Banished: Book 1 of The Grimm Laws (8 page)

A
lexander looked
up at the ominous dark clouds churning overhead. A storm was coming. Hallelujah! It was about time. He was ready. His pulse quickened with a feverish intensity. Waiting for it all to unfold was maddening. How he’d wanted to find her before now. To steal a glimpse of her, if only for a moment. Knowing that she was somewhere in the world, living her life independent of him, had been excruciating, but Merek had forbidden him from making first contact. “You must wait until the first segment of the plan is put into motion,” he warned. “If you disobey me on this, Alexander, then the entire plan will be null and void. You must follow the rules with exactness. No divergence.”

“How will I know when the first segment of the plan is put into motion?” he’d asked.

Merek gave him that enigmatic smile that was both wise and chastising. “Your blood will run blue, and the waters of understanding will issue forth in abundance.”

As usual, he couldn’t make sense of Merek’s cryptic riddle, but this morning, he understood. Merek allowed each of them to bring one token with them to this new realm, and he’d chosen the ring—a token of her love for him, a gift that she’d tearfully thrust in his hand all of those years ago, just before he went off to war. He’d worn it on his right finger for many years, but when things between them turned ugly, he removed the ring from his finger and wore it on a chain around his neck. Once he’d entered this world, he placed the ring on his right finger again. It was faded gold with a ruby inset in the center. “The red is a symbol of our love and strength,” she’d told him. “The fire will forever burn between us.” How right she was. The fire between them forever burned, but the trick was how to avoid getting consumed by it.

This morning, the stone had turned blue. If he had any doubts that the turning of the stone might’ve been a coincidence, the dry creek running beside his home had mysteriously filled with gushing water. The neighbors were stupefied, as the creek had been dry for as long as any of them could remember, but Alexander knew it was a sign. He left his home this morning feeling more rejuvenated than he had in years. He would now be able to find her. What he didn’t expect was for her to find him first.

He’d been preparing for an afternoon staff meeting with the teachers when it happened. The phone on his desk rang. “Principal Kingsley, you have a call on line one. Her name is Wisteria Porter, and she says she’s looking for a job. I told her that all of the teaching positions are filled, but she insisted that I let her speak to you,” his secretary finished in a crisp, professional tone.

Alexander jumped and nearly spilled his mug of coffee. For a second, he was speechless, as if his throat were trying to swallow his tongue.

“Hello … Principal Kingsley, I can’t hear you. Are you there? Would you like for me to take a message?”

“No, I’ll take it,” he squeaked, and then attempted to clear his throat. “Thank you, Jenna,” he said, finally getting control of his voice. “Put her through.”

H
e’d arranged
to meet her at his favorite restaurant. Understandably, she was surprised by his request.

“Are you sure it wouldn’t be better if I stopped by the school instead?” she asked.

His hands went sweaty when he picked up on the wariness in her tone. He hastily explained that he would be tied up in meetings the remainder of the week but that he had a couple of hours open this evening. When she still seemed hesitant, he added. “Normally, I would suggest that we reschedule for next week, but I have an immediate opening for an English teacher, so I need to speak to you right away.” That had sealed the deal. Of course, it was a lie. He didn’t need a new English teacher. Miss Caskill had been there for at least twenty years and didn’t have any intention of going anywhere else. He would have to figure out a way around that. In the other world, he would’ve simply gotten rid of her—problem solved. But unfortunately, that was against the rules in this realm, so he would have to think of another way. As he approached the door of the restaurant, he pushed all thoughts of Miss Caskill aside. This night was about him and Wisteria. It was a night for reunions. A night for rejoicing. Of course, Wisteria wouldn’t recognize him. He smiled. It was a night to begin anew. “Thank you, Merek,” he whispered. “Thank you for giving me a second chance. I won’t blow it this time.”

Time seemed to slow when he spotted her, sitting at a table in the back of the restaurant. Fear gripped him like nothing he’d ever felt, surpassing all wars and battles with men and beast he’d ever fought. He trembled at the realization of how this woman could affect him.

The warm glow of the restaurant lights made her look innocent and vulnerable, the way she had so many years ago when they’d first met … before everything bad happened between them.

Her hand went to her wavy raven hair and she tossed it over her shoulder as if she knew someone was studying her. He squared his shoulders and took a step closer, then paused and rubbed his clammy hands on the sides of his pants. What if Merek was wrong? What if she recognized him? What if she remembered everything and was just waiting for him to appear so she could exact her revenge? He closed his eyes for a second, chasing the negative thoughts out of his mind. He could do this. He
would
do this.

Wisteria stood and extended her hand to Alexander when he stopped at her table. “Good evening. You must be Alexander,” she said in that husky voice that forever haunted his nights. He could tell from her relaxed expression that she thought they were meeting for the first time. Relief and disappointment flooded through him simultaneously.

“Thank you for coming, Wisteria.” He bowed slightly and raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.

A puzzled expression flashed across her face and then disappeared. He cleared his throat and cursed himself, instantly recognizing his blunder. It wasn’t customary to bow and kiss a woman’s hand in this world. Merek had warned him about such things, and at the first sight of Wisteria, he’d forgotten everything.

She sat down, and Alexander took the seat across from her. She was just as beautiful as he remembered with her high cheekbones and arresting violet eyes, but she was different somehow. He studied the fine lines around her eyes and mouth. She seemed strained—worried perhaps and more subdued in this realm, more like the young Wisteria he once knew rather than the vengeful woman she’d eventually become. He lost himself for a moment in the memories of the past but then remembered where they were. She didn’t know who he was. He would do well to remember that. It was on his lips to apologize for his boldness but then he saw her expression. She was completely unaffected by his scrutiny. In fact, she was studying him as intently as he’d been studying her—almost as though she remembered him. He brushed off the thought. No, his mind was playing tricks on him. She couldn’t possibly remember. It was impossible.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but there’s something familiar about you.”

He chuckled nervously as a rivulet of sweat rolled down his back. “I get that a lot.”

She cocked an eyebrow, her full lips curving into a smile. “Do you now.”

Heat crept up his neck. She was teasing him, flirting a little. So, the old Wisteria was in there after all. The thought pleased him immensely. He loved her fierce will that was as strong as his if not more so. In the other world, she’d been his equal in every sense of the word. He watched as she reached for her water glass and took a long drink. When she placed the glass back on the table, he noticed that her hand was dangerously close to his. He had the strong urge to place his hand over hers. It jolted him so much that he balled his hand into a fist and put it under the table—just to be on the safe side. He couldn’t lose control. To her, he was the principal of Castle High and a potential employer, nothing more.

He cleared his throat. “So, tell me about your family.”

“My husband was killed in a car accident a few years ago, and my son and I have been on our own ever since.”

It was all he could do to keep his face expressionless when all the while his heart was leaping with joy. She was single! No attachments! This was going to be easier than he’d thought. “I’m sorry for your loss,” he said, giving her a sorrowful expression.

“Thank you.” She paused. “How about you?”

“Me?”

She gave him a pointed look. “Yes, tell me about your family.”

The question caught him off guard. He was so used to asking all of the questions, being in complete control. He had to bite back a smile. “My wife and I got divorced five years ago. She lives in California. I have a teenage son, Edward.”

She began fiddling with her napkin. “Is there a significant other?”

His eyes met hers. “You are direct.”

She gave him that sultry smile that he loved so much. “I find that life is much easier that way.”

He chuckled, relishing in the sophisticated tone of her voice. “Yes, it most certainly is. No, there is no significant other,” he said meaningfully. He gave her a longing look, his eyes conveying all that his tongue couldn’t.

She looked pleased.

The spell was broken when the server came and placed a glass of water in front of him and then proceeded to take their orders. They became polite strangers once more. Alexander waited until the server left and then asked his next question. “What brought you to Tower Heights?”

“My husband has a brother that lives here. I wanted my son to grow up around family.” She shrugged. “And since I have no family to speak of, I decided that we should come here to start over. The past couple of years have been particularly difficult for Rush. Losing a parent is not something that you really ever get over.” She gave him a slight smile tinged with sadness. A shadow crossed his heart. She would never forgive him for what he did in their former life—not if she ever remembered.

She gave him a searching look. “Are you okay? You look a little pale.”

He forced a smile. He’d always been an open book where Wisteria was concerned. That she would be able to read him so accurately in this world should have come as no surprise. “Of course. I’m just so sorry for your loss,” he said mechanically.

Her eyes grew moist, and she looked away.

Her hand was so close. How he longed to comfort her, to protect her. To be the man he could’ve been if only she’d given him the chance. His eyes met hers, and the age-old flame leapt up between them. The tension was so strong it was nearly palpable. It took every ounce of control he could muster not to throw caution to the wind and sweep her up in his arms. He smiled inwardly when he saw her blink rapidly a couple of times and pull at her collar. She looked embarrassed, as if she had felt it too. Good.

“Where does your son attend school?”

She looked at him in surprise. “Why yours, of course. I thought you knew.”

“No … I … um …” Heat crept into his neck. “How long has he been attending Castle High?”

“Since the beginning of the school year. We moved to Tower Heights this past summer.”

He felt as though the ground had suddenly given way beneath him. Wisteria had been in the same town since the summer, and he hadn’t known. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He smiled at her. “Well, I’m glad that our paths have crossed … finally.”

“Yes, me too.”

He reached in his coat pocket and removed a sheet of paper containing the résumé she’d emailed to him earlier in the day. He assumed his principal role as he asked her several questions about her experience. A few minutes later, he folded it and put it away. “From the looks of your résumé, I have to say you’re a perfect match for the position we have open.” They spent a few minutes talking about the particulars of the job. He outlined the compensation package, and then asked her the most important question of all. “Do you think this position would be something you’re interested in?” He held his breath as he awaited her answer.

Wisteria smiled. “Yes, I think this is the perfect fit for me and my son.”

He let out a breath and a wave of exultation washed over him. “Good, now that business is out of the way, we can enjoy our dinner.” He gave her a calculated look, wondering how far he could push things between them. “It’s not often that I get the opportunity to have such a …” his eyes traveled over her face and lingered on her lips … “
stimulating
dinner companion, so I’m going to savor every second.”

She rewarded him with a brilliant smile. “Here’s to us.” She raised her glass.

“Yes,” he agreed, bringing his glass to hers. “To us.”
This time around, there would be no mistakes. This time, he would do everything humanly possible to keep her.

E
lle’s heart
was pumping a mile a minute as she paused on the front steps of the school, looking up at the double doors—that ominous threshold that marked her reentry into school.
You can do this
, she kept repeating over and over again in her mind. This was to be her first full day back after the accident. She’d gone a couple of half days last week, but this was the real deal—no turning back now.

In a strange turn of events that she still found hard to believe, she’d been elected homecoming attendant while she was still in the hospital. According to Rae, the election was held four days after she came out of the coma. “You’re the only girl I know that’s so popular that she’s voted homecoming attendant while still in the hospital,” Rae had told her.

Elle frowned at that. “Maybe they elected me because they felt sorry for me.”

Rae scoffed. “No way. They love you. That’s why they voted for you.” She flashed a cocky smile. “Of course it didn’t hurt to have Edward and me heading up your campaign.”

Edward.
What must he think of her after that stunt that Rush pulled on the field? She squared her shoulders. Time to face the music—for better or worse.

Someone pushed her hard in the back, almost causing her to fall. She spun around, her anger igniting in a flash. “Josselyn! What are you doing?”

Josselyn laughed and walked past her up the stairs. “The first day jitters are a beast, sis.” She flashed a snarky smile over her shoulder. “Give
Edward my regards. Oh, I forgot, he’s no longer talking to you.” She flicked the ends of her hair. “My bad. Ta ta!”

Elle shook her head in disgust. She was really starting to hate that girl. She squared her shoulders and walked up the steps and into the front office. The woman behind the desk recognized her instantly. “Elle,” she said warmly. “We’ve been expecting you.” She stood and walked over to the counter. “I’m Mrs. Spinnet, Principal Kingsley’s secretary.” She handed Elle a sheet of paper. “This is your schedule.”

“Thanks.” Elle reached for it and glanced down at the paper, wondering all the while how she would possibly be able to find any of the rooms. The woman seemed to be reading her mind. She cast her a look of pity.

“You probably already know this, but you and Edward Kingsley share lockers. Get him to show you the combination. All of your books are in your locker.”

She looked up, her eyes wide. Great! Just what she needed!

“On behalf of myself and the rest of the staff, we want you to know that we’re so glad that you’re doing well after your … accident. I’ll get a student to show you where your first class is located. If you need any additional help during the day, come back to the office.”

“Thanks,” Elle mumbled, feeling like a complete imbecile. The door opened behind her, but she didn’t bother to look around.

Mrs. Spinnet motioned. “You there, could you please show Elle where her first class is located?”

“I can do that.”

She froze, recognizing at once that cocky voice. She turned. “You!”

Rush lifted an eyebrow. “Do you want my help or not?”

She groaned inwardly. The last thing she wanted to do was to give credence to the rumors. The minute people saw them walking down the hall together, any chance she had with Edward would be shot. Then again, Edward had made absolutely no effort to contact her over the weekend, so it was most likely a lost cause anyway.

“Is there a problem here?” Mrs. Spinnet said.

“No, there’s no problem,” Elle said quickly. She gave Mrs. Spinnet a curt smile. “Thanks for your help.”

Rush held the door open for her. “After you.”

When they stepped into the hall, he reached for her schedule. “Let’s see, your first period class is English with Miss. Caskill.” He motioned with his head. “This way.”

All eyes were on them as they walked down the hall. Elle kept her gaze fixed straight ahead, trying to keep as much distance between them as possible. “I’m sure you’re loving this,” she muttered through gritted teeth.

He gave her a dark look. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

Not knowing how to respond, she clamped her mouth shut. She wanted to rip his smug, good-looking head right off his neck. He was the one that had caused the problem to begin with. If he hadn’t kissed her on the field then everyone wouldn’t be staring at them right now and Edward would still be speaking to her.

“Here we are.”

She rolled her eyes. “Thanks!” She stepped into the room and cringed when she heard the catcall coming from the back corner. Her face went hot, and she glared at the direction of the guys in the back. Then she realized that Rush had also walked into the room. “What’re you doing?” she whispered.

He shrugged. “Going to class, same as you.” He walked past her and took a seat.

Miss Caskill turned, and it was obvious from the look of disdain on her face that she was still irate over the events of the homecoming game. “Miss Worthington, we’re glad to see you with us again. I trust that there won’t be any more shenanigans between you and Rush Porter. You made a mockery out of homecoming, but you will not make a mockery out of my classroom. Is that clear?”

This brought a few jeering chortles from the guys and a disgusted smirk from the ebony-haired girl on the front row.

She wanted to wither up and die. “Yes,” she croaked.

“Very good, you may take that empty desk over there,” she said, pointing to the desk immediately in front of Rush.

She went to the desk and sat down, pointedly ignoring him.

“Way to go, Rush, that was a sweet kiss,” she heard the guy in the adjacent row whisper.

A lump formed in her throat. She felt totally and completely humiliated. Could this day get any worse?

No sooner had she thought the words then she looked up and saw Edward walk into the room. His eyes met hers for one brief moment, long enough for him to give her a scathing look, before he sat down in the middle of the group of guys in the far back corner.

Yes, the day was obviously going to get worse … much worse.

A
fter English was over
, Elle was left with no other choice but to follow Edward to the locker.

“Hey,” she said.

Rather than answering, he threw open the locker, shoved in his English book, and retrieved a thick math book. He was movie-star handsome with his ultra-white teeth, blonde hair, and hazel eyes, but his features were softer where Rush’s were more rugged.

“I said,
hey
,” she said louder, touching his arm.

He jerked away. “Not now, Elle.”

A flash of anger took hold. “You can ignore me all you want, you egotistical jerk, but the fact is that if you’d escorted me out on the field Friday night like you promised then I wouldn’t have been on the field with Rush to begin with. So, get out of my way, and let me get my science book!” Then she pushed him. He looked shocked but then held up a hand.

“No problem,” he said, turning on his heel and walking away.

“
E
lle
, over here.” Elle clutched her lunch tray while looking over at Rae who was waving at her. A wave of relief washed over her. She’d been afraid that she wouldn’t have anyone to sit with at lunch. Rae hadn’t been in any of her classes thus far. She was wondering when she would see her. She sat down directly in front of Rae who flashed her a huge smile. “It’s so good to have you back, don’t you agree, girls?”

Elle looked around at the
girls
in question. She recognized the one sitting beside her. It was the raven-haired girl that had given her the hateful smirk in English class. The girl didn’t look nearly as happy to see her as Rae had. Rae did the introductions. “Since Elle can’t remember anyone, I’ll do the honors.” She pointed to the girl. “This is Lynessa.”

She rolled her eyes and flicked her long hair over her shoulder. “Charmed.”

“This is Mindy.” Rae pointed to the cute, thin-faced girl with shoulder-length brown hair.

“Hi,” Elle said.

At least Mindy had the decency to smile and say hello.

“Last but not least, this is Brook.” Rae pointed to the sophisticated blonde with acrylic nails that were artfully painted in a red and purple geometric pattern.

Brooke made a face. “Is it true that you don’t remember anything?” Her voice had the bored, languid tone of an upscale fashion model, the kind that had lived off of wealth and beauty for so long that it was now a given. She wore her
snub-the-world
expression as an afterthought—slung over her shoulder like last season’s handbag.

“Yes,” Elle admitted.

“That’s so sad.” Brooke’s shapely lips went down into a frown.

Why did Elle get the feeling that these girls were relishing in her discomfort? Had she really been friends with them? They seemed so catty and superficial.

“Now don’t go putting Elle on the spot.” Rae gave Brooke a warning look. “She’s had a rough time of it.” Rae chuckled. “They’re just afraid you’re gonna work their butts off at practice this afternoon.”

Practice. Panic rolled over her. She couldn’t even remember how to get to her classes, much less how to hold a cheerleading practice.

Lynessa smirked. “Don’t look so petrified. Cheering is like riding a bike, you never forget.” She took a bite of yogurt. “And if you do, then there will be others who can take your place.”

“How rude!” Rae exclaimed.

“What?” Lynessa went doe-eyed. “I just meant that others can take her place until she starts to remember things. Geez, Rae, you take everything so literally.”

Rae smirked. “I know exactly what you meant. You’re just sulking because Elle won homecoming attendant and you didn’t.” Her jade eyes glittered with satisfaction.

A light went on in Elle’s head. Josselyn had mentioned something about Lynessa and how they’d been rivals since childhood. It was all starting to come together.

Lynessa turned to Elle. “You made quite a spectacle of yourself with that bad-boy druggie.”

Heat crept up her neck. Why did everyone keep referring to Rush as a
druggie
? “It was a misunderstanding,” she said stiffly.

Lynessa laughed. “Some misunderstanding. From the looks of things, I’d say the two of you have a pretty good understanding of one another.” She gave Elle a shrewd look. “No one’s denying that Rush is a hottie with those piercing blue eyes … and that bod …” She let out a wicked chuckle. “I wouldn’t mind sharing a few moments with him myself, but dating him?” A look of disdain crossed her perfect features. “Really, Elle? You’ve stooped to a new low … even for you. Bad-boy doesn’t travel in the same circles we do.”

The hair on Elle’s neck stood on end. The thoughts of Lynessa with Rush jolted her more than words could express. Like she would ever let that happen—
over her dead body!
She wanted to rip Lynessa’s raven hair out, one thread at a time. “You don’t know Rush like I do,” she said quietly.

“Obviously,” Lynessa sneered, looking at Brooke. They both laughed.

“And since when do we concern ourselves with social circles?” Elle wanted to know.

Lynessa let out an incredulous laugh and looked at her like she’d sprouted another head. “You wrote the book on social circles, Elle. I don’t know what happened to you during your …” she made quotation marks in the air “…
accident
, but this is too much.” She shook her head. “Who are you?”

“I’m starting to wonder,” Brooke said, dragging her nails through her long hair.

Elle’s eyes narrowed and she had the unreasonable urge to stand up and scream at the top of her lungs. Had she been as shallow as these girls? Lynessa was savoring the last bite of yogurt, her tongue lingering on the spoon like a cat lapping up the final drop of milk from the bowl. There was something predatory about the wretched girl that set her on edge. And at the moment, the cat was having her fun tormenting the mouse. Elle straightened in her chair. She flat out refused to be anyone’s mouse or prey. She wanted to take that spoon Lynessa was holding and shove it up her nose.

Lynessa placed the spoon on the plate and started peeling off the layers of an orange. Her voice became thoughtful … calculating. “The question is—where does that leave poor Edward?” Her eyes met Elle’s. “I think it’s terrible the way you treated Edward,” she purred. “He’s such a good person, and to think you chose
him
,” she cast a hateful look to where Rush was sitting, “over Edward.” She shuddered. “Horrid!”

Rush seemed to sense their attention. He cast a blistering look at Lynessa who laughed. “The brooding type! I love it!” Interest sparked in her black eyes, and she lifted a sculpted eyebrow. “I’ll have to keep my eye on that one,” she murmured.

Elle threw down her fork with a loud
plink
, causing Lynessa to flinch. She’d had about enough of this hateful diva for one day. “Not that it’s any of your business,” she countered hotly. “But if
poor
Edward had been a real man and escorted me onto the field like he said he would, then none of this would’ve happened.” She leaned forward into Lynessa’s space, her voice honing in on the kill. “What’s the problem, Lynessa? Are you interested in Edward? Is that what this is all about?” She looked pointedly in Rush’s direction. “Or are you just gathering a collection of my leftover crumbs?”

Lynessa started blinking rapidly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re way out of line.”

Elle felt a swell of vindication when she heard the tremor in Lynessa’s voice, but then she saw the shocked expressions on Mindy and Brooke’s faces. Rae looked more disappointed than shocked. She’d gone too far. Perhaps she was the terrible person that Josselyn accused her of being.

She turned to Lynessa, her voice taking on a kindness that she didn’t feel. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. Things have been a little tense since the accident.”

Rae put a hand over hers, and Elle could tell from her soft expression that all was instantly forgiven and forgotten. “No worries, Elle. We’re just so glad you’re back with us, aren’t we?”

“Yes,” Rae and Mindy chimed.

Lynessa nodded, but Elle could see the malice brimming in her black eyes. It was crystal clear that she was anything but glad that Elle had come back. Well, she could add Lynessa to the long list of enemies that was piling up faster than the cafeteria garbage cans over in the corner.