Love by Night

by Stina

  “Was that your roommate?” Narum nodded toward the door. “She doesn’t seem to be here often. I never knew you had a roommate.”

  Lina shrugged. “Yeah, I guess you could call her my roommate. She’s been spending so much time with Kesh and his fraternity and sorority friends, I barely see her these days,” Lina replied and sat on her bed. She was hoping that Narum would get the hint.

  Kesh could see the interest rise on Narum’s face. He moved closer to Lina, smiling. Kesh easily figured out that Narum was there to collect information so he could go back home to Tulum and tell him where Dira rested her head.

  Lina looked at Narum suspiciously. “How did I go from the awkward girl who sat next to you in calculus class to this?” She grinned and reached out and grabbed his hand. “The girl who spends all these countless hours with you. You’re doing something to me,” she said, flirting.

  Kesh heard Narum’s heartbeat speed up. He could tell Narum really liked Lina. If he didn’t, he would have already turned her. It was probably the one thing Tulum and Narum had not counted on when they decided to use him to infiltrate.

  Narum exhaled loudly. Kesh could see the lust rising in the boy’s chest. He could smell the musk and pheromones Narum was releasing. The boy had to be so fixated on Lina, he didn’t pick up the presence of Kesh in the room. “Too . . . um, me too,” Narum said, his protruding Adam’s apple bobbing up and down his throat. “There’s something about how you are so passionate about everything, and the way your green eyes pierce me when you look at me,” he said, finally finding his man voice.

  Lina reached out and grabbed Narum’s arm and began pulling him over to the bed, and he winced. “I’m sorry.” Lina drew back, alarmed. “Did I pull too hard?”

  “No.” Narum quickly changed his expression.

  “Are you sure?” Lina looked flustered.

  “Yes. I take a boxing class some mornings, and my body is a little sore.”

  “You? Boxing?” Lina chuckled and flopped on her bed.

  “Yes!” Narum said playfully, climbing onto the bed with her and lying on the side nearest to the wall. “Is that so hard to believe?” He flexed the muscles in his arm, making her burst into a fit of giggles before she lay down and rested her head next to his on her pillow.

  “You’re so stupid,” she said, hitting his arm.

  “I just told you my body is sore, and then you go and hit me.” Narum tickled her, making her ball up into the fetal position and clamp her arms down tight so that he would no longer have access to her armpits.

  “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” She roared with laughter.

  She turned her back to him and used her butt to push him away from her. Finally, he stopped trying to tickle her, but instantly, the grin left his face. They were facing Adirah’s bed. Kesh watched Narum’s eyes narrow. He must’ve suddenly remembered why he’d been sent here.

  She was here. Kesh read Narum’s thoughts.

  Narum grabbed Lina’s face and turned it so that she faced him. As she lay on her side, losing herself in his gaze, she seemed to get dazed. Kesh knew Narum was reading Lina’s thoughts, watching what had happened with her and Adirah in replay. Kesh almost revealed himself, but he thought better of it. Instead, he probed Narum’s thoughts and watched what he was seeing. Kesh saw the entire exchange between Lina and Adirah, including when Adirah read Lina’s mind and then left the room, leaving Lina to think she might be going crazy.

  The sound of Lina clearing her throat made Narum blink. That broke Kesh’s connection. Kesh cursed silently to himself. Now he was regretting staying hidden. He should have attacked Narum. The more information the Malum Clan got on Adirah, the more danger she would be in. Kesh needed to protect Adirah, not leave her exposed.

  “I’m sorry,” Narum said, noticing Lina was looking at him as if he had spiders crawling on his face.

  “Why are you looking like that?” she asked.

  “Like what?”

  “Like you saw a ghost . . . like you’re out of it.”

  “Oh, I just got so caught up in what I’m going to do to you,” he joked.

  Kesh keyed in on Narum’s thoughts now. He heard the boy questioning how Adirah had read Lina’s mind if she was still a mortal.

  Narum blinked a few times and then shook his head. He needed to focus. Tulum was counting on him. “Your roommate, did she make you mad?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” Lina answered, removing his hand from her face. “She just came to get some more clothes. You know she’s been staying in the house with them.”

  “Yes. I remember you telling me.”

  Lina got an attitude. She pulled away from him and rolled her eyes. “I know you think I’m crazy. Everybody does when I tell them that I think the popular ones are . . . are . . .”

  “Vampires?” Narum said, finishing for her, and laughed. “You’ve told me all about it. The undead, right? That is what you call them?”

  “It’s not funny! Something strange is going on with them. Their house is already rebuilt, completely rebuilt, after that fire. I just can’t fathom it. And I know the only reason you sit and listen to me talk all day is that you’re trying to game me into giving you my panties.”

  “I listen to you talk all day because I believe you.”

  “R-really?” Lina sat up.

  “Yes. I want to prove who they really are too,” Narum said, seeming to think fast. “How many students have gone missing? Especially after their parties. Somebody has to expose them. Have you ever thought about sneaking into their house?”

  “Yes,” she admitted. “But I’m afraid. What if I’m right? What would I do with that information? How would I tell Adirah that her boyfriend is . . . you know . . . ?”

  “So many people think you’re wrong. You’ll never know the truth until you try.”

  “Will you come with me?”

  Kesh saw that Lina’s question had caught Narum off guard. Kesh knew that Tulum and Calum had probably warned the boy never to set foot in the Sefu Clan’s home until Tulum gave the order. In school it was easy for Narum to hide his true identity, because he was able to blend in with the others, but to walk into a clan of vampires would surely blow his cover.

  Lina gazed at Narum with her doe eyes, begging him. He rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

  If she figures out who they truly are and exposes them to the school, then it will leave the Sefu vulnerable. That would be the perfect time to attack! Narum thought.

  Kesh almost reacted to the boy’s sinister thoughts. His body trembled. He couldn’t risk exposing himself in front of Lina. For some reason, she was not as susceptible to the vampires’ mind games as the rest on campus. He had to get out of there quick.

  Narum smiled down at Lina and nodded his head. The happiness showed instantly on her face when he said, “Okay. We can go tonight.” Then he focused on her lips. “But I must say, you were right about one thing.”

  “What?” she asked.

  With a speed she’d never experienced, he gripped her wrists and pinned her arms by her head before lowering his face to hers. “I do want to get in your panties,” he breathed sexily before placing his lips on hers.

  Lina didn’t even try to fight him off. Her legs instinctively opened, welcoming his body to press on hers, and she wrapped her thighs around his waist. The thin fabric of her leggings allowed her to feel the bulge forming through his khaki shorts.

  Narum let go of her wrists and let his hands travel down her arms and then to her chest. His hands touched her erect nipples, and it pleased him to see that she wasn’t wearing a bra. His fingers gripped the V cut of her T-shirt. He started to yank her shirt gently to expose her firm breasts, but his excitement got the best of him. and he ripped the shirt completely off.

  “That was my favorite shirt,” Lina told him, breaking the kiss.

  “Sorry. I’ll buy you a new one.” Narum grinned down at her and threw the fabric on the floor.

  Lina smiled back. “I like you a lot, Narum,”
she whispered. Then she pushed him away from her slightly with her palms. “And I need you to know something about me.”

  “Are you a virgin?” Narum was slightly alarmed.

  “No, silly.” Lina tilted her head up and licked his bottom lip. “But I don’t give myself away too often. But when I do . . . I’m nasty.”

  “Nasty?” He smirked. He began gyrating his hips.

  “Yes,” she huffed, moving her hands from his chest and placing her fingers on her own nipples. She began circling them with her pointer fingers and thumbs. Her legs quivered. “Nasty. Everything that you’ve ever wanted to do to a woman, do it to me, okay? I promise I won’t scream . . . unless you want me to.”

  “Are you sure you’re ready for all that, Lina? I mean, I don’t want to hurt you. You’re so beautiful.... I don’t want to bring you pain.”

  In response, Lina unhooked her legs from his waist, spread them, and brought them up on his shoulders. She did this all without moving her hands or removing her eyes from his. Hooking her ankles around his neck, she brought his face to hers again and slipped her tongue between his soft lips. The moment their tongues touched again, she moaned into his mouth, letting him know she wanted him in every way. He nodded his head in submission. He was going to give her what she wanted. The thing he didn’t know was if he would be able to let her go afterward.

  Kesh had seen enough. He quietly escaped. He had to meet up with Adirah. He had to protect her. He had so many things to do now that the Malum were planting their people too close to home.

  * * *

  Fall was descending upon the university. The leaves were changing, the temperature was dropping, and the days were getting shorter. Adirah was in deep thought during the entire walk across campus to meet Kesh. The vision she had had was still nagging her. She wanted to take some time away from Kesh to figure it out, but no matter what she tried, she couldn’t resist him anymore when he wanted to be with her. All he needed to do was say the word, and she would be at his whim. Adirah couldn’t understand it. Who were those people on the tree in the vision? Why were they after Kesh? What did she have to do with any of their conflict? If being with Kesh was going to cause him harm, then maybe it was best if she ended it with him. She didn’t want to, but she loved him and wanted to protect him.

  The sound of leaves and gravel crunching under her feet was louder than ever to Adirah now. She knew Kesh could feel the change in her mood. All she could think about was that vision, coupled with the fact that she’d heard Lina’s thoughts. How had she done it? Ever since the fire, Adirah had noticed small changes in herself, but this, this was almost superhuman. It wasn’t like hearing the spirits; that had been happening to her since she was very young. This time, she had actually heard a live person’s inner thoughts. Adirah had also noticed that she had more strength than she had before, and she was even faster.

  It also tripped her out that she could hear people talking dozens of feet away. Not just the sound of their voices, either, but full conversations. Her sense of smell was so sensitive that lately she hadn’t had much of an appetite. Her vision was so clear that she was sure that she could count the stitching in the fabric of her shirt if she wanted to. At first she had chalked it up to some type of trauma caused by the incident. But the new senses had never gone away. Until today, with Lina, Adirah had pushed her new abilities to the back of her mind. Kesh had told her his blood had healing powers, but all this other sensory amplification was causing her anxiety. It was too much for her to handle. But now she couldn’t ignore this anymore. She closed her eyes and sighed, trying to make sense of it all.

  “What is wrong, Dira? Is something bothering you?” Kesh asked. He had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

  Adirah was startled from her thoughts. At first she contemplated lying and tell Kesh, no. She wanted to pretend that everything was fine. But she knew her mood would just change again. She looked into his eyes. Kesh could see the tension and burden on her face.

  “I’m not the same,” she said, just above a whisper. “Kesh, I’m different. I can feel it. Things about me I can’t explain. It seems to be getting deeper and deeper. Even this . . . with us. It’s just been so fast. I can’t even explain who I am anymore. This girl all in love with the guy she had tried her best to avoid. It just doesn’t make sense. It is like I have knowledge beyond my years and abilities above human capability. Lately, it always feel like I’m caught in a dream. I don’t know if I can go on like this.”

  Kesh was silent as he listened to her speak. “I want to take you somewhere,” he said, taking her face in his hands. “Will you come with me?”

  “Kesh, didn’t you hear anything I just said? I pour my heart out to you, and you’re talking about running off? Probably to some bed somewhere.” She rolled her eyes and sighed.

  “Will you come with me?” he repeated. “You said you were all mine, right? Well, I’m asking you to trust me.” He tried to sound as comforting as possible.

  Adirah couldn’t resist. She twisted her lips. “Okay, but I want you to answer my questions when we get there, or else I am going to leave.”

  “Promise,” Kesh agreed.

  “You had better,” Adirah joked. Ugh! Why can’t I stay mad at him! she thought.

  * * *

  Kesh seemed to switch their usual route, and he turned onto a path that Adirah had never taken.

  “Where?” she said.

  “Shh.”

  “Oh, boy. I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to this.”

  They walked and walked. After what felt like a few miles, which had taken them to the edge of a thick forest, Adirah stopped. “Okay.” She folded her arms and tapped her foot. “Where are you taking me?” she asked. “You haven’t said a word this entire walk, and we seem to be walking to nowhere.”

  “Ah, sweet Dira, don’t be like that. You said you trust me,” Kesh joked.

  That made Adirah more aggravated. This time she was digging in and holding her ground. She wasn’t going to let Kesh have his way until he answered her questions. Kesh tried to lead her off the road and into the thicket of forest. Adirah held firm; she wouldn’t move any farther.

  “Kesh, where are you taking me?” she demanded. “You need to tell me. Or else I will not move another inch.”

  “We’re almost there.” Kesh smiled at her. “Come on.”

  She tried to protest, but he tugged her forward by the hands, leading her with his sexy smile. Adirah couldn’t resist that beautiful smile. She looked around at the tall, looming trees. They were so big that the sun rays could barely sneak through. If Adirah didn’t know that it was still daytime, she would have assumed night had fallen.

  “Kesh,” she whispered. “It’s eerie back here. We should head back to the road . . . to campus. I don’t think it’s safe here. There could be poisonous snakes and . . . and . . .” Her heart revved up.

  “Werewolves. And lions and tigers and bears,” Kesh added jokingly as he turned suddenly, with his hands up, like an animal ready to attack with its claws. Adirah damn near peed her pants.

  “Not funny!” she said and hit him on the arm. “You’re becoming so annoying. I’ve heard that boyfriends do that . . . become annoying.”

  “I’m sorry, my love,” Kesh said, grinning. He grabbed her hand again and urged her on. “Come with me. You’ll see that you have nothing to fear. This is a special place that I come to when I need to clear my head. It’s a place I never share with anyone . . . but you. I want to share every single thing about myself with you, Dira.”

  Adirah looked around as they walked over mud, leaves, rocks, and crunching tree bark. “Ah!” Adirah jumped as a large snake slithered onto a tree trunk right in front of her. She moved closer to Kesh, squeezing his hand tight.

  Her squeal had made him chuckle. “You’re not scared of that little snake, are you? You’re a big, tough girl from the city,” he joked.

  “Yeah, and in the city we don’t have slimy, scary, venomous snakes,” Adirah snapped back. Th
e closest thing to nature that Adirah had ever experienced was the Bronx Zoo. And at the moment that was about all she ever cared to experience of nature.

  They continued on, with Adirah desperately clutching Kesh. Every little sound spooked Adirah. She kept seeing things out of the corners of her eyes. Each time she would jump, Kesh would chuckle.

  * * *

  “We’re here,” Kesh announced. “This is my secret place. Now our secret place. Just you and me, one with nature . . . the world excluded.”

  “Um, what?” Adirah gasped, staring straight ahead, confused.

  There was a stone wall covered in bright green moss. Adirah estimated that it was about five stories high. Odd that it was in the middle of this thick, scary forest.

  “Kesh, are you playing a joke on me? What’s supposed to be special about this nasty thing?”

  Kesh didn’t say anything; instead, he reached his hand out, pressed it into the thick moss, and stood back. The wall groaned and creaked and began to part where Kesh had just pushed. Thick clumps of moss fell to the earth, and water dripped from somewhere up above.

  Adirah sucked in her breath. “How did you do that? What is this?”

  Kesh laughed. “It’s magic,” he chimed.

  Adirah blinked at what was beyond the wall of slimy moss. It was something so beautiful, it made her heart lurch. She inhaled, just to make sure she was still breathing. Her eyes darted around. She couldn’t decide what to look at first. If she didn’t know any better, she would’ve thought she’d been transported to some place other than North Carolina. It looked like a magical world pulled straight from a fairy tale.

  Adirah blinked to make sure that she wasn’t seeing things. But the sound of the water flowing in front of her let her know that she was definitely still awake and was actually standing in this enchanted place. In front of her was a pond, with a waterfall feeding into it. The grass surrounding them was so vibrantly green and lush, it almost hurt her eyes to look at it. The land was so vast, Adirah figured her entire Brooklyn neighborhood could fit in it. She craned her neck to look up at the trees. They were all so tall. Like the ones she’d seen in the Save the Rainforest ads around campus. The air was different; it felt pure and clean. The light inside this dreamlike forest was sparkling. Beams of bright diamond-white light were streaming through the trees.