by Yana Guleva
“Okay my love, what may it be?” He asked.
“I don’t want you thinking I love you any less because of this, but it is something that happened, and I don’t regret it.” I spoke truthfully. He could tell it was something big, but probably not as big as it really is.
“Tae and I have connected in a way you and I haven’t.” I said. Knowing he’d know exactly what I meant.
“You, connected?” He asked, looking away. “You got physically involved?” He asked more. Before I could answer, he went off. “How could you do this Amabel? How could you do such a thing to me? If you love me, you would not have done that! This is wrong! Just because you are the last watcher, it doesn’t mean you can do whatever you wish! Think about others than yourself!” he screamed, and ran off.
“Kierce, stop please! I’m sorry!” I screamed back, in tears, trying to run after him, but he was too fast. I was now in the middle of the street, in tears of the thought that I may have lost him. It was stupid of me to connect with Tae in that way, but how is it any wrong? Tae has loved me all his life, he is bonded with me. It was everything I have wanted and so much more. How could I be in such a wrong? I was not with Kierce, therefore he should not have ran off like that. Angry is one thing, but leaving me again is not. I was sick of him always running off. Sick of him being so dramatic.
I knew I couldn’t let this bother me. I had school to catch up with and worry about Kierce’s father coming here to kill me. I needed to enhance my powers, and soon.
I came up to the school and it has already started. I didn’t realize I spent so much time crying after Kierce ran off. I entered the building and headed straight for my first class. No one really paid attention to me today since I kind of sat there unnoticed. Zayley couldn’t let me go though.
“Hey there stranger.” She said.” I’m not even going to ask you what happened.” She added. Zayley knew me the best, and I liked that about having her as a friend. She kept me company for the rest and it kind of brought my mood up. I loved being distracted from everything that was going on. We talked about the dance and threw a few jokes around. Soon enough, school was over and I couldn’t wait to go home and relax. I hate to admit it, but sleeping is my only way out.
Chapter Seven – Connected
The dance is soon coming up, and I don’t want anything to ruin it. Surely it’s not the prom, but I want to attend it with as much excitement. I promised Zayley I’d go shopping with her, and that’s what I will do. I still can’t believe Kierce hasn’t showed back up. I wonder where he is. As of now, all I want is to put aside all the action and tension that is going on between Kierce and Tae. I mean, Kierce doesn’t want to hurt me, so I shouldn’t be worried about him taking me away somewhere and presenting me to his father. I hope not, because I’m not ready for any of this. I can’t tell the difference between what’s in my head and my heart. I feel too much too decide. Maybe if I control the power of feelings, I can know exactly what I want. Thinking about it, maybe I do love Kierce more. I have known him for a little while longer now, and I am attracted to him in every way possible. Maybe it won’t be so bad being a hunter. Amabel, no, you can’t say that! Damn it, I need to control who gets in my head too!
“Tae! You can’t do that!” I yelled, as if he is in the other room. Surely though, he is.
“My love, I cannot bear you loving Kierce not to mention you being one of them. I have protected you my whole life from them, you can’t tell me you love someone who killed your father!” He yelled back at me. I can’t believe what he said.
“You’re trying to bring my father into this? Kierce didn’t kill him!” I can’t believe this. He’s trying to blame Kierce for his father’s actions. The hunters want to be just as free as anyone else. Wait, they don’t hurt anyone though right?
“I’m sorry I have invaded your privacy, I promise it won’t happen again. I just can’t bear any of this. I can’t think of losing you like that.” He spoke softly now, and I can feel his pain once more.
“Tae, I’m not sure what I feel anymore. I’m just trying to make sense of things. I feel so much that I don’t know which feelings are mine or of others. You must understand this.” I spoke to him.
“Yes, you’re right. Hopefully you don’t make a decision until everything is sorted out. I will be waiting by your side my love.” He answered back. I feel a little better because now he’s not in as much pain, but I need to get away. I need time alone with my friends. Hopefully the dance will do it.
I hear my phone ring, it’s Zayley. Just the person I want to talk to. “Hey Zay, what’s up?” I answered.
“Hey Amabel! So, I was thinking about the dance, and I can’t wait any longer. When are we going shopping? I was thinking of going up town to that cute little store with all the formal wear. What do you think?” She asked.
“Yeah that sounds good actually. Can you borrow your mother’s car? I really don’t feel like walking that far.” Thinking about it, the walk can even be good for me, but it’s a Friday, and as little as this town is, the strange ones always come out at night.
“Yes, I don’t think she’ll mind. I’ll pick you up around six. We can shop our hearts out, and maybe get something to eat after. See you then!” She hung up. Zayley never waits for me to say bye. Hopefully this dance is worth it though. I don’t want to spend too much on a dress I’ll never wear again.
While waiting for Zayley, I think I should go talk to my mother. It sounds like the right thing to do. As I’m starting to walk downstairs, I can smell her cooking dinner. It was lasagna night. I’m not all that hungry, so it doesn’t smell as appetizing as it should.
“Hey mom, I think we should talk.” I spoke to her. She turned to me not looking as worried as before. “I want to know how my father died and why do the watchers make the hunters hide.” I said more than asked.
“Amabel.” My mother said, walking towards the dining room and sat down. “Hundreds of years ago, the hunters were cruel. They killed and sucked the blood out of anyone they wanted to. The watchers came about to stop the madness. Watchers have powers to stop the hunters from hurting people. Over the last few decades the hunters have made a law to only feed on humans that volunteer and any animal that was not going instinct. After the law was made, one hunter has broken it. The watchers did not tolerate it, and banded every hunter to walk the streets of any country. They felt like it was wrong, and wanted revenge. They killed every watcher to get their revenge, including your father. As of today, I don’t know what they are capable of and I don’t know their intentions. That’s why I have been protecting you. Tae says they don’t want to hurt you but only to make you one of them. That is why they probably sent Kierce. He’s the youngest hunter as of now, and it doesn’t seem like he wants to hurt you. It seems like he has found interest in you, but I don’t know how much the father knows yet.” She hesitated. “Kierce’s father is a very powerful hunter, and if something doesn’t go his way, he won’t hesitate to kill anyone.” She said. This is horrible. I am falling for a hunter whose father may want to tear me to shreds if I don’t agree to join them. I wonder if Tae knows this.
“Mother, what do we do now?” I asked.
“Amabel, you don’t have to worry about a thing right now. I know Kierce will warn me if his father makes any plans to take action. You have to promise me something though.” She said.
“What is it mother?” I asked. Curious on what she can possibly want me to promise her right now.
“Please don’t hurt Tae in anyway. He has lost everything, and I don’t think he can take to lose you as well.” She spoke. This makes me kind of nervous. I don’t know exactly what she means by losing me. Does she mean choosing Kierce and be a hunter, or his father killing me? I don’t want to know.
My phone rings, it’s Zayley. “Hey Zay, are you here yet?” I asked.
“Yes, come outside and don’t forget the big bucks!” She said and hung up. I don’t even have big bucks, so I don’t know what she’s quiet talking about. I walk outsid
e and there’s Zayley in her mother’s black truck. It’s not one of those old pick-up trucks, it was more of now a days trucks with the bed of it covered. I got in the car.
“Hey Zay, you ready? I asked.
“Ready as always.” She answered, and we drove off. The streets were dark and no one was really out besides all the teenagers in the town. All of the houses were equally spread apart with fences almost in front of every one of them. It was really no different here then from the small towns in Massachusetts. The trees are naked and covered in snow. It’s nice out tonight. It doesn’t feel as cold as always. In a way, I’m looking forward to the shopping trip with Zayley. After a couple of minutes of silence, Zayley finally spoke.
“Hey so, when are you going to fill me in on this Kierce guy?” She asked. I don’t get why she keeps asking me about him but I guess she’s as curious as any other girl in my school. He really is stunning and his pale skin makes any girl attracted to him.
“Well, we have kissed.” Dreading the fact that I just told her this. Only if she knew that Tae popped in the picture and he is bonded to me, but that’s another day’s topic.
“He kissed you? Oh my god! Why didn’t you tell me?” She asked me curiously.
“Well, it’s kind of confusing right now, but yes, he kissed me down at the glaciers. It was… pretty amazing.” I answered honestly. It was everything I’d picture it to be. In a beautiful setting, down near the water and an amazing electrifying kiss.
“Gosh you’re so lucky. I can’t wait to find someone who’ll sweep me off my feet.” She said normally, not out of jealousy at all.
“You’ll find him one day, but Kierce and I aren’t dating. I don’t think.” I said. I don’t think we are only because Tae and I kissed as well, and more. This is horrible. I either didn’t have any guy in my life and now two at once.
“You don’t think?” She asked, a little more curious now. As she asks, we pull up to the store. Good, because I don’t want to answer that right now.
“Yeah, we’ll talk some other time about this. Let’s go shopping!” I said, sounding excited. We got out of the car and walked inside. The store isn’t big, but packed with every type of dress I can possibly imagine. They are all along the walls with accessories and shoes in the middle. I can’t possibly think of what I want to try on first.
“Oh my god, look at this one!” Zayley screamed and ran to the dress she had her eye on. It’s a strapless light pink dress with a matching lace around the waist. I liked it, but pink isn’t really my color.
“I think it’ll look nice on you, go try it on.” I said. I really do think it’ll look nice on her. As she goes to try it on, I’m going to try to find one for myself. I started looking on one side of the wall and out of a sudden, I hear a bang from the front of the store. I turn to look and it’s a strange looking man, staring straight at me. He has long black hair dressed in all black clothes. If I knew any better, he looks like a killer more than anything.
“The last watcher, you are coming with me.” He spoke. Whoa, this isn’t good
“Who are you?” I asked. “I’m not going anywhere with you!” I yelled. He didn’t seem like he cared. I wonder where Tae is. Tae, I need you! Why doesn’t this work when I need it to. The man is now stepping towards me, yet no one seems to notice that he’s about to do something to me, or just plainly kidnap me. He’s getting closer and closer. “Who are you!” I demanded more than asked this time. Still, I got no answer. His dark hair now covered most of his face as he came closer to me. Tae, come on, I know I told you not to invade my privacy but right about now I wouldn’t mind. I still got no answer from Tae. He’s bonded to me, shouldn’t he feel my fear or something? The man got closer and closer. His slow steps made it seem like forever. All I can see is his eyes. Similar to Kierce’s actually. They’re more orange and a slight of green in the back. It couldn’t be. Could it? It is. It’s Kierce’s father. He’s coming to get me, right now. His hair slowly drifted off of his eyes, I can’t resist but look into them. Everything went silent, followed by darkness.
When I woke up, my mind was filled with confusion and fear. I knew I wouldn’t see any familiar faces, and for all she knew. No one even knew anything happened to her. Hopefully Zayley doesn’t think I just left, but knowing her, she will. I couldn’t see anything and could hardly move. I realized I was blind folded and tied up. I wasn’t sitting still on some ground though, it was more of a shaky ride.
“Well, well. You’re awake I see.” Someone said. Probably noticed I was struggling, trying to get my arms loose. “Don’t bother, you’re tied up good, and we’re bringing you somewhere. No one will find you, so don’t pull any tricks.” They added. I now knew I was in a car. I could feel it riding over bumps and swerving a little on the icy road. I didn’t respond to the man talking to me, since I knew it would be no use.
It felt like hours until we finally stopped. Still blind folded, they took me out of the car and dragged me into something.
“Take her blind fold off when you stick her in the cage.” A man said, and the one was pushing me, fallowed. It smelled kind of funky in here, hopefully I’m not in some underground sewage ready to be killed. I heard a few doors open, and finally felt my last push. As he unties me, I hear him walk off, closing something that sounds like a gate.
“Take off the blinds if you’d like. It won’t do you any good.” He said, and of course I did. I realized I was in some sort of cage. There were bars all around me, located in some empty room. Looks like the basement of a warehouse. Although, I did not know where exactly the room was, I also did not know where I was at all.
“Who are you?” I asked the man that was walking away.
“I am Argem, soon to be your favorite person.” He said, and walked away. The man didn’t look over forty years old. His skin was pale and soft with such brilliant colored eyes. He was honesty beautiful for his age. I couldn’t really focus on anything right now but the stink in this room. It smelled like something died and was just left here rotting. Oh god, hope I won’t be joining them. I didn’t want to think about that, since no one even knows I’m here. How would my mother react to me missing, or even dead. What about Tae and Kierce? They would tear each other apart trying to fight for my love, so they would have the honor of claiming me when I’m dead. Hopefully that won’t be the case though.
Now that I was all alone, and had all the time to clear my mind. I couldn’t. I still haven’t gotten used to the smell, and sitting on the hard cement floor was just not comfortable. My tailbone felt like it was getting bruised. I looked around once more, and noticed that there was another cage in the room. Just like the one I was in. It was also pretty dark in here. The only light was coming from the lanterns hung on one side of the wall. It looks like a pace they would hold their prisoners. Let’s just hope they don’t get rid of them here instead.
After a few hours, I started feeling drowsy again. Whatever Kierce’s father, Luthius, did to me, worked. I knocked out as soon as I looked at his eyes. There must be a way from preventing that again. Too bad I never learned my powers. The only thing I can do is feel the feelings of others, and read Tae’s mind sometimes. Wait, maybe I can try. I know I yelled at him to stop invading my privacy, but if he gets worried about me, he must try to do it again.
Before I could really concentrate and try to contact Tae, I heard a loud bang. It was the closing of the huge door that was located somewhere through a hallway. They definitely didn’t want their prisoners knowing where they are. Why else hide a door through some hallway.
“Amabel!” The voice sounded familiar. Loving almost. “Amabel are you alright?” It was Kierce. Oh how excited was I to hear him. All the madness I had towards him when he ran off, suddenly disappeared.
“Kierce! Oh how I’m glad to hear your voice!” I softly yelled. “I didn’t anyone knew where I was.” I added, and saw Kierce slowly force a smile from what I said.
“My father told me he couldn’t wait anymore. Instead of having me
bring you in, he said he wanted to do it himself.” He said. I knew Kierce wouldn’t really bring me in, and maybe his father did too. “I’m going to try to get you out my love. You must be patient though.”
“Well how long is it going to take? I don’t mind just sitting here, but I need to let tae and everyone know. Especially my mother. She must be worried sick. Also, I need to tell Zayley what happened as well. She probably thinks I just left her there.” I said, starting to worry about what everyone is feeling.
“You are a prisoner in my father’s jail, and you’re worried about what other are thinking?” He said, smiling. “I knew I fell in love with you for a reason.” He added, now looking deep into my eyes. I knew he wanted a kiss from me, and I couldn’t deny it. He slowly leaned in, as well as I did, and kissed through the bars of the cage. In a way, with all al the lights dim, it was romantic. “Amabel, you must take this time to enhance your powers. If you knew all your abilities, you can take on any hunter that comes your way.” He said. Which I believed, because being the last watcher must have some advantage.
“I wish I knew how to even do that Kierce. I will try though.” I said, and suddenly, I heard a click followed by a bang.
“Shit, someone coming.” Kierce said, and quietly ran to a dark part of the room. Within seconds, I could no longer see him.
“Well, well, well. The last watcher is now sitting in my jail cage, frightened I will kill her.” It was Luthius. Kierce’s father. “How sad that no one has come to recue you yet. Don’t worry though, your lycan might try, but won’t succeed.” He said. By the sound of that, he was prepared for anything that would come to recue me.
“What do you want from me?” I asked. Already knowing the answer. He knew that as well.
“Oh sweetie, you already know.” He said, laughing. “Let’s put away the small talk, and get to the point. I’m giving you a choice. You either die, or turn to a hunter. I leave this one on you, but use your time wisely, because you don’t have much of it.” He added, laughing even harder now. He was horrifying closer. He had scars all over his face and arms. Probably why he always has his hair in the way. Besides the way he looks, what he just said, I didn’t like.