Banish Me

To Blame or Not To Blame

He looked confused. “Would you be something else?”

“Something like that.”

“So you know what I am, I presume?”

“The chilly first impression gave it away.”

He laughed and I gave him a frosty smile. His laugh was completely different from his brother. It was very unsettling how cold he could sound. I looked over his shoulder at the field and spotted Peter’s familiar silhouette approaching.

Relief was definitely my first emotion. My second was worry considering he’d asked me not to talk to this guy alone.

“Well, Mr. Paramore, I have to bring this lovely conversation to a close.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s time for me to go.”

I got up, having already packed up all my study materials. Book in and, I started walking towards Peter who was halfway across the field.

“Wait,” Darken said, reaching out and touching my shoulder.

I froze instantly and turned around to face him. “What?” I said carefully.

“Your name, ma’am. My I have it?”

Good lord. “I thought you already knew it. You said…”

“I know of whom you are, not your name.”

I felt a familiar warm hand touch the small of my back and then slip into my hand. I looked to my right and smiled. Peter stood next to me, his eyes fixed on Darken.

“Who’s your new friend?”

I wanted to laugh but I kept everything under control. Peter knew exactly who he was but he wanted me to confirm it.

“Peter Marks, meet Darken Paramore. The new student and my new neighbor.”

“Hi,” Peter said extending his hand.

Darken took it reluctantly and they shook for the briefest amount of time I didn’t even think they got to the shaking part.

“Hello,” Darken said in his light Russian accent.

Peter turned his attention back to me, obviously done sizing up the new kid. He gave me a restrained smile and I could tell he was a little mad at me. “Ready to go?”

“Sure.”

“Wait. You’re not coming to dinner?”

I looked at Darken and shook my head. “I’m having dinner with my father and Peter’s family.”

“Oh,” his face fell and I instantly felt like I’d kicked a puppy, “I’ll see you later then.”

I nodded curtly and turned to leave, giving him a small wave as I went.

“That was weird,” Peter said, putting his SUV in gear.

“He’s just a little insistent.”

“A little? Did you see the guy’s face after you told him you weren’t going to dinner?”

“Peter,” I warned. “I think he was just trying to be nice.”

He looked over at me and then back at the road. He really wanted to make another comment but the look on his face told me he wasn’t going to. There was no reason to be possessive or even worried. Darken was harmless, at least I thought so. His powers were just a little out of control. I still hadn’t given him his brother’s message but I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing to do. I didn’t want him thinking I was crazy. I mean, how weird would it be if someone walked up to me with a message from my mother?