“I see,” I murmured.
My hands shook as I turned down the first street. I was about to look in the eyes of a dead man. I shuttered at the thought. The sound was horrifying enough. I couldn’t imagine how it looked when they killed.
“Thirty one-o-three,” I muttered. “We’re here.”
I popped open the rear door and watched Andrew slide out. He crept to the side of the house. Taking a deep breath, I anxiously made my way up to the front door. My stomach churned.
I balled up my fist and knocked loudly. I could hear racket from inside.
The door flew open revealing a very tall, slender man. His hair was long and dark. He was holding a bottle of beer wearing a black, ripped t-shirt and jeans.
“Well, if it ain’t my lucky day,” he burped.
“May I speak with Frank Moore?” I asked nervously.
“This is my lucky day,” he grinned widely. “That’s me,” he said, taking a swig from his bottle.
“Are you here alone?” I asked.
“Yes, but I hope not for long, sweetie. Why don’t you come in and have a seat,” he said, reaching for my hand.
I looked over toward the darkness. Andrew quickly appeared. “I don’t think that’ll be happening this evening,” he snarled.
“Who the hell are you?” Frank asked angrily.
“Your worst nightmare,” Andrew growled.
Andrew grabbed his body. I turned to run away, but something had a hold of my jacket. Before I knew it, I was being pulled inside the house with the both of them.
“Stop!” I screamed.
“Let go of her!” Andrew shouted.
As Andrew grew closer to the man, he was unable to stop himself from feeding. The same loud screeching sound pierced my ears. Frank fell to his knees, still holding on to my jacket. Andrew stood over him with disregard to my presence. I froze, terrified at the sight.
Andrew’s hand was wrapped around his throat, squeezing tightly as Frank desperately gasped for air. I gagged. Frank’s hand fell lifelessly to his side as I was now freed, but I couldn’t move. My eyes stayed glued to the horrific scene that was unfolding.
Andrew gripped the man’s hair, pulling his head back. A white mist began spewing from Frank’s mouth. Andrew’s mouth widened. He leaned in and began inhaling the white mist. The screeching sound worsened as the mist seemed to be fighting the inhalation.
Andrew looked over mid way through the process.
“Get in the car!” He managed to shout.
I ran quickly and heard the door slam behind me. I grabbed the car door handle, but before I could enter, I heard one last shriek. Sliding into the car and slamming the door, I started the engine trying to block out the noise—a very familiar noise.
Clasping my hands together, realizing they were damp, I noticed specks of blood. I frantically searched for something to clean it off. Opening the glove box, I found a few napkins. After wiping both hands, I noticed there were a few specks of blood on the arm of my jacket. I hastily pulled off the jacket and wadded it up, tucking it underneath the folded seats.
My eyes stayed focused on the front door as I lightly tapped my fingers on the steering wheel—refusing to analyze or even think about what I had just witnessed.
Andrew came springing out from inside the house. The rear door popped open and he jumped inside.
“Go,” he commanded.
I shifted into drive and sped off. I peeked in the rear view mirror. Andrew’s glow was coming back, and he looked slightly less frail. But I could not shake the vision of him murdering that man.
“Two more, right?” I clarified nervously.
“Haley.” His voice was raspy.
“Yes,” I swallowed hard.
“I’m sorry for what you saw, but I couldn’t stop. I was too weak.” His voice dropped.
“I’m fine,” I lied.
“I know you aren’t,” he said, slightly moaning.
The next house was two blocks away from the last one. I parked on the street in front of it. What I had witnessed was about to happen again. I hoped that these men were really guilty of these crimes, or I would never be able to forgive myself for sending a death angel their way—or a death demon, which really seemed more appropriate now.
“What’s his name?” Andrew asked.
“Mark Stanley,” I said.
“You stay in here. I got this one,” he said, sliding out of the car.
Andrew approached the house. A short man with blond hair opened the door. They spoke briefly before Andrew walked inside. I turned on the radio, hoping to block out any sound.
I scanned through the channels, but nothing quite fit the mood. There definitely was not a song appropriate for this sort of occasion—driving your boyfriend around town to horrifically feed off human souls.
The front door swung open, and Andrew now sprinted to the car. I turned down the radio. This time he opened up the passenger door and slid in beside me. I instantly shied away.
“It’s okay now,” he assured. “I wouldn’t sit next you if I thought I was going to hurt you.”
I cautiously looked at him. He looked like his old self once more—no longer weak and frail. This was reassuring and frightening all at once. I was reassured because the strong, confident Andrew was returning. But horrified that he might decide I was not worth the struggle and rid his life of me, as Mr. Mitchell had warned while I was being held captive.
“Okay,” I croaked.
“Haley,” he said softly, reaching for my hand.
I quickly pulled it away. “I need time to adjust,” I said flatly.
“I understand,” he said distressed as he retracted his hand.
Thankfully, the next house was only three blocks away. I again parked on the street.
“Name?” he asked coldly, hurt by my rejection.
I looked down at the next page. “Jack Martin,” I said dryly.
“Haley,” he whispered.
“What?” I asked, keeping my focus out the windshield.
“I won’t continue if this upsets you,” he said softly.
“You have to,” I said, wiping a single tear from my cheek.
“I’ll let them take me if it means that you no longer want me anymore.” His voice lowered.
“I do want you, but I wasn’t prepared to witness that…and maybe one day, it might be me.”
He gently touched my shoulder sending invigorating sparks flowing throughout. “I would never, ever intentionally hurt you like that,” he swore.
“You were like a demon. Like the demon that I’ve been warned about.”
“I know, and if I could survive without souls, then I would, just for you,” he sighed heavily.
“But you can’t, just like I can’t survive without food,” I sighed. “Go do what you must.”
“I love you,” he whispered, touching my hand lightly.
He waited for a second to see if I would answer, but I could not. He flew out the door and dashed toward the house. A man wearing glasses answered the door. But I closed my eyes resisting the urge to get a good look at him. I did not want to have nightmares of his face as he begged for his life.
Closing my eyes and leaning back on the headrest, I tried imagining I was somewhere else—but I couldn’t. I tried thinking back to where I was a year ago at this very moment, but that depressed me. I missed a few of my friends back in California.
I hadn’t spoken to anyone there since July. Several of them had tried calling for weeks, but I never wanted to explain what happened, due to embarrassment. I hoped they were all doing well, and maybe one day I would get to see them again.
The sound of the car door opening startled me as I quickly opened my eyes. Andrew entered.
“Are we done?” I asked.
“Yes,” he hesitated. “Let’s go back to your house.”
“Okay,” I nodded.
He cautiously reached out, lightly brushing my right arm. I resisted the urge to jerk away. My actions earlier had hurt
his feelings, and that is not what I intended to do, but I could not stop myself. I really loved Andrew, but a sudden feeling of hatred came over me as I despised what he truly was and how he preyed upon humans. I knew he could not change what he was, nor could I, and I was positive he sometimes wished I were immortal like him.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly.
“You don’t have to apologize for what you are.”
“No, I can’t apologize for that, but I can for losing control and having you witness such a horrible, horrible sight,” he said ashamed.
“You were weak.”
“I shouldn’t have been. I should’ve stayed and listened to Alec and not been so arrogant,” he began rambling. “If I had waited patiently, then we’d be lying in your bed tonight in love like we were days ago, but I couldn’t wait. I had to make you safe, which I failed miserably at.” His voice went from shame to anger.
“It’s fine.”
“No it isn’t,” he said, his voice cracking.
“I’m still in love with you, and I always will be,” I murmured.
“I’m so relieved to hear you say that,” he said softly. “I missed you so much. As soon as I left, I wanted to turn around and go back, but I thought I was doing something heroic,” he sighed.
Tears began welling. “I missed you, too.”
“Oh Haley, I’m so sorry to have put you through all of this,” he said pained.
“I’m just glad you’re okay.”
His warm hand softly wiped the tears rolling down my cheek. “I only thought this was the best and fastest way to secure our future, but I failed,” he continued to apologize.
I glanced over at him. His eyes were beautiful green crystals once more. “You did what you thought was best,” I reassured.
“I’ve started something far worse than I expected,” he said, lightly touching the top of my thigh.
“What’s that?”
“A war amongst us children is certain.” His voice was cold as he retracted his hand.
I shuttered slightly at the thought of more danger in store for us. I panicked as I remembered that Alec had gone searching for Andrew. “What about Alec?”
“They have him,” he said flatly.
“We have to save him.”
“I have to save him,” he corrected.
“No, I’m going. You need me. I’m the proof you need,” I said sharply.
“No,” he said darkly.
“Yes. You can’t leave me here. Not after what Alec had to do in order to save me. I refuse to be left here as bait for the government,” I snapped.
His crystal eyes instantly reddened. “What happened?” he snarled.
We pulled into my garage, and I quickly shut the stall door.
“What’s the plan?” I asked angrily.
“What happened while I was gone?” he demanded.
I stormed inside the house and up the stairs, but Andrew did not follow. As I entered my bedroom, he was sitting on the bed waiting.
“It’s good to see you have your strength again,” I huffed.
“Tell me now,” he growled.
“I told you, Mr. Mitchell and a few other agents kidnapped me the night I closed up the shelter and kept me locked in a basement for a day or so. But I would’ve been down there longer if Alec hadn’t rescued me,” I explained angrily.
“Why did he feed in front of you?” His voice shook.
“He had to.”
“Why did he kill someone?” He rephrased.
“He pulled this guy off of me. It wasn’t his fault, he had to do it,” I defended.
“Why was some guy on top of you?” His growl echoed through the house almost deafening me.
“He was trying to force himself on me.” I fell to my knees and began sobbing. Just uttering the words aloud affected me more than I had planned.
“Oh, Haley,” he said softly as he dropped down to his knees beside me. “What have I done?”
He scooped my body off the floor and cradled me like a baby. He gently pulled my hair out from behind my back. His soft, warm lips gently kissed my cheek as I continued to weep. He began rocking my body back and forth.
“I’ll never leave you alone again,” he sighed. “It was a failed attempt and all done in vain.”
“You’ll have to leave again sometime, and I don’t know how I’ll survive,” I sobbed.
“I won’t leave your side again. I promise you that,” he vowed.
“We have to save Alec,” I reminded.
He immediately pulled away. I glanced up at his face. A weird expression formed. “Do you feel for Alec, too?”
“No!” I exclaimed.
“Then why the concern for his life?”
The tears stopped as a new emotion took over. “He saved my life when he had no obligation to do so. We both owe him this.”
“You’re right,” he conceded. “But I want to make sure you’re all right first. He can wait.”
Tears began falling again as this evening’s events flooded my thoughts. “The only thing that ran through my mind when that filthy man was on top of me was that you wouldn’t want me anymore if he were to touch me.”
“Haley,” he breathed. “That wouldn’t have changed my feelings.” He pulled my body closer to his again.
“But my soul would’ve changed,” I wept.
“No, it wouldn’t have. Your feelings toward men might have changed, but not your soul,” he explained. “Nothing will ever change my feelings for you—nothing,” he promised softly.
I nestled my head deeper into his chest and he cradled my body tighter, continuing to rock me back and forth on the floor. My crying would cease momentarily, but always resumed as I thought about the horrible things that had occurred over the past twenty-four hours. Andrew would just squeeze me tighter.
But I could not continue this behavior for too long. Alec was in danger. And so was Andrew. He never discussed the details—afraid I would become even more belligerent.
“What happens next?” I breathed.
“We stay here, where both of us are safe.”
“Are they coming for you?”
“Not all of them, but I have a feeling one will show up real soon,” he replied stiffly.
“Which one?” I shuttered.
“Abrielle will come—she always does.” I heard a faint rumble in his chest.
“She might not be able to find us,” I said, hoping to silence his growl.
“She’ll find us.”
“Alec said my presence jams your frequency making it difficult to discern where you are.”
He lightly brushed his finger along my cheek. “While that is true,” he said endearingly. “Unfortunately, Alec is not as strong as I am, and will inevitably give away our location. But they can’t penetrate the house, so we’re safe.”
“What if they make a scene so we have to come out?”
“They won’t. It would be too risky.”
“I hope,” I murmured.
“You should get some rest.”
“I am a little tired,” I yawned. “But what about Alec?” I asked, still worried.
“Hold on,” he said sternly, as he seemed to be concentrating. His crystal eyes flickered from red to black and finally back to green again. “They let him go, but they know about you now,” he said hesitantly.
“Great,” I grumbled. “I guess I can’t sleep now.”
“Yes, you can, they’re undecided on their next move.”
“Where’s Alec?”
“Headed here, but don’t worry yourself, I’ll talk to him. You need to rest.” He cradled my body tighter as he gently kissed the top of my head.
I again rested my head against his warm chest, thankful that he and I were both safe.
Falling in to a peaceful slumber did not happen quickly that evening. I tried to listen out for Alec. I was forever indebted to him for rescuing me and desperately wanted the opportunity to thank him again—but that opportunity never arose as I slep
t right through his visit.
25
Sibling Rivalry
The sound of distant arguing sent chills down my spine as I reached my bedroom. I pressed my ear against the door trying to determine if the voices were coming from inside the room. I hastily pushed open the door to see Andrew gone from where he had been sitting moments ago. The muffled sound of arguing continued. I rushed over to the window, carefully prying open a slat in the blind.
Andrew stood arguing with a strikingly beautiful woman; whom I assumed was Abrielle as he had warned of a probable visit from her. She was the true incarnation of beauty. Her long soft, golden locks framed her face perfectly. The glow from her skin was even more radiant than Andrew’s. Her eyes were a bright, violet color with many facets that sparkled magnificently, even from a distance. Her body was slender, but curvaceous.
She wore a tight sleeveless lavender blouse that exposed her cleavage. Her short, white skirt was a hint that she had come from somewhere with a warmer climate. I could only imagine the heads she turned when she walked down a street—drivers might even crash their cars if they caught one glimpse of her. My insecurities resurfaced.
Her eyes shot up toward the window as if she could sense my invasion of their conversation. I automatically released my hand from the blind. The arguing grew louder. It was time to face her, before things took a turn for the worse and Andrew was in harm’s way again.
My hands shook as I nervously opened the front door. Andrew’s head snapped in my direction. “Go back inside,” he instructed stiffly.
But I refused to listen. He needed my help now more than ever.
“No,” I said sternly, glaring at Abrielle. Her intense glare was no match for my resolve to ward off another attack on Andrew. This was a showdown, similar to an old western movie, but I didn’t have a loaded gun, just my unique ability to burn his kind, and her weapons were useless against Andrew’s curse.
“Yes, please show yourself.” Her smooth, feminine voice spoke. “You must be Haley.” Her brow arched.
“I am,” I said, keeping my voice stern and eyes locked onto her.
“My, my, isn’t she a beauty,” she sneered. “A blonde this time.”
“Haley this is Abrielle,” Andrew introduced reluctantly.
Discern (Discern Saga, Book #1) Page 37