The Ruby (The Hidden Gems Book 1)

by R. Getsee

  “I’ll have you know, there’s nothing baby about me. I’m a grown-ass woman who can take care of herself,” I shot back coldly.

  Yes. I was a strong independent woman, that’s why I had the urge to throw down with him to prove just how grown I was. I shook myself out of my thoughts as they turned a little less child-friendly. Oh crap… Did I have a crush on my brother’s best friend?

  Luckily, I was distracted from the dangerous path my thoughts were taking as Mr. C strolled into class. Dammit, Emi, now I really was going to accidentally call him that.

  Professor Carlisle was a handsome man by human standards, though as a vampire, he was slightly below average. He barely topped out at six foot and his dark hair was slicked back to cover thinning spots. His slight potbelly was starting to peek out from under his shirt, which he tried to hide with his black sports coat. There was not a single wrinkle on his shirt nor a hair out of place.

  He was almost obsessively neat as he continued to make sure that each of his pencils were lined up beside his pens and papers as he unpacked his brown leather briefcase. He looked to be in his mid-forties, but thanks to vampire aging, he could be well into his seventies without it showing.

  As soon as he took attendance, he dove straight into a lecture on elemental theory. My mind was blessedly stuck trying to catch up on my missed week of theory in less than an hour before he divided us up into pairs of two so we could practice power merging to create a small storm.

  The guy I was paired with had bright orange hair and a silver stud in his lip. Emi got lucky and was paired with Jared, of course. The two of us stood awkwardly in the open space in the middle of the class while he gnawed on his piercing, causing it to pull the corner of his lip, creating a cute little dimple.

  “Hey, can I ask you a question?” he asked suddenly.

  I arched a brow at him. “Technically, you already have, but as long as it remains PG, I’ll let you ask another.”

  He snorted. “I don’t think you’ll have a problem with that… I prefer my dates with a little more beard.”

  I grinned. “Then ask away, my friend.”

  “Can you really control all four elements? I heard from someone that you somehow managed to cheat the test to cover up being a Void.”

  “No, I really have a connection to all four, though I haven’t really done much practice with it yet,” I said. “I wouldn’t pay much heed to a rumor started by my loving sister. She tends to get nasty when someone stands up for themselves.”

  At least the guy had the decency to look sheepish, but I sensed an undertone of disappointment in him as well.

  “Not that I have anything against the Voids, but why does something tell me that you actually wanted the rumor to be true?” I asked.

  “No reason,” he said a little too quickly. “I was just curious.”

  I lay my hand on his shoulder. I didn’t know why, but something told me that this guy was good people. “I believed I was a Void for a while. I didn’t have any powers until after Mr. C invoked the Original’s blessing.”

  “Seriously? That must have been harsh.”

  I shrugged. “At times. Now I’ve shown you mine, it’s time you show me yours.”

  He sighed. “Okay, I know my poker face sucks. My boyfriend was classed as a Void, and now he doesn’t want people to see me with him. It’s hard enough being gay in our world; he doesn’t want any more trouble for me than there already is.”

  I grimaced. “That is a shitty deal, my dude. But if you ever need someone to vent to, or a safe space to be with him, let me know and I’ll try to help any way I can.”

  His eye’s widened in surprise but was prevented from answering as Mr. C came over to check on our progress. Soon, we were too immersed in trying to feel for each other’s powers so we could merge them together.

  As I focused, I felt heat emanate from him, along with a scent of saltwater that faintly clung to his skin.

  “You’re a fire primarily and a water second, yeah?” I asked.

  His eyes snapped open. “Yeah, how did you…?” he trailed off as I shrugged.

  I explained a plan that was forming in my mind. As I instructed, as Aiden—as I finally found was his name—started to funnel out his fire power in small increments until I was able to latch on and funnel my wind and water powers until a small cloud formed above us, crackling with purple lightning.

  Professor Carlisle shot over to us, calling the class to attention to show how well we were doing and what a great match we made. I couldn’t help but notice that Roman’s partner held a couple of burns from the times that his powers flared up too far. I didn’t fail to notice that the flare-up happened to coincide with Mr. C’s praise of Aiden and my teamwork and how it sounded almost like the teacher was coupling us off.

  I remembered how my fire flared up last Saturday… It seemed to grow hotter as what I now realize was my jealousy at the thought of Torah’s hands on Roman.

  He doesn’t think of you that way. You’re just feeding into your own desires, I reminded myself as the storm cloud finally died down and we were allowed a break.

  After a grueling day of practicing my powers, I was so ready for the longest, hottest shower of my life. I quickly fell headfirst into a pile of pillows, all thoughts of movement completely disappeared as my body refused to move.

  Trying to fight off the exhaustion, I felt as though a thought was niggling in the back of my mind. As my eyes drooped closed, I realized that I hadn’t had a single weird dream since my powers awakened. For some reason, I knew that would change tonight.

  Panic raced through me as I tried to open my eyes, but it was useless. I knew I would remember this time. I was about to find out what it was that was so disturbing that I would wake in cold sweats and my heart pounding like I’d run a marathon.

  My body finally gave up the struggle, and it was then, at the moment before I fell asleep, that I was sucked into a vision.

  9

  Alex

  My mind flooded with the vision I once again had—that out-of-body experience where I felt my body lying on my bed, but I also felt like I was here. Well, wherever here was.

  It was different from the other place, though. When I’d been in the place with all the energies, it was bright and warm—I could feel life all around. Here, it was cold and dark and left me feeling empty.

  I shivered as a freezing chill seeped into my skin, creating goose bumps up my arms. It was deathly quiet, the only sound was my harsh breathing as I gasped in and out, looking around the darkness to try to figure out where I was.

  I didn’t know how it was possible, but I knew that wherever this harsh place was, it felt completely real as my feet made a light thud on what I assumed was hard-packed dirt. There was also a complete absence of light, not even stars. I gazed around, trying to find anything, but there was only the pressure of the pit of darkness around me.

  I winced as my foot caught on what must have been a small stone that was sent skittering across the ground. I paused as I heard another sound. It was like a little rattle, followed by a low whisper. If there was any breeze, I would have thought it was the wind.

  I shrank back as the darkness moved around me. Yes moved. It was like a pile of the darkest shadows moved around me—writhing around my body, weighing it down, making my movements sluggish.

  The whisper grew louder, and my heart galloped like my life depended on it. I realized that the noise was coming from them. They were closing in around me, moving faster and faster, almost like my presence here excited them. It was like they were screaming in my mind, yet they spoke below a whisper.

  When they touched me, I flinched in shock, but panic kept me paralyzed. They wound their way around my body, starting at my feet and slowly traveling upward, trying to pull me farther into darkness.

  They felt evil. That was the only way to describe the cold emptiness that filled my mind and chilled me to the core. My teeth chattered. It felt like the tendrils curled around inside me, sliding l
ike snakes around my soul, leaving a cold, slimy trail of despair in their wake.

  That rattling sound came again—the sound of chains dragging across the ground—before the soft thud of light footsteps. I held my breath, trying to hear over the thumping of my heart. Yes, there it was again. The shadows seemed to shriek with excitement and fear, retreating from me as the menacing footsteps drew nearer.

  I squeezed my eyes closed, trying to wake up. Whatever made those things react in terror and elation, I didn’t want to meet it.

  Whoever or whatever was advancing on me held enough power to reach across the distance between us. It emitted so much that it made my teeth vibrate and my skin sting like I’d fallen into a pit of fire ants.

  My stomach cramped, and I fought the urge to throw up as I swayed on my feet, overcome by the sheer force of what the creature was emanating. I would almost welcome the shadow-snakes back—they felt like fluffy bunnies compared to this. This was true evil, pure evil. This was what inspired the monsters under the bed, the stories of Tartarus, everything that came from the bad in the world.

  A deep sense of foreboding filled me as the presence drifted ever closer, making me wonder if the rattling chains were for me or if that was what kept it from tearing my soul away.

  “Oh, you don’t know how long I have waited,” a voice whispered from the darkness. “But the time is almost upon us. My bonds are finally starting to break, and soon, I will be free to walk upon the Earth once more.”

  I shivered uncontrollably as I sucked in a breath, willing myself not to whimper as I felt its gaze fall upon me and heard it take a deep breath as if it were sniffing the air.

  “So, the prophecies are true,” it rasped and laughed mockingly. “The Ancients powers have finally awoken once more.”

  I drew in a deep breath, trying to keep the fear out of my voice. “Who are you? Where are we? What do you mean the Ancients?”

  The creature seemed to find my confusion amusing as it let out a booming laugh. “You don’t even know the power you hold.”

  “Then why don’t you tell me?” I was proud when my voice only shook a little.

  I was getting really sick of that twisted laugh. I felt like I was the character in some supernatural movie that met the devil-like creature, but fear kept any sassy comments at bay.

  “The First really thought you could stop me? You are but a child, you cannot hope to defeat me. The others’ powers are still dormant, and while your powers are growing, without all three you do not stand a chance against me.”

  “The First… do you mean the Original?” I asked. “And what three?”

  “You think that I will tell you? Child, you are alive barely a blink of an eye; I have been here since the beginning. I may be bound now, but as each chain breaks, I will grow stronger,” the voice said. “Soon, I will have enough power gathered and you will be alive no longer, then I will dispose of you before you can unite your powers. Enjoy the time I have gifted you, as it will soon run out.”

  The shadows swarmed back, and any questions I thought of asking disappeared as I fought their cloying presence. My wrist burned as they wrapped themselves around it, trying to drag me down into the darkness.

  I was lying facedown in softness. I leaped to my feet, my pillows flying off the bed, as my eyes darted around the familiar room. Sunlight filtered in through a crack in the curtains, and I sent a thank you to my freakish genes for the whole sun-proof thing—waking up on fire was not good for you.

  I turned on my bedside lamp before adjusting the curtains to block out the light. I really didn’t want to be in darkness right now but no matter how much I wanted to let the sunlight warm my cold body, it would be really awkward if someone heard me up and came to check on me as the window was opposite the door, which would lead to a vampire matchstick.

  I checked the clock, the glowing LED numbers showing me it was twelve p.m.

  My clothes from yesterday stuck to my skin with cold perspiration, and I rubbed my arms to warm myself from the shivers that still wracked my body while my head pounded.

  I grabbed an oversized shirt and a pair of cotton sleep shorts as I headed to my bathroom, cranking the shower to the maximum heat. I adjusted the spray before I shucked my gross clothes, throwing them into the hamper in the corner.

  I caught my reflection in the mirror as I turned back to the shower and gasped. My skin was deathly pale and there were dark purple smudges under my eyes, but what caught my attention were my irises. Around the usual jewel-bright green, there was a ring of black that was slowly starting to shrink.

  I stared at it until it was completely gone before I once again considered the notion that I was going crazy. I rubbed my cold hands over my face hard enough that it prickled as blood rushed to it.

  Sighing, I turned to the steamy shower, deciding that getting warm and clean took precedent over scary shower monsters. It was only after getting out over an hour later, when I reached for the door, that I discover the two large welts on my wrist exactly where the shadows had grabbed me.

  Throwing on a pair on leather-look-a-like leggings and a simple purple sweater, I took another giant gulp of coffee. Sleep had been almost impossible after the shower, and I was paying dearly for it now.

  A large amount of concealer covered my washed-out complexion and dark circles, while the sweater’s long sleeves hid the ugly purple-black bruise that surrounded my wrist.

  I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, arriving at school with seconds to spare. Breathing heavily, I flung myself into my seat as the bell rang.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Concern filled Roman’s deep timbre as I met his shocking blue eyes.

  “Yeah, just ran a little late this morning,” I forced out with a smile, trying for a nonchalant tone.

  By the way his eyes narrowed in suspicion, I didn’t do a good job of convincing him. Luckily, I was spared from answering any more questions as Mr. C arrived, a little flustered as he was never usually late, his shirt wrinkled.

  During lunch, I was distracted and lost in my thoughts of the dark place. I barely answered any questions, and I caught Emi’s narrowed gaze as I absentmindedly rubbed my wrist. Our lunch crowd was slowly growing, which now contained Aiden—my partner from class—his twin sister, Moira, and their brother, Sean, who all transferred from the Irish clan when they were little and their father was offered a job on the council.

  Aiden was by far my favorite out of the trio—his easy, friendly nature blended into our group effortlessly. Sean was also nice, though his joking, flirty demeanor rubbed me the wrong way sometimes—Roman, too, for some reason. Moira was the least likable of the group, though she tried to act friendly enough, there was a hard layer to her that made it seem like she was only here because of her brothers and she would probably rather be at Athena’s table.

  Emi caught my eye just before lunch ended. “Hey, Alex, can I grab that book you were going to lend me from your locker?”

  I blinked. When did we discuss books? Emi was definitely an ‘I’ll just watch the movie’ type of girl. Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed my hand and towed me out of the cafeteria, bulldozing through the crowd like a pit bull before nudging me into an empty classroom.

  “Okay, spill,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

  Panicking, I feigned ignorance. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Reaching over, she grabbed my hand, jerking my sleeve up to reveal the dark bruise. She gasped. “Who the hell do I have to kill?” she spat through gritted teeth. “I swear, if this has anything to do with why you and Roman are acting weird with each other, I will string him up by his jewels and stuff piranhas down his jeans.”

  I snorted in shock at Emi going all warrior woman on me. Her usual soft demeanor was gone, and for once, I saw the vampire in the girl.

  “Chill, it wasn’t a guy, or a girl. Hell, it wasn’t anyone,” I said, fear staring to tinge my voice. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you… In fact, you would pro
bably cart me off to a mental institution.”

  Her eyes narrowed and her hand rose slowly before shooting out and jabbing me in the chest. I gasped, clutching my injured boob as I cursed. “What the hell was that for, Emalia?” I choked out, hands still cradling the girls.

  “That,” Emi said slowly, “was for violating the best friend code and keeping secrets, and for ever thinking that I wouldn’t believe you when you’re clearly scared.”

  I grimaced. She was right, but still… “It’s pretty insane; even I’m doubting my sanity.”

  “Well, then it looks like you need someone else’s perspective. Now spill.”

  Taking a deep breath, I started to speak. Once I opened the door, words just spilled out. I explained my visions from the first day of school, the place I had gone when I was blessed, the debacle at dinner and my discovery of the book afterward, and my suspicion that I held the power of the fifth element. Finally, I whispered about the vision yesterday, the freaky thing with my eyes and the bruise that seemed to have been left by the shadow monsters.

  By the time I was finished, I was breathing hard, and we both missed the bell for history.

  “So,” I said, nibbling my lip, “still think I’m sane?”

  Emi blew out a breath. “Damn, girl, there’s never a dull moment with you. I knew we were destined for greatness.” My brow furrowed in confusion and she continued, “Well, my bestie is obviously going to be a threat to whatever that thing that threatened you was, which means you’re going to be a superhero, and that means you’ll need a sidekick.”

  “Wait… You believe me?” I asked incredulously.

  “Of course. My momma always talked about theories of the fifth element. She said it would take a real special person to have a connection with it, and you fall solidly into that category.” She grinned. “I guess that means we’ll need costumes.”