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

lips. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

He looked at me like I was crazy. Then he said jokingly, “Like you’d let me be anywhere else.”

I wished the two of us could just disappear. Adam was the one who kept me together. This whole stupid faery thing…what if it shattered us? What if it was too much for him to handle? We could run away together, but that would put him in danger if there were any truth to this madness.

“You look so serious. What are you thinking about?”

“How lucky I am to have you. I don’t ever want to lose you.” I laid my hand on his arm and looked up, meeting his eyes.

He snickered. “Are you getting all mushy on me?”

“It appears so.” I blinked my eyes a few times, forcing the tears back. I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “If I wanted you to go away with me, would you?”

His smile faded. “Is there something going on I should know about?”

Yeah. I’m a freaking faery. Ugh! I couldn’t tell him that and yet I couldn’t lie. “Just thinking.” I laughed, feigning indifference as I avoided his eyes. “Sometimes I think it would be fun to pack it up and go somewhere new.”

“I don’t think your parents would approve, and all your friends would miss you,” Adam pointed out.

“I know. You’re right. I just like to daydream sometimes.”

“Nothing wrong with that. We’ll be out of high school before you know it, and we can go wherever you want.” He played with a strand of my hair, and I shuddered as his hand moved over my shoulder and brushed my wings. He was oblivious to their existence.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Jack and Emma were playing air hockey, Kevin and Griffin were playing pool, and a bunch of people were surrounding the snack table. The scene just looked so normal, like any other teen party. None of these people had any idea a magickal creature was in their midst.

Me.

“I should mingle,” I told Adam, hoping he’d forget my crazy suggestion to run away. I had a feeling I was raising red flags with him, and should stop being an idiot.

“Sure, I’ll go talk to the guys. Come get me when you need a break from being a social butterfly.” He winked and strolled off in the direction of his teammates.

Before I had a chance to move forward, Stacey from choir cornered me. Her dark brown eyes sized me up. “There you are. The guest of honor is not supposed to keep herself holed away from everyone. You look amazing! I love the dress.”

“Thanks. My mom got it for my birthday. You know I’m not good with being social.”

Stacey laced her arm through mine. “I’ll help you. Let’s go say hello to the rest of the girls from choir, and then we’ll make the rounds to the rest of the guests.” As we started walking, she commented, “The decorations are fabulous and the music amazing. I’m impressed.”

I laughed. “All my mother’s doing. She loves this stuff. I think she’s been planning my sixteenth birthday for a very long time.”

Stacey laughed, flipping her long wavy brown hair over her shoulder, and started jabbering about choir.

I went from place to place, talking to my friends, thanking them for coming, and getting lost in conversations that were thankfully inane and gossipy. For a little while, it was almost like I was normal again.

“Pizza will be here in a few minutes,” Dad called from upstairs.

“Thanks,” I yelled back up. Slipping away from Stacey, I crossed the room to Adam. “Wanna help bring the pizza down?”

“Of course, beautiful.” He glanced around the room. “Party seems to be a hit.”

“Yeah, not bad. Much better than I was expecting.” We made our way up the stairs just as the doorbell rang for the pizza delivery. The poor kid looked like he was about to topple over—he had at least ten pizzas balanced precariously in his arms. When my dad relieved him of his burden, I thought I saw tears in his eyes.

Adam and I split the pizzas, leaving one upstairs for my parents. We took off back downstairs while my dad was paying. The bottom box was so hot, I practically threw them on the table.

When you bring pizzas to teens, it’s like vultures are attacking. The boxes were decimated in a matter of minutes. I was hungrier than I thought I would be, my stomach growling as I ate.

After pizza, my mother came in carrying a white, three-tiered cake with sixteen candles. Thankfully, she had a local bakery make the cake early. Usually, she attempted and failed to make my cake on her own, and then she would have to rush to get one made at the last minute. As soon as she appeared in the doorway, everyone started singing “Happy Birthday”. With everyone staring at me, I was self-conscious. All I could think about were my wings and my ears. Surely they could see them.

They can’t see your faery body. Remember you look normal to them, I reminded myself. Someone snapped a picture of me. I couldn’t wait to see it—real me, me as a human, the way I was supposed to be. I never cared to have my picture taken before, but now I would be taking every opportunity.

When it came time to make a wish, I took a deep breath and thought, Please, don’t let me lose Adam. Then I blew out every candle on that cake in one breath. Maybe, just maybe, my wish would come true.

I had told everyone not to bring presents, and they had listened, which was a huge relief. I didn’t have to be the center of attention while opening them. That would have put me over the edge. Someone cranked up the music, and everyone started dancing. This was what being a teenager was supposed to be about. Not wings and dark faeries.

A slow song eventually came on, and I searched for Adam in the crowd. It was dim—someone had lowered the lights—but our eyes met through the gently shifting mass of bodies. We crossed the room and met in the middle. He took me in his arms, placing his hand on the small of my back—just below my wings. I put my arms around his neck and leaned my head against his chest, listening to the sound of his heart beating just underneath the bass thump of the music.

He made me feel safe, secure, normal. I held on even after the song ended. Finally, I released the strong grasp I had on him. He leaned down and softly brushed my lips with his. The kiss grew in passion until he pulled away, breathless. Licking his lips, he said with a smile, “You’re intense tonight.”

“Sorry.” I blushed.

“It’s okay. Just different. I like it.”

Different. The word echoed in my head, but I kept it together.

“I think it’s time for your present.” Adam gave me his crooked grin. “It’s in the truck. Let’s sneak out.”

I bit my lip and glanced around. No one was paying attention to us. I grabbed his hand and we ran up the stairs. Even though I tell people I hate surprises, I secretly loved them. Adam had always been the best at picking presents, even when he was really young. I couldn’t wait to see what he got me this year.

It was a cool evening, and the air smelled of honeysuckle and pine. My high heels tapped along the front walk as we walked to where his truck was parked on the street, loud in the silent night.

“Close your eyes,” Adam told me when we reached the truck. I heard the door creak open. “No peeking.”

The suspense was killing me. I groaned and shut my eyes tight. He knew me so well.

Adam’s hand clasped mine, and he pulled me towards him. “Okay, you can open them now.”

I looked down. He held a small, square box in his hand. It was perfectly wrapped in white paper with a red bow. “Did you wrap it yourself?” I asked.

“I might have had a little help with that part,” he said sheepishly. “But I picked it out on my own.”

“Is it a watch?” I asked as I shook it.

He laughed. “Just open it.”

“Fine.” I pulled the ribbon slowly and carefully unwrapped the paper. The box was silver and shiny. “Earrings?”

“Open it.” Adam nudged me.

I opened the box and covered my mouth. A delicate, silver charm bracelet lay inside. I had wanted one forever. Carefully taking it out, I saw there were two charms dangling from it. One was a heart with a small diamond in the middle and the other a music note. “It’s perfect.” I held my hand out so he could clasp it on my wrist.

“Well, I figured you love music, and I love you, so I was hoping you’d like the charms I picked out.”

“Like it—I love it.” I threw my arms around his neck and the bracelet clinked as it slid down my wrist.

Adam ran his thumb down the side of my cheek. “I love you, Rylie McCallister.” He lifted my chin with his finger and, with our noses almost touching, he gently pressed his lips against mine. The noise of the party faded, and there was nothing but us for those few minutes.

I pulled away, dragging a little bit of his lip with me, and smiled as I caught him still with his eyes closed. “I guess we should get inside. They’re probably wondering where we snuck off to,” I said reluctantly.

“Yeah.” He sighed and slung an arm around my shoulder to walk back to the party.

The party lasted a couple more hours. I challenged Sierra to a game of air hockey, Adam and I danced more, and I let my worries slip away for a while. But eventually, the fun came to an end.

Adam and Sierra were the last of my friends to leave. The three of us stood on the front lawn, and Sierra gave me a giant hug. “No car, huh?”

“Not yet.” I forced a chuckle. Getting a car was the least of my worries right now.

Her green eyes sparkled. “Guess I’ll be picking you up Monday morning for school.”

“Yes! Even if I had gotten a car, I wouldn’t want to miss riding with you.” I spotted Ian standing by her car. “Ian’s waiting.”

She looked in his direction. “I know. I still can’t believe it. He’s so incredible.” She sighed. “Happy birthday, Ry. I love ya.” She squeezed me again.

“Love you, too.”

I watched as she practically skipped to the car. She looked so carefree and happy. I hoped Ian would treat her better than Trent had. I didn’t want to see her get hurt again.

Adam pulled me close to him and whispered into my ear, “Happy birthday.”

“Not for much longer. It’s almost midnight.” I