Silver Mortal (The Gracen Chronicles)

by Jenna Kay

  Although excitement is pumping me full of energy, there's a raw feeling of anxious nerves pounding away at my gut. Tonight I'd be working with not one, but five Vipers. All six of us. Together. Fighting on the same side. This, no doubt, was going to be the most interesting night of my life.

  Pulling my black cycle into an overloaded alley, I turn the engine off and hop onto the trash-littered pavement. Removing my helmet and shaking out my wind-blown hair, I do a quick sweep of the alley to see if anyone or anything is hanging around. Lucky for me there's no one around, so I prepare to hide my ride.

  A few months back, after Mom and I had destroyed a nest of Faerie demons in Central Park, I'd come across some unfinished construction in this very alley. A large hole had been dug into the brick building, though no one had bothered to have it fixed. Having a secret hiding place for my beloved bike, I was able to conceal it, send some demons to Hell, and then enjoy a nice ride home. Also I would have peace of mind that it wouldn't be stolen while I worked.

  Clicking my helmet to the handlebars, I start to push it inside the brick hideout, when a male voice speaks out of the darkness.

  “Sweeeet,” the voice says.

  Taken by surprise, I pull out two Shurikens and throw them directly at the newcomer. The moment they leave my fingers, I quickly discover the unknown person is Ash. A wave of acute horror flashes across his pale face as he vanishes into a cloud of blackness, and just in time, too. The sharp points of the throwing stars become embedded deeply into the wall.

  “Oh crap!” I shout, my hand flying to my mouth. I rush over when Ash becomes visible again, only this time he's standing a few feet away from the throwing stars. His blue eyes gleam at me with confusion.

  “Gracen, what the hell?” he states loudly, reaching an unsteady hand into his pocket and pulling out a pack of cigarettes.

  “Oh, Ash, I'm so, so sorry—wait a minute—no I'm not!” I place my hands on my hips and glare at him. “What are you doing sneaking up on me like that? Why are you even here?”

  The rendezvous was just up the street from my hiding place, which had worked out swimmingly for me and my bike. The plan was to meet in front of Katie's Deli and walk the few blocks to our destination, which was a dance club called The Night Monkey. Phoenix had done some investigating and found out that a few club-goers had spotted a few dudes in werewolf costumes. In our line of work we decided it best to check it out. I mean, why would regular people be walking around in werewolf costumes? Halloween wasn't for another week or so.

  But before we can figure out the werewolf infestation I need to find out why Ash is here and not waiting with the others.

  Inspecting the Shurikens that had almost struck him, he glances back at me with raised eyebrows, fidgeting in his black leather jacket. “Phoenix asked me to find you because the plans changed. He and the others went ahead of us to scope out the club. Still, you didn't have to attack me.”

  “What?” I shrug nonchalantly. “You were sneaking up on me. What did you expect would happen?”

  “You'd give me a hug?” he replies with a goofy grin, lighting up his cigarette in the process. When he only gets an angry glower from me he puts in, “No, seriously, I'm sorry I appeared without warning you. I'm not used to announcing my arrival, but next time I'll be sure to, I don't know, call you or something.”

  I study him a moment to make sure he's genuine. I'm intrigued by his sudden change of heart. He's like a totally different person tonight, raising my curiosity, though I already know that his feelings are sincere. He's also nervous and twitchy, but I already knew that would be a given.

  “You should do that,” I tell him, stashing away my bike. “Unless you want to lose your eyes.”

  “More like my brain,” he jokes, expiring a puff of smoke. Once again he inspects the Shurikens jammed in the wall.

  Pulling the large dumpster in front of the hole, I spin around and walk over to him.

  “I haven't known you long, but I'm sure your brain has been nonexistent for years.” Glaring fully in his face, I yank out the throwing stars and slide them into the hidden pockets of my black pants.

  He grins. “I find your witty sarcasm strangely ineffective.”

  I lean into him and smile sweetly. “I find your over-abundant ignorance hugely pestiferous.”

  Passing by him and walking out of the alley, I start to make my way toward The Night Monkey.

  “Gracen, wait.” He catches up to me, gently tugging at my arm.

  “What?” I inquire, stopping in my tracks.

  Dropping his arm to his side he says, “I've been thinking, and I want to apologize for the way I acted the other day.”

  My jaw drops as I stare at him in utter surprise.

  “No, really!” he exclaims, rubbing a trembling hand through his blonde hair. “It's been tough. And all you've been is nice. Can we start over?” His bright blue eyes peer into mine eagerly.

  Wow. Phoenix's talk with him had been a success.

  “Alright,” I say slowly, then shrug. “Sure, what the hell, sounds good to me.”

  He grins. “Great.”

  We walk a few steps in silence as Ash puffs away on his cancer stick.

  “Phoenix said something about a dance club full of werewolves called The Nasty Monkey. Is that where we're heading?”

  Rolling my eyes, I release a snicker and reply, “It's called The Night Monkey, and yes, there's rumors going around about some guys dressed up in werewolf costumes hanging around the club. Though Phoenix seems to think there's a little more to the story, if you catch my drift.”

  “Drift has been caught,” he remarks, then cackles. “What kind of club is called The Night Monkey? I bet it's because the owners are part ape or something.

  I stop walking and glance over at him. He stops also, and before I can stop myself I begin laughing so hard tears come to my eyes. His eyes narrow, studying me hard, trying to figure what has me busting my gut.

  After I settle down, I give him an approving gaze. “Did you just make a funny, Ash? Because it sounded like you made a funny.”

  His pale face flushes and he steers his gaze to his shoes. “I guess so.” He looks at me and grins.

  “Come on,” I say, playfully slapping at his shoulder. He doesn't shy away from my touch this time. “Let's go find the others.”

  Again we find ourselves walking in silence. I feel the change come on me as the clock strikes midnight. I pull out my sunglasses and slide them on. Being Friday night there would be hundreds of people on the streets and I didn't want to freak anyone out by my silver eyes. I continue to walk with Ash by my side, at first not noticing the questionable look painting his face.

  “Gracen, can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure. Ask away.”

  “Why are you wearing sunglasses?”

  “Because,” I begin patiently as we continue walking down the sidewalk, “after midnight my eyes turn silver. See?” I stop him in his tracks and take off my glasses, revealing my silver orbs. His eyes grow to the size of cantaloupes.

  “Wicked,” he whispers, completely enthralled.

  “And these,” I point at the claw marks on each of my cheeks, “represent the Silver Eagle's scratch. Didn't Phoenix tell you all this?”

  “No, he didn't.”

  “Well...now you know.” With the mention of Phoenix's name I notice that Ash's tone turned dark and placid. It made me wonder what kind of relationship the two of them had, especially since Ash's dad had been the one who killed Phoenix's parents. I knew it wasn't Ash's fault for his father's actions, but I could also see where that situation could damage a friendship. Even if they had grown up practically brothers.

  Cautiously I ask, “Didn't they—the people in charge of you—teach you anything about us?”

  A shadow falls across his face, most likely a distant memory flashing behind his eyes. By the haunted expression on his face I'm wishing I could turn back time and not ask that question.

  An uneasy minute pass
es before he informs me, “The only thing I learned about Silver Mortals was to stay away from them.” And that's all I got out of him on that matter.

  The city streets we're walking are full of cabs, cars, and limousines. Most of New York's finest were on their way to expensive auctions, charity balls, and whatever else the rich people did on their Friday nights. One thing I'm certain of is that none of them are heading over to The Night Monkey, though as the night club comes into view we find that it's anything but desolate.

  The club resides in the lowest, darkest part of Manhattan in a gigantic two-story building. Green and yellow neon signs blink on and off, all advertising the popular dance club. The signs also boasts that they serve every liquor known to man. The line into the club wraps around the building, the women and men all scantily and outrageously dressed. A bouncer, an Untouched human, guards the entrance to the club, letting only a few people in at a time.

  A sigh of defeat escapes my lips.

  “How are we supposed to get in?” I wonder aloud, my lips drawing into a frown.

  “Don't worry about it,” Ash dictates as he stomps out his cigarette. He pulls a cell phone out, punches a few buttons, and puts it back in his pocket, not giving up why I shouldn't be concerned.

  With my temper flaring I growl, “What do you mean don't worry about it? There's possibly a whole pack of werewolf demons in there, and you're telling me to—”

  “Whoa, Gracen, chill out!” he cries, his hands once again shaking. “I'm simply telling you not to worry because I have a plan.”

  We cease our steps, and I keep a hard glower focused on him.

  “Oh really?” I smirk, grabbing his arm and jerking him close to me. “What kind of plan?”

  He pokes his chest out. “I'm a Night Viper.”

  “Yeeeeah,” I pronounce slowly. “And I'm a Silver Mortal. So what?”

  “That's how we're going to get in,” he announces with a sly grin. I stare at him in wonder, then full comprehension covers me like a cold wet blanket.

  “No, wait! Someone might see—”

  I'm unable to finish my outcry because Ash wraps me tightly against his chest. I get a face full of cigarette smoke and deodorant. All the lights from the neon signs disappear as darkness swallows us up, our feet no longer touching the ground. My eyes involuntarily close as the black mist and strong winds enclose around us. My heart is thundering in my chest, my thoughts a big blur, as a discombobulated feeling slithers through my veins. As soon as that feeling starts, though, it's over. The bottoms of my feet are now touching the ground. I open my eyes...

  And that's when I lay into Ash.

  “What is wrong with you?” I push him up against a wall, my finger pointed in his face. “Are you crazy? Are you wanting to get caught? And what would have happened if someone had seen us just magically appear out of nowhere, huh?”

  I'm so angry with him I want to shove his head through the wall. How could he risk us being seen? We could have popped up anywhere in this club—what if we'd appeared right in the middle of the dance floor?

  “G-Gracen,” he says, his hands lifted in defeat. “Look, I got us in and no one saw. We're on the second floor and practically no one comes up here.”

  “Practically no one comes up...” Rage starts to spill out of me, my surroundings turning red. “What if tonight had been the one night that someone came up here—what would we do then?”

  He shakes his head. “I-I don't know...” He trails off, his whole body a big quiver. He's feeling fear, and my lips lift in a smile. I have the sudden urge to take my knifes out and slice him—

  “Gracen, back away.”

  I jerk my head toward the new voice, and then my heart drops to the floor. Phoenix is standing right next to us, his dark eyes watching me cautiously. Reality comes crashing into me, taking away my raging fury and dangerous thoughts. I no longer see red anymore, just a normal dark hallway. I stare at Phoenix through wide eyes, my heart and my breath finally slowing down.

  “Phoenix,” I whisper, taking a few steps backward. I turn to Ash and gasp.

  Ash's eyes are closed and his whole body is shaking. What had I done?

  “Gracen,” Phoenix murmurs, pulling me lightly away from Ash. “Give him some air.”

  I do as he says, walking to the end of the hallway and leaning my back against the wall, sliding down to the floor. I watch as he talks softly with Ash. As they talk I feel the floor vibrating underneath me, the pounding dance music moving the whole building. I hadn't even noticed that when Ash and I first arrived. I'd just been so angry at him. I'd wanted to hurt him. But now, sitting in the hallway, watching Phoenix pull Ash to his feet, I can't help but wonder...why had I been so angry? Where did that hostility come from?

  As Phoenix and Ash walk over, I quickly stand to my feet. Phoenix is staring hard at me, while Ash averts his eyes. When Ash passes by me and starts to descend the stairs leading to the club, I reach out and touch his arm. He halts his steps, his body trembling, keeping his eyes glued to the floor.

  “Ash, I'm so sorry,” I tell him softly, willing him to look at me. I still feel fear as his main emotion, but it seems to have simmered down.

  Without lifting his eyes he replies, “It's cool, Gracen. We're cool.” And with that said he bounds down the stairs that lead into the club.

  Whipping my head around to Phoenix I see that he's eying me questionably. I feel like he's accusing me of something wrong, and in reality I had done something wrong. I'd let my anger take over, and exploded my rage at Ash. My knees wobbled and suddenly I fell to the floor, releasing my tears and frustrations.

  As soon as my first tear hit the floor, Phoenix falls to his knees next to me, folding his arms around my shoulders. His touch instantly calms me, though my tears continue to fall. I wrap my arms around him, my body shaking along with my cries.

  A few moments of crying like a baby went by before Phoenix whispers, “Gracen, it's going to be alright. Just tell me what happened.”

  Wiping tears on my sleeves, I peer up at him, still sniffling.

  “I...I don't know what happened,” I begin to tell him, everything coming out in a rush. “One minute everything's fine. We're talking, walking over to the club, and then he grabs me and teleports me here. I got angry because I thought he'd gone and screwed up. I thought he'd recklessly teleported us, not bothering to worry about someone seeing us and—”

  “He did what he was supposed to do,” Phoenix informs me, his voice deep and steady. “He sent me a message right before he teleported in. He knew it was safe because we'd scoped it out already.”

  “Oh,” I express, feeling like a total jerk.

  “Yeah,” Phoenix says back.

  I try to smile. “Guess I really jumped the gun, huh?”

  “Yeah,” Phoenix says again, adding, “but everything's fine. Ash is fine, and you're—”

  “I'm not fine,” I interrupt. “Not by a long shot. My anger...I've always had a problem with it, and usually my mom's the only one who can calm me down.”

  He blows out a sigh, placing a wild hair behind my ear. “Well, I guess I'll have to learn to calm you down. And I've got a few ideas of how you can use all that pent-up rage.” He wiggles his eyebrows up and down.

  I laugh, staring up at his handsome face. “Is your mind always in the gutter?”

  “Only when I'm around you,” he shoots back. He stands to his feet, offering me a hand. I take it and he pulls me to my feet in one swift heave.

  “I'll help you through your anger, Gracen,” he says softly, touching his forehead to mine. “Everyone and everything is going to be alright.”

  He backs away, walking toward the stairs.

  “I believe we have some work to do,” he tells me, bowing and gesturing with hands. “Ladies first.”

  I grin, feeling a little better. I smack his face as I walk by. “Let's go find us some werewolves.”

  CHAPTER 17

  We walk down the same stairwell Ash had taken. Once we're at the
bottom the bright lights hit us and we emerge into the club. My eyeballs grow wide at the spectacle set out before us.

  The whole club is a jungle theme. Everywhere you look there's rope vines and colorful flowers hanging about, even real coconut trees. In one corner a big volcano is set up with lava spilling down its middle, though instead of lava it's some kind of red liquor-infused drink. Tables and booths circle around the dance floor, some filled with people sporting drinks in coconut shells. Lights every color of the rainbow blink along with the rhythm of the music, which is a techno/dance beat. Not my favorite kind of music, but the people bumping and grinding on the dance floor seem to be enjoying it.

  What has me completely taken back is the four cages swaying from the high ceiling. They are made out of bamboo sticks, each one holding a barely-dressed woman. The ladies dance seductively while holding large snakes around their necks. The thought of a snake slithering over my bare skin causes me to cringe. Yuck.

  “I see Ash!” Phoenix yells in my ear, pointing to a nearby booth. When we get closer I can make out Tink sitting across from Ash, and I can't stop the gasp that crawls out of my throat.

  She looks way older than her thirteen years, wearing her hair in an updo and her face overly-done with makeup. The black tight-fitted dress shows off curves that most twenty year-old women don't have. For a moment I want to go all motherly and tell her she doesn't have to dress older to get a guy, but then again I guess to stay in the club she had to look older, that way she could work undercover. Staring down at her chest I realize that her boobs are way bigger than mine. Feeling more than a little self-conscious, I zip my leather jacket all the way up so as to hide my barely-there chest.

  As Phoenix sits next to Ash, I slide in by Tink, getting a big whiff of her apple blossoms shampoo. She gives me a once over, then leans in and whispers, “Why in the world are you wearing sunglasses?”

  “I'll show you.” Getting in her face I let my sunglasses fall to the tip of my nose for a brief second, flashing her with my silver orbs. Her eyes grow wide and she grins.