RUNES (A Runes Book 1)

Chapter 6

6.  MARKED

“Remind me never to hitch a ride with you again,” I teased Eirik when he slid behind the wheel again and placed his camera on the tray between our seats. It was the second time he’d pulled over to take pictures of deer.

He grinned. “I couldn’t resist. Winter background can be a bit tricky. Fall colors, I can play with.”

I rolled my eyes and sat back, studying the scenery as we sped toward downtown. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate nature. I did. Vibrant fall colors were everywhere, reds mixed with yellow and orange. Of all the seasons, I loved fall the best. I just wanted to get to school as soon as possible. I couldn’t explain the anticipation. 

Okay, now I’m lying to myself. I wanted to see Torin. Last night, I’d stayed up late after Eirik left, hoping Torin would come home. He hadn’t, so I wasn’t sure whether he’d be at school or not. I had to know what the runes on my car meant and how to get rid of them. Andris and his harem would be no help, which left Torin.

We stopped at the traffic light on Main Street, then turned left toward school. Most brick buildings in downtown Kayville were old, the streets lined with mature trees. The hills and valleys surrounding the city were covered with miles and miles of vineyards. Kayville might be a small town in the middle of Oregon wine country, but we had everything any city had. We were also only about an hour from Portland.

Students hurried across Riverside Boulevard from the parking lots while others poured from the school buses lining the street. Eirik found a spot to park. While he aimed his camera at something and clicked, I reached in the back of his Jeep for my backpack. A distant purr of a motorcycle engine sent excitement through me.

Torin.

No student rode a Harley to school. A few had scooters and bikes, but majority either drove cars or took the bus. He entered the boulevard, and students turned to watch. A few pointed. Black helmet, black jeans and jacket—he looked like a renegade hell bent on disrupting the peace. I grabbed my backpack, joined Eirik, and started across the street toward the school. Eirik reached for my hand.

“You have to give it to the guy,” he murmured, chuckling.

“What?” I asked.

“Torin. He knows how to make an entrance.”

Torin parked at the curb, and the purr of the engine died. Still astride his bike, he removed his helmet, tucked it under his arm, and adjusted his sunglasses. As if possible, more girls stopped to stare. Eirik and I had reached the same side of the street when Torin reached for his backpack from the bike’s side saddle, turned, and looked directly at us.

Eirik nodded. My stomach did that senseless crazy dance I was beginning to associate with him. I averted my eyes and stared straight ahead, even though I was dying to look at him again. Still, I was aware he was behind us during the short walk to the building. My heart pounded, and I was lightheaded. Then I realized why. I was holding my breath. That was so lame.

Next second, I froze at the foot of the stairs leading to the school’s entrance, and he almost bumped into me. He said something I didn’t catch because my eyes were on the massive doors of the school. Runes crossed the bottom red wood and the top glass panel.

What was going on? Were Torin and his friends marking their territories like a pack?

“What is it? Why did you stop?” Eirik asked.

“It’s nothing,” I said slowly and glanced at Torin. He seemed just as surprised, which meant he hadn’t done this. That left Andris and his team. I was dying to ask Torin what the runes meant, but I couldn’t with Eirik around.