Evander had persuaded me to let him rent a car for the trip, and I agreed to meet him at the beach house right outside of Savannah. We left school early, but I had to drive two whole hours just to get there. Luckily I had the company of the girls for the ride, and they agreed to watch my car for me, promising only to take a few leisure drives while I was gone.

When we finally arrived Evander wasn't there yet, so I followed the girls inside for some lemonade and chips.

The beach house was more of a cabin, and it featured tall ceilings and a loft. Only the best appliances hummed through the house, and the food was already stocked full. Kyna's mother came here every other weekend to "escape from the rat race", and was more than happy to let us girls have it for the weekend.

I wouldn't be staying, though.

"Are you nervous?" Kyna asked as she pulled down a bag of Cheetos from the cabinets.

I could answer this question honestly, at least.

"Yes, extremely." I replied, staring down at my hands.

"I can give you this one tip; when the time comes, release all of your anxiety and focus on his eyes. Always helps me." Kyna suggested, giving me a lopsided smile.

"No, no. You should close your eyes! Keeping them open makes it more weird!" Lolani exclaimed.

"Not if you're comfortable with each other!" Kyna shot back.

I watched as they went back and forth with each other over the correct way to handle your "first time", but I wasn't actually listening. Would be and Evander be having sex? I didn't know.

What I did know was that I was about to face something dangerous, and for some reason that sucked all of the fun out of things.

"I think he's here!" Lolani called from the couch. I dashed to the window to peak out of it myself and saw a gray sedan, with a tall Evander getting out of the drivers side door.

I had made him buy a cell phone a week ago after getting tired of not being able to text him, and I saw him struggling to fit it into his jean pockets as he walked towards the door. I ran out to meet him, and greeted him with a kiss.

"Sorry it took me so long. I had an issue at the rental shop." He said, sliding his arm around my shoulders as we walked back towards the house.

"What kind of problem?" I asked.

"Well, they said I had to be twenty-one to rent a car. So I bought one instead. Had to sit through all this crazed paperwork. Some stuff I even made up" He said, chuckling to himself.

"You bought a car?!"

"Yeah, I figured I needed one anyway." He replies nonchalantly, shrugging and pulling me into the house.

"Heyyy!" Lolani greets.

Both her and Kyna still got awestruck around Evander, but I thought it was more because they didn't know him well rather than they had a crush on him. At least that's what I told myself.

Evander greeted both of them, and as we left the house the girls shot winks my way. I waved goodbye to them frantically, hoping it wouldn't be the last time.

I was comfortable with my spell's strength, but I wasn't sure how powerful the enemy was, or if we would even be confronting them yet. I hadn't had anymore dreams or visions of Kane, but his last message was still stuck in my head. He wanted me to come after them.

"You're awfully quiet." Evander spoke at last.

We were heading north on the interstate, an it was still only four P.M.

"Yeah, just a bit nervous." I slipped my hand into his.

"Don't be. We aren't going anywhere near the woods at night, so you have until tomorrow to mentally prepare." He said, giving my hand a squeeze.

We were headed to a small town called Beech Mountain, with the only thing resembling society being a prestige sky resort and lodge. The woods were deeper into the mountains, and I had a printed map in my bag. I wasn't sure where my father had grown up, but I knew it had to be close to here.

"You have too much tension inside, Brenna. Trust me, we are safe right now. Let's not let the future spoil the now." Evander said, causing me to snap out of my thoughts.

The girls always said that all the men who knew exactly what to say at precisely the right time were the bad boys, cheating and hurting you the most of all.

I had a man who knew exactly what to say at precisely the right time because he felt my fears and frustrations, and spoke with such compassion as often as he could.

He was truly the best man in this world.