Almost Midnight (Shadow Falls: After Dark #3.5)(121)

“Really?” Della said, but with her head still tilted to the right to hear Fredericka’s heartbeat, she looked puzzled.

Fredericka inhaled to find out if Kylie was here. When the chameleon’s scent was absent, Fredericka asked, “Where is she?”

“Like I would tell you,” Della said.

Fredericka frowned. To make this plan work she needed Kylie. The same girl she was being accused of threatening. She just prayed that Kylie didn’t believe it. Because if she did, she’d have no reason to help Fredericka.

“Let her in,” a voice called from inside.

Fredericka recognized Miranda’s witch scent, and her voice. For some odd reason, she felt she had an ally in the girl. And right now, Fredericka could use all the help she could get. Though, she didn’t have a clue why the witch would agree to help.

“Can I please come in?” Fredericka asked.

Della didn’t move, except to look back over her shoulder, at Miranda. “Why should I let her in?”

“Because I believe her,” Miranda said.

She does? Fredericka lifted up on her tiptoes, to see Miranda standing by the kitchen table.

Della huffed. “Yeah, but you still believe in Santa Claus, too!”

“Just let her in,” the witch said.

Della stepped back, but she gave Fredericka a hard, cold look. “I’m watching you.”

Fredericka rolled her eyes and moved in. Rumor was that Della was one kickass vampire. Oddly, Fredericka wasn’t afraid of her. If Kylie liked her, the girl couldn’t be all bad.

Fredericka walked all the way inside to stand beside her newfound ally, Miranda.

“Where is Kylie?” Fredericka asked the witch.

“Don’t answer her.” Della shut the door and came into the kitchen.

Miranda smiled and ignored the vampire. “She and Lucas ran to the store for Holiday. But she should be back in a few minutes. Sit down.” She walked over to the fridge and pulled out two Diet Cokes. She held one out to Fredericka and one to Della. “You want one?”

“Thanks.” Fredericka reached out and accepted the drink and sat down. Then curiosity got the best of her and she looked up at the witch. “Why do you believe me?”

“Now there’s a good question.” Della plopped down in the chair at the end of the table.





Chapter Thirteen


Fredericka waited for the witch to answer.

“I don’t know,” Miranda said and popped the top of her soda. “Sixth sense, maybe.”

“Like that’s dependable,” Della said and opened her soda.

“Just ignore her,” Miranda said. “We have to do that all the time. She’s difficult. It’s not her fault. A bitch bug crawled up her butt accidently. We love her anyway.”

Fredericka looked at the vampire who shot the witch the finger. The two of them were famous for arguing, but something told Fredericka they were the kind of friends Fredericka could only dream of having.

“I really didn’t do it,” she told Della. “Kylie and I have made amends. I don’t wish her any harm.”

Della tilted her head again to listen for lies. “Okay, if you didn’t do it, who did? Who wants to hurt Kylie?”

Fredericka hesitated to answer, but decided if she was going to tell Kylie—and she was—she might as well tell these two. She had a feeling they shared everything. “I don’t think anyone is trying to hurt Kylie. It’s me they want to hurt.”

Kylie walked in right then. “Who’s trying to hurt you?” She went straight to the refrigerator and got herself a drink.

“I didn’t leave that picture,” Fredericka said, not sure how much the girl had heard.

“Oh, I know that.” The confidence with which Kylie said it brought some emotion to Fredericka’s chest. Was this what it was like to have friends? That they just believed in you when no one else did?

“Thanks. Not everyone thinks that,” Fredericka said.

“If you mean me, I didn’t say I believed you did it,” Della said. “I’m just being cautious. It’s part of a vampire’s nature.”

Fredericka looked at Della. “I didn’t mean you. I mean … Holiday and Mr. James.”

“They don’t think you did it either,” Kylie said and dropped down in a chair.

“Yeah, they do, but that’s not important. I came to see if you would help me … help me prove it to them.” Fredericka noticed all three girls looking at her. “No one will get hurt. It’s completely safe.”

“Well, you just took all the fun out of it,” Della said.

“Would you shut your trap and let her finish?” Miranda snapped.

“What’s your plan?” Kylie asked.

*

At seven the next morning, Fredericka slowly walked into the cabin where she had history class. She inhaled to make sure Cary was there. He was.

She didn’t pick up any other scents, which was good. Please let this work.

With her nerves firing, she walked toward the back where he usually hid away in his office. But then she stopped. Better if it took place out here.

Just to get his attention, she dropped her books on his desk. She heard him scuffling out of his chair. No doubt, he’d already picked up her scent and knew it was her. Considering tonight was a full moon, and a were was at his strongest right now, it wasn’t the ideal time to do this. But she had to clear her name.