by Aileen Erin
Nikki leaned into her sister. “So they were right? They’re coming here.”
Wait a second. Drained of blood? They couldn’t be talking about what I thought they were about. Could they? “A vampire?”
Imogene glared again. “Vampiresss.” She went back to watching the TV. “They’re being messy. They want us to know they’re coming.”
“Why would they do that? What would they gain by finding us?”
Imogene swiveled around and shoved my arm.
I just have to hold on a couple more days and then they’ll finally be here. They’ll take care of her.
How did she know for sure that the vampires were coming here? And who exactly were they going to take care of? I had a feeling it was me, but maybe that was narcissistic.
Something she said stuck with me though. My first night here when I’d tried to run away, I overheard Mr. Dawson and Dastien talking about some threat coming south. Maybe it was my fault that they were coming here? Or mine and Dastien’s fault.
That didn’t sit well with me. Especially if Imogene was referring to me in the vision I had.
“Come on. I have a TV in my room,” Meredith said.
Shannon followed us and shut the door. I sat on the fuzzy magenta rug and tried to think rationally, but that proved hard.
Meredith plopped on her bed and grabbed the remote.
“—recommend that you stay indoors after dark. Authorities asked that if you see anything suspicious, call 9-1-1 immediately. The governor’s office released a statement—”
Meredith muted the TV. “The governor’s office doesn’t know squat.” She looked to Shannon. “You think the vamps are planning something?”
“Maybe. Probably. I hope we don’t have to move the school.”
“Move the school?” I asked.
“Every once in a while, bloodsuckers try to find the school,” Shannon said. “But they’ve never gotten this close to any of them. If they actually found us, we’d have to move or else face God knows how many attacks.”
That made sense, but it still seemed like overkill. Not to mention bad timing. I didn’t want to move any farther away from my family than I already had. “How can you be sure it’s vampires?” I asked.
“Throats ripped out. Drained of blood,” Shannon said. “I’m sure even you’ve seen a vampire movie.”
I didn’t like the way she talked to me, but tried to ignore it.
Meredith patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’m sure some Cazadores will fix this whole problem before the vamps get anywhere near us.”
“Do vampires and werewolves talk at all?”
Shannon snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous. The only time we talk is when we’re killing them.”
Maybe my visions were still off. They definitely weren’t like they were before. Maybe the “they” Imogene had been talking about were werewolves since they were connected with her father. But why would she be thinking about that while the reporter talked about a brutal murder?
If I was right and Imogene had something to do with the vampires, what could I do about it? And who would believe me?
Chapter Twenty-Five
By Thursday morning, I entered full-on-annoyed mode. Everywhere I went, boys followed. And while the boys were busy fawning, the girls were driving me completely mental. If they didn’t stop with their whispering and staring and rude remarks, someone was going to get hurt. I was pretty sure that person would be me, because I’d seen them in martial arts class. But still, it was enough to make me forget that.
Dastien was conveniently MIA. I hadn’t seen him since the meeting with Donovan and Sebastian. I told him to give me time, so it was on me if he was trying to do that. But still. The dude needed to grow a pair.
I tried to distract myself by figuring out what Donovan meant with “getting it settled.” The word “mate” reverberated in my mind constantly. For some reason, it seemed too personal to share with Meredith, so I was on my own with figuring it out. I tried to do more research on the web, but who knew how accurate that was.
The Werewolf’s Bible might have the info I needed in it, but the only time I picked it up, I got one of the most messed up visions I’d ever had. I’d tried to read it with my gloves on but the pages were worn and delicate. I took off my gloves.
Anger made me sweat. Then fear made me shiver. Despair. Confusion. Anger. Rage. Fury.
I’d thrown the book across the room, and pages ripped from the old binding. It took me a full hour to calm down. To separate my own feelings from those in the vision.
Suffice it to say I wouldn’t be attempting to read it anytime soon.
I was mulling it over again at lunch as I ate my thrice-daily mountain of food, but the whole thing was so alien to me.
“Look at that,” Chris said.
I turned to see one of Imogene’s friends—a blonde whose name I didn’t know—sitting at a table alone with one of the guys—Stephen? Stefan? Something starting with an “s.”
“Hope found her guy?” Meredith said.
Adrian laughed. “Yeah, right. That girl’s a tease. She’s got a couple more months until she turns eighteen. No way is she settling on one until then. Guaranteed. I’m still in the running.”
Chris and Adrian fist bumped.
Meredith shoved Adrian. “I’m going to get more food. Anyone need anything?”
“Nah. I’ll come with,” Chris said.
Adrian got up too, leaving Shannon and me alone in uncomfortable silence. She and I weren’t exactly clicking. We’d gotten into a habit of ignoring each other’s existence, and I was totally fine with that.
I chewed on my lip, thinking to myself. “I wish everyone would shut it with the whole ‘mate’ thing,” I muttered, not intending it to really be heard.
“Listen, love,” she said in a condescending tone. “Every girl here will be mated by the time she’s eighteen. It’s the way that it works. Girls are precious, and the males protect them.”
I tried to keep the disgust off my face. “Eighteen is barely legal. No one should decide who they’re with at that age. You don’t even know who you are yet.”
“Some choose earlier.”
“It’s not the Stone Age anymore.” I ran my fingers through my hair. I didn’t have long until my birthday, and couldn’t imagine choosing anyone…okay, I could totally picture choosing Dastien, if he were anywhere to be found. “Whatever might seem normal to you, isn’t to me. It’s not right.”
“Tough luck. You’re going to have to choose a mate soon.” She pointed at the next table over. “See there, three boys have been courting Samantha. She’s favoring Paul at the moment, but she could change her mind.” She spun in her seat. “And there. Nikki is already promised to Jacob.” She stared at me. “Look around. Loads have already made their choices.”
I looked from table to table. There were only a few girls who hadn’t chosen, and they had a bunch of guys with them. And there were still a few tables of just boys—who were all watching me. I did a finger wave to them. They stood—ready to jump at my request. It was beyond creepy. And more than a little sad. They didn’t really want me. They just wanted a girl, and I’d do just fine.
“Don’t tease them,” Shannon said.
I crossed my arms. “If it’s all so important to choose, how come you haven’t?”
She grinned, and I didn’t like the look of it. “I’ve got my eye on one. And since you’ve ditched him for the half-breed, I’m sure I’ll get him.”
I should’ve known. Every girl, their moms, aunts, and female cousins wanted a piece of Dastien. I’d seen him with his shirt off, so it was understandable, but that didn’t mean it didn’t bug the crap out of me. But who did I ditch him for? “What half-breed?”
“You like to call him Chris.”
What a bitch.
Some people in LA liked to call me that since I was half-Caucasian and half-Mexican. It was safe to assume that “half-breed” was an insult in any culture, even supernatural ones
. That she called a friend one was inexcusable. “You seem to think real highly of your friends.”
“I like him fine, but he isn’t a suitable mate. His great-grandfather was bitten. So it’s fitting that you two would pick up.”
And now she was calling me a “half-breed.” Why was Meredith friends with her? “And you think you’ll get Dastien?”
“Rightly so.”
It took everything in me not to punch her in the face.
“If you weren’t here, all of those boys around you would be vying for the attention of the undecideds. They’re used to more attention, and they hate you right now.” Her laugh wasn’t even a little sweet. “You’re a new element in the equation and have messed up the whole bloody lot. I’m quite enjoying the drama.”
The one thing that made me happy was imagining her and Imogene fighting over Dastien. That would be something to watch. I’d bring popcorn. “Well, I have too much self-respect to beg some guy to be with me. Dastien’s going to like who he wants, and unfortunately, none of you shewolves have a say in it. And if you think fighting over a boy is going to gain their attention, then you’re sadder than I thought.”
“Damn skippy,” said a voice right behind me.
I jumped out of my seat. “Axel?” I turned to find my whole family standing behind me.
Well, this was awkward.
Time for a swift subject change. “Mom! Dad! What are you doing here?” My voice was way high-pitched. A clear give-away. I was nothing if not smooth.
Mom pulled me in for a quick hug and then pulled away to look at me. “You look amazing. I don’t know what I was picturing, but you look beautiful…And a little thin. Are you eating?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes. It’s just that this whole change burns through a ton of calories. I’m still figuring out how much to eat.”
“Tessa,” Dad said.
I gave him a hug. “Thanks for coming and bringing Mom.”
“I told you I would. And Axel wanted to say goodbye. He’s headed to Austin in the morning.”
Axel elbowed. “I’ll only be a little over an hour drive away. Less if I speed. Call me if you need me.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
“Who’s that hottie?” Axel said.
I spun to see Meredith walking up with Chris and Adrian. “That’s my roommate. She’s not legal.”
Axel laughed.
“Be nice,” I whispered to him. “I’d like you all to meet my Mom, Gabby. My Dad, John. And my brother, Axel. This is Adrian, Chris, Meredith and Shannon.”
My Dad looked less than friendly toward Shannon. Crap. He’d heard more than I wanted him to hear.
“The feeling’s mutual,” Meredith said to my brother.
Axel looked confused, so I filled him in. “You called her a hottie. Everyone here has excellent hearing.”
He winked at her. “Thanks.”
I elbowed Axel again. “Down boy.”
The bell rang and everyone started filing out. “We’re going to head to class,” Meredith said. “See you last period?”
“Sure.”
They said their good-byes.
When everyone was gone, Mom smiled. “Meredith and the boys seem nice.”
“Totally.”
“What was that Shannon girl saying about teenage marriage?” Dad crossed his arms.
Oh sweet baby Jesus. This couldn’t be more embarrassing. “Don’t worry. I didn’t drink the Kool-Aid.” As I said that, Mr. Dawson and Dastien walked into the cafeteria. The room felt ten degrees hotter as I watched Dastien.
Boy did he make the Kool-Aid appealing.
Axel stepped in front of me, blocking my awesome view. “You’re supposed to be staying away from her. That was the deal. This is the second time I’ve seen my sister since you attacked her and both times you were there.”
I slapped Axel on his arm. “What the hell, dude.”
“Why don’t you go take over my class?” Mr. Dawson said to Dastien.
“I think that’d be best,” Dad said.
Dastien nodded and left without a word.
I wondered how much of him staying away from me had to do with his guilt and giving me time, and how much was everyone trying to keep us apart. “I know everyone thinks I’m fragile right now, but I’m okay. I think with everything that I’ve had to deal with, you should trust me to figure out the whole guy thing on my own.”
Axel got in my face. “You can’t actually want to date that guy. He attacked you—”
My cheeks burned. “Attacked is a bit of a harsh word for what happened.” I couldn’t stand by and let them think that about Dastien. “It was an accident.”
“And the next time he hits you?” Mom asked.
My mouth dropped open. Holy crapola. They thought I was in an abusive relationship? “Not you too. Everyone can calm down. No after school special needed here. I’m not really in any kind of relationship, so it’s fine.” I sat down in the chair, and everyone moved to take a seat around the table.
“It’d be best if everyone moved to the opposite side of the table from me and Tessa,” Mr. Dawson said.
I scowled at him. “I’m not going to hurt my family.”
He laughed.
My scowl must not have been as intimidating as I thought.
“It’s a necessary precaution if you want to continue this conversation,” Mr. Dawson said.
My family got up and moved across the table. The cafeteria was completely deserted. Even the staff had left, probably just in the kitchen cleaning, but it was enough to give me the feeling of privacy.
Which was essential because my blood was boiling. Keeping my cool was a struggle. Mr. Dawson had a point, but that didn’t mean I had to like it. “Look. I’m not saying I’m going to marry the guy—”
Mr. Dawson cleared his throat.
My heart skipped a beat before it raced. “What? You know something that I don’t?”
“I wouldn’t confirm or deny anything at this point. Let’s wait and see what happens.”
Dad did not like that. He slapped his hand down on the table. “No one is forcing a man on my daughter.”
“I would never…” Mr. Dawson took a breath. It was the only hint that he was pissed. “We’re keeping this quiet, but I guess you should know that Dastien Laurent is her mate. His wolf took control to claim her. It was an accident and one Dastien wishes he could undo. Or re-do in an entirely different manner. But what’s done is done. Now’s the time to support Tessa as she figures out what this means and what it is she wants.”
Axel sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “You can call it whatever you want, but that asshole turned my sister without permission. That’s not okay. Not in my book.”
My parents nodded. My family was on my side, but it sure felt like they weren’t.
A man with chin length straight blond hair streaked with gray came to stand next to the table. He wore a charcoal three-piece suit—which was overkill for Cedar Ridge, Texas. “I see you’re still having trouble controlling your student body, Michael.”
Mr. Dawson stood in one fluid movement, forcing the man to take a step back. Their gazes clashed, and the man’s fists clenched as he looked away.
“And what have we here? Three humans on campus?” His gaze fell to me. “Ah. This must be the bitten girl.”
“Careful, Rupert,” Mr. Dawson said. “You’ll not insult any member of this family.”
I didn’t like Rupert standing over me, so I stood. Everything in the room fell away as I waited for him to look away. When he finally did, fur rippled along his face and was gone so quickly I thought I’d imagined it.
Mr. Dawson put his hand on my shoulder. His grin made me feel like I’d just done something awesome, and I couldn’t help but return it.
“This is Rupert Hoel. Nikki and Imogene’s father.”
That didn’t surprise me in the least. I liked this guy just as much as I liked his daughters.
“This is the McCaide family.” Mr. Daw
son turned to fully face Rupert, crossing his arms. “Is there a reason why you’re on my campus unannounced?”
“I wasn’t aware I needed to announce myself.” Mr. Hoel smoothed down his vest.
“It’s always necessary. This is a closed campus and you know that. Wait in my office.”
Go, Mr. Dawson. I snickered as Mr. Hoel stormed off, slamming the cafeteria door behind him.
Mr. Dawson winked at me. “He’s not going to like my office much. Donovan and Sebastian are there and the three of them don’t get along.”
“I won’t pretend to know all the ins and outs of what’s going on here, but I’m learning fast.” Dad had his no-bullshit face on. “I want to be perfectly clear—what might be normal for you is not normal for my daughter. She is—was—human and I won’t have anything forced on her that she’s uncomfortable with. Or that her mother and I are uncomfortable with.”
Thank God the cafeteria was empty. I shifted in my seat. “I don’t think anyone is going to forget that I was bitten, Dad.”
“I think the thing to remember is that this is a transition for all of you.” Mr. Dawson’s voice was calm and even. He was taking Dad’s intimidating stare better than I could. “You’ve lost the old Tessa, but she’s not really gone. She might have had a rough time before, and maybe at the moment it’s harder—but I think it’s all set her up to become a very strong person. I think you’d all be surprised by what she’s already accomplished here.”
My cheeks burned. I wasn’t sure I’d accomplished anything.
“I would never intentionally make a member of my pack uncomfortable. I swear that I will watch her as if she’s my own. I’ve given you full access to St. Ailbe’s. Feel free to visit her whenever you feel the need. She’s not my prisoner. I’m only here to help as she learns her new abilities.”