Renewed: House of Shadows Book 3

by Michelle Areaux

  Now, I was shocked. Sabrina was taking up for us now?

  Brie stormed off, her fangs out and her eyes blood red with anger.

  “Thank you, Sabrina,” I began, but was cut off.

  “Don’t you dare thank me,” Sabrina lashed out at me. “You seem to bring trouble wherever you go. I can handle Brie, but what I can’t handle is knowing that my friends and family from the Fire Coven are being put in danger because of you,” she screeched.

  Donovan jumped in front of me and I heard a growl unlike I had ever heard before. He bends his knees and gets into an attacking stance. I placed my hand on his shoulder to calm him, but he was enraged and I wasn’t sure anything would stop him.

  “Why are you fighting with me? We are supposed to be on the same team,” I cried out. I had to do something and right now, trying to understand why Sabrina hated us needed to be solved.

  A loud, high-pitched laugh escaped her lips. “Team? We are not a team. We were brought here to get you all out of the mess you all created. I hate Vampires and want nothing to do with them, especially you and Donovan,” she seethed, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

  With that, Sabrina spun on her heels and ran out of the room with a flash leaving us stunned and confused.

  ***

  Carrying an armful of blankets and pillows, Eden and I were escorted down the hall and into the main foyer of The House of Shadows. Once everyone was back, we were to be given our roles for the night.

  “Why do you think Sabrina hates us all so much?” I asked Eden.

  Shrugging, she kept her gaze focused ahead as she said, “Who knows. Sabrina is a miserable person.”

  I thought that over for a second, but I wasn’t sure I agreed with that.

  Once we reached the main halls, I could see everyone setting up their stations. The Vampires were being instructed to get into three groups. One group would be stationed at the back doors and were told to watch the security cameras. A second group would be set up out front by the main gates. Finally, a third group would stay inside the academy with the Witches. I was told by Donovan that I would remain inside, but I had already suspected that would be the case. There was no way Donovan would let me outside if he could help it.

  “If you don’t feel comfortable doing any of this, I can hide you,” Donovan says to me, as I help Eden stack jars of blood in a corner.

  Shaking my head, I smile at Donovan. “I appreciate your concern, but this is my battle, too. I have to fight, if only to prove that I am a real Vampire,” I say.

  “You are a real Vampire,” Donovan argues.

  “That’s not what I mean. You keep acting like I am this fragile object, but I’m strong just like you all,” I finish.

  Donovan nods and I can see that he understands what I am saying, but he also hates it as well.

  “I just can’t stand the thought of something happening to you,” he sighs.

  “Nothing is going to happen to me. Now, I am going to find Sabrina,” I announced.

  Both Eden and Donovan look at me like I just grew two heads. “What?” they both say in unison.

  “I need to find out the real reason why Sabrina is so nasty around Vampires,” I say, before racing off before they can stop me.

  Chapter 15

  ______________________________________________________________________

  I know that Donovan is somewhere around here, watching me and making sure that I am safe while I set off on my mission.

  It will only be a matter of time before Zane arrives. I can feel it in my soul that he is on his way. When Zane kidnapped me, he wanted vengeance for The House of Shadows not allowing humans to be fed from. He was waging war for his own personal mission, and I wanted to be on the frontlines to stop him. No longer would I allow Donovan or anyone else to treat me like I was some breakable creature. If I lost my life tonight, so be it. But, I could never forgive myself for not uncovering every last secret at The House of Shadows.

  I walked through the busy halls, my eyes set on Sabrina who was stationed by the back doors. When I approached, she only gave me a slight nod before continuing to flip through a book.

  “What are you reading?” I ask, trying to break the tension between us.

  Setting the book down, Sabrina eyed me carefully. “Audrey, we aren’t friends. So, I know you are not interested in this book of spells I am reviewing,” she said.

  Sighing, I kneeled down next to her on the ground. “You are right, we aren’t friends. That’s not why I came looking for you,” I say.

  “Why are you here?” she asks, exasperated.

  “Honestly? Because I need to know why you hate Vampires so much. All of the other Witches seem to be getting along just fine. You even dated, although it was a scam, Donovan. So, what is the real reason for your anger?” I ask her.

  Sabrina seems baffled by my question at first. I can sense her anger, but I also see that she is fighting on whether or not to be honest with me. Finally, after a long pause, she begins.

  “Audrey, we may all die tonight, so I guess I might as well give you the answer. Not that it really matters though,” she states.

  “It will matter to me,” I say, letting her know I am being genuine.

  “Audrey, I didn’t always hate Vampires. In fact, at one time, I was in love with one,” she begins, and I see her lip tremble.

  She can’t be talking about Donovan. I’ve seen the way she looks at him and there is no love or even a friendship there. I don’t speak up, because I need to hear what she has to say.

  “Years ago, our coven and the Vampires at The House of Shadows worked together. There was a battle for part of the land that our schools are housed on. The werewolves wanted to claim everything past the lake; but we didn’t want to give up our lands, so we joined together. Zane and I teamed up and I fell for him instantly. He was angry with Donovan. I never really asked for a reason, but he asked me to cast the spell over Donovan so that I could make him fall in love with me, then break his heart. Zane had a mission to drive Donovan out of the House of Shadows. At the time, I thought that what I was doing was right. I was in love with Zane and would have done anything that he had asked me to do. Maybe Donovan was a bad guy after all. However, once Donovan discovered what I had done, Zane became enraged and wanted nothing to do with me. I realized that he had just used me. He didn’t love me like I had loved him. From that day on, I hated Vampires and refused to step foot near your property.”

  As she finished, I felt myself feeling a sense of kinship with Sabrina. We had both been tricked and used by Zane. Neither of us could see past our own hearts, but I understood her anger.

  Reaching over, I placed my hand on hers. She flinched at first, but then allowed me to comfort her.

  “Sabrina, I understand probably better than anyone else how it feels to be used by Zane. He is the reason I lost my human life and became a Vampire. But, I had to find some good in it. As a Vampire, I am stronger, faster, and I get to be with Donovan. You just need to find some good that can come out of your own situation,” I advised.

  I could see that Sabrina wanted to say something snarky to me, it was ingrained in her personality to always be on the defensive. I understood and recognized that, but it wasn’t needed anymore.

  “Why are you being nice to me? I have been nothing but awful to you,” she asks, her eyes locked on mine.

  “We all deserve second chances. I saw something inside of you that told me you weren’t just being cruel for fun. Now, I know why you held in so much anger. But, tonight we have a chance to destroy Zane. We can stop this madness,” I say.

  I hear footsteps coming from behind us and I don’t have to turn around to know that it is Donovan. Emerging from the shadows, Donovan comes to stand in front of us.

  “I had no idea, Sabrina,” Donovan says.

  I can see the remorse reflected in his eyes. Zane’s tirade reached farther than any of us could ever have imagined. He had been set on destroying Donovan and The House of Shadows fo
r years.

  Shaking her head, I saw Sabrina look away as a lone tear slipped down her cheek. “It’s ok. I should be apologizing,” she said.

  “How about we all call it a truce?” I recommend it. “I mean, the true enemy here is Zane and his army of Vampires coming for us.”

  Both Donovan and Sabrina nod in agreement. It is refreshing to feel some sense of closure right now, even if it is only a minor accomplishment.

  Suddenly, Eden comes running down the hall. Sabrina and I stand and the frantic look on Eden’s face causes panic to rise within me.

  “Zane and his Vampires were just spotted outside of the gates. It’s time,” Eden yells.

  ***

  In times of fear, it is important to remember what truly matters. Standing with Donovan, Eden, and Sabrina, I realized that what was important wasn’t anger or a need to get revenge. No, what I held true in my heart was protecting my family.

  The House of Shadows was my family.

  There was a strange sense of urgency in the air as everyone stood in place. I had never been in a true battle before, but I could only imagine this was going to be difficult and something that would mark me for the rest of my life.

  I turned to my right and looked at Donovan. I wanted to memorize everything about him--just in case this didn’t turn out as planned. I gasped as I stared at the boy who I now loved more than myself. It was him who had brought me back from the brink of death and it would always be Donovan who captured and held my heart for the rest of eternity.

  Slowly, my gaze caught sight of Eden. Sweet-- compassionate, and loyal Eden. She was more a sister than a friend now. If I could hold half of her qualities, I would consider myself a good person. If we survived this tonight, I would make sure to let her know everyday just how special she truly was.

  And then, I looked over Sabrina. When we first met, I had found her manically evil and corrupt. But after taking time to get to know her, I realized Sabrina was just a girl who had a broken heart. It’s funny how heartbreak can bring you to the brink of insanity and cause you do things you never thought you were capable of doing.

  Outside, I could hear the sounds of hissing and yelling. Donovan squeezed my hand, none of us daring to move.

  The Dean stood in front of the large, front doors, his face masked with a serious scowl. If he were afraid like the rest of us, he wasn’t showing it.

  With a nod, he glanced back at Gloria and two other Witches.

  “You need to create a binding spell so that The House of Shadows is protected by your magic,” The Dean yelled over the booming noise from outside.

  I watched as several of the Witches, including Sabrina, stepped up beside the Dean. They began chanting as one; and to my complete shock, a green light flashed from their fingers and I felt the ground below me shake. Then, just as fast as it all had happened, it stopped.

  “It is done,” Gloria announced.

  “Will the binding spell stop Zane from coming in here?” I asked Donovan.

  “I am not sure. I think it will make it very difficult for him,” he said.

  It didn’t sit well with me that Donovan wasn’t convinced that the spell would work.

  One of the guards stepped up to the Dean and I saw a flash of panic streak across his stoic face. I knew Donovan noticed it too, because his grip on my hand grew tighter.

  Turning to us, the Dean paused before announcing, “Everyone, Zane was able to get past two guards before the binding spell was set. He has taken a student,” he said.

  While my eyes locked on the Dean, I noticed a sudden movement out of the corner of my eye. Sabrina was starting to slowly back away from everyone.

  It was quiet for a minute, silence blanketed the area as everyone allowed the knowledge that a student had been taken...again... sink in.

  “Who is the student?” I asked, bravely taking the first step to interrupt the quiet.

  The Dean looked over at me and our gazes locked. He watched me carefully and soon, all eyes in the room were watching us like we were center stage. He couldn’t read my thoughts, I was sure; but still, it was as though he were searching inside of me to uncover what I was thinking. We all waited anxiously as he struggled to find the right way to tell us his news. It was the first time since arriving at the House of Shadows, that I ever saw him look nervous. That thought alone sent shivers down my spine. He was in charge, the one person who I looked to for when trouble occurred. He was supposed to be brave for all of us, but right now, he appeared to be just as shaken up by all of this as we were.

  Finally, with a heavy breath he responded. “The student was Brie.”

  Chapter 16

  ______________________________________________________________________

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  Donovan was staring at me with a look of anger as I took another step back.

  How did we let this happen again? How many more souls would be ruined by Zane before we were able to take him down?

  Another guard ran into the room and this time, he didn’t bother to whisper. There was so much commotion happening, it was clear that we were all aware of the news.

  “Dean, the prisoner has escaped!” he shouted.

  The rogue Vampire they had caught and imprisoned was now lost? We were all in grave danger now. Why would he steal Brie? She was annoying and frustrating… but maybe that was the point. Brie would be one of the last students anyone would ever think would be kidnapped. Any normal kidnapper would have brought her cranky self back, but Zane needed time to devise a plan.

  Donovan looked back at me and I caught the same yellow glow in his eyes that I saw the night of the dance when he had attacked Zane. It was also the same look he held when he found me and tried to attack Zane. Something had snapped in Donovan and I knew there was no stopping him now.

  “I will be right back,” Donovan said. He cupped my face in his hands and stared deep into my eyes.

  Tears began to burn my eyes. Something about the way he was looking at me told me that what he was about to do, could possibly destroy him. Destroy me.

  “Where are you going?” I asked, my lips quivering.

  Donovan placed a kiss to my lips, our ragged breathing the only sound as we embraced. I was holding onto him, my hands gripping his biceps, as I attempted to hold him in place. I feared if I let him go, he may never return. Knowing Donovan, he was on a mission to stop Zane now. A voice inside of me began to shout, it’s a trap. Zane is luring you all there to kill you. Don’t let him go.

  “Do you trust me?” Donovan asked.

  “Donovan…” I pleaded. He wasn’t answering me and that was terrifying me to my very core. The nagging voice inside my head grew louder and I knew every action taken tonight was made with careful consideration on Zane’s part. Donovan would know that, too, if he were thinking rationally. But, he wasn’t. All he saw was red and death.

  “Audrey. I love you more than I have ever loved anything in my life. The day I met you, I felt like I was given a second chance at life. You aren’t just a girl or a Vampire, you are an angel sent from heaven. If I don’t act now, Zane will never stop. Please, just tell me you love me,” Donovan cried, as he continued to hold my face.

  “I love you,” I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion.

  He kissed me one last time, and then he was gone.

  “No!” I screamed, once I realized I was no longer holding onto him.

  Eden and the Dean turned to see what had me lashing out. As I stared into thin air, I fell to my knees, sobs now breaking free from my chest.

  Eden rushed over to me and cradled me in her arms. “Audrey, where did Donovan go?” she asked.

  “Donovan left?” the Dean asked.

  Alarm rang from both of their voices, but all I could do was nod, yes.

  Sabrina stood near the wall, shaking her head as she took in the scene around us.

  “I think I know where Donovan is going,” Sabrina announced, her eyes locked on the window.


  “What? Where?” I asked, slowly standing with the help of Eden.

  “Guards, I need everyone looking for Donovan. My son has left,” the Dean announced loudly.

  The Witches huddled around, waiting for their own task. Orders were being shouted, people were running, and weapons were handed out.

  I jumped into action and grabbed Sabrina by her shoulders, shaking her rapidly. “Tell me where Donovan is,” I demanded of her.

  Her eyes were filled with tears, but she opened her mouth and spoke. “When Zane told me what he had done to Donovan, it was at the lake. Zane also confided in me once that when he had killed humans, he would throw them in the lake. If he has Brie, that’s where he would take her,” she said.

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  Sabrina only nodded, but that was all I needed. If Zane was heading to the lake with Brie, then somehow Donovan knew this, too.

  Swirling sensations floated through me as I did the unthinkable. If I told Eden or anyone else what I had planned to do next, everyone would have stopped me. I was sure the Witches would have been told to place a spell on me so I couldn’t leave the Academy. I couldn’t risk anyone stopping me now. Donovan had saved me and now it was my turn to save him and Brie.

  So, without warning, and without giving anyone a response, I began to run until I crashed through the large glass window facing the back of the school. I heard the glass shatter all around me, but I didn’t pause to inspect the danger.

  I could hear voices and sirens wailing and calling to me, but nothing was going to stop me now. The closer I got to the lake, the quicker my feet moved. If I had been timed, I was sure I was beating every record ever placed for speed.

  The silver moon above glowed brightly, providing additional light so I could see as I traveled through the damp night grass. Breaking into the wooded forest, branches cracked and flew like debris all around me as I made my way through the trees and underbrush. Somewhere up ahead, my sole reason for being was stalking a dangerous and deadly Vampire. I threw all of my energy and power into running, utilizing the training I had received as I pushed myself harder and harder. I knew it was only a matter of time before Eden, the Dean, and the rest of the Academy came after me. I needed a lead ahead of them. Whatever Donovan was planning to do, I had to stop him.