Joanna was a tad more than mad. Her hair was all tousled, and her dress was ruined with what looked like vomit. She had rolled up her sleeves in that I’m-ready-to-fight way, and she held a long stick in her hands, which she looked ready to use.
Joanna glanced in her direction and flashed her an exasperated look. “This party is a disaster,” she screamed above the thumping bass.
Just then, someone screamed: “BEST PARTY EVEEEEERRRRR!”
The scream came from . . . up. Everyone looked. All they saw was a figure run across the roof and leap into the air. Legs tucking up as the figure formed into a ball. Everyone within earshot stopped what they were doing and watched as the boy smashed into the swimming pool, sending a heavy splash everywhere.
Then silence.
Emily took a step forward, but a hand held her back. She was too distracted to look back to see who held onto her. Her eyes remained glued to the bubbles bursting in the swimming pool over the portion where the boy had gone under.
Onlookers waited with bated breath for the boy to surface. Or for blood.
After an agonizingly long wait, the boy surfaced with a triumphant cheer. Everyone whooped and hollered along with him. Ugh. Boys.
Emily realized she’d been holding her breath and let it go. But, when she turned to see who was gripping her arm, her breath ceased once again.
Michael.
He looked different. Quite masculine in his polo shirt and jeans. He also wore his hair gelled back, giving him a very Desperado look. But it wasn’t his looks that gripped her in terror. It was what he said next.
“We all know your secret.”
Don’t panic, The Owl instructed, but it was too late.
23
“M-my s-secret?” Emily stuttered.
Michael frowned at her. “Why do you look so terrified?”
Emily’s lips parted in confusion. Did he not just tell her he knew her secret? Wasn’t that cause enough to be terrified?
When she didn’t reply, Michael’s confusion grew. “Is there something going on?”
“Yeah, Emily, is there something going on that you’re not telling Michael?” This was Joanna now. Great.
Emily swiveled on her heels to glance at Joanna, who stood akimbo right there in front of her. The girl looked exasperated, a frown plastered across her tawny features. She was also drenched in water, dripping.
She had somehow lost the stick she’d been holding, and the boys she was threatening had gone on to light the tires on fire. The bonfire blazed behind Joanna, silhouetting the frustrated look on her face.
Emily forgot she was on the spot, her heart going out to her friend. She reached out to hug her, but then remembered the vomit-like substance on the front of her dress. Joanna shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes.
“It’s only a high school party,” Michael said.
“Yeah, and Emily is only a girl,” Joanna blurted back. “Why don’t you go looking for someone else to harass rather than asking a girl if there’s something she’s not telling you!”
“Like, who the hell are you?”
Emily was taken aback by the turn of the conversation. She glanced at Michael. He was already reddening with rage. His fists were balled at his sides. The redness spread to encompass his ears and disappeared into his ash-blond hair. When he opened his mouth to speak, Joanna cut him off with another snide remark.
“I mean, you go around blowing smoke about how you’re a vigilante and stuff,” Joanna fumed. “Why don’t you do something useful for everyone and actually go after the real bad guys? And not be a treacherous bastard by going after your own classmate!” Joanna’s voice was raised to fever pitch.
By this time, the pool party had ceased. All eyes were on Joanna and Michael.
Michael was livid. Literally shaking. Emily expected him to strike Joanna at any point, but she wasn’t worried. Joanna had taken several taekwondo classes the previous fall. The feisty girl would have no problem defending herself.
“You know, I’m tired of people acting like bullies because they can,” Joanna said as she swirled around to address everyone in the backyard. Her voice ever rising. “I’m fed up with people going after the innocent because they’ve got power. I’ve got power. I’ve got money, but you don’t see me rubbing it in people’s faces.” She finally ended and turned back to face Michael.
“You don’t know who I am,” Michael growled, his voice soaked in rage. It was obvious he was holding back.
“I know exactly who you are, Michael,” Joanna retorted. “Don’t think I don’t sit in on the bi-weekly meetings your people have with my dad’s people. I know all your suggestions. I know you’re trying to prove yourself, and I get that. Just don’t come near my friend. If you do, if you as much as look at her wrong, I’ll gouge out your eyes and feed them to the crows.”
Michael glared at her and then at Emily, who stood there speechless. Rina appeared from inside the house at that moment. Of course. Rina took one look at the scene and went to Michael’s side and grabbed his arm. “I told you, Michael, there’s nothing to see here,” Rina insisted. “She’s not who you think she is, so stop this silly prank of yours and focus on the warlock.”
Emily’s heart climbed up her chest. “Warlock?” she croaked.
Rina sneered at her. “You know, you should mind your own business.”
Emily glanced at Joanna, who arched an eyebrow as the two friends caught each other’s gaze. Emily and Joanna’s silent communication was not necessarily top notch, so it was difficult to tell Joanna that this piece of information that Rina and Michael had—whatever it was they knew—was important. It was very important for the next phase of things Emily had planned.
Joanna didn’t get the gist. She shrugged slightly and said, “Michael, why don’t you call it a night, huh? I can call a taxi for you, if you want.”
“No, it’s okay,” he grunted. “I’ll call one myself.”
“I’ll drive you,” Rina suggested, but Michael shrugged her hand off and retreated into the house.
The pool party slowly resumed its fervor, while Joanna, Emily, and Rina were left staring at one another. Emily expected Rina to lash out at them, which would be in accordance with her character, and then make a theatrical exit. But she did neither.
Rather, she sighed. “He’s so obsessed with you.”
Me? Emily was about to say when Rina continued. “Says he dreams about you all the time. Sees you and then an Owl. I mean, he’s certain you’re not a shifter, but he believes you might be hiding one. Or you might be in trouble from one. The investigation, the suspicion, it’s all based on that one dream.”
Joanna and Emily shared a curious look. What the heck was this about?
“He got all that from a dream?” Joanna said, her tone highlighting the stupidity of the claim. “Gee, since when did dreams become a reliable source of information?”
“You don’t understand,” said Rina. “He’s been plagued with this dream for over two weeks now. And he keeps seeing this large cavern. An altar. And a young woman about to be sacrificed.”
Emily gasped.
Rina ignored Emily’s reaction, but Joanna glanced at her with interest.
“He thinks you’re that girl on the altar, Emily,” Rina continued. “He thinks it has something to do with The Owl. He thinks your life is in danger. That’s why he’s so hell-bent on finding this Owl.”
Interesting . . . , The Owl muttered, causing Emily to jump.
Rina and Joanna gave her the side-eye.
Emily flipped her blonde tresses over her shoulder and lifted her chin in an effort to regain her composure. “You mentioned something about a warlock?”
Rina shrugged. “Like I said, that’s none of your business. I’m only telling you all this about Michael so you don’t judge him too harshly. I mean, sure, he hates you. But he’s not a traitor. He would never give you up to the vigilantes, not unless it’s to save you from a worse fate.”
“Right, and what�
�s worse that being disemboweled and having your intestines strewn across the town’s center?” Joanna asked, her fist poised on her hip.
Rina didn’t miss a beat. “Being chained in an underground cave for God knows how long before being sacrificed in a ritualistic manner.”
Even Emily had to agree that was a worse fate. Regardless, Rina’s revelation only brought up many more questions. What did they know about the warlock? Were they hunting the warlock, too? Why was Michael of all people dreaming about her? Why were they having the same vision of the cavern?
Interesting . . . , The Owl muttered again.
Frustrated, Emily had to respond. “Is that all you’re going to say?”
Rina glanced at her as though she’d made an utterly asinine statement. She obviously thought Emily had spoken to her. Rina curled her lip. “Not everybody worships you, Emily. Get your head out of your ass!”
Emily flared. She felt The Owl rise within her like a storm. Her eyesight instantly became acute, her senses sharpening to the point of a sharp sword.
Uh-oh, The Owl’s voice returned, sounding unsteady, nervous.
Emily’s eyes widened as she realized what was happening. She was about to shift! Snapping her eyes shut and throwing herself on the ground, she hugged her legs to her body and tried to force The Owl down, but there was little she could do.
“What the hell, Emily?” Rina screamed.
Joanna was at her side, saying soothing words.
“It’s coming . . .” Emily quaked, undiluted fear in her voice.
“We need to get you to your room, quickly,” Joanna asserted, then glanced up at Rina. “Help me get her inside.”
“What’s happening to her?” Rina asked as she came to Emily’s other side. Together they hefted her up.
“Whoa!” Rina exclaimed when Emily came off the ground so easily. “Why the heck is she so light?”
So far, the rest of the pool party attendees were oblivious to the three girls.
As efficiently as they could, Joanna and Rina carried her inside and upstairs to her room. They deposited her on her bed, where she coiled into a fetal position.
“Thank you, Rina,” Joanna said breathlessly.
“No way, Joanna, you’ve got to tell me what the hell is happening,” Rina said. “Why’s she—holy shit! Are those feathers?”
“Okay, that’s it!” Joanna shoved Rina out of the room and slammed the door behind the annoying reporter. Next, she came to Emily’s side.
“Gee, Emily, you’re changing . . .” Joanna sounded scared.
Emily was unaware of everything going on around her. She had shut her eyes and was battling the transformation process as best she could but knew she was losing the battle. She was about to turn, and everyone was going to see her fly out the window, and they would know. Three girls had gone into the room. Two walked out the door. The third flew out the window.
“I’m sorry, Joanna, for not telling you,” Emily croaked amid tears. “I didn’t think you’d accept me if you knew.”
Joanna hugged her. She didn’t reply. Her action was reply enough.
“Just listen to the sound of my voice,” Joanna said. “Don’t talk. Just listen. Whatever you’re feeling, just listen to me. I’ll help you get through this.”
Joanna started talking about their childhood and all the memories they’d shared together. They’d known each other since they were little. Now they were both seventeen, and they were still tight as a knot. Nothing could tear them apart, not The Owl, not Michael or Rina, not the accursed vigilantes, not even the warlock or the sacrifice.
As Emily listened to Joanna, she felt The Owl nature lose its rise and begin to decline. Her body began to relax. Her face softened. Soon after that, Emily’s entire awareness of what was happening dissipated as she fell into a deep sleep.
24
The vision happened again. This time it was clearer, more lucid. This time the pain was more intense. The fear was more palpable. The vision ended with Emily gasping out of it.
She struggled to breathe while slightly conscious of a presence in her room. It was an evil, male presence that had no form, yet was in her room. What the heck? Her vision blurred and darkened, though she was wide awake.
She heard two girls arguing outside her door, which was open. She tried to scream for help, but it seemed as though her throat was clenched by the male presence. Every muscle in her body went rigid.
She could not even turn her head.
The presence hovered above her. It manifested as some kind of flimsy, black smoke. It manifested with intent. Thought. Motive.
When it spoke, it spoke into her mind.
Talking smoke?
You. Will. Fall. These were its only words before it vanished into thin air. Soon after, her function was restored to her body. She heaved loudly.
The arguing outside stopped immediately. Joanna and Rina rushed into the room.
“Are you okay?” Joanna had changed into Emily’s Mickey Mouse sweatshirt and checkered pajamas. She looked down at Emily with concern, glancing at her heaving chest and her bed soaked with sweat.
Rina remained cross-legged by the door. Her arms were folded across her chest as she looked at Emily with a mix of disgust and interest.
Emily listened for sound—any sound. The house was dead silent. “The party?”
“I disbanded them.” Joanna loved big words. “Pressed my panic button. SWAT team swooped in here in under five minutes. I explained to them the only danger to me was that the party was threatening to destroy my friend’s house. They made everyone go home.”
Emily nodded as she kneaded her knuckles against her forehead.
“You were having a nightmare,” Rina blurted.
Emily didn’t reply. She shut her eyes for a moment, trying to knead away the splitting headache. If these visions came with splitting headaches, she wasn’t sure she wanted to see them.
Joanna came to sit by her side. She placed a hand on her shoulder. Emily appreciated the human touch.
“Cat’s out of the bag for you, Emily,” Rina said.
“Rina!” Joanna snarled.
“It’s okay,” Emily replied. “No need to deny it. She saw.”
“Well, she doesn’t have proof,” Joanna said with a scowl. “She can’t prove anything.”
“She doesn’t need proof,” Emily replied calmly. She opened her eyes and looked at Rina’s frowning face. “Right, Rina?”
Rina kept silent. She continued to stare daggers at Emily.
“She has all she needs to write a captivating story,” Emily went on. “A story that will go viral because it’s true and detailed. The vigilantes will be forced to investigate. Maybe even put me under pressure. You saw what happened the last time I came under pressure.”
Joanna’s voice shook. “We can leave New Haven. My dad has a penthouse in Houston. We can both live together. We don’t have to stay.”
“I told you, Joanna, I’m not running.” Emily sighed. “Something is about to happen. I can feel it. These visions. They’re warnings.”
“You were having a nightmare,” Rina said again.
Joanna growled at her.
“Yes,” Emily agreed. She took her time to narrate the first nightmare she’d had when Joanna had discovered her true nature. Then she narrated the vision she’d had when Rina had seen her almost change.
She ended by telling them about the evil presence—the talking smoke—and what it said to her.
“You will fail?” Joanna repeated. “What does that even mean?”
“More importantly, why you?” Rina asked. “And why Michael?”
Emily shrugged. “You know, when I first found out about my—er—gift, I thought it was a curse. All I could think about was to hide it to save my skin. And don’t get me wrong, I still want to do that, but I’ve grown to appreciate what I have.
“Anyway, in my bid to distance myself from what I really am, I ignored learning about myself and my lineage and what it really me
ans to be what I am. So what you basically have is an Owl who knows very little about herself.”
Emily sucked in a lungful of air and let it out softly. “That’s why I’ve been unprepared for this warlock threatening my life. That’s why I don’t know what this sacrifice that I’ve seen in a vision twice means. But I decided that after the party I was going to find out.” Emily turned to her best friend. “That’s why I can’t run away. It’s no longer about saving my life or whatnot. It’s bigger than that. This warlock—I could sense his emotions. I could sense his motives.”
“What are you saying, Emily?” Rina squawked. For the first time in the conversation, there was fear in her voice.
“I’m a means to an end,” Emily muttered. “A very disastrous end for the people of New Haven, and who knows? Maybe the whole region.”
Rina flashed her a scowl. “You’ll have to be more specific than that.”
“Back off, Rina,” Joanna sneered.
Emily touched Joanna’s arm. “It’s okay.” To Rina, she said, “Like I said, I know very little. All I know is what I sensed. I’m some sort of threat to him. Maybe that’s why he’s coming after me. Maybe that’s why I keep seeing myself on a slab. Maybe that’s him getting rid of me.”
“By sacrificing you on some heathen altar?” Rina sounded incredulous. “That sounds like overkill to me.”
Emily shrugged again. “I need more information. The only place I know I can find that information is at my aunt’s place. She’s got a treasure trove of books. I’m sure I’ll learn more about the warlock and me and why there’s a connection between us.”
Rina stepped forward. Her face was set in a determined look. “Well, when do we go there?”
Emily looked at the girl, confused. “Sorry?”
“You sound as if the warlock wants to destroy New Haven,” Rina said. “I can’t very well sit back and let that happen. I am in this town, after all. Plus, I’m a reporter. This is the story of a lifetime. I want to report it.”
Adopted by The Owl: The Owl Shifter Chronicles Book One Page 12