Chapter 9 : Kiss Me

♦Lena*

I'd had at least three cups of cheap wine already. It tasted awful and had likely been made on the farm, but it didn't matter. The alcohol was warming me from the inside out as I sat on a fallen log near the fire, staring into the embers with my plastic cup of wine clasped in one hand, and my other clutching my knee.

Xander was on the other side of the fire, Jen whispering and giggling into his ear.

I don't know why I was so angry about it, but I was. I couldn't deny it as I took a long drink from the garbage wine, crumpling my empty cup before throwing it into the fire.

"Three cups is not enough to get you drunk," said someone to my left. I looked up as Bethany approached with an unfamiliar woman who took a seat next to me. She smiled, her bouncy auburn curls falling around her face as she handed me a bottle of wine. "This stuff is way better!"

"I probably shouldn’t," I smiled, but I ended up taking a swig of the wine right out of the bottle when I saw Xander kiss Jen's cheek from across the fire.

“Holden makes the hooch, you know. That’s what he calls it. It’s just fermented peaches. This batch was pretty weak, but the bottle is real wine, a gift from the boss man," the unfamiliar woman grinned, taking the bottle back and bringing it back to her lips. "I'm Elaine, by the way."

"Lena," I said, wiping my mouth on the back of my sleeve.

"You have beautiful hair," she said admiringly as Bethany tossed a few more logs into the fire. 'Is it naturally that light?"

"Yeah, kind of. I get lowlights every once in a while,” I said as I touched one of the pale golden pieces falling loose around my face.

"Elaine is the one I was telling you about, Lena. She can read palms."

"Tea leaves, too," Elaine added, pointing a finger at Bethany. "But Beth won't let me read anything for her!"

"I'd rather not know my fate. That's between me and the Moon Goddess,” Bethany grinned, pointing a finger in the air, and then blowing a kiss toward the stars.

I couldn't help but laugh, which was a nice break from the glowering I had been doing all evening.

"Do you want me to read yours?" Elaine asked, her eyes a strange scarlet color as they reflected off the fire. I hesitated, then shrugged, loosened up by the wine as I opened my palm toward her. "Ah, your hands are smoother than I expected," she said, running her fingertips over the palm of my hand before tracing the lines of my palm. I expected her to say something immediately, to make up some grand story. I didn't quite believe she could actually do it.

But she stared down at my palm for what felt like ages, her expression fixed in a scowl. Bethany noticed, and moved in on US, squatting down to peer at my hand.

"What do you see?"

"It’s very odd," Elaine mumbled, not breaking her gaze from the fine lines of my palm. "Your lifeline... It's not here."

"Well, I'm not dead, am I?"

“I mean, you're technically in hell, if you think about it. There's no place worse than Crimson Creek," Bethany deadpanned, but then we both broke into a fit of giggles.

Elaine remained serious though, her eyes on my palm. I felt a wave of unease wash over me, wondering what she saw, or thought she saw. I felt my hand go rigid, my fingers threatening to curl, but it was too late.

several times. Here, and here, and here.... But it's still interconnected

mean?" I asked, a little

at least twice, then..." she traced the very edge of my palm,

felt a sudden overwhelming,

her mate?" Bethany

Elaine said softly, shaking her head. "I am totally perplexed.

as Elaine straightened up and accepted

does it mean when the love line just... disappears?" I asked. Elaine took a swig of wine,

death, or an end of the relationship. Yours isn't like that, though. It’s very faint, then comes back a little deeper

then began to laugh, the effects of the

of mirth from my eyes as I accepted the wine from Elaine, who gave

interpreting it incorrectly. My grandmother taught me, but she wasn't very good

said, sitting down on the other side of

any more loose tea at the bunkhouse," Elaine

but was interrupted by a squeal on the other side of the fire. Jen had her arms wrapped around

well. I stood, a bit lightheaded as

I walked away from the fire, smiling amiably as I passed a group of farm workers who

were shining brightly across the hills. I found myself looking for those little black spots, but saw none as

forest. Every fiber of my being was telling me to stop. So, I leaned against the wall after giving myself several hundred yards of space from the bonfire, and those congregating on

hell are you doing out here by

opened my eyes to Xander, looking menacing as he stalked toward me. I puffed out my chest and turned away from him, but he

me, you jerk!"

my wrist, pulling me toward him. 'You can't be out here all alone," he grumbled as he tried to lead me

Go back to Jen. She's probably

Lena,

"I am not!"

you drinking that

you had your

fixing me with a glare that

reiterated, crossing my arms over my chest

don’t want you to get snatched up by whatever is in the woods,

he glanced quickly into the woods

you... scared?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at

but the lines of concern didn't fade from his face as

like you think something is going to jump out of the woods

hair on my body stood on end as I instinctively moved to Xander's side. He was looking

go back to the cottage," he

squeaked, trying not to tremble. Xander knitted his fingers in mine as we walked backward several yards, our

the fire. People had already started to leave, their

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