Before Kylie called the next number, the phone dinged with an incoming text. She debated over reading it, thinking it might be from his pissed-off girlfriend. Then she saw it wasn't from that number. She might be invading his privacy, but after stealing his phone, what was one more sin?

It took a second to figure out the phone's features to display the message.

But she was so damn glad she did.

Chapter Thirty-seven

The message wasn't for Hayden. It was from him.

You're answering my messages? Hayden

Kylie typed back. Only because I hoped it was either you or my ... She paused. Should she let him know she assumed he was with her grandfather? She didn't see any advantage to playing dumb.... my grandfather. She tapped her fingers on the phone waiting for a reply.

The phone dinged. What did you tell the others?

She decided to be honest. Only that you helped save Holiday's life. You can come back.

She waited for him to respond. When he didn't do it quickly, she wrote, Sorry I suspected you.

He replied: If you did the right thing and came to live where you belonged, I wouldn't have to return.

Kylie considered her answer.

I belong at Shadow Falls.

She no sooner finished typing the words than her reflection in the dresser mirror caught her attention. She hadn't stopped glowing yet. How long could she continue to believe she belonged here when everything pointed to the fact that she was different? Different even from all the other supernaturals.

Her chest swelled again at the thought of leaving. She rejected it. But what was going to happen in two weeks when her mom was expecting to pick her up for parents' weekend? How would she explain the fact that she was freaking brighter than a fifty-watt bulb?

The phone pinged again. It's not safe for you to stay there.

Holiday and Burnett won't let the FRU do anything.

It's not just the FRU. You were right in what you told your grandfather. There's an underground rogue gang after you.

Swallowing a knot in her throat, she texted, Is my grandfather's number in the phone?

It took a few minutes for him to get back. But he did. Yes.

She typed in. Thank you. And hit send. Then remembering, she sent one more message. Call your girlfriend. I might have upset her.

* * *

Her grandfather answered the next number she dialed. And he didn't bother with formalities. Hayden had obviously told him to expect her call.

"I sent him because I was concerned for your safety," her grandfather said, his voice just an octave lower than her father's.

"I'm not upset," Kylie said. "Although I wish someone would have told me."

"You need to come with us, Kylie. It's not safe. You were right about the underground rogue. I don't trust the FRU not to harm you. How can I trust them to keep you safe from others?"

"Please," Kylie said. "You don't understand what you're asking." Tears filled her eyes. "I ... This is home to me. Burnett's not like the FRU you remember. And Holiday ... she took me in. Both of them have protected me." Her throat grew tight. "People have died here saving my life. These people you don't trust are my family." Her voice shook and she swiped the tears from her cheeks.

"We are your family."

"I can't leave," Kylie said.

There was a long pause. "I will send Hayden back if you offer your word that you have not told the others."

"I haven't told anyone." Silence fell again, then she blurted out, "I'm glowing. How do I stop it?"

"Glowing?" he asked, and paused as if in thought. "You have the gift of healing?"

"Yes," she answered.

"I'm assuming you used it."

"I ... brought someone back to life."

He didn't speak for a few seconds. "Your gifts are indeed amazing."

"But how do I stop it?" She hadn't been fishing for compliments.

"You must release the energy you drew inside you to complete the healing."

"How?" Kylie asked.

"Meditate."

"I'm not good at meditation." She bit down on her lip.

"Then you'd better learn. And fast." He exhaled. "Kylie, if other gangs learn just how gifted you really are, you'll be a commodity. They will either want you working for them, or they'll want you dead. It won't be just one gang coming after you."

His warning rang in her ears. Great. That's all she needed.

"I will send Hayden back," he went on, "but think carefully on this, my child. I deserve to get to know my only grandchild."

* * *

Monday morning Kylie sat in the dining hall while everyone stared. She wasn't glowing anymore. Her internal bulb had blown sometime during the night.

She'd stayed in her room all weekend and meditated, and slept. Obviously, bringing someone back to life took it out of you. Holiday and Burnett had dropped by with food, TLC, and news that all the bodies of the girls has been turned over to their families. Both Burnett and Holiday were now glowing, but it was a natural glow. They were in love.

That only made Kylie miss Lucas even more.

Derek had called twice just to say he was thinking about her. Lucas hadn't. She didn't even know if he was aware of what had happened. Still, his silence was hard to take.

Helen and Jonathon had dropped by. And Miranda, Perry, and Della had checked on her almost every hour. Even during the night, they'd crack open the door and peer at her. Of course, that could be because she looked really cool glowing in the dark. Hell, they could have sold tickets to the other campers for a dollar a peek. Not that they would. They were her friends.