Eternal Read Free Page B

for you.”
    Evie stepped forward and threw her arms around me, but for an instant I felt a cold sluice of disappointment that Evie had arrived at school and sought out Josh before she had found me. And what had they been doing, huddled together in this hidden corner? Had she forgotten Sebastian already? The next moment I blamed myself for being so unkind. I was being total y oversensitive. I had no right to judge Evie. Nothing mattered except our friendship.
    I hugged her back.
    “I’m so glad you’re here, Evie. Where’s Helen? Miss Scratton told me you were arriving together.”
    “We did, about ten minutes ago. Helen said she was feeling suffocated after being stuck for hours in the train and then the taxi. She’s gone for a walk down to the vil age to get some fresh air before unpacking.”
    “Should she real y have gone on her own?”
    “Of course, why not? Our year is al owed to leave the school grounds on a Sunday.”
    That wasn’t quite what I had meant. I was thinking of the hidden dangers that could be lurking al around Wyldcliffe.
    “Evie, I’d better go,” Josh said. “I’ve got tons to do to get al the horses settled in for the night. See you later, Sarah,”
    he added casual y, pushing past me on his way out. I experienced the familiar ache as his body brushed against mine. He paused at the door and nodded to Velvet, who was staring at him appreciatively, then spoke to Evie again. “So, tomorrow after school?” Josh’s voice was warm and eager, as though ful of secret happiness. I had never seen anyone so clearly and hopelessly in love—but not with me. Of course not. “Say, five o’clock, Evie?”
    Evie looked slightly self-conscious, but she smiled back at him. “Yeah, sure. See you tomorrow.”
    He left, and there was an awkward silence. My Wyldcliffe training in perfect social manners came to the rescue. “Evie, this is a new girl, Velvet Romaine. I’ve been showing her around. She’s going to be in our class. Velvet, this is my best friend Evie Johnson.”
    “Hi there,” Velvet drawled. “Where did you find him? I thought this place was strictly al -female.”
    “Josh isn’t a student here,” Evie explained. “He works in the stables sometimes, and helps his mother give the riding lessons.”
    Josh wasn’t just Evie’s riding instructor. He was crazy about her, just as I had been crazy about him for so long.
    He had lived in Wyldcliffe al his life and knew some of its secrets, and had learned about Evie’s connection with Sebastian and the coven. But Josh hadn’t been frightened off by what seemed like an impossible situation. He had stayed loyal to Evie through everything and was here for her now, reassuringly devoted and grounded and sane.
    Not only that, he was pretty good-looking, which Velvet couldn’t fail to notice.
    “He can give me a lesson anytime.” Velvet glanced provocatively from under her glossy fringe. “Or maybe I could teach him a thing or two.”
    Evie’s smile faded, and she looked annoyed. “So are you the Velvet Romaine? The one in al the magazines?”
    “The one with the famous parents and the dysfunctional childhood and drug problems and the unsuitable boyfriends? Yeah, that one.” Velvet’s dark eyes flashed with resentment.
    “I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to—,” Evie began.
    “It doesn’t matter. I’m used to it. Like they say, I don’t give a damn.”
    I stepped in hastily. “I’d better take you to the dorm, Velvet, so you can change into your uniform. And then can we talk before supper, Evie? We could walk down to meet Helen coming back from the vil age. Have you heard that Miss Scratton is the new High Mistress? Did you know?”
    “Mmm . . . yes, some of the other girls were talking about it. . . .” Evie tore her gaze away from Velvet and turned to me. “See you at the front door in a few minutes?
    I’l wait for you there.”
    “Okay, great. Come on, Velvet, we’l have to be quick.”
    We left the stable yard and