by Rue Volley
Grace sat still for a moment.
“Anyway Caine didn't believe that humans deserved to be respected. He thinks of you… all of you as cattle.”
Elin looked at Grace.
“There was a war. My Husband and I fled with others. Caine also fled, he wasn't welcome in Valon anymore after he started the war.”
“But Sophia, she's still there?”
“I know. She convinced everyone that she had nothing to do with Caine’s want for change. Now she's the head of the council.”
Grace and Elin looked at each other for a moment.
“I trust you Grace... I do.”
Grace smiled at her and then they heard the door start to open. Grace looked at Elin.
“Lie down quickly, here on the bed.”
Grace threw the blanket over her and stood up in between the door and Elin.
Caine walked in.
Caine looked at the bed and at Grace.
“Oh, I see you put your meal to bed.”
Grace stood her ground looking him in the eye.
“Well I don't blame you Grace, don't know how long she'll need to feed you, have to be conservative.”
“I don't think my eating habits are any of your business Caine.”
“Oh testy, well, I don't blame you. I get that way myself when I am hungry.”
“I can guarantee you that there is nothing we do the same.”
Caine walked past her over to the side of the bed.
“Tastes good, doesn't she? Just old enough to have that teenager spark. It's a weakness of mine I must admit.”
“You disgust me Caine.”
Caine tossed the blanket off of her and Elin sucked in her breath and started to move away from him.
“Ahhh awake I see?”
Grace grabbed her and threw her behind her.
“Leave her alone Caine. Haven't you done enough?”
Caine turned his head slightly and got a grin on his face.
“Ohh, I see bonding with the food still I see Grace. Bad business really, don't you think?”
Caine looked at Elin and suddenly he waved his hand and knocked Grace against the wall. Grace grabbed the back of her head.
“What did you do Grace?” He had flashed to Elin and was gripping her arm.
“Did you heal her? Unbelievable! Why would you waste your talents on such a thing?”
Grace tried to scramble to her feet but it was too late. Caine lifted Elin up to him with her facing Grace. Blue flames started to lick at his feet and Elin moaned.
“Stop!” Grace screamed.
“You did this my dear, she dies for you!”
Caine started to groan and Elin screamed out.
“Grace please... please help me.”
Light started to flash in the room and started to engulf Elin’s body, she shook and screamed, Caine tossed her lifeless body to the floor.
Grace looked at Caine with hate filled eyes. She ran to Elin and held her hand.
“Why Caine... why did you have to do that? So unnecessary!”
Caine laughed.
“Don't worry I'll get more for you Gracie. You'll have to feed sooner or later.”
Caine walked to the door and turned back to her...
“You killed her Grace not me. Don't play with your food, just take my generosity seriously next time.”
Grace sat on the floor holding Elin and started to cry.
***
The rest of week went by without incident. I went to school and finished up everything I could...kinda cool because I really didn't want to deal with anything. Johnathan did not come back to school and I did not call him. I thought maybe it was best, just to let things settle for a moment. We all wanted Friday… last day, maybe then we could move forward and figure out what the hell was going on.
I wanted to find my mom, wanted to see my dad too. We all settled into a routine at the house together. Kai and Josh got along just fine. Sam had softened towards me and even had started joking around some. I was glad she shed her badass chick persona. She was actually pretty cool to hang out with. Josh and I didn't talk much, we both just kinda acted like the kiss thing didn't happen. I still caught him looking at looking at me and vice versa but for now the romance thing was on hold, thank god. A week ago I only fantasized about Johnathan and now I was dealing with two pretty boys... ugh. Anyway it was half way through Friday with one more class, Lit. Awesome, pretty much a study hall. The minutes were ticking by. Then I had a text on my phone.
“The party starts at eight... I'll pick you up at seven thirty :) Love your BFF.”
Shit.
Oh god I totally forgot about the big blow out party thing at Red Woods. I started to laugh, because I knew Josh was locked in with Sara and I had prepped her, just to make him miserable... sweet. Maybe sweet… I don't know, I'm confused. Truth was I liked Josh, maybe not in that way… I don't know. I just couldn’t think straight. God I didn't want to multi task my emotions... not at all. All I knew was, that class was almost over and we were about to embark on some craziness for the summer.
Sam showed up right on time. Josh had sat in the back with me every day since we... you know. I think Kai was really feeling cocky about Sam, truth is she’s softened up to him too. I guess I should feel bad for Sophie, although Kai was taking her to the party, I knew he’s a one thought goldfish so she's in for a fun ride, yay for her. He’d been swimming in Sam’s bowl since she showed up. Ooo a castle… then back round... Ooo a castle. Truth was I would rather him have a girl like Samantha, she won't take his crap, so that's cool. I think she really stole his heart when she beat him on one of his video games, ninja flinger seven or something. Yep she beat him, which was totally awesome. Josh and I came to an understanding, I think but I knew he came into my room at night. I act like I'm sleeping and he stands there for a moment like he's checking on me. Still my room, but it kinda makes me feel safe so I haven't said a word about it, no need really.
I decided a bath was in order and hot, very hot. I leaned back and put the washcloth over my eyes. Schools over, normally I would be stoked but everything was different now. I sunk back in the tub. I wondered, will Johnathan come tonight? There was that masochist side of me that really hoped he would. I knew he wasn't physically sick all week and I couldn’t help but feel responsible. I wanted to see him if for nothing else but to say I'm sorry, Really, really, sorry....
“Ohhhh crap!”
I almost peed in the tub. I threw the washcloth off my face into the water.
“What the fudge Josh!”
I pulled the bubbles up around me. (Yes I use bubbles… and?)
I looked up and he had his back to me.
“I... ummm... I didn't see anything if that makes you feel any better... swear.”
“Why are you still in here?” I said.
“Ummm… good point.”
He walked out of the bathroom and into my room.
“I just came up to let you know chef Kai has dinner ready.”
I flopped my arms in the water.
“So... when you walked in and didn't see me you naturally assumed to look in the bathroom?”
He started to laugh.
“Well at least you were not on the toilet.”
“Oh shut up Josh!”
“Yeah... well food’s on the table.”
“Okay message received... ummm, could you leave so I can get out?”
“Oh... yeah… okay, sorry.”
Josh left my room. Swear to god I sooooo needed a lock on my door.
I jumped out and peeked out to make sure he was gone... that he was. I grabbed all I needed to not feel like I was romping around on a nudist beach and went downstairs. I could smell it before I even got there… oh my. I sat down at the table, across from Josh and didn't make eye contact. I looked down at the plate.
“Mmmmm Kai what is this?”
Kai came over from the stove. “This is manicotti.”
I looked at it... sad little thing on my p
late.
“Is it supposed to be green?”
Kai smiled, “I think I used too much spinach.”
“Ohhh.”
The whole time Josh was fighting the laughter across from me. We heard the front door and Sam came trotting in, bags in hand. She came to us and set them down in the middle of the table.
“Here's some Chinese, dig in”
Truth was... oh my god thank you Sam.
Kai looked at her.
“Ummm... Sam, I cooked manicotti.”
She looked at him and smiled, “Like I said here's some Chinese.”
Kai put his hand on his hip... Uh oh.
“Sooo what are you saying Sam?”
“You suck at cooking Kai, that’s why everyone in this house is exhausted, we don't eat.”
Kai started to stutter... “I... I…don't SUCK Sam.”
“Oh yes… yes you do Kai. Really I am touched that you try so hard, but it seems the more you try the more I die a little inside.”
Josh choked on his drink and I put my napkin up to my mouth. It was so hard not to laugh. I watched my brother be the girl. I guess Kai decided he was gonna go down with the ship.
“I, for your information, have been cooking for two whole years.”
Sam picked up my plate and said.
“This is manicotti?”
“Yes it is Sam,” Kai said to her.
“Well why is it green?” she asked.
“Spinach Sam… spinach,” Kai said as he rolled his eyes.
“Okay, then why the hell is there elbow macaroni floating on the plate?” Sam asked.
“It's a twist,” he added, like he invented something new.
Sam put the plate down.
“A twist? Or just twisted?” she muttered.
Kai was flustered, I didn’t think I've ever seen that before. I knew I should sneak out but I couldn't leave.
“Well... your hair is too red!” he said.
Sam laughed, “Too red...? Really...? What does that even mean?”
Kai just had to keep going, “It's not natural... no red is that red.”
Sam stood very still for a moment and then she stepped around the table and got right in his face.
“That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard from anyone in two hundred years. You need to take a shower more often”
Kai snorted, never heard that before.
The table jolted and Josh and I looked at each other. Sam must be pissed.
“Well Sam… your taste in music sucks.”
Blue flames started to lick at her feet and the liquid in our glasses started to ripple. Josh and I reached up at the same time to stop them from vibrating off the table. Sam cocked her head, “I don't even listen to music.”
“Exactly, you never play anything! Your car is quiet… it's not normal.”
“Ohhh, you want to talk about normal...? You live in a video game Kai! No wonder you don't have a girlfriend.”
Kai took a moment to decide his next chess move...
“At least I don't repel people… Sam.”
Sam’s palms flashed. Josh and I jumped up right in time for the table to scoot away from us. And then he did it. He grabbed her and kissed her hard on the mouth. I thought for sure she would light up like a Christmas tree and blast him into eternity but instead she grabbed the back of his head and probably did the craziest thing ever, she kissed him back. Blue flame engulfed them both, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. As Sam pulled her mouth away from him a faint trace of blue mist lingered in the air. Josh looked at them and looked at me then he cleared his throat.
“Could we get the table back?”
They pulled apart fast, Sam looked like she was shocked and she slapped him across the face.
“I did not say you could do that,” she said.
Kai smiled at her as she stormed out of the room. He followed. Josh and I started to laugh so hard I thought I was going to pass out from lack of oxygen.
Josh looked at me, “About freakin time... good for Kai, give her a what for.”
I smiled at him and he gave me a look... you know... the look. I grabbed a box of lo mien and headed upstairs.
It was then six thirty and I didn’t know what to wear, couldn’t believe I cared, but Johnathan might be there, the odds were low but none the less I want to look, I guess… Pretty? Geez. I was standing in front of my closet, god really? I didn't know what was going on in there really I don't. I caught a glimpse of someone at my door. Please don't be Josh… please don't be Josh. It was Sam… thank god.
“Hey.”
She just stood there leaning on the door.
“Hey Sam. Listen I will apologize for Kai he...” I said.
“Don't,” she muttered.
“K?” I said.
She looked to the floor, couldn't tell if she was mad or something else.
“So I know you’re going to this party thing. I have something you could wear if you want.”
“Really?” I said.
“Yea, it's something of mine,” Sam said.
She pulled it out from behind her and handed it to me.
I held it up. It was a dress, blue, the material felt strange almost like a mixture of silk and metal woven together. It was sleeveless and when I turned it in the light, I could almost make out faint symbols on it. It was beautiful.
“Sam, it's beautiful... I couldn't.”
“You can and you will Rue,” she said as she grinned at me.
“What is it made of?” I asked her.
“It's a dress I wore, when I received my power at the age of twenty one, its woven with protection. You can't be harmed in it.”
“Ohhhh, you’re worried about Johnathan,” I said to her.
“Well, everything else is shifting, he could too. I can't bind him forever.”
“Sam, I was wondering why Josh hasn't freaked out about...”
“He doesn't know what happened, when I found you two in the woods.”
“How could he not know?” I asked.
Sam looked at me and winked, “I omitted that little detail from memory.”
“Why?”
“Why do you think Rue? Josh goes off and he would have killed Johnathan the first day if he knew.”
“Killed him?” I whispered.
“We have enough to deal with, I didn't need that first thing and besides, I don't even know if Josh could kill him.”
“What does that mean Sam?”
“I mean, Johnathan is a protector, but not like us. His power is twisted, I don't know what... anyway, I want you to wear this... please Rue. It will make me feel better, it's the best I can do, other than being there too.”
“You are coming right?” I asked her.
“Yes.”
I looked at the dress again, “Okay Sam, thank you.”
“Thanks Rue now get ready, it's almost seven.”
She left my room and I stood there holding the dress. I've never in my life worn one. I guess there's a first for everything. I slipped it over my head and it fell right into place. I looked in the mirror and for the first time I looked like my mother, probably the dress though. I let my hair fall around my shoulders and I gave makeup a shot, avoiding the dreaded burn in my eye, maybe that's a good sign. I tried to rock my chucks for a half second but it wasn't working so I dug in my closet and pulled out my white lace up combat boots that came to my knee. I turned to the mirror and it actually looked cool so I decided that's it! I headed downstairs.
Josh was on the couch with Kai and Sam must have been finishing getting ready. Josh turned around and stood up when I reached the end of the stairs. He looked me up and down and then sparked a wicked grin.
“What?”
“You look... beautiful.”
I could feel the heat enter my cheeks.
“Thanks... Josh.”
Kai rolled his head back on the couch.
“What the hell?”
I looked at him like I looked at his meals.<
br />
“What Kai?”
“You look... good Rue... so, a dress huh?”
I looked down at it, “Yeah ummm... Sam let me borrow it.”
Kai looked back at the T.V.
“That makes perfect sense then. Nice to see you in a dress sis.”
Huh... nothing? No sarcasm…? I don't know if I like Sam anymore, where's my brother?
I heard a car horn, must be Sara, I looked at Josh.
“Well... you ready...? Your date’s here to pick you up.”
I smiled at him.
He came over to me and leaned in my ear...
“Everything I do to her, I'll be thinking of you sweetheart.”
“Shut up.”
He started laughing and we headed for the door.
When we stepped outside there were two cars not one. Sara had jumped out wearing a butterfly tee and a denim mini. I would have laughed at the butterfly reference but she looked really good. She had flowers, fake ones, placed around her hair, which added to the pretty. I would have said something but my gaze was stuck on the black BMW parked next to her car. I froze there on the porch under the light lit above me and I looked up. What I would give for it to be an alien beam pulling me up into the mother ship but no luck.
“OMG... Rue!”
Sara took both of my hands and pulled them apart to get the full effect of what I was wearing.
“Holy Crap... you look awesome Rue!” She stepped back from me. “I swear I'm gonna pass out…! You in a dress? Never thought I'd see it, not in a million years!”
If she only knew, I may have a million years to try to wear one again.
I looked down at my shoes, “Yeah I thought… well, it's Sam’s.”
“Well... I love her taste!” Sara smiled at me and went right to work on Josh.
She instantly started talking. Sara talk, the kind I like to listen too but Josh would just freak out at some point. Hope he didn’t kiss her to shut her up, no maybe he should, why should I care?