by C.M. Owens
Chris made a face at her before ducking back inside the car and turning the music up louder. Cassie grabbed her backpack and slung it over her shoulder. Cars were lined up and down the senior parking lot, music blaring from most of them as the students each tried to outdo the stereo of the others around them.
Students milled about everywhere, calling greetings to their friends as they moved through the cramped spaces. Some juniors had strolled over from the lot below, but most stayed by their own cars. Cassie usually enjoyed the noise and confusion of the mornings, it helped to wake her up but today she found herself wishing that everyone would keep their music at a normal level, and their voices pitched below screaming. She'd gotten little sleep, and the dull throbbing in her temples was a constant reminder of that fact.
"I'm going in," she muttered to Melissa.
Melissa frowned at her. "Are you ok?"
Cassie frowned as she nodded and pulled her glasses back over her tired, aching eyes. "I didn't sleep well, and that sun is awfully bright."
"It tends to be."
Cassie didn't have the energy to come up with a witty reply as she tightened her grip on the straps of her bag and made her way into the crowd. People called out loud greetings to her that she returned with a forced smile and a cheery demeanor she didn't really feel. Her skin was still oddly electrified to the point that she wanted to rip it off, her mind still focused upon one ever present thought. Him.
Swiftly climbing the steps, she was grateful when she stepped into the cool interior of the dimly lit foyer. The shade was a relief to her skin and eyes after the hot sun. On days when she was run down, the sun was oddly draining to her. It stung her eyes more, and made her skin itch. It was easier to just avoid sunlight when she was overtired.
A sophomore boy held the door open for her, and made a grand, sweeping gesture that brought the first true smile to her lips. With few students in the halls, it was far easier to move as she gathered her things from her locker and strolled to homeroom.
***
Devon stood within the shadows, leaning against the cool wall as he watched her move down the hall. Her head was bent forward; her golden hair cascaded in thick waves to the small of her back. Though he couldn't see her face, the utter perfection of her beautiful, delicate features had been burned into his memory last night. Cassie, he recalled the small girl from last night calling her by that name.
He stepped away from the wall as she disappeared into one of the near empty classrooms. He didn't know what he was doing here, he had never stepped foot into a high school before, nor had he ever planned to do so, until today. For some reason though, he found himself standing amongst the stark, foreign halls.
Well, he knew the reason, and it was her.
Ever since he had first laid eyes on her, first smelled her, he had been inexplicably drawn to her. He'd just been passing through town, heading for the woods in search of food, when he'd caught her scent. The blood flowing through her veins was strong, its fragrance deliciously alluring. It had reeled him in like a fish on a hook, snagging hold of him and refusing to let go.
Though he hadn't fed off a human in over a hundred years, he'd been unable to resist her interesting appeal. He was so intrigued by her that he hadn't been able to roam far from her since he'd first seen her. Somehow, strangely, she was a shining light against the darkness residing in him, and he had to get closer to her. Though he hadn't intended to follow her to school, he had to see her again in order to try and figure out this strange hold she had over him.
There was a wealth of sadness in her, an aura of innocence and integrity that called out to him. It touched something in him, sparked to life something that he'd thought cold and dead centuries ago. She touched something that he hadn't even known he possessed anymore. It had taken him awhile to name the strange emotion building inside him. It shook him when he finally recognized it as hope.
He hadn't felt like this since Annabelle. Had not felt this pull and… obsession? Yes, it was definitely obsession he felt for this girl, but it was different from what he'd felt for Annabelle. This felt good, it felt right. This girl affected him in such a different way than Annabelle had. At one time, long ago, he simply had to have Annabelle, had to possess her, had to break her, but this girl…
For reasons he couldn't explain, he felt the need to protect Cassie. Seeing her made him feel alive again, almost like a normal human being. He didn't understand her hold over him, but he couldn't fight the sensations pulling at him. No, this girl was completely different than Annabelle. With Annabelle it had been a game, one that had changed him forever.
Last night, when this girl had turned to look at him, his heart had leapt in his chest, or at least it had felt like it for a moment. He hadn't thought of his beating heart or the lack thereof in centuries. However, he swore he could hear it beating now, could almost feel it pulsing blood through his deadened veins once more.
This girl was beautiful, spectacular, perfect, but it wasn't her looks that captivated him. It was the splendor of her wounded but still vibrant spirit. Though she radiated loss and loneliness, he also sensed a steel rod of strength and pride running through her. He knew with absolute certainty that she could ease the aching loneliness that had eaten at his soul for centuries. That had nearly destroyed him time and time again. After all of his time on earth, he had never expected to be shocked or thrown off balance again.
He'd been wrong.
He was completely thrown off balance now. He was unsettled and enchanted by this girl, a teenage girl no less.
He watched as the halls began to fill up, and the chatter and laughter grew louder as students milled about. Lockers opened and slammed as they prepared for the day. He found himself oddly captivated by the simplicity of their lives, amazed by the easy flow of their days. It was something that he'd never witnessed as he tended to stay away from humans, and the allure of their warm blood, and pumping hearts.
Though he had control over his baser, more murderous instincts, he felt it best to avoid temptation as much as possible. Even after all of these years, he could still clearly recall the taste of their warm blood, the thrill of the hunt, and the surge of power that their deaths had brought him. However, no matter how much of a temptation their blood was, he'd been drawn here by her, and he was loath to leave her now.
Slipping from the shadows, he ignored the startled looks his sudden emergence caused the students closest to him. He sensed the surprise, curiosity, and lust that followed his movements. He was focused upon his goal as he made his way toward the offices he'd seen at the front of the building.
If he was going to stay close to her, and get to know her better, than there was only one thing he could do. He struggled to tune out the fluttering beat of the hearts surrounding him as he took in the people that he would be spending the rest of the day with.
CHAPTER 4
Cassie idly played with the pages of her notebook as the principal droned on with the daily announcements. She honestly didn't know if she was going to make it through this day. She was wound tight as a spring and about ready to break. Closing her eyes, she folded her arms and dropped her head on the desk as she stifled a yawn. Chris shot her a questioning look, but she ignored it as she allowed her eyes to drift shut.
The morning announcements finally came to an end and attendance began. Cassie shot her hand up, not bothering to lift her head when her name was called. Chatter started up the minute that attendance was over. Homework was discussed; plans for the weekend were made in the few minutes left before the day started.
"You ok?"
Cassie opened her eyes, her lids felt like lead as she met Chris's worried gaze. "Just a little tired," she assured him.
The class suddenly became still as a strange hush settled over everyone. Cassie frowned at the startled look that came over Chris's face. He froze where he was, his hand upon her desk and his eyes riveted on something at the front of the class.
A feeling of foreboding stole through her. The strange tin
gling sensation once again raced down her spine. Her already frayed nerve endings leapt to blazing life, as they seemed to sizzle and crack with electricity. She remained frozen, unable to lift her head to see what had everyone so riveted; she was certain she already knew, she just wasn't certain how she was going to deal with it.
Swallowing heavily, she fought to rid herself of the gigantic lump in her throat. Taking a deep breath, she gathered all of her courage, and whatever strength she had left and slowly lifted her head, her eyes immediately making contact with his. Her heart fluttered like a bird trapped in a cage, his powerful body seemed so out of place in the classroom.
Her classroom!
It took her a moment to truly comprehend that he was really there, that she hadn't fallen asleep and was dreaming about him. She had to be awake though, for she could never dream anything so amazing, or so frightening. She also never would have dreamed that he was a high school student. He seemed far older than her, or any of her other classmates. He exuded a raw power and confidence that none of them possessed. Yet he was standing there as if he truly belonged; standing there as if he didn't look as out of place as a platypus would.
Even Mrs. Mann looked slightly flabbergasted as he spoke quietly with her, then handed her a slip of paper allowing him to join the class. Cassie stared at the slip of paper as she wrestled to get her mind focused on something other than her crazy physical reaction to his presence, in her otherwise calm and normal day.
He turned away from Mrs. Mann, and his intense emerald eyes instantly latched onto hers. Cassie inhaled sharply, tears once again flooded her eyes as a sense of peace and rightness stole through her. His gaze never left hers as Mrs. Mann cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. Everyone's interest was already focused upon the outsider in their midst though. Few new students ever moved to their small town, let alone one that was as fascinating, and magnificent, as he was. He would be the center of attention for the rest of the year.
"Class, I would like to introduce you to Devon Knight."
Something flickered in his eyes; a small smile curved his full mouth as he finally turned his gaze to the rest of the students. With the connection broken, a crushing sense of being trapped descended upon her. She couldn't be stuck here with him; she couldn't be forced into a destiny that she didn't want. Not again.
And she did not want this, whatever this was, she told herself fiercely. Even though she secretly suspected that she did.
"You are lucky Devon; we have plenty of people in this class who would be more than happy to show you around." Cassie slid further down in her desk as Mrs. Mann's gaze scanned the classroom. "Melissa, would you be willing to show Devon around?"
Relief and disappointment crashed through Cassie in turbulent waves that left her shaken and unsettled. Melissa stiffened in front of Cassie. "Of course," she replied pleasantly.
The bell rang, but nobody leapt to their feet as they all remained focused on the new guy. "Have a good day everyone," Mrs. Mann announced loudly.
The trance seemed to shatter as everyone moved into action. Melissa turned to Cassie, a strange gleam in her onyx eyes. "Would you like to join us?"
Cassie opened her mouth to answer, but no words would come out. She shook her head, and knocked back her chair as she lurched to her feet. Both Chris and Melissa studied her in surprise as she scooped up her bag, and flung it over her shoulder. "Cassie…"
"I have to go, I'll see you later," she interrupted abruptly.
Her gaze darted back to the front of the class, where he was standing patiently, his eyes still focused on her. Cassie bent her head, scared to look at him in case she got sucked in by him again. If she did, she knew she would never escape. Keeping her head down, she joined the crush of students pushing into the crowded hallway.
She barely acknowledged the greetings she received as she hurried down the hall. Pushing her way into the bathroom she ignored the girls huddled by the window smoking cigarettes. They didn't acknowledge her presence either. Turning the faucet on, Cassie eagerly splashed her face with cold water.
She would not cry, she could not cry. If she did she knew she would never stop. Turning the water off, she placed her hands on the edge of the sink and gasped in air as she struggled to keep control of her wildly swaying emotions. She wanted to sob over the events that kept throwing her life into a tailspin and for the joy and electricity that still sizzled through her. She wanted it to end and for him to go away so that she could feel normal again.
"Are you ok?"
She glanced up at one of the girls who'd been smoking, but was now hovering by her elbow. Worry marred the girl's delicate forehead, her hazel eyes were flecked with streaks of gold as well as concern for someone she didn't know. "I'm fine," Cassie answered shakily.
The girl gave her a worried frown as she handed her a wad of paper towels. "Are you sure?"
Cassie's hands shook as she took the towels and voiced her thanks. She was ashamed to realize that she didn't know her name. "Yes. I'm Cassie."
"I know." The girl's short brown hair, streaked with shades of green, bobbed around her shoulders as she smiled. "Danielle, but my friends call me Dani."
Smiling tremulously, Cassie's hands clenched briefly around the crumpled towels. "Pleasure to meet you Dani, thank you."
A small smile flitted across the girl's pretty face before she retreated back to her hazy corner. Drying her face, Cassie glanced only briefly at her reflection. She already knew that she was a mess, but her frantic, bloodshot eyes were a bit of a surprise. She looked half crazed, and it was not a good look on her. There was nothing she could do about her eyes though, she had no eye drops, and she wasn't even sure they would help right now. At this point, she didn't think anything could help.
Taking a deep breath, she retrieved the backpack she had hastily dumped on the floor. The hall was almost deserted when she poked her head out of the bathroom. She was still shaky and distraught, but at least she didn't feel like she was on the brink of a meltdown anymore. Making her way down the hall, she slipped into her history class. People shot her questioning looks as she made her way to her desk, but thankfully no one stopped her.
Sitting at her desk, Cassie dropped her head in her hands. She forced herself to remain seated and not get up and leave class, and school. Though it was a tempting thought, she knew she couldn't run forever, apparently he was going to be in her life from now on or at least in her school. She would have to find another way to deal with the situation other than running.
She felt that avoidance would be best.
***
Devon searched the cafeteria as he made his way through the thick crowd with Melissa leading the way. "No matter what, bring your own lunch on Thursdays, the spaghetti is awful," she told him in between the vast amount of "hello's" she received, and returned.
He turned his attention back to her as she stopped before him and her dark eyes searched his face. She was a nice enough girl, but the intense way she studied him was more than a little unsettling. He had the strange feeling that she saw more of him than he would like her to. Her head tilted, her exotically slanted eyes narrowed as a small smile flitted over her full mouth.
"Thanks for the warning."
She grinned as she shrugged a dainty shoulder, and made her way back through the crowd. "The seniors sit in the back of the cafeteria when it's too crappy to sit outside."
Devon barely paid attention to her as his eyes returned to the mob of students. He could sense her somewhere amongst the crowd; he could smell her marvelous aroma. He hadn't seen Cassie since this morning, when she had fled the classroom in an obvious panic. It wasn't the reaction he'd hoped for from her, but at least he knew that she was feeling something too. He just wasn't sure what.
The crowd suddenly opened to reveal her. She was sitting at a table, an apple held casually in her hand as she stared up at the boy standing at her side. The boy was tall and muscular, his brown hair curled at the collar of his shirt, he leaned forward to r
est his hands on the table. She shook her head at him and placed the apple down. Devon didn't like the aggravation that he sensed from her; it was more than apparent that she was annoyed by the boy.
"Who is that with your friend?" Devon inquired, trying to sound as casual as possible.
Melissa glanced toward the table. "Mark Young. He's been chasing Cassie since middle school; unfortunately he doesn't take a hint."
Devon folded his arms over his chest as Cassie shook her head at Mark. He already had enough competition in the form of Cassie's boyfriend for her attention; he didn't require anymore. "And her boyfriend doesn't do anything about it?" Though he tried, he was unable to keep the aggravation from his voice.
Melissa frowned at him as her dark eyebrows drew together over her petite nose. "Cassie doesn't have a boyfriend."
Devon's gaze returned to the table as the tall blond he'd seen her with last night appeared. He nodded briefly to Mark before sliding into the seat next to Cassie. Leaning toward her, he grabbed a handful of fries from her plate. Devon would have sworn the two of them were together. Hell, the boy had crawled through her bedroom window last night, and he hadn't come back out.
A surprising jolt of anger and jealousy twisted his gut. He had never experienced jealousy before. It was an emotion that until now, had been utterly foreign to him. For most of his existence he'd always taken whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it. He didn't like the feeling of helplessness that filled him, and anger was an emotion that he couldn't allow himself to experience. Anger made him unstable, and for him, instability could be lethal for those around him.
Devon took a deep breath as he tried to steady the pendulum of emotions that swung through him. He was beginning to realize that this was a giant mistake. He never should have come here; he shouldn't have placed himself in closer proximity to her. She helped to fill the void in his soul, but she also served to unhinge all of the grueling work he'd done to keep himself under firm restraint.
He couldn't allow that to happen, he couldn't risk losing control of himself and hurting someone, possibly even her. He would rather destroy himself than see her harmed in anyway, least of all by his own hand.