Midnight Hour (Shadow Falls: After Dark #4)(73)

“You don’t want to try to find that vampire?”

Perry had to think fast. “I already went back there, turned wolf and caught no scent.”

“But if we both went…”

“It wouldn’t help. Right now I want a bath and to get out of these bloody clothes.”

His mom stared at him as if suspicious. She leaned in, her hand snaking across the table at him.

He jerked back. He suffered from her touch last night, he didn’t want to do it again. “What?”

“Show me where the vampire bit you?”

“Why?” he asked.

“A mother’s concern.” She smirked. “Show me.”

He sat back. “You’re not worried about me. You think I’m lying, don’t you?”

Her eyes went cold. “Yeah. And so did Caleb. So open your shirt and prove to me you aren’t here to start trouble.”





Chapter Twenty-one

Miranda had slept the rest of the morning. Thank the Godesses she woke up ghostless, tattooless, and armadilloless. She’d checked the

temperature. She’d checked her arm. And she’d checked under her bed.

On second thought, she wished the armadillo would show up and help her find Tabitha. Lying there, staring at the ceiling, she talked to the

creature in her mind. Since it had spoken telepathically to her, maybe it could hear her, too.

No answer came back.

Rolling over, she grabbed her phone to make sure she hadn’t missed a text or call. Maybe one from her mom. Tabitha. Maybe Perry telling her he

was okay.

But nope. Nothing.

Sitting up, she considered calling Shawn. But to say what? The whole thing about him flirting with some girl messed with Miranda’s mind.

Her mind, but not her heart. Her heart was with Perry.

Still, she felt … betrayed.

Her phone rang. She answered it before she checked the screen.

“Hello?” She waited to hear the caller’s voice.

“How are you feeling?” Holiday’s caring tone ran through the line.

Miranda inhaled. “Fine. You got news? About Tabitha or the tattoo?” She’d take either, but preferred sister news.

“No, an old professor of mine, half witch, who has studied everything Wiccan, still hasn’t called back. I just called to … check in.”

“And ask if I’ve seen a ghost?” Miranda said.

“That, too.” Guilt colored her voice. “Have you?”

“I just woke up. It’s not cold.” She pushed her leg out from the covers, retesting the temperature. Ghostless. “How’s the baby?”

“He’s fine. Such a cute little guy.”

“Really,” Miranda asked. “He looked like a grumpy ol’ man without his teeth.”

“Burnett said the same thing. That’s just a stage.” Humor filled Holiday’s voice.

“What are you going to do with him?” Miranda asked.

The silence filled the line and it seemed to mean something. Miranda just didn’t know what. “You’re not handing him over to a foster home,

are you? Perry said—”

“No. Burnett’s checking to see if his mom had family.” She paused. “Another reason I called is … I know you’ve got a ton of stuff to

worry about, but … next Monday you are going to have to retake the SAT. The cutoff for this has come and gone. I’ve begged for this retake. I

don’t think they’ll give you any more time.”

Miranda balled the sheet up in her hand. “I know.”

“If you want I can get you a tutor—”

“No, I got it.” She bit into her lip. She knew how hopeless this was. “As a matter of fact, I should go study now.”

Hanging up, she swallowed a knot of frustration. The reality of her situation rolled over her like a cement truck. She wasn’t going to college

with Della and Kylie.

She tossed her pillow to the ground. “I hate being stupid.”

*

Less than an hour later, nose in an SAT study guide, Miranda read the same paragraph three times. Why wasn’t any of this sticking? Why was she

even trying?

A knock came at her bedroom door.

“Yeah?” Miranda asked.

The door whooshed open. Della stood there, dressed in don’t-mess-with-me black.

“What?” Miranda snapped.

“Are you studying?” The vamp’s surprised tone hit Miranda in her sore spot.

“No, I’m dancing. What does it look like I’m doing?” A lump of pain swelled in her chest. Her two best friends were going to move on with

their lives and Miranda wasn’t.

The vamp frowned. “Still mad at me about—?”

“I’m not mad!”

“Don’t shoot the messenger,” Della said. “It’s Shawn who—”

“I’ve got so much crap on me right now, I don’t care about Shawn!” That wasn’t altogether true, but in the big scheme of things, Shawn

didn’t rate.

Della smirked. “When are you gonna learn you can’t lie to vampires.”

“Go away.” She couldn’t handle this right now.