in their love. To kiss my baby brother so he’d share in our warmth and happiness.

  “I miss you guys,” I said, my voice trembling.

  “What’s wrong, bambolina?” Dad asked.

  “I’m just so happy is all. And I’m not.”

  It all came out. I told them everything, starting with our trip to Tir na Nog and Oberon’s offer and ending with my continued estrangement from Holly. And while I’d spoken to others about my issues, there was something different about sharing my burdens with my parents. The whole time, Ama pressed her head against my cheek, offering her own comfort.

  A long while passed before either of my parents spoke, but my father broke the silence. “That is an enormous responsibility. I cannot imagine how you must feel. Overwhelmed, yes?”

  “I don’t think I’m the person for the job. Look at how much I’ve screwed up.”

  “Look at how much you’ve done,” my mother countered.

  “You think I should take the offer?”

  “I think only you can make that decision, sweetie. You and Gabriel.”

  “Gabriel told me it’s up to me to decide, but I don’t know what to do. Lia’s my friend. If I fail—” My shoulders shuddered with repressed emotion. I had called my parents to share happy news, not disintegrate into a sloppy mess.

  “It’s a great honor they’ve offered you,” Dad said, “but I want you to keep something in mind. Don’t do it for the honor or glory, because those are the wrong reasons to take the position. Don’t do it out of a sense of obligation either. Anything you do, whatever road you take, always do so because your heart is in it.”

  “Whichever choice you make, sweetie, we’ll stand behind you. So will Lia and your friends. As for Holly… Sometimes friendships don’t last. All you can do is talk to her, and if things truly cannot be patched, accept the loss and walk away. It will hurt, but it will spare you unnecessary pain.”

  “Have you ever had to walk away from friendships?” I asked them.

  “Of course, honey. It’s part of adulthood and growing up. Sometimes, a person isn’t who you thought they were.” My mom’s gentle smile and soft-spoken voice reassured me, as if she were present sitting on the couch right beside me. “And sometimes, a friend has another path to walk that’s too different from your own. That doesn’t mean that your friendship was always bad, or that they’re an awful person.”

  “Only that you are incompatible at the moment,” Dad added.

  “It sounds like your friend Holly is fighting her own battles right now. Show her kindness, Sky.”

  “Blood magic is insidious. It has a way of sinking its hooks into a person and making them someone even they do not want to be.”

  “She only did the one spell,” I protested.

  My mother gave me a sad smile. “One is all it takes. When it comes to the dark, one taste is often enough.”

  * * *

  Taking the advice of my folks, Ama and I set out across campus to check on my friends. Specifically, Holly—whether she wanted to see me or not. But I had to be sneaky in how I checked on my vampire pal, which meant visiting during daylight hours and putting my investigative talents to work. I had a little over an hour left before sunset.

  For fun, Ama and I made a game of it, racing to the townhouse by flitting in and out of the Twilight with our wings. There, she burned as bright as a lantern, like a phoenix without the flames. Because I couldn’t stop staring at her, she pushed into the lead and beat me to the stoop. She landed on my shoulder afterward, spread her wings and declared herself the winner.

  “You certainly are,” I agreed, ringing the bell.

  “Ama, you’re so pretty!” Pilar squealed, promptly taking the bird onto her hand and walking off while I stood in the doorway.

  “Good to see you too.”

  “I just saw you this morning, Skylar. Honestly. Come on in and close the door behind you.”

  Yup. That was the Pilar we all knew and loved.

  “Did we hear—Sky!” Anji leapt down the last few steps, bounded to my side, and threw her arms around me. As if she hadn’t hugged me enough during my engagement party.

  “Hey, girl. Gotta breathe here. Dial back the werewolf strength a little.”

  “Sorry!” Anji stepped into her shoes. “I’m starved. We should go for milkshakes and burgers.”

  “But I just got here—”

  “That is a good idea,” said Pilar, who had never touched a milkshake in her life and only touched the occasional burger on gluten-free bread. “There is a new place down the street with cake shakes.”

  I squinted at her, thrown by this change. Dain’s bedroom manner had worked a feat of magic.

  “What?”

  “We’ve known each other for more than three years now and I can’t remember ever seeing you drink a milkshake or eat a cake that wasn’t made by you or Lia.”

  “I do too. I had…” Consternation overtook her face, pulling her brows together in the expression of a woman struggling to remember the last time she’d eaten any sort of dessert item. Pilar took her figure seriously, and her fitness. I did too, but she reached wholly different levels of dedication down to allowing Holden to put her through the aerobic wringer.

  And it wasn’t like she’d changed to hook Dain. She was the same Pilar I’d known for the past few years.

  Now I wondered if her sudden desire to indulge in sweets had to do with the fae lord. Maybe he’d finally managed to convince her that she had the figure of the perfect woman and a snack or two would cause no harm.

  “Okay,” I said warily. “Who’s driving?”

  Anji took her car keys down from the hook beside the door.

  Thus began a journey into the city, delayed long enough for Holden and Stark to join us since the administration was dead set on packing groups with as many sentinels as possible when fae were leaving the campus. Unfortunately, my fae status took precedence over my sentinel training.

  “Thanks for coming along on short notice,” I said to Stark.

  “No problem. Gabe would do it for me.”

  Anji drove with Holden riding shotgun on account of the bear shifter being too enormous to comfortably fit into the rear seat without some wicked Expansion glamours being cast on the bench seat of her practical little sedan. I squeezed in between Pilar and Stark.

  When it came to hidden treasures in the restaurant community, Anj
i had a nose for sniffing out the best places to eat. The smell of hot dogs, chili, simmering Italian beef, Polish sausage, and greasy fries filled the air. The line was enormous and trailed about thirty-one people deep, filling every register. Stark groaned and rolled back on his heels as we reached the seventeen-minute mark.

  “I’m dying.”

  “Why are you dying?” I asked.

  He fumbled into his wallet and pulled out a twenty. “Just order a double chili dog and a strawberry cake shake for me. Gonna smoke.”

  My brows shot up a mile. “Since when do you smoke?”

  His face contorted into a grimace. “Since a month or so ago, I guess. Lemme tell you, all that shit they say about it is true. Don’t ever start. Picked up the stupid habit while standing around with the other sentinels. Now I can’t kick it.”

  “I’ll ask Hol—er, Ben for something. I’m sure he can whip up the shifter equivalent of a nicotine patch. If you want, I mean.”

  “Yeah, that’d be great.”

  While the guys stood around outside and Stark filled his lungs with smoke, we ordered for the group then settled at a booth against the window to wait.

  “Hey, is everything okay?” Clearly it wasn’t, but I had to ask just the same before prying into their home business.

  “Everything’s great,” Anji lied, while Pilar only smiled.

  “We wanted to get out of the townhouse for a while.”

  I cocked a dubious eyebrow. Pilar wasn’t even meeting my eye directly. She’d told the truth—that much I knew since our kind struggled with even the most innocent little white lies—but they were keeping something from me.

  My friends exchanged furtive looks, sending my worry into full blown overdrive.

  “What’s going on?”

  “The house… It’s…” Anji struggled for words.

  “It is awful,” Pilar blurted.

  “You guys fighting?”

  “No, it’s like… It’s cold. Oppressive even,” Anji replied. “Just being there makes me twitchy.”