Whispers at Moonrise (Shadow Falls #4)(42)

"Yeah." Kylie couldn't deny it hurt that Holiday didn't feel she could tell Kylie things, when she shared everything with Holiday.

"Do you still think this ghost is from the future?" Derek asked.

Kylie considered it. "No. She's dead." Just as the other girls were in the grave she'd seen in her vision. And just like that, Kylie's angst about Holiday not trusting her faded and Kylie's heart filled with sympathy. Kylie couldn't imagine losing a sister, let alone a twin. Was this why Holiday hadn't ever mentioned her? Did grief over her twin's death keep Holiday from ever talking about her sister?

Derek let out a deep breath. "Okay, here's something else that's weird. I couldn't find any death records on her. None. That's why I said this might be bad news."

"What are you saying?" Kylie asked.

Derek frowned. "Holiday might not know her sister is dead."

A knot of grief formed in Kylie's throat. "So I have to tell her."

"If you want, I could do it," Derek offered. "Or we could do it together."

Genuine concern filled his expression. She appreciated his offer, more than he would ever know, but she couldn't let him do it. As much as she dreaded being the bearer of bad news, Hannah had come to Kylie, and she should be the one to tell Holiday.

Then Kylie remembered something else Hannah had said. I think I came to you to help someone.

What exactly did Hannah need Kylie to do? Was telling Holiday about her death enough or did she need more?

Derek ran his hand down her arm. "Have you made a list of all the diners you've gone to recently?"

"Diners?" Kylie asked, unsure of what he was talking about. Unsure of why a simple touch could seem so wrong.

"You said one of the girls in the vision was wearing a diner uniform that looked familiar to you."

"Yes, I mean I remember, but no, I haven't had time to do it." She took in a deep breath. "I'll get to it as soon as I get back to my cabin. I'll e-mail it to you."

"E-mail me the description of the uniform and the girls, too," he said.

"Hey." The sound of Holiday's voice had the knot in Kylie's throat doubling. She turned to face the camp leader and a chasm of empathy and hurt opened in her heart. And yet Kylie couldn't help but admit the relief of knowing that the dead girl wasn't Holiday.

Holiday's green eyes softened. "Something happen?"

For the life of her, Kylie didn't know how to tell her. "No," she lied, but for a good reason. The last thing Kylie wanted to do was just blurt out the news. Then it hit her, maybe she should talk to Hannah first. Perhaps she needed to know exactly what it was Hannah needed before she moved forward.

Holiday nodded, but disbelief flashed in her eyes. "Burnett got called to the FRU office and he insisted we hold off going to the falls until he comes back. I was hoping you could help me set up a few things in the dining hall. We're having a welcoming reception for the new teachers later this afternoon."

"Sure," Kylie said, and she met Derek's eyes briefly.

"Good luck." He mouthed the words and then he reached out and touched her, sending a much-needed current of calmness through her.

"Thanks," she whispered to Derek before she turned to join Holiday. They took a few steps and Holiday glanced over at Kylie with suspicion.

"Boy trouble?" Holiday asked in a low voice.

"Yeah," Kylie said, and it wasn't even a lie. While her heart was aching for Holiday, Derek's earlier words echoed in her mind and left a trail of uncertainty. I can read you, Kylie, and I know you don't want to admit it, but you care about me, too.

And the worst part was, he was right.

Chapter Fifteen

"If you want to talk about it, I'm here," Holiday said as they moved around to the front of the office.

"I know." Kylie gazed briefly at the woods, but the feeling from earlier, the feeling of being called, hadn't returned.

Holiday looked over at her and frowned. "Are you really okay? I mean, I respect your privacy. But lately you've been ... closed off a bit. And I worry. Because ... well, you usually trust me." Holiday rested her hand on Kylie's arm. Warmth and concern flowed from the touch.

Usually, I'm not dealing with a ghost who looks just like you, who I just found out is your sister, and I don't know if you even know she's dead.

"I don't mean to be closed off," Kylie said. "I'm just ... between Lucas and Derek, and my grandfather changing his number, and the FRU trying to do experimental tests on me, and my mom dating, I'm a tad overwhelmed."

"And rightfully so," Holiday said.

Thinking about her mom dating led Kylie to think about her stepdad. "Oh, I almost forgot. Did you ever get in touch with my stepdad and see what he wanted?"

"Yeah, he called a while ago. He found out about the FRU saying you needed some medical tests and was concerned."

"Did the FRU call him, too?" Kylie asked, ready to panic that they hadn't given up their mission to treat her like their very own lab rat. Maybe even give her the same test that had killed her grandmother.

"No, and I asked because it scared me, too," Holiday answered, telling Kylie how accurate the camp leader was at reading her emotions. "He said he'd spoken with your mom."