Now what was that you were saying about hating her?
Cassie felt the murderous red fury slipping away. She couldn't hold on to it, and she didn't want to try. She couldn't hate Diana… because she loved Diana. And she loved Adam. She loved them both and she wanted them to be happy.
So where does that leave you ? the voice inside her asked.
It was all very simple, really. The two of them were so obviously perfect for each other. Both tall-Diana was just the right height to look into his eyes. Both seniors-Diana was mature enough for him, and how could Cassie ever have imagined that an older guy would go for her? Both strikingly attractive, both confident, both leaders.
And both full-blooded witches, Cassie reminded herself. I'll bet he's incredibly talented-of course he's talented. Diana wouldn't have anything but the best. Because she's the best herself.
And don't forget they're childhood sweethearts. They've been together forever; they don't even see anybody else. Clearly they were made for each other.
So it was all very obvious and very simple-except then why did she feel as if there were razor blades shredding her guts? All she had to do was wish them happiness and put aside any thoughts of Adam and her together. Just resign herself to what was going to happen anyway. Just wish them luck.
That was when, clear and cold, the resolve came to her. No matter what happens, she promised, Diana will never know.
And neither will he.
If Diana found out how Cassie felt, it would upset her. She was so unselfish, she might even feel she had to do something-like give Adam up so Cassie wouldn't be hurt. And even if she didn't, she would feel awful.
So Cassie wouldn't let her know. It was as simple as that.
Not by word or look or deed, she promised herself fiercely. No matter what happens, I won't make Diana unhappy. I swear it.
A wet nose was poking at her, and soft whines sounded in her ears. Raj was complaining about the lack of attention.
“Cassie?”
And Diana was talking to her. Cassie realized what she must look like, clinging to the big dog in a daze.
“What?” she said, trying to keep her lips from trembling.
“I said, are you all right?”
Diana was looking at her, those clear green eyes full of concern. There were recent tears on the heavy lashes. Looking into those eyes, Cassie did the bravest thing she had ever done in her life. Braver than standing up to Jordan Bain-bridge and his gun, far braver than throwing herself out to rescue Sally on the hill.
She smiled.
“I'm fine,” she said, giving Raj a final pat and getting to her feet. Her voice sounded like somebody else's, incredibly false and stupid. But Diana wasn't expecting her to be false, and Diana relaxed. “I'm just-so much has happened tonight,” Cassie went on, “I guess I'm a little overwhelmed.”
Adam was opening his mouth. He was going to tell everyone, Cassie realized. He was going to tell them how he and Cassie had met and everything that happened. And then Faye, who wasn't stupid, was going to put two and two together. She was going to realize he was the boy in Cassie's poem.
And that couldn't happen. She wouldn't let it. No one must ever know.
“And you didn't introduce me yet,” she blurted out desperately to Diana. “You know I've been wanting to meet your boyfriend ever since you told me about him.”
There. It was said. Your boyfriend. Adam was looking puzzled, but Diana, innocent Diana, was looking chagrined.
“I'm sorry; I didn't, did I? Cassie, this is Adam-I know you two will like each other. He's been away-“
“Visiting,” Cassie put in feverishly as Adam opened his mouth again.
“No, not visiting. I know I told you that before, but now I can tell you the truth. He's been looking for certain-objects-that belonged to the old coven, the original one. From their records, we can tell that they had some powerful tools that somehow got lost. The Master Tools. Ever since Adam heard about them, he's been searching for them.”
“And coming back empty-handed,” Faye commented in her husky voice, amused. “I don't suppose this time is any different.”
Adam's attention was distracted. He looked at the tall black-haired girl and smiled. It was a mischievous smile, full of the promise of secrets.
“What?” said Faye cynically, and then, as he simply kept smiling at her, “What? You don't expect us to believe…”
“Adam,” Diana said, her voice changing, “are you saying that… ?”
Adam just grinned at them, then he jerked his head toward a duffel bag lying a little way down the beach. “Sean, go get that.”
Sean scuttled to get it and came back saying, “It's heavy.”
“Adam…” whispered Diana, her eyes wide.
Adam took the duffel bag from Sean and put it on the ground. “It's too bad Nick was in such a hurry to get away,” he said. “If he'd stayed, he might have seen this.” He reached inside with both hands and pulled out a skull.
Fourteen
It was the size and shape of a human skull, but it seemed to be made entirely of crystal. The moonlight reflected through it, inside it. It had grinning crystal teeth, and its hollow eye sockets seemed to be staring directly at Cassie.
There was a frozen instant, and then Faye grabbed for it.
“Uh-uh,” Adam said, holding it away from her. “No.”
“Where did you get that?” said Faye. Her voice was no longer lazy, but full of barely contained excitement.
Even through her numbness Cassie felt a twinge of apprehension at her tone, and she saw the swift glance Adam exchanged with Diana. Then he turned to Faye. “On an island.”
“Which island?”