The Secret Circle: The Hunt by Smith L. J

Author:Smith, L. J. [Smith, L. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc.
Published: 2012-09-10T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

How could Adam be so stubborn? And so stupid? He didn’t stand a chance against Scarlett by himself. Cassie hurried out of Adam’s house in a panic and headed straight to Diana’s. Diana would know what to do.

She banged on the glossy front door of Diana’s lemon-yellow house, but nobody answered. Not again, Cassie thought. She was ready to do another unlocking spell when she tried the nickel handle. It clicked easily beneath her thumb. The door was unlocked. Cassie stepped inside the house’s slick foyer and called Diana’s name. Her voice echoed off the polished mantel and brass knickknacks.

There was no answer, but the thumping bass of too-loud music echoed from Diana’s bedroom. That explained why she hadn’t heard Cassie knocking. Cassie made her way up to Diana’s room and pushed open her door.

“Diana?” she said, as the image before her registered. Diana wasn’t alone. She was on the bed with—

“Oh my God.” It was Max. And he was kissing Diana. And she was kissing him back.

“Cassie!” Diana screamed, pulling away from Max hastily. “What are you doing here?”

“The door was open,” Cassie stuttered. “I tried knocking, but—I’m sorry.”

Max jumped from the bed to a standing position and in one quick motion turned off the music. “It’s not what it looks like,” he said. He was up on the balls of his feet and his tanned calves were flexed, like he was poised to sidestep the rush of a full-on attack.

“It’s okay.” Diana looked sympathetically at Max. “It was only a matter of time before someone found us out. At least it’s Cassie.”

Max settled back on his heels and ran his hands through his hair. Then he dug around on the floor for his socks and sneakers. “You two probably need to talk,” he said in a voice that sounded like an apology. “I should go.”

“You don’t have to leave,” Diana said to him, softly. “Just give us a minute.”

Cassie stepped aside as Max staggered toward the doorway, avoiding her eyes. “I’ll be downstairs.” He closed the door behind him, and Cassie turned to Diana.

“Please let me explain,” Diana said, without giving Cassie a chance to react.

Cassie didn’t know what to say. She needed to tell Diana about Adam going to the Mission House—it was a matter of life and death. But before she could get out even one word, Diana broke into tears.

“This secret has been killing me.” Diana’s emerald-green eyes grew pink with emotion. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just … I knew it would be hard for anyone to understand.”

Cassie sat down on the soft-feathered bedspread across from Diana and let her talk. She’d obviously been holding this in for a while and needed to get a lot off her chest.

“When I started spending time with Max,” Diana said, “I found myself really liking him. It might not seem like it, Cassie, but he’s charming, and sweet. And despite how he sometimes acts in school, he doesn’t care what anyone else thinks.”

“I don’t doubt it.

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