Uniquely Unwelcome (The Shadow World)

by Brandy Nacole

  I had been traveling and was in need of some blood but couldn’t find a blood bank anywhere. When I heard about the small colony in the forest, I decided to check it out.” Most places like that keep blood on hand since they’re so far away from humans. “What a big mistake that was. But your brother nursed me back to health and told me the safest way out of the forest.”

  Coy looks sad and I know he’s thinking about his brother. “Don’t worry. We will find him.”

  He nods as he changes the subject. “Do you encounter that a lot?”

  That question could cover a broad span of subjects in my life. Better narrow it down, “What?”

  “The way those Shadows had treated you,” he says.

  “No. Usually Shadows and humans just avoid me. They fear me. There are those that think I am a complete abomination and should be killed. Then there are those that are more curious, like those Shadows were, and want to put me through the ranks to see what my abilities are and how strong I am.”

  “That seems rough,” he says openly with raised brows. Then his expression softens. “It’s a shame though. If they only knew what they were missing.”

  A blush spreads across my face. I can feel the heat spreading over my face and neck. Trying to brush it off, I ask the question that had been plaguing me since meeting Coy.

  “Why aren’t you afraid of me?”

  Coy looks at me baffled, “Why would I be afraid of you?” I just shrug as he continues. “Until the day you start chomping on my throat without my permission or throwing me across the room for fun, I’ll never be afraid of you.”

  We sit there in silence for a while but soon we’re forced to leave. It seems the weather decided to take a turn for the worse. The clouds had started rolling in slowly but quickly changed to thick heavy masses that weighed on the city. The overcast finally broke to let out oppressing streams. I grab Coy around the chest like I did before and descend. He doesn’t seem as terrified as he did on the way up. Maybe it’s because he knew it was coming.

  We hail a ride back across town. Not only was the rain an obstacle but so was our exhaustion. Coy smiles at the driver as he takes a different way to our inn, allowing him to see more of London. The smile brings his brother back to the forefront of my mind.

  I nestle back against my seat, clearing my throat. “So why was Lynna so lenient with you guys?”

  “She was once a servant too.”

  “What?” I turn to him intrigued. “Seriously.”

  “She was actually turned by Aldrick. He was in love with her sister who was also a Vampire. So he thought if he turned her sister, who had been under his servitude for years, she would love him.”

  That’s a disturbing way to win someone’s love. “Did she?”

  “No. She hated him even more. Lynna was the only family her sister had left and even though she didn’t want to lose her to death, she didn’t want her cursed either. The sisters devised a plan to get back at Aldrick. She told him she hated her sister and he gave her a job in the lair. She worked hard and eventually made her way up the ladder. She started helping us shortly after taking the position she’s in now. She knows what it’s like to not talk to your family. She didn’t get to talk to her sister for ten years before becoming a Vampire.” Coy chuckles a little bit as a half-smile spreads on his lips. “Aldrick might not have got the girl but he did reunite many families. Something he doesn’t like.”

  I can’t believe that Aldrick is such a jerk. He was in servitude before he got turned so he should know how it feels. He probably does but that doesn’t seem to matter. He’s still bringing on that pain and anguish to those under him now.

  The cab hits a pothole and I bump shoulders with Coy. I didn’t realize we were sitting so close together. I quickly scoot over and look out the window.

  Soon we’re back at the café inn. Silently we walk back in together. I start to open my door but Coy stops me, placing his hand on my arm. I turn to look at him or should I say up at him since he’s so close.

  “Thanks for tonight. I really do appreciate it.”

  I manage to mumble, “No problem.” His closeness is making me feel a little off.

  He removes his hand and takes a step back. A cute smile plays on his lips like he knows some hidden secret. “Good night, Racquel.” He disappears into his room while I stand in the hall like an idiot.

  My key shakes in my hand as I unlock my door. Why am I letting Coy rattle me? He’s a nice guy, not to mention cute, but that shouldn’t invoke this response. I shouldn’t be flustered with heat just because he’s nice to me. I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by his kindness, probably just being friendly like his brother.

  I go wash up in the bathroom and change into my pj’s, shaking off this weird frazzled feeling. Once I enter the main room, I notice a piece of paper lying by the door. I unfold the note that reads,

  Meet me downstairs at noon.

  -Ethan

  Chapter Eleven

  The next morning I make my way downstairs to meet Ethan, shaking off the nightmares from the night before. They were the same as the others, warnings and death. The cloak man was still hidden, with no revelation as to who he was except for the scar on his hand.

  I enter the café and see the others at a table outside. I grab some coffee and a bagel before joining them. It’s colder this morning with an overcast of gray.

  As I sit down, my first shock is Ethan. He looks like someone beat him with a sleep stick . His hair is disheveled and he still has those same dark circles that were under his eyes yesterday. There’s a little scruff, giving his face a shadow, that wasn’t there yesterday.

  Danika is looking at a map, dressed as if going to a business meeting. I wonder how many blazers she owns. Today’s outfit is a black blazer with a pink shirt.

  Coy gives me a big smile. “Morning, sleep good?”

  “Not really, you?” I scoot my chair over just a bit. Our legs were brushing under the table, just too close for comfort.

  “I slept great.” He’s only looking at me with a sideways glance but that glance holds an enticing mischief.

  I notice he’s still wearing the same outfit as yesterday. “Yeah well you need to get some new clothes. You’re starting to stink.”

  He lifts up his shirt, sniffing the collar. “These are the only clothes I have.”

  “Don’t worry, I will arrange for someone to pick you up some new ones.” Danika takes out a sheet of paper and a pen. She slides it over to Coy, “write down the sizes you wear.”

  While those two discuss Coy’s clothing preference, I look over at Ethan, boring holes into the table with his intense stare.

  “Okay over there?” I ask him.

  He yawns broadly before answering. “Yeah, just tired. So I assume you have a lot of questions for me.”

  I take a sip of my coffee. “Yeah, but I don’t know where to begin.”

  “I’ll just start with your original question from yesterday. How is an Alpha chosen? It’s quite simple. The first Alpha, of course, was the first of our kind. He was the oldest and original. Then once he died, the next in line took his place. If the pack does not agree with how the Alpha is running things, they can challenge him. The pack will pick one who challenges the Alpha to the death. If he defeats the Alpha then he will become the new Alpha.

  It has only happened once in our history. Our current Alpha, Jobe, had a twin brother, Nicholas, who was Alpha of the pack. Jobe didn’t agree with a lot of the things that he was doing so he challenged him. It wasn’t an easy fight and Jobe kept second-guessing himself as he looked at his brother. After hours of violent combat, Jobe finally landed the death blow. He lost his brother to better protect the pack, which shows the strength of his leadership. However, the violent act in which he killed his brother still haunts his soul.”

  Jeez, Lycans are rough. “You said that once the first Alpha died, there was another in line. How do you choose whose next in line?”

  “The Alpha will choose a Beta
to stand by his side until his death. If that Beta happens to die before the Alpha, he chooses another. Jobe was his brothers’ Beta.” Huh, looks like that decision bit Nicholas in the butt.

  “Okay, how does the Alpha chose his Beta?” I ask leaning on the table. I’m so engrossed in the story that everything around me disappears. This proves to be a bad thing. Coy brushes his leg against mine making me tense up a little. I hadn’t noticed him scooting over to me. I look over at him, my slits of accusation. Of course he’s chuckling, liking the unease he’s bringing upon me.

  I focus back in on Ethan. “The Alpha chooses between the two oldest Lycans. He will test their skill, their leadership, and their loyalty. Jobe was 300 years old before he challenged his brother to be Alpha. He’s now over 600 years old.” Ethan says taking a sip of his tea.

  “Wow, wow wait a minute. Are you saying that Lycans who chose against immortality don’t ever get a shot at being Alpha or Beta? That seems a little unfair.”

  I knew that Lycans could choose immortality or live a regular human lifespan. I’d always had great respect for the ones who chose against immortality. I’m sure it’s a hard decision, one that weighs on a Lycans mind until he’s thirty. That’s the magic cut-off age for choosing eternal life.

  It didn’t seem fair that they had to make that decision but didn’t get to make any other decisions when it came to governing the pack.

  “The pack doesn’t seem to think so. They would rather have the same Alpha in charge rather than switching around every couple of decades. It just helps with keeping things in order.” Ethan looks down at his feet, exhaustion is weighing him down.

  I wonder how hard last night was on him. From looking at him now, I would say it was harsh. He’s only eighteen or nineteen, not sure of his exact age but I know it’s around my own age. Lycans start showing signs of their turning around fourteen or fifteen. The effects of the wolf really hit hard when they turn eighteen. I don’t fully understand the age thing but I do know that it is impossible for them to transform into their wolf form before the final transformation on their eighteenth birthday. This, of course, didn’t happen to me since I’m still unable to shift into a wolf. Ethan’s probably still trying to come to terms with the transformation.

  I’m about to ask Ethan if he thinks Jobe is welcoming or narrow-minded like Aldrick when Coy interrupts our conversation.

  “So a Lycan can choose immortality?” Ethan and I nod at the same time. “How?”

  Ethan looks uneasy as he answers Coy’s question. “If a Lycan chooses immortality they must kill an innocent soul.”

  Coy’s stunned expression tells me he didn’t expect that. “What do you mean by innocent soul?”

  “Well, most would think a human is the innocent soul needed but that is not the case. There are humans that aren’t so innocent. There had also been the theory that a virgin would be an innocent soul but that’s not the case either. An innocent soul is someone of pure heart. They put others before themselves and act for a greater purpose. They have no evil thoughts and bring no harm to others. One Lycan killed a Vampire that was an innocent soul, hard to imagine.”

  Ethan doesn’t see it, he’s too wrapped in the thought of an innocent Vampire, but I do. Coy’s face falls with an all-consuming rage.

  “So you’re telling me that you choose to take out one of the few good people in this world to sustain your own life, and leave behind a world full of people who could care less about others?” He’s shaking his head with disgust. “And here I thought the Vampires were the monsters.”

  I notice Danika looking around to see if anyone might have overheard Coy’s ranting. From the look on Coy’s face, he could care less. His focus is solely on Ethan.

  Ethan’s focus is solely on Coy. “Excuse me,” Ethan voice is filled with disbelief, no doubt because Coy had basically insinuated that Lycans are worse than Vampires. Ethan rises from his chair, towering over Coy. “How could you even compare us to those filthy leeches?”

  Coy goes to stand up but I stop him. “Back off Ethan, it is kind of crappy.”

  But Ethan doesn’t back down. He flexes his jaw as he clenches his fists. “For your information, most choose to live a normal life span. We are more caring than you know.”

  This time when Coy stands, I don’t stop him. It’s better to let these things work themselves out. “Oh yeah, well it doesn’t seem that Jobe or his Beta think that?”

  I’m sitting at the edge of my seat waiting for fists to go flying. “Jobe’s change was an accident. He and another Lycan heard two Vampires taunting some girls in an alley. Jobe told the girls to leave but the Vampires grabbed them. The Vampires were about to bite the girls when Jobe changed into his wolf form. He circled around the Vampire trying to get a handle on the situation.

  Jobe finally lunged at the Vampire but at the last second the Vamp moved out of the way. One of the girls was directly behind the Vampire and Jobe hit her. He didn’t bite her but when he landed on her, he snapped her neck. Right then he made the transformation into an immortal. Her soul entered his body and gave him immortality. So not all choose this life, sometimes it’s just given to them.”

  Danika places her hand on Ethans white-knuckled fist. He jerks at her touch. When he looks down at their hands and then over at her, you can see the fight leave him. He slowly exhales, closing his eyes as he takes his seat once again. I wonder if there are some lingering effects from the moon last night.

  “Yeah, but he didn’t kill her intentionally. It was an accident. So how did he gain immortality if he didn’t choose to take the life?” I ask. I’m not in the argument but it does leave me curious.

  “I never said becoming an immortal couldn’t happen by chance. It can and has happened several times. There are many that have been trapped and haunted in immortality because of mistakes they’ve made. Jobe lives with his every day.

  He even had a tattoo of the girls name put on his arm so he would never forget the day her life ended and his began in torment. It’s not all black and white you know. When we start coming into our full powers, it’s hard to control ourselves at first. Things happen.” Ethan looks over at Danika with longing. I wonder if this is another black and white moment he was speaking about, being in love with someone he’s not permitted to be with.

  Coy lowers himself back into his chair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just jumped to conclusions like that.” Coy glances down at the table meekly. “But there are those that still chose to turn on their own, right?”

  Ethan looks over at Coy with shame clouding his face. “Yes, there have been some. Jobe’s brother was one of them. His greed and arrogance grew over time, getting the better of him. That’s why Jobe eliminated him.”

  “So have you chosen?” I’m hoping I already know the answer to this question but my curiosity had to know for sure.

  My question startles Ethan as he looks at me in disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re asking me that. Do you honestly think I would kill an innocent person for myself? I mean I know we don’t know each other but still.” He looks truly offended, it seems even though the question came from me, it still stings.

  “No, I was just curious. I was pretty sure you would say no but still. Just double checking.” I take a sip of my coffee, which is now cold. Yuck.

  Everyone sits in total silence now, the conversation halted. My curiosity has seemed too dwindled. I still have a few questions but none of importance.

  Ethan takes a drink of his coffee and makes a bitter face. I guess his coffee was stale and cold too. “There are things you need to know before we join the pack today. Jobe is the Alpha and Zaire is the Beta. We will be meeting with them with no other witnesses. They don’t go by Lord or Alpha, just their names.

  They’re very guarded about the pack so you probably won’t see too many other Lycans once we get there. I figure most of them will be sleeping anyway. For the most part Jobe and Zaire are civil and laid-back so just keep calm and talk to them like you would anyone e
lse.” Ethan looks at Danika, silently looking for some unspoken answer. She smiles and urges him on. Looking back at me, Ethan has a small blush on his cheeks. “There’s something else. I’m not sure how it will affect you but most female Lycans feel… attracted to the Alpha and Beta.”

  “What do you mean by attracted?” This does not sound good.

  “Well… they um… become very aware of Jobe and Zaire’s… allure.”

  Coy stiffens at my side as I look at Ethan dumbfounded. Hopefully that won’t happen to me. I’m not full Lycan so I’m sure it won’t. Fingers crossed.

  Ethan then stands and stretches, bending and twisting his body until every muscle is stretched, every bone popped. “We better get going it’s an hour drive to the camp. If you have any more questions you can ask on the way.”

  “How are we getting there?” I ask him stretching my own stiff body. Seeing someone stretch is like seeing someone yawn, it becomes a chain reaction.

  “I rented us a car.” Danika says standing. She too stretches but not to the full extent Ethan and I did. Hers was more of an eloquent reach.

  Soon we’re in the shoebox sized car trying to maneuver our way through London. Traffic is at a dead stop with cars bumper to bumper for as far as I can see. Danika said something about a parade for the new princess. I know this is big news for the humans but for us it’s just a time-consuming pain.

  Danika is sitting up front with Ethan. They’re casually chatting about the sites, pointing out this and that like any couple sight-seeing. Coy and I occupy the back obviously, our shoulders all but touch in this undersized car. Without wanting to draw attention to the fact that I’m uncomfortable at our closeness, I try casually leaning against the door and laying my head on the window. I prefer the beating I’m getting from the roads bumps rather than the closeness between me and Coy.

  But Coy notices my discomfort as my head bounces off the glass with each bump. He takes off the jacket Ethan let him borrow. “Here you go. Don’t want you getting brain damage.” I take it. “You know you could lean on my shoulder. It would probably be a lot more comfortable.”