by J. N. Colon
Aspen nodded and took a delicate sip of water.
“Do they know what happened to her?”
She sat her water on the chair beside her. “They told my parents Paisley’s at another boarding school, a really small and selective one.” She rolled her eyes. “But my parents think she’s really at a school for troubled teens or possibly a nut house.”
I sighed and leaned back in my chair. I felt bad for any part I had in Paisley’s mental break—if that’s what happened—but I was thankful she wasn’t at Highland to exact her crazy revenge.
We changed back into our regular clothes after we ate and the sales attendants rang us up. I tried to give them my credit card, but it was already paid for. I glared at Rufus and Daedalus until they confessed. Before we left Mac gave them his card and made them promise to use it on my purchases.
He’s so gonna get it when I get back.
We walked toward the black SUV through the square, passing a few oak trees. One in particular caught my eye because several large, claw like gouges were carved into it. Chills cascaded down my back, prickling my flesh.
My mind couldn’t help wandering to the recent animal attacks in the news.
Chapter 13
Night fell across Highland Academy, dowsing the campus in darkness illuminated by antique lamp posts. I ran to the library for a book I was waiting on for a research project, but the ancient metal doors were locked with a note in the window saying it would open back in the morning.
Crap. I came all the way here for nothing. Nada.
I groaned and spun around, trudging toward Hampton Hall to meet Mac in our secret room. Faces of the murdered still haunt my dreams and here I am walking around Highland at night again, branches of trees reaching down like bones, fog creeping over the ground, and the moonlight hidden by ominous clouds.
Just how safe am I?
There were a couple guards around and other vampires, but could they get to me in time? What if it wasn’t a human hunter? What if it was something else? What if it was a crazed vampire like Madison? Or what if it was a rabid animal, one that left those claw marks in that tree in town?
Cold sweat beaded across my skin and my breath fogged quicker in front of me. Fear was spreading through my limbs like a disease. I was reliving those memories of last fall in my head like a movie on a loop. My hand twitched toward the phone in my pocket to call Mac—or anybody—but a twig snapping in the distance caught my attention.
It’s probably just someone else walking through the campus.
“Stop being so stupid Rubi,” I scolded myself. I’m supposed to be a vampire queen someday and I’m freaking out over nothing. I’m afraid of the dark. The vampires would laugh at me and beg Mac to dump me for someone braver.
Out of frustration I kicked a fallen branch, sending it sailing into a tree with a loud crack that shattered the silent night.
Good. It’s too quiet anyways.
I continued through the crawling fog, attempting to ignore the nagging paranoia trickling through my brain. As if the air literally thickened I found myself slowing down, eyes glancing back and forth for something obscured by shadows. Someone was following me, their gaze glued to my skull. My lungs struggled to breathe and hands trembled.
I walked a few paces further and whatever was watching me was matching each of my steps. A predator was hiding in the darkness, hunting me. Its determination to pounce on its prey swirled in the cold spring air, heavy and suffocating.
Another twig cracked in the distance. Ghostly fingertips ran down my back as I hesitantly glanced behind me. My heart shuddered to a stop.
I sensed a presence hiding in the shadows of a giant oak, waiting.
Oh man. It’s happening all over again.
Images of blood and gore flashed through my mind like snapshots from hell. My ragged breathing, pounding heart, and quivering pulse was a torturous soundtrack. A murderer was at Highland again and they were out for my blood.
A groan suddenly echoed in the opposite direction. My feet moved as I remembered Patrick struggling for help. He had still been alive, but I was unable to save him. Maybe someone needed my help now.
Struggling resonated again followed by a whimper. I turned the corner…
A gasp echoed out my mouth and I clutched my heart to stop it from beating out my chest.
“Rubi?” Jackson had Vera pinned against a tree in a very serious make out moment. His shirt was off, revealing ripped muscles across his body, his face was flushed, and hair disheveled.
My cheeks flamed scarlet. “Uh… I thought… someone… attack…” I trailed off having absolutely lost the ability to speak. This was not what I expected. Not at all.
And when did Jackson get so hot. I mean he was cute before, but damn.
Vera untangled herself from Jackson and righted her tight black sweater. “Rubi, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. You okay?” She ran her fingers through her black and blue hair, straightening it.
I blinked and shook my head clear. “Yeah.”
She wasn’t the least bit embarrassed to be caught in a salacious situation. Did that mean she did this a lot?
I turned my attention back to Jackson who was hurriedly tossing his shirt over his head. “I-I’m sorry,” I said awkwardly. I’m such an idiot! I wanted to pull my hoodie up over my head to hide. I let my mind get carried away. I let the events of a few months ago spur my imagination.
Jackson waved a dismissive hand in the air. “No worries.” He grinned. “It’s not like we were in my bedroom and you walked in.” He turned to Vera, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. “Not that I assume you’d come to my room or anything. I-I mean I wouldn’t say no to that of course, but…” He jammed his fingers through his auburn hair. “I’m just going to shut up now.”
Vera giggled and pinched his red cheek. “You are so cute when you do that.”
Jackson smiled.
I hitched my thumb over my shoulder. “I’m gonna go…”
Vera’s brows knit. “You want me to walk with you?”
Part of me was desperate to get her away from Jackson. I didn’t want him involved in the supernatural. I also didn’t want this punk rocker, shifter chick to break his sweet heart. “No. I’m fine,” I said instead, my mortification winning the battle.
“It’s no problem. You seem kind of freak out.”
That was an understatement. “It’s fine.” And why did she care? She wasn’t a vampire. She wasn’t obligated to watch over me.
“Are you thinking about last time?” Jackson asked, fiddling with the end of his fraying t-shirt.
“Yeah.” It was only a half lie.
Confusion flickered across Vera’s face and I wondered if the shifters knew what happened at Highland a few months ago.
“You can fill Vera in if you want. I don’t really want to go there right now.” Of course Jackson only knew half the story. I’d actually stumbled on three human bodies, one vampire, and watched the girl who I thought was my best friend become a vampire and then die after she tried to kill me. And I can’t forget about all the torment she put me through like stalking me around campus, pushing me blindly into the pool, and splattering blood all over my room.
My stomach suddenly felt queasy.
I waved goodbye and headed toward Hampton Hall before they could ask any more questions.
I really need to get a hold of myself. No one is following me around campus this time. It’s just my imagination.
I was lying on my stomach on the rug in our secret room in the attic. It was a small space surrounded by aisles of boxes and discarded furniture too imperfect for Highland Academy’s standards. Candles were lit on old, chipped tables, thrusting the room in soft golden light. Silvery moonlight danced through the gilded window in the corner when clouds didn’t mask the sky.
I had stumbled upon McCollum Davenport’s secret hiding spot a few weeks after I transferred to Highland. He walked in on me crying and I discovered he wasn’t just the hot, popular g
uy with a totally carefree existence.
The moment I saw him tonight he thoroughly apologized for sending me shopping with Aspen and secretly paying for everything—meaning he kissed me until I forgot I was mad. It didn’t take long.
Now I stared at my English book, pretending to study for a test. I wasn’t fooling him.
“But do you think it’s a good idea for Jackson to get involved with a shifter?” I asked Mac who was leaning against the base of the scarlet chaise next to me.
He shrugged. “Why not?”
“She’s not human. What if she hurts him?”
“Shifters date and even marry humans all the time.” He continued sketching in his art book.
“Oh.” I absentmindedly flipped through a few pages of my notes. “But he isn’t in Hampton Hall. He’s not one of the snobby kids. Isn’t that like a rule or something?”
“That’s only a rule for vampires. Shifters aren’t feeding off them or compelling them. They’re simply dating like any human would.”
I huffed, unsatisfied by his answers. He wasn’t agreeing with me or seeing my point. “Yeah, but…”
He cut me off. “Is this about Jackson being with Vera specifically or him being with someone else?” His jade eyes pierced me. “You don’t still have a thing for him, do you?”
“I never had a thing for Jackson.” When Mac’s dark brow arched I continued. “Not really. He was just nice to me.”
Mac dropped his sketchpad and pencil. “Then why is it bothering you so much?”
I shrugged. “It’s not exactly.” Total lie and he knew it. “I don’t want him to get his heart broken again. I already did it once.”
He rubbed my shoulder. “Don’t feel guilty for that. And Jackson’s a big boy. He can take care of his own heart.”
I sighed and pouted. He continued to stare and my cheeks grew warm. “Aren’t you supposed to be sketching a self-portrait?”
His lips curled in a wicked smile. “I’m tired of looking at myself in this mirror. You’re much more interesting.”
I rolled my eyes, but before I could get out a retort I was suddenly on my back with Mac hovering over me.
My pulse quivered and skin began to blaze from the heat of his body.
“How about I draw you instead?” A mixture of moss green, jade and silver was burning through his messy black strands. “I’ll be Jack and you can be Rose from Titanic.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “You can even take your clothes off if you want.”
A fit of giggles rolled out my mouth. “Oh sure.” I pointed to the chaise. “We have the perfect spot and candles for a nice ambiance.”
A deep chuckle vibrated against my chest from him. “You’re absolutely right.” He bent down and nibbled my ear in a ticklish way.
I squirmed. “I’d rather you pose up there naked. I can’t draw to save my life, but I can pretend.” The thought of getting to ogle his naked body sent tingles through me.
“You’d like that huh?” he asked, his wiggling fingers finding their way to my ribs.
Rolls of uncontrollable laughter pealed out my mouth. “Stop! I hate being tickled.”
Mac only did it more. “Why are you laughing so much if you hate it?”
I tried to squirm away, but he wasn’t having any of it. “Please! No more! I’ll do anything!”
“Anything, huh?” He rolled us over until his back was against the floor and I was on top of him, breathing heavily from laughing. “Like what?”
“What do you want?”
“Hmm…?” His fingers found their way into my messy hair, brushing it back from my face. “I’ll have to think about it. There are a lot of things I want from you.” His voice dipped, sounding even hotter than usual. His hands traveled down and rested on my lower back slowly massaging.
I knew one thing Mac wanted from me. The conversation Aspen and I had at the boutique flashed through my mind. Mac and I hadn’t had the talk yet, but the way we were with each other meant we’d probably be heading down that road soon. This wasn’t your typical high school romance. The things we felt went way beyond that.
Mac could sense the serious change in my mood. His brows knit. “What is it?”
Just rip the band aid off. “Have you ever… you know…had sex?” I was pretty sure he had.
He sighed and averted his eyes to the attic ceiling. “Yeah.”
I rested my chin on his chest. “How many girls?”
“One.”
My heart would break a little if he said yes to the next question. “Did you love her?”
His eyes flashed to mine. “No! You’re the only girl I’ve ever loved Rubi. And you’ll always be the only one. Forever.”
I couldn’t fight the smile at his words. “That’s good.” I absentmindedly drew circles on his chest. “Vampire or human?”
“Human. Last summer while we were vacationing in Ireland. It just happened.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“That’s it? You don’t want to know anything else about her?”
I shook my head. “If I know more I might be tempted to track her down and murder her. Or at least compel her to forget she ever met you.” I smiled wickedly.
Mac laughed. “Good.” He lifted his mouth to meet mine, but I pulled back.
“Don’t you want to ask me?”
His brow arched. “I know you’re a virgin.”
I scoffed and shot him an incredulous expression. “What makes you say that?”
He rolled us over until he was hovering on top, holding himself up by his elbows. “Because I just know.”
I was already breathless.
He began to slowly lower himself down, pressing his weight against me. We both moaned from the feeling. “I’m lucky I met you before you went down that road. Knowing any other guy had touched you the way I want to—well I don’t think I could stand it.”
My whole body quivered under his and was suddenly a burning inferno. “Mac,” I breathed. I was going to die if he didn’t kiss me.
His hot mouth found mine, drowning me in his wild taste. I surrendered to his touch, reveling in the sensations sparking through my insides.
And then his damn phone rang.
“Sometimes I want to break that thing,” I growled as Mac rolled off me.
“I might just let you.” He pressed the answer button. “Hi Roman.” He paused. “No I’m not busy at all. I’m never busy.” He rolled his eyes as Roman continued to talk.
“What is it?” I asked when he hung up.
“Royal duty calls.” He sat up. “It’s late. I’ll walk you back to your room first.”
My lips pursed in protest. “Why can’t I come? Shouldn’t I be in the loop?” Honestly I didn’t care what Roman had to say, but I’d rather be next to Mac listening to Roman yap about vampire business than alone in my room.
A rakish smile split his lips. “I think that’s a great idea.”
Chapter 14
We met in Roman’s office. I questioned whether I’d ever get used to seeing the headmaster in regular clothes instead of his three piece tweed suits. Tonight he was wearing jeans and a long sleeved gray t-shirt that was fraying at the cuffs. His usually combed ash hair was messy around his face and his amber eyes were alert. He looked hot.
If other girls thought the headmaster was good looking they should see him dressed down.
“It’s always nice to see you outside of school hours Rubi,” Roman said, leaning back in his chair behind his desk. “I don’t have to be so formal.” He winked.
I smiled and tried to hide the fact I’d just been thinking slightly naughty thoughts about him.
My thoughts hadn’t gone unnoticed by Mac. He shot me a knowing expression, his lips threatening a smirk. At least he wasn’t jealous.
I shrugged innocently.
“What’s this about Roman?” Mac asked, crossing his arms against his chest.
We sat in chairs on the opposite side of his giant mahogany desk. Roman’s office at first glance looked like you
r typical snooty private school headmaster’s office. Dark mahogany shelves filled with antiques and leather books were on one wall, a multitude of degrees and plaques on the other, various delicate trinkets spotted the room, and an intricately carved fireplace was in the corner with leather chairs spaced in front. But if you really look you’ll notice the oddities like the Sports Illustrated magazines—no golfers on these—and the car magazines. There’s a PlayStation tucked in a corner with a stack of racing games. A cabinet on the left that’s actually a mini fridge with bottles of blood and assorted beer.
Roman’s eyes flickered toward me. “Are you sure you want to be here for this Rubi?”
“Yes.” I crossed my arms against my chest defensively. “I can handle it if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“But you’re only sixteen.”
I scoffed and motioned my thumb toward Mac. “So is he.”
Roman shot me a placating expression. “Yes, but he’s…”
“Roman,” Mac interrupted. “If she wants to stay she can stay.” He winked at me. “So let’s get on with it.”
The headmaster sighed and leaned back in his chair again. “Fine.” He pointed a stern finger at Mac. “But if she has nightmares it’s your fault.”
Oh great. No one said anything about nightmares. I have enough as it is.
Roman picked up his antique pipe and put a lit match to it, taking a long pull. He blew the smoke into a cloud above our heads. “Several vampires are missing in this area.”
Mac’s jaw clenched. “Hunters?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Then what?”
“How do you know it’s not hunters?” I asked.
Roman deposited his pipe on the desk with a clink. “Hunters leave bodies for us to find or some kind of sign it was them. They like to take credit for their kills.”
A chill shivered down my spine at the thought.
Mac’s brow furrowed. “There was nothing at all?”
“Nothing.” Roman stapled his hands in front of him. “A few of the missing had their houses broken into and signs of a possible struggle, but there’s no evidence of hunters. Your father already knows, but I wanted to keep you up to date.”