Chapter 3
“Cassandra, we’re going to have guests for dinner tonight.”
That’s what my mom said as soon as I got inside the door from almost being rained on. My relaxed mood had been interrupted by my mom calling me inside and the feeling of being watched out at my hideaway. Not that I didn’t like that feeling he brought me, I had rather enjoyed it.
“Who?” I asked. She looked up from cutting the vegetables on the cutting board and gave a look at my appearance. My hair was frizzy from the humidity and my face was flushed from the encounter in the woods. I got my frizzy hair from her.
“An old friend of mine and her son,” was all she said, continuing to chop the vegetables. I hadn’t been expecting this; we rarely ever had visitors now that dad wasn’t around.
“Make sure you’re presentable. They are rather…fashionable.” I frowned at what she said. What kind of visitors were these? I decided to let it go; I had too much on my mind. I started to walk up the stairs, thinking of what I was going to wear.
I remembered the dress Marcy had let me borrow for one of the dances last year that was still in my closet. I smiled, knowing what I was going to wear, and grabbed a towel from the closet. I was going to take a warm, refreshing shower. And then I was determined I was going to look my best.
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I looked in the mirror at my appearance. I was stunned at what a shower and makeup could do. My long dark brown hair was curled lightly in loose ringlets, and I had made sure to put hairspray in it to keep it from frizzing. I hoped it would work.
My dress was one shouldered and went down to my mid-thigh, enhancing the effect of my long legs, and I mentally thanked Marcy for forgetting it at my house. I would tell her tomorrow. I had added a smoky eye shadow to my eyelids, bringing out my green eyes with a dramatic effect. I actually felt pretty for once.
I usually wasn’t the one to wear makeup except for special occasions, but something told me that I should dress up tonight.
I checked my appearance one more time and then started going downstairs.
A loud laugh made my feet stop on the steps halfway down. I could hear my mother and an older lady talking about old times, and I wondered when exactly that had met and how they knew each other. I heard glasses clinking and then started descending down the stairs.
When I stepped into the kitchen, my mother looked at me with a bright smile, and I could tell she was happy with my outfit choice, even if it was a little short.
“Cassandra, please meet Vi and her son, Aidan.” My eyes went to the woman smiling at me with a cold smile that immediately sent an icy sensation down my spine. My guards went up instantly. As if I knew what to do, I offered her my hand without wanting to. An instinct told me that I should not displease this woman. Her blonde hair went down to her chest and it was completely straight. It looked frozen in place.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She oozed, the words coming out of her mouth so elegantly with a trace of venom. They sounded wrong. Forced. Her hand met mine, and a chill ran through my arms. Goosebumps ran throughout my body. Her gold eyes raked over me, as if assessing every inch of my body with just one look. They reminded me of a predator about to catch their prey.
I knew that feeling.
“You too.” I told her, but I didn’t mean it. I wanted to bolt up to my room and close the door where no one could get me.
She released her grip on me and motioned towards the boy standing behind her. I focused on his dark hair until his gaze lifted to mine ever so slowly, making it seem like he was hesitant to make eye contact.
