"What's this ring about?" he rounded on me with accusation, hurt, and anger in his eyes.

"This is a promise ring."

"Promise!? You took VOWS to be my wife!"

Patiently, and without fear, I patted to the cushion next to me. He sat, but his hands shook. "List…

I don't remember everything about how it happened. I do remember waking up. I remember that abject terror of not knowing where I was or how I'd gotten there.

And I remember the light. At 14, it had reminded me of comic book images of radioactive sludge.…

"Everett!" He was going to be the death of me, but not before he was the death of himself. "Everett, where did you go?"

"Sasha, chill, I'm over here! Come check it out!"

"Keep talking! I can't tell where you are!" I was looking at a wall of boulders, po…

Sasha. Man, I'd completely wrecked her night. Go figure.

I pounded the steering wheel, trying to block out the iciness of the ring, the horror of Jessamine's eyes, the shame and frustration of ruining my sister's life. This was my fault--all of it.

A p…

"Why the movies?" Everett sounded bewildered.

"I don't know where to tell you to go, but don't go straight home. Go somewhere public. Or go somewhere and get lost. She could follow you. She probably has your license plate number."

"Great."

"How did she…

I ignored the vibrating cell phone in my pocket. My eyes were still locked in helpless battle with the vixen's golden glamour. She had released my hand with the ring only to take my waist and lead me to an open section near the speakers. I didn't register…