Whispers at Moonrise

smiled, said the proper things—“Nice to meet you”—but Kylie got the feeling he was as uncomfortable being put on the spot as she was. Which made her wonder why he’d want to be a teacher.
    After everyone knew everyone’s name, Kylie stood there, her smile still spreading her lips tight, and waited for something to end the awkward moment. Burnett finally intervened. “Well, I’m glad you all met.”
    Kylie spun around, thinking only of escaping. But one step forward, and she found herself surrounded by six or seven teens she’d never met. Obviously the new students. The blunt stares and open curiosity in their expressions made her catch her breath again. It was one thing to be gawked at by the regular campers, but newbies … Her heart raced and her palms began to itch. Hives were only a few minutes away.
    Her swallowed-a-mosquito smile fell flat. And that mosquito she’d supposedly inhaled buzzed in her stomach. She didn’t know if she could handle more brain gaping and uncomfortable introductions.
    “Is it true that you didn’t even have a pattern at first?” one of the girls, a witch, asked.
    Suddenly, an arm fell across her shoulders. Before she looked at the owner of that appendage, she recognized Derek’s warm touch. “I’m sorry, but you guys are going to have to meet Kylie later. I need to steal her away.”
    “Lucky guy,” one of the new vampires said.
    “Yeah, I am,” Derek said, sounding possessive.
    He guided her through the circle of new students. Moved her with confidence and with purpose—the purpose being to get her the hell away from the gawkers. But damn, she appreciated Derek being there so much. She leaned against his shoulder and heard him sigh.
    “Hang in there,” he whispered. “I’ll get you out of here.”
    He glanced over his shoulder and she followed his gaze to see him looking toward Burnett. The vampire nodded as if giving permission for him to take her out.
    She didn’t breathe again until they walked out the dining hall door.
    Derek’s arm tightened as they left the building, as if telling her he didn’t want to let her go. While she hated admitting it, there was a small part of her that didn’t want him to let go either. But knowing what was right, she stepped away from his side. And then she met his soft green eyes.
    “I’m sorry,” she said.
    “For what?” he asked.
    For everything. For feeling things I shouldn’t. “For needing to be rescued. It’s crazy. I should be able to handle it. It’s just that people stare at me like I’m…”
    “Special?” He grinned.
    “No, like I’m a freak.”
    He shook his head. “They don’t think you’re a freak. They’re curious. And that one vamp was totally into you, but I’m sure it’s still hard.”
    “Maybe when I know for sure what I am, then it won’t be so hard.” But she did know, didn’t she? She was a chameleon. Was she starting to doubt her heritage like everyone else?
    Derek’s eyebrow rose. “You still don’t believe you’re a witch?”
    “Not completely,” Kylie said.
    He nodded. “Well, that should all be cleared up tomorrow, right? When your grandfather comes.”
    That’s when she remembered she hadn’t told Derek about her grandfather cutting off his phone or about him and her great-aunt turning into fog. She started to spill her guts to him when she felt the sudden splash of cold.
    The smear of condensation started to materialize next to Derek. The familiar feminine form taking shape told Kylie it was Hannah. But Kylie’s breath caught when she saw the spirit had gone back to her zombie look. The beige dress she wore was in shreds and stained with mud. Her hair hung lifelessly around her shoulders. Part of her cheekbone was exposed where the skin had decayed and hung loose. And worms moved in and out of her ears.
    Gross. Instinctually, Kylie took a step back.
    “Not again.” Panic filled Hannah’s dead-looking eyes.
    “What?” Kylie forced herself not to keep backing up. But the worms were falling off her at a rapid rate.
    “Huh?” Derek took a step closer and one of the worms fell onto his chest.
    Kylie brushed it off and then shook her head.
    “Oh.” His eyes widened with understanding. He took a small step back, not so much out of fear, but as if giving her space.
    Kylie refocused on Hannah. But the spirit’s gaze stay glued over Kylie’s shoulder. She heard the dining hall door open behind them, and the sound of the crowd followed the door. Hannah