Unleashed by Nancy Holder Read Free Book Online Page B

they’d be called country legends. In any case, us country folks talk about haints and all like that. Her name was Haley, and her death was the hot topic until everyone heard that a movie star from Hollywood was moving here.”
    “Oh, my God, you mean me?” She burst out with a shocked guffaw, but he didn’t crack a smile. Then she realized that he was not only upset, but angry.
    “People brought teddy bears and candles, pictures, all that stuff, to school. Everyone hugging, crying. We all went to her funeral. Now it’s almost as if she never existed.” His voice lowered as he added quietly, “But I’ll never forget.”
    “I’m really sorry, Trick,” she said sincerely.
    He gave his head a shake. “I don’t mean to sound like I’m blaming you for showing up.” He slid his glance at her again, and he studied her for a second. “I just want …” And then he forced a smile onto his perfect mouth. “You just be careful, ya hear? And not just in the forest.”
    “Thanks,” she said softly. She figured he was warning her about making her way as the new girl in school. She was pretty nervous about it, too.
    He parked, came around, and before she’d been able to gather all her things, opened the door for her. The rain hadn’t let up, so they dashed along with everyone else toward the arched stone entrance.
    Steamy warmth hit her as they entered the main hall. Here they were, her schoolmates, for the time being, at least. Looking around, Katelyn started picking out the jocks and geeks, guessing at who was popular or unpopular. The clothes weren’t as upscale as in Santa Monica, nor as funky. But they weren’t wearing overalls and cutoffs, either. Mostly jeans and jackets. And she coveted the shiny purple rain boots one girl had on.
    She took a deep breath. Okay, new school, new rules. Who are you going to be, Katelyn? You have a chance to be whoever you want to be here, since nobody knows you .
    Except Trick, she realized. Her chauffer bobbed along, waving at her to hurry. As she tried to keep up, kids did double takes, realizing she was the new girl.
    Trick led her to an open office door and pointed inside. “Here,” he said. “And watch your back.”
    “I can’t watch my back. That’s physically impossible,” she replied, and he raised his brows and grinned in response.
    Then he hung a U and disappeared into the mob.
    And just like that, in a sea of people, she was all alone.

3
    K atelyn took a deep breath. She looked slowly around the hall one more time before going into the office. Behind a wooden counter sat a middle-aged woman at a desk. The woman—her nameplate read MRS. WALKER —smiled when she saw her.
    “You must be Katelyn.”
    For one wild moment she wanted to say no, that Katelyn was a girl who had a mother and went to school in Santa Monica. I’m not her anymore . The woman kept smiling and Katelyn forced herself to answer. “Yes.”
    “I’ve got your schedule printed out for you and I drew you a map. It’s crude, but it will get you where you’re going.” Mrs. Walker slid a packet to her across the counter.
    “Thanks,” Katelyn said, fighting the urge to ask if it showed the way back home.
    “You’ve got enough time to make it to your first class before the bell if you scoot. It’s out the door to the right, down the hall, fourth door on the left.”
    “Thanks,” Katelyn said again before turning to leave. Nervousness and fear washed over her as she headed out the door and down the hallway. Nothing was familiar and it wasn’t fair that she had to be starting all over again.
    She glanced down at her schedule. Her first class was history. Mr. Henderson. As soon as she walked in, the clamor died down, and all eyes focused on her. The room was almost full and she slid into a vacant seat at the back. A sea of new faces; her stomach tightened further. This was not how her life was supposed to go.
    “Hi,” a blond guy wearing a gray-and-white letter jacket said as he sat