The Ruby (The Hidden Gems Book 1)

by R. Getsee

  “Hey, Jared, you gonna introduce me to your friends?” Crap, even his voice was sexy—all low and gravely, making me squirm in my seat as he turned his intense gaze toward me.

  “Oh, yeah. Roman, this is Emi; we went to middle school together. And this is my baby sister, Alex.” I shoot him a glare as he stressed the word baby. At least I now knew where Jared and Emi had known each other from.

  Blue eyes, Roman, just shot me another thousand-watt smile, making my stomach do a weird roll as he took my hand, causing warm tingles to shoot up my arm from the contact. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Alex.”

  I swallowed loudly, my mouth suddenly dry. So this was Roman, the mysterious guy who had quickly become Jared’s new best friend when he’d started as Vlad’s last year. Holy hell, angelic good looks, that intense gaze, and a voice that was both gravelly and smooth as velvet, making him sound as if he’d been waiting his whole life to meet me. I knew right then I was screwed.

  I realized I was still gripping his hand as if it was a lifeline and quickly dropped it, ignoring the weird yearning sensation which spread through me at the loss of contact.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you, too.” I cringed as my voice came out as a squeak. Clearing my throat, I tried again. “Jare wouldn’t shut up about you all last year.”

  My brother shot me a death glare as Roman chuckled, sending me a wink that made my breath catch. This guy should seriously come with a warning label.

  “I could say the same thing about you.” He grinned. “I feel like I know you already.”

  My cheeks flamed. Had Jared told him I was Void? I shook myself out of the panic that sprung up, threatening to consume me. It was ridiculous to even consider that he was interested in me without the subject of my lack of powers coming up. Compared to him, I was almost human in the looks department. A vampire like him would have his pick of the best looking, highest-powered girls in the school.

  Hell, I could almost feel the power coming off him in waves. I didn’t stand a chance.

  “So, how are you enjoying Vlad’s?” he asked, breaking the silence that was already becoming awkward.

  I shrugged in response. “It’s okay… I haven’t seen much of it yet. I’m mostly just trying to keep from getting lost.”

  “I could give you a tour if you want,” he offered quickly.

  I nodded mutely, trying not to let my face show the jolt of excitement that shot through me from the prospect of spending more time with him. “I’d like that.”

  “We’ll go, too,” Jared said with a scowl.

  “We haven’t finished our food yet, Jare,” Emi said quickly, causing him to pause.

  “Yeah,” I said. “You guys should have a little time to catch up. I’ll see you later, Jare.”

  Emi shot me a look that said ‘you’re welcome’. I just raised my brow, darting a look at the vamp beside me. Jare clearly looked torn between wanting to spend time with Emi and being his overprotective self. It was clear she wanted to spend more time with him as well, so I called it an even trade.

  I quickly got to my feet, discarded my leftover food into the trash can near our table, and grabbed my bag before moving closer to Roman.

  “Come on,” he said as he took my hand and led me away from a scowling Jared while Emi laughed at his expression. “I’ll show you around.”

  4

  Roman

  Alex. So this was Jared’s little sister. Damn. For a moment, I thought she would be the one who I was looking for. It was impossible though—from what I’d heard about Alexia Morgan from Jared, she was about to be classed as a Void.

  In a way, it relieved me. From the second I had seen her, an intense need to protect her struck me. If she was the one I’d been searching for, there was little I could do to protect her from what was coming. Hell, the best way I could protect her would be to stay as far away from her as possible.

  Still, it didn’t stop me from walking over to her table when I noticed that snake, Athena, stomping away from it looking pissed, which was never a good sign. I noticed the beautiful girl as soon as she crossed my field of vision, distracting me from what Jared was saying to me, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she walked out the doors and took a seat at the farthest table from the crowd.

  I didn’t say anything as Jared got up, saying he was going to say hi when he’d noticed Emi—the girl he’d had a crush on since forever. No, I was content to stare at the beautiful girl with gem bright eyes I could see even from a distance as another girl joined her at her table.

  I’d even had a moment of panic as Jared had walked over to the table and sat down beside the mysterious girl, who had greeted him. Was this Emi? No, I quickly noticed the other girl was who held my friend’s attention and breathed a sigh of relief.

  As soon as Athena had walked away from the table, I couldn’t resist the urge to make sure the mysterious girl was okay. I’d watched an expression of misery cross her face before she once again put up her mask of cheery indifference, then watched as she looked at me in shock, almost as if she recognized me. That was impossible; I would remember meeting anyone like her.

  Of course, she had to be Alex. My best friend was super protective of his sister, the one person in his family who hadn’t developed her elemental powers, the one who was the kindest vamp he’d ever known, the one who had been bullied constantly—including from her sisters.

  I should stay away, I shouldn’t be around her. I was already pushing my luck being friends with Jared, but one could only stand so much solitude before it drove you insane. I’d broken the rules that had been instilled in me from before I could remember. I’d made a friend.

  Okay, so maybe I hadn’t told him the truth about me, and I wouldn’t. I couldn’t put anyone I cared about in danger. I had to keep my distance from everyone so they couldn’t be used against me.

  Even as I reminded myself of this, I couldn’t help the urge to touch her. I tried to hide my surprise at the warm tingles that shot up my arm from the contact. Alex was absolutely adorable; her cheeks flushed as she stared up at me before dropping my hand quickly.

  I had to hide my disappointment at the loss. Her hand had felt like it was made to fit mine, and I immediately felt the loss of her warmth.

  And that voice… It was like warm honey as she introduced herself. I couldn’t stop myself as I offered to give her a tour—I was desperate to spend even just a little more time with her before I had to step back and make her forget about me.

  I knew I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything happened to her because of me. It’s because she’s your best friend’s sister. That little voice in my head tried to lie valiantly, but I knew it was more than that. This girl already had my heart wrapped around her little finger with just a single word.

  Again, as if I couldn’t control my body, I found my hand curling around hers as I led her through the giant stone building.

  Honestly, the school was a little ridiculous. Vampires were supposed to keep the whole supernatural thing from the humans, but they really had their stereotypes down to a T. Even the name, St. Vladimir’s Academy, sounded like something straight out of Dracula.

  I tried really hard not to think about how good Alex’s hand felt in mine, or how her tinkling laugh sent lightning straight through my soul—or whatever essence it was that made me who I was.

  I led her through the maze-like gray stone corridors, pointing out the first-year classrooms, the hangouts that everyone visited during breaks and free periods. I asked her random questions about her life, her relationship with Jared, anything to keep her talking so I could hear that beautiful voice.

  As I left her at the door of her next class, I had to physically restrain myself from reaching out to brush a piece of her long dark hair that had fallen across her face behind her ear and reluctantly let go of her hand. I knew that the second I touched her again, I would lose all control and kiss her.

  I said a quick goodbye, trying to stop myself from feeling both
elated from the look of disappointment that flashed across her face and the need to make sure that look never appeared again.

  I couldn’t stop myself from glancing back to look at her one last time before I rounded the corner. I was completely screwed. In one moment, my life had been turned upside-down. I was already falling hard for my best friend’s sister, but the worst part of it…? I could never act on it.

  From this point on I had to focus on my mission—find the girl and get the hell out of this school. Besides, a cold curdling feeling set up in my stomach. Even if I could kid myself that she would be interested in a guy like me, I would only ever bring her trouble and put her in danger.

  As I walked heavily to my class, I greeted Jared and tactfully evaded his questions about why I was trying to hang out with his little sister. I made a vow to myself. No matter what, I had to stay away from Alex Morgan.

  5

  Alex

  I couldn’t fight the grin that spread across my face as I skipped into class. After a whistle-stop tour of the moonlit grounds, Roman and I had ventured inside the monstrously large stone building which looked like it came out of Dracula’s castle.

  Roman had shot question after question at me, taking me through the cool gray hallways, giving me tips on how to navigate my way around the identical maze. At least the classrooms had a more modern feel to them. Each room we visited was spacious with high, arched ceilings. The walls were painted a rich cream color with heavy polished wooden desks and high-backed chairs with comfy looking green velvet upholstery.

  As we stood in the door to my class when the bell trilled, signaling the end of lunch, I had to keep myself still, not trusting that I wouldn’t embarrass myself by doing something stupid like trying to kiss him or something.

  I darted to the back of the room, leaving him standing by the heavy wooden doorway before I found an empty seat in the corner, trying not to glance back as I dug my class schedule back out of my bag. I was so focused on finding the right classroom that I didn’t even bother to check what the lesson actually was.

  I barely noticed a body slump into the chair beside me while my nose was buried in the bag until Emi leaned forward with a little huff.

  Grinning enthusiastically, she spoke in an excited babble. “I’m so glad we’re in the same group! Are you nervous? I’ve been looking forward to this forever… I wonder what I’ll get. I’ve always been drawn to the ocean, so maybe water? I don’t know… What about you? Any ideas?”

  My brow furrowed in confusion for a moment before it dawned on me and dread curled in my stomach as my eyes found the two words printed on the paper: Elemental Studies.

  The sense of dread only intensified as the classroom filled up, a crowd containing Jared and Roman, along with that nasty girl from lunch, Athena, and Rhea, who was in deep conversation with a peroxide-blond male with hair slicked back, a small ring poked through his eyebrow, and a black tattoo spiraled up from his collar and around his neck glided in, standing by a large desk at the front of the class which held four large ceramic bowls.

  “Oh, Mr. Carlisle must want the AP class to do a demonstration before the test starts, I heard he gets the top students from each element to show what they can do before the test every year.”

  I spun back to Emi, realizing that she was still chattering away. The AP class was reserved for the super special vamps who had an affinity for more than one element. Of course, two of my siblings were blessed with two affinities each while I got squat. Obviously, all the special genes had been used up by the time they got to me. Sometimes being the youngest sucks.

  The sinking sensation worsened as my stomach tied itself into knots. This was my worst nightmare. Of course, I would have to not only be tested in front of the whole class, but I was about to be humiliated in front of Athena and Roman, too.

  I couldn’t explain why I hated the idea of looking like a fool in front of my brother’s best friend. And from what I’d heard about Athena, she was even worse than Torah, and however I carried out my spectacular fail there would be more ammunition to use against me in my sister’s favorite game of ‘torture the freak’.

  I realized Emi was still speaking as she looked at me expectantly.

  “I’m sorry, I kinda zoned out there. What were you saying?” I asked, my cheeks flushing in embarrassment as I realized I’d been staring over at a certain blue-eyed someone.

  She shot me a knowing look, followed by a wink as she started talking again. “I was just asking what you think your affinity will be.”

  I cleared my suddenly tight throat, staring down at my desk as I whispered, hoping no one else would hear. “I don’t think I have one… I mean, I’ve never had a connection to any of the elements. I think I’m Void.”

  I tensed, afraid to look up, waiting for the awkwardness, for her to make an excuse to stop talking to me, or just plain bitchy comments.

  What I didn’t expect was the warm hand on my arm. My gaze shot to her in shock as she smiled in sympathy. “That must suck, but you never know, some people don’t gain access to their abilities until the test. Just don’t give up hope.”

  “Thanks, that’s probably the nicest reaction I’ve ever gotten.”

  “Eh, most people are ignorant assholes, so don’t take it personally. Honestly, I wouldn’t care if you were human, I’m keeping you.”

  I let out a little laugh as tears prickled behind my eyes. Emi had no idea how special she was for caring and not rushing to judge someone based on their lack of power.

  “You’re not like most people I’ve met,” I said.

  She gave my shoulder a light squeeze. “Well, I’m not the most popular chick you could have gotten stuck with, but at least I’m not one of those girls who only care about their own gratification and throw themselves at whatever guy has the shiniest car.”

  I smiled. “You definitely don’t seem the type.”

  She chuckled softly, letting go of my arm. “Don’t get me wrong, I still love shiny things… I just prefer substance over power.”

  Warmth bloomed in my chest as I realized I’d probably found the one person in the school who may actually have my back other than Jared. I opened my mouth to reply as the teacher swept into class, making the room go silent, drawing everyone’s excited attention to the front desk.

  “Welcome to Elemental Studies. I’m Professor Carlisle, you may address me as that or sir, but never Carlisle, Prof, or any other inane nicknames you may come up with. I will be in charge of teaching you delinquents about your powers for the next three years, so try not to get on my bad side. I can assure you that you will not enjoy it.”

  He paused, taking in the sea of faces in front of him before he gestured to the small group of students by his desk. “These are some of the most promising students I have taught in the last year, each holding at least two affinities. They are part of an advanced class, which some of you will be placed in if you have the right potential. They will be doing a demonstration of what you will be able to do with a lot of hard work and commitment.”

  Jared caught my eyes and shot me a wink as Professor Carlisle went on. “Every vampire has an affinity with one element, with the exception of the rare Voids.” He glared at the class as most let out snorts of laughter, and I felt my face burn with apprehension.

  “In some cases, someone will have a weaker affinity with a second element, and in very rare cases, a third, though they are severely diluted.

  “After the demonstration, each of you will come up to the front of the class and begin your testing. You will be blessed with the power of The Original, which will fully unlock your powers. Then you will be tried against each element to see which you have a strong connection with. After, you will be placed into your permanent class and begin studying how to master it.”

  He signaled the AP class to come forward. “There are four elements that can be controlled.” He held up four fingers and began to tick them off. “Water, Earth, Air, and Fire.”

  As he listed them, fou
r members of the group stepped up in a choreographed display. Rhea lifted her arms and an arc of water spouted gracefully from the first bowl on the desk, landing in an elegant arc and splashing back inside without a drop spilled. Captain Peroxide, the guy with the piercings, stepped up and slammed his foot down, making the room shudder as the earth in the next bowl lifted at his silent command.

  Jared held his arms up as a breeze lifted my hair, his palms creating two tiny cyclones which he held out toward us. Professor Carlisle gestured to Athena and she silently stepped forward, shooting Jared a sultry smile as she brought her hands up and the cyclones doubled in size, the light breeze that had been blowing through the class increased and I felt my hair start to flutter around my face, even from near the back of the class.

  Finally, Roman flicked out his fingers, and small, bright flames shot from the tips like they were ten lighters, heating the room by a few degrees as they flickered menacingly before winking out.

  The whole room burst out in applause as the show ended, though some of the faces held bored or smug expressions like they could do so much better.

  “Right, now I know you’re all excited to get started, but first, there is some information you need to know.”

  Professor Carlisle spoke for over half an hour about the theory of elemental usage. Most of the class was now holding bored expressions, though I found what he discussed was really interesting.

  Apparently, if you were powerful enough, you could combine your powers with another to create things like storms or other natural disasters. He even talked about the Elementals, a subject most teachers avoided like the plague.

  A couple of centuries ago, a radical group of vampires with multiple affinities grew too greedy, hating being under the control of the council, and decided that they wanted to feed on humans and rule over them.