by J. N. Colon
Mac drew my hand away and laced our fingers together to rest in his lap.
“At least this is what I suspect they want Rubi for.” Whitmore loosened his tie and dropped it on the coffee table. “I can’t see what other use they’d have for her.” He motioned toward us. “If they were older I’d suggest Mac finish the change immediately.”
“Whoa Whit.” My father’s palms flew in the air as panic paled his face. “Let’s slow down here.”
Whitmore sighed. “I said if they were older. Not now obviously. They are much too young.”
Gees. They were talking about us like we weren’t even there.
Both my parents took a sigh of relief.
“Now what do we do?” my father asked, pushing up his glasses as they slid down his slender nose. His thick black hair had grown out and he was even sporting dark stubble on his chin. He still looked like a nerdy mathematician, but with a rougher edge. He was either trying to compete with Whitmore or trying to appear more intimidating since I had a boyfriend. “Just keep them separated? Should we send Rubi farther away, maybe California?”
“Marshall,” my mother scolded. “I don’t think that’s the answer.”
“Oh yeah?” He pushed his glasses back up his nose again and crossed his arms to mirror Whitmore. “Because this will probably happen again. If the hunters don’t get her maybe next time they might decide to go somewhere more private and we may not have a human daughter anymore and the vampires will have two immortal teenage leaders.”
Embarrassment flooded my face, turning my skin hot. I averted my gaze and felt my eyes water with tears. This wasn’t fair. They had no idea what this felt like for Mac and me. And despite what my father thinks it wasn’t all about lust and hormones.
“I’m not sure what the best solution is,” Whitmore said, rubbing his face in frustration. “Rubi’s safety here has been compromised.”
“Everything was going fine until Casanova showed up.” My dad narrowed his eyes at Mac.
Anger suddenly burst through my insides, hot and uncontrollable. I was tired of this crap. They had no right to keep us apart and my father had no right to blame Mac.
I shot up faster than expected. “Everything was not fine!” I hissed, glaring them. “I was not fine. You have no idea what it’s like for us to be separated. We aren’t some love sick teenagers who think about nothing other than hopping into bed.”
My father’s dark eyes were wide, shock playing across his face. “Rubi, listen…”
“No you listen.” I motioned toward all of them. “This is torture for us—pure hell—and you are putting us through this because you’re scared. Not us. And it’s not just the separation that’s hurting me.” A lump lodged in my throat and I could feel my emotions start to unravel. None of them knew this, not even Mac. “It’s too bright here,” I admitted. “The sun hurts my eyes and is hot on my skin. Hell, even the lights at school sting.”
Mac was up, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “Rubi, I’m so sorry.”
I sniffled and tried to fight the sob clawing up my throat.
Our parents wore matching shaken expressions.
“Rubi, why didn’t you tell us?” My mother moved to grab my hand, but I pulled away.
“If I did you’d want to keep us apart even longer.” I pointed at my dad and Whitmore. “Don’t deny. You’re so worried about me turning you don’t care what pain you’re causing us.”
Guilt flickered in their eyes.
My lips quivered and the sobs I was fighting finally got their way. I slipped out of Mac’s arms and ran upstairs, determined to hide the true extent of my pain. I crashed on my bed and let the tears pour out.
My sobs echoed through my ocean themed room with sand colored walls, white rugs, blue and green bedding, and pearl accents. When I first arrived at Highland I missed my sanctuary desperately, but now it only reminded me how much I’ve changed. This no longer feels like home—at least not without Mac. He’s my home.
So cliché, right? I sound like a lovesick character starring in my very own CW drama.
A few minutes later my door opened and I felt instead of saw Mac walk in. He slipped his shoes off and crawled into my bed.
“Rubi, why didn’t you tell me what was happening?”
I sniffled. “I didn’t want you to worry.”
“I always worry about you.” His warm breath blew on the back of my neck. “You can’t keep things like this from me, okay?”
I nodded. “I’m sorry.”
He shushed me. “It’s okay.” Mac began rubbing gentle circles on the small of my back, massaging the tension away. “I won’t let them keep us apart anymore. Not after this.”
I rolled over and met his eyes that glowed through the darkness now that the sun had set. “How?”
“You are my mate, my future, and I won’t let you suffer.” He brushed a lock of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek, spilling heat. “I’m not king yet, but I do have some power and I’ll use it to keep us together.” Determination and power echoed across his face.
My whole body trembled at the vast emotion in his words. He would do it. I rolled into him and his arms wrapped around me, crushing me against his chest. “I love you.”
He kissed my forehead. “I love you too.”
Chapter 7
I squinted against the bright morning sun, turning into my pillow with a groan. I forgot to shut the curtains last night.
Warm fingers massaged my scalp. “Too bright for you Rubi?”
My head snapped up regardless of the light to see a pair of shining jade eyes. “Mac?” The events of yesterday slammed into me, but I was more shocked that he had spent the entire night in my bed with our parents in the same house.
He grinned. “Did you forget me that quickly?”
I sucked my teeth. “I thought my dad would have dragged you out to sleep in a guest room.”
“Hold on a sec.” Mac chuckled and swiftly rolled off the bed. His jeans and t-shirt were wrinkled and midnight hair messy. He tugged the curtains closed, dimming the light.
“Thanks.” I had managed to kick my jeans off in the middle of the night, leaving me in just a tank top and panties. My dad would be seeing red if he knew.
Mac crawled back under the covers and planted a kiss on my dimple. “Of course.” He sighed and brushed the hair from my face. “At one point your dad did come in to kick me out, but I pretended to be in a deep sleep until he left.”
A chuckle left my mouth. “I can’t believe he fell for that.”
“Me neither.” Mac made a face suddenly and lifted up, pulling Mr. Bananas from under him. “You sleep with this guy every night?”
I snatched the monkey and cuddled him to my chest. “Yes since I can’t have you every night.”
His hand gently rested on my cheek. “About that… I think I have a plan to keep us together.”
Anxiety shivered through my heart. “What’s that?”
“I won’t take no for an answer when I demand to take you back to Highland Academy with me.”
My brow rose. “You think it’ll work.”
He nodded. “I know it will work, otherwise your parents are going to have one more teenager living at their house.”
I smiled and rolled on top of him, my head pillowing against his chest. “Sounds good to me.”
His phone suddenly buzzed. He reached over on the bedside table and made a face as he checked it. “It’s my dad. He wants us to come downstairs to have a discussion.”
“Already?”
“Yep. Time to put the plan in motion.”
We both shuffled out of bed. I hopped in a pair of plaid pajama bottoms before opening the door. We took one step into the hall and almost smacked into my dad.
I yelped and stumbled into Mac’s broad chest. “Dad!”
His dark eyes narrowed on us as he crossed his arms. “On your way downstairs?”
“Yes sir.” Mac ran a hand through his messy hair. “My dad said
you all wanted to talk.”
An unreadable expression spread across my father’s face as he pushed his glasses up his nose. “Yes. Talk.” He crooked a finger at Mac. “I’d like to talk to you first. Alone.”
“Dad,” I whined. “Don’t…”
“I’ll be nice.” His tone was overly saccharine. “I let you guys spend the night together even though I know Casanova over here was faking sleep.”
My cheeks burned and I felt even smaller next to my dad.
Mac cleared his throat awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. “I-uh…” He shrugged. “Sorry?”
He motioned him over and Mac complied.
“I won’t keep him for too long,” my dad said, winding an arm around Mac’s neck. “We’ll meet you downstairs.”
Mac was several inches taller than my dad and could crush him with one blow, but at the moment fear and uncertainty flickered in those jade eyes.
My dad’s voice floated down the hall. “Have I showed you my collection of ancient swords?”
Yikes.
Our parents finally decided it was safest for me to return to Highland, which was considered vampire territory. They thought about sending me to another school with a supernatural influence to keep us separated, but Mac wasn’t having any of that. He really did demand I come back with him. And surprisingly his father didn’t deny his request.
A few guards would be stationed around Highland as an extra precaution. Good idea since the last two times I was there I was attacked by a hunter. Whitmore said it was actually rare for hunters to infiltrate the campus, but it has happened on occasion.
Duh.
He assured us this time with the guards lurking around no hunter would dare step foot unless they had a death wish. The crest they sported on their left breast pocket was actually the royal crest, marking them as guards for the king and prince—and I guess now me.
I was sad to say goodbye to Jill and Eric, but it couldn’t trump the happiness being reunited with Mac. The only shadow was temptation would now be practically smacking us in the face every day too.
We would just have to keep ourselves—well hormones—in check. We could be together without sharing blood. I’m sure.
***
Dead leaves crunched under my feet and fog slithered around the skeletal trees. Clouds rolled through the sky, darkening it and spilling eeriness across campus. My breath fogged in front of me and I snuggled into my Lone Star Burger Shack hoodie trying to escape the cold. Even though it was the first of spring it felt more like winter in Salem compared to Shelby. The trees were still bare and shrubs dead, adding to the creepiness of the school.
Ah, Highland Academy. It’s good to be back. Sharp angles and turrets stabbed the sky on each building. Ivy twisted up the walls, crawling like green snakes. I even missed the gargoyles.
I was leaving the headmaster’s office with my new schedule. A new semester was in progress and Roman made sure I had plenty of classes with Mac. At least he was on our side.
I yanked off another piece of beef jerky, chewing it with a sigh. A black bird suddenly swooped down in front of me and I stumbled back with a yelp. “What the hell!”
It cawed and circled my head before landing in front of me. The raven’s feathers were inky black oil with a purple sheen, his beak slender, and pitch eyes that were almost human. He squawked, the high pitched sound ringing loudly in my ears as if he was trying to incapacitate me.
A chill wriggled down my spine, puckering my skin. I shivered and swallowed hard. I’ve only been back at Highland for a few hours and I’m already getting paranoid.
I turned away from the unwavering gaze of the raven and attempted to step around it, but it was suddenly airborne, flapping in my face. Panicked, I waved my hands in the air afraid it was going to peck my eyes out.
Instead it snagged the piece of beef jerky right out my hand and flew out of my reach.
“Hey! You little hell spawn.” I shoved the bag into my hoodie pocket for safe keeping.
The raven landed at my feet again, gazing up at me with something resembling laughter in its eyes.
That’s crazy. Birds don’t laugh.
I squished the thought down and pointed a finger at it. “Try stealing my food again and I’ll pluck your pretty feather and cook you for dinner.”
It let out a loud caw and flew away, but not before circling my head. My gaze watched wearily as it soared through the gloomy sky.
I walked through my dorm room and groaned, shielding my eyes before I was scarred for life. “Gees you guys!” Brant and Aspen were in a serious make out session in her bed. Brant’s shirt was off and maybe even his pants.
“Rubi-liscious! It’s so glad to have you back.” I heard material ruffling and a zipper. “All clear.”
I glanced to find them both dressed, leaning against the pillows in Aspen’s bed. Their clothes were wrinkled and hair disheveled. “Maybe you should put a sock on the door or something.”
Brant flashed that crocodile smile, his hazel eyes glinting with humor. “That’s what I said.” He ran a hand through his mussed blonde halo of hair as he turned back to Aspen. “See babe, I told you we have to set up some kind of system. Do you want to interrupt her and Mac together?” He leaned closer and stage whispered, “They’ve been apart for months. They’re bound to be making out like bunnies.”
Her round amber eyes widened.
I scoffed. “Please. No one can compete with you two.”
Our room was exactly the same with dark hardwood floors meeting dark wainscoted walls. Our sleigh beds had matching cream coverlets, the windows framed by white gossamer curtains, a wooden desk sat between matching closets, and an opulent bathroom was on the far right.
It was the complete opposite of my room at home.
Aspen giggled and smoothed her auburn hair out her perfectly symmetrical face. She was a classic beauty with high cheekbones, a straight nose, and bowed lips. “Sorry Rubi. I just got used to having the room to myself.” Her mouthed opened a little and she waved dismissively. “Not that I’m not happy you’re back and we get to be roomies again.”
“Sure,” I said, tossing the bag of beef jerky on my dresser and grabbing a peppermint.
When I arrived last fall she said the exact opposite. We didn’t get along—she even tormented me with the other girls—but then I saw a softer side of her and somewhere along the way we became friends. It probably had a little something to do with me dating Mac. Aspen is a smidge shallow.
“Totally. We’re going to have so much fun.”
I glanced at her and she was looking at Brant like she was about to rip his clothes off again.
Oh man. Just like old times.
I spritzed myself with perfume and grabbed my cell phone. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
“Great.” Brant already grabbed Aspen and started kissing her again without waiting for me to leave.
Ugh.
The walk to Mac’s room had my hackles up. There wasn’t anything to be afraid of this time—no one was stalking me on campus—but I couldn’t prevent the goose bumps from rising or my heart from pounding. The glossy halls were dimly lit and oddly vacant, silence stretching. Shadows coalesced in dark corners and eeriness thickened the air.
By the time I knocked on Mac’s door my body was vibrating with tension.
“Come in.” His deep, velvety voice echoed out.
My stomach fluttered as I opened the door and saw him stretched out on his bed with a book in his hand. A few months ago Mac wouldn’t have been caught dead reading in his room unless it was homework. Now he didn’t care.
His jade eyes met mine, a slow smile melting his lips. “Hey. I wasn’t expecting you until later.”
I closed the door. “Brant’s in my room with Aspen.”
He nodded with realization. “Our parents think we’re bad. They should see those two.”
Mac and Brant’s room was almost an exact replica of ours. Their beds were in the same place—Mac’s on th
e far side and Brant’s closer to the door. Hunter green comforters were splayed out with black pillows on top. The major difference was the touch of guy. A basketball goal was attached to one closet door, a basketball in the corner, a baseball bat leaned against the desk, and manly type magazines were thrown haphazardly around. Brant’s side of the room was messier with clothes tossed on the floor in the corner and shoes spilling out of his closet.
“Are you going to stand all the way over there or are you going to come here?” Humor glinted in Mac’s eyes.
I strolled over and sat on the edge of the bed. “What are you reading?”
“The Great Gatsby.”
A black lock of hair fell in his face, brushing against his defined cheekbone. I reached up and pushed it back, running my fingers through the strands until his eyes fluttered closed. Sometimes I still can’t believe this gorgeous guy is mine.
“Mmm. You keep doing that and I won’t be reading anything,” he said, leaning back.
I chuckled and removed my hand. My eyes fell on his bedside table where an old book with a gold embossed title sat. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was his favorite book mostly because it was passed to him from his mother, Miranda Davenport, before she died. An accidental fire in their home in the Hamptons claimed her life three days after his thirteenth birthday.
My hand flipped open the cover and read over the inscription she wrote for his birthday. My throat tightened and I fought the urge to shed a tear. Instead I gently let the cover fall back into place. My eyes focused on a framed picture that wasn’t present the last time I was at Highland. It was a candid shot of me during Christmas, sticking my finger in a chocolate cake with a huge, mischievous grin. We went to the Davenport house in Salem and you can imagine the trouble the chefs Whitmore hired went through to keep the vegetarian food far away from the good stuff.
It was a bittersweet memory because we knew we’d have to say goodbye to each other the following day. That was the last time Mac and I had seen each other until he snuck to Florida.