The Most Special Chosen (Exalted Bloodlines Book 1)

by Rachel De La Fuente

  I also get a game of Guesstures going, just for something different. It’s not a formal game, people are welcome to come and go. It’s just for fun.

  Figuring that’s enough for now, I take a break to enjoy Damien before our rounds of Mortal Kombat. Shawn interrupts our make-out session about ten minutes later.

  “Hey, Damien, it’s your turn. Disconnect from Lys for a minute. You need to go beat Alexia.” Damien pulls away from me with a groan. While I keep my back to Shawn to straighten myself up, Damien steps around me.

  “Thank you, Shawn, for that reminder. I seem to have forgotten myself. Elysabeth, are you going to come watch me play?”

  “Of course.” I follow him back to the living room where Alexia is already sitting on the sofa.

  She looks up as we come into her field of vision. “I hear you’re a tough opponent.” Damien nods uncertainly. “Well, so am I, Damien, so bring it on!” She holds her arms wide, inviting him to battle.

  Damien joins her on the sofa to a mixture of cheers and jeers. It’s a complete slaughter. Their match set is over in two minutes, and Alexia is left with a shocked expression. “What happened? Did I even get one hit in?”

  Her boyfriend, Nathan, leans over the back of the sofa. “I don’t think you did, Lexi. Never thought I’d see the day.” She gives him a playful smack before standing and handing the controller to Shawn. It’s time for his match, then it’s my turn.

  The players slowly get whittled down, with Shawn getting beaten in the third round. I’m forced to admit a final moment defeat in the second to last round, leaving Damien and Nathan, who swears he will avenge Alexia’s loss.

  We all crowd into the living room for the final match. To make things more interesting (and hopefully make the match longer), we make it best out of five. This proves to be beneficial as Nathan and Damien each win a round quickly. Nathan barely manages to win the third round, but Damien takes revenge by absolutely slaughtering him in round four.

  By this time, everyone has chosen either Damien or Nathan to cheer on. Nathan seems to have more supporters, but I’m pretty sure it’s more because he’s putting up a good fight against Damien who has completely obliterated his other opponents rather than any real preference for him in particular.

  I make sure to cheer extra loud for my Damien, urging him on. For a short while, it looks like Nathan might win, but Damien comes back with an amazing combo, absolutely destroying him. Despite people choosing sides, everyone cheers Damien’s win. It’s far too impressive to do otherwise.

  I present the prize (a gift card to Best Buy) to Damien feeling slightly foolish, knowing he really has no need for it. As I do so, Shawn hurries outside to prepare the surprise piñata. Damien, knowing what Shawn is up to, distracts everyone by pulling me to him for a searing kiss. His distraction is successful. Everyone hoots, hollers, and whistles.

  When he lets me go, Shawn is back and I grin at him. “Okay, everyone, I’ve got a surprise. Let’s go out back.” I stand, pulling Damien with me, and lead everyone outside.

  Alexia is the first to see the surprise. “Piñata! Lys, you rock!” She turns to me excitedly. “What’s in it? Candy?”

  I grin. You’d think it was her birthday. “Among other things.” Damien comes over to me with the bat.

  “It is your birthday party, Elysabeth. You should go first.”

  Grinning I take the bat. “If you insist.” I turn away from him, letting him tie on the blindfold.

  Shawn comes forward to lead me to the piñata. “Okay, you’re facing it.” Then he spins me around a few times and backs away. “Go for it, Lys!” It takes me a few wild swings before I feel the bat connect. I give it a moment then swing again. I miss. A third time and I hear a satisfying ‘thwunk’.

  I hit it another five times before my two minutes are up. I pass the bat off to Shawn who gets several hits as well. Damien refuses the bat several times, saying he’ll hit once everyone else has gone.

  The piñata is looking pretty mangled by the time he takes the bat, but not a single item has fallen out of it. I tie on the blindfold and spin him around. I back away, giving him the “okay” as I do so. He takes a moment, presumably to orient himself, before spinning and swinging.

  Amazingly, the bat connects, and the poor piñata practically explodes. Candy, gift cards, mini games, and a sundry of other small items come raining down. Damien tosses the bat to the side and rips off the blindfold. “Well, what are you all waiting for?”

  Laughing, pushing, and shouting, we all rush toward the fallen items. It’s a mad scramble for a few moments before we all start standing and moving away, pleased with our individual hauls.

  I make my way over to Damien and congratulate him on his hit. “Thank you, Chérie, but I am certain I was simply—” he cuts off, turning to the house. “I believe someone is knocking on the door.

  “Oh, that must be the pizza. Come help me, yeah?” He follows me without a sound. Sure enough, it’s the pizza. Damien carries everything into the kitchen while I sign the receipt.

  That done, I join Damien in the kitchen to pull out cups and plates (disposable, for easier clean-up). As soon as we’re ready, I go back out to the backyard. “Pizza Time!” No one needs telling twice.

  We all power through the pizza, barely leaving a crumb. Shawn pulling another bottle of soda out of the fridge gives a few people a peek at my cake. It’s AWESOME. It’s a full-scale model of a game console and controller. The sleek curves, shiny finish, and great black and silver contrast really make it perfect.

  Nathan and Alexia catch sight of it and start chanting. “Cake! Cake! Cake! Cake!” My other friends quickly pick up the chant, even Shawn.

  “Elysabeth,” Damien shouts to be heard over my friends. “You had better serve the cake before a riot begins.”

  “I think you’re right,” I shout back. “Will you get it for me?” He nods. “All right. ALL RIGHT!” They all quiet down. “Damien’s getting the cake. Make room so I can cut it.”

  Everyone backs away from the table quickly, oohing and ahhing over the cake. As I lift the knife, Shawn holds my arm.

  “Wait!” Out of nowhere, he produces candles and matches.

  “Oh, Shawn, don’t.” My face heats up as he sticks the candles in the cake and lights them.

  “Singing ‘Happy Birthday’ comes with having a cake. Okay, everyone . . . ” He leads my friends through a rousing ‘Happy Birthday,’ leaving me scarlet. Even Damien is singing, grinning down at me as he does so.

  They finally stop when no one can come up with any additional witty add-ons. I take a big breath and blow out all 22 candles in a single go. I know my wish is impossible, but I wish Damien were a vampire anyway. “So, now can I cut the cake?”

  Shawn, showing absolutely no remorse over being the instigator of my embarrassment, nods. “By all means, don’t let me stop you.”

  The cake is delicious. Moist, airy, and flavorful, the way a cake should be. The cream cheese filling is the perfect final touch.

  It doesn’t take us long to completely demolish it. It’s starting to get late, though, and I certainly don’t want to ruin anyone’s Saturday evening plans.

  “Okay, everyone! Thank you so much for celebrating my birthday with me. I don’t really have any other set plans, and I know some of you have better things to do on a Saturday night than hang around here. For those who don’t, however, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”

  ***

  They all leave over the next few hours, citing either the hour or previous commitments. I thank each and every one of them for coming. It’s always good to see old friends.

  By 10 pm, it’s just me, Shawn, and Damien. We collapse on the sofa, nursing drinks.

  After a while, I voice my thoughts. “We really should clean up. I don’t want to wake up to this tomorrow.” The three of us clean up as quickly as possible. From the living room, I keep an eye on both Damien and Shawn, to ensure they aren’t cutting corners as they clean. There’s no p
oint in cleaning up tonight and cleaning again tomorrow.

  As Shawn pours out the leftover drink cups, he pauses at a mug, which he sets aside. When Damien comes by a few minutes later and gulps it down, Shawn gives him a shocked look that turns calculating. I make a mental note to ask him about it later, but I’m sure I’ll forget.

  “Chérie, forgive me, but I must go.”

  “Don’t worry, Damien, we’ve been together all day. We’re basically done cleaning up. Thank you for all of your help. Are you still joining me for my birthday dinner with my parents tomorrow?”

  “Of course, Elysabeth. And I was happy to assist you.”

  Grinning, I throw my arms around him for a hug and a kiss. “Awesome.” I follow him to the door, unwilling to leave his presence before I absolutely have to, and wave as he gets into his car. “Bye, Damien! Drive safe.”

  When his car is no longer visible, I shut the door and go into the living room, sitting down in my favorite chair with a sad sigh.

  “It’s like you’re addicted to him.” Shawn’s grinning, taking the sting out of his words.

  “Yeah, kind of.” I much prefer this easy banter to the fierce arguments we’d had earlier. “Shawn, I know I haven’t really said much about it lately, but thank you for finally laying off about Damien.”

  “Well, I understand your relationship better now.” He pauses for a moment with a thoughtful look. “He really is everything you ever wanted.”

  I sigh. If only he was everything I ever wanted. I mentally kick myself. Vampires don’t exist. “Yeah, he is. You could have listened to me when I told you he was great, though.”

  Shawn’s eyes narrow for a moment before he grins. “Fair enough, Lys.”

  “So, no more harping on my little obsession, right?”

  Shawn snorts. “Little?”

  “Okay, not so little, but still . . . ” I eye him expectantly. I don’t want anymore fights.

  “Okay, Lys, I’ll do my best. I may forget, though.”

  “Your best is all I can ask for. But back to what I was saying before. Thank you for supporting my choices. Finally.”

  Shawn shoves me playfully. “You’re welcome, Lys.”

  ***

  The days turn to weeks as my final term of college flies by. I find myself increasingly busy as midterm and then final projects are assigned. My portfolio classes are by far the worst, as I have to develop multiple projects to ensure I have the best portfolio possible to show future employers.

  CHAPTER 13

  Before I know it, the semester has flown by, and I have just a month before I graduate. The true realization that I have so little time left to my education is both exciting and frightening.

  Exactly 37 days before graduation, I’m sitting at my desk, staring at my calendar. I’ve just crossed out another box, and my stomach clenches slightly despite my grin.

  I grab my phone eagerly at Damien’s ringtone. “Hi Damien! How are you?”

  “I am doing marvelous, Chérie. And yourself?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Excellent.” He pauses, and I wonder what’s going on. “Elysabeth, I recall promising to take you to the beach at night.”

  My smile splits my face. “Are you saying what I think you are?”

  “Would you like to go tonight?”

  “Yes! Yes, of course. This is awesome! I thought you’d forgotten.”

  “Never, Chérie. I can pick you up in fifteen minutes.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “I will see you soon.”

  “Okay. Bye.” I end the call, then, with a squeal, throw open my closet to choose a swimsuit. I don’t know if the water will be warm enough to get in, but there’s no harm in optimism. I welcome the chance to relax.

  Something makes me pick my red swimsuit. I haven’t worn it yet, and it feels right. It’s a smallish two-piece halter, with a buckle between the cups and buckles on either side of the hips. I pull out a kick pleat jean skirt as a cover up and debate on a shirt, finally settling on a tank top, just for decency in case we go somewhere else.

  I change quickly and brush out my hair. I’m just grabbing my purse when I faintly hear a knock on the door. “I’ve got it!” I call as I race down the stairs. I open the door and am totally disappointed to see Damien standing there in jeans and a t-shirt. Are we not going to the beach after all?

  “Hi, Damien. Um, should I bring a towel?”

  “Yes, Chérie, of course.”

  “Okay, just a moment.” Maybe he’s wearing swim trunks under his jeans? But how does that work? His jeans are pretty form fitting. Hmm, maybe we’re going skinny dipping. Isn’t that a delicious possibility? My mind wanders to his perfect ass. I wouldn’t mind seeing it bare. But wait, you don’t go skinny dipping in the ocean, that’s for lakes. Right? Shelving the mystery for now, I pull a towel out of the hallway closet, and head back to the door. “I’m ready.”

  “Wonderful, come along, Chérie.” His voice lowers. “I think you will enjoy this.”

  “I’m sure I will.” The drive isn’t bad. We stop at a gatehouse before driving through a community with housing unlike any I’ve ever seen in person before. The houses barely even qualif for that name. Mansions are more like it, with enormous yards. We may as well be in Beverly Hills. “How did you get allowed in?”

  “I live here, Chérie. But that is neither here nor there, we are visiting the beach.”

  “You live in one of these?” But then, I don’t know why I’m surprised, for him to own a Veyron at his age, his family must be extremely wealthy. I guess I’d never really thought of everything that goes with that.

  “Yes, Chérie.”

  We finally pull into a parking lot, and Damien comes around to help me out. He holds me around the waist with one arm; the other is holding our towels. We’re parked on a cliff, and I can see the stairs down to the beach, but the view from here is magnificent. The moonlight playing on the still water is breathtaking.

  “Glorious, is it not?” he whispers in my ear.

  “Yes, definitely,” I whisper also, not wanting to disturb the serenity of the picture before me. “Thank you for bringing me.”

  He turns me to face him. “No, Chérie, thank you for joining me.” His tone is dead serious, and I know that something is different tonight. I don’t know if I’m ready for things to change, so I pull away from him lightly, catching his hand as I do so, leading him to the stairs.

  “Come on, I can’t say I’ve been to the beach at night from here.” He follows me without a fight, down the stairs, and onto the sand. I take off my sandals and walk around barefoot, enjoying the sand between my toes. “Is there anywhere to set our stuff for now?”

  “Yes, follow me, there are some tables.” As we walk, I take in the general beauty.

  “It’s like a romance novel.”

  “What did you say, Elysabeth?”

  Crap, I said that out loud? “I said it’s like a romance novel. I actually have a book with a scene quite similar to this. Guy and girl. On the beach. At night. Only—” Dammit, Lys, watch what you say! There must be a spell on the beach that’s loosening my tongue.

  “Only, what?” I turn to face him and practically bounce off his chest. I had no idea he was so close. I meet his eyes and I’m trapped in his stare. Oh, yeah, something is definitely different. “Only what, Chérie?”

  “Only the guy was a vampire.” My voice is barely a whisper.

  “You read vampire novels?” His voices is a rumble, but he sounds almost pleased.

  “Uh, huh. They’re hot.” He looks away with a frown, breaking my trance, and I realize what I’ve just said. I don’t want to give him a chance to analyze it, and I can see the dark shapes of the tables in the distance. I shove at him and take off running, yelling, “race you to the tables!” I almost reach the nearest one before Damien catches me around my waist. The towels land on the table as we falling to the sand.

  He manages to twist himself around so he takes the brunt of the fa
ll. I land on top of him, laughing. Not a bad position, actually.

  He reaches up and brushes my hair back. “You look so beautiful in the moonlight, Chérie.”

  There’s that serious tone again. Looks like I’m going to need to make a decision sometime tonight. “Thanks. Is the water warm enough to go in?”

  “I do not know; we will have to test it.” I get up off of him and run down to the waves lapping at the beach. I inch my way forward until I reach wet sand. It’s not cold. I walk further and further forward until a wave covers my feet. It’s definitely not cold, but it’s not quite warm, either.

  “I think it’s okay to go in. It’s not freezing, anyway.” As I make my way back to the tables, I pull my shirt over my head. I’m conscious of him watching my every move, especially since he has never seen me in so little clothing.

  I toss my shirt on the table and take off my skirt. Damien hasn’t moved an inch. “Are you coming in with me?”

  “I think I like the view better from here,” his eyes rake down my body.

  Feeling mischievous, I grin. “Imagine how much better it will be when I’m all wet.”

  He stiffens for a moment before practically tearing off his shirt. His piercings shine in the moonlight. His jeans are next, and I freeze for a moment at what he’s revealed. He’s wearing a small pair of spandex shorts, like a pair of my boy short underwear, but with a masculine geometric print. I’m suddenly very glad we’re the only ones on the beach. I don’t have to share this view with anyone. He toes his sandals off, then he picks me up and runs to the water.

  I squeal with delight, right up until he jumps into the water. I have just enough time to close my eyes before we’re submerged. We’re only under for a moment though, then we both surface and I can take a deep breath.

  “Damien! What’d you do that for?”

  He doesn’t speak; he just guides me back toward the beach. When I’m standing in hip deep water, he backs away and grins at me. “You were right. I do like the view better now.”

  And with that one sentence, my body comes to life. I’m wet, but not from the water. My nipples are hard, but not from the cold. My heart rate speeds up, but not from the excitement of that jump. How does he do this to me?