Invidious

by Bianca Scardoni

  “I’m sure I would recover.” I shifted uneasily in my chair under his penetrating gaze.

  There was something knowing about his eyes, something dark and haunting, and as much as it sent cold chills down my spine, it also intrigued me—beckoned me in a way I didn’t quite understand. Somehow, I couldn’t seem to turn my back on the darkness and that scared me even more than Dominic did.

  26. DANCE OF THE DEAD

  My decision to go to Caleb’s party Saturday night was an easy one, though not one completely void of ulterior motives. I needed to ask Caleb for a favor; a favor that required his particular brand of magic. Trace, of course, had his own reasons for deciding to tag along with me. I secretly hoped it was only because he wanted to spend more time with me and not because he was looking for a second round with Caleb.

  The bass reverberated through the house as Trace and I walked into the party together. As massive as Caleb and Carly’s house was, the space always felt small and crammed at these parties, like there wasn’t enough quality oxygen to go around—probably because more than half of Weston’s student body was usually in attendance, and that wasn’t even counting the busloads from Easton Prep. Rivalry or not, booze and the possibility of a random hookup was all that was needed for everyone to put down their arms and school spirit.

  I relaxed back against the kitchen counter as Trace and Ben poured themselves a drink over at the make-shift bar. Otherwise known as the kitchen table. Lost in my own thoughts, I ran my finger over the spot on my palm where we’d made the incision last night. It was almost fully healed. After one too many unwanted dreams about Dominic, I decided to skip the direct bite and go with the no-contact version instead. I didn’t want to risk strengthening the bloodbond any more than it already was, and while this pleased Trace to no ends, Dominic was singing a completely different tune.

  Even still, there was an underlining satisfaction in his eyes that made me uneasy, like he knew the bloodbond was beginning to have an effect on me, and he was reveling in it.

  “Looking good, Blackburn,” said Caleb as he leaned into the empty spot beside me.

  “Thanks.” I smiled, dropping my hands. “Nice turnout.”

  “Yeah. Not bad.” He frowned as his gaze shifted across the room. “It would’ve been nicer if you left the shadow at home though,” he muttered.

  Obviously, he had yet to kiss and make up with Trace.

  “How long are you two planning on keeping this up?” I wondered. “You’ve both made your point. It’s getting old.”

  “Feels pretty fresh to me.” His sand dune colored eyes narrowed like he was itching to start something.

  “Well, it’s not. It’s stupid,” I added tactlessly. “You guys don’t even like the same girl. He isn’t interested in Nikki, Caleb. Trust me.” My eyes bounced to Trace, who was stuck in the corner, getting his ear talked off by Hannah.

  “What makes you so sure it’s about her?” he asked, apparently trying to deflect my comment by getting his flirt-on.

  “Because I know when a boy likes a girl. And you like a girl, Caleb. But it’s not me.”

  His cockiness seemed to fade a little as he looked down at me. It definitely felt like we had a moment, though it was abruptly obliterated when a naked sophomore ran through the kitchen, screaming, Go Bulldogs, wearing nothing but a hockey helmet in front of his crotch.

  “I really hope I didn’t look anything like that at Nikki’s party last week.” You know, stupid and drunk.

  “I think that might have been my goalie,” said Caleb, shaking his head “And, no, you didn’t. You looked pretty hot actually. Well, up until you started blowing chunks anyway,” he amended without thinking it through.

  “Right. Thanks for reminding me.”

  He flashed his pearly whites. “Any chance I can get another dance with you later, or is he claiming you for the night?” he asked, ticking his chin in Trace’s direction.

  “Well, we came together so...” I shrugged it off, unsure of how to finish the sentence. “So, where’s Nikki tonight anyway? Shouldn’t you be putting in some time with her, earning those brownie points and whatnot?”

  “That’s not likely.” He crossed his arms over his chest and shifted his gaze to the crowd as if searching for her. “I haven’t really spoken to her since her party.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to mess things up for you.” I definitely didn’t regret exposing her two-timing ways in front of everyone, though I wished it wouldn’t have been at Caleb’s expense.

  “Nah. It was messed up long before that,” he said and then squared his shoulders as though he’d just revealed more than he was comfortable with.

  “You deserve better than what she gives you.”

  He nodded weakly, still staring ahead.

  I studied him for a moment and then decided to leave it alone. He’d come around when he was ready to and hopefully realize that he deserved more than the scraps Nikki was giving him.

  “Hey, you think we could meet up tomorrow?” I asked, biting the inside of my cheek. “I need a favor but it kind of has to stay between the two of us.”

  His eyebrows rose with intrigue. “What kind of favor?”

  “One that requires your special brand of talent.”

  “I’m guessing this isn’t hockey related.”

  I laughed. “No, not hockey related.”

  “Alright, I can dig that. I have practice tomorrow night, but I’m free all afternoon,” he offered.

  “I’ll take it.”

  “So, still no chance on that dance, huh?” he asked as Trace and Ben headed back our way; drinks in hand.

  “Unlike some people, I can only handle one guy at a time.” I gave him a pointed stare. “Raincheck maybe?”

  “Yeah, alright.” He smiled sincerely. “I’m holding you to it though. And, Blackburn,” he said, calling my attention back as my gaze shifted away to Trace. “I hope he knows how lucky he is.”

  My cheeks warmed.

  “What’s poppin’, Owens.” Ben put his fist out to Caleb as Trace moved in beside me and handed me my drink.

  “Pratt,” greeted Caleb, happily bumping his fist. “Hope that’s a virgin,” teased Caleb, ticking his chin to my drink as I took a swig.

  “Ha. Ha.” I rolled my eyes at him and then quickly looked up at Trace. “It is, right?” I verified. I really, really didn’t want to have a repeat of Nikki’s bitch-bash.

  “Yeah, it’s just a coke,” he said, wrapping his arm around my waist and dropping a kiss on the top of my head.

  “Woah. Looks like it’s getting serious over here,” razzed Ben, tweaking his sandy eyebrows at Trace and me. “Are you two official now? Is team Tremma a thing yet?”

  “Oh, my God.” I dropped my head and tried to disappear into my own shirt. “Could you be any more embarrassing?”

  “I could try.” He winked.

  “Try being less of an ass instead,” chided Trace as he placed our drinks on the counter.

  “What can I say, man? I’m an ass man.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. Even if it was at my expense, it was nice seeing Ben smiling and joking around again. It was such a rare occurrence these days, I nearly forgot what it looked like. I glanced up at Trace to see if he was laughing too and caught him staring down at me with a soft, adoring look in his eyes.

  “Dance with me,” he said, and it wasn’t a question.

  I was about to sass him about ordering me around, but then he took my hand in his and smiled at me—a smile that reached all the way to his stunning eyes and instantly made me want to follow him anywhere.

  “Okay,” I said, and decided to leave out the part about how I’d walk into a raging fire if he asked me to.

  Clasping my hand, he led us into the low-lit living room and through the crowd, maneuvering his way around the mess of bodies like he’d run this track hundreds of times before, until he found a quiet spot by the back window. Turning to me, he reached out and wrapped his arms around my waist, pull
ing me into the shadowy corner with him; away from prying eyes and callous whispers. My heart sputtered an erratic beat as he ran his hands down my back and began moving us in a slow-burning tempo that sent tremors of electricity shooting across my skin.

  “Are you trying to keep me distracted to avoid talking to Caleb?” I asked, trying not to get too swept up in him. It was futile though, because the minute I looked up and met his eyes, I was freefalling right into them.

  “Maybe.” He stepped in closer to me, his black boots planted on each side of my feet, caging me in. “Or maybe I just wanted to kiss you.” He licked his lips and smiled, revealing his perfect set of dimples.

  My temperature spiked just looking at him.

  I pushed up on my toes and pulled his mouth to mine. I couldn’t help myself even if I tried. He smiled against my lips and then immediately kissed me back, tugging my hips forward as he greeted me with the warmth of his tongue. A pulsating current shot through my veins as he deepened the kiss, and I nearly toppled over from the buzz.

  Stunned, I pulled back and looked up at him, wondering if he’d felt that too.

  “What is that?” I asked him breathlessly.

  “What is what?” He moved my hair over my shoulder and leaned in, grazing his lips against my neck.

  The charge intensified. “It’s like my skin vibrates every time you touch me.” Lately, it didn’t even need to be skin-to-skin contact anymore. It seemed to buzz right through my clothes now.

  He pulled back and looked at me without saying anything.

  Oh, God. “Is it just me?” I asked, feeling all the heat in my body rush up to my cheeks.

  He ran his thumb along my blushing cheek as though he wanted to feel the color. “No. I feel it too.”

  “Is it one of the things you do?” I whispered, not wanting to outright ask him about his abilities in mixed company.

  He shook his head. “I only feel it when I’m with you.”

  “Oh.” I pulled in my bottom lip as I thought it over. “So, what is it then?” I asked him, coming up empty of my own explanations. “What does it mean?”

  He hesitated before answering like he wasn’t sure what to say. “I don’t know what it means.”

  “Yes, you do.” I narrowed my eyes at him.

  He leaned in again, running his jaw along my cheek, and then moved to my ear. “I think it just means our souls are happy when they’re near each other,” he whispered in that husky baritone voice that was all his.

  My heart did a backflip in my chest. “What, like soulmates or something?” I asked, watching as he flexed his jaw.

  “Maybe.” He pulled back and gazed down at me, his own eyes unreadable.

  “Do you really believe in that?”

  “That our souls can recognize their other half?”

  I nodded.

  “That people are placed in each other’s lives for reason—that it’s not purely coincidence?” he continued, getting really specific about it.

  I swallowed my anticipation and nodded again.

  “Yeah, I believe in it.” His eyes never wavered from mine. “I believe in a lot of things.”

  “Yeah? Like what?” I smiled, completely enamored by him. Suddenly, I wanted to know all about it. I wanted to keep him talking until every last word in the English language had been used up.

  “I believe in you.” He kissed me again, harder this time. “That you’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

  “Me?” I puffed out a laugh, certain that he was placating me. “I’m practically afraid of my own shadow.”

  “Doesn’t make a difference if you are or aren't.” He shrugged like it was inconsequential. “It doesn’t stop you from doing what you have to do. Everyone’s afraid of something, Jemma. It doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re alive. It takes real courage to feel that fear and do it anyway.”

  “You think so?” I hadn’t really thought of it that way.

  “I know so.” He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and then grazed my cheek with his thumb.

  I could easily fall in love with the way he was looking at me. Like I was something special; something worth fighting for.

  “You are,” he answered with absolute conviction. He lowered his mouth to mine and pulled a kiss from my lips, soft as an angel’s feather. “It’s like you have all this light inside of you, but you can’t see it. It chases away the darkness in people and draws them in closer to you. It’s one of things I love most about you,” he whispered, sending shivers down my arms, “but it’s also one of the things that scares me the most.”

  “Why does that scare you?” I asked, confused by his quiet confession.

  “Seeing the affect you have on people—people like Dominic.” He blinked slowly, his eyebrows pulled together in concern. “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me nervous.”

  “I can handle Dominic.”

  “And if you can’t?” His jaw ticked as something unpleasant passed before his eyes. “I’d kill him if he ever hurt you. If anyone ever hurt you—”

  “No one’s going to hurt me,” I quickly cut in, forcing the conversation back to a happier, safer place. It didn’t matter that neither one of us believed me; it felt wrong hearing him say it out loud, like the heavens might hear our words and make them so.

  Trace grimaced. “I wish I could take this all away for you. Give you the life you really deserve.”

  I held onto him tighter, wishing the same for him; for both of us.

  “Maybe when this is all over, we can go somewhere nice. Somewhere far away from here where no one knows us and the sun never sets.” The twinkle in his blue eyes made my heart flutter.

  “You know a place like that?”

  “If I did, would you go with me?” he asked, his majestic eyes filled with the kind of unbridled hope and vulnerability I was rarely permitted to witness from him.

  “I’d go anywhere with you, Trace.” And it was the truth.

  Probably the truest words I ever uttered.

  27. DRAGON’S BLOOD

  Less than twenty-four hours later, I was back at Caleb’s house—sans Trace—standing on his front porch as I waited for him to answer the door. I was about to give up and leave when he finally answered, wearing nothing but a white bath towel and water beads cascading down from his wet, tousled hair. My mouth fell open at the sight of it.

  Apparently, he was quite an athlete.

  “Hey, Blackburn.” He stepped back from the threshold to let me in. “Just give me a minute to change. I just got out of the shower.”

  I tried to tell him, “sure thing,” but what came out sounded a lot more like a gibberish mumble. Heck, it could’ve been pig-Latin for all I knew. I gave up and nodded instead.

  Once inside, I headed into the kitchen and pulled out a chair at the table—the same table that was covered with kegs and plastic red cups just a few short hours ago was now adorned in textbooks and homework assignments. There was no way he cleaned this place up all by himself, especially in such a short time frame. He probably had a maid…or a magic wand.

  Five short minutes later, Caleb reappeared—fully clothed in pair of blue jeans and a matching Henley shirt.

  “So, what’s this favor you want to ask me?” He sat down on the chair across from me and tapped his hands on the table as he waited for me to solve the mystery.

  “I need you to do a spell for me.”

  His eyebrows shot up, intrigued. “What kind of spell?”

  “A Cloaking spell.” If we were going to ambush Engel, I needed to make sure they couldn’t sense me coming.

  His head ticked back a notch, expressing his confusion. “Aren’t you already Cloaked?”

  I didn’t bother going into the details about the current state of my wavering Cloak. “I need something more powerful,” I explained. “Something that would mask me from Revs. Are you able to do that?”

  He laughed smugly. “I’ve been casting since before I could walk. Pretty sure I could handl
e it.” He winked.

  “Good. And, I need it to be attached to a talisman,” I clarified. “I have to be able to break the spell when I’m done with it.” I wasn’t interested in having that whole can’t-break-the-Cloak issue all over again.

  “Not a problem.” He tilted his head to the side. “So, do you just want to eliminate any Slayer essence or do you want to replace it with something else? Like a human scent, or maybe some other Sup?”

  “Sup?”

  “Supernatural.”

  My eyebrows rose in surprise. “You can do that?”

  “I can just about do anything,” he said with a cocky grin splayed from ear-to-ear.

  “Even replicate a Revenant’s essence?”

  He snorted like there was nothing to it. “Just say the word.” He grinned.

  I was so impressed I didn’t even bother trying to knock his arrogance down a peg. “Oh, and I need something else from you. A protection spell...for Trace.”

  His sunny disposition quickly evaporated.

  “I know you’re not talking to him right now, but he was your friend at some point, wasn’t he?” I tried pleading to his sentimental side though I wasn’t sure he had one. “He’s going to help me get Taylor back, and it’s going to be stupid dangerous. If something happens to him…” I shook my head, chasing away the thought of it. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. Could you?”

  He grimaced as I cornered him with guilt. “I’m not sure what I could do,” he began cautiously. “Protection spells are pretty limited. The business of life and death isn’t exactly the kind of spells the Order gives us access to.”

  “Well, what can you do? There has to be something.”

  He ran his hand along his slight five-o’clock shadow and then pinned his eyes on me. “Dragon’s blood.”

  “Come again?”

  “Dragon’s blood,” he repeated as though I were hard of hearing. “I guess you haven’t gotten that far in your lectures at Temple. He only needs a few drops. It’ll make him faster, stronger, and a lot more resilient to pain.” He shrugged. “It’s probably the best I can do.”