I peered straight at him. “What do you scout?”
“Baseball players. I look for athletes for the Minors.”
“Ah.” I flicked a finger to the north. “From the college here?”
“That would be the one. This town may be small, but they sure as hell breed some fine athletes.” He smiled, and it was a little crooked. Maybe his only imperfection, if you could even call it that. “Twenty years straight they’ve had at least one person go to the Minors. In those twenty years, they’ve had three go right to the Pros.”
I stifled a yawn. “That’s fascinating.”
He snickered. “Not into sports?”
“Not really.” My resulting grin was genuine. “They bore the crap out of me.”
“Maybe when you’re older, you can appreciate the art of a curve ball.”
I laughed this time. “Highly doubtful.”
He shrugged but watched as Mack sat my plate down in front of me. “That looks good.”
“It is.” I took a large bite of my burger, talking around a mouthful. “He cooks the meat just right.”
“Why didn’t you suggest it then?”
I wiped away the grease at the corner of my mouth and then flashed the stain on the napkin. “Because your clothes are too expensive to have them dripped on.”
He peered down at his attire. “It wasn’t that expensive.”
I snorted. “I know cheap, and that sure as hell isn’t it.”
“Well…thanks. I guess.”
“No problem.” I glanced at him again and chewed on a fry. “I’m Kenna.”
“Jerry.” He lifted his right hand, and he didn’t notice that after we shook, he had a small ketchup stain on his right sleeve. I wiped off my hands afterward, evidence gone. He tipped his head to me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kenna.”
“Nice to meet you, too.” When Mack sat Jerry’s waffles down in front of him, I snickered at his wide-eyed expression. “Hope you’re hungry, Jerry.”
His black eyes flicked to me. “You failed to mention it would feed four people.”
I shrugged. “Mack’s generous like that.”
His crooked smile returned. “It would seem so.” He poured maple syrup all over the gigantic stack of waffles. “So, have you lived here your entire life?”
“Only six months. My mom and I move a lot for her job, too.”
“That has to suck for a teenager.”
I shrugged. I didn’t much like talking about my mom. Not anymore. “It pays the bills.”
“Still sucks, I’m sure.”
Yeah, it did. I finished off my hamburger and dropped a few bills on the counter. “Well, it’s been fun.” Jerry nodded his head to me, his mouth full. I slid off the barstool and waved to Mack. “See you tomorrow.”
“Be safe out there, Kenna.”
“You too, Mack.”
I slipped out the back door of our house. One of the many houses in the past three years. Mom had gotten a promotion, but her job had us bouncing everywhere now. These were less homes we lived in and more of a place we both slept in.
The door opened again as I walked across the yard. Mom shouted, “Where are you going?”
I didn’t look back, my tone annoyed. “Where do you think?”
She was quiet, but as I stepped just beyond our property line, she ordered, “Be back by eleven. It’s a school night.”
I waved a hand over my shoulder. If I didn’t acknowledge her in some way, she would come after me. It didn’t mean I had to speak with her any more than was necessary.
She was a liar.
My entire existence had been flipped the night I fell into the Light Elves realm.
Sure, she had told the truth the next morning when she arrived. But it was too little, too late. My mom had been scared I was a Dark Elf and had hidden me from our people.
The thing was, in my opinion, the Light Elves weren’t that much different from the Dark Elves. Both sucked energy from the humans to keep their immortality.
The Light did it with humans who were happy.
The Dark did it with humans who were unhappy.
Not much of a difference there, if you asked me.
But no one did.
Not even my own mother.
Instead, the Light Elves expected me to have the same viewpoint as they had. To agree the Dark Elves were an abomination, a blight on the humans. The Dark did create chaos to feed on just as the Light created joy to live on, but emotions were emotions. Where you have light, you have to have dark.
That was human nature. No one was perfect.
The Light didn’t see it that way, though.
And from what I’d heard, the Dark didn’t either.
I followed the white roses, careful not to trample the path. They grew back, but they took weeks to do so if I accidentally destroyed them with a careless footfall. The way to the love tree always changed, always moved. Anywhere there was an Elf, there was always a path to lead them ‘home.’
I lifted myself through the love tree and hopped down on the other side.
And grinned. While I may have different views as the Light, I adored this place. The people here were honest, and I had friends in this realm, no matter how many different cities we moved to. The Light was always here for me.
This castle was my home.
“Kenna!” Susan shrieked, jumping off a tree branch—a high one. “I’ve been waiting an hour for you.”
“I had homework,” I grumbled. “It was geometry. I hate that shit.”
My friend snickered. “Always with the cussing. Can’t you cut down a little for me?”
“I’ll try.” I rolled my eyes.
“Sure…you won’t.” She grinned and grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the castle. “They’re playing tonight.”
I hissed, “What? I’m not dressed for it. I thought it was this weekend.”
“Julius changed it. We’ll be out with humans this weekend partying.”
Sucking their energy. “Is he here tonight?”
White teeth showed as she smiled—a wicked grin. “He is.”
My hand in hers started to sweat. “I haven’t seen him in two months.”
“I heard about that.”
I dug my feet into the soft soil, halting our progress. “What do you mean?”
Wide brown eyes stared at me innocently. “Nothing.”
“Susan.”
“Yes?”
“Susan.”
“That’s my name.”
“Susan!”
Her bottom lip popped out. “Your mom showed up here three months ago.”
I froze in place. “Huh?”
“Okay, okay, this is what I heard from Jason. Simon told him he heard it from Kent—and you know he hears everything that Randor and Julius talk about.” She inhaled so large, her breasts almost burst out of her top. She rushed to continue. “Anyway, your mom came here and spoke with Julius. Apparently, she doesn’t want him hanging around you too much now.”
My cheeks flushed deep crimson, already knowing the answer. “Why?”
Her tone was hesitant. “Because you started your period.”
I threw my hands up in the air. “He and I are only friends.”
She twirled a finger. “For now, you mean.”
“That’s the way it has to be until my Blood Tree,” I grumbled. I rubbed at my forehead. “This is fucking embarrassing as hell. Can’t she just stay out of my life?”
“Of course not. You’re only sixteen.” Susan flicked my black hair. “Until the Blood Tree declares you a Light Elf, your mom can’t take the chance you’ll have sex before you’re twenty.”
I ground my teeth together. “I’ve never walked through a black door before—and gone to the Dark Elves realm. Or killed anyone. Those should be the warning signs she really cares about.”
She shrugged and grabbed my hand again. I was being hauled to the castle in no time. “She’s just protective. As any good mother should be.”
&
nbsp; “She’s a liar.”
“Maybe. But she did it for you.”
“Whatever. She still keeps lying. She didn’t even tell me she came here to talk to Julius.”
“Have you two actually been chatting?”
I stayed quiet.
“That’s what I thought.”
I ignored her snide comment. “You know what? I find it odd that there are all types of signs for the Dark Elves, but there is only the one for a Light Elf.”
She shrugged a dainty shoulder. “That’s the way it’s always been.”
Archaic is the way it has always been.
But I didn’t voice my opinion this time.
I had more pressing worries tonight.
Julius knew I had started my period. I had no clue what I was going to say to him. I mean, he was avoiding me because, essentially, blood came out my vagina now.
Mom couldn’t have embarrassed me more if she tried.
I squeezed Susan’s hand tighter. She was the only one I would ever let know I was nervous. “Has…he said anything about me?”
“Who? Your mate?”
I swallowed heavily. “Yeah. That one.”
Julius was my mate. He was my future, my forever.
The night I had met him during his bond call—to his one true mate—had ensured he was mine. And I was his. The magic of the music had claimed us.
“He hasn’t said anything outright, but he has been in a foul mood.” She wiggled her shoulders at me as we stepped inside the entrance to the grand hall. “I think he misses you.”
The smile that lifted my lips was righteous. “He should since he’s been avoiding me.”
“Hey, kid.” Randor stepped up beside us, lifting his left arm to me. “I’ve been sent to escort you to the ballroom.”
“Randor, it’s always a pleasure.” My lips twitched as I linked my arm with his. “Susan, are you ready?”
She stood mute. Her cheeks flushed on her lovely face.
Like always, she became my silent friend when Randor was nearby. It was evil of me, but I thoroughly enjoyed making her squirm. “Cat got your tongue?”
Her eyes narrowed.
I laughed and nodded to Randor. “Take me to the ball.” I gestured to my torn jeans, tank top, and tennis shoes. “I’m obviously overdressed for it.”
“Obviously.” Randor smirked. Then he held out his other arm to Susan. “Are you coming?”
Like a bobbing butterfly, her head sprang up and down in affirmation. It was damn hard not to smack her from her stupidity—and she was two hundred years older than me. She linked her arm through his, not saying a word.
“Well, since Susan won’t shut up, maybe we should head to the music to drown out her blathering?” I yanked on Randor’s arm. “Let’s go.”
The simplicity and elegance of the music caught my attention as we walked into the ballroom. It delighted and tantalized every cell in my bones. Magic. Power. The chords were laced with pleasure and delight, making my toes curl inside my shoes, an itch to dance crackled the air. The hair on my arms stood up, and goose bumps pebbled my flesh.
Light Elves wore ball gowns of decadent colors while the men wore white and silver tuxes, their colors swirling in a rainbow of enchantment as they twirled around the dance floor.
“Julius has outdone himself tonight. It’s beautiful.”
“Tell him yourself,” Randor murmured, shoving me forward with a light touch.
I stumbled forward, but my hands grabbed onto muscled arms. Warm arms that encased my waist. A soft embrace, sweet and chaste. I peered up into warm onyx eyes. My entire face flushed in excitement, but I kept my voice calm and even. “I’m surprised to see you here tonight.”
One white brow lifted, and he didn’t remove his steadying arms from around my waist. I held still in shock, Julius never touching me more than was necessary. He stepped forward, placing our bodies an inch apart. His tone was low and quiet. “I needed to see you.”
I scratched at my right arm, my forearm rubbing his chest in the process. “Is that an apology?”
“No.” Simple. Sweet. To the point. “You know why we have to be careful now.”
I sighed and barely kept myself from leaning into him. “We’re only friends.”
“True. But that could quickly change. I don’t want to take any chances.” He brushed his index finger over my cheek, and my resulting shiver had my fingers curling into fists. “You’re almost there.” A quick shake of his head. “But not quite.”
I glared. “Are we going to dance? Or are we going to talk all night?”
“How about we do both?”
My eyes widened.
He cleared his throat, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Until your curfew, I mean.”
I growled under my breath. “Mom called you?”
“She did.”
“She can suck it.”
“You’re always so eloquent, Kenna. And I think I’ll wait until you’re older to respond to your endearing comment about your mother.” He chuckled as my mouth gaped. But my surprise at his crudeness quickly turned to joy when he twirled us into the dancing fray. I tilted my head back and laughed, knowing he would guide me without harm through the crush. We had danced a hundred times before, and this time was no different. It was thrilling even as we took care to keep any true closeness from occurring. Friends, first and foremost. Always.
When the music drifted into a slow tune, I whispered, “Is Susan staring at Randor?”
His lips curled in a chuckle. “What do you think?”
“Who’s he dancing with this time?”
“Dana.”
I kept my expression serene as I glanced over my shoulder, swaying gently in his arms to the loving beat. “Oh, she looks pissed.”
“One day, they’ll be together. He just needs to quit his wicked ways with the other women, and she needs to grow a backbone.”
I peered back up into his eyes, my brows furrowing. “You know, we’ve never spoken about that topic before.” I scratched at my arm. “Are you…”
He placed his mouth close to my right ear as he maneuvered us into a complicated dance step, twisting and turning us through the masses. “No, I’m not. I know who I belong to.”
My heart beat heavily inside my chest. “Just checking.”
His nose touched my temple as he lifted, and then he was stepping away from me, taking his heat with him. He tilted his head to one of the open doors. “I think I need some air. Would you care to join me?”
I nodded. “It is pretty hot in here.”
He yanked on his collar, muttering under his breath, “Fuck yes it is.” I blinked, and he gestured for me to walk ahead of him. Soft silks and sequins from dresses brushed along my arms as I strolled to the exit. When we stepped out into the night, the breeze was welcome against my heated skin. He tipped his head to the small lake on the east side of the property. “Does that work for you?”
“That’s perfect.”
We walked in companionable silence over the soft grass, the moon shining its crescent glow upon us. When we reached ‘our spot’ at the third dock, we walked over the swaying wood to the small picnic table at the end of the platform. The dark water gently splashed below us, creating a white noise to the music still floating on the air currents.
He removed his suit jacket and placed it on the table, then loosened his silver tie. “So how have you been, my Kenna?”
“It’s been quiet. Not too much has been going on.”
“Your school studies?”
I hesitated. “I’m passing.”
He leaned forward on the table, staring directly into my eyes. “How’s your math class?”
I sighed heavily, dropping my forehead onto my palms. “Have you been checking my grades again?”
“You already know the answer to that.”
“Dammit.” I thrust a pointed finger in his direction. “And I’ve told you before, that’s creepy.”
“That teacher is an asshole.”
I blinked. “How do you know that?”
He shrugged.
“Julius…”
“I may have visited him one night in his dreams. There was hardly any goodness in him for me to steal.” He shrugged a muscled shoulder. “I left him with what he had. He needed it.”
My jaw dropped. “Seriously?”
“Yes, his energy was so dark—”
“No. That’s not what I meant.” I waved my hands in the air. “Did you seriously sneak in on one of my teachers because I was failing his class?”
He held up a stopping hand. “I meant him no foul intent. I merely wanted to know what type of man could possibly be failing you.”
I cleared my throat.
His onyx eyes were ruthless.
“Julius.”
“Fine, I may have guided him.”
“In what way?”
“To give you special attention so you would pass.”
My tone was incredulous. “You’re guiding him to give me a passing grade?”
“No, just extra work so you may pass on your own. And learn what you don’t understand, thanks to his horrible teaching methods.”
“My extra credit projects this month?”
“Yes, those.”
I tapped my fingers on the table. “I guess that’s fine.”
He shrugged a shoulder, not commenting. He would do it anyway without my permission. He knew it, and I knew it. He was merely pacifying me right now.
“Will I ever win an argument with you?”
He hummed, an adorable smile lifting his lips. “Maybe in a thousand years.”
“Oh.” My brows lifted, and I snapped my fingers. “Just like that, huh?”
“Just like that.” His gaze ran over my features slowly, and then he cleared his throat and peered out to the water. He stared and grinned, then flicked a hand in the direction he was watching. “Look, my Kenna.”
I yanked my gaze away from his captivating profile and turned my attention to the lake. “My God.” Gentle waves rippled from the indulgent breeze, and the moon reflected on it, the water appearing ablaze with white fire. “That is beautiful.”
His dark eyes met mine, holding for long moments. “Yes. Beauty is finally here.”
Age 19
I was done waiting. In only two days’ time, on my twentieth birthday, the Blood Tree would call to me. Julius and I had been safe, always staying just a step apart for too many damn years. My—our—waiting was over. Tonight, I was going to take charge for once.
Blood Tree: Silver Edition Page 3