Mina felt like screaming in anger. Her blood boiled, and she clenched her jaw.

“When, Jared? When is it planning on killing her?” she spoke without emotion.

She saw Jared swallow in nervousness. “Mina, don’t come. It’s a trap. Don’t do it.”

“I’m not asking again, Jared,” she demanded.

“Tomorrow night. Midnight. The reaping hour.”

Chapter 22

This was absolutely the worst possible idea ever in the history of history. She paced the front porch of the Carmichaels’ three story mansion while biting her thumb. She had already lied to security about why she was here. It was easy considering she had used the same excuse the first time she came to the Carmichaels to drop off a pamphlet of information from Happy Maids, the company her mom worked for. Well, since that got her in the first time, she didn’t see any reason for it not to get her in the second time. And it worked.

Now she was a pile of nerves and had no real reason for being here. Except that she really, really needed to talk to Brody. Nobody answered when she rang the doorbell, and she was beginning to think that they were purposely avoiding her. One of the gardeners who was tending the bushes waved at her to get her attention and pointed to the back of the house.

Mina knew what was back there; she had seen it when she walked up the driveway. It was the stables. Even though they were in the suburbs, the Carmichaels owned enough property to raise horses. Races, jumps, or show; you name it the Carmichaels competed in it. She followed the stone walkway around the side of the mansion and down the pathway past the large Olympic-size, outdoor pool, which was currently set up with a net in the middle of it, probably so Brody could practice water polo. Luckily, no one was swimming, which left one other place to look. Mina shuddered, the stables.

Of course, he couldn’t be good at just one thing; he had to be great at everything. She could see him in the distance on a beautiful thoroughbred, taking her through the course. He was extremely soft-spoken when giving commands, and Mina could see that he had an easy way with the horse. When they were both ready, they lined up. One second they were still, the next they flew over, around, and back. He was handsome in black pants, riding boots, and helmet. He looked dashing and debonair. Mina looked down at her jeans, button down blue coat, and flats and felt out of place. She pulled on her messy braid and tried to straighten it without success.

Every time the horse jumped, Mina held her breath in terror, scared that he would fall off and be trampled. The horse didn’t miss a jump or a stride; only on the second to last jump did she knock a pole down. Mina made it to the fence and waited to be noticed before speaking, unsure of what her reception would be since the last time they had spoken she had blamed him for Nan’s death.

The horse noticed her first and turned to look at her. Brody looked up in surprise, and then he frowned. Yeah, Mina had known it was a bad idea to come. Before either one of them could say anything she turned and began to walk back up the hill toward the house.

Seconds later, she could hear hoof beats close behind her. Mina looked up when Brody rode up next to her. She decided to speak first.

“So it’s pretty obvious that you are not sick or injured,” Mina accused.

“No, I’m fine,” he answered, slowing the horse and sliding off to walk next to Mina. His eyes were hollow and it looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

“So, why didn’t you go to school?” she asked.

“Because I couldn’t face you,” he said simply. He hung his head in shame, and Mina wanted to reach out and touch the soft blonde hair. She held herself in check. “You blame me for what happened. She’s your best friend, and I killed her.”

Tears started to burn at the corner of Mina’s eyes, but her anger and jealousy of Brody and Nan in a car together held them back. “What were you two doing that night?” Mina accused angrily.

Brody paused, caught off guard by her angry tone. He looked guilty, and he turned to look at his horse. “Peter’s band had to leave shortly after the rain started and everyone went inside. They had a gig in the next state, so they had to be at the airport in a few hours. There was some sort of tiff between them and he left without saying goodbye to her.”

“That’s hard to believe? They looked pretty happy together most of the night; I can’t imagine what it could possibly have been about,” Mina grumbled, crossing her arms in a defensive stance.

“It was over you.” Brody shrugged his shoulders.

“What?” Mina felt a knot form in her stomach. A hard ball of jealousy that was quickly unraveling.

“I don’t know all the details; something about wanting to find you but his needing to leave. So, anyway, they didn’t say goodbye, and he was going to be gone for a month. She begged me to drive her to the airport so she could say goodbye.” He looked at Mina and quickly looked away.

“But why you? Why didn’t she drive herself or get someone else to take her?” Mina accused, her face betraying her jealousy.

“Because I was one of the last cars in and the easiest to get out. She didn’t want her mom to know. She thought we could catch them in time and get back before anyone found out. It was stupid, I know. And now you must hate me for killing her.” He cleared his throat and refused to look at her. It was obvious he wasn’t handling this very well.

“Um, earth to Brody. She’s in a coma, not dead.” Mina stopped and grabbed his arm and held on tightly.

He tried to shake her off. “I can’t, Mina! You weren’t there; you weren’t in the car. You didn’t see her, I did! She was dead.” He was so angry his horse started to get finicky.

She knew she needed to calm him down. She took a deep breath and spoke slowly, clearly, so he could hear her heartfelt plea. “I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you. I was angry. But you have got to believe me when I say you have got to get over it. Nan’s not dead; she’s alive! You can’t beat yourself up over the past.”

He shrugged his shoulders angrily and looked off into the distance, purposefully avoiding answering Mina.

Mina spoke with conviction, and the words almost caught in her throat, but she forced them out. “I don’t blame you Brody for anything. It’s not your fault, Brody. If anyone’s to blame, it is me.”

Brody turned and looked at her sharply, surprise evident in his blue eyes, but behind that she saw the pain and the guilt. Mina felt herself go weak, and she reached out to touch his cheek. He leaned into her palm and breathed in the scent of her hand. Mina’s breath caught in her throat at the intimate feel of his skin and the way he pushed against her.

Slowly, he dropped his horse’s reins and moved closer to her; Mina anticipated the hug and leaned up as he wrapped his arms around her. He buried his face in her neck and hugged her. She closed her eyes and let herself enjoy the comfort of his arms, until she felt him shaking softly. He was crying. Mina was saddened, but only slightly. What she wanted more than ever was his love; what he needed right now was comfort. She found herself rubbing his back and telling him that she was going to fix everything. She promised.

When he pulled away, Mina wanted to pull him closer and kiss him. But she knew it wasn’t the time to confess her feelings.

She sighed loudly and finally decided to tell him why she came. “I need your help. I know this sounds stupid, but I think I know a way to wake up Nan from the coma. But first I need a ride someplace. Then I will tell you my somewhat brilliant plan, but it involves calling your very famous cousin and convincing him to make an unplanned tour stop.”