I told him the story as we cut over to the Tillson house.
So youll want to try to get them back, Rafe said as we crossed the back lawn.
Um, yeah, Corey said. Sorry to throw a wrench in this supposed plan of yours
Rafe sighed. Look, Corey, I know you dont like me. Daniel doesnt either, but hes being nice about it for Mayas sake.
Im not Daniel protested.
Its okay. I didnt go out of my way to make friends in Salmon Creek. I know that. I acted like an ass, and as Maya may have told you, I had a reason, one that probably still makes me an ass. Im glad to hear Hayleys okay. Of everyone in Salmon Creek, I treated her the worst, so Im hoping I get the chance to apologize. Im glad Samantha is okay, even if we dont get along. As for Nicole? I know her about as well as I know you and Daniel. Which is about one step up from not at all. Of course, Im glad youre okay. I know youll want to get your friends back. Im absolutely fine with that. But if you expect me to be as worried about them as you are, thats not going to happen.
No one expects you to care about Nic and Hayley as much as we do, Daniel said. But I am glad to see youre okay.
For Mayas sake. I know. He waved off Daniels denials. I dont expect more. And, chances are, Ill turn out to be an ass after all.
He said it jokingly, but he broke eye contact, and didnt look my way either, just nudged me toward the house. I wondered if it did kind of hurt him, getting a cool reception from the guys.
That reception didnt improve once we got in the house. Rafe was happy to see Sam was okay. Whether you like a person or not, you dont wish them a horrible death. Sam, though Well, Id spent long enough with her now to realize she was lacking certain filters most of us have.
So, I guess youll be moving on, then? she said. Got things to do? Places to be?
Daniel winced. Corey lifted his brows. Rafe only sputtered a laugh.
Well, at least you didnt say youre sorry to see me alive, he said.
You know what I mean, Sam said.
Um, no, I said. We dont. Rafe just survived a fall from a helicopter and trekked back here to meet us
Meet you, Sam said. And what I meant was that hell be leaving to look for his sister. Right?
I am looking for Annie, Rafe said. But I can do that with you guys, especially if shes been captured by the same people who have Nicole and Hayley. Maya tells me you have a cell phone. It probably wasnt a good idea to use it, but since no one swooped down while you were waiting here
Which is why I insisted on waiting here. Sam lifted her chin. If the Nasts were tracking the phone, theyd have come here and found me alone. But no one showed up. Now, Maya, if you can stop gaping at Rafe for a few minutes, we really should come up with a plan.
I glared at her. I spent three days thinking Id watched him fall to his death.
Leave her alone, Sam, Daniel murmured. This isnt the time.
Im just saying its not the time for that either. We need to focus and having Maya moon over Rafe is making everyone uncomfortable.
Rafe grinned. Doesnt bother me.
Because your ego really needs the encouragement.
Rafes grin hardened. You dont know anything about me or my ego, Samantha. Im going to ask you to give the attitude a rest for a while. Maya tells me you and Daniel are benandanti, and I remember my mom mentioning them. You guys have a sixth sense for evil. Clearly, Im not triggering Daniels radar or he wouldnt let me in the same room as Maya. Am I tripping yours?
Her mouth opened and I could tell she wanted to say he was, but she closed it again, so hard her teeth clicked. After a moment, she said, You think youre better than everyone else. You think the rules dont apply to you. You breeze into town, working your charm on all the girls, then walk away when you realize they arent the skin-walker youre looking for. You find herSam pointed at meand you use her, too, but apparently, shes forgiven you. Mayas smart and shes sensible, so maybe Im trying to figure out why the hell shes with you when there are great guys like She stumbled, as if searching for a name. Like Brendan. Youve got some kind of hold over her, and I dont like it.
Rafe leaned over and whispered. Its a love spell I picked up from a witch over in Nanaimo. But dont tell Maya.
You think youre funny.
No, I think you have your own issue with me and I think I know what it is. But it has nothing to do with me personally, so Im going to try not to take it personally. And, while I might be enjoying this He lifted his hand, which was still clasping mine. I know its as temporary as a love spell. Give it a few hours and shell hate me again.
Hates a strong word, I said.
Strong emotion is better than indifference. He grinned at me, then looked at the others. Now, if we can stop bickering for a few minutes, Ill tell you my plan. His gaze moved to Sam. Which Im sure Maya and Daniel will change, if they dont outright reject it, and Im fine with that.
So youll want to try to get them back, Rafe said as we crossed the back lawn.
Um, yeah, Corey said. Sorry to throw a wrench in this supposed plan of yours
Rafe sighed. Look, Corey, I know you dont like me. Daniel doesnt either, but hes being nice about it for Mayas sake.
Im not Daniel protested.
Its okay. I didnt go out of my way to make friends in Salmon Creek. I know that. I acted like an ass, and as Maya may have told you, I had a reason, one that probably still makes me an ass. Im glad to hear Hayleys okay. Of everyone in Salmon Creek, I treated her the worst, so Im hoping I get the chance to apologize. Im glad Samantha is okay, even if we dont get along. As for Nicole? I know her about as well as I know you and Daniel. Which is about one step up from not at all. Of course, Im glad youre okay. I know youll want to get your friends back. Im absolutely fine with that. But if you expect me to be as worried about them as you are, thats not going to happen.
No one expects you to care about Nic and Hayley as much as we do, Daniel said. But I am glad to see youre okay.
For Mayas sake. I know. He waved off Daniels denials. I dont expect more. And, chances are, Ill turn out to be an ass after all.
He said it jokingly, but he broke eye contact, and didnt look my way either, just nudged me toward the house. I wondered if it did kind of hurt him, getting a cool reception from the guys.
That reception didnt improve once we got in the house. Rafe was happy to see Sam was okay. Whether you like a person or not, you dont wish them a horrible death. Sam, though Well, Id spent long enough with her now to realize she was lacking certain filters most of us have.
So, I guess youll be moving on, then? she said. Got things to do? Places to be?
Daniel winced. Corey lifted his brows. Rafe only sputtered a laugh.
Well, at least you didnt say youre sorry to see me alive, he said.
You know what I mean, Sam said.
Um, no, I said. We dont. Rafe just survived a fall from a helicopter and trekked back here to meet us
Meet you, Sam said. And what I meant was that hell be leaving to look for his sister. Right?
I am looking for Annie, Rafe said. But I can do that with you guys, especially if shes been captured by the same people who have Nicole and Hayley. Maya tells me you have a cell phone. It probably wasnt a good idea to use it, but since no one swooped down while you were waiting here
Which is why I insisted on waiting here. Sam lifted her chin. If the Nasts were tracking the phone, theyd have come here and found me alone. But no one showed up. Now, Maya, if you can stop gaping at Rafe for a few minutes, we really should come up with a plan.
I glared at her. I spent three days thinking Id watched him fall to his death.
Leave her alone, Sam, Daniel murmured. This isnt the time.
Im just saying its not the time for that either. We need to focus and having Maya moon over Rafe is making everyone uncomfortable.
Rafe grinned. Doesnt bother me.
Because your ego really needs the encouragement.
Rafes grin hardened. You dont know anything about me or my ego, Samantha. Im going to ask you to give the attitude a rest for a while. Maya tells me you and Daniel are benandanti, and I remember my mom mentioning them. You guys have a sixth sense for evil. Clearly, Im not triggering Daniels radar or he wouldnt let me in the same room as Maya. Am I tripping yours?
Her mouth opened and I could tell she wanted to say he was, but she closed it again, so hard her teeth clicked. After a moment, she said, You think youre better than everyone else. You think the rules dont apply to you. You breeze into town, working your charm on all the girls, then walk away when you realize they arent the skin-walker youre looking for. You find herSam pointed at meand you use her, too, but apparently, shes forgiven you. Mayas smart and shes sensible, so maybe Im trying to figure out why the hell shes with you when there are great guys like She stumbled, as if searching for a name. Like Brendan. Youve got some kind of hold over her, and I dont like it.
Rafe leaned over and whispered. Its a love spell I picked up from a witch over in Nanaimo. But dont tell Maya.
You think youre funny.
No, I think you have your own issue with me and I think I know what it is. But it has nothing to do with me personally, so Im going to try not to take it personally. And, while I might be enjoying this He lifted his hand, which was still clasping mine. I know its as temporary as a love spell. Give it a few hours and shell hate me again.
Hates a strong word, I said.
Strong emotion is better than indifference. He grinned at me, then looked at the others. Now, if we can stop bickering for a few minutes, Ill tell you my plan. His gaze moved to Sam. Which Im sure Maya and Daniel will change, if they dont outright reject it, and Im fine with that.
