Cas kissed me one final time. And he was gone.
Chapter Fourteen
…hangs a tale.
“Ready?”
I jumped. I do that a lot lately. My stealthy instincts needed some improvement if I was going to survive this after teenage young adult lifestyle. But the fighter in me would win.
“Actually, I have a better idea. Instead of chancing off campus time, will you help me get in the library to do research where no one will see what I’m researching?”
“Okay. Not sure that leaving might be more safe, but yeah, if that’s what you need.”
His warm smile mirrored back to mine. I pried his fingers off when he tried to put his arm around me.
“Time. I need to focus.” I tucked my bracelet under my shirtsleeve against me and started off in the dark hearing Calum suck in the air behind me. I would tell him. Soon!
We arrived in the library easy enough and settled on the farthest wall away from any windows. I found the legends Szar told me about easier than I thought. You had to put in the right thing for the search engine. Calum was right over my shoulder looking on. I felt the heat on my neck from his breathing, but didn’t react. And oddly enough, a week ago it would have made me freeze up. Today, it was like he was Szar, my brother behind me being annoying. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I think I knew that all along but was too enthralled with the newness of direct attention verses attraction. It took everything I had to find my quiet place and not say anything. I think he knew somehow I wasn’t affected, since he backed up and sat next to me in the roll chair watching me.
“Do you still like me?”
He was asking a dangerous question. “Yes, Calum. You have been such a blessing in my life. I could have never survived without you.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Before I could, he leaned down and kissed me. Lips on lips. Soft. Sweet. It was just that. I can’t say that I didn’t want it to happen for one simple reason. It told me what my inner feelings had already registered. It was just a kiss. The heat, the passion that Cas sent through me was different than what Calum gave me. It was just a kiss.
I didn’t want to do this right now though. “Calum, I don’t know what I think. I don’t think we should see each other right now. I need time.” There, that was truth enough.
He nodded and started to stand.
“But I need you. I can’t do this alone.”
He nodded. Sad was not enough to describe how his face spoke.
“Let me show you something.”
I explained to him what I’d found on the net. I left off the part where my brother had informed me of most of it. I showed him about the five and how I believed, and others, that we were somehow all born at the same time and coming back together like boomerangs on the same course. He didn’t mention if he did catch that I said five or rather to reach a conclusion as I had. He was intelligent, but not sharp when it came to little details. Or didn’t tell if so. His emotions couldn’t give him away because they were still the same as when I backed away from him.
I left out that the one of them is Cas. He wasn’t ready for that tidbit assuming he didn’t already know. I also left out the bit about me being this great being. That was just arrogant. He’d find out eventually.
I caught him up to what my father had told me figuring it better that he know as much as I could bring myself to tell him, the better we would be.
He took it all pretty well. We decided we would meet for lunch in here tomorrow. I asked if we’d could please include Maze in on it. He was reluctant, but added anyway, “And Lee.”
I cringed up. Lee. I’d forgotten about him until now. Better to know what he’s up to and feed him wrong information if I have too.
“Fine.” He stood. “Lee admitted to me long ago about the spying. I knew what he’d done. No, I didn’t know he was helping the Valkyrie, but he’s not a traitor to all.”
Yeah! Sure thing. Lee is on the flip side of trusted at the second, though I wonder if he was ever on the right side of anything.
Calum walked me to my dorm where I offered a hug as a goodbye. I hugged him. That would have to do for now until I could find the guts to tell him something else.
The next day was a blur until lunch. When Lee walked into the library, I realized I’d successfully avoided him and even missed seeing him altogether until then. His eyes found their way to my soul inside and out. They showed all of how much he knew my past and present and every bit of how much he feared my future. But mostly, I know his thoughts, because it didn’t include him the way he wanted it too.
“Princess.”
Was that all? Lee couldn’t muster a “how are you” or “I’m glad your okay” anywhere in his cold heart? I glared at him pulling my lips in tighter. And this being called Princess had to end yet voicing it would cause him to do it more. That theory was confirmed when I made such an ordeal of Cas calling me his Kissa since I seem so catlike! I refused to admit that I liked him calling me that, so I egged it on. However, hearing the other titles only reminded me of the present circumstances in my life.
“Glad to see you haven’t changed. I’d heard otherwise,” Lee said indifferent.
What did that mean? Oh well. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
“Lee,” I gave him back his one word greeting without any kind of emotion.
We all sat. I clued them in on what they needed to know that I was okay with Lee hearing since my suspicions had been correct on his unreported liaisons between the factions. Calum shot me a look when I skipped over the idea for the five of us being born to rule the factions telling me he didn’t miss the detail. I’d gather more info before I divulged that. I would soon lose track of who knew what if I wasn’t careful. I’d told a few facts to one and different to another. Need to know basis is the best way to go here, but I told Calum some things, Lee other things, and have yet to learn too much myself from Cas or Szar who withheld things. I-ya-ya! My head started to hurt.
They seemed satisfied and all agreed to lay low and divvied out various jobs. Lee would check the warehouse out of pure chance of checking it off the list. Maze would sneak a peek at Dr. Green’s files just for the knowing that there might not be anything left there. It would at least rule it out. Calum agreed to accompany them both.
When they asked me if I was in on the snooping around, I declined saying that it was too soon to be seen sneaking about with friends and didn’t want to raise suspicion enough for the school to expel any of us. Calum snorted at me, but didn’t protest. Lee and Maze waffled back and forth at our faces, but let it go.
Maze cornered me in my room just before I was about to change and sneak out. My whole body turned to stone knowing what was coming. “You know. You can’t string him along like this. He deserves to know.”
I let my face fall a little, “I know. I just don’t know how to say it.” It felt good to have someone else know even if she was the one who warned me.
“He is a big boy. He can take it. But you can’t leave him hanging." She got all motherly on me.
“I’m afraid he’ll never talk to me again. I need him right now. He’s a part of this whole fiasco and I can’t bear to see him hurt. I didn’t mean to hurt him. I couldn’t have known. I think he is way awesome. But I don’t feel the kind of feelings with him that I do with…”
“I know, I know. I saw it. You two have…chemistry. You never had that with Calum. Just infatuation. I can see the difference looking from the outside in. Yeah, I still think he’s a freaking Vampire and I see no possible attraction in that, but you’re also not a Hunter. This makes it a little more acceptable, well not really, but anyway…I’m your friend till the end.”
“Good. Then you can explain it to him and save me the heartache.” It meant a lot that Maze was on my side and thought so much of me even though there was a faction and species difference going on there.
“Please. And spare me the drama of watching it. Besides, Lee is ecstatic. He is enjoying every second and making Calum
bath in his misery about losing you.”
“He is such a moron. What is he telling him?”
“Oh, things like join the club, you’re not the first, and Vamp boy has more skills. God, for someone so inexperienced…you have three men throwing themselves at you and you take no advantage of it.”
“What? You’d have me egg them on? And Lee is being an ass.”
“You expect any less? And no, just have a bit of fun with it and enjoy the ride. You’re a rock star in your own little show, girl,” she giggled.
“Well, I’m not toying with anyone’s emotions. I have a hard enough time figuring out what a boy is trying to say when he is standing right in front of me, much less leading him on to think I want something I don’t.”
“That’s why your absolutely nuts.”
“So be it.”
“Fine. But tell him soon. I can’t bear to see him slobber about you anymore than I have to. Calum needs to move on.”
An icy wave of fear whipped over me. How could I tell Calum he would just have to move on? I knew when I met him he was special, but not the way Cas made my insides crawl around and flip like I’d explode without his touch. Life without boys was so much easier.
Chapter Fifteen
The Course of True Love…
I dressed in jeans and a pink tank and slid a scarf around my neck. I discarded the ring and decided to be done with it. I wanted to read him no matter what might come at me.
I slipped out in the night and made it to the clearing in the woods just fine and felt him instantly. This time I didn’t just feel him with the super emotion Val powers talking, I could smell his dark, spicy cologne before he was there. It matched his all in leather look that made me crazy with want. I sang to my back, “I know your are there.”
How?
“I’d know that scent anywhere. You’re scent.”
And I’m the Vampire. Who’s the predator and who is the prey here?
My mother’s ruby was safe in my pouch, as well as the letters and other charms that lead me down dark paths. I seemed to be well “charmed” in my life. My pouch. It still went everywhere with me, just like my knives. They are a part of me.
He didn’t say anything else, but reached around me and lifted us off into the night.
Cas asked, “You never remove your knives?”
You can feel them. Do you not like them?
It’s not that. I can’t feel you. They hide you from me.
Oh! I blushed worried he’d keep the color in my cheeks and eventually make it permanent.
Most assuredly.
“That could prove very embarrassing.”
“Not to me. I rather like that I affect you so.”
That you do. That you most assuredly do.
I barely had time to think more on it when we landed on the balcony of my brother’s rooms. My father was standing just inside. He was never much for parental looks, but he sent a very fatherly look in my direction. I moved a few inches away from Cas.
“I thought I’d say hello since I missed the previous night’s visit.”
I smiled not knowing what Szar told him.
“I will leave you. Have fun.” He turned and stopped, “It is good to have you here Anastacia, even if not for me or your court.”
Was I letting him down? I hadn’t thought of that before.
Not letting him down. Just undecided. He knows that.
Thanks, but still doesn’t hide his disappointment.
He’ll come around. And you will too.
What’s that mean? I folded my arms at Cas.
It means, that you will figure all this out. But for now, we will take it one day at a time.
Cas unfolded my arms and held them out wide at my fingertips closing in fast to grip his hands.
“At it again you two? Normal people will not be able to be around you for the simple fact that you look like mime’s dancing the fandango and doing the horizontal in sign language lingo.”
“Szar! Stop acting like your some kind of parental.”
“Ah, she speaks! ALOUD, no doubt. Shall we get the speaking parts over with so the two of you can tongue tango without my presence?” Szar said curtly with touches of solid sarcasm.
I blew the hair off my face to avoid making a rude gesture. He is so maddening.
But he is enjoying watching you squirm.
I poked his belly, “And you’re not?” I blurted out. I turned off the school girl pouting so fast. Not in front of them.
Cas laughed aloud, his single strand of hair falling in his eye that drove me wild as he looked down. He glanced up from his cell phone he’d just been texting on to meet my eyes at the same precise moment. I wrinkled my nose up a touch baring my teeth. Grr! I faked.
“Come on you two.” Szar led us into his sitting room. The symbol that reminded me of where I came from above the door. It was above every door in the manor. To a human it resembled the number eight. To a Valkyrie, it meant "above". I always said "above the rest" because I considered our kind arrogant at times. My father claimed it meant "above" like where the god of Odin resides and we originated. I like mine better.
8
Szar had a table of snacks out and we all three sat down to munch.
“I see you know her as well as I do.”
“She is a picky one. She wouldn’t eat if I didn’t have what she wanted,” Szar gave his best brotherly laugh.
“So what else do we know?” my brother directed at me.
Cas answered, “She wears pink a lot though I prefer the sunshine.” And the way he looked at me. I knew the look. It was the same look he gave when his eyes became hidden cameras to my soul. I moved left above him now. His dark gaze stayed where I was. I danced right to see the pattern on. It was just the way his eyes seemed to follow me like I was his prey. Yet he was a predator in every sense.
We are not doing this in front of him unless you’re hinting for me to leave with you and head straight for my home.
I stood up straighter piling grapes on my plate and obeying his command, mostly. Thankfully, my saucy look stopped him in his tracks and I didn’t mean to lick my lips but the grape I just popped in my mouth burst at precisely the same time. Oops!
Cas’ cheeks reddened and decidedly shut his mouth. Szar was lucky he didn’t comment this time or I would have blown a gasket. “I talked with Calum. Told him most of what we knew. He knows he is a part of it somehow, but really he already did. I caught him up on most of it.” I glanced at Cas uncomfortably. “I found everything you said mostly in bits and pieces on the net. I think, consider me wrong if you will, that we must talk with the faction leaders somehow.” I smiled knowing one was sitting beside me.
I’m not worthy of that praise.
I scrunched up my eyebrows in frustration. How do you figure that?
He never answered.
To Szar I said, “And possibly finalize who the next Hunter leader will be.”
Szar subtly shot a look to Cas that they may have thought I didn’t catch, but did. I gave them no reason to think otherwise so I kept on, “Talk with the Weres and assure them they haven’t a need to hurt me. And ask father who he intends to give his title to. I feel foolish speaking like I know what I’m talking about, but we won’t get anywhere sitting around and the powers that be seem to be waiting for something.” I gave Cas a dubious look.
“Wow! You’ve been overdoing that brain of yours,” Szar teased.
“Thanks bro, but save the sarcasm.”
I noticed neither of them mentioned the fact that Szar was probably the next in line.
“Touchy. Thorn, make sure to relax her tonight. She needs a detox.” The heat between the two of us hotter than the flame in the fireplace, I doubted relaxation.
“How did you turn out so ill mannered and I…”
“What sis? What am I?” He stood fuming like a hate meter blew a gasket.
“I see the two of you are still at odds. Perhaps we will do well to stay away from family busines
s.” Cas had my arm now.
“Father aims to give you the title. But recent events have made him question if it will happen.” Recent events? That’s just about every detail involved in my so-called life right now.
“Meaning?”
“He waits to see what you choose?”
“I see. Doubt it. I know you are lying to me. And I have a feeling that title is going your direction, brother of mine. I have no desire to be at this court again. You can rest easy and shut the—
“What about the Hunter title?” he interrupted.
“Dr. Green will take the title next week.” Cas decided to share.
“NEXT WEEK?” I screamed.
“Calm down, Anastacia. He has that right,” Szar came back at me.
And Calum would be next in line. This is too much. Cas moved his arm down to my lap. He gripped my knee and held.
I asked, “Is there anything else?”
Szar nodded. “Suicide. You’re not going into the Were’s den and ask them to please not hurt you. They’ll kill you before Ryan can get there and ask your party what you were there for afterword. They don’t want this, remember? That line was broken when...We’ll set up a meeting with exclusive individuals after talking with father and Dr. Green. Borgon and his piss ant followers will stop at nothing to take you. If you are so stupid that you’re ego is going to get in the way of creating democracy, then step down and let them kill you now. It’ll save some time.”
Cas was holding me back no doubt playing the quiet game as a silent referee between the evil twin tirade.
“Okay, fine, oh so loving brother. I know you only mean half of what you say, but please save your snarky comments for someone who freaking cares. Because it is not me. For now, I will focus on Green. But if you are in line for the Val court, so be it. I don’t want it. I want no part of being at this court ever again.”
Szar was offended. “Why not?”
“Because. It was this court who hid me. Hid secrets from me. Kept me from living life. Wanted me to be forced to marry who they wanted. Hid me from friends. Not you.” And there was more.
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