The Progeny (The Progeny Series)

by Laynne, Ashlynne

  “What’s with that?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Maybe you should avoid him. That sounds kinda creepy.”

  “Maybe, but he also goes to Birchmont.”

  Katy’s eyes widened. “Get out! Really?”

  “Yeah, he’s a Psych major.”

  Katy flashed a disapproving stare. “Sounds like dude is in need of some major shrinking himself.”

  “I don’t know, Kat. There’s something about him. As much as I probably should avoid him, I don’t want to. When he looks at me, I get all these peculiar feelings.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I want to be around him.” Of course, she wouldn’t tell her seventeen-year-old sister about how his stare made her want to rip the clothes from his body, but it did. Her dreams centered on the two of them, a big bed and things she could only imagine, because she’d never done any of it.

  “Sounds like you’re attracted to him.”

  “That’s the last thing I need, an attraction to a mentally unavailable guy.”

  “How do you know he’s unavailable?”

  “You didn’t see how he went from hot to cold in five seconds.”

  “He sounds pretty hot. I’d give him a shot.”

  “Is that your official opinion, or are you writing bumper sticker slogans now? Life is more than hot dudes and art, Kat.”

  “Ugh, no life lessons this morning. It’s bad enough I have to take that stupid test.”

  “The S.A.T. isn’t that bad, Katy. Your attitude can’t all be about a standardized test. What’s really bothering you?”

  “I’m okay, really.” Katy seemed evasive. “Actually, I’m not. I keep having these awful nightmares.” She shook it off. “It’s just stupid dreams...nothing to get excited about.” Jumping up, she grabbed her backpack and headed for the door. “I'm going to be late. I’ll see you next week.” She hugged her sister goodbye but stopped short of the door, coming back to hand Shauna a crumpled piece of paper. “I almost forgot. Hot mental guy left a message for you.”

  Shauna took the paper into her shaking hand, placing it in her pocket. She didn’t want to appear anxious to read it, even if she was. Waiting fifteen minutes, until she knew Katy wouldn’t be coming back, she took the paper from her pocket and read it.

  Ascher left his number and a message to call him. She convinced herself that she’d call him, just out of curiosity and nothing more. He apologized for his behavior and asked her out to the annual New Year’s Eve firework display in the square.

  He seemed repentant, so she accepted his offer.

  * * * *

  Ascher felt agreeable, less cranky—a definite improvement over the previous night. It was a clear, cool, cloudless evening just perfect for viewing fireworks. They found a spot away from everyone and sat on the red and black flannel blanket from his Jeep. An uncomfortable silence hung over them, until he broke the ice.

  “Are you sure you’re not cold? If the cocoa isn’t enough, we can sit in the car. I have another blanket, and I’d be glad to get it for you.”

  “I’m okay, really.” Shauna laughed and took a sip from the thermos. “Thanks so much for the cocoa. I don’t know what I was thinking forgetting to pack some.” She gave him a smirk. “I was surprised when you asked me out tonight. I would’ve watched the countdown on TV and then crashed. I always bring in the new year alone.” She gave him a curious stare. “Frankly, I didn’t think we hit it off so well. Have you changed your policy on fraternizing with employees?”

  “About last night...” He gave her a smile. “I’m so sorry for my rude behavior. Birthdays aren’t my favorite occasions.”

  “That reminds me...” She handed him the blue bakery box beside her.

  “And what’s this?”

  “Call me, the birthday committee.”

  He sat still. Other than mere acknowledgment of the date, his family never celebrated birthdays. For him, they were a painful reminder of his perilous existence. He had the strangest feeling that they would mean more to him after tonight. “You really shouldn’t have—”

  “Birthdays are to be celebrated, not loathed.” Shauna pulled a blue cupcake with red sprinkles from the box. “Happy birthday to you,” she sang while taunting him with the confection. “Here, have some, I love their frosting.”

  Ascher flinched, remembering what his brother, Tristan, said about being inconspicuous around humans. He knew what even a bite of this would do to him, but he had to keep suspicion down. He reached for the cupcake, took a believable bite and started the mental countdown for getting rid of it. He had a few hours before he’d get violently ill, or be in any real danger.

  A firework flashed across the sky, illuminating it with brilliant colors and bright flashing lights. His heart skipped a beat as her cold hand brushed his, sending threads of electricity directly into him. She was cold. Before his mind processed the inclination, he grabbed her, unzipping his leather jacket to place her hands against his bare stomach. “Shauna, you’re hands are freezing. If you don’t want to go to the car, we’ll have to get a little closer.”

  She managed an “Okay,” through chattering teeth, leaning into him to snuggle against his chest.

  “Would you like some of my birthday cupcake?” he asked, offering it to her.

  Shauna took a healthy bite and glanced up at him revealing a frosting moustache.

  Ascher chuckled. He couldn’t help it. She was as sexy as she was adorable. “You’ve got some...” He moved his finger across his own lip.

  “I know.” She licked her lips and giggled, showing off those beautiful dimples. “Told ya...the best frosting in the world.” She smoothed her hands over his bare stomach, her eyes tunneling into him. “Happy birthday, Ascher.”

  He wasn’t accustomed to accepting gifts, so he searched his mind for an appropriate reply. “Thank you for the cupcake. That was really nice of you to do.”

  She nodded.

  The opaque sky filled with swirls of smoke and exquisite pops of color, lighting her pensive face. “I loved fireworks when I was a kid. Our old house wasn’t far from the square. My sister and I would go up to the roof and watch them. Did you like fireworks as a kid?”

  “I’m usually too busy residing in my post birthday funk to come out on New Year’s Eve. Father comes out every year, since Rousseau’s sponsors this event.”

  Shauna's eyes shifted over him, seeming to take in every minute detail. Her mind was an open book, and he took to reading it.

  His face is different tonight. A face that gorgeous should only smile. Look how his features dance against the bursts of light. That’s so strange. He looks like a fashion ad for funeral wear.

  Ascher tugged the purple blanket tighter around them. “Are you warming up?”

  She nodded, pressing her ear to his chest. His heart hammered, beating a steady and unchallenged rhythm. He cuddled her closer, his hold awkward and uncomfortable. He didn’t have a lot of experience with being close to a woman.

  The warmth of her body was an exciting change from Ursula’s icy skin. Besides Aggie, he’d only been close to vampires. While he loved his brothers and family, their wintry skin was unpleasant. He rested his face against her head, savoring the abundant heat radiating from her scalp. A gentle breeze circulated the floral fruity fragrance of her hair. Ascher knew he shouldn’t, but he nestled his nose into her flowing locks, delighting in their tempting perfume.

  “This is really nice,” she whispered with a sigh in her voice.

  “I agree.”

  “It’s almost twelve,” she spoke again with the sighing tone

  The M.C. started counting down. “Ten, nine…”

  Ascher turned her to him, searching her eyes for any indication that a kiss might be appropriate.

  Shauna stared back at him with a blank look.

  A kiss was out of the question.

  “Eight, seven…”

  Desperation filled his racing mind, as he attempted to find a suitable wa
y to mark the New Year without offending her.

  “Six, five…”

  He channeled her frightened thoughts. She was just as unsure as he was. He glanced around at the other couples to see that they were already embracing and kissing. The flushing feeling grew on his face.

  “Four, three…”

  Shauna brought her worried face closer. Ascher couldn’t believe that she was contemplating making the first move. He was stunned by the sudden turn of events.

  “Two, one…”

  Her potent essence washed over him, as her lips came within inches of his, before abruptly stopping. A hundred sparks lit the night sky.

  The M.C. shouted, “Happy New Year!”

  Ascher experienced every thump of the heart in her heaving chest. She leaned in to him, giving him a subtle kiss on his left cheek.

  Confused and overcome with fear, exhilaration and an unfamiliar yearning, he kissed her forehead and whispered, “You are so incredibly beautiful.” Carefully smoothing a hand down along her cheek, he watched the blush pool beneath his fingertips. “Happy New Year, Shauna.”

  She snuggled into him again, nuzzling her face into his chest. “Happy New Year, Ascher.”

  * * * *

  Ascher sat on the iron bench, anxiously awaiting Aggie. His shaky hands made no sense. It was only Ags. Still, it’d been two years since he’d seen her. He wasn’t sure if she’d forgiven him or even wanted to be friends again. No matter what the situation had been between them, he knew she was the only one who could help him now.

  Aggie plodded down the sidewalk, seeming to take several calming breaths before uttering, “Ascher.” Her tone was cold and callous—so unlike the woman he knew.

  Skimming her mind, he hoped to channel anything to make things easier. Her thoughts were as impenetrable as a brick wall. He gave her a nervous half smile. “It’s good to see you again, Ags.”

  “Let’s forgo the small talk. What do you want?”

  Ascher scrutinized her eyes. Aggie could hide her thoughts, but her eyes always betrayed her. He knew what every twitch, and gleam meant. Her sullen and detached tone mocked the intense hurt flashing from them.

  Her defenses were up. Way up.

  “I know that I hurt you, Ags. I’m sorry.”

  Her pursed lips uttered nothing.

  “I thought it best to put distance between us. I wanted you to see how crazy it was. You’re a witch and I’m a half-bloodling. That makes no sense, and it's not possible for us to be together. We both know what the covenants say about Wiccan and vampire relationships. I never said that I wanted to end our friendship. You shut me out.”

  She glanced at him through the curtain of her straight brown hair. “What are you talking about, Ascher?”

  He pointed to his head. “You think I couldn’t feel it when you blocked me out? You were my best friend. When you shut down, I assumed that you weren’t my friend anymore. I never wanted to hurt you, but I was confused. Your kiss took me completely by surprise. We both had issues. You were trying to make sense of your powers and I knew better, but I let it happen. I was stupid.”

  “That’s just it. I wasn’t being stupid. I felt it, Ascher.”

  “It doesn’t matter. We aren’t compatible in that way, and we have to accept that. I don’t want this to bury our friendship. I’ve missed you, Ags.” He stepped towards her with outstretched arms.

  In many ways, Aggie was irreplaceable—the only human he trusted with his secret. She was the first person to offer him friendship when he came to Russell G. Carter High School. He was awkward and had a strange accent that garnered many stares. The others had teased and taunted him, but not Aggie. She’d been like a sister, a confidant and buffer from their cruel classmates.

  Aggie stepped back, distrust burning in her features. “What do you want, Ascher? I don’t have time to reminisce with you.”

  Ascher sat back down on the iron bench.

  She remained standing in a defensive posture—body erect, arms crossed in front. Her heart shaped face wrinkled, her eyebrows furrowing, as her light brown eyes silently questioned him.

  He couldn’t hear her mind but saw the confusion and hurt on her face. “I need a favor,” he finally said.

  “I figured as much.”

  “I need you to perform a spell on someone.”

  “What kind of spell?” Her eyes widened.

  “A binding spell.”

  “A binding spell, is someone after you?”

  “No. It’s not an enemy. She's a friend.”

  “She’s a friend,” Aggie repeated in a hoarse voice that confirmed her pain.

  “I wouldn’t ask you, but there’s no one else to do it.” Truth was he only trusted her to do it.

  Aggie’s pained expression deepened, her lips pursing into a thin tight line. “I can’t believe you came here to ask me to bind someone you have feelings for!” Her reply was just as cold as the night air. She closed her eyes, breathing more calming breaths. “Get out of here, Ascher—just leave.”

  “I’m not leaving you here alone.”

  The rage grew in her eyes and her fists balled. “Get out of here while I can still control it!”

  “No!” He flitted to her side, grabbing hold of her, shaking her to wake her from her daze. “Ags. Fight it, fight the rage.”

  She clutched her head. “You hurt me too much, and I can’t control it. Just leave!”

  Ascher gripped her arm tighter. “Are you crazy? There’s no way I’m leaving you here alone!”

  The ground shook beneath them, and a blinding beam of light shot from her grayed eyes, dislocating a branch from a nearby tree, sending it crashing to the ground.

  A sick pit of dread rose in his stomach, because he sensed another amongst them. He shook her, forcing her eyes open. “Ags, did you come with someone?”

  “No.”

  “Someone else is here. I can feel them.”

  “I can’t see anyone, and I can’t feel anyone either.”

  Ascher scanned the park with his sensitive eyes, his keen ears picking up the subtle sounds of the night. There was a beating heart just beyond a thicket of trees. “You can come on out now. We know you’re there.”

  Casey, Aggie’s coven sister, stepped out into the clearing.

  Aggie shot her a defiant glare. “I told you I was okay, Case.”

  Casey rolled her eyes at Ascher. She was a real bitch, and they’d never gotten along. The incident, two summers ago, only worsened an already volatile situation. “I see my sister is still not strong enough to resist you. I tried to warn her, but she wouldn’t listen.” Turning to Aggie, she uttered, “I’m taking you back to the apartment right this minute, and I don’t want to hear any complaining.”

  “She can make up her own mind, Casey.”

  “No she can’t! She’s blind where you’re concerned. Look what she did to that poor tree.” She glanced over to Aggie. “Mother Mias won’t be happy about the tree. Let’s go before he causes you anymore harm!”

  “I’m sorry Ascher, but Case is right. I need to go back now. I can’t help you.”

  “Go on to the car,” Casey instructed. “I’ll just be a minute.”

  When Aggie was a good distance away, Casey turned to Ascher, hate flooding her hazel eyes. “You’ve caused her enough pain, Ascher Rousseau. Leave her be, or I’ll put a spell on you that will last a hundred years!”

  Ascher smirked, undaunted by her threat. “I’m not afraid of you, Casey. I could cease every bodily function you have with one glance. I only tolerate you because of Ags. The next time you threaten me, block your mind first.” With that, he stared her in the eyes, planting a subliminal deep in her brain.

  Casey clutched her head.

  “It’s too late Casey, I’m already in there. I see it all.” He continued his stare while washing her brain clear of his threat. He focused in on her deep subconscious and opened his eyes, allowing her to see the red rage saturating his vision.

  She startled and stepped
away from him.

  Grabbing her arm, he pulled her back to him. “You will go to Ags and convince her to help bind my friend,” he spoke in a slow and persuasive tone.

  Casey wavered like a brain washed zombie before repeating his verbal suggestion. “I will convince Aggie to bind your friend.”

  Ascher patted her on the shoulder and waved his hand across her eyes, releasing her from his mind spell.

  Confused, she whispered, “Ascher, what are you doing here?”

  “I was just visiting with Ags. Tell her to give me a call. The number is still the same.” His eyes glowed red again. “And remember what I said.” He gave her what he knew to be a haunting, but pleasant smile, his teeth glinting. “Good seeing you again, Casey. Take care.”

  Four ~ A Mathematical Certainty

  Romania

  Ursula stormed into the formal hall, waving a piece of paper in her hand, her clenched jaw quivering with fury. The contortion on her face matched the blood blazing in her vision.

  Clive drew in a staggered breath.

  “A postponement,” she roared. “He wants a postponement!”

  Clive attempted to soothe her but she disappeared, morphing away from him. She materialized a few feet away, her eyes burning brighter with reddened ferocity. “For months, he’s ignored my calls and refused to see me. How long have you known about this?” Tilting her head at him, she growled, “Were you ever going to tell me about this letter, Father?”

  “Sweet one,” he murmured the silk and deceit heavy in his voice. “Ascher is no fool and he knows the consequences if he doesn’t seal to you. He’d never put his family in danger.” Ursula allowed him close enough to give her cold cheek a careful, calming stroke. “A certain amount of nerves is normal when one is sealing for the first time.”

  “Save it, Father!” she hissed. “I don’t want to hear any more of your lies. I know what you and Skylar have been whispering about.” She paused, feeling like a fool and realizing that everyone knew about this. “When were you going to tell me the truth? Next month or when he left me at the altar?”