Souled

by Diana Murdock

  ~ Maksim

  Chapter 17

  I closed my eyes and focused on the energy pooling in my thighs, my chest, and my arms. With my strength and speed, and my ability to cripple my opponent by simply reaching out and choking off his spirit, it was easy to dominate the mat.

  Here at the state championships I knew it was wrong and totally unfair to use Maksim’s power on my opponents. And I finally realized that’s all it really was—Maksim’s power. But he did promise me that, and I did want to win the championship. So I played nice.

  I felt like a freakin’ child, and Maksim was the parent, so like a rebel teenager, I’d been trying to do a little control on my own, trying to control what he did through me, but I ended up with major headaches and stomach pains as punishment. I was completely helpless against him. The bastard seemed to get a kick out of infusing his power into my veins, spreading the euphoric feeling, and destroying every reason I had for fighting him.

  Like now.

  The sounds of the other wrestling matches around me intensified—grunts, expelled breaths, and the scrambling of feet. I opened my eyes and studied my opponent. He was taller by about two inches, with a strong frame, huge shoulders, and determination burned in his eyes. Until, that is, he looked into my eyes. I smiled at him as a shudder rolled through his thick shoulder muscles and his eyes became a little unfocused.

  “Nail him, Seth!” Dirk encouraged from the sidelines.

  I glanced over at him and the rest of the team who sat in chairs along the edge of the mat. Justin said something to Dirk and Dirk shrugged it off, never taking his eyes from me.

  I shut them both out and wrapped myself up in my own internal battle cry.

  “Come on, Seth,” Justin called out.

  At the referee’s signal, I faked a tie up, dropped down, and instead of driving my shoulder into my opponent, I lifted and then slammed him onto the mat. He coughed out a breath when his head slammed back.

  “Take it easy, Sandpoint,” the referee warned.

  We stood to face each other again.

  I couldn’t take it easy. My blood was pumping faster than my heart could keep up. I was going to finish this right now. After shaking my opponent’s hand to start up again, I put him into a headlock, put my hand under his arm and across his back, twisted, and fell on top of him—hard—until his shoulders hit. Easy pin. The combination of adrenaline and darkness shot through me, leaving me feeling high. This time, I’d be the state champion.

  Dirk jumped up off the chair and met me as I came off the mat.

  I avoided his high five.

  “That was sah-weet!” Dirk laughed, slapping my shoulder instead.

  “Yeah, whatever, dickhead.” I shrugged off his hand. Why was he all of a sudden so nice? I grabbed a towel out of my bag and sat down, wiping my face. Dirk took the chair next to me. He had a stupid grin on his face, like all of a sudden we were friends or something. I needed space from him, so I slid my chair away. I was starting to feel like Siamese twins or something when I was close to him.

  “You nailed that one!” Justin grinned.

  “Thanks, man,” I said.

  Soft lips kissed my shoulder and a shower of hair slipped down my arm. The touch totally raked my nerves. His nerves. Without thinking, I pushed it off.

  “Hey!” Dani straightened up, clearly hurt by my reaction.

  “How ya doing, Dani?” Dirk looked over his shoulder with a leering smile.

  I punched his arm.

  “Danika.” She sneered.

  “Oh yeah. I forgot,” laughed Dirk.

  Reaching for her hand, I pulled Dani to me. “Sorry. I was getting a little intense.”

  “A little?” She said. “That’s putting it mildly.”

  “Come here.” I twisted in my chair and wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close. “Sorry,” I said again.

  Her hand grabbed my jaw and she forced me to look at her. Her lips, with a blush of color on them, were pressed into a determined and very serious line. Her eyes bore into mine as if she were looking for something very specific.

  Maybe if I held my breath, it might stop Maksim from moving. And if he didn’t move, then Dani couldn’t see him.

  After a long minute, her mouth softened and her eyes lightened. Her arms went around my shoulders and she hugged me tight against her, resting her cheek against my hair.

  I melted against her. That was too close, I thought.

  Too much light. She hurts us.

  How can she hurt us? Wait a minute… there is no “us.”

  I gripped Dani tighter and hid my face in the folds of her jackets. My teeth ached from gritting them. No. I. Won’t. Lose. Her.

  It was a promise to me. And to Maksim.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Why is it that I can read the emotions of anyone I choose and know their thoughts…” He paused, closing his eyes to try one more time.

  She felt the push against her mind. She would reveal nothing. Not even a ripple of emotion.

  “But you,” he said, “I cannot feel. Why?”

  She turned her face from his gaze. The shield she had built around herself protected her thoughts from him. She loved him, but did not trust him, for she knew he could, and would, use those thoughts against her.

  She never had any intention of teaching him the spell for the shield. If he used it, she would not be privy to his mind’s workings. In time, she knew, it would become a necessity, for she would not see him harmed. The spell of the shield would protect both his body and his mind from his rapidly growing list of enemies. It would create a wall between him and everyone else.

  Including her.

  ~ ~ ~

  There will always be keepers of secrets. Saviors with gilded swords. The knowledge, woven into the fiber of their souls, is passed on through the bloodlines. They know they are gifted, but they do not always realize how much power they really have. I thought she was merely a Light-Seeker, but this Girl in Black, with her startling blue eyes… she may be of such a bloodline. I will watch her. I will tolerate no threats.

  ~Maksim

  Chapter 18

  The thick ceiling of gray sky squashed any hope of relief from the dampness. The clouds seemed to press down on the town, which was already soaked from the downpour of the last two days. Another storm was coming.

  But that didn’t stop everyone at school from hanging around outside the buildings, huddled in their groups. Some were blowing the first layer of heat from their coffees and mochas. Most of them were glum-faced, matching the mood of the sky.

  Like the Goth group, an island of black floating in the sea of gray. They came together because of their similarities to each other, or maybe because of their differences from the others.

  Suspicion flowed like a river through them. Their eyes flitted about, like gazelles ready to flee when stalked by a lion.

  The Goths are nervous, I thought, but not Alyx. She kept her face passive, though she knew Dirk and I were watching her. She kept herself hidden behind others in the group, but they kept shifting, mimicking the unrest in the air and when her cover moved, she found someone else to hide behind.

  I glanced at Dirk, whom I just couldn’t seem to shake anymore. But after two years of him constantly at my back, taking digs, trying to undermine everything I did, I had to admit I was enjoying having an edge over him. Through Maksim and because of Maksim, we were connected. I didn’t know what Maksim wanted with Dirk, but I did know what Dirk wanted from me: power. He probably sensed it, just like the dogs at the kennel, like the girls here at school. Power is power. Everyone gravitates to it. And I had it in spades.

  “Wait here,” I told him.

  I closed the gap between me and Alyx, and the herd of Goth kids scattered like frightened animals, leaving her alone.

  Pathetic.

  Not Goth. No, she was anything but. She met my eyes straight on, even tilted her chin in defiance, daring me to come closer.

  And I did. Right up to her toes.

>   “Hey,” she said, backing up two steps. “Respect my personal space.”

  A black crocheted beanie, shot through with sparks of red, covered her inky black hair and pressed it against the sides of her face, as if trying to keep her thoughts corralled. An amulet of yellow citrine, wrapped with a wire, dangled from a thin, black cord, protecting her heart. The set of her jaw showed she was determined not to let me intimidate her. I hated to admit it, but I liked the fact that she endured my scrutiny without flinching, without a hint of fear.

  I probed her thoughts and tried to read her. I searched for the sound, the voice, but heard nothing. Why can’t I pick up anything? What is it with this chick? I looked towards the parking lot. There. That girl. Yeah, I could read her with no problem. But this one, this Goth… there was a cold wall—a definite block in my face. None of her emotions were getting out and nothing was getting in. She was on permanent vibrational lockdown.

  Maksim and I gave up on the poking and prodding and tried something a little more dramatic. Wrapping my energy around her, I squeezed, slowly at first, then harder. I laughed when her black-lipstick lips parted slightly and she gasped.

  I took a step closer. “Dani tells me you’re filling her head with lies? I can’t let you get away with that… now can I?”

  She squared her shoulders and took a step back, touching her amulet as if to make sure it was still there. “Nice try. Your voodoo doesn’t work on me.”

  I let out a snort. “What? A piece of glass is supposed to stop me?” Looking around to see if anyone was watching, I leaned in close, and whispered in her ear, “I don’t think you realize just who you’re messing with. I’d be careful if I were you.”

  Straightening up, I took the amulet in my hand, purposely grazing her skin with my fingers. I grinned when her eyes fluttered and she sucked in a quick breath.

  Amulets mean nothing. They are merely false promises of protection. Pretty little trinkets.

  “You know,” I said, “citrine is supposed to open your mind, so this actually calls me to you.”

  For a fleeting moment, uncertainty clouded her face, but then she steeled herself and the mask of defiance slid back into place. She was good.

  Her sudden smile was nothing more than a mask to hide her sarcasm. “Good. Then I’ll always know where to find you… and I’m. Not. A bit. Scared. Jock Boy.”

  Fire and darkness both swirled behind my eyes, making them burn. I let go of the amulet and stepped back. I was angry. Maksim was angry. I wasn’t sure anymore where I ended and the other began. My anger was his anger. Or was it the other way around? Who was feeding who?

  I clenched my jaw and stared down at Goth. “Stay away from Dani.” Her face gave nothing away, but I watched the pulse in her throat beat quickly. Ah, a little truth revealed. I smiled and whispered, “Not afraid you say? Then why can I see your heart beating like a scared little rabbit?”

  I turned around and headed to Dani.

  “Dude!” Dirk laughed, pointing at the girl. “I think you made her cry.”

  “Shut up,” I said.

  Dirk grinned stupidly as I brushed past him and went straight to Dani’s side. Good, God. It was almost sad what he’d turn into. Almost.

  “What was that all about?” Dani watched Goth disappear into the building.

  “Nothing much, but she’s a mental case. You definitely need to stay away from her.”

  Dani raised a brow and didn’t say a word.

  “Come on. Let’s go.” Lacing my fingers with Dani’s, and holding on tight, I looked over my shoulder at Dirk. “Catch ya at practice.”

  “Since when are you so nice to him?” Dani asked as we walked away.

  I shrugged because I couldn’t tell her it wasn’t my choice to make. “He’s really not that bad once you get to know him.”

  Drawing on the dark one’s energy, the only source I seemed to have, I howl with rage. How dare the boy continue to box me in. Me! The most powerful sorcerer who ever walked the earth!

  ~ Maksim

  Chapter 19

  “I don’t know, Seth.” Dani chewed on her bottom lip, looking at the cars lined up to leave the school parking lot. “I can’t. I have to go to the Prestons’ tonight. I’m babysitting.”

  And there it was. Dani’s third excuse this week to not see me.

  You need to be alone with her.

  I know, I know. It sounds like Goth had said something to her after all. But what? What could she possibly know?

  Dani pressed her forehead to my chest.

  “Dani?” I backed up a little bit, trying to get her to look at me. “Can I see you later, after you’re done babysitting?”

  Her silence drew out. She finally looked straight into my eyes, and whispered. “I don’t think so.”

  My lungs tightened up and my breaths came out in short huffs, just like a bull facing the red flag. The demon—that was what he was becoming to me—was not happy, and he was trying to make me feel it with him. But I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t let this come between Dani and me. I’d figure out a way to get through to her. For now, though, this was not my anger, not my problem. Back up, Maksim.

  As you wish. For now.

  Huh? I immediately got my breath back under control. That was it? That’s all I had to do? Tell him to back up and he would do it? Something wasn’t right. That was too easy.

  Justin and Dirk stood by my truck a few feet away, talking, and I caught Dirk’s eye. If my smile came off half as wicked as it suddenly felt, then there was no wonder why Dirk tagged Justin’s chest and pointed my way.

  Cradling Dani’s face in my palms, I planted light kisses on her lips and waited for her to give in. This was what I wanted. I wanted Dani and me to be okay… but then I made the mistake of sliding my hands down her back and over her back pockets, but I couldn’t—didn’t want to—stop myself.

  “Seth, not here.” She grabbed at my wrists, pulling them off her.

  “Come on, Dani,” I whispered. The scent of her hair was putting me over the edge. I leaned closer, but she pushed me away and managed to get some distance between us.

  “Why are you doing that?” She glared at Justin and Dirk. “Are you trying to impress them?” She pointed an accusing finger at Justin and Dirk. “Is that it?” She raised her voice so they could hear. “I hope you enjoyed the show, boys.”

  Maksim’s energy exploded without warning and I pulled Dani against my chest with such force, she gasped. A deep laugh that was not my own rumbled up my throat. I kissed her, planting one hard on her mouth and worked my way down her neck.

  Take her! She wants you to. All women do. Maksim’s voice echoed in my head.

  Her hands pushed against my chest. “Seth! Stop!”

  You want her. You always have.

  I muffled her words with my lips over her mouth and pressed harder and pulled her closer. I knew I should stop, I knew this was wrong, but at the same time, something inside me snapped and I wanted more. I just wanted her to respond.

  She responded all right.

  “Ow!” I backed up, holding my bleeding lip where she had bitten me. “What was that for, Danika?”

  Her eyes widened at the way I said her name, then they narrowed. “What is wrong with you?” She took a step forward, slamming her palms into my chest, knocking me off balance. “Are you trying to show off to your friends or something? What’s gotten into you?”

  “Dude! Take it easy!” Justin rounded the front of my truck, his fists balled up.

  Dirk laughed.

  “What the hell are you laughing at, Dirk?” Justin shot him a disgusted look and then turned his anger on me.

  “What’s up with that look, Justin?” I snarled. “You got a problem with me?”

  Justin glared between Dani and me. The energy flowing off Justin was practically shouting at me—frustration, loyalty, anger, and… yeah, definitely love. And the love certainly wasn’t for me. So, he cared for Dani as much as I had suspected.

  “Ugh!” Dani blinked b
ack her tears. “I don’t even know who you are anymore, Seth!” She backed up a couple steps, her breaths coming out fast. Dani fisted her hands and stomped towards her car.

  Justin turned, his hands out to his sides. “What the hell was that all about?”

  The tension in my muscles faded quickly, taking Maksim’s laughing with it into the recesses of my mind.

  I don’t know what the hell that was all about.

  I only helped you see what was in your heart… lust.

  No! I screamed at him in my mind. Not lust! I love her! You made me do that! You made me hurt her!

  Love is never a good choice. It only leads to a broken heart, a broken body.

  What? I spun around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Dani, but she was gone. What did you mean by that? My stomach dropped. I finally did something to screw us up. And with Justin glaring at me over here, I knew I was about to mess things up between us, too. I looked around again, hoping to see Dani. I wanted to follow her and try to explain that it wasn’t me who did that, that I was sorry, but I knew that she wasn’t safe around me anymore. Maksim didn’t seem to have any problem making himself known. No, she definitely wasn’t safe around me—at least not until I could figure out what to do about this demon.

  “Let her go, man,” Dirk said from behind me. “She’s not worth it. There are plenty of other willing girls.” His hand came up to slap my back, but I knocked it away.

  “Come on, Justin,” I said. “I’ll give you a ride home.”

  “No thanks,” he said, grabbing his backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. “I’d rather walk.”

  # # #

  I sat at my desk with my feet propped up on the edge and the chair tipped back when the front door of my house slammed, shaking the walls.

  Right on time.

  Justin appeared in the doorway, his hair plastered to his head, soaked from the rain. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he demanded.