Red Dawn

by Bonds, J. J.

  “Tease.”

  “Don’t worry, Katia. There’s more where that came from, but first…”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I return, sighing loudly. “Maze first.”

  We continue through the maze at a breakneck pace. Right, left, right, right, wrong turn, left. Before I know it, we emerge on the far side of the maze. I can hardly believe my ears when Professor Lynch gives us our time: seventeen minutes and forty-one seconds. I wrack my brain and recall that it took Shaye and me nearly an hour last year, and that doesn’t even count the time we spent fighting with Jade at the halfway point.

  “Congratulations, Nikolai!” Professor Lynch says, clapping Nik on the back. “That’s a new record for you! I have a feeling you’ve just put another victory under your belt.”

  “Here’s hoping,” I respond, studying Nik’s face. He looks pretty pleased with himself and why not? He clearly enjoys the challenge. At least one of us does. This whole maze thing doesn’t do much for me. I’d much rather be punching something, but to each his own.

  “I knew you were good luck.” He picks me up and spins me around victoriously. It’s totally out of character. For both of us. I don’t really think of myself as the kind of girl who guys spin around. I’m more like the kind of girl who dropkicks those guys. But maybe I could get used to this. For Nik.

  We hang around for a while, watching as other groups exit the maze and collect their times. I think Nik is secretly waiting to confirm that no one has beaten his time, although he’ll never admit it. I’m getting restless waiting around. And a little hungry. It’s hard to ignore the sweet smell of human children as they bounce out of the maze pushing and shoving. Not that I’d ever harm one, but still, I have to admit they smell yummy. I jerk my eyes away from the maze and do my best to tamp down my hunger and redirect my thoughts. I wonder how Shaye’s feeling and hope we can wrap this up soon. I’m anxious to head back to Crossroads so that I can check on her.

  Lost in thought, I don’t pay much attention when Jade and Trey exit the maze. Not until Lynch calls out their time of sixteen minutes twenty seven seconds anyway. I curse quietly under my breath. I can’t freaking believe it! A quick glance at Nik confirms that if I hate losing to them, he hates it more. Damn stagger start. It’s hard to know where you stand until everyone finishes.

  “I can’t believe it,” Nik says, shaking his head in disgust. “We made record time and they completely blew us away.”

  “It looks like we have a new champion this year!” Lynch calls out good naturedly. “And with a record time!”

  “Better luck next time,” Trey taunts as he drapes his arm over Jades shoulder. They both look quite smug. It’s not a good look.

  “Time to go.” I grab Nik’s hand and drag him away before either of us can say anything incendiary. Nik looks pissed and I’m already on work detail. I’m not looking to extend my time in the kitchen filling blood taps and clearing tables. Actually, I’m kind of proud of myself for exercising such restraint. Any other day I might’ve wiped that look right off Trey’s face. With my fist. It occurs to me that I may have a problem with anger management.

  “I don’t understand it,” Nik bitches. A stormy look settles on his face as he vents his frustration. “How did they do it so fast?”

  “Beginner’s luck?” I suggest, trying to lighten his mood. No sense dwelling on it. I’m surprised it’s bothering Nik so much. It’s not like him to let such a little thing get under his skin. Unlike me, he’s usually cool and calm.

  “Doubtful.”

  “Never pegged you for a sore loser,” I tease, wrapping my arms around him. “You’re not going to let this ruin your night, are you?”

  “Of course not,” he responds grudgingly. “But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

  Chapter Eight

  “Are you sure you’re up to this?” I ask Shaye doubtfully. She’s fully dressed and determined to attend the masquerade downstairs. “Three hours ago you couldn’t even leave the room.”

  “Miraculous recovery,” she tells me as she applies a garish red lipstick. I watch as she runs a comb through her sleek hair one last time before putting on her wolf’s ears. I’m not buying the miraculous recovery, but she’s putting on a good show. “You’re just stalling because you hate costumes.”

  She’s not wrong about that. I hate the idea of wearing a costume. For me, every day is a masquerade. For better or worse, pretending to be something I’m not has become a way of life. I only agreed to go to this stupid dance because I figured Nik was likely to finish the maze in first place and the winners are required to attend. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I look down at my costume and groan.

  “What the hell was I thinking when I agreed to this?”

  “What? We look great!” Shaye reassures me as she spins around to show off her own costume.

  In keeping with the tradition of irony, Shaye’s talked me into going as characters from Monster Academy. As if it’s not bad enough that I’m dressed as Draculissa, she’s also managed to get me into some very clunky platform shoes that are not at all designed for comfort. I miss my flat, knee high boots already and we haven’t even left the room yet. Naturally, Shaye’s going as Clawdette Wolf since they both have a deep love of fashion. I wouldn’t tell Shaye, but I’m pretty sure Clawdette is the better dresser.

  “I’m chalking this one up to temporary insanity,” I tell her as I reach down to buckle my too shiny shoes. Thankfully, Shaye’s love of pop-culture isn’t contagious. Still, despite my looming humiliation, it’s a relief to see Shaye is feeling even a little better.

  “Whatever. If you don’t like it, you could have gotten Nik to dress up with you,” she returns.

  “Yeah, I don’t think Nik and I are the matchy-matchy kind of couple.”

  “So you admit that you’re a couple?” she giggles looking pleased with herself. Huh. I walked right into that one.

  “No!” I begin to protest, but one look at her and I abandon the effort. I’m not going to win this one. “Well played, Shaye. Well played.”

  We head down to the dance and I’m again impressed by the job the staff has done at transforming the school. It’s hard to believe this haunted house with all of its cobwebs and candelabras serves as an institution of learning by day. I hope the staff is reusing the blood fountain from last year. It may be gaudy, but I’m famished and need to get my hands on a pint.

  “The staff’s really outdone themselves,” I comment as I dodge a screeching bat and duck into the dining hall where the party is already in full swing.

  “I know, right?” Shaye shouts in response.

  When I glance back at her, she’s hopping on one foot while adjusting the shoe on the other one. She looks ridiculous. Only Shaye. Her next words are lost in the pulse of the music. Blaine’s spinning again this year and techno music fills the room, reverberating off the walls and drowning out the need for conversation. Not that the student body has much need for words, judging by the scene around us. The hall is packed and everywhere I look there are bodies writhing to the music. I’m not much of a dancer myself, but Shaye doesn’t share my inhibitions. She begins bopping to the music as we cut through the crowd and I have to suppress a smile. Smooth dancing is not an inherent vamp trait. Shaye’s movements are jerky and unnatural looking. It’s quite possibly the most awkward vamp dancing I’ve ever seen and that’s saying something.

  “Thirsty?”

  Nik’s words are barely audible, but the glass he offers speaks for itself. I grab the goblet eagerly and devour the contents. It has a gamey flavor and I’m guessing it came from a recent hunt as opposed to the school livestock collection. Yum. I don’t bother to wipe the trickle of blood that runs down my chin. Any other day it would be unsightly, but I figure it’s appropriate tonight. After all, I am Draculissa.

  “Nice costume,” Nik says, eyeing my patent leather shoes. His eyes linger on my legs and I feel a telltale blush heating my face.

  “Don’t ask,” I reply menacingly
, as I shift from one foot to the other trying to relieve the incessant pinching of my toes. New shoes are the worst, not that I have any intention of ever breaking these in. They’re going right in the trash when this thing is over. “And why aren’t you dressed up? It hardly seems fair!”

  “But I am dressed up,” he responds, hooking his thumbs in the pockets of his boot cut jeans. He hasn’t changed since running the maze. Not that I’m complaining. He looks good in the fitted navy sweater. It brings out the blue in his eyes. “Isn’t it obvious?”

  “Not so much,” I shout, narrowing my eyes questioningly.

  “I’m a Crossroads Academy student, sans uniform.” He smiles and the dimple in his cheek melts away any lingering embarrassment from my own ridiculous costume.

  “Pre section 8B? Clever. Why didn’t I think of that?” I grumble as he pulls me onto the dance floor. I glance back at Shaye and decide she’s perfectly content with her spastic solo dancing. Besides, if I know anything about her, she’ll be tracking Keegan down soon anyway. All members of the staff are required to help serve at school events. I make a mental note to hunt him down and say hello myself. I don’t get out to the stables much with my busy schedule and it’s been a while since I’ve seen him.

  As we lose ourselves in the sea of sweaty bodies, I’m relieved to see that Nik’s forgotten about the whole maze thing. He’s focused entirely on me and the longer we dance, the more difficult it becomes to suppress my longing for Nik. Our bodies synch up, moving in rhythm with the music and with one another.

  We stay like that, locked together, for more ear shattering songs than I care to count and eventually it occurs to me that Shaye’s MIA. Some friend I am. I scan the crowded room and on the second pass decide that she must’ve slipped out with Keegan. That’s the logical conclusion since they’re both notably absent. It would also explain why she was so anxious to attend the dance despite the fact that she wasn’t feeling so hot.

  I wonder if her insistence had to do with getting some alone time with her boyfriend or if she’s trying to hide her latest health problems from him. Keegan’s a worrier and I wouldn’t put it past Shaye to keep him in the dark for as long as possible if she felt a relapse coming on. The more I think about it, the more certain I am that it’s the latter. In fact, I should probably ask her about it and make a mental note to do so when I get back to the room. For now though, I’m content to focus my attention on Nik.

  Nik slides his hand up my back and I forget about Shaye, my too tight shoes, the music, everything; everything except the feel of his soft curls sliding between my fingers as I run my hands through his dark hair. I can’t get enough of Nik and I think the feeling is mutual until I notice his gaze fixed on something across the room.

  I twist around, craning my neck to see what’s so alluring that it’s captured Nik’s attention. I wish I hadn’t looked. Jade. And Trey. No big surprise, Jade’s grinding all over Mr. Hornypants. Actually, they’re so close it looks like she’s imprinted on him like a crackerjack box tattoo. I could care less what Jade and Trey are doing, but evidently Nik feels differently. His continued interest in Jade feels like a slap in the face and I can’t let it slide.

  “See something you like?” I ask glaring at him.

  “What?” It takes him a minute to tear his eyes away from the scene with Jade and Trey. When he finally manages, he just looks confused.

  “I asked if you see something you like.” I turn and point at Jade. He’s not getting off the hook that easily. “Over there.”

  “What? No. I’m just…”

  “Just what?” I ask. He’d better choose his words carefully. I feel my internal bitch-o-meter ratcheting up a notch. Like it or not, it’s no secret that I can go from zero to stark-raving-bitch in about a tenth of second when provoked.

  “Nothing.” Nik throws his arms up in frustration. Did he really think I wouldn’t notice his little stare-fest? “I just don’t trust the guy!”

  “You don’t know anything about him,” I return, giving him my best hand-on-the-hip angry look.

  “I know enough.”

  “Oh, really?” I reply, laughing in his face for good measure. “All you know is that he’s a troublemaker who’s good at mazes and likes hooking up with Jade. Hardly enough to make a judgment call.”

  Okay. So he may have a point on the whole troublemaker thing, seeing as how Trey’s been kicked out of three schools, but I’m not going to tell him that. Besides, the kid has managed to stay out of trouble at Crossroads so far. Maybe Trey’s turning over a new leaf. Who am I to begrudge him a second chance?

  “What’s it matter to you anyway? Jade’s a big girl. She’s perfectly capable of taking care of herself.”

  “It matters because she’s my friend. Friends look out for each other. Perhaps you’ve forgotten?” He gives me a sort of disgusted look, like he expected more from me. “I know bad news when I see it and this guy is it.”

  Nik stares at me stonily. Maybe he’s considering his next words or maybe he thinks he can intimidate me into backing down. Not likely. I’m just getting started.

  “Come on, Nik. What bothers you more?” I ask, laying on the sarcasm. “The fact that he crushed your record in the maze or the fact that he’s tagging Jade?”

  I know I’m upset and probably being a little nasty, but I can’t seem to channel any sort of calm. Nik’s constant concern with Jade is driving me crazy. Why can’t he just mind his own business? He stares at me in disbelief, but I’m not finished yet.

  “What’s the big deal?” I huff, throwing my arms up in the air. People are starting to stare now, but I don’t care. Let them talk. “That chick is like a merry-go-round! Everyone gets a freaking turn!”

  Nik’s jaw actually drops this time and I hate myself as soon as the words come out, but there’s no taking them back. There’s no taking any of it back now. In fact, it’s possible I’ve stooped to a new low. I should probably clear out before this gets any worse, before I say something else I’m going to regret.

  “Katia.”

  “I’ll tell you what,” I whisper, unsure if he can actually hear my words over the raging party. “I’ll make this really simple for both of us.”

  I turn and leave without a backward glance. I don’t know what just happened, but I’m pretty sure it was my fault. Maybe I overreacted a little. Or a lot. I just don’t understand why he’s always worrying about where Jade’s at and what she’s doing. I wonder if he spends half as much time thinking about our relationship or lack thereof.

  Does he have feelings for Jade beyond friendship? I’ve never gotten a straight answer on whether or not they’ve ever actually dated. I wonder if they’ve ever hooked up? Could that be what this is about? It’s a disturbing thought. The very idea of it makes my head hurt. It makes some other things hurt too, but I refuse to acknowledge the painful ache in my chest. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. No strings, no heartache. And definitely no jealousy.

  Chapter Nine

  “Alright, dish,” Shaye says, grabbing my shoulder bag from my hands and holding it just out of reach. “You’ve been slamming around this place for weeks. What’s going on with you?”

  “Nothing.” I hold out my hand expectantly. I haven’t told her about the fight with Nik. I’m a little ashamed. Plus, it’s just downright embarrassing. “Can I have my bag back please?”

  “Not until you tell me what’s eating you,” she says firmly. “It’s Nikolai, isn’t it? What happened?”

  Nik and I haven’t spoken since Halloween. I can’t seem to choke out an apology any more than I can stop thinking about him with Jade. The thought of them together is nauseating. I can’t stand the idea of him kissing her the way he kisses me. It’s affecting my school work and evidently it’s also getting between me and Shaye. I really don’t feel like talking about it, but maybe it will help.

  “What gave it away?” I ask, resigned to indulging Shaye’s curiosity.

  “Are you serious?” she asks, snickering. “Let’s see
. What gave it away? Was it Nikolai’s total lack of presence at dinner? Or maybe the fact that you’ve been skipping your training sessions with him? Or maybe it was your grumpy, man-hating attitude lately? Yeah, I think that was it,” she says, feigning a thoughtful look as she taps her finger on her chin.

  “I guess I did kind of lose it during Infidelity last night,” I concede. “But that’s what you get for making me watch that garbage with you.”

  “What was the fight about?” Shaye asks, looking sympathetic. Maybe she’s been through this before?

  “I don’t know,” I lie. Shaye gives me the evil eye. “Okay. Yes, we had a fight. Yes, it was entirely my fault. I totally freaked out on him and I said some really nasty things. I was just so tired of him worrying about Jade all of the time!” I finish, cringing at the defensiveness of my own words.

  “Because?” she prompts.

  “Because what?” I ask, playing dumb. I’m pretty sure I know what she’s getting at and I’m not going there.

  “Because you’re jealous?”

  “No!” I snap without thinking. “I am not jealous. I have no reason to be. We aren’t together.”

  “That’s the problem,” she tells me, shaking her head knowingly. Shaye Walker, relationship therapist. “Babe, you need to DTR.”

  “I’m sure this won’t come as any great shock, but I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I tell her. “English, please?”

  “Define. The. Relationship.” She enunciates each word carefully so that even a remedial dater like me can understand. “You and Nikolai have this open, undefined thing going on. That’s great for a while, but it can never last.”

  “Why not?” I ask. “Seems to be working okay so far.”

  “If it’s working so well,” she asks, checking her watch pointedly, “what are you doing sitting here with me when you should be training with Nikolai?”