by W. J. May
The eye for the eye. The old Grollic planned his revenge. He watched the woman and learned where she travelled. He waited for the day when the white-caped girl returned to the cottage on the other side of the woods. He raced ahead to the clearing and easily killed the unknowing man inside, then waited for the girl.
The girl approached and the moment she entered the house, he attacked. Claws reaching to rip her neck just missed, but as the Grollic stumbled he sank his teeth into something warm. The girl grabbed a chair and smashed it over the Grollics back. They fought through the small cottage, breaking almost everything inside, including themselves.
Near death, the girl barely managed to escape through a narrow window. How she managed to race away in to the forest, the Grollic thought he’d never know the answer. Her now red cape –covered in blood— flapped behind her as if nodding it knew the truth. The Grollic had killed because of what she had done to his family.
The stunned Grollic stared. What he had thought was a cape, had actually been wings. Weak and shattered, he fell back against the wall. The fight between the two had nearly killed them both. He then understood their bloods could not mix. They shared unique powers, but those powers could never be blended. They each had the ability to destroy, as if they’d been born to battle against each other.
Thus began the war as both vowed to never find peace until either race was obliterated. The Grollic may not have understood what he met that day, but he did learn the blood running inside his body could poison hers and vice versa.
Holding the book between my fingers, I sat back, eyes wide. My favorite nursery story as a child was Little Red Riding Hood. Boy had this story changed from the original version.
I turned the page. Both sides of the book had hand written, in point form, notes about the girl and possible ways to kill or stop her. Other questions asked if there was more than one girl and how they came into existence. Simple sketches filled the pages. I couldn’t make heads or tails of those any more than the handwritten stuff.
Bile rose in the back of my throat when I flipped to the next page. The right side displayed a crudely hand drawn Grollic. A disgustingly ugly one. A series of diagrams showed a man turning into the Grollic. Each picture had detailed anatomy and notes along the sides. Interesting, the Grollic’s heart was actually on the right side of its body, higher up than on most animals or humans. In human-form, the heart rested on the left side but as he shifted into Grollic-form, the heart would also shift.
It was the last picture my eyes kept flitting back to - the mammoth size of the beast, the ferocious face with yellow eyes and snarl of sharp teeth. The drawing so life like, it kept bringing me back to that night in the forest.
I shivered, and tried to swallow. An eerie scraping noise against my window nearly had me screaming. I closed my eyes, willing the noise to stop.
It didn’t.
Inhaling a long, slow breath, I then opened my eyes and focused on the window, too scared to get up and look outside. Don’t be such a freakin’ wimp. Squinty, I realized the wind had picked up and a broken branch hung onto another limb. It scraped against the window as the wind blew the still connected limb. A big gust knocked the loose branch down and the ting against the roof of Jim’s car told me it’d landed.
My heart still in my throat, I shook my head in disgust. Wimp. Loser. I chided myself. Get back to reading. Except I now had to put my hand over the monster’s picture to focus on the other side of the book. I stared at the human drawing. A small marking caught my attention, above the right aorta of the heart near the collar bone. It showed a detailed drawing of the tattoo on the corner of the page. I squinted. Somewhere in the back of my mind I recalled seeing it before. Scratching my scalp, I couldn’t place where.
The remainder of the book switched back into the weird foreign writing. I shut it and tossed it onto my nightstand. Enough stupid monsters for one night. The clock radio read 1:30 a.m. Before switching the light off, I glanced at my messy pile on the floor. It would give me something to do, a reason to get out of bed since tomorrow was Saturday.
Weird dreams visited me throughout the night. Grollics and angels killing each other, cutting themselves and letting their blood drip into the enemy’s cuts. Girls in red dresses and capes running through forests, with white monsters in pursuit. Tattoos on everyone to mark if they were Grollic, angel, or human. Angels morphing into beasts scarier than a Grollic.
I woke early with the feeling I never really slept. Covered in sweat, I threw a pillow over my head and tried to fall back asleep. The sun had not yet risen, and I didn’t want to get up with nothing to do but put my shoes and clothes away. After forty minutes, a few tiny little rays of light began peeking through my window.
Throwing on my red-hooded sweatshirt and a clean pair of jeans, I turned to leave. I ran back to the nightstand to grab a ponytail holder and saw the Grollic book. I grabbed it too. If I was going to go see the sunrise, I might as well have something to look through. Less scary in the daylight.
It was cool enough that no fog or mist had come in during the night. I walked to the cemetery-park Michael and I had met, buying a latte at a Starbucks along the way. At the park I sat on a bench, drinking, as I watched the sun make its way over the horizon. Beautiful and peaceful. The world kept turning even when it felt like mine had stopped.
After an hour my bladder told me it’d had enough. I jumped up to throw my empty cup into a garbage on the path when a sudden realization hit me like a punch in the gut. I stumbled back to the bench and sat dumb-founded. The mark!
I’d seen it before on somebody. That day in the courtyard.
Could the beast be human?
Damon.
Damon’s a Grollic.
When he’d threatened me during Halloween, he thought I was the same thing as the Knightlys. Impossible! Michael, Grace or Caleb would know. Right?
I thought back to my encounter with Damon in the school parking lot. I’d worn the necklace. Michael’s Siorghra had blood inside which could kill him. He thought I could kill him. Another thought hit me like a wave of nausea. It was Damon in the woods the night on the beach.
He said there were more of his kind.
Michael and his family must know. But what if they didn’t? What if Damon’s pack was ready to attack Michael’s family? What if they already had? And I’d done nothing.
Running home as fast as I could, I took the stairs two at a time and grabbed the keys to Grace’s car. Jim hollered something at me as I raced out the door. I ignored him. There wasn’t time to argue or explain.
I unlocked, tossed the book on the seat and stuck the keys in the ignition. The car started and revved as if it knew I had to hurry. I shoved the gearshift into drive and flew down the roads, fingers crossed for no police. They were the least of my worries. Hopefully Caleb wouldn’t kill me and ask questions later.
Or maybe, he would and I’d find out I’m one of them.
The car slowed to a crawl when it came to their driveway. My foot could not press the gas pedal. Maybe this is a mistake. How could a simple human figure out something useful to a family, especially one like Caleb? If they were okay, they probably were planning some counter-attack.
“Stop being such a wimp,” I hissed at my reflection in the review mirror. “Just go up to the house and bang on the door. Hand the book to whoever opens and tell them Damon’s a Grollic. Then leave.” I’d have to walk home but at least I could return the keys and necklace and try to forget them and move on with my life.
I parked beside the mustang and marched towards the house, forcing through the urge to run away. Hand in the air, ready to bang on the door; I realized I’d left the book on the passenger seat. About to turn around to grab it, the door swung open.
Michael.
My body froze, but my heart hammered at record breaking speed. Dressed in a white shirt, his tanned skin looked perfect. I couldn’t stop myself from staring. My thoughts over the past few weeks had left so many details out. The ru
sh of feelings caught off guard.
If he was surprised to see me, he didn’t let on. “Hello, Rouge.”
Stuffing my hands into my jean pockets, I cleared my throat and tried to sound normal. “I know you told me not to come, but there’s something really important I need to tell you.”
“Has something happened?” He stepped onto the porch and glanced behind me, most likely scanning for hidden monsters.
“No…Yes...Maybe.” I blinked a bunch of times, ticked my eyes burned.
“It’s dangerous you’re here.”
His words or posture gave away nothing. I couldn’t read his thoughts. “I know.” I swallowed, my eyes darting inside as I tried to calm the anxiety inside me.
His expression broke. He wavered and looked as lost as me.
I stepped toward him and stumbled, unable to keep my knees from buckling. His arms surrounded me and he held me tight. My head instinctively went to his chest and I left it there, inhaling his wonderful masculine aftershave, the taut muscles under his shirt, his warmth, all of it. Would it be wrong to want to stay here forever? I then remembered the real reason I’d come. Putting my hands on his shoulders, I pushed him back a few inches so I could think. “We really need to talk. Can I come in?”
“Maybe it would be better out here.” He paused and his eyes shifted back and forth at mine.
I shook my head and exhaled a long breath. “I think I’d better come in and you should get Caleb, Sarah and Grace.”
He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
I paused, thinking I might need a bullet proof vest and remembered a better devise for protection. “Just need to grab something from the car.”
I ran to get the antique book, letting the fresh air cool my flushed face. It was my only chance to convince Caleb I was worthy of being with Michael. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and headed into house.
THE END
Of Part I
Seventh Mark Part II
Is available now for purchase
http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Mark-Part-Hidden-Secrets-ebook/dp/B00H129F0G/ref=pd_sim_kstore_6
** First Chapter of Part 2 is on the following pages **
Hidden Secrets Saga:
Download Seventh Mark part 1 For FREE
http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Mark-Part-Hidden-Secrets-ebook/dp/B00H17FQCC
Seventh Mark part 2
http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Mark-Part-Hidden-Secrets-ebook/dp/B00H129F0G
Marked by Destiny
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OC90BD6
Compelled
Coming 2015
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-_vVYC1gvo
Book Blurb:
Like most teenagers, Rouge is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants to be. With little knowledge about her past, she has questions but has never tried to find the answers. Everything changes when she befriends a strangely intoxicating family. Siblings Grace and Michael, appear to have secrets which seem connected to Rouge. Her hunch is confirmed when a horrible incident occurs at an outdoor party. Rouge may be the only one who can find the answer.
An ancient journal, a Sioghra necklace and a special mark force life-altering decisions for a girl who grew up unprepared to fight for her life or others.
All secrets have a cost and Rouge’s determination to find the truth can only lead to trouble…or something even more sinister.
** FREE CHAPTER EXCERPT OF PART 2 OF SEVENTH MARK **
Seventh Mark
Hidden Secrets Saga
Part 2 of
Book I
By
W. J. May
Copyright 2013 by W.J. May
Hidden Secrets Saga:
Download Seventh Mark part 1 For FREE
http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Mark-Part-Hidden-Secrets-ebook/dp/B00H17FQCC
Seventh Mark part 2
http://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Mark-Part-Hidden-Secrets-ebook/dp/B00H129F0G
Marked by Destiny
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OC90BD6
Compelled
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WFPQLBU
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-_vVYC1gvo
Website: http://www.wanitamay.yolasite.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-WJ-May-FAN-PAGE/141170442608149
Cover design by: Book Cover By Design
Edits by: Regina Mitchell
Acknowledgments
To everyone who loves to read, thanks for letting words come to life!
Seventh Mark – Part 2
Chapter 1
Caleb tapped his thumb impatiently against his other hand. A scowl etched his face as he sat behind a newly replaced, antique desk. “What’s so important you had to come back to my house, Rouge?”
Settling by the fireplace, I tried to remember to breathe. He was intimidating as a person, but freakin’ scary as some kind of immortal killing machine. They must know Damon’s a Grollic. How could they not? I swallowed, not as sure of myself as I had been moments earlier. “H-Have you been able to find anything out about D-Damon?”
“Very little actually,” Sarah answered. “It’s as if he is nothing, but we know there’s something. He’s seventeen, born here, lives here but nothing to raise concern to us.”
Grace stood by the door frame. She had nodded when she had come into the living room but had avoided making eye contact with me. Now she stepped forward, uncrossing her arms. “There’s no proof on anything. He’s just…Damon.”
Show them. A voice inside of me spoke, strong and determined. I set the old, leather journal in front of Caleb, my eyes defiantly meeting his. Where’d this new courage come from?
He picked it up, frowned at the cover and then flipped it open. I cleared my throat. “Damon’s a Grollic. It was him at the beach. He has the beasts tattoo below his right collar bone.” I turned to Grace. “That day in the courtyard, I saw it. Didn’t realize till this morning what is was. I read through the book last night, and then remembered it this morning.”
“What mark? They’ve no tattoo to label them.” Caleb slammed the journal on top of the desk with a resounding slap. “Where’d you get this?”
His accusation really said was, Where’d you steal this? “It’s from the bookstore where I work. My boss gave it to me.” I tried to swallow, my mouth suddenly dry.
He traced the cover and bindings. “This book appears written over hundreds of years ago. The writing’s in some ancient language.” He flipped though the pages. “I’ve never seen or heard of this. The Coven doesn’t know.”
Lucky me. “Most of it’s foreign,” I mumbled, playing with the Siorghra around my neck. “I read through the part I could understand. Where it shows the anatomy of the Grollic, it talks about how he transforms even some theories on ways to kill him. The book’s old, but you might be able to use something. There’s a story about a girl in a white cape. I think she was an angel.”
Caleb gasped and stared at me, his eyes blue and pupils tiny. Sarah and Michael raced behind him and hovered over his shoulder. Caleb gave his head a slight shake and focused back on the book. He held it at arm’s length, probably so Michael and Sarah could read it.
Grace ran over and looked ready to hug me but held back. “You’ve no idea how much I’ve missed you,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
“Me, too.” So why didn’t you come by? I paused, mad at my next thought. Why didn’t I try to text or email or come here sooner?
“Oh Grace. Put those trivial female feelings aside. Now is not the time. Rouge should have shown us this book the moment she had it.” Caleb turned me. “How long have you had it?” He shook his head. “Never mind. What I want to know is when did you learn the language?”
What? A heavy feeling dropped into the pit of my stomach. “I didn’t. I can only read the English part.” Did I need to show them? The book wasn’t that big. Surely they could find the section.
Michael stared at me, his mouth sl
ightly open. “None of the book’s in English.”
Supernatural immortals and they can’t tell the difference between English and foreign? “The middle part is. It’s like the Little Red Riding Hood Nursery. The part with the diagrams and drawings is where I connected the dots. That’s where I found Damon’s tattoo or mark or whatever you want to call it.”
“I do not understand,” Caleb spoke slowly. “Show me the part you can read.”
This was ridiculous. Here I stood trying to help them and they are talking to me like I’m the idiot? Jaw clenched, I stomped over to the desk and grabbed the book. Searching through the pages, I found what I needed and tapped the title. “See, here. The History of the War. It’s just like the fairytale, except Riding Hood’s actually some kind of angel or something – she’s got wings – and the Grollic’s actually an ugly beast.” I watched the three of them standing around the desk. Sarah had her hand against her chest, Caleb’s lips pressed into a thin line, and Michael kept looking at me, then the book and back again.
“Rouge,” he spoke slowly, “it’s not English.”
“What?” I shook my head, glancing toward the ceiling. “You’re not funny.”
“I’m not kidding.” His face stayed serious, not a glimmer of teasing in his eyes or a twitch around his lips like he was trying to hold laughter in.
“Check this page.” I pointed to the paragraph about Grollics’ knowledge on the woman in the white cape. “The book’s old, but the author wrote what they thought was a race from an original. He knew they could destroy you. See the list?” I flipped to the next page. “Here’s the diagram of the Grollic and where its heart is located. The caption says that instead of being on the left side of the body, the Grollic’s heart is on the right, located higher than most animals. The bit beneath the drawing, says when the Grollic changes from human to Grollic-form, the heart shifts. I guess if a human wanted to stab a Grollic to kill it, you’d need to aim for the right, not the left side.”