Dark Promise by Talia Jager (free novel 24 txt) 📖

“That Azura did this to you.”

She stroked my hair. “Don’t you dare be sorry. This isn’t your fault. Besides, if she hadn’t come into our lives I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of raising you. Now, c’mon and get ready for your party.”

Taking a shower was the weirdest experience I had yet. If I left my wings expanded, they were too big to fit in the shower. I had to keep them directly behind my back. I wasn’t sure if I could even get the wings wet, so I had no idea how to wash my hair. Sighing, I turned around, letting the water hit my head, back, and wings. Nobody was around to tell me otherwise, guess I had to learn on my own.

The water beat down on me, drops running down my wings. It was like someone was running a soft feather down my bare back. I closed my eyes, enjoying how it felt. The sensation was like a deep massage combined with Adam’s soft fingertips trailing on my skin. I could get used to this…

I finally dragged myself out of the shower. As soon as I stepped out, my wings expanded showering the mirror and bathroom walls with water.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me!” I whined. Cleaning up would be fun. I grabbed a towel and started wiping down the walls.

When I was finished, I brushed out my hair and pulled the sides back into a clip. I didn’t have to put on makeup, which was weird. Then I slipped on my dress, thankful the back was low enough I didn’t have to worry about my wings.

Sierra showed up about an hour earlier than the rest of the invited guests.

“Ry?” She knocked loudly on my door.

Oh, God. How was I going to face her? She’d know something was wrong.

“Rylie?” She sounded impatient. “Let me in.”

I unlocked the door and swung it open, bracing myself for the worst.

Her mouth dropped. “Oh, my! You look absolutely breathtaking! I love that dress!” She walked around me in a circle. “Love the makeup, too! You don’t need me here this early, you’ve transformed yourself. Bravo.”

You have no idea. “Thanks.”

I wanted to get the conversation off my own looks, so I gave Sierra a once-over. As usual, she looked fabulous in a short black miniskirt that showed off her long legs, and an off-the-shoulder red slouch top that emphasized her sleek frame.

“You’re one to talk,” I told her, grinning. “You look hot.”

“Why, thank you.” She giggled, and then pushed her way into the room to sit down on the edge of my bed.

“I can’t believe you didn’t call me last night!” I griped. “Tell me all about your date. I’ve been dying to know how it went.” Not that I had even thought about her date with the crazy twist of events the night before, but just talking about it would hopefully help me feel normal.

Sierra turned beet-red. “It was good. We had fun.”

I rolled my eyes. “Just good?”

“He’s really a gentleman. He opened the doors for me, paid for everything, and kissed me at the end of the night. I really like him.”

“Ah, a kiss.” I giggled. “Was there tongue?”

“Yeah.” She laughed. “It was great. He’s an incredible kisser, much better than Trent, who practically slobbered on me like a dog.”

“Gross!” We both laughed, and then I asked, “When are you going to see him again?”

“He called me earlier and asked me to dinner next weekend.” Sierra stood up and walked over to my dresser.

“Did you invite him tonight?” I asked curiously.

“Yeah, but I’m not sure he’ll show. He’s shy.” She leaned over my dresser and stared at herself in the mirror.

I wondered if Sierra believed in paranormal things. I think we might have talked about ghosts and vampires before, but not other things. How would she feel knowing her best friend had wings? Could I tell her? I never kept secrets from her.

She looked at me in the mirror. “What’s wrong?”

“Do you ever think there might be something more out there?”

“Something more?” She turned around to face me, her brow furrowed.

“Yeah. Like elves or faeries.”

“I’ve never seen one. Doesn’t mean they don’t exist though.” She turned back to the mirror, obviously more interested in her appearance than what I was struggling with.

I reminded myself that she didn’t know I was struggling with it. “What if…what if you found out something else was out there?”

Before she could answer, my mother’s voice came from the other side of the door. “Can I borrow Sierra for a minute, sweetie? I need help with the cake.”

I sighed and opened the door. “Sure.”

“Your guests will be here soon.”

“I know.” What I didn’t know was how I was going to be able to face them.

Sierra blew me a kiss and hurried out of the room to help my mother.

The doorbell started ringing at six o’clock. I paced around my room trying not to look in the mirror. How could I go down there knowing I had pointed ears? And wings?

“Rylie!” Mom called my name impatiently.

I should have been downstairs greeting the first guests as they arrived, but I was a mass of nerves. I opened my bedroom door and called, “Coming.”

A few deep breaths to prepare me, and then I slowly walked down the stairs. I look like a human, I repeated over and over in my head, trying to supplement the image I held firmly in my mind. I can do this.

Adam was at the bottom of the stairs. He looked even more handsome than usual. His hair was still damp from the shower, and he had on a white button-down oxford and khaki pants. I watched as his eyes lit up and his smile grew. He put his hand out and I took it. “You look beautiful.” He pressed a brief kiss to my fingertips, and then teased, “Took you long enough. Making a grand entrance?”

I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “Maybe I was. And, thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

He leaned in and softly kissed me on the lips. His clean, masculine scent surrounded me. “Happy birthday.”

I pulled back and grinned. “Where’s my surprise?”

“Later.” His grin was cocky.

I elbowed him. “I hate when you make me wait.”

Emma and Jack waited behind Adam. I peered around him and smiled at them. “Hey, guys. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Happy birthday, Rylie,” Emma said, taking a few steps towards me. “I love your dress.”

“Thanks.” I hugged her. She looked gorgeous, like always. Her long, curly hair was a wild mess and her makeup gave her eyes a catlike appearance, making her look even more exotic than usual.

The doorbell rang again and my mother continued to cheerfully answer it, letting in more and more of my friends from school. As each one entered, my paranoia increased. I gripped Adam’s hand, trying to keep from shaking. If he noticed, he didn’t mention it.

The party would be down in the game room, which was in the basement. Ages ago, it had been my doll room, where I kept dollhouses and boxes of lovingly tended Barbies. I used to disappear there for hours at a time. As I grew up, it went through several incarnations, and finally landed somewhere between college dorm and video game room. At that moment, I’d have given anything to be that little girl with Barbies again, instead of a winged faery.

Adam parted the metallic curtain of beads that covered the doorway to the basement and said, “Birthday girl first.”

I giggled and took his hand. As we walked down the stairs, we passed by an old, circular mirror that had hung on our wall as long as I could remember. I caught a glimpse of sparkly, colorful wings. My heart started racing, and I couldn’t breathe.

Dropping Adam’s hand, I choked out, “I’ll be right back.”

I rushed to the basement bathroom, where I slammed the door and locked it behind me. Avoiding the mirror, I sat on the toilet, tucking my beautiful dress around my legs, and tried to calm down.

I can’t do this! Why is this happening to me? It’s not fair! Over and over, I screamed these things inside my head.

I don’t know how much time passed as I stared around the tiny room. It was a half-bath with horrible blue floral wallpaper and white tiled floor, but it was safe and familiar. Even the toilet paper holder—shaped like a swan head and completely hideous—made me feel better.

There was a tap at the door.

“One minute,” I yelled as I stood up. Pull yourself together.

Gripping the sides of the sink, I stared at my reflection. I couldn’t imagine ever getting used to seeing myself this way. Everyone was waiting, so I’d just have to deal with it later. I pushed my shoulders back and stood a little straighter. I had to pretend for the evening that I was a normal human girl, and enjoy my birthday. I turned and pushed the door open. To my surprise, Ian was standing outside.

“Oh, hey, sorry. I was having a slight panic attack over… So I ran to the bathroom to compose myself,” I started blabbering.

“No problem. Happy birthday, by the way.” He paused, and then a shy smile touched his lips. “I hope you don’t mind I showed up—Sierra invited me.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted back and forth.

“Of course I don’t mind. I’m happy you were able to make it. I better get back to the party. They are probably wondering where I ran off to. I’ll see you in there.”

I willed myself to remain calm. My mother had spent a lot of time on my party, and I didn’t want to ruin it for her or anyone else. I smiled when I saw the huge banner that read: Happy Sweet Sixteen, Rylie!

The basement was filled with black and pink. Balloons, glitter hearts, and streamers hung from the ceiling. Kids were throwing confetti around so that it coated the concrete floor. It felt a little immature to me, but I would never tell my mother that.

The first person I saw was Sierra. I grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear, “I just saw Ian. He actually showed up. He must really be into you.”

Her face lit up. “Really? I can’t believe it. I didn’t know if he would bother.” She smoothed down the front of her skirt and looked towards the door. It was so cute to see Sierra into someone again. I was happy for her.

“There’s the birthday girl.” Adam encircled my waist with his arm. “Where did you go?”

“To the bathroom. You know crowds make me nervous.” I turned and kissed him softly on the