Her knees hit the mud caked ground and she could feel David's blood begin to soak into her pants.
"I killed my mom and dad before they could kill me or hurt somebody else...and every time I close my eyes, all I can see is my mothers face when she knew it was over...wondering if she knew it was even me." She sobbed into her hands. “Oh my God, do you even know what that feels like? Do you JJ? You got to bury your father and tell him how much you loved him! I got to watch mine turn to ash and rain down over me on the floor of my bedroom!”
The others remained utterly silent until a small choking sound erupted from Jewel. She was sobbing into her hands, her body heaving. Moments later, she turned and ran from the graveyard, gate swinging shut with a clang behind her as she fled. Hands touched Blues shoulders but she shrugged them off. She knew it was one of the guys, but at the moment she couldn't bring herself to care. She was raw. Her heart was laid out for all to witness its destruction.
✽✽✽
The memorial for the fallen Slayers was beautiful. It was a massive onyx building, speckled in silver flecks and topped with four stone gargoyles perched on each corner to guard them in the afterlife. She was in awe at how quickly they’d erected it.
The mausoleum stood proudly beneath the starlight and Blue couldn’t bring herself to leave it's side. She’d sat vigil every night for the last week, unable to leave it vulnerable. She knew she was being dumb, but knowing that the whole attack was her fault really did a number on her.
Weirdly enough though, she’d noticed a change in the attitude of those around her since that day. No longer did her classmates shy away from her or taunt her in the halls. Occasionally, she even received a smile or a wave. She supposed it had something to do with those she’d shielded with her body in the heat of battle. Perhaps they were simply showing gratitude to her for saving their lives, but whatever it was, she was grateful for the reprieve.
The guys had taken to guarding her like she was a precious jewel. Rarely had they left her side, especially since all classes had been cancelled that week in the aftermath of the tragedy. Most nights, she had one or two of them sleeping in her bed, holding her throughout the nights when the sobbs would sneak in to wrack her body with grief.
Many nights still, she could hear Ronnie whimpering in her own bed, crying out in pain after losing David in such a horrible way. Luckily, Harlow had made the decision to speak with Headmaster Montgomery about staying on campus as a sort of TA. Ronnie and Harlow remained close, and Blue had a sneaking suspicion that a little bit more was going on between them. She’d never ask though, she’d leave them be, content with the fact that her sister was safe and happy.
She was sitting on the edge of the Graves mausoleum, dangling her boot-clad feet over the edge with one hand idly stroking the head of the stone raven perched on the corner when she felt a presence at her back. Turning abruptly, Blue was startled to see that Jewel Hobbs had climbed the building and had plopped herself down next to her.
“You've been out here for days.” Jewel broke the silence.
“You're correct.” Blue snapped. She still wasn’t over what had transpired between them.
She sighed. “I deserve that.” Jewel hung her head, brunette hair falling in waves over her shoulder.
“Yeah, you kind of do.” Blue told her, fighting a grin.
“Look…” Jewel started, then stopped, seeming unsure of how to begin.
“Just spit it out JJ, I’ve known you since we pooped our diapers, you can say what you want.” She laughed, causing JJ to giggle.
“I-I’m sorry, Blue Jay.”
Blue sucked in a breath. She hadn’t head JJ call her that in ten years and it was doing something wild to her heart.
“I’m sorry for the way I treated you.”
“The way you treated me? That's the problem...you didn’t treat me any way...you didn't even speak to me.” Blue accused. “You didn't speak to me for ten years, JJ. I sent you letters, called you...I even took a bus once when we were twelve and tried to sneak into your house but your mom threw me out on my ass.”
Jewels eyes widened. “She never told me that.”
“Would it have mattered?” Blue asked.
Jewel sighed deeply. “Probably not. But Blue, I get it now. I may have had my head up my ass before, but I get it. None of what happened was your fault. Not my dad, not David or anyone else who we lost.”
“How can you say that? I know your fathers death wasn't on me, but the rest?” She shook her head sadly. “If it wasn't for me, David would still be here.”
“Oh, shut up, Blue.” Ronnies voice suddenly cut into their conversation.
The redheaded girl plopped herself down on Blues other side, dangling her feet to match.
“Nobody blames you for what happened. Honestly, it was bound to happen eventually. Arcane became this sort of...bubble, tucked away here in the forest, making us forget what's really out there.’
“She’s right, you know. The others are calling you a hero. The way you jumped in front of people...saved them? Thats’ some Slayer shit right there.” They all laughed.
The girls fell into a companionable silence and Blue soon found peace, it settled deep into her bones. It had been such a long time since she could really say she had someone to watch her back, someone she trusted beyond the shadow of a doubt.
They remained on top of the Graves family mausoleum until the morning sun came up over the far off horizon. She watched as the spirits danced below her, listened to the music of the trees as they blew in the wind. Something about a graveyard made her feel alive, made her feel like she had finally come home.
The End
Black Blooded
Arcane Academy Slayers Book Two
Coming July 2019
Sneak Peak
Black Blooded: Chapter One
Cole
The wind blew through his fur, lifting it from the root and allowing the chill to touch his skin. The night sky was dim, the clouds having rolled in hours ago and it smelled like rain. Cold, congealing blood seeped into his mouth, coating his tongue in its vile, bitter taste as he snapped the Vampires neck with a loud crack.
In an instant, it was dust that rained around him like morbid confetti. The Vamp problem was getting worse. Ever since the attack on Arcane, the Guardians had been on constant guard duty. Vamps were turning up by the dozens and they had no real explanation for it. The human cities were overrun and Slayer teams were running ragged. There just weren’t enough of them out there to fight this losing battle.
‘That should be the last motherfucker tonight.’ He thought to himself as he turned to his alpha— Baron Wilder, who stood next to him, panting with his tongue lolling out of his open mouth. Barons yellow eyes flickered, searching the area for any stragglers they'd missed, but the crickets had returned, signaling they were alone. With a nod of his big blonde head, Baron signaled to return to campus. The others wouldn't be far behind them as the alphas orders would flow through the pack. As Barons beta, Cole was always the first to know.
Arcane Academy came into view as he ran on all fours, leaping over tree roots and dodging wayward branches. Its towers rose high into the sky, all dark grey stone and stained glass windows. His mate liked to joke that the Conclave was trying too hard with the gothic style reminiscent of Dracula's castle. She honestly wasn't wrong.
As he got closer, he spotted a figure, sitting on the back steps behind the schools kitchens. His heart raced at the sight of her long raven hair and porcelain skin, glowing in the darkness. ‘Blue Graves, my mate.’ His wolf brain repeated happily. Looking to Baron for permission, he silently asked to go to her. His alpha nodded, allowing him to depart from the pack now that their job was done. Her concentration was engrossed in the items held in her slender hands. Her silver stakes were a thing of beauty. She cleaned them and cared for them meticulously, constantly afraid she'd ruin their ‘gleam’ as she called it. He smiled.
He pounced on the beautiful Slayer girl. Knoc
king her to the ground and swiping his wet tongue along her smooth cheek. Blue squealed and desperately batted his face away. Soon though, she settled on running those fingers through his thick black fur, making him want to purr like a cat. Looking into her eyes, he paused. Her ice blue gaze which never failed to make his heart race, filled with pleasure at the sight of her mate, even reluctantly so. He still had a lot of convincing to do.
"Go ahead dog boy, make it quick." She told him with a wink and a laugh as she rolled him off of her. Her low voice made him tingle all over.
He yipped once before running to the nearest tree and ducking behind it, preparing to change. He could switch forms at will, the light of a full moon having nothing to do with it, but the process wasn't fun. In just seconds, his skin began to feel tight and there was a bone deep ache he knew would turn to agony. The change happened then, too fast for the eye to track but he'd felt every second of it. Being a Werewolf, his body healed every wound— including the ripping and shredding of skin that came along with switching forms. To a human, the change might have looked traumatic and violent...and it was, the first few times, but by now it was second nature.
Now that his body was once more covered in smooth, tanned skin he found a stash of clothing in a wooden box, strategically placed behind the tree for convenience. They had many trees on campus containing auxiliary clothing for the wolves. Blue was waiting for him back at the steps. She looked so beautiful standing there in the flickering flames of the torches that hung on the wall behind her. Turning to him, she smiled, but there was still something hesitant about it. The past few weeks had done a number on her. Blues eyes were haunted and often times, she screamed in the night as he held her when he wasn’t sharing her with Jasper or Dresden. He grumbled unintelligibly under his breath.
“Were you waiting for me?” He asked hopefully, though he felt like an idiot.
“Actually I was waiting for Harlow, but this is a nice surprise.” She reached for him, snaking a pale arm around his torso and scratching lightly down his back, making him growl. She had a way about her that made him forget they were in public.
“She planning on hanging around?” He asked as he moved in closer. Pulling her body as close to his as possible.
He knew how much Harlow meant to her. With the close call at the high school still so fresh, even he found himself hoping. He hated those shadows on his mates face, the misplaced guilt was plain to see.
“She’s in there with Merriweather right now, apparently she’s staying on as a trainer.” She told him with a broad smile of her face.
“Good, these Slayers are getting too soft, we need someone with some actual skill and not just Orozco.”
Blue snorted.
“I don’t know, I seem to remember him getting the drop on you...in fact, the first time we met, you had a stake in your chest.”
“Only because I let him.” He laughed. “You know, for training purposes.” He kissed her lightly on her soft red lips. “Still waiting for that mouth to mouth though…” He whispered against her mouth.
“Alright pups, break it up!” Came Harlow's high pitched voice from the doorway. “I don’t need to see all that mess.” She waved her hand their way with a look of mock disgust on her face that was so different than her sisters.
He sighed deeply. They were always being interrupted by something. Every time he managed to find a moment alone with Blue, something or someone needed attention. Blue, however, was thrilled to see her sister and he couldn’t blame her. The two of them were like two peas in a pod. He figured it likely stemmed from the fact that their past was so muddied. For ten long years all they had was each other.
“I’ll leave you to it.” He kissed Blues forehead. “I need a shower and a nap anyways. Meet you in your room after dinner?” He asked hopefully. For a moment, Blue looked guilty and his heart sank.
“Actually...Jasper asked me to meet him tonight.” She cringed, knowing he was still getting used to sharing her with two other guys. “I’m sorry...I can cancel…”
“No.” He interrupted. “It's fine, don’t worry about me baby girl. I’ll see you in class tomorrow, bright and early.” He tried to keep the discomfort off of his face.
She looked skeptical. “If you’re sure…”
“I’m always sure.” He clipped out as he kissed her one last time.
He wasn’t sure though. He cared for Blue, regardless of the fact that they’d only met a couple months ago, she inspired feelings in him he’d only felt once in his life. Sure, he’d been in love before, what guy his age could really say otherwise? But the way he felt for Blue Graves was beyond anything he’d felt with Andrea...He cringed at the thought of her name. Blue was nothing like that wolf— the one who left him for greener pastures as if what they had meant nothing. In his heart he knew that Blue would never do that to him. Is wasn't in her character. Sure, she had a tough outer shell— fierce, protective and deadly...but inside the tough exterior was one of the biggest hearts he’d ever come to know. As he walked away from Blue and Harlow, his mind drifted to the other guys. He didn’t dislike them necessarily. They were okay dudes, even if Dresden rubbed him the wrong way at times. The thought of sharing Blue with them still made him feel uneasy, but he promised himself he’d try. For her he’d try anything.
Blue Blooded: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance (Arcane Academy Slayers: Book 1 ) Page 12