by Jones, L. A.
Tristan rolled his eyes in disgust while Al quickly glanced over to Roy. He appeared unshaken by this display, but Al did notice how tightly Roy was now clenching his fists.
Chapter Eight
"So is this is a private party or can anybody crash it?" A voice burst out suddenly from with thin the darkness of the forest.
Everyone then turned to see Bane and his friends emerge. They were dressed in their usual black leather and chains as they sauntered smugly into the clearing.
"Oh lord," Aradia muttered.
Tristan stepped in front of her and stomped over to Bane. "How dare you come here uninvited?"
"Well we didn't really have a choice seeing as you didn't invite us," Bane interrupted.
Tristan stood with his mouth agape.
Bane, however, didn't wait for a response. "Either way we are here now so why don't we just carry on? So Mr. DJ, cue the music please."
He pointed to Everrett who didn't move.
Instead of being embarrassed, Bane looked even more amused. "Well if you won't play some music then I guess we will have to make some of our own."
He then turned to his gang and shouted, "Boys!"
All nodding with enthusiasm, the rest of his werewolf gang raced through the party grabbing random objects and flinging them about. Chairs and glass were thrown around, and smashed onto the floor.
"Hey!" Tristan cried out as he attempted to stop them, but was quickly grabbed from behind by two of Bane's gang members.
After grinning for a few minutes, one stepped in front of him, and promptly started punching him in the face and stomach. Aradia moved forward to stop them, but was distracted by the sounds of people shrieking.
The moment she turned was when Bane grabbed her hand and pulled her into his embrace. "Hey Aradia, you want to dance?"
"Are you kidding?" She snapped.
Quickly, she tried to kick him but he snatched her leg in mid-air and smirked evilly. She looked at him in shock right before she started struggling. Bane still held onto her fast, but Aradia noticed his eyes lighting up as if he had just come up with a great idea. Now smirking even wider Bane, grabbed the front of her dress, and threw her into a tree. His strength was so monumental that Aradia flew backwards towards the top and hit it with a loud thud. Half of the others stopped to stare at Aradia who slowly fell to the ground and tried feebly to stand.
Enraged, Dax came at Bane with his fangs and claws drawn. Bane, however, leisurely turned to face him. He then grabbed Dax by the throat in mid-air.
Muttering, "Too slow bat boy," under his breath; Bane hurled him back as well.
Aradia stood up just in time to see him do this and came at Bane herself.
"You bastard!" She shrieked, "I am going to kill you!"
Bane laughed. "I knew it! I knew that when push comes to shove you're just like the rest of the hidden race Rai. You are a monster, a killer!"
Aradia was so furious that she didn't even stop to consider Bane's words. She reached out her hand intent on punching him in the face only to have Bane grab her forearm and flip her over.
Bane chuckled as he stood over her. "See that's where you belong and judging by how many guys you date it's probably where you like being: lying flat on your back."
Aradia snarled as she stood up and raced at him once more. He sidestepped and dodged her yet again with ease. However, as she flew past him, he smirked, and grabbed her by the waist. He then pinned her against his body.
Grabbing her by the hair and yanking it back, he started to whisper in her ear, "You know something Aradia? You are far too aggressive. You need to learn how to relax."
He then pressed his nose against her neck as he went on to say, "And I think I can help you there."
He slowly reached his tongue out to lick Aradia's neck languishingly who struggled as hard as she could. "Hey you are a werewolf not a vampire remember? You don't drink blood!"
"True, but I think in your case I will be more than willing to make an exception," Bane whispered as his teeth grew longer and began to caress the skin of her neck.
Suddenly, Bane stopped and his arms dropped to his sides. Aradia took advantage of this and broke free. Almost as a reflex, she turned to see who was standing behind Bane. There with his claws extended and dug right into Bane's throat was Roy.
"You touch Aradia," he muttered angrily, "And you know you are in for one hell of a beating!"
Roy didn't even bother to wait for a reply as he swung Bane around. He then retracted his claws, and punched him right in the face. He quickly finished the fight with a roundhouse kick that sent him flying, but Roy didn't even bother letting him land. Instead, he sped forward, grabbed Bane in midair, and pinned him against a tree.
"Now you listen you little bitch and you listen damn good," Roy growled, "Get the hell out of here, and take your goon squad with you!"
He then shoved Bane away making him collide face first into another tree. His friends quickly made their way through the crowd to their leader's side. Two of them put his arms over their shoulders. One of the crew, however, whom Aradia easily recognized as Gunther, Bane's second in command, started advancing towards Roy angrily.
"Stop!" Bane cried out.
The rest of the gang turned to look at their wounded leader who in spite of having blood pouring from his nose and mouth was able to smile and say, "Let's just go. They obviously don't want us here."
He then motioned with his head for them to leave. They obeyed, somewhat reluctantly, and turned to make their way through the clearing. Only Gunther hung back to look at Roy in anger until he too turned on his heel and followed his friends.
For a while, no one spoke but luckily, Aradia recovered quickly enough to stand in the middle of the dance floor, and say, "How's that for a side show?"
Everyone turned to stare at her as she tried to expand on her story. "Oh c'mon people you make it sound as if you have never seen a bunch of guys pretending to start a fight and using trick wires and stuff to psych you all out."
"What do you mean?" Felix asked.
"It was a show dork boy," Al explained as he joined Aradia's side. "It was all fake."
"Sure didn't seem fake," Calvin, said folding his arms, "And why the hell would Bane's gang pretend to do anything?"
"Does the term 'money' mean anything to you?" said Tristan as he strolled over to stand by Aradia. He then turned to face the crowd and said, "Spread a couple hundred around to each of these guys and I guarantee those thugs will be willing to do anything. Hell for the right price I bet I could get them to quote the Gettysburg Address that is of course if any of them actually knew how to read."
He chuckled darkly, but Calvin still looked confused.
"Why on earth would they accept money for faking a fight?" He inquired further.
Tristan sighed before he explained, "Because they are poor white trash and the one thing that poor white trash need (besides more frequent baths that is) is more money."
Everyone laughed softly and seemed to be satisfied with the explanation. Calvin, however, still didn't look convinced.
Aradia was quick in her actions to distract him and the rest of the crowd.
"Look everyone," She said, "we are sorry that our little 'show' wasn't as good as we thought that it would be, but if none of you mind I would like to continue with my birthday party."
No one answered her and Aradia's grin grew strained.
Thankfully, Rhonda took the cue and suggested that they start opening presents.
Chapter Nine
Not once in her entire life had Aradia ever seen so many gifts; piled on top of the grand dark cherry, foot length, dining table stacked like an ancient Mayan pyramid. Tears started to gather in her eyes as she gazed at them wrapped in glittering boxes or stuffed in bags with cards hanging from their sides.
Ever since Aradia was little, people had treated her as if she was nothing more than a circus freak. She had grown up having only a few if not any friends. At least, not until she h
ad moved to Salem. Now she was surrounded by thousands of people smiling at her, celebrating the day, she had been found in the cave by her parents, and Aradia could honestly say she had never felt happier in her life.
She took her time opening the gifts and thanking the people who gave them to her because as far as she was concerned, she wanted this moment to last forever. Roy's gift, however, was handed to her by none other than Roy himself. It was wrapped in a big red box, but the first thing she ripped open was the card.
"It lies not in our power to love or hate,
For will in us is overruled by fate.
When two are stripped, long ere the course begin,
We wish that one should love, the other win,
And one especially do we affect
Of two gold ingots, like in each respect:
The reason no man knows; let it suffice
What we behold is censured by our eyes.
Where both deliberate, the love is slight:
Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?
-a poem by CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE
Happy Birthday Aradia,
Love, Roy Morales."
Aradia read all this aloud for the whole party to hear. Afterwards, she turned to stare at Roy who just grinned sheepishly.
Finally, Aradia managed to say, "Oh god that is so sweet. I mean god thank you. Thank you Roy. I love this card. I love it. It's perfect!"
"If you like sissy love poems," Tristan grumbled.
Aradia ignored him as she squeezed through the crowd to hug Roy who eagerly hugged her back.
For a while the two of them just stood there embracing in front of the whole crowd until Aradia broke free and said, "Thank you so much Roy. I love it."
"I am glad you liked the card," Roy said while shoving his hands in his pockets, "But what about the present?"
Aradia blushed; she then quickly turned back to where the red box lay at the head of the table. Glancing one more time affectionately at Roy, Aradia quickly went back to the table and tore away the wrapping paper. A jewelry gift box? Aradia thought to herself, why would he give me something like this? Regardless, Aradia opened the box and exclaimed once she saw the contents. It was a crescent moon pendent, made from mother of pearl, which was strung upon on a thick chain of gold.
"Oh my god Roy!" Aradia gasped, "It's beautiful!"
"Not as beautiful as you are," said Roy smiling.
Aradia jumped and turned around; Roy had squeezed through the crowd to stand right behind her.
"Here," he said softly and reaching out to pluck the necklace from the box. "Let me put it on you."
Aradia flipped her hair out of the away, too touched, and too speechless to protest. She stayed perfectly still as Roy gently clasped the necklace around her neck as softly as a caress.
"You know there is an old saying," Roy said as low as a whisper. "And that is 'what truly makes jewelry look exquisite is the woman who wears them'."
"Oh brother!" Titania muttered while rolling her eyes.
Aradia touched the pendent as it lay at the base of her throat and turned her head to say softly, "Thank you."
Roy just smiled as he rested his hands on her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. Dax's coughing finally got them to snap out of it. Embarrassed, Aradia stepped away from Roy and turned back to the gifts. Dax glared at Roy until he resentfully stepped back from Aradia. Finally going to his girlfriend's side, Dax stood and started handing Aradia her gifts. She tried to open her mouth and explain her behavior, but the fact that Dax refused to look in her in the eye helped her to realize that he didn't want to talk. So she shrugged regretfully and continued opening her presents.
There were so many gifts that it took an hour and a half to finish unwrapping them all. Afterwards there was cake and ice cream, but it was only while the party seemed to be winding down when Aradia gathered her courage to ask Tristan, "So I guess since this is my party I should be the one to clean this up right?"
Tristan was so tempted but instead he said, "Aradia, you may think I am an egotistical, and arrogant clod but I can assure you I do have some class."
Aradia looked at him blankly.
He groaned and said, "In other words Aradia, no you don't have to stay and clean up. I threw you this party so I will do it."
Aradia's eyes grew wide. "Why thank you Tristan."
"Whatever," was his reply before he turned and left.
Aradia's look of gratitude then melted into irritation as she muttered, "What do you mean I think you are an egotistical, and arrogant clod?"
As soon as she spun around, she bumped right into Dax.
"Jesus! I wish you wouldn't scare me like that," Aradia said after jumping about a foot in the air.
"Now where's the fun in that?" Dax chuckled, smirking.
Suddenly, a song came upon the loud speakers and started echoing throughout the entire forest. It was Kiss from a Rose by Seal and almost immediately, Dax swept her into his arms. After placing his hand on her waist, intertwining the other with Aradia's, and resting her head on his shoulder they began to dance.
"I have been dreaming of this moment since the party first started," He murmured as he pressed his lips to her hair.
"You too?" Aradia joked softly.
The two of them swayed, letting the seduction of the music envelop them.
"It's amazing really," she murmured. "I have all these powers and yet I never feel more powerful than when I am with you."
"It's called 'power of the heart' Aradia love," Dax chuckled, "And I think you will find it's the strongest type of magic of all."
Aradia threw her head back and laughed.
When the song ended, the two of them still stood together holding each other's hands and staring into each other's eyes. The fact that no words escaped between them for five whole minutes made it seem as if speech was not necessary to feed their infatuation with one another.
Aradia finally did speak though. "You know Dax, about the necklace thing with Roy..."
"He's still in love with you," Dax stated in a voice that bore no argument.
Aradia's jaw dropped. "What?"
"I may not be able to read his mind, but I can easily tell what he is thinking by the way he looks at you."
"But last year...I told him..." Aradia stammered.
"He doesn't care. He doesn't care about what you told him or that you chose me. One of my friends overheard him speaking to his brother. Roy thinks you are his mate for life..."
"His what?" Aradia shrieked, clutching her hands to her chest
Dax merely nodded.
Aradia struggled with her response, "But I am not even a werewolf..."
"That doesn't matter to them," Dax stated as a matter of fact. "A werewolf's mate for life doesn't even have to be another werewolf. I mean look at Xan and Brenna he is sure as hell not a werewolf and yet the two of them are inseparable so much so that they are thinking of moving in together."
Aradia's jaw dropped even further.
"What?" she gasped in astonishment.
"Oh I guess you didn't hear huh? It turns out that ever since Xan killed Brenna's ex-husband he's been courting her constantly."
Stunned was definitely a good word to describe Aradia's expression at this point.
"The things I miss when I don't hang out with you," She finally muttered.
Dax couldn't help, but chuckle.
He also couldn't help, but discuss Roy's feelings for her as well. "It's obvious that he is still into you Aradia, so much so that I think maybe..."
He trailed off and for a brief moment, he turned away with his hand pressed against his face.
"Dax?" Aradia began cautiously. "What's wrong?"
Sighing, he turned back to look at her with a deep regretful sadness in his eyes.
"Aradia," He started to say slowly. "When we started going out I made a promise to myself never to tell you what to do but I am afraid I am going to have to break it."
"Meaning?" Aradia asked as s
he folded her arms.
"I think you should stop seeing Roy," He spat out, "Permanently."
Aradia's mouth dropped open again.
"But he's my friend..."
"Who happens to be in love with you," Dax snapped.
"But I can't just..."
"Aradia, you said that when we started dating things would have to change," He pointed out. "Well this is one of those things that have to change. I don't want you to hanging out with other guys especially ones who would like to get into your knickers."
Aradia rolled her eyes. "Dax, you're exaggerating..."
"Regardless, I don't want you hanging around him anymore," Dax said firmly.
At first, Aradia didn't know how to respond until Dax took both of her hands in his. "Aradia my love, my Rai of sunshine, and rainbow light since the day we first met I have never asked anything of you."
He then placed both of her hands on his face. "But now I am asking you to stay away from him. I want so much to trust you Aradia and your faithfulness so please help me do so by staying away from this guy."
The first few thoughts that ran through Aradia's mind was defending her friendship with Roy and telling Dax that he had no right to choose whom she could hang out with. But then she looked into Dax's eyes and saw the tenderness reflecting in his black pupils,
Sighing, Aradia gave in to his request. "Alright Dax, I won't see Roy again I promise. At least not outside of school and sure as hell not without you."
Dax smiled, extremely satisfied.
His good mood did not last as soon as he noticed the droop of Aradia's head and the slight gloominess of her expression.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
Aradia sighed. "It's just that Roy was the first friend I ever made when I came to Salem and he and I have been through so much together..."
Dax inhaled and exhaled a sharp breath before interrupting her. "Look love, I know he's one of your best friends and I don't like making you choose between your friends and me. But the fact is you are going to have to make a choice: your relationship with me or your friendship with him."