“It’s okay…”
The fluorescent lights blinked once, twice, and then darkness blanketed the corridor. Confused voices rose around us, but it lasted only seconds before the lights flickered back on.
Gregory was watching me.
I froze.
There—just for a heartbeat—I swore his pupils flashed crimson. But no. Humans didn’t have red eyes. Besides Gregory’s were brown.
When he smiled, a current of energy zinged through me—pure sorcery. He slid his books under one arm, stood, and offered me his right hand.
I took it. His grip was firm—oddly strong for a boy who usually stared at the floor while walking. As I stood to my full height—Hades, I was three inches taller—Gregory’s posture shifted. Confident. Steady. Like a warrior returning from battle.
“Kara.” The way he said my name sounded different, too.
A sudden weakness hit my knees. I nearly crumbled.
“Easy there.” He caught me as I swayed.
My heart slammed against my ribs as he traced a slow line across my palm with his index finger.
“I don’t know if I have a car—probably unlikely.” He glanced down at himself, then back at me with a smoldering grin. “So, I’ll meet you here Saturday.”
I frowned. For prom?
Michelle gasped. “No way.”
Gregory’s pimply face darkened. His glare hit my friends like a slap. “You don’t listen. I told you from the beginning these two were insufferable.”
My mouth fell open. Shadow said those words. But how? I didn’t know he could possess someone. Could it be him?
“Excuse me?” Renee screeched.
A slow smile tugged at my lips.
Gregory winced, rubbing his ear. “Come on.”
He dragged me away from Michelle and Renee as they squawked behind us. Without a care in the world, he yankedopen a janitor closet and shoved me inside. The door clicked shut. He shuddered.
“I don’t see how you tolerate them.”
“How did you manage this?” I asked, touching Gregory’s face. “You’re not a ghost. How are you able to possess someone? What are you?”
He shrugged. “Your shadow.”
“Ha-ha.”
“You don’t belong here.” His tone darkened. I didn’t meet his eyes. Knowing who he was, the intensity cranked to a thousand. “But I’ll go with you to this dance.”
“No. You hate everything about school.”
“Yes, well, you’re in the human world more than the castle lately.”
I crossed my arms, leaning forward until I was in his face. “You miss me, don’t ya?”
“If that’s what you want to believe.”
Shadow moved like a panther—quick and silent. He pinned me against the shelf. Cleaning supplies toppled around us. Containers smacked my sides.
