Page 192 of Forbidden Lessons

“Oh-ho,” she laughs. “Not yet. But soon. Soon.”

I think it’s morbid curiosity. Why else would I let her pull me along without putting up more of a fight? I stare ahead at the trees, trying to see what she’s so obviously aiming for.

Was that a light in the distance?

No. Couldn’t be.

Unless they’ve got cabins or lodges or?—

I jerk my arm free. “Oh my God, if you’re taking me to a hunting lodge, I swear?—“

“What? No.” She scoffs, coming after me at a trot and grabbing my hand again. “Come on. We’re in this together now.”

“Said the rat to the sinking ship,” I mutter, dragging my feet.

“Haven, come on. Don’t be such a baby.” She stops, turns. And then makes a point of grinning when she sees my scowl. Other than when she was stoned today, this is the biggest smile I’ve seen on her face. “Do you trust me?”

I shake my head.

She doesn’t seem to care.

“Well you should. Because this? This is going to blow your mind.”

Chapter 56

Haven

Things are getting weird. And I doubt this is the last time I’ll be thinking that tonight.

It began with a low thumping that almost sounded like some lumberjacks going to work deep in the forest.

Music.

Hard, pounding, music. The kind that moves your body whether you want it to or not.

We’re following a trail through the trees, our path illuminated by kerosene lamps hung in the branches every few yards. Up ahead, I catch glimpses of other party goers who’ve slipped away from the gala to join this party.

The real party.

Foliage crashes behind me. I turn just in time to fall back against a tree, barely avoiding the couple tearing down the trail. Melissa isn’t so lucky. The guy slams into her shoulder, sending her tumbling.

They both look over their shoulders, grinning as they yell apologies, not slowing even a little.

“You okay?” I help Melissa to her feet.

“I’ll survive.” She shakes out her hands, staring down at the stains on her dress. “This, however, won’t.”

“So fucking rude,” I mutter.

She chuckles. “Not like I was planning on keeping it.”

“What? Why? It’s beautiful.”

She glances at me. “Oh, right. This is your first Rain Dance.”

“Yeah?”

Melissa grabs my hand. “Then we’d better get there before they run out of party favors.”

---