Falcondell: The Devil's Son

by S J Crabb

  Ash’s eyes darken and he pulls me to meet him. His kiss sends powerful feelings through me of longing and this time the kiss is deeper and more passionate. I know that if he asked I would give myself willingly to him.” As if reading my thoughts he pulls away and I can see the fire in his eyes. With emotion in his voice he says, “I want to make you mine more than I have ever wanted anything in my life before, but I can’t bring myself to take what is not yet mine.” Puzzled I look at him and he smiles bitterly. “I am not worthy of you yet Grace. I need to protect you from me, I said that before and I meant it. You are not ready yet and when I have proved myself to you then it will be your decision to make.”

  I pull him against me and stroke his hair as he did mine. He is right; we have a long road to travel first if we ever stand a chance to be together. We will just have to be happy with the time that we do manage to steal.

  Chapter 13

  Ash and I fall asleep, my head on his chest as he cradles me against him. The first rays of the sun touch our sleeping bodies and with a start I realise that we have been here all night. Sitting up in alarm I look down in wonder at the beautiful man beside me. As he looks at me I can see his eyes flash with excitement. Reaching towards me he takes a piece of my hair in his hands and says in wonder. “You are beyond beautiful in the moonlight, but the sun against your face is breathtaking. It is as though you are nature itself.” Laughing I say, “Careful, your reputation will be in tatters if you say any more.” Laughing he jumps up and grabs hold of me and dips me to the ground. He kisses me with raw passion, a hard unyielding kiss that lights the fire within me and as he pulls away he laughs at my flushed cheeks. “That good enough for you?” He smirks and reaching up I touch my lips that he has just ravaged. Looking at him with what I know must be a wanton expression he gasps. “Put your locket back on Grace before I lose my resolve.” Laughing I get dressed and we are soon back to the motorbike. Looking subdued he pulls me behind him again. “We will find a way you know, leave it to me.” I look at him in alarm. “You must ignore me down there Ash. Nobody can know about us, especially not Skylar and her friends. You must keep away from me.” I can tell that he is angry and he looks at me petulantly. “I don’t want to. It will be difficult as I want you to be with me all of the time.” Shrugging I say, “It’s that or nothing. I will tell Cally that I left you on the beach and nothing happened. You get on with your life and I mine. This will be the only place that we can meet. Promise me.” Ash nods but then says urgently. “Meet me here again tonight, please Grace.” Touching his face I say softly, “I’ll try.” He kisses me gently and then starts up the motorbike. As we speed back to reality I wonder what the future will hold.

  Ash drops me off some way from the house and I manage to sneak in before anyone gets up. I quickly change and jump into bed, hugging my knees to my chest as I re live every moment from the night before. I drift off to sleep and am woken up about 10am by Aunt Sarah who brings me a drink. Sitting on my bed she says, “It must have been a good night because I was fast asleep when you and Gabe got in. In fact where is he? I just took him a drink but his bed hasn’t been slept in.” In surprise I wonder what Gabe has been up to and then remember Piper. Goodness what a lot must have happened to us all last night. Looking at her I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know. I made my own way back. When Cally and I left he was dancing with Piper.” Thankfully I don’t need to lie as that was the truth and luckily my Aunt doesn’t push it.

  When she leaves I grab the phone. I must know what happened to them. Punching in Cally’s number I am relieved when she answers, albeit in a sleepy voice. “Cally, thank goodness, are you ok?” “Hmm Grace hi…….Oh my God Grace are you ok?” Laughing I reply, “Yes I’m fine but I’m not sure about Piper. Why don’t you call her and we can meet up at Violet’s for a de brief.”

  “Great, oh Grace I have so much to tell you.” Smiling I wish that I could tell her what had happened to me, but I know that I can’t. It’s our secret and no one must ever know.

  When I get to Violet’s I can see Cally already sitting there waiting. She looks trashed and I smile as I see the flush in her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes. Grinning at her I raise my eyes. “Good night?” Pulling me down beside her she says dreamily. “Oh Grace, you can only imagine.”

  “Then tell me!” I say in desperation. Laughing she whispers. “Well, Jacob carried me up the beach and I couldn’t believe it. He put me on the back of his motorbike and drove us to the other side of town, to a beautiful place where there was nobody but us. He took me in his arms and told me that he had always loved me and had ignored me to protect me from Skylar and her gang. He didn’t want me involved with that crowd and the fact that he sees me every day has been killing him. Then he kissed me Grace and it was everything that I have ever imagined it would be. He kissed me all night long and then we spoke like we never had before. It was the best night of my life.” Thoughtfully I say, “But what now? I mean won’t Teagan find out and then you’ll be in trouble.” She shakes her head sadly. “No, we have to go back to how it was before. He told me that once school has finished we can be together properly. He did say though that he would find a way for us to meet where it would be safe.”

  Lowering my eyes I feel sympathy for their predicament as mine is the same. Before she can question me Piper walks in a dreamy look on her face. Sliding into the seat opposite us she looks at us both with utter contentment on her face. “I’m in love with your cousin Grace. I’m just putting it out there, ok.” Laughing Cally and I exchange excited looks. “Come on, spill everything.” Cally shouts. Dreamily Piper says, “Gabe and I spent the whole entire night together, talking, dancing, kissing and cuddling. We fell asleep on the beach and when we woke up he asked if I would be his girlfriend.” We stare at her in amazement and I think how lucky she is that she can be open about her relationship.

  We are interrupted by our server and all order huge breakfasts. Violet stops by and throws us all a knowing look. “Looks like you all had a good night. Oh to be young again.” Winking she walks away and we all grin at each other. The others look at me expectantly. “Well, your turn Grace. What happened to you?” Feeling myself grow hotter I say matter of factly. “Nothing. I told Ash to leave me alone and then I went home.” Once again I miss out most of what did happen and I hope that they will buy it. Cally’s eyes widen and she says, “I was worried about you Grace. He had the look of a predator and I was afraid for you. It was like Jessica Parker all over again.” Piper looks confused. “What did I miss?” As I look at Cally she says quickly, “Nothing much. Ash and Jacob showed up and Grace put Ash in his place. Hopefully he will leave her alone now.” Piper looks worried. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry girls. I was so wrapped up in Gabe I sort of ditched you didn’t I?” Laughing we do our best to lighten the atmosphere. It’s best that nobody ever finds out what we were really up to last night.

  Chapter 14

  When I get home I find Gabe lying on the settee watching the football. Sinking down beside him I tease him saying, “What did you get up to last night?” Groaning he holds his head in his hands. “Quiet Grace you’re shouting.” Not giving up I say, “What about Piper. She says she’s your girlfriend now?” His eyes swivel round and he grins at me. “Sorry about that Grace. I know she’s your friend but when I saw what you had done to her I saw her in a whole new light. I never realised what a stunner she really is. I’m sorry but she’s mine now.” Laughing I push him saying, “She’s still my friend, what do you mean?” He throws me a wicked look. “She’s not invisible anymore and will have to hang out with me. I’m not having her grab the attention of Ash and his bunch of goons. I need her with me to protect her.” Snorting I push him playfully. “Some protector you are.” He jumps up in alarm. “Why what happened?” Feeling cross with myself I try to smooth it over. “Oh, Ash and Jacob turned up at the beach but I told him to leave me alone, that’s all no harm done.” He looks at me and I will myself not to blush. Then with a thoughtful express
ion he sits back down. “That explains it then.” In alarm I say, “Explains what?” He shrugs. “I heard that Skylar was pissed last night because he never showed up to her party. Her and Teagan were out of control and hooked up with more than one guy there, probably in revenge. Apparently they are on the war path though and if they find out that they were with anyone else, then God help those girls.” His eyes narrow as he looks at me. “They weren’t were they?” Shaking my head I try to look normal. “Why are you asking me, ask them if you want to know.” Gabe settles back to watch the football but I feel unnerved by what he says. I am not sure that Ash can protect me from Skylar and I can definitely feel a storm brewing.

  I spend the rest of the day lounging around indoors. I know that Ash wants me to meet up with him and I feel excited but worried at the same time.

  After dinner I grab my bag and tell my Aunt that I am going out to meet my friends. Once again this is a variation on the truth as I am only meeting one person, although he is much more than just a friend. Grabbing my bike I use the time that it takes me to get to the ridge to think about all that has happened. Despite my misgivings about my new found situation I ignore the warnings going off inside my head. My heart is well and truly winning this battle and I push away the warning bells that are ringing loudly inside of me.

  As soon as I get there I see him waiting and my heart does a somersault as he looks over. As he approaches I see his eyes glittering and drawing me in. Reaching me he takes my hand and pulls me against him. “I’ve missed you Grace,” he says softly and then kisses me gently, blowing my mind in the process. Pulling me down next to him he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a little black box. In surprise I watch as he offers it to me and when I open it I see a little silver heart on a chain. Looking up at him my eyes shining I say, “It’s beautiful Ash.” Reaching up he puts it around my neck and kisses me. “Now you have my heart Grace and all that comes with it. You have nothing to fear and my heart will work with your locket to protect you. Never take it off and then nothing can harm you.”

  Looking puzzled I hold the heart in my fingers and immediately feel a sense of calm as I hold it. He smiles at me softly. “You’re not the only one who has magical powers.” Reaching up to him I whisper, “Thank you.” Then I kiss him gently. He crushes me to him and we just kiss enjoying the feeling of being together again.

  Later on I say. “What did you do today?” Suddenly he looks annoyed. “Well after I got some sleep I was woken up by a visitor.” Seeing my worried expression he grabs my hands and looks reassuringly at me. “Skylar came to the house, pissed that I never showed up to her stupid party. I told her that she didn’t interest me anymore and that I had heard that she had put it about last night. She got angry and blamed me but I told her that we were finished and that she had better stay away from me in the future. She didn’t like it and told me to watch out and if she heard that I had been seeing anyone else they wouldn’t be safe.” I look at him in alarm and his face contorts with hatred. He hisses, “I told her that if she ever hurt anybody close to me then I would come after her. She wouldn’t be safe from me and I would destroy her.” Chuckling evilly he says, “I think she got the message. I can be very intimidating when I want to be.” I grow quiet. I know that he can and that worries me. We are poles apart, opposite ends of the spectrum, and I worry what he is capable of. Looking at me sadly once again he quotes from Tess.

  “I was born bad, and I have lived bad, and I shall die bad in all probability.”

  Squeezing his hand I look at him steadily. “I too can quote with the best of them - You, and those like you, take your fill of pleasure on earth by making the life of such as me bitter and black with sorrow; and then it is a fine thing, when you have had enough of that, to think of securing your pleasure in heaven by becoming converted!”

  Thoughtfully he says, “Is that what you think, that I could be converted?” He laughs sadly saying, “Like that would ever happen.” Then he grins. “Maybe we should read a different book.” Grinning I reply, “Why, don’t you like the ending of this one?” He shakes his head, “No I do not. It’s a tragedy and I for once want a happy ending. Anyway enough of all this, let’s not waste time talking about such things. I want to get to know everything about you. I need to lose myself in you to forget my own sorry existence.

  Chapter 15

  I am dreading going to school today. I spent way too long with Ash last night and am now paying the price for lack of sleep. It is going to be hard seeing him and not being able to speak or even acknowledge him. Thinking of my predicament I realise that Cally will also find it tough. Sighing I grab my bag and join Gabe downstairs.

  On the way to school he says urgently. “Listen Grace. You had better join us today. Ash is unpredictable at the moment and seems to have more than just a passing interest in you. The last thing I want is another Jessica Parker situation so make sure that the three of you sit with us and we’ll protect you.” Looking sideways at him I smile. “Are you sure it’s not just because you can’t keep away from Piper?” He grins at me. “That’s just the icing on the cake. I get to spend time with her at the same time as protecting you.”

  As we park up I see the usual group of motorbikes with their riders milling around with Skylar and her gang. Putting my head down I walk with Gabe, trying not to make eye contact. However as we pass I am surprised to see Skylar draped around Jace. They are kissing each other and his hands are all over her. Gabe whistles as we pass. “Well, well. I wonder what Ash will make of that new partnership.” Saying nothing I head inside and find my friends. Gabe comes with me and I laugh as he makes a bee line for Piper. She is looking amazing as her acne has now well and truly gone and her eyes are shining, mainly due to my gorgeous cousin who can’t seem to keep his hands off her. Cally laughs and winks at me, then drawing me aside she whispers, “I wish that I could be like them with Jacob. It’s going to be hell on earth seeing him around with Teagan hanging off of him.” I look at her in surprise. “Is he still with her then?” Nodding sorrowfully Cally says, “He told me that if he finished with her then she would be suspicious and he didn’t want it to lead to me. He reminded me of what they’re capable of and until he can think of another way we will have to carry on as before.” I squeeze her arm in sympathy. How horrible to see your guy with another and not be able to do anything about it.

  The air then goes tense as the hallway is suddenly filled with leather jackets and testosterone. I try to look interested in my locker and out of the corner of my eye see Ash and his gang followed by Skylar and hers. They reach their lockers and I watch as Skylar walks up to Jace and reaching up pulls him down to meet her for a long lingering kiss. She does it right in front of Ash and there is a collective holding of breath from everyone around. Looking disinterested Ash slams his locker shut and heads off to his first lesson. I see Teagan grab hold of Jacob as he goes to follow him and he just gives her a brief kiss on the cheek and follows his friend. Her expression is one of annoyance and she looks with irritation at his retreating figure. As soon as he leaves Skylar moves away from Jace and flicking her long dark hair over her shoulder she says to her friends, “Come on. I need a pee.” They head off to the restrooms and I see Jace grin at his friend Quade. “She’s one hot chick, that’s all I’m gonna say.” He smirks and after much slapping on the back from his friends they all head off. Leaning against the locker Cally’s eyes are wide. “That was tense. I wonder what Ash thinks about his girlfriend going off with Jace?” Gabe turns around saying, “You’re joking aren’t you. She is obviously just trying to make him jealous. My guess is that he’s cut her loose and she’s trying to get back at him. Not that he’ll be bothered; he hasn’t got a heart anyway and has probably already moved on with someone else.” Feeling myself blush I grab my books and hurry off to my lesson. I am not sure how long this will work for. I just hope that Ash keeps his part of the bargain and keeps well away from me around here.

  We have our lunch with Gabe and his group of friend
s and have a lot of fun teasing him and Piper. Despite the fact that the second best catch of the school has been taken the girls are surprisingly welcoming to the three of us. I see Ash in the distance but don’t make eye contact. Despite this I do feel his eyes on me whenever I am near him. They burn into my very soul and once again I wish that we could be together with no complications.

  Gabe reminds us that the football game is tonight with Freyview High. There is an intense rivalry at these games and we are all expected to turn out to cheer our team on. Cally, Piper and I have decided to go together to show our support. Luckily, Ash and his friends don’t bother going to games, they are usually causing trouble somewhere else instead. I am actually quite looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see Gabe and the team and it will be a break from the normal routine. I have told Ash that I won’t be able to get away tonight. My Aunt is becoming suspicious of the fact that I am out so late and I need to restore her trust in me. He wasn’t happy about it and I could tell that it made him really mad. For somebody who is so used to getting his own way all of the time, this situation is going to be harder for him than most.

  The evening soon comes and it is time to take our places to watch the game. Armed with hot dogs and popcorn Piper, Cally and I take up our seats in the stands. Looking around me with interest I see that the place is almost full and despite the fact that it is a home game, there are large amounts of visiting fans to support Freyview. The atmosphere is on fire and we watch as the cheerleaders do their stuff. I had once wanted to be a cheerleader but never fitted in. The other girls hated me and I soon left because it was too stressful and started impacting on my studies. Cally nudges me and points as Gabe comes out followed by his team. We laugh as we see Piper jumping up and down in excitement cheering for him. Looking up, somehow he sees her and blows her a kiss. We all dissolve into hysterics. They are going to make a great couple, that much is obvious.