Tremble by Jus Accardo Page A

been tired when Alex and I got back, but now, knowing my shot to fix things with Kale might be right around the corner, I had a renewed sense of energy.
    This time I was on my way, in Ginger’s decrepit car, to see Thom Morris. His birthday was three weeks from yesterday, so I didn’t have much hope. Even if I found him alive, would what was left even be salvageable? Or would I find someone like Fin? Spouting gibberish and almost past human.
    Before I left, I snagged Alex’s cell from the kitchen counter. He’d probably kill me for it later, but I didn’t want to be without a phone and I’d given mine to Aubrey last night.
    I got to Thom’s house at eleven.
    Semi-local , Ginger had said. Well, her idea of semi-local turned out to be nearly a four-hour drive. I was betting the only reason they let me do it on virtually no sleep was the fact that she already knew I’d make it there in one piece.
    I loved a road trip as much as the next person, but sitting still for that long with so many other things on my mind was agony. Add to that a broken radio, and I was ready to beat my head against the wheel ten minutes into the trip.
    Thom’s mother, a worn, frail-looking woman, informed me her son had been missing for the last month. The police were still looking but they were convinced he’d run away. He could have, but I was betting he had a little help. Judging from Mrs. Morris’s swollen eyes and red-rimmed nose, I figured if there was an agent in the house, it was her husband. The woman was clearly distraught. Definitely not the behavior of someone responsible for offing her teenage son. I gave her Alex’s cell number and asked her to call should she hear from him, then trekked back to the car, which I’d parked two houses down.
    I sat in the car for an hour, hoping that Kale would show. But each vehicle zoomed past, never slowing. He knew we were searching for the Supremacy kids, and Thom was one of the last locals, so it made sense that I’d be here.
    I started the engine, fingers numb, and cranked the heat to full blast. It had started to snow, and as I watched the fluffy flakes fall to my window, an ache bloomed deep in my chest. We’d made so many plans, Kale and I. His first Christmas and snowfall. I’d told him all about sledding and we’d planned to hit Memorial Park at the first sign of powder. They had the best sledding hill in the county.
    As I sat there rubbing my icy hands in front of the vent, Mom’s question bounced around inside my head. What if you can’t? Aubrey said they had done a lot of damage. If that meant Kale could never get his memories back, I’d have to start over.
    Fine. Then that’s what I’d do. Jade’s appearance in September had proven Kale and I were solid as a boulder. She’d presented him with the chance to touch anyone he wanted—including her—and he’d still chosen me. His words echoed through my head.
    If I had the ability to touch anyone else in this world, I still don’t believe I’d want it to be anyone but you.
    I closed my eyes and let out a breath. I would never— could never —give up on him. We’d missed out on a lot, but I was determined to give him his first New Year’s kiss.
    A few minutes later, the door opened and a burst of cold wind followed someone inside.
    “A little far from home, aren’t you?” Kale asked as the door clicked shut.
    A jolt of excitement mixed with unavoidable fear filled me. I opened my eyes but kept them front and center. If I avoided looking at him it made this easier. “Could say the same thing to you.”
    “Drive.”
    I didn’t hesitate or ask questions. Something like this was what I’d hoped for, right? Another chance to get him alone. If he was here, then Aubrey had done his part. Shifting into drive, I pulled away from the curb and tapped the gas. The car skipped a little on the ice, tires spinning for a second before lurching forward.
    “Take a right at the end of this street, then go three blocks and pull