Page 16 of Oleander
“There’s no mall in Auroria?” I joke.
“There is. I just never went,” he says easily before quickly changing the subject.
Strange.But then again, this whole place is.
“Are you hungry? The fridge is stocked with fresh veggies, so I’ve decided to stay in and cook. You’re welcome to join me if youwant to skip the cafeteria. However, I also understand if you’d like to explore the grounds and meet new Fae.”
He’s so polite and accommodating.
“Actually, that’s what I was out there doing—exploring—so I’d love to stay in and have you cook for me.” Whoever put us together knew what they were doing because if he loves to cook, I sure as fuck love to eat.
That blush makes a reappearance on his milky pale skin, working its way up to the tips of his ears.
“I was wondering if you had a phone I could borrow and could show me how to use it. I need to call my mom.”
“Yes, of course. I should probably call my mother too,” he jokes before handing me his personal cell phone. “Dial seven first, then your human number when prompted.”
“Thanks, Ander, I’ll be quick. Oh, and speaking of meeting new people, I ran into Hawk on my way out of the building.”
Oleander instantly stiffens at the mention of Hawk’s name.
I wonder what their history is.
“Oh?” he murmurs quietly, turning around to mist another plant.
“Yeah. He’s having some big party in the woods and invited us. You should come with me.”
He sets his plant down and spins around to face me. “I don’t do parties,” he says solemnly, looking me dead in the eye. My brows crease in confusion at his seriousness. “I’m going to start dinner.”
What was that about?
I head to my room to call my mom, getting her voicemail instead and leaving a message.
“Hey, Mom. I borrowed my roommate’s phone. I know we have a time difference, but I wanted to let you know that I’m doing okay.” I pause, wishing I could have heard her voice. “Ireally hope you’re doing okay too. I miss you, and I love you. I’ll try calling again later.”
I end the call, flopping back on my bed and closing my eyes for a moment. It’s not unusual that she doesn’t answer her phone, but she’s usually more available than that. Hopefully, she’ll save the number. I take a deep breath and relax, knowing there’s nothing else I can do about my situation at the moment except take a fucking nap.
“So, you really don’t wanna go, then? You’re sure?” I ask for the millionth time since dinner last night. I haven’t done much today except sleep and acclimate to my new reality. Well, that and try on an entire wardrobe worth of clothes with Ander like two thirteen-year-old girls on a shopping spree. I told him to charge it to Captain Onyx Wood’s account, and he gave me a puzzled look before promptly ignoring the request.
“Yes, Skyler. I’m still certain.”
I don’t understand his reasoning exactly, but I guess I won’t push him. My face falls, and there might even be some pouting. “Hope I don’t get lost trying to find the wispy things,” I mumble, bummed out that he doesn’t want to come with me.
Oleander takes a deep breath, sighing loudly in defeat. “I’ll take you to the will-o’-the-wisps, but no further. They’ll guide you to Hawk’s party.”
“You will?” I ask in excitement. That’s better than nothing. “Thanks, bro. Now, tell me again what the wispy things are.”
“Will-o’-the-wisps are little balls of light used to lead the way or mark a path. They are guiding lights, but you can’t follow them blindly, Skyler. Remember that,” Ander tells me earnestly.“Be careful who or what you trust in Faerie.” I make a mental note to ask more about that later.
The wispy things aremostlyfriends but can also be assholes. “Got it. I’m getting ready now.”
Thanks to my new roommate, I now have an entire wardrobe to choose from beyond dirty Chucks and sweatpants.
As we walk deeper into the dark forest, I finally spot a small blue flame ahead, hovering a few feet off the ground.
“Oh, holy shit! I see one! A fucking wisp!”
When I get closer, it becomes clearer. The small blue flame burns brightly, surrounded by a yellow-hued orb.
