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“I won’t be long, Mom.”
    We stepped into a room at the back of the store. Carrie moved behind a buffet table and an old wooden ice box. She smashed her back in the corner and knelt, digging in the pocket of her black capri pants.
    “Carrie, what’s going on?” I kneeled in front of her, my heart racing. She was totally acting paranoid.
    She pulled her cell phone out and looked up. “Is Nathan nearby?” she whispered.
    I listened and could hear Nathan talking to Caroline about how I was doing. “He’s still talking to your mom,” I whispered back. “What’s wrong?”
    She handed me her phone and tapped her black fingernail on the screen to read it. I read the text from Tree, and my mouth dropped.
    I knew it!
    Brayden was in town and planned on seeing me. He told Tree he’d been marked for immortality and had taken it. He also knew Nathan and I were immortal as well, but he didn’t say how he knew. This wasn’t good because the last time Brayden was here, Nathan wanted to kill him. I groaned and shook my head.
    “I didn’t want to tell you in front of Nathan because of how he feels about Brayden,” Carrie whispered. “I know it was wrong for Brayden to touch you like he had, but I thought you should know. And for the record, he is deeply sorry about that.”
    “Thanks.” I handed her phone back, torn on what to do. I could tell Nathan that Brayden was back in town, but what good would that do? Nathan already had too much to worry about. I thought about him not allowing me to go with him to see Ameerah tonight, and an idea came to me.
     “What are you going to do?”
    I leaned next to her ear and whispered, “I’m sure he’ll come to see me when Nathan isn’t around, and if he does . . . ” I paused, and flashed her a mischievous smile. “I may ask him for his help.”

 
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
    I sat back on my heels, watching what I’d just said register on Carrie’s face, uncertainty clouding her eyes. I could tell by her expression she was struggling with her loyalty to both parties, unsure which side to take. On the one hand, Brayden was our best friend, and we’d known him most of our lives. However, Nathan was also our best friend. He’d not only saved me from death more than once but Carrie and Tree as well. Carrie dropped her gaze and slowly shook her head. I knew then she was wavering to Nathan’s side.
    “Listen, Carrie,” I whispered, before she could object. “Nathan has been keeping things from me.”
    She lifted her eyes, a bit startled. “But I thought he never kept anything from you,” she said, half-whispering, looking like I just told her he cheated on me.
    “Normally he doesn’t, but he’s afraid to get me involved in fear I’ll get hurt.”
    “But you can take care of yourself now.”
    I smiled, knowing I totally had her vote now. “He’s also concerned I’d allow my emotions get in the way and--”
    She made a weird face. “Emotions?”
    I forgot I’d never told her or Tree about this part of immortality. Well, now was as good as time as ever to tell her, and at least it would get her to understand both sides of the story.
    “Immortals’ emotions are like a live wire. We feel a trillion times more than humans, and Nathan thinks I need to learn to control my emotions before he feels comfortable with me getting involved in any of this. Or, whatever.” I shrugged.
     “That’s silly,” Carrie said. “Although, last night, you were a bit snippy with us, but I have to admit, I loved what you did to Tree.”
    I grinned. “Yeah, I had fun putting him in his place.”
    She scratched her head and looked past me. The bell jingled in the front of the store, and I heard Caroline greeting the customers. But then she continued her conversation with Nathan. They were talking about antique furniture, comparing it to how poorly furniture was made today.
    “I can see why Nathan feels that way,” Carrie said almost apologetically. “You have been