Dead of Summer

“No violent exhibitions,” I go on, hand on my hip. “No fighting. Fake, or otherwise.”

“Mhmm.” It’s not worth having this talk with the rest of my kids as the sun sets and everyone gathers around the biggest campfire. Tonight, instead of ranging around it in a loose circle, we’ve dragged the logs over from other areas to create ‘rows’ of seats, and whichever cabin is doing their talent will have the whole ‘stage’ area in front of the fire itself.

Well, not too close to the fire. None of them needs an opportunity to fall into the flames. The last thing we need tonight is a hospital trip, which is why I’m having the talk with Melody now.

“Can I have a different one?” Melody lifts the necklace off of her shoulders and as I lean down for another pack of them, she tosses it over my head unexpectedly. “Pink is way more your color.”

I snort but don’t argue, instead thumbing through until I can find a light blue one while kicking myself for not planning which one to give her earlier. Melody is not a lover of pink, and I should’ve remembered. “Sorry,” I murmur, giving her the blue one instead. She smiles, grateful, and slips it over her head before patting my hand.

“It’s okay,” she promises. “We all make mistakes. I won’t kill anyone, hurt anyone, or set anything on fire, in case that’s where this is going next.” She rolls her eyes, and it strikes me again how mature she is for her age. Though with her, I’m never sure if that’s a good thing.

Melody is insanely intelligent, yes, but there’s something about her I don’t quite understand. Something in her eyes unnerves me and always makes me itch.

But it’s probably just the arrogance of being twelve and having a cabin full of kids willing to follow her to the ends of the earth.

She grins once more before walking off in the direction of the Redtail girls, probably telling them I’ve shot down their dreams of sawing one of Daniel’s boys in half and only announcing later it’s not a magic trick. I’m so distracted by my concerns that it takes Kayde clearing his throat beside me for me to even notice, let alone jump.

“You in a better mood?” I can’t help but mumble, shoving my hands in my pockets.

“Was I ever in a bad mood?” he’s quick to ask, but the smooth, amused edge is back in his voice, instead of whatever was there this morning.

I turn to look at him, brows raising just enough for me to show how incredulous I am at his words. “You’re joking.” It isn’t a question, and I nervously shove my hands into my back pockets.

“Am I?” He blinks and tilts his head down to me, a small smile on his face. “Why do you think I was in a bad mood, babe?”

Babe is a bit of a new one, or at least one I’m noticing now more than before. I don’t understand it, for one. Why refer to me with this kind of affectionate nickname outside of our nightly deal time? Is it some extra part of his game? Or another way to humiliate and embarrass me in front of everyone?

I bite my lower lip thoughtfully, aware of Kayde’s eyes on my face while I think. I want to ask, I think. But I’m also not sure I want to sour his mood by digging into his business. Asking where he’d gone this morning, or where he’d been, already pissed him off enough.

Even if he isn’t willing to admit it now.

“You just weren’t nice,” I mutter, and instantly regret the words. Kayde is never that nice. Why should I consider this morning any different from Kayde’s usual crap?

“Poor thing. Poor baby.” There’s heat in his words, and they aren’t nearly as cruel as they could be. Especially when Kayde wraps an arm around my waist and tugs me to him. “Why are you wearing three glow stick necklaces?” he asks, his other hand coming up to touch the pink one around my neck.

“Because three of the girls wanted different colors.” I sigh, knowing I’m much more of a pushover than most of the counselors here. But I want my girls to be happy, and if that means being a glow stick necklace display for the rest of the night, then that’s okay. There are worse things than looking like I’m heading to a rave.

Kayde turns to look at me fully, studying my face with slightly narrowed eyes. I know what he sees. I know he’s finally taking in the smears of glitter over my eyes and across my cheeks. The way I really look like I’m trying to stand out in some camp-themed nightclub. But it’s not my fault, and I wasn’t about to tell the girls I wouldn’t get glittered up by them to match whatever it is they’re doing.

After all, I’m nothing if not supportive of my feral goblins.

“What are you supposed to be?” he asks, one hand coming up to hover near the glitter. I pull away so he can’t smudge it, shooting him a warning frown. “A disco ball that lights up?”

“I’m supportive,” I inform him flatly. “Of the kids. They wanted to put glitter on me, so…” I show him my arms, which are also just as glittery. My hair, too, shimmers when I turn, and I really am a disco ball, now that he’s said it. “So I let them.”

“Cute.” I can’t tell if he’s taunting me, or looking for a rise. “So I wasn’t nice to you this morning? Would you like me to apologize?” His smile turns just a touch dark, his white teeth flashing.

“No. I don’t need an apology,” I assure him. “But I wouldn’t mind some honesty without the aggression.”

The smile fades, and he watches me, waiting for me to go on. So I do, not expecting this turn of events from him, and suck in a breath before admitting, “You looked…rough this morning. You weren’t really doing something terrible, right?”

“Haven’t you counted the kids? Made all the counselors check in?” His voice is flat. Emotionless. It’s hard to tell what he’s thinking at the best of times. This is not one of them. And clearly, I’ve pissed him off again.

I just give him a look from under my lashes, not dignifying it with a response. He’s right. I have done all that. But I’d hoped for an answer from him, instead of whatever this is. “I was just asking,” I murmur finally, pulling myself out of his hold.

Or at least, that’s the plan.

Kayde curses softly and hooks a finger in the back of my denim shorts, using that to drag me back toward him. Somehow, no matter how I try to escape, he’s still so easily able to slot my body against his in the corner of Otter Hall, where no one can really see us unless they’re actually looking.