Free Icarians: Poisoned Dreams by Vanessa Mock, Jessie Reinking Page A

also need a loner car until hers is fixed." Analeigh was grateful that Sadie stepped in.
"I have an extra car you can use, its at the house. You can pick it up after you guys get back. Is Mason still going with you guys?"
"Oh shoot! Analeigh I forgot to ask you, Mason needs to pick up a few things and asked if he could tag along, do you mind?" She asked apologetically.
"No, I don't mind." Mason came out of the back somewhere.
"Jaxon's coming with us." He said.
"That’s great! Oh come on it will be fun." Mercedes jumped in before Jaxon could disagree.
"Sure." Then he gave her an evil look.
"We can take my car." Mason said cheerfully.
"That’s fine but I'm driving." Jaxon quickly stole the keys from Mason and made a run for it, Mason took off after him protesting. Mercedes rolled her eyes and smiled at them. "Boys."
Analeigh was shocked by Jaxon's playfulness. He kept finding new ways to surprise her. They all climbed into Mason's SUV, Analeigh was the last to get in behind Jaxon's seat. As they pulled on to the road she noticed the black car behind them. Analeigh was suddenly glad to have both Jaxon and Mason with them. Even with the car following them she new she was safe, she could see Jaxon watching the rear view mirror, he too could see the car. Analeigh wondered what he was thinking. His eyes were so blue they were astonishing. Those blue eyes shifted to hers and she quickly turned away. She hoped he couldn't see the hint of red that she knew was washing over her.
    "So what are we going to do first?" Mercedes asked from the seat beside her.
"Breakfast." Mason said.
"That sounds good I'm starving." Analeigh said in agreement.
The trip took longer than she expected. They found a small country style restaurant called Big Boys. They all ate quietly, anxious to begin the day. They stopped at a home security office and Analeigh ordered a security system. That would, to her dismay, be installed tomorrow. Next they found a Sears and she ordered new appliances to replace her grandmothers old ones.
    While there, she and Mercedes picked through paint samples for her bedroom, the guest room and the kitchen. Analeigh finally settled on a pale blue for the kitchen, an off white for the guest room and a deep ruby red for her bedroom. They let the men carry the paint to the car, all the while joking, that was the only reason they let them come was so they could carry the heavy stuff. By the end of the trip they each had new clothes, on Mercedes command. Analeigh hadn't seen the black car for about an hour. She decided that if she saw the car one more time then she would mention it to Jaxon. By the time they accomplished all they set out to do it was almost dark. Mercedes and Analeigh chatted the whole way home from the back seat.
    When they finally reached Ravenwood it was long past dark and Analeigh was a bundle of nerves.
"Listen, there is no reason for you to go home tonight, Mason is staying in our guest bedroom but we have a couch in the den that folds into a nice bed. Your welcome to it." Mercedes said as she turned to Analeigh.
Analeigh was always touched by Sadie’s generosity. She stole a glance at Jaxon who also seemed to be waiting for her answer.
"Sure if you guys don't mind. I will feel a lot better about staying there when the security system is installed tomorrow."
"Great! We have everything you will need for tonight." Mercedes said obviously pleased.
When they arrived at their house Mercedes lead her to the den.
"I have an extra toothbrush I will bring you, then I will show you where you can get cleaned up for bed." She said as she got an extra pillow and blanket down from the closet in the den. Together she and Sadie turned the couch into a bed, then she followed her into the bathroom.
"If you wait here I'll go get you some night clothes and that toothbrush."
    After she disappeared down the hall Analeigh started to remove her shoes, next she released her hair from the tight bun she had put it in this morning. With her