Free Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus Page B

walking over to us, giving me a quizzical look.
    “Here you go.” Zach deposited the books in front of hisdad and quickly shoved the pricing gun in a drawer.
    “So I guess you’re done with our conversation?” I folded my arms across my chest and raised my eyebrows. I didn’t want to ask about the dream straight out, at least not when there were witnesses.
    “Phe? What is wrong with you?” Adriana hissed in my ear.
    “Nothing, I was only asking Zach a few questions.”
    “And I’m pretty sure I answered them.” Zach’s tone was a bit louder than necessary. His dad finally looked up from the papers in front of him. He looked much younger than my father, with just the slightest hint of gray in his black hair.
He must have been college age when they had Corinne
.
    “Hello.” He smiled at us. It made him look even younger and more like Zach.
    “Hi. I’m Persephone, and this is Adriana.”
    “Nice to meet you both. I’m Grant Redford.” He gave us a warm smile. “I hope you’re enjoying our little store.”
    “It’s great,” I assured him as the bell above the door rang, signaling a new guest.
    It was a guy about our age, with dark blond hair. He wore it fairly long, about chin length, and it fell around his face in a perfect prearranged way. He stared at our little group, his eyes a bottomless gray-brown completely devoid of warmth. His expression was arrogant yet sullen, and accentuated by a pouty down-turned mouth.
    “Trent.” Zach’s father nodded to the boy.
    “Hello, Grant. Zach.”
    “I hope you’re not intending on browsing long; we’re locking up soon.” Evidently, my prying questions had completely left Zach’s mind. His entire attention was focused on the newcomer. His jaw twitched as he clenched his teeth. In fact, every muscle in Zach’s body appeared to be tensed, ready to pounce.
    “I didn’t come here for a book. It’s very rare I find anything in this tiny place that I want.” Trent ran his hand over his hair as he inspected me. “Though every once in a while, I discover something I
must
have.”
    His eyes cut like a laser, as if he was gazing through my clothes, my skin, all the way to my bones and organs. My adrenaline surged.
Would it be totally insane for me to run out the front door and lock myself in the town car?
    “Get to the point, Trent,” Zach practically growled.
    “Zach.” Mr. Redford gave him a cautionary look.
    I turned to Adriana; it felt strange to be watching this interaction.
    “I came to deliver a message from my father,” Trent said to the older man. “He wants you to back off and leave it alone. His actions are in your best interests, and it would be wise of you to just accept the rewards happily.”
    “How noble of my brother to send his son to do his dirty work,” Mr. Redford answered shortly. “If that’s all, we do have some customers we were helping.”
    “Of course, Grant.” Trent nodded at Mr. Redford, then held out his hand to Zach, who grasped it so firmly the tips of his fingers glowed red with blood.
    All the little hairs on my arms were standing up straight, like the time I touched an electrostatic generator in science class. The two guys looked as if they were engaged in the most intense staring contest ever. Either that or a very disappointing round of arm wrestling. Finally, Trent let go, his expression amused despite his bright pink hand.
    “Pretty good. But you gotta keep practicing, cuz.” He winked at Zach and, after giving Adriana and me one last glance, left.
    “Sorry. I forgot to introduce you.” Grant smiled, trying to dispel some of the heaviness. “That’s my brother’s son; he’s kind of … curt.”
    Zach snorted loudly at this, eliciting a glare from his father.
    “That’s okay.” I took Adriana’s arm. “We didn’t realize you were closing so soon. I’ll come back another time.”
    “Yeah, me, too,” Adriana agreed, walking backward to the door.
    “Well, it was nice meeting the both of you,”