Twelve
IF ONLY ALEC KNEW WHAT DEREK told me, would he still be acting as stubborn? Yes, he would, never giving up on me. This is why I have to push him away. My options were slim, yet in my heart, I knew what had to be done. I had to find Marcus and find out how to kill a werewolf. I hoped that Alec would forgive me when the time came. I was truly regretting everything I told him. Oh, the ugliness of lies.
Coming up to the metal door that would lead me to the wolf lair, I pushed the button, but Marcus did not answer the door. Some other handsome guy did, the same green eyes and clean haircut, chiseled features. Very nice looking.
His expression was pleasantly confused. “Are you lost?" the werewolf asked, smiling.
“No, I'm looking for Marcus. Would you tell him Aimee is looking for him?" I asked.
“Aimee?” he asked, my name playing on his lips. Testing it.
“Yes, can you please hurry?” I asked, getting annoyed. I didn’t have time to flirt. My arms were crossed as I glared at this wolf.
His eyebrows raised and he nodded. He shut the door and I waited anxiously in the hall, pacing like a mad woman.
My mind was spinning. Would I be able to actually kill Derek even though I had feelings for him? The thought of him coming here—well that was not going to happen, I wouldn’t let it!
I didn't want to become a werewolf or have him kill Alec. Maybe there was another way? The door opened shortly and Marcus stood there looking like a god.
“Is everything all right?" Marcus asked, full of concern.
Why did everyone ask that? The other wolf man stood next to him, curious. I shot him a look; Marcus turned to glare at the man. “She is fine, Clark." Clark clearly didn’t want to leave, but eventually he walked away, sulking.
“Sorry to barge in like this, but it's important," I said.
“Come in," he said, and I followed him to the fire pit. I didn’t know how they lived in such heat, I could already feel the perspiration beads on my forehead.
I sat on a rocking chair while he chose to sit on the walls that surround the fire pit. The room still was the same, like a giant bear cave, with bits of tree roots pocking out on the walls and ceiling.
His eyes were on me intently, ready for whatever I would say. “So this bond thing I have with Derek and his family.…” I took a deep breath. “Well, I summoned him earlier today. And I found out some things that I can’t share with anyone." He nodded in understanding for me to continue. “Well, the thing is, I need your help. Derek said I couldn’t break the bond, because I won’t have enough strength to do it ... Am I right to assume I would have to kill ... him?" I asked, taking a jagged breath.
I could tell Marcus was thinking about it. “Your assumptions are correct. That is the only way, unless you decide to be awakened. Then the bond breaks."
That was an option, but that would mean Derek would still hunt me.
“How would I kill … a Rogue werewolf?" His eyes flashed and the realization crossed his features.
“Aimee, what do you intend to do?"
“Just answer the question."
He was hesitant. “Aimee, please don't tell me you want to hunt him." His voice was raised.
I just looked away, which was answer enough. He sighed heavily. “Please don't run off alone," he said quietly.
“Is it true that silver bullets—?”
He cut me off, laughing. “No, that is a myth. The only way is a vampire bite. Another possibility would be to cut his head off with a special metal that is usually in the shape of a sword."
Darn, no wonder Derek said I couldn't. I'm neither a vampire nor do I have a sword made of whatever metal. I began feeling dejected about the whole thing.
“You don't understand, Marcus, I don't have a choice," I said.
“There is always a choice. This is a suicide mission. I'm afraid he is right."
I leaned back into my chair. “What did you mean about not going alone?" I asked.
“Meaning don’t go off and get yourself killed or turn Rogue."
A new thought came to mind, and a smile claimed my face.
“Would you help me?" I batted my lashes at him. “If I help you with Iva?"
Marcus looked shocked that I mentioned Iva, but I could see briefly the wheels turning in his good-looking face of his.
"Iva is a lost fantasy, which should be left alone,” he said, scolding me. “What exactly would you have me do?"
That I wasn't sure about, maybe just be my moral support. I was thankful for Marcus even considering it at all.
"I'm not sure. If you don't want me to go alone, then come with me." I said, trying to convince him.
He laughed." I knew it! You want to go after this guy. And you think I would go off on a suicide mission with you?" Marcus said pointing his finger at me. His voice had raised and a few passing werewolves glanced at him.
I didn't think about that part. I wouldn't want him to get harmed.
“Hey, you told me not to go alone. Remember?"
“Yes … but I didn’t think you were really serious," Marcus said.
"So?" I asked, leaning my body towards him.
He just looked at me with an expression of utter disapproval. "So, what?"
"You know exactly what. Are you going to come with me? We can go on an adventure together."
"I don’t need any more adventures," he said, agitated.
"You said you are free to go as you please; we will be a great team." I patted his shoulder, which was stiff; he gave me a half smile.
"I don’t know, Aimee,” he said.
"Listen, I’m going to be planning to leave soon. Think about it." He just glared at me. I began to stand up and his warm hand gripped my wrist.
"Aimee, what about your family?" he asked.
"I am protecting them, Marcus," I said, as he released me. I escorted myself out the door, leaving him to sit and think about what I asked of him, passing the cute blonde werewolf, Clark. “Will I be seeing you again?” he asked.
Glancing over my shoulder at him, I said, “Maybe!”
He smiled at me as I left.
My mind was replaying how hard this mission was going to be, but most important I was wondering if I would be able to kill Derek.
I was almost to the main court when I got a glimpse of Iva striding toward me; she was mad looking. Actually, mad was an understatement—she was livid. Could I out run her? I thought about my chances. Slim to none.
"And where have you been?" she asked, coming to a halt in front of me. I could see she was almost shaking with fury.
"Marcus and I had some things to discuss," I said coolly.
"Oh, really? Aimee, why don’t you ever listen to anyone? I used to be your best friend at one time and we used to respect each other. I do miss that!" Yup, she was mad, all right.
"I still think of you as my best friend." She was my only friend. But the feelings were there still.
She took a deep breath. “What did you need to talk to a werewolf about?" she asked coldly.
I smiled; well this would open a can of worms, I thought. “You.”
"Me?"
"Yes. You."
Confusion crossed her beautiful face. “Why?”
"Well, he has a wolfy crush on you," I said, smiling.
Marcus would skin me alive if he heard this conversation, but at least Iva wouldn’t tell him.
Iva’s stunned expression was priceless. Her mouth hung open as she just narrowed her eyes on me. It was part of the truth, after all. I couldn’t tell her what I was really doing, and I didn’t even know for certain what I would do.
She closed her mouth. "It doesn’t mean you have to sneak off and speak with him in his lair," she said.
At least she wasn’t as mad and there was something in her eyes that I hadn’t seen before. I knew it! She was attracted to him. Well, how could she not be? He was gorgeous. I wanted to smile, but I held it in.
"And where are you headed off to now?" she asked, a little more calmed down, and back to the same controlled Iva.
That was a good question, because I didn’t know. “Nowhere in particular," I said.
“You know, I saw Alec a little while ago and he was really depressed looking. What did you say to him?"
I froze and my mouth was open, I closed it, taking a breath. I didn’t see this turn of events coming. Geez it was attack Aimee day.
I flinched at the memory of what I told him. “I told him not to care about me." My smile turned into a hard line. In truth, I felt horrible, and sick even.
She looked at me, dumbfounded. "Why would you say that to him? I thought you two were on the mend."
"I can’t explain it Iva, I do care about him. But I need to have space and learn things without him right now." Even saying that I could hear the lie in it. Hopefully Iva wasn’t as observant as she usually was.
“I feel really bad for Alec, Aimee. You shouldn’t have led him on, then."
Led him on? I wasn’t ... okay, maybe I was, but I do care about him I just couldn’t tell him or Iva at the moment. Not with my plans. I didn’t say anything. What could I say? Iva's eyes were searching mine. Her usually slicked-back shoulder length brown hair was loose and wavy. I liked her like this, not so uptight.
"Aimee, what are you not telling me?" she asked, still searching my eyes. Iva, I doubted, ever had a non-observant day, at least when it came to me.
Thinking fast. “I snuck out with Anthony and went to his secret party," I blurted out.
"What?" her voice was dangerous, but she was clearly taken by surprise.
"You heard me, I’m tired of being treated like I’m 12; I’m a grown woman and I can make my own choices."
"When was that?"
"A couple of nights ago. I didn’t stay long because Marcus came to the rescue. Anthony drugged me, with some kind of drink made from wolf blood." That certainly got a reaction from her. She lost it in the hall. Her nostrils flared, and her eyes flashed. I want sure to be frightened or run for it.
"That is an illegal substance, they shouldn’t be drinking it! I can’t believe you took it from him! You have always been the one with common sense!" Iva was screaming at me, her arms flailing around looking utterly ridiculous, yet entertaining at the same time.
I reeled in my amusement and tried to put my serious face on.
"Maybe I lost it," I said back at her. "Yelling at me isn’t going to change the fact that I hung out with a werewolf or a creeper like Anthony. So just forgive me and be over it."
"That simple, huh?" She was smiling a little now.
"Yes it is. We all make mistakes, and I’m not your prisoner!" I said, hands on my hips.
Iva took a deep breath. "I’m sorry for being controlling. I’ll forgive you if you can forgive me."
"Of course I forgive you," I said and walked up to her and hugged her. She was stiff at first but returned the hug.
"Marcus isn’t bad either. You should really give him a chance."
"Don’t push it,." she said, amused now.
Alec came into my head and I felt that empty feeling in my heart, for the things I said to him. He had always been there with his hope and love and I just threw it in his face. I sucked.
"Do you think Alec will forgive me?" I asked, as we started to walk away from the wolf lair hall, crossing the court and making our way toward my room.
A few Yurnlings passed us in the hall, looking at me curiously.
"I don’t know. He is in love with you, Aimee; you could probably try to kill him and he would still forgive you. You should talk to him and explain things to him,” she said encouragingly.
Could I even face him ever again? I was only going to be here for a little longer. I should apologize at least; I do want to try and work out if I end up surviving this quest.
Thirteen
STANDING IN THE HALL OUTSIDE
my room, everything became blurry and the floor felt like it was moving, but it wasn’t, I was. I gripped the wall for support. The feeling of overwhelming nausea rose.
Blackness surrounded me. It felt like eternity, but pieces of light began to seep into the darkness. It was like watching a movie; I was standing inside my mother’s glass room. Everything seemed to look the same. Same lily flowers in the vases, messy desk by the door. The curtains that engulfed the large windows that overlooked the outside were velvet ivory drapes, the couches were also different, dark blue. She had definitely upgraded her couches.
That’s probably why I'm so disorganized, I thought, glancing once more at her paper stacks on the desk.
My mother stood in front of me, arms crossed.
"Aimee, I already told you, no. You cannot go to that boy’s party. It’s unacceptable for you to be there. You will one day be the leader of this community and you can’t be acting like a child."
I stood there, crossing my arms at her, and glaring, angered by her answer.
Even though I watched the scene in front of me, I could feel how the past me felt.
"It isn’t fair. I’m sixteen years old and should be able to do what I want." I could feel that same anger and mood change happen so swiftly. It would seem that it was always with me.
"You are not an adult. You still have two years before you awaken, and I’m still saying no. End of discussion." She had her narrow eyes glaring at me. Her face was smoother, having a little fewer wrinkles, and I looked the same. I guess I hadn’t aged much at all. The door suddenly opened and in came my father, with his hands on a boy’s shoulder. It was Alec; he was dirty and his hair was messy, but still that same length he has it now. His blue eyes looked at me, embarrassed. His eyes held so much hurt and pain. We just locked eyes, until my dad spoke.
"This is Alec. I found him while traveling. The Rogues murdered his family. And he was left. Aimee, why don’t you take him to get cleaned, then bring him to the guest housing?"
My dad had the look of don’t ask questions, just do it. So I just nodded as I turned my attention to Alec.
So this was the first time I’d laid eyes on him. I could feel the butterflies in my chest and how I felt, giddy, excited. He was the hottest thing in this place, I thought, even though he was dirty.
I was smiling at him; Alec was blushing and not looking at me.
"I’m Aimee, by the way. Alec, was it?”
"Yes," he said.
"It’s nice to meet you, Alec," I said almost crashing into the statue that was in the hall. He didn’t laugh at me.
"I hope you stay,” He looked up this time, meeting my glance over his shoulder.
"I have nowhere else to go." He had a nice Italian accent. I was used to it because most of the people that lived among us had Italian accents. The entire vampire race originated in Rome. Passing down the gene from our ancestors was the only way to become a vampire; no outside human could be made into a vampire. The choice to be awakened came when we were older, 18 to be exact.
We stopped in front of his door, number 264.He was looking around the hall. I opened the door for him; it was nice, with a queen size bed, flat screen TV and a mini living room. Very cozy. Alec's face reflected sadness. I’m sure losing your family was very hard and I couldn’t imagine how he was feeling as I watched him.
"If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call my room, I'll write it down for you. We have class the day after tomorrow, and I will help you catch up."
Alec just looked into my eyes with a depth I never felt before. "Thank you, Aimee," was all he said, but the words held tremendous warmth in them.
Shutting the door, a huge smile swept across my face. I quickly ran down the hall to look for Iva. I didn’t have to look far; coming around the corner, I almost ran into her.
“Oh my gosh, you will never believe who I just met!” I said, excited.
“Brad Pitt?” she asked, sarcastic and smiling.
I wished. “No, his name
is Alec and he is so cute. My father asked me to help him! His family was killed by the Rogues.”
Iva’s smile went into a hard line. She looked the same, a little younger, maybe, and her hair was waist length. “Brad Pitt sounds better,” she said, laughing.
The dizzy, groggy sensation was lifting. I slowly opened my eyes to the present; Iva was sitting on the ground waiting patiently. I was also sitting on the ground. How this happened, I wasn’t sure—maybe when I blacked out I hit the ground and Iva sat me upright.
Iva didn’t say anything but just sat there. "It was the first day I met Alec," I said. I was attracted to him at first sight.
Iva had so much sympathy in her eyes.
“You were there also, talking about Brad Pitt,” I said, smiling.
Iva smiled widely showing her fangs. “I remember that. It was the good old times.” I could tell she went into thought as she looked past me. "You should get some sleep, though. It’s been a long day," Iva said.
I was surprised she didn’t press me for details, but I agreed, I did need to try to sleep. I may never get to see Alec again, and that thought scared me.
Awaken Me Page 10