Follow the White Rabbit (Beautiful Madness #1)(16)
“I don’t mind. I could use the fresh air.” Marc was looking sheepishly at their guest, clearly hoping he’d be allowed to go along for the trip.
Shyly, Lucky nodded.
Gwen looked back and forth between Marc and the blond who seemed to be his new best friend. Had she been so busy worrying about the past that she’d missed what was happening right in front of her nose?
Marc left with Lucky right away, before Gwen could find an excuse to ask him to stay.
This wasn’t the time for flirting with girls who waltzed around with weapons strapped to their backs! He should have at least asked if Gwen needed him. He knew how much she had on her plate right now.
Suddenly furious, she couldn’t stay in his house any longer. Gwen knew she was being a little unreasonable, but with all that was at stake, she was allowed that much! And yet somehow her best friend was more concerned with some girl he had just met.
If she didn’t want to end up following Marc and Lucky into the forest, the only direction to go was north if she did, toward the town square. Gwen wandered aimlessly, getting lost in the busy crowd of townsfolk, and letting her feet decide for themselves as she went over all the things she would have liked to say to Marc.
He shouldn’t have gone. She needed him here. The Alice Prophecy could easily be the most important thing either of them ever had a part in, and Lucky obviously knew her way home without Marc’s directionally challenged help. He was being selfish!
She was being selfish—Gwen pushed the thought away.
It had only been a few days since he had last tried to kiss her, and now this! While she still had no interest in being with Marc like that, she hadn’t expected to be so easily replaced.
“Pardon me,” a voice interrupted, “but did you say Alice?”
Blinking, Gwen looked around to find the voice’s owner. “Excuse me?”
A man, not much older than Gwen came to a stop in front of her. “You said something about the Alice Prophecy, and I just had to ask. It’s not a name you hear very often anymore.”
“I’m sorry,” Gwen said. “I didn’t realize I’d been speaking out loud.” She moved to step around the stranger and continue on her way.
He stood nearly a foot taller than Gwen’s five-and-a-half feet, and his black hair was slicked back in a way that perfectly shaped his strong jaw and cheekbones. Gwen’s initial thought was that he was quite handsome, but when he sidestepped just in time to block Gwen’s path alarm bells began to ring in the back of her mind.
“Please? I’ve always been fascinated with the legend of Alice. Hearing her name on this day... Well, it has to be a sign. I’d love for the chance to talk with another believer.”
“You make it sound like some kind of cult,” Gwen said, taking a step back.
“Have you read the books of Ror? What about The Tomb of the Caterpillar? Do you think Alice might actually return within our lifetime?” he asked, ignoring Gwen’s statement.
Now that was surprising. It was unusual enough to hear the name Alice spoken in day-to-day conversation, but here was someone who seemed to know something more about the prophecies than only the girl they centered around.
“Oh, very much so.” Gwen forced herself to relax, her eagerness to talk about Wonderland’s history with someone knowledgeable overpowering her wariness. It wasn’t this man’s fault that she was angry at Marc. And it might be fun to run theories with someone. “I actually have reason to think she might be coming soon.”
“Wouldn’t that be incredible? the man asked, running his hand over a day’s worth of dark stubble.
“It would certainly be interesting. I mean, just think of everything that happened last time. It could mean a major upheaval for all of us.”
The man frowned, his eyes darkening with concern. “How do you mean?” he asked, shifting his weight back towards Gwen until she was standing in his shadow.
It was Gwen’s turn to frown. The stories of Alice weren’t a secret, and there was no reason to keep any of this to herself, but something told her to be cautious with this man. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name?”
Unexpectedly, the sounds of a storm began to rumble through the air from somewhere off in the distance. Gwen turned her head towards the noise, turning her back on the chatty stranger.
Magnificent, dark clouds were forming over the forest and Gwen couldn’t help but hope the storm would come a bit closer. The sounds of thunder and rain mingling together always had a unique way of clearing her head, which was something she could really use today.
Gwen turned back, planning to apologize for her brief distraction, but she found herself standing alone. That was rude.
She peered through the crowd, trying to see where he’d gone, but only caught a glimpse of someone who might have been him disappearing into the butcher’s shop. The brief conversation had left her uneasy and unwilling to chase down a dangerous looking stranger just to satisfy her own curiosity.
The wind picked up, and the crowd on Peasant Street began to clear as the storm from the forest loomed overhead. Anyone still out and about would be eager to finish their business and get home. Gwen knew she should likely do the same.
Another crack of lighting sounded from somewhere in the direction of the forest. Gwen turned back for one last peek at the ominous clouds hovering over Neverwood. But there was something else mixed in with the swirling, gray monstrosities.