by J. N. Colon
I nodded. “Yeah, I just got a weird feeling.”
“What do you mean?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. I’m just tired.”
***
I trailed through campus, the moonlight leaking through thick foliage. A low, humid mist clung to everything, including me. I pulled my hair up and fanned my nape again.
I’m really missing Highland right now, I thought.
Somehow I managed to give my royal guards Daedalus and Rufus the slip. Maybe I was starting to grow into my stealthy vamp skills.
Then again, they were probably watching me from the roof. They’ve been exceptionally diligent in following me as of late. I was sure it had nothing to do with my odd behavior. And I mean that sarcastically. Mac probably told them I was about to cash in my one way ticket to looney town. If only he knew the whole truth—like me seeing and hearing crap. He’d really be worried.
My feet were silent as I walked, but a myriad of whispers suddenly started. I stopped and craned my head to one side, attempting to decipher the origin of the indecipherable conversation. I tilted it to the other side and still couldn’t detect one single source like it came from everywhere and nowhere at once.
I shook my head and resumed my walk. Maybe one day I’ll get the hang of this unless or course I really am going nuts.
Has anyone ever flipped the crazy switch after turning into a vampire?
I absentmindedly fiddled with my royal crest necklace, thinking of Mac. He was playing pool with Demy, Lucius, and Hudson in the rec room.
My face screwed up in a grimace. Laney Cavanaugh better not be there, tossing her stupid blonde hair and blinking dreamily up at him. I don’t get why everyone thinks she’s this harmless little southern bell shifter.
Okay, I realize my opinion might be a little biased, but come on. She flirts with Mac every chance she gets, and yes I do consider vigorously waving hello to him flirting. No one else does it.
The faint crunching of leaves caught my attention and I changed directions, following it. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s part of the predator in me now—or just my usual idiotic curiosity. Yes, follow the mysterious footsteps Rubi because that always ends so well.
The scent of food washed up my nose and my mouth watered. Whoever it was might have a tasty treat on them. Maybe I could convince them to share—as in use my compulsion to get them to hand it over.
But when I suddenly came face to face with the culprit my throat turned dry and I wished I remained on my original path.
Melody, the creepy lady who works in the dining hall, came out of the shadows, carrying a box of something that clanked together like glass on glass. Her expression was set in a nasty scowl the moment she saw me.
Gees. From the look she was giving me you’d think I was scum she wanted to scrape off the bottom of her shoe.
“Excuse me.” I tried to go around her, but she went the same way. I stopped and shifted the opposite direction only to have her mirror me.
She hissed in anger. “Ah. Silly girl stop moving.”
I froze at her harsh tone.
Melody motioned with her chin, swinging her short dark hair sharply. “I’ll go that way. You go the other.”
I silently nodded and watched as she marched by, mumbling something about a stupid girl. My eyes followed a small object that fell from her jacket pocket. As soon as she was out of sight I strode forward.
A small syringe lay nestled in blades of plush grass. I kicked it with my Chuck Taylor, wondering why she had it.
My brows slammed together. Is she on drugs? It would explain her extreme agitation.
I bit my lip in thought. Or maybe she has diabetes. Either way who is so careless to leave it loose in a pocket like that?
I considered picking it up and running after her to gauge her reaction. That is until my stomach growled and I suddenly believed it was a better idea to hit up the dining hall.
Dimitri got me my very own key.
I spun around only to get startled. “Rufus!” I hissed, grabbing my chest. “Where did you come from?”
The corners of his lips twitched while his chocolate eyes shimmered with humor. “I’ve been around.”
Ugh. I knew it. He and Daedalus were watching me the whole time. How come Mac doesn’t have royal guards following him?
Oh yeah, he’s a total badass vampire unlike me. Not yet anyways.
I planted my hands on my hips. “You know, I’m thinking about getting you a bell to tie around your neck so I can hear you coming.”
Now he did smile, unleashing a straight line of pearly whites that contrasted dramatically with his smooth mocha skin. “But it’s my job to be stealthy princess.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, since you’re my shadow tonight, let’s go be stealthy on our way to the dining hall. I’m starving.”
He chuckled. “You’re always starving.
“Yeah, yeah. I know.”
***
I yawned and my eyes fluttered closed again. I was in Professor Reilly’s history class, fighting to stay awake. I dreamed of the white ghost last night—several times. She led me to the mysterious, nonexistent door repetitively. Each time I tried to enter the hidden corridor a hunter snuck behind me and stabbed me or sliced my throat. After every time instead of waking up I was back at my dorm opening the door for her except for the last time I died. I woke up sweaty and writhing in my sheets on the floor. Thankfully Vera was already in the shower, oblivious to my night of torment.
Needless to say I was exhausted.
When my eyes opened again I saw the girl with dark hair from my now two dreams, standing at the front of the class. She was sporting a navy skirt with a white collared shirt and navy cardigan with Mossgrove’s crest on the left. Her dark eyes were glaring at something, face pale and twisted in a horror.
I glanced around to see everyone else deep in their assignment, oblivious to her. All except nutty me.
Oh man. I’m hallucinating.
“You’re the monster,” she said, her voice trembling. “You’re the murderers.”
The hunter William appeared and backhanded her so hard her head snapped sideways, blood trickling down her split lip.
I flinched in my seat and my breathing became heavy.
“Rubi, what’s wrong?” Mac asked, but his voice sounded far away as my senses honed in on the disturbing scene before me.
“You are done girl,” he hissed. “It doesn’t matter what you’ve seen.” He hit her again, forcing her to the ground with a painful groan.
An audible whimper slipped out my mouth. William grabbed her by the hair and started dragging her away—I knew to her death. I remembered the feel of her injuries.
The girl unexpectedly met my gaze, piercing me with her intense dark eyes. Her lips frantically moved as if she was whispering something, but it was muffled by static. The only thing I caught was blood of my blood… will see…
Does she mean her descendent? Is she telling me I need to find him or her?
As if realizing I was witnessing his crime, William’s eyes caught mine with a chilling glare. His skin turned ashen and melted away, revealing putrid wounds and bone. His eyes darkened until they were pitch in his gaunt, pale face.
Blood pounded in my ears and skin was slick with sweat. I could feel Mac shaking me, but I was frozen in terror, staring at the man who’s killed me countless times in my dreams.
A snarl drifted out William’s mouth. “You’re next.” His body exploded into a million wriggling worms, falling on my desk, hair, and lap with sickening splats.
A blood curdling scream finally ripped from my mouth, shattering the world around me, both real and fake.
Chapter 16
Fog was heavy in my brain, bringing a stifling confusion with it. Fingers were stroking my hair, lulling me to remain calm.
“Are you sure about this?” Worry thickened Mac’s voice.
“Yes. All the signs are there.” A vaguely familiar girl was close by. I could smell s
age on her. “She has the gift.”
What gift? My birthday’s been over for weeks.
“She’s psychic.”
My eyes snapped open at that. “What the hell are you talking about?” I croaked. My gaze quickly flitted around the room, realizing I was in the same one Mac and I shared at Demy’s house, the white gossamer curtains tied back to reveal natural wood, muted yellows, vibrant greens, and white. Celestia was standing next to the bed, looking down at me, her dark eyes sparkling knowingly while Mac was sitting on the edge concerned.
“Hey Rubi,” Mac whispered. “How are you?”
“How do you think I am? You just said I was psychic.” When I tried to sit up he laid a palm on my chest, forcing me back down.
“Please stay calm Rubi.”
“Calm!” I squealed. “I can’t see the future.”
Mac’s brow arched questioningly. “What about your prophetic dreams from last year?”
My lips thinned. I hadn’t even told him about the dreams I was having recently, ones of the past with this girl and ones with the white ghost. Now is not the time to mention them either.
Demy entered the room, his studded brow arching at my outburst. “Ah, sleeping beauty is awake.”
His amber scent mixed with fire wafted through the air and hit my senses like a tidal wave. My fangs instantly tore through my gums as hunger burned up my throat. I groaned and turned into my pillow, holding my breath.
Why was he having such a strong effect on my hunger now?
“I’m really thirsty,” I mumbled into my pillow, hoping Mac didn’t know it was Demy’s scent that made blood thirst shoot through me.
“I’ll get you some blood,” Mac said.
He went to stand, but I grabbed his hand. “Don’t go.”
“No worries,” Demy said. “I’ll get it.”
Once he returned I snatched the glass from him and downed it in a few gulps. It was good, but the words Mac told me at Highland when I asked if he had to bite people flooded through me. He told me it would be like putting a muzzle on him. I hadn’t understood that until now. The blood in the glass filled me, but my fangs ached to sink into soft flesh as hot blood spilled from a vein into my mouth.
I shook the thoughts from my mind and handed Mac the empty glass.
“You sure were thirsty.”
I silently nodded and avoided Demy’s intense violet eyes. He’d see right through me. I cleared my throat. “So, back to this psychic thing…”
Celestia came forward. “I knew there was something about you.” She paused searching for the right word. “I sensed the power within.”
“Okay…”
Demy dragged a seat to the edge of the bed for her. “Not all psychics are alike. From everything Mac said, I’m pretty sure you’re able to see and communicate with ghosts.”
Cold descended down my back as I recalled the illusive whispers and shadows. There was of course the two students, Lynn and Thomas, I met that no one else saw who also didn’t have a scent.
That’s because they were dead. Freaking dead!
Oh and let’s not forget the crazy dreams of the white ethereal ghost. It’s one thing to dream of a ghost—well because it’s only a dream and not necessarily true—but to know you can sense, see, and communicate with them is something totally different.
How much of a freak can I be?
Panic tore through my insides and before I realized it I was hyperventilating. Can a vampire hyperventilate?
Mac gripped my shoulders. “Rubi, calm down. It’s okay. We’ll get through this.”
“But I don’t want to see ghosts! Why is the happening now?” I wasn’t exactly normal before I came to Highland, but I sure as hell wasn’t seeing ghosts!
“It’s mostly hereditary going from parent to child usually the mother. Your mother must have some special abilities. Mac told me about your prophetic dreams too,” Celestia said. “We think turning into a vampire triggered your gifts. The closer you came to being a full vampire, the more your psychic powers developed.” A smile curled her lips.
I shook my head. “My mom’s not psychic. Her special abilities consist of convincing people to give to charity and ruining a barbeque with non-meat meat.”
Celestia shrugged. “Well, your grandmother then.”
Mac snorted on a laugh. “Nuh uh. Not Stella.”
Her brows drew together as she bit her lip in thought and twirled a lock of dark hair around her finger. “You’re dad then?”
I scoffed. “My dad is all math. His idea of intuition is which approach he decides to use to solve a formula.” I held my hand up, halting her before she could question his parents. “Nope. They’re even worse. Total science nerds. Both of them.”
Her lips pursed. “I guess you could be one of those random anomalies that just pop up.”
Yeah that’s me. A freaking anomaly in more ways than one, I thought glibly.
“Maybe it has something to do with the vampire blood you got from Whitmore when you were little.” She scratched her head. “I’ll ask my mom if that’s possible and I’ll consult the cards.”
“Can you see ghosts?”
Celestia shook her head. “Not usually. That’s not my specialty. I have visions of the future and can read auras and palms and stuff.”
Oh great. I’m just the one freak who can.
Her hand found my leg. “You have nothing to be afraid of. They can’t actually hurt you.”
I crossed my arms against my chest, thinking about the dreams I’ve had of the dark headed girl. “Yeah, tell that to my sleep deprived body. Do you know what it’s like waking up thinking your neck has been sliced open?”
“What?” Demy and Mac said in unison.
I waved a dismissive hand in the air, reluctant to open that can of juicy worms now. “Later.”
Demy plopped down on the other side of the bed. Thankfully the glass of blood soothed my thirst and dulled his scent.
“Rubi, what did you see in class that had you screaming bloody murder until you passed out?” Celestia’s dark eyes surveyed me, penetrating me as if she could read my mind. Maybe she could.
“Oh only a ghost exploding into a million wriggling worms that rained down on me.” I decided to leave out the other details—can of worms and all…
All three made faces.
“Yeah, tell me about it.”
“Have any ghosts asked you for help?” Celestia asked.
I shook my head. “No, not that I know of.” I sighed and leaned back on the pillows. “So I can see ghosts and visions?”
“Well, your visions seemed to be relegated to your dreams, but in a sense yes. You can do both.” She smiled. “You’re very powerful.”
“Lovely,” I remarked wryly before yawning.
Mac brushed the hair from my face. “All right. You get some rest Rubi. We’ll talk about this later.”
“Stay with me?”
Regret lined his brow. “I really need to talk to my parents. They’re worried.”
I pouted. “Okay.”
“I’ll stay.” Demy was already kicking his feet up on the bed, earning a glare from Mac. “What? I’ll be Bruce Willis to her Haley Joel Osment.”
I scoffed. “You do realize Bruce Willis was a ghost the whole time? Do you really think that’s the best analogy?”
“Oh right.” A smirk threatened his lips as he fluffed the pillows behind him. “I’ll be Doc to your Danny. Just don’t start talking to an imaginary friend named Tony or seeing REDRUM.”
I smiled despite myself.
I bit off another piece of spicy beef jerky as I watched Blue Lagoon from the bed at Demy’s house. I was supposed to be relaxing and since I had no desire to close my eyes and get bombarded with death scenes, visits from the white spirit, or ominous premonitions I settled for watching my favorite movie.
I guess Celestia isn’t the only psychic at school. Gees, can I be any weirder? I’m not only a vampire princess, but now I’m a psychic vampire princess. The
y really broke the mold with me.
My mind went back to the girl getting assaulted by William and dragged to her death. When she looked right at me in the classroom I got this strong feeling she was asking for help. She wants me to find her descendent. It has to be Celestia. Who else? It’s not me. This girl isn’t one of my relatives and believe me, my parents have shoved so many photo books in my face I can probably trace my ancestors back a hundred years. This girl was at Mossgrove Academy so she can’t be that old. The school was established in the 1940’s.
My hand reached over to grab my soda, a chill gliding through my fingers before I touched it. I glanced over to see them sticking into a ghostly Madison’s torso.
I yelped and snatched my freezing hand back, staring wide-eyed at her as she became solid.
“Think of how I feel,” she said, crossing her arms against her chest. Her black hair mixed with choppy red highlights framed her face and dusted her shoulders. Her eyes were dark and skin pale, but there was no gruesome edge to her like in most of my dreams. She wore a black tank top, gray cargo pants, and black combat boots.
“Am I dreaming?” My heart rioted against my ribcage as I expected the nightmare to begin.
“Nope.”
My brow rose. “So you’re here for real.”
She winked. “In the flesh—or at least my ghostly flesh.”
“Why?”
“I’m atoning or some crap,” she said wryly. “Pay attention to your dreams Rubi. History repeats... blah, blah, blah…”
My brows knit. “What is that supposed to mean? Can’t you give me a straight answer?”
“What do I look like, God?” She tried grabbing a piece of jerky, but her hand just sailed through. “I don’t have all the answers.”
Demy walked in without glancing Madison’s way. “Hey there little ghost whisperer.” He stretched out on the other side of the bed with his hands tucked under his head. “I thought you were supposed to be sleeping.”
“What is the sexy Russian shifter doing in your bed Rubi?” Madison asked, her dark eyes surveying him like she wanted to take a bite. “Does Mac know?”