Anathema (Causal Enchantment #1)(73)

“You’d be fine,” I said firmly, closing the gap between us. I slowly reached up to touch the tips of my fingers to his chiseled jawline.

“Evangeline, please, don’t make this harder than it already is,” he pleaded, but then he leaned in, letting his lips tenderly fall onto mine. My knees buckled, but Caden’s arms were there to grip me firmly. I wasn’t going anywhere.

It wasn’t until he pulled away that I managed a breathe again. He rested his forehead against mine, closing his eyes.

“What if we find another hiding place? Move the statue there? Rachel won’t know where we went,” I suggested.

“You’re brimming with ideas today, aren’t you?” he retorted sarcastically. “Then there’d be no incentive to keep Rachel quiet. Besides, it wouldn’t take long for the Council to track us down.” He stepped away from me again, a sad smile on his face. “Come on. We should get back to the others.”

We stepped into the main cave as Bishop made a loud crashing sound, evidently enjoying a board game Sofie had included in the bag. And seriously annoying Fiona, based on her irritated frown.

“Battleship?” I asked. “Sorry. A bit lame.” What was Sofie thinking?

“You’re kidding, right? This is awesome!” Bishop countered. “If you haven’t figured it out yet, things get boring around here.”

“I hadn’t noticed,” I murmured, stealing a glance at Caden.

“Stay awhile,” Fiona muttered absently, concentrating on the game.

“How long have I been here now, anyway?” I suddenly remembered that I didn’t have much control over that.

“Not sure, but it was morning when you came and it’s dark now,” Amelie responded. “Tired? Hungry?” She tapped the top of the cooler that Sofie had packed for me, full of bottled drinks and food. Scattered untidily about the cave was everything I had ever brought for them. The portable speakers were perched on one of the benches, playing music softly in the background. My mattress and sleeping bag were laid out. The two giant Merth–stuffed mountain bags rested on the far side of it, as far away from the group as possible without being out of sight.

Now that Amelie mentioned it, I realized I was both starving and exhausted from the day’s events. Rooting through the cooler, I grabbed a chicken salad and sat down on the bench beside Amelie. “Is the Merth bothering you?”

Her curls bobbed as she shook her head. “I can’t sense it at all. Must be the canvas liner.” Suddenly she hugged me. “I so wanted to tell you, but I was sworn to secrecy!”

“You knew?” I whispered.

Amelie rolled her eyes in response. “Of course we knew.”

“How could you keep that a secret?” I asked, mildly irritated.

“Oh, I’m the one keeping secrets?” she retorted dryly, and I averted sheepish eyes. “Because Caden was right—you were better off not knowing,” Amelie answered, showing no sign of remorse.

Caden sat down beside me, cutting our private conversation short.

“Rachel should reach New Shore by noon tomorrow if she runs,” Amelie said, fiddling with a digital camera. She hopped to her feet. “Smile!” The flash went off as the camera captured a picture of me with my mouth full of food. “I wonder how long before she gives up and comes running back to her ‘Smoopy Woopy,’” she teased. Caden glared at her. I didn’t find the reminder too amusing either. “Oh, come on. I’m your baby sis. I’m supposed to be a constant thorn in your side,” she said matter–of–factly, then snapped another picture.

The giant cave reverberated with another of Bishop’s obnoxious explosion sound effects. Fiona jumped up and whipped the small plastic boat at his face. “Have fun playing with yourself!” she announced, adding in a spiteful tone, “In every way.”

“Oh, come on, Fee! It’s not my fault I’m just better than you at everything,” he responded in mock innocence.

His cockiness infuriated her more. Fiona marched over and sat down on the bench across from me, arms crossed and brow knitted as she glowered at the fire.

“Those two should be banned from competing against each other,” Caden observed, smirking. “It’s the only time you’ll see Fiona angry. I’m afraid she’ll claw his eyes out one day.”

“What’s the point? They’d just grow back,” Fiona grumbled.

“Cheese!” Amelie called cheerfully, snapping a picture of Fiona, Caden, and I together. Likely not a flattering snapshot.

“Pictures usually turn out much better when your subjects aren’t eating or brooding,” I said casually.

“I figured you’d want some pictures of us to admire when you’re home,” Amelie said, then promptly stuck out her tongue at me.

Caden laughed as he rose to go and join Bishop.

It was my chance to pick up on the previous conversation. “Then you also know that we’re apparently ‘impossible’ and he wants me to pretend I don’t care when Rachel is climbing all over him,” I whispered harshly.

“Yup!” Amelie chirped. “Don’t worry, though. It will all work out.”

“Well … what am I supposed to do until then?” I asked the two female vampires.

“Convince him otherwise,” Fiona responded in that sultry voice.