A Shade of Innocence (The Illuminati Book 1) by Jane West

Author:Jane West [West, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Creativia
Published: 2017-10-24T06:00:00+00:00

Kicking Rocks

Saturday, when my eyes opened, a shaft of light pierced the window and tiny specs of dust floated aimlessly. I stretched, yawning.

Then memories of Bane flooded my mind. My eyes darted to the empty spot in the bed. The only signs lift of Bane was a faint woodsy scent and one long stem rose, red. I picked the flower off his pillow, careful not to prick my finger from its thorns and sniffed the delicate scent, “Hmm.” I smiled touching the rose petal to my nose. Roses always smelled like sweet pepper. A sense of giddiness licked through me as I released a heavy sigh. I wondered why he didn't wake me.

I thought I'd kick around some rocks today and venture out on my bike. This time, it would be by choice.

I stopped by Ms. Noel's first thing to see if she needed anything from the grocery store. She gave me a small list, milk, bread and butter. She added a few more coins for me in case I got hungry. Ms. Noel had a generous heart.

Still, I hated taking her money. She earned only a few bucks selling her herbs and living on a set income. No matter how much I protested, she insisted more. Reluctantly, I'd taken her offer.

I'd grown to love Ms. Noel. After my silly accident at school and no longer with a job, I'd been making deliveries to her clientele. I didn't mind helping. It eased my guilty conscious and gave me something to do.

Besides, Ms. Noel's arthritis seemed to be flaring up more than usual these days. She never said one word of complaint, but I saw it in her eyes and the stiffness in her walk.

I'd just stepped out of the Piggy Wiggly and mounted my bike when I nearly plowed into Sally. “Oh hey.”

“Hi, there!” She broke into a broad smile. It occurred to me that I'd never seen Sally with genuine emotions. Her smile reminded me of a clown with a painted smile, crimson red, masking a frown. I think the real Sally stayed coiled in a dark corner, shivering from fear.

“Where have you been the last few days?”

Sally already had her nose to the ground, snooping like a hound dog. The girl had the schnoz for gossip. Everyone at Tangi High got the same treatment. There was no exception with Sally and her wayward tongue.

“Yeah, I'd been under the weather.” I cuffed my hand over my eyes, blocking out the sun's glare.

“I heard you cracked your head wide open?” She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes.

“Yep, that's what I keep hearing.”

Oddly, my mentioning my accident felt rehearsed.

“You don't remember hitting your head?” Her thick brows slammed together.

She should tweeze those bushes, I thought snidely.

“Nope. Concussion.” I stared back at her.

“Well, you're lookin' good.” Sally's thick Southern accent struck me as odd. I didn't recall her having an accent.

“Thanks. Gotta go!”

I lifted my foot to the pedal and started to push off when Sally stepped in front of me and placed her hands on the handlebars, halting me.

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