by Amy Miles
“I’m game,” Sadie grinned, wiping the mascara smudges from her face.
Roseline shook her head. “No. I’m actually not feeling too well. I think I might be coming down with something.”
“Want a ride?” William asked, spinning his keys around his finger.
“Nah. I’m good. I don’t want to ruin your plans.” Roseline waved them off.
“You sure?” Sadie asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. They’d reached the parking lot, and if she hadn’t just seen Gabriel head out with two of his cronies, she’d have thought Roseline was just trying to ditch them.
“Yeah,” Roseline nodded, swiping a narrow line of sweat beading along her brow. She didn’t have to fake an illness. With the way her stomach flip flopped at the thought of Gabriel’s reaction to her earlier, she knew it was gonna be a long night.
“Well…” Sadie trailed, glancing questioningly at Roseline. “I guess we’ll see you at school on Monday.”
Roseline nodded, waving. “Have fun!”
***
“What’s with you man?” Oliver asked, shoving Gabriel in the shoulder. He was zoned out, completely oblivious to the blaring music, the stench of vomit wafting from the overflowing toilet down the hall or his wanna-be pole dancer girlfriend using his leg for an impromptu dance. “Claire is all over you.”
Gabriel pushed up off the couch, spilling a very drunk Claire onto the floor. He stumbled over her, not caring to stick around to hear her shrill ranting. Gabriel needed air. He pushed through the back door and fell into a lounge chair.
Staring up at the stars, all he could see was Rose. Her silky skin, long delicate bronze tresses, gorgeous eyes that saw right through him and the full lips that he knew would haunt his dreams. He didn’t want to be at that party. He didn’t want Claire dry humping his leg like a dog in heat. He wanted Rose, beautiful mysterious Rose.
What was it about her that felt so right? He’d dated tons of girls over the years, but none had ever gripped him so tightly. And they’d certainly never felt electric to the touch.
Gabriel buried his head in his hands. He clamped his eyes shut as the world began to spin. Drinking had been a really bad idea, but he’d needed to take the edge off. Now all he’d managed to do was compound his problems.
He sank to the ground, disappearing into the shadows as he crawled on hands and knees to the cool damp grass. It felt like slipping into a refreshing pool on a sweltering day. His skin was on fire, fueled by a bubbling volcano in the pit of his stomach.
Pain radiated through his body. He wanted to cry out, to plead for help, but no one would have heard him over the music. He lay, in agony, as liquid fire raced through his veins. Gabriel could feel something shifting, like his entire genetic code was adapting.
The fire began to smolder, racing back towards his core. It rounded his heart and shot out through his eyes. The pain vanished as the purest blue glow exploded from his eyes.
Gabriel passed out.
Chapter 3
Roseline tossed and turned in her sleep, plagued by the same dream that’d repeated every night since her encounter with Gabriel after the state qualifiers. Images of Gabriel bathed in a brilliant blue light. The sensation of being cocooned in his arms brought tears to Roseline’s eyes. Some part of her brain acknowledged that this was a dream, but it felt like something more…something tangible.
Blinking, Roseline groaned as she sat up on the edge of her make shift bed. She rubbed her neck, feeling the familiar ache she’d come to expect each morning from her lumpy bed. Why she didn’t just go buy a new one, she’d never know. For whatever insane reason, she’d grown fond of the stained mattress that lay in the corner of her room.
Her bedroom, if you could really call it that, was sparsely furnished. A long, solid wood slab ran the length of the far wall. She’d set up a rickety stool under the table to use as a desk. On top of it lay the computer she’d purchased the day she’d arrived. Standing in the sleazy pawn shop, Roseline had promised herself she’d never use it, but her self control was beginning to wane.
There was only one reason why she’d give in now. Gabriel. It’d been a week since they’d talked at the football game and she’d done her best to avoid him. Sneaking around behind his back was beginning to wear thin, especially when a huge part of her wanted nothing more than to go right up to him and kiss him till he fainted. But she couldn’t even think about letting that happen. Far too risky.
But that risk, the thrill of “what if” had brought her to this moment. Staring across the room, Roseline eyed the cold machine that could instantly connect her with the only person who could truly understand her. Of course Fane would think she was crazy. A growing obsession with a mortal? Ludicrous! Fane would listen. He’d at least try to help her. But…he’d also try to track her down.
“Not today,” she muttered as she slipped into her robe and plodded past the computer and out into the hall. Her fingers trailed lightly over the aged wooden banister. The stairs creaked underfoot, echoing loudly through the empty house.
Stepping nimbly over the cigarette burned carpet in the living room, Roseline headed for the fridge. The heavy metal door squealed as it swung open. “Drat,” she groaned, remembering too late that she was supposed to have gone grocery shopping.
With a deep sigh, Roseline headed back through the living room, not even caring to glance at the sparse boxes stacked in the corner. It wasn’t her stuff, and by the musty odor emitting from the loose lid, there certainly wasn’t anything of interest in there.
The dining room held the most furniture in the entire house. A painted hutch sat in the corner, layered with an inch of dust. The old wooden farm house table filled the rest of the room, its long benches tucked underneath. Past that a bathroom ran off the main hall, its pink tiles glaring obnoxiously at anyone who dared to enter the time warp.
“I really should get out today,” Roseline muttered as she gave up her aimless wandering and headed back upstairs. Rounding the banister she headed into one of the spare rooms. This room she used as her makeshift closet. Designer store bags stacked high in one corner, empty of their purchases. Piles of clothes, laid out in perfect condition, littered the floor. She never wore the same thing twice, not because she was a snob, but because she simply couldn’t abide ironing.
Sighing, Roseline grabbed an outfit from the top of a pile and headed to the bathroom. Twenty minutes later, with hair wound into a stunning up-do with ringlets spiraling around her face, Roseline headed out. She wasn’t sure where she was heading until she looked up and saw that her feet had taken her right to Sadie’s door step.
“Well hello Rose. It’s so nice to see you,” Mrs. Hughes smiled as she opened the glass paneled door. Her sapphire blue robe was tucked tightly around her slender figure. “Please, come in.”
Roseline stepped over the threshold and dipped low to slip off her heels. “Sadie! Rose is here.”
Thundering foot steps raced down the stairs. Roseline smiled as she heard the grunted abuse being slung in the other room. “Back off, she’s my friend!”
“How do you know she came here to see you?”
Sadie snickered as she rounded the corner. “You are so desperate!”
“Hi guys,” Roseline grinned, amused by their state of dress. William stood in the doorway, wearing only pajama bottoms. His hair was heavily tousled, sticking up in the back like a peacock. Roseline tried not to admire William’s bare chest. It was smooth and toned, far more appealing than she would have guessed under the ratty t-shirts he loved to wear.
But what amazed Roseline the most was Sadie’s transformation. Without her dark eye shadow, rocker shirts and cut off jeans, she actually looked lovely. “Wow Sadie.”
Sadie rolled her eyes. “I know. I look terrible without makeup.”
“No,” Roseline shook her head. “You look amazing.”
“See, told you so. No one likes your Goth look,” Mrs. Hughes grinned as she poked her head into the room.
“Mom,” Sadie hissed, shooing her mother away. She took the hint and left, but not before she planted a kiss on Sadie’s forehead. “She’s so embarrassing!”
Roseline smiled, wishing more than anything that she’d had that kind of relationship with her mother. “I guess I came over kinda early. Sorry about that.”
William threw himself onto the leather couch. Reaching for the remote he switched on the massive flat screen over the fireplace. He flipped through the channels, finally settling on an episode of Phineas and Ferb. Roseline raised an eyebrow but Sadie just waved it off. “He’s still into cartoons. Loser.”
“I heard that,” he called from the other side of the couch. He’d sunk so low Roseline couldn’t see anything more than his leg slung over the end.
Sadie headed back towards the stairs. “Come on up. I gotta get ready anyways.”
Roseline followed Sadie up to her room, glancing towards William’s partially open door. Inside she saw Nicolae, his back turned towards the door. He heard their footsteps and rushed to pull his shirt down over his head, but not before Roseline caught a glimpse of the mass of scars on his back. Frowning she shut the door behind Sadie.
“What’s with Nicolae?” she asked, watching Sadie as she flopped down on her bed. Roseline settled in on an oversized neon pink bean bag by the window.
“What do you mean?” Sadie asked, instantly bored with the topic.
“The scars. Haven’t you noticed them before?”
Sadie sat up, frowning. “What scars?”
“On his back,” Roseline answered. She began to question what she’d seen when Sadie’s brow knit together. “You’ve never seen them?”
“Nope. But I’m not exactly trying to either.” Sadie shuddered at the thought. “That guy gives me the creeps.”
Roseline nodded in agreement. “Me too.” But she knew her reasons were much different than her friend’s. “So is he still stalking you?”
Sadie nodded solemnly. “Night and day. The guy won’t leave me alone for a second. He’s always watching me. It’s really starting to freak me out.”
“Maybe I should talk to him,” Roseline offered, rising from her seat.
Sadie laughed, rolling out of bed. She grabbed a towel slung over her computer chair. “What could you possibly do to scare him off?”
Roseline grinned. “You never know.” She slipped out the door as soon as Sadie disappeared into her bathroom.
She turned and bumped straight into Nicolae. “Excuse me,” he muttered and tried to head for the door. Roseline’s hand lashed out, clamping tightly around his arm. Nicolae flinched at her warm touch but said nothing.
“I thought I made myself clear the other night.”
“Ah, there you are Nicolae. I was beginning to wonder if you were up as well.” Roseline instantly released Nicolae’s arm. “Morning Rose. It seems I have you to thank for my family’s early rising” Mr. Hughes yawned, plodding past them in his stripped pj’s and slippers. He descended a couple of steps before turning back.
“I’d forgotten that you two were from the same country. Small world eh?”
“Yeah, small world,” Roseline growled under her breath as Mr. Hughes disappeared down the stairs. She turned her attention back to Nicolae. He met her icy glare head on. No backing down. No shying away. Roseline’s eyes narrowed at the change. Nicolae was obviously more than he appeared. Her guard instantly went up. “Leave Sadie alone.”
“Or what?” Nicolae challenged. “You’ll kill me?”
Roseline’s aqua eyes flamed with anger. “Don’t tempt me,” she snarled, curling her lip.
A flicker of fear crossed Nicolae’s face before he wiped it clean. “You don’t scare me.”
“No?” Roseline smirked, positioning herself an inch from Nicolae’s nose. “Trust me; you don’t want to mess with me.”
Nicolae stood his ground. “I won’t let you hurt Sadie.”
Roseline blinked. That was the last thing she’d expected him to say. “You think I’d actually hurt my friend?” He nodded. Roseline sighed, backing up against the wall. So that’s what his shadow act was all about. “I know you’re not going to believe me, and judging by how much you think you know about me, I wouldn’t blame you…but I promise I would never harm Sadie.”
“You’re right,” Nicolae spat out. “I don’t believe you. And I will be watching every move you make.”
Roseline shrugged. “Fair enough.”
With that mutual understanding firmly in place, Roseline slipped back down the stairs. Nicolae didn’t follow. Noticing William was still slouched in front of the TV, Roseline decided to join him. “Budge up.” He straightened, allowing her some room. “Whatcha watching?”
“Phineas and Ferb. This show is awesome!”
Roseline watched for a few minutes, amused by the platypus that was a pet by day and secret agent by night. “Creative.”
“No kidding,” William nodded, eyes glued to the screen.
“Do you watch children’s shows often?” Roseline asked, fighting to hide her smile.
William switched off the TV and sat up. “Hey, I know what you’re thinking. What’s a genius like me doing watching a show like that? Well let me tell you missy, brainiacs need a break too you know.”
Roseline giggled as William thrust his thumb into his chest. “I see. Wow, I didn’t realize I was in the presence of greatness.”
William nodded solemnly. “And don’t you forget it!”
“Is he trying to hit on you again?” Sadie called as she bounced down the stairs. Her usual spiked collar had been replaced by a dog choke chain; it clanged loudly as she landed on the ground floor. She wore jeans two sizes too big, drooped at the waist and a Pink Floyd t-shirt.
“Oh not again,” William groaned. “Aren’t you done with this phase yet?”
“Nope. I’m still exercising my civil rights.”
Roseline grinned. “Protesting the school dress code on the weekend too?”
“You bet,” Sadie nodded, slinging herself into the arm chair. “Someone has to make a statement.”
“Well I’d say you’re covering that for the entire school,” Mrs. Hughes said as she brought a plate of freshly baked biscuits into the living room. “Hungry Rose?”
“Yes Ma’am. Forgot to eat this morning.”
“No kidding. It’s like 5am!” Sadie groaned, shielding her eyes from the bright sunshine streaming in through the bay window nearby.
“Oh stop being such a sour puss,” William cried, tossing a pillow at his sister. “It’s at least 7am.”
“It’s a tragedy, that’s what it is,” Sadie said mournfully. “I never get out of bed before 10am on a Saturday.
“Then why are you awake so early?” Roseline questioned, knowing full well that Sadie and William had already been awake when she arrived.
A mischievous grin spread across Sadie’s face. She glanced over at William, a conspiratorial gleam in her eye. Roseline stared at the siblings with increasing suspicion. “Alright, what’s going on?”
***
“How could you say yes without even asking me?” Roseline cried, leaping to her feet. She was furious, ok maybe not furious, but she was certainly peeved. Gabriel had stopped Sadie the night before and invited them to a party at his house the next night, and Sadie had actually agreed!
Mixed emotions washed over Roseline as she fought to control her rising panic. Did she want to see Gabriel again? Yes, but that’s where the kicker came in. She wanted to see him far more than she should.
“I thought you’d be happy,” Sadie cried. “You sure seemed to enjoy talking to him last weekend.”
“Yes, talking is fine…” Roseline agreed.
Sadie scanned Roseline’s growing blush. “But he wants more, doesn’t he?”
William jerked upright, suddenly very interested in their conversation. Roseline shrugged. “He asked if I had plans. That’s all.”
“So what stopped you?”
Thousands of reasons floo
ded her mind. Like the fact that she was an Immortal with a husband who had a real jealous streak and was evil enough to happily rip Gabriel’s limbs from his body? Roseline stared pointedly at her, choosing the only excuse that Sadie could understand. “He has a girlfriend Sadie, you know that. I don’t care how amazing a guy might look; I’m not a boyfriend stealer.”
William winced but Roseline ignored him. If he didn’t like it, too bad. It wasn’t like Roseline had given him any reason to hope for a relationship.
“It’s just a party Rose,” Sadie said, exasperated. “I’m not asking you to marry the guy!”
She couldn’t stand still any longer. Nervous energy attacked her legs as she paced back and forth. Roseline hated how unsettled Gabriel made her feel. Just thinking about him was bad enough, but after a weeks worth of dreaming about him, she was afraid she’d jump him the instant she saw him.
“What if you went with a date?” Sadie suggested, breaking into Roseline’s thoughts. “That way you wouldn’t be tempted to break your moral code.”
“A date?” Roseline laughed. “Where could I find a date on such short notice?”
William tripped over his own feet trying to stand. “Me! I’m free.”
Roseline smiled warmly. “Thanks William but I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, his face drooping with disappointment.
“Definitely.” There was no way Roseline wanted to risk giving William the wrong idea. He was cute, no doubt about that, but he was more like a brother to her.
Roseline turned on Sadie, still trying to find a loop hole to get her out of the party. “I thought you hated the in-crowd. What’s with the change of heart?”
“Oh don’t give me that look,” Sadie pleaded. “I know what you’re thinking, and yes you’re right. Parting with snobs isn’t exactly my scene anymore…but it’s the first time since freshman year that I’ve been invited. I gotta go Rose.” Her pleas wrenched at Roseline’s heart.
Roseline let out an exaggerated sigh. She couldn’t fault Sadie for wanting one night of feeling like she fit in, but Roseline thought it was a terrible idea. Setting her own concerns aside, she couldn’t help but fear the night would not end well.