“You know, you’re really mean,” she said, still pouting. “That’s probably why Catherine wants nothing to do with you, well, she’s interested in your face and body, but not you, because you’re meeean.”
I raised my hand, covering my other one. She stopped rambling as a flame sparked from my middle fingertip.
“What the hell?” she gasped.
“Catherine and I are Merges, which are types of angels,” I said, not wanting to admit that Merges could also be demons. Like me. Or part demon in my case.
Another flame flickered to life on my second fingertip. “I’m a Seraph, which is a fire Merge, while I think Catherine’s a Stella, someone who can control all the elements.”
Nicky continued to stare at the flames coming from my fingertips, transfixed by them.
I extinguished the flames with my other hand. “We don’t usually tell humans about—”
She burst out in a fit of giggles, cutting me short.
“What’s so funny?” I asked, irritated by her response.
“You said humans. This is so freaking weird.” Her expression turned excited. “Is Stephen an angel too? He has to be with the way he looks. He’s sooo heavenly.” Her hand shot to her mouth. “Don’t tell him I said that!”
“I won’t, and he’s not an angel,” I lied. “So you can’t tell the dumbass about what happened.”
Her hand whipped out, smacking my arm. “Don’t talk about your cousin like that, he’s not dumb.”
“You mustn’t know him very well, then.”
“He’s not dumb.”
“Okay, how about I set you up on a date with him and see whether you’ll still be saying that afterwards.”
Her eyes went round. “You’ll get me a date with Stephen?”
Seeing an opportunity, I nodded, hoping that she could distract my idiot cousin from his infatuation with Catherine.
She squealed, then launched herself at me, giving me the biggest hug.
“Ah... please let go of me,” I said, holding my hands out, not wanting to touch her.
She instantly let go. “Sorry! I’m just so happy! When can he go out? Tonight? I can see him after I visit Catherine, that’s if her mum lets me see her. I asked, but she said no, but if I bug her enough—”
I cut her off with a raised hand. “He has to say yes first.”
Her face dropped. “But I thought it was a done deal. You said you’d get me a date.”
“I’ll do my best, and if he says yes, I’ll make it for Friday or the weekend. Anyway, he has a cold, so he can’t go out tonight.”
She brought her thumb to her mouth, biting at the nail. “Do you think he’ll say yes?”
I hesitated for a moment, not sure she’d like my answer. Then again, I could always manipulate Stephen into saying yes. “I’ll make sure of it,” I replied with more confidence, “but if you so much as make a squeak about flaming fingertips and exploding water, I’ll make sure he never speaks to you again.”
“I told you I won’t open my mouth!” she snapped. “So, don’t threaten me.”
I smirked, threatening taking Stephen away working better than a physical threat.
“What are you smiling at?” she growled.
“Maybe you two will be the perfect match.”
A smile quickly replaced her scowl. “You think so?”
I nodded, thinking the imbeciles were made for each other.
***
Catherine wasn’t at school the following day either. But Nicky was. She cornered me after I’d left my history class for lunch, relaying what she’d heard from Catherine’s mother: that Catherine would be off school for the rest of the week. Unfortunately, that translated to Nicky following me for the rest of the week. Not to mention asking excessive questions about my kind, as she called Merges. But what got on my nerve even more was how she wouldn’t stop pestering me to ask Stephen out for her. He’d been off school sick for the past couple of days, so I hadn’t had the opportunity to ask, but did she give my ears a rest? Hell no! She was like a freaking Chihuahua that wouldn’t stop yapping around my heels.
I sat down on the bench outside the English class, wishing she would just go away.
She sat down next to me. “Are there lots of your kind around?” When I didn’t reply, she slid closer to me, her arm brushing mine, the girl not knowing the meaning of personal space. “Well, are there?”
I shrugged.
Her gaze flicked to the students walking past. She indicated to Kylie, a girl from my homeroom. “Is she a demon version of your kind?” she whispered.
“No, just a bitch,” I replied, wishing I hadn’t let slip that demons were Merges too.
Kylie’s attention landed on me as she drew closer, her gaze almost obscene. She stopped in front of me and Nicky, her friends piling around us. “Why are you sitting with Nicky, Chris baby?” she asked, making me cringe. Although she was hot, the way she spoke and looked at me was a major turn-off, the girl greasier than a fry pan.
“I thought you were dating Catherine,” she said.
“He’s not dating Catherine,” Nicky replied.
A mean smile pulled at Kylie’s full lips. “Well, then what’s he doing with you? Because he’s obviously far too gorgeous to even consider dating you.”
Nicky stiffened. “He’s getting me a date with his cousin.”
Kylie and her crew of bitches burst out laughing. “You and Stephen? He’s also way too hot for you.”
Nicky’s face went redder than her hair.
Kylie’s gaze shifted back to me. “Since you’re not dating Catherine, Chris, you should come over to my place after school. I have a pool and a spa. We can get nice and hot together.” She touched her finger to her tongue, making a sizzling sound.
I refrained from rolling my eyes. “Nicky’s wrong, I am dating Catherine.”
Kylie pouted. “But you two are always fighting. I won’t fight you, baby. I’ll be real nice to you.”
I put my hand in my pocket, touching one of my rosary beads, the one that Catherine had nicknamed the Jedi bead. “You should go see Mr. Glenmore,” I said, mentioning the art teacher she drooled over. “He was asking for you.”
Without a word, she walked away. Her friends ran off after her. Nicky pushed up, looking like she was going to follow them.
“Sit,” I said, realising the spell had worked on her too. Though, why I didn’t just let her walk away, I didn’t know. No, I did. It was her connection to Catherine, my only connection right now.
Nicky sat back down, looking confused. “Where’d Kylie and her minions go?”
“They went to see Mr. Glenmore.”
“The hottie art teacher?”
“If you say so.”
“He totally is. Catherine said that Kylie has a major crush on him.” She giggled. “But apparently, he likes Catherine instead. She said he’s always complimenting her.”
I frowned. “When does he compliment her?” I asked, not having noticed.
“He told her she would make a perfect model for his paintings. Even paid her to sit for him. Did a few paintings of her.”
My eyes widened. “The sleazy bastard!” I went to get up, fully intending on finding him. Confronting him.
Nicky grabbed my arm, anchoring me to the seat. “Oh, no, no, no. Catherine said Mr. Glenmore’s not like that. He just wanted to paint her. Never made any advances, though he did tell her she was beautiful, but did nothing beyond that. Catherine said he’s a nice man.”
I jerked my arm free. “I bet she did,” I growled low.
“Are you jealous?”
“No!”
“You are too, Mr. Jealous Face.”
I glared at her, what she was saying true.
She giggled. “Catherine was right.”
“About what?” I snapped.
“That you’re sexy when you scowl. I’m so jealous of her right now.”
“But I thought you wanted Stephen, not me.”
“Oh, no, I’m n
ot jealous because I want you. I’m jealous of Catherine. Even though she’s really mean to guys, they still fall hard for her. Like you have.”
“Hey! I’m not in love with her.”
She rolled her eyes.
“I’m not. I like her, that’s all.”
“Well, you have my sympathies, because she walks all over guys, especially ones who fall over themselves to get at her.”
“I’m not falling over myself,” I said, offended.
She laughed. “You are so deluding yourself.”
“I am not! I don’t need to chase girls. I have them falling over me. Kylie’s not the only one who’s asked me out today. I even had that young history teacher flirt with me.”
She raised a brow at me. “Then why aren’t you with her instead of talking about Catherine? Counter that, Chris baby,” she said, imitating Kylie’s breathy voice.
“That’s only because you won’t leave me the hell alone!”
“Excuses, excu—” She stopped talking, something behind me capturing her attention.
I glanced back to see what it was, spotting Stephen heading for the field. It was a surprise to see him, since he hadn’t shown up for his classes. Maybe he’d just come in for rugby. My cousin hated missing anything to do with the game. And he was dressed for it, his shorts, jersey, long socks, and boots ready to get dirty, while his long blond hair was tied back.
Seeing an opportunity to offload Nicky onto my cousin, I yelled out to him. He turned his head, but didn’t make a move to come over, probably since he was still angry with me. I indicated again. He grimaced, but headed for me, his annoyed expression changing to one of surprise as his violet gaze landed on Nicky.
He stopped in front of me, twirling a rugby ball in his hands. “You ditched Catherine for Red?” he asked, sizing Nicky up with a puzzled expression.
I shook my head. “I’m just sitting with her.”
Nicky remained quiet, staring up at Stephen as though he was some sort of god.
Stephen raised a blond brow. “Why are you staring?” He wiped his face. “Have I got something on me?”
“No, you’re perfection,” she sighed. “Can I touch you?”
I snorted out a laugh, while Stephen’s eyebrows shot up higher.
“What?” he asked.
“Can I touch you?” she repeated. “Please.”
Stephen indicated to her with a thumb. “Is this chick for real?” he asked me.
I smirked. “She wants a date with you. I said I’d get her one.”
He blinked at me. “You’re having me on.”
I shook my head.
He looked back at Nicky, then at me, clearly going to say no, but I got in first.
“You will go on a date with Nicky,” I said, touching the same bead as I’d done with Kylie.
Stephen’s face went blank. “Okay.”
Nicky squealed, recapturing his attention.
He blinked at her. “Why are you squealing at me?”
“Because you said yes! Well, actually, you said okay, but that basically means yes and—”
I cut her off, “Nicky, you’re rambling again.”
“That’s because I’m going on a date with Stephen Mackey!”
“I’m standing right here,” Stephen said, looking stunned. “And—”
“You’re the best!” she yelled, loud enough for half the school to hear. “Pick me up at seven on Friday. I live at 8 Angelo Avenue. Ha! So appropriate, since you look like an angel!” She jumped onto the bench and grabbed his face, planting a massive kiss on his lips. She let go of him and jumped off the bench, shrieking that she would see him later. I watched her sprint off, going only God knew where.
“What the hell just happened?” Stephen asked, watching her disappear around the corner.
“You just accepted a date with Nicky.” Unable to help myself, I sniggered. “Remember. 8 Angelo Avenue at seven on Friday.”
He grimaced. “I’m not going out with that nut job.”
“But you agreed.”
“I don’t remember saying shit. And I want Catherine.” His face hardened. “You’re a bastard for stealing her from me.”
“I’m sure Nicky will put out for you, so stop whining.”
A spark of interest lit up his violet eyes. “Did she say she wanted to have sex with me?”
“I think that one would do anything for you.”
His lips quirked up into a faint smile. “Maybe we can go out on one date. She is kind of pretty. I just hope she tones down the loopy.”
I bit back another snigger, thinking there wasn’t a chance in hell of that happening.
Chapter 23
Glad school was over for the day, I parked my Alfa outside the garage, even happier my father’s car wasn’t there. He was probably still at the university, lecturing in religious studies. Still, I wished my mother and grandfather had taken him with them on their trip, because right now, I didn’t want to see any of my family, what I’d been told about them still doing my head in.
I jumped out of my car and dashed through the rain to the front entrance, relieved to get under cover. I unlocked the door and headed straight for my mother’s library, wanting to read The Book of the Rosary so I could find out more about Stellas.
I made a beeline for the glass cabinet holding the book, unlocking it within seconds, my lock picking skills not too shabby. I lifted the glass cover and removed The Book of the Rosary, eager to learn about Catherine’s people. I placed the lid back into its proper position, hoping my father didn’t notice the book’s absence. Though, I didn’t think he would, since he usually did his research at the university, unlike my mother who worked from home.
I carried the book to my room, locking my door just in case my father came home without warning. I placed the book on top of my desk, its bumpy surface reminding me of rosary beads. Tingles of apprehension ran through me, as though the book was letting me know I shouldn’t be touching it.
But I didn’t care.
I opened it to the contents page, trying to find anything about Stellas, surprised when there was no mention of them. I flicked to the back of the book and searched the index, smiling when I spotted a whole raft of pages referring to them. I went to the first reference, finding a chapter about Marises. A picture of a blue rosary was depicted under the title, but it looked different from Catherine’s, the star-like bead replaced by a shell-shaped one. I started reading about the Maris rosary, which reiterated the information I already knew: that the rosary controlled all forms of water, Marises often living by the sea or snow.
Near the bottom of the page, I found what I was after, the author mentioning that Stellas could use Maris rosaries, the next line also confirming what I’d thought:
Stellas can change their eye colour at will, mimicking a Maris as well as other Merges.
I quickly flipped the page, disappointed that there was no more information on Stellas. I checked the index for the next reference, finding similar information in the Seraphim chapter. I skimmed through the chapter about my people, trying to find anything I hadn’t been told, but it just reiterated what I already knew about Moses’ burning bush, the tongues of fire, as well as the Spanish Inquisition with the burning of heretics.
Until I came to the last paragraph.
A chill ran through my bones at what was written:
The Spanish Inquisition was often used as a veil to hide the slaughter of half-cast Merges. Many half-demon and half-angel Merges were burned alive at the stake, along with young Stellas. Stellas who hadn’t reached full maturity were often mistaken as half-casts due to their inability to control their powers as well as their eye colour. Some believe it was the Spanish Inquisition that devastated the Stella population in Europe, rather than the Angel and Demon War. It is said that the surviving Stellas returned to Heaven, but not before assassinating the people responsible for burning their young, thus putting an end to the Spanish Inquisition.
The chapter came to an end, the next o
ne on the Halo Rosary, also known as the Healing Beads. I continued reading, Halos fascinating me. A picture of a Halo Merge was depicted under the title, their hair as white as Catherine’s. I greedily gobbled up the information beneath the picture, reading about how Halos could raise the dead as well as suck all the air out of a person. I barely noticed the clock ticking over as I devoured everything about Halos—the air Merges.
A loud bang made me almost jump out of my skin. A second later, I realised it was the front door. My eyes shot to my own door as the handle twisted.
“Christopher! Why is your door locked?” my father’s irate voice called out.
I quickly shoved the book under my bed. “I didn’t realise I’d locked it,” I lied, heading for the door. I opened it, getting a stare down from my father. He stepped into my bedroom, looking around it suspiciously, as though he knew I was hiding something.
“I was just studying, Papà,” I said, still unable to look at him. I hadn’t spoken to him since he’d thrown me against the wall, preferring avoidance to confrontation.
“Have you had dinner yet?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“Chris, look at me.”
I glanced up, finding it hard to look at the man I called father. At the man who cared so little about me that he’d thrown me against the wall, banging my head so hard that I’d bled—and not just a little. I also found it hard to look at him, knowing he’d married his own sister. It didn’t matter to me that they weren’t biological siblings, they still came from the same man, regardless of what body my grandfather had been in at the time. And I found it hard to look at him because he was half-demon, something he’d hidden not just from me, but the community we used to live in. Though, I couldn’t blame him for that, because if they knew he was a half-cast, they might have killed him, or at the very least cast him out.
My father exhaled, his breathing sounding loud in the almost silent room. “I’m sorry.”
I blinked, not believing what I was hearing. He never said sorry to me, even when he knew he was wrong.
He continued, “I know those two words aren’t enough, that there’s nothing I can say that’ll make it up to you, but I’ve got to try.” He stepped closer, causing me to take a rapid step back, my reaction automatic, no thought other than instinct kicking in.
Stella Maris (The Legendary Rosaries) Page 19