Autumn Storm (The Witchling #2)(35)

“Okay, Decker.”

Decker sighed.

“Can I stay with you?” Beck asked.

“Yeah.”

The snow beneath Beck’s boots crunched as he approached. He knelt beside Decker, and they both stared into Miner’s Drop. Decker glanced at his brother, not expecting the pensive, penetrating look Beck gave the canyon. It was almost as if Summer’s death actually meant something to him, too.

He shouldn’t be surprised. Summer was perfect. She touched the lives of everyone. He shouldn’t feel a streak of jealousy for a dead girl, either. He rolled his shoulders, comforted by his twin’s presence. They’d grown up together, rarely out of each other’s sights. The past few weeks at a new school had left him isolated. He was surprised to realize he missed his brother.

He couldn’t get drawn in, though. Soon, the Darkness was coming to claim him. He needed that distance between him and everyone else.

“Biji keeps asking about you,” Beck said.

Decker smiled at the mention of Summer’s fiery best friend.

“Why don’t you go see her?”

“No,” Decker replied. “I have an effect on girls. I don’t want that for Biji.” She’s all that remains of Summer, he added silently.

“She’s the only one who really knows what happened the night Summer died. Well, aside from Sam, who probably won’t talk anyway. It might help you. Closure or something.”

Decker was quiet for a moment. “I’m not sure I want to know. It doesn’t matter, does it? I mean, Summer is dead. I don’t want to expose Biji to …me.”

“You’re probably right. Girls just throw themselves at you,” Beck said with a small laugh. “I’m jealous, but that’s not healthy. Maybe if you figure out how to control your seduction thing, you can go see Biji.”

Decker shrugged. “I’m fine with not knowing and all the girls. You’ve got little blondie anyway.”

Beck said nothing. He tensed, though. It wasn’t usual for Beck to consider girls as more than playthings.

“Don’t worry. I walked away, for the most part,” Decker said, amused his brother might be jealous.

“Because I interfered before you sank your claws into her.”

“Not tonight, you didn’t. I found her here again.”

Beck stared at him. “You’re joking.”

“No. Standing on the edge, looking into the canyon. Almost like she knew,” Decker said thoughtfully. “Maybe someone told her.”

“Dammit,” Beck muttered. “I suck at this protector shit.”

“No, you don’t. You don’t have anyone to teach you how and what to do,” Decker countered, protective of his brother without wanting to be. “Like I said, not much happened. She’s tough enough to face me.”

“Define not much.” Beck’s voice held a note of anger.

“You like her that much?” Decker asked, jealousy spiking.

“Stay away from this one, Decker.”

“Or what?” he bristled.

“Don’t you think she’s suffered enough? I mean, what if every halfway decent girl you touch ends up at the bottom of a canyon?”

Decker flinched as his brother voiced his own fear.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that,” Beck’s said softly. “I admire her a lot for what she’s been through. She’s a good girl. She doesn’t need either of us in her life.”

“She needs someone like you maybe. Not me,” Decker said grudgingly, trying to convince himself of the words. He wanted her so bad. “There’s something about her … I can’t place it. I can’t read her, either.”

“Maybe it’s a sign you shouldn’t,” Beck replied. “Look, I messed up with Summer. Walk away from this one. For me, if nothing else.”

Decker hesitated then nodded. “I’ll try.”

“You didn’t tell me what not much means.”

“A kiss. Nothing else.”

“You don’t just kiss girls, Decker. You don’t have that much control.”

Decker rolled his eyes. “I got a call-out. I walked away.”

Beck was growing tenser. “What would Summer think?”

Decker said nothing, hating himself. He betrayed Summer. Now Beck knew how weak he was as well.

“Walk away from her, Decker.”

He glanced at his twin, not liking how serious Beck was. There was something more to this girl. Maybe Beck was in love with her? Decker didn’t feel guilt; he felt fury building. He suppressed it.

“She’s in a lot of pain, Beck,” he managed to say in a calm voice. “I don’t think she knows how to ask for help.”

“Sounds like someone else I know,” Beck said sarcastically.

“The difference is that no one can help me.” Decker saddened. “No one but Summer. And look how I screwed that up.”

“We screwed that up.”

“Whatever.”

“I’ll do better taking care of Autumn,” Beck added.

“Autumn? That’s her name?” Decker raised an eyebrow.

“I know, right? We’re cursed.”

Decker shook his head. At least he knew never to get involved with a girl named after a season. They were dangerous. They made him feel when he wanted to be numb and surrender to the Darkness.