Covet (Clann)

heard was that you two were creating sparks hot enough to set off a bonfire.”
    I sighed, and it felt like the last remaining drop of my energy seeped out with it. “What do you want from me? I broke up with him months ago, and we’re not going to get back together.”
    I want you.
    I blinked fast several times, sure I’d heard his thought wrong.
    He hesitated before replying. “I’m here to warn you. Don’t think the Clann’s stopped watching you, because we haven’t. We know that Tristan’s coming around the Charmers practices again. And we know about your ability to lure victims in with those freaky eyes of yours.” I noticed he was extra careful not to make eye contact with me, his gaze hovering somewhere in the vicinity of my mouth instead.
    His fear of being gaze dazed would have been amusing if his warning wasn’t so dang annoying. “Well, if you’re really doing such a good job as the Clann’s little spy, then you should already know that the only reason Tristan’s at Charmers practices lately is to pick up and drop off Bethany Brookes.”
    “Maybe. Or maybe that’s just an excuse to see you again.”
    The door between us groaned, and I realized I needed to ease up on my grip. “Or maybe you’re just paranoid and delusional. Tristan hates me now thanks to you and your stupid Clann.”
    The corners of his mouth twitched. “Do you really expect any of us to believe that scene you two clearly staged?”
    Now he was just boring me. “This argument’s getting old. I’m going home now, Williams. Nice chatting with you again, as always.” I slid behind the wheel of my truck.
    He smiled, peering at me through his bangs. “Have a safe trip home.” Turning away, he strolled toward the back parking lot, where I could only hope someone would run over him with their car.
    Seconds later, a black muscle car came tearing around from the back parking lot. It screeched to a halt beside me, sliding a bit on the asphalt. The driver’s side window was already rolled down, revealing a panicked-looking Ron.
    “Hey, are you okay?” he asked as he threw the car into Park and got out.
    “Uh, yeah, why?” I could not wait to get home. I was going to take the longest, hottest shower on the planet, put on my softest, comfiest nightgown, maybe do some homework in bed, and then sleep like the dead.
    I slid the key into the ignition.
    “I heard Dylan was going to do something to make sure you and Tristan weren’t working out your issues, or something like that.”
    I waved a hand in the air. “I’m fine.”
    Then I turned the key to start my truck.
    Nothing. Not even the stutter of a dead battery. I tried again, then rested my forehead against the wheel. “Great. Now my truck won’t start.”
    “Pop the hood.”
    I pulled the release for the hood. It popped up a couple of inches, and Ron hit the catch underneath to raise it the rest of the way. I was tempted to get out and look for myself, but I was exhausted and it would be wasted effort anyways. I didn’t know the first thing about engines.
    “Uh, I think I see the problem,” Ron said.
    “Yeah? Is it fixable with some duct tape and baling wire?” Anne was always joking about the southern male’s top two tools of choice.
    “Even a mechanic with a shop full of tools couldn’t fix your truck, at least not without a heck of a lot of replacement parts. Come and see for yourself.”
    Sighing, I got out of the truck. As soon as I got within sight of the exposed engine, I could see the problem, too.
    My engine was a colorful rainbow of melted red, blue, white and green everywhere. “Uh, is that normal? Because I don’t remember it looking this…rainbowlicious the last time Dad and I took it in for an oil change.”
    “No, this is definitely not normal. All the wiring has been melted.”
    Huh? In October? Even East Texas wasn’t that hot in the fall.
    “Now how the heck did that…” Oh. Of course. My stomach sank. “Dylan.”
    “Yep, probably so. Looks like he melted every wire in your truck.”
    I sniffed the air, realizing it smelled pretty awful, too. I’d been too tired and focused on getting rid of Dylan to notice it earlier.
    “Come on, I’ll give you a ride home.” Ron folded down the rod and let the hood drop with a crash that made me jump. “I hate to say it, but you’re probably going to need a new vehicle.”
    “Seriously?” It came out as a squeak. “Can’t the wiring be replaced?”
    “Well, I guess it could. But I