Free Chosen by Kristin Cast, P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast Page B

more and more. “Yep. I will be wearing those
fiiiine
boots.” I mimicked Shaunee.
    â€œThe cashmere scarf wasn’t exactly cheap, either,” Damien said haughtily. “Did I mention it’s cashmere? One hundred percent.”
    â€œMore times than we can count,” Erin mumbled.
    â€œI love me some cashmere,” I assured him.
    Jack was frowning and looking at his feet. “My snow globe wasn’t that expensive.”
    â€œBut it’s cute, and it follows the snowman theme, perfectly matching my gorgeous snowman necklace, which I’m never going to take off.” I smiled up at Erik.
    â€œEven in the summer?” He asked.
    â€œEven in the summer,” I said.
    Erik whispered, “Thanks, Z.” And kissed me softly.
    â€œFeeling my gorge rise again,” Shaunee said.
    â€œPuking a little bit in my mouth,” Erin said.
    Erik hugged me one more time before jogging after the already-retreating Jack and Damien. Over his shoulder he called, “So do I tell Cole and T. J. that you two aren’t really into the whole kissing thing.”
    â€œDo and we’ll kill you,” Shaunee said sweetly.
    â€œYou’ll be dead like a rock,” Erin said, just as sweetly.
    I echoed Erik’s fading laughter as I grabbed my lavender pot, hugged
Dracula
to my bosom, and went into the dorm with my friends. And I began to actually think that maybe I could figure out a solution to the Stevie Rae issue and we could all be together again.
    Sadly, that thought proved to be as naïve as it was impossible.

 
    Â 
    Â 
    Â 
    Â 
CHAPTER SEVEN
    Â 
    Â 
    Â 
    Saturday evening (which is really our Saturday morning) is usually a lazy time. Girls hang around the dorm in pj’s and nappy, uncombed hair, sleepily eating bowls of cereal or cold popcorn and staring at reruns on the different wide-screen TVs in the dorm’s main room. So it’s not surprising that Shaunee and Erin gave me confused, groggy frowns when I grabbed a granola bar and a can of brown pop (
not
diet, eesh) and appeared between their glazed stares and the TV.
    â€œWhat?” Erin said.
    â€œZ, why are you so awake?” Shaunee said.
    â€œYeah, it’s not healthy to be perky so early,” Erin said.
    â€œExactly, Twin. Each person has only so much perkiness. If they use it up early in the day, then it’s gone and you’re left with grumpiness,” Shaunee said.
    â€œI’m not perky. I’m busy.” Thankfully, that stopped their lecture. “I’m going to go to the library to research some ritual stuff.” That wasn’t a lie. They just assumed I was talking about the coming Full Moon Ritual when I was actually talking about a ritual to make poor undead-dead Stevie Rae un-undead. “While I’m doingthat, I want you guys to find Damien and Erik and tell them that we’re going to meet under the tree by the wall at—” I glanced at my watch. “It’s five thirty right now. I should be done with my research by seven-ish. So how about we meet at seven fifteen?”
    â€œ ’Kay,” the Twins said.
    â€œBut how come we’re meeting?” Erin said.
    â€œOh, sorry. Erik is going to be representing earth tomorrow.” I swallowed around the sudden clog in my throat. The Twins looked equally sad. Clearly, none of us had really gotten over Stevie Rae, even those of us who believed she was dead. “Erik thought that it might be a good idea to practice casting a circle before the actual ritual. You know, what with all the rest of us having elemental affinities and him not. I thought it was a good idea, too.”
    â€œYeah . . . sounds good . . . ,”the Twins mumbled.
    â€œStevie Rae wouldn’t want us to mess up a ritual because we’re missing her,” I said. “She’d be all
Y’all better act right and not make big ol’ butts outta yourselves
.”My twang made the Twins