"I can't tell you," said Samuel. "If she tells you that's fine, but I'm not going to. It will serve no good purpose."

I hated it when other people decided what information was and wasn't good for me to have.

"What do you mean you can't tell me?" I cried, throwing down my cards. "It has something to do with me!"

"Not the way you think," said Samuel. "And you don't know what it has to do with."

"Well, in what way then?" I asked, trying not to wail. Every time I saw Samuel I felt like there was all this stuff I needed to know, but no one was telling me. I had wanted to ask Susan to give me more information about Fairies, but since she'd become a professional at blowing me off I hadn't had a chance to do that a and now here Samuel was, saying there were even more secrets.

"Just tell me what's going on," I pleaded. "Why do you want me to stay out of the water, and what were you talking about with your grandmother? I promise I won't do anything stupid with the information."

"Look, we aren't sure yet. It's just a theory.... It's happened before," said Samuel. "So we are looking into it."

"What's happened?" I asked. Then I sat bolt upright. "Do you know what's happened with the girls? Do you know where Mary is? Samuel Cheshire, if you know where Mary is, you have to tell the police."

Samuel snorted. "The police? What could they do? Water Sprites don't exactly follow human laws."

"What?" I gasped. "What's a Water Sprite got to do with anything?"

"They're kind of like our cousins, only smaller and they live in the water," said Samuel. "When we moved here there weren't any around a but."

"Now you think there are?" I asked. "What about Mary? Does a Water Sprite, whatever that is, have Mary?"

"If someone had a compet.i.tion for who could ask questions the fastest, you would win it," said Samuel. He shook his head. "Mary's probably gone. We've been searching for hours. That's where Leslie and Lydia are and that's what I was talking to Susan about, but no one's found her. The water is their domain. We don't have as much power there."

When he saw that I was about to cry he said, "I'm sorry."

"If there weren't any here before, why do you think there are now?" I asked in a small voice.

"Because we can feel them, and this is something they do. They take girls and turn them into Sprites or try to, or they feed off their life until there's nothing left. The more powerful the girl, the more potential she has, the better." He was giving me a hard look.

I shuddered. That sounded horrible and that's what had happened to Katie.

"You said Lydia and Leslie are out looking?" I asked. That sounded like they were doing a good deed, which I couldn't really believe after how they had treated me.

Samuel nodded. "When we heard about Katie, we wondered if it was a Sprite. I know people drown, but Katie was strong and she wasn't drunk, so it was suspicious. Then, when Mary went missing, Susan texted me. She went to look with Logan while Lydia and Leslie and I looked in other places. I think they suspected I had talked to Susan, because I told them there were certain places on the beach we didn't need to search. But they didn't say anything."

"And why do you care?" I asked. "Why not just let the Water Sprites take a few girls? You aren't at risk. The girls you care about aren't at risk unless...."

He interrupted. "Because we're their enemies. If we let them take a few they might get bolder. Who knows what they'd do. They might destroy ships. Plus, Castleton is technically ours. If they are here then they shouldn't be. And if they are taking girls, then that's even worse." He cut me off quickly before I could accuse him of caring about me again. I don't think he wanted to admit that, considering everything that had happened, including my desire for Holt.

"I see," I said. Even though I didn't really see at all.

"So when you heard about Katie, you asked me to stay out of the water? Because you suspected a Water Sprite?"

Samuel nodded. It just hit me how tired and worn he looked.

"Guys aren't in as much danger as girls, so Nick would probably be fine. h.e.l.l, there's only a small chance any of you would be at risk, but I couldn't.... I couldn't stand the thought...." He swallowed. "If something happened to you or Carley I would never forgive myself, and I know Holt -"

"Okay," I said. I didn't really know what to say at that point. It sounded like Samuel was trying to protect us, but it still hurt to hear Holt's name."You have to tell the police to keep everyone out of the water!" I said desperately. "No more can happen! Castleton can't lose any more girls."

"I agree," he said. "That's been taken care of. It's been...suggested to the police that it would be in everyone's best interest to stay out of the water. I think they'll listen. We won't even have to tell them about the Sprite."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked. I guess that meant I believed him a and I did. Samuel wouldn't make up something like a Water Sprite.

Samuel eyed me warily. Like I might bite. "Actually, yes."

"What?" I asked, full of suspicion.

"You can stay with one of us at all times. At least until the Water Sprite is caught," he said.

"What?" I asked. "Are you nuts? One of whom?"

"One of the Fairies. Me, Susan, or Logan if he's up for it," said Samuel. "To protect you. I would offer Lydia or Leslie..."

"I don't need protection," I protested. "And not a chance."

"You wouldn't be arguing if Holt was the one that told you," said Samuel bitterly. I knew it bothered him how attached to Holt I was, even if he tried to hide it. My attachment was what had first caused a problem between the Cheshires and me. Of course, Holt hadn't discouraged me.

"How dare you?" I said. "I'd be arguing no matter what because it's crazy." I stood up, putting my popcorn down and moving away from Samuel and the sofa. "I'm going home."

"Look, Autumn," said Samuel, following me. "Please understand. You're in danger."

"How am I in danger if I don't go in the water?" I demanded over my shoulder as I headed for the door. "You said it wasn't likely." But maybe he had said that because he didn't want to worry me.

As I got to the front door I reached out my hand to open it. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Samuel called from behind me, but I ignored him.

That was a mistake.

As I reached my hand towards the door I felt something like an electric shock run through my body, and my hair stood on end.

"Only a member of the house can open the door," said Samuel. "It's a great alarm system."

"Yeah, obviously," I said, glaring at him as I tried to smooth my hair down. "Let me out," I insisted, pointing towards the door.

Samuel sighed, but he did what I demanded. He moved his hand towards the door and I could feel a ripple in the air. A second later the door swung open.

I marched to his car, not looking back.

"Look, Autumn, you are a potential Fairy Queen," said Samuel. "I know how you feel about all of it," he cut me off before I could launch in on that subject, "and we have to protect you. The Sprite will be able to sense your power even if you've never tapped into it, and we have to keep you safe."

"This is ridiculous," I said. "What are you going to do? Sleep in my bedroom?"

"Yes," said Samuel resolutely. "At least on the floor a and actually I'm not really going to sleep."

I threw up my hands in despair. "I'll be fine on my own."

"Maybe," said Samuel. "But we can't take the risk."

"You can't just invite yourself over," I told him.

"No one has to know," he said, opening his car door for me. I got in and slammed it shut on my own. "Plus, I've already been there the last few nights," he added as he started the engine.

"Where?" I almost shouted.

"Relax," he said. "Outside in the garden, except for the night that Susan kept watch."

"You've got to be kidding me," I said.

"No," said Samuel, turning out of his driveway. "You're in danger. It's not a joke."

Chapter Seven.

I felt really awkward bringing Samuel home. Luckily, no one was awake when he followed me inside. I told him that he had to be absolutely quiet, and that if he thought someone was going to come in he had to go out the window. He pointed out that he could simply use Fairy Magic a Glamour a to make them forget he was there. I told him that if that was the best he could do, and if he wanted to be lazy about it, then yes, he could do that. He laughed so hard I almost had to make him go outside.

Carley's door was closed, which was lucky, because if she'd been awake she would have wanted to talk. As it was I went to the upstairs closet and got Samuel a blanket and pillow for the floor.

Instead of sleeping in my usual oversized t-shirt, I decided to put shorts on, just so nothing got complicated or misinterpreted. I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth, washed my face, used mouthwash, flossed, and combed my hair. When I'd run out of excuses not to go back to the bedroom a where Samuel was sleeping! a I headed back. I was relieved to see that he was already in his "bed," wearing the black t-shirt he'd worn all evening. He must just be sleeping in his clothes, I thought.

I hopped into bed. "Goodnight," I said.

"Goodnight, Autumn," said Samuel from the floor.

I lay awake a long time. I felt embarra.s.sed and nervous all at once, and I wished, probably not for the last time, that I were calmer about stuff like this. I tried not to wonder what Holt would say if he knew Samuel was sleeping in my room, but I couldn't help it. Well, I thought rebelliously, if Holt didn't like it he should be here to protect me from Water Sprites himself.

Even though it was a hot night, I pulled the covers up to my chin. This was not how I had pictured my first night with a guy in my room.

He will always be a little bit cold. It is the nature of the winter kingdom. That's what Susan had said to me. Before I fell asleep I realized that she must be right.

That was just the first in a series of nights that Samuel spent on the floor in my room. We fell into a familiar pattern. I would wait for everyone else in the house to go to sleep and then I would signal Samuel. I'm not even sure what I was worried about. If Mrs. Hightower walked in and found Samuel on the floor she wouldn't have caught him doing anything bad. At least that's what I told myself. In reality, I knew she thought I was too young to a.s.sociate with boys and would have kicked him out and called my mother.

After a few mornings of waking up this way, I demanded that Samuel tell me how much longer he would be sleeping on my floor. He said he wasn't sure, and when I asked for more information, he refused to give me any. But I was tired of not knowing what was going on, and I demanded that he leave.

That night, instead of coming over, he texted me. He wanted to invite Carley, Nick, and me over for another movie night. Before I could say no, he added that Lydia and Leslie weren't home. I sighed.

I had had fun at Samuel's last time, on the night when the Autumn's Water Sprite Protection Detail had started, but adding Carley and Nick to the mix was a different story.

"Hey Carley," I called down to her. She and Nick were watching TV.

"Yeah?"

"Want to go to Samuel's to watch a movie?"

The next thing I heard was pounding feet and Carley yelling to Nick to grab some popcorn. She burst into my room.

"How long do I have to get ready?" she demanded.

I groaned. "Carley, it's Samuel. He doesn't care what you look like."

"Autumn, how many times do I have to tell you? It's Samuel Cheshire! I care what I look like!" She dashed out of the room. "Just give me five minutes."

I went downstairs to wait on the porch with Nick. The night was clear and cool, a perfect August evening. It was way too beautiful for there to be a Water Sprite going around killing things.

Five minutes stretched into fifteen.

"Should we check on her?" asked Nick. He was holding a bag of popcorn ready to be air popped just the way Carley liked it.

"It's Carley," I said. "She's fine."

Nick nodded. "She doesn't spend this much time getting ready when we hang out."

I knew I had to be careful here. "It's just because she's so comfortable with you."

"That's bulls.h.i.t and you know it. But thanks."

A part of me believed what I said. Another part of me whispered that Carley liked cute, popular guys. Basically, moody Samuel Cheshire to a T. Nick was just too nice.

"Someday girls will appreciate the nice guy I am," Nick muttered. Before I could tell him that Carley appreciated him already, he got up and walked to the car. It was another five minutes before Carley showed up.

"Ready?" she demanded. She'd fixed her makeup and changed into a different shirt. "I don't seem like I'm trying too hard, do I?" she asked, looking herself up and down.

"No, you'd never look like that," I said. She missed the sarcasm in my voice, because she just raced to the car without waiting for an answer.

Nick didn't say much on the drive over, but Carley didn't notice because it was such a short trip. The whole way there she talked about Samuel Cheshire's love life, or at least what she knew about it. I realized that it made me really uncomfortable to hear about it.

"Apparently Susan has always had a thing for him, but it's like forbidden or something," said Carley, rolling her eyes. "Seriously, if there was a guy that looked like Samuel Cheshire interested in my daughter or sister, I would be all for it."

"You just want him to be cute?" Nick demanded.

Carley rolled her eyes. "He's not just cute, Nick. He's also smart, and athletic, and talented."

"You don't know that," said Nick hotly. "He could be a real a.s.s."

"You're friends with him," Carley pointed out. Nick muttered something I couldn't hear. It sounded like "girls are ridiculous," but I wasn't sure.

I couldn't help myself. I asked the question I knew would drive me crazy if I didn't have the answer to it. "Did Samuel like Susan back?"

"Not that I heard," said Carley, shaking her head so that her blond curls. .h.i.t the side of her headrest. "I really don't think I've ever heard of him with a girl. I've just heard of girls trying...."

"Right," I said, sitting back in the seat. Somehow I had never believed that Samuel didn't date, that he truly wasn't interested. But apparently what I had heard was true. He just hung out with his friends and family and that was enough. At least until I came along.