Reckless Times: A Paranormal Romance (Paragon Society Book 1)

by Michelle Hercules

  Andromeda

  I’m about to go to bed and listen to an audiobook when my phone pings. The message is from a Fringe girl I met in PE, Katja. She’s the only student who tried to be friendly, for reasons I can’t fathom. For the most part, everyone left me alone. It won’t last, of course. They don’t know that I can sense their malicious intentions. They’re cooking something, and I’m just pretending to be completely oblivious to it.

  Katja is inviting me to a party in Soho, an artsy neighborhood downtown. It’s mostly an Idol scene, but she’s a high-level Fringe, so I’m not surprised she wants to go. I couldn’t care less about going out tonight, but I’m curious about it. I’ve never been to a party that wasn’t organized by my parents or their friends.

  My folks are at a function, and Fatima has retired for the evening. Sneaking out won’t be a problem. The only issue right now is getting dressed. I may moan about Fatima’s choices sometimes, but it gives me a sense of security when she helps. I wouldn’t know if a pair of leggings has a hole in the crotch or if my shirt has a disgusting stain.

  Since it’s impossible for her to be with me 24-7, my clothes are organized by color. It helps me not end up dressed like a clown. What I can’t tell is if an ensemble is appropriate for my age or if I’m wearing something from my mother’s closet.

  In the end, I opt for a pair of jeans and a simple T-shirt. Basic is better than old lady style. I pair them with high-heeled boots and slip on a leather jacket that I know isn’t half bad because Martha, Mario’s preteen daughter, said it was cool. She wasn’t lying. I’m pretty good at picking up falsehood in people’s remarks.

  I thought I would be able to sneak out through the gates easily like the last time, but tonight, two security guards are posted nearby. Fuck. They’ll never let me through without checking with my parents first, and I know what their answer will be.

  I need to find another way out.

  Quietly, I retrace my steps and walk the perimeter of the high wall that surrounds our property. There are security cameras everywhere, which I can disable easily, but I pick a spot near a cluster of tall trees so I’m concealed. There are more security guards patrolling, all low-level Idols. It wouldn’t be hard to overpower them, but I really don’t want the nuisance. Besides, the point is to sneak out without a commotion. I don’t need a lecture from my parents. They can also pull me from Paragon Academy if they want to.

  I hate that I’m at their mercy. I’m already eighteen, but I depend on them as if I were a small child. Attending Paragon gives me hope that I can find a way to break free from their chains. Many times, I’ve considered running away, but where would I go? I know nothing of the world.

  But those are only excuses I give myself. What truly keeps me chained is the fear of my past coming to collect its due.

  I shake my head, trying to get rid of the gloomy thoughts. Letting my chains loose, I find the security camera nearest to me and kill it with one strike. Knowing security will be here within seconds, I bend my knees and jump as high as I can, clearing the ten-foot wall with room to spare. When Stephan asked me what other powers I had, I lied to him. I’m not sure why. He already knows what a badass I am. I can’t fly like him, but I can jump higher than most Idols can. I never considered this a special ability until recently.

  When I land on the sidewalk, the sound of running feet isn’t far behind. The guards are coming. I take off in the direction of the main street. It’s late, past ten, but the traffic is still intense when I get there. The only problem now will be flagging a cab. With so many cars speeding down the road, I can’t tell which ones are cabs unless I reveal my chains.

  “Fuck,” I mutter to myself.

  A car stops in front of me suddenly, and for a split second, I believe I got lucky. But then the driver speaks.

  “Andromeda?”

  My heart does a backflip. Too soon though. A second later, I realize it’s not Stephan who spoke but his troublemaker brother, Soren.

  “What are you doing here?” we both ask at the same time.

  “I’m trying to catch a cab,” I answer.

  “Shit, good luck with that. Where are you going?”

  “To a party in Soho.”

  “You were invited?”

  Frowning, I reply, “Yeah. Why do you sound surprised?”

  “No reason. Get in. I’m headed that way.”

  This might not be the perfect solution, but it beats standing on the curb, blindly trying to find a ride.

  “Okay, thanks.”

  He peels off, burning rubber as soon as I close the door. My spine presses against the leather seat as the car goes from zero to sixty in less than three seconds.

  “Whoa. Easy on the gas there, Speedy.”

  “What’s the matter, Andy? Are you scared?”

  “Of dying in a car crash? No. I’d survive that. You, on the other hand, I’m not so sure.”

  “What makes you think you could survive if I turned this car into a metal pancake? Is your power skin of steel?”

  I snort. “No.”

  “Put your seat belt on. Stephan would kill me if you got hurt under my watch.”

  My damn heart acts up again by lurching forward. This whole crush thing is getting out of hand.

  “I’m safer without it.”

  I want to ask Soren about his Stephan remark, but I don’t want to sound too interested in his brother.

  “What did you do to me that day in the hallway?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t play dumb with me. I know it was you who knocked me down. I felt chains wrap around my ankles and then a hard yank. What was that?”

  “Nothing but good old-fashioned telekinesis.”

  “Bullshit. Telekinesis is one of my gifts, and it’s nothing like that.”

  “Maybe I’m just better at it.”

  “You know what? For someone who’s lacking a sense, you sure are cocky.”

  Fury bubbles up my throat. “You’re an ass.”

  “And you’re a bitch.”

  My chains rattle. Only sheer willpower is keeping them from making shish kebab out of Soren.

  “I changed my mind. I don’t want to go with you anywhere.”

  “It doesn’t matter anyway. We’re here.”

  It’s then that I notice the car has stopped.

  “Already?”

  “God, do you even know where you live?”

  There are so many angry retorts that I want to yell in Soren’s face, but they all make me sound pathetic. I can’t tell him that I have no fucking clue where anything is in Hawk City because my parents never allowed me to go anywhere alone.

  I bite my tongue and get out of the car. Soren trades words with the valet and joins me on the sidewalk.

  “You have no idea where the party is, do you? If you apologize, I’ll let you come in with me.”

  “You’d better sit down and wait for an apology because it’s not coming any time soon.”

  “Whatever. Suit yourself.”

  He walks into the building in front of us, leaving me choking on my anger. You’re lucky I like your brother. I wait a minute before I follow the jackass, because fuck it, I have my pride. The text Katja sent only had the address, but judging by Soren’s remark, this isn’t a house. Once inside, I can guess I’m in a hotel lobby by the way things are laid out. There’s the reception desk straight ahead, a sitting area to my right, and by the sound of silverware chinking against china, a restaurant to my left. Since she didn’t add a room number to her message, I’m beginning to think this is a trap for me. Now Katja’s friendliness is beginning to make sense.

  It doesn’t matter though. Soren’s scent has left a trail for me to follow. He headed for the elevators. To make sure I get out at the correct floor, all I have to do is get on in the same metal box he did. What my chains can’t tell me, my nose can.

  It takes a minute for the correct elevator to return to the lobby. A family of four joins me, which s
ucks. It would be easier to pick up his scent if it wasn’t mixed with that of these strangers. Like a lunatic, I lean forward and take a big whiff of the button panel so I know which one Soren pressed.

  “What is she doing?” one of the kids in the party asks.

  “Smelling for clues,” I reply. “There’s a werewolf on the loose, and I’m here to catch it.”

  “What? Werewolves don’t exist,” the boy replies.

  “She’s kidding, JoJo,” the mother says.

  They step out two floors before mine, and I use those last seconds alone to prepare myself for battle. The boys and girls of Paragon Academy are about to learn they shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

  13

  Andromeda

  I don’t need to use my chains to find the party once I step out on the hallway. It’s actually being held on the hotel’s rooftop, which should have been my first guess if I had known this place had one. Soren banked on my naïveté and blindness to piss me off.

  The cacophony of sounds—animated talking and loud music in the background—hurts my ears. It takes me a moment to separate each one of them, and when I do, I can hear strings of conversation. Phrases like “What is she doing here?” and “The freak’s arrived” are discernible now.

  They think I can’t hear them thanks to the loud music, which proves that I’m surrounded by morons.

  A hand on my arm makes me tense in an instant. A split second later, I recognize Katja’s perfume. She’s lucky her signature fragrance is this sickly sweet flower and vanilla combo that can be sensed from miles away. My chains were ready to attack.

  “Hey, Andy. You made it.”

  “Yup.”

  “I like your jacket.”

  “Thanks. Point me to the bar, will you? I’m parched.”

  I already know where the bar is, but I want to keep playing the role of the helpless blind girl to see what my dear classmates have in store for me.

  She laces her arm with mine and steers me toward the busiest part of the terrace. The physical contact makes me hella uncomfortable. I don’t like anyone invading my personal space.

  “How did you get here?”

  Fuck. I don’t want to tell her Soren gave me a ride, but I also don’t know if the dickwad told anyone that he did.

  “Who cares? I need a drink.” I elbow my way through the wall of bodies blocking my path until I reach the bar counter.

  “Hey, watch it, Fringe,” a guy to my right says.

  At first, I think he’s talking to someone else, but then I remember I’m toning my powers down, which means he thinks I’m a Fringe. He clearly doesn’t know who my parents are, or he simply took the short bus to school. Powers muted or not, I couldn’t possibly be a Fringe considering my parents are Idols.

  “Watch yourself, jerkface,” I retort.

  “What did you call me?” He grabs my arm.

  What’s with everyone thinking they can touch me?

  “Let go of her, Leroy,” Soren says not too far from me.

  Immediately, I’m free from the idiot’s grasp. But instead of feeling thankful for Soren’s timely interruption, I’m pissed.

  “You’ve been here for not even a minute and you’re already creating trouble,” he says.

  “I didn’t do anything.”

  “Right. Well, you’re welcome.”

  “For what? I didn’t need your help. I had everything under control.” I turn to the bartender. “What do I have to do here to get a drink?”

  “Easy there, girlie. I can’t read minds. What do you want?” he asks.

  I feel bad for taking my frustrations out on the guy. Two minutes in this party and I’m already an asshole. God, I wonder if being in close contact with them is rubbing off on me.

  “Three shots of your strongest tequila, please.”

  Soren whispers in my ear. “If you’re trying to get wasted, that won’t even give you a light buzz.”

  “You would know about that, wouldn’t you?”

  The bartender sets the three shot glasses in front of me, which I polish off before Soren can nudge a reply in. They go down like liquid fire, but other than that, I feel nothing. It’s my understanding that the effects are almost immediate on Norms. They feel warm and fuzzy inside. Man, that definitely beats feeling cold and prickly.

  “Would you like to pay for it now or open a tab?” the bartender asks.

  “I’m paying now.” I slide my credit card across the counter. “And I’m going to need the entire bottle.”

  “No she won’t,” Soren butts in again.

  I turn in his direction. “Who the hell assigned you as my babysitter?”

  “I don’t fucking know. But you’re an idiot for coming to this party and keeping your powers toned down like that.” Soren leans closer to my ear. “I know you’re a level seventeen, Andy. Why you’re pretending to be a Fringe beats me, but I’d watch my back if I were you.”

  “Are you threatening me?”

  He scoffs. “Good grief. Is that what you think I’m doing? You have serious issues. I’m done trying to be nice. Enjoy the party.”

  I sense Soren push his way through people and disappear from my radar.

  “What was that all about?” Katja asks.

  “Nothing.” I retrieve my card, forgetting about the bottle of tequila. Soren is right. This is a completely new situation, and I already have a target painted on my back. I don’t need to give these fuckers more reason to think they can mess with me.

  “Come. There’s someone who wants to meet you.”

  “Who?” I let her steer me again, but only because it’s busy and making a fuss about personal space is pointless.

  “Reggie Baldacci. He’s a senior and sooo hot.”

  Alarm bells ring in my head. During my first week at Paragon Academy, I figured out the different cliques and who sits at the top of the social pyramid. Reggie Baldacci is a level fourteen Idol, filthy rich, and the king of school. He’s also as cruel as they come, not missing any opportunity to pick on the weaker students. Katja isn’t powerful or rich enough to be part of his inner circle, which means she’s leading me to a trap in the hopes of getting bonus points with the popular crowd.

  “And a high-level Idol,” I reply. “No offense, but why is he friends with you?”

  “I, uh… you shouldn’t believe everything you hear at school. Reggie has a bad rep, but he’s actually pretty nice.”

  Sure he is. How gullible does she think I am?

  As we put the bar behind us, the crowd thins out until we reach an area of the terrace with tables and fewer people smothering me. I detect at least five different voices, including Reggie’s.

  This is it.

  A shiver of anticipation runs down my spine, and my chains rattle. Whatever they have planned for me, it’ll happen here.

  I release the hold on my powers a bit, not much to be noticeable but enough to make me a little more comfortable.

  “Hi, Reggie. Look who I got here,” Katja says, her voice trembling. The bitch is nervous.

  “Andromeda Belfor, the mysterious daughter of Blake Belfor, grand magnate,” Reggie says like he’s appraising a horse. “Now I know why he’s kept you hidden all these years.”

  I snort. “Only if you lived under a rock. I suppose your royalty status only applies to school if you’ve never been invited to one of my parents’ lavish parties.”

  Like flipping a switch, Reggie’s fake friendly disposition changes. My chains immediately pick up on his animosity.

  “Do you think I’d waste my time attending one of those events? They’re for old farts and freaks like you.”

  “Oh, come on. That’s all you’ve got? You morons really need to come up with better insults for me. I’m bored.” I toss my long hair back.

  He stands up, his body is now tense like a coiled spring. “You’re an aberration that shouldn’t exist. Idols are the direct descendants of the gods. We’re perfect. You’re a disgrace that should have been killed as soon as you w
ere born.”

  Fuck. The hatred pouring from this guy’s mouth is intense. I bet he also believes Norms and Fringes should be exterminated. It’s hard not to let his words affect me, because a small part of me agrees with him. I am an anomaly.

  Distracted by the king of assholes, I don’t notice that someone got close enough to me to cover my face with a piece of cloth drenched in an aromatic substance. I inhale strong fumes before elbowing myself free.

  Immediately, my head feels fuzzy and light. The sounds around me become distorted, and it’s hard to orient myself. People are laughing at me, but I can’t distinguish each individual voice. They drugged me, and it’s messing with my senses.

  Beefy arms circle my waist before a hand squeezes my right breast. “Nice boobs, freak.”

  Rage erupts from deep in my guts. With a roar, I strike the perv who dared to cop a feel. There’s a shriek of pain and then the smell of blood. The world becomes clearer; I can see the shadows better. My chains are glowing, alive and thirsty for retaliation.

  Pandemonium reigns in the small space. People run for the exit while others cower behind tables. I feel invincible, and it’s the best thing in the world.

  “You fucking bitch!” Reggie yells before sending a fireball in my direction.

  My chains form a protective barrier, and the ball fizzles out.

  Before he can attack again, I throw my chains in his direction, certain of my aim. But Reggie’s body is pushed out of the way at the last second, and my chains meet an oversized stone sculpture. The blur that saved his ass is none other than Soren.

  “Andromeda. Stop this now!” he shouts.

  “Stay out of this, buddy. My issue is not with you.”

  “He’s not worth getting the death penalty.”

  What Soren is saying is logical, but I’m beyond listening to reason. I’ve relinquished control, and now my chains are free to level this place to the ground.

  There’s more shouting and orders being issued in the background.

  “This is the police. Put your weapons down and no one else gets hurt.”

  I whirl on the spot, still riding high on adrenaline. There are at least five Idols pointing guns at me. Idols are hard to kill, but a bullet to the head will do the trick. The only problem is, I’m still under the influence of the drug, and my control over the chains is weak. I can’t retract them, not when I’m still raging inside.